Class D's Reaction

If we enter the classroom now whilst holding our hands, just what kind of ruckus will that cause? I’m sure Suzune won't mind the attention. Especially having being nominated the leader of the class back on the island, it will be nothing new for her. For me, on the other hand. The wave of attention will be hard to bear with, especially as I’m trying to sustain a low-profile. I guess it will be inevitable that, one day or another, I will be the centre of attention. However just like any other students, the attention I gather shall soon diminish.

My main concern is having to deal with Sudo.

We stand outside the classroom. It seemed quiet and peaceful, devoid of any surprises, just like any regular day. However, due to circumstances, this will not be a regular day.

“Maybe we should let go of our hands after all. I'm sure you wouldn't want to trigger a parade first thing in the morning, right?”

Suzune seemed disappointed having to let go of my hand. She sighs, as she releases her grip.

“Fine...”

And so, after praying for no one to recognize anything, we walk into the classroom. Just like any day, everyone conversed with each other, quenching their boredom. However, the first step we take into the classroom led the students of class D falling into silence. Everyone's gazes fixate on us, some with a smile, some without.

“Good Morning, Ayanokoji-kun and Horikita-san. You two seem well,” Hirata speaks amid the silence.

“Good Morning...” I pretend the silence was my imagination, and proceed to walk towards my seat. Suzune does the same.

“Horikita-san! How are you doing?” Kushida seems more overjoyed than usual, over that abstract mask.

Everyone remained silent.

“I'm not particularly doing well or unwell, I'm the same as always,” Suzune replies, with her eyes shut. Her stern look she displayed towards Kushida was a routine at this point, even Kushida didn’t pay heed to it. In fact, she leaned in closer.

“Oooh, is that soooo?”

“Yes, it is so. Now, do you mind moving your face? The last thing I'd want right now is seeing your face up-close, especially in the morning.”

That was harsh.

“Oops, my bad my bad, hehe."

She pulls her face back as she was ordered, however she looks towards me and smiles.

“Good morning, Ayanokoji-kun!”

“Good morning...”

What is this aura?

“Oh, I nearly forgot to ask! Are things going well between you two?”

'Nearly forgot to ask'? She seems as if she was waiting excruciatingly to ask that question.

I look at her in the eyes. One look was suffice to distinguish her motive. She's definitely trying to usher our conversation into a certain direction. I guess I have no choice but end this right now.

“Yes, we're dating.”

“...”

“...”

"..."

"..."

“Ehhhhh!” the whole class screams simultaneously.

“H-H-He said it!” Ike shouts.

“I-I-In front of the class, too!” adds Yamauchi.

“You guys had already realized, so I don't see why you're acting surprised,” Suzune intervenes. Seems like she noticed too, huh.

“Of-Of course we did! Yamauchi said he saw you two together this morning holding hands! Didn't you, Yamauchi?!”

“Y-Yes, I did!”

Figures. I felt a certain stare that seemed familiar. I guess we were caught even before we tried to reveal our secret. Well, this was inevitable.

And so, as seconds went by, just as I predicted, the entire class, with a few exceptions, surrounded us whilst bombarding us with questions. ‘Have you kissed?’ ‘Who declared their love to who?’ ‘Who held who's hand?’ These types of questions were thrown upon us but we simply did not answer them. Even I could see, at the corner of my eye, Suzune irritated by the mayhem.

Whilst the commotion continues, I try and scout out a single person. As I try to do so, the man I try to find stands by the doors and dampens the mood.

“Oi oi! What's with th’noise!”

After a single glance at Sudo, everyone suddenly turns quiet. A few boys mutter to another whilst a few girls tremble out of fear. It's only natural to turn petrified after seeing a beast whose heart is seconds from getting crushed.

“G-Good morning, Sudo-kun...!” Hirata tries his utmost to calm the beast. “How are you tod-"

“Oi, Hirata! Tell me! What am I missin' out on!?”

He grabs Hirata by the collar, and frowns with his face covered in wrinkles. I’m sure Sudo knows himself what had been going on, judging by the questions he must've overheard and whom they were directed to, but he wants to be proven wrong. After all, no one wants their first love taken away by someone else, especially by me... who feels little to no love for that girl.

“I'll say it, Sudo-kun.”

Suzune offers an explanation, though, I'm not sure if she knows why Sudo was in such a mood. Maybe it would be better if she kept quiet-

“I'm dating Kiyotaka.”

Great.

“K-K" He releases Hirata from his hand, whilst stumbling upon his words, “Kiyotaka?! W-Who's that?!”

She looks directly at me. Does she really intend to let Sudo murder me?

“Kiyotaka... don’t tell me! Ayanokoji!? You're dating Ayanokoji!”

He looks over to me as if betrayed. I merely nod; my mouth is too guilty to speak.

“W-W-What...”

He falls onto his knees. Everyone in the class watches in pity. Everyone with the exception of Koenji.

“C-Come on, Sudo. It's not the end of the world... haha...”

“Yeah yeah Sudo... I mean... I'm sure you'll find someone else...”

“What's wrong with him?” asks Suzune. I guess she still hasn't a clue of Sudo's feelings, despite the number of tears he's shedding in front of her.

“It's complicated,” I reply, before sighing.

“Oh my, did Mr Red-Head-kun have his red heart shattered? How amusing!” exclaims the sole person who lacks pity for Sudo, Koenji. “Only a coward falls in front of his love!”

Sometimes, I can do no more than question the extent of his audacity. Angering a broken Sudo is a terribly bold move.

We all turn towards Sudo, who prepares his fist.

"H-Hey, Sudo. Don't listen to what he-"

“Koenji... you-!” he charges forward like a bull into a red cape.

Everyone gasps, “Sudo, don't!”

Hirata holds Sudo back along with Ike and Yamauchi. In all honesty, I did not expect things to develop into such violence. Though, it was hard to look away.

“Hoh? You mad, little boy?” Koenji stands from his seat and puts away his mirror, “If you harbour such displeasure within you, then you must bring that girl back to you! Haha!”

Sudo lightens his face

“Bring her back...?”

As if a ray of hope shone at him from above, he widens his eyes.

“This is bad," I mutter to myself. I could see where things were going, so I brace myself.

Right now, the thing I'd like the most is evading unnecessary action. However, this situation is pretty much impossible to mend.

I guess the most I could do is prepare.

Sudo stomps his way towards me, slams my desk and proclaims:

“I will win her to my side, Ayanokoji! Meet me at the back of the school at the end of the day, alone! I promise, I will show you who's worthy! You better turn up!”

And so, the day after I receive a confession of love, it's time to receive my confession of hate.

Back of the school

“Are you alive, Sudo...”

I meet him, as promised.

I come alone, as promised.

But he did not keep his promise.

I did not expect to see him as heartbroken as he is now. He sat on the ground with crestfallen eyes that refused to look at the world. It was that cruel, I suppose. It was a truly pitiful sight to behold.

“Ayanokoji, I was mistaken...” he says in a low voice.

“Oh? What's with the change of attitude?”

It's as if I've seen a young boy grow up, in a single day.

“I knew it. I knew I was not good enough. Yet I... deluded myself!”

To see him give up truly makes me feel something. Seeing him all broken on the ground, with dry tears on his cheeks. I never knew it before, but now I know... Sudo is quite spineless.

“I let my delusions get to me... I've never felt so humiliated in my life!”

His will is as weak and fragile as glass. It didn't require myself to break it, anyone could break it at this point. I feel as though my eyes are staring at the shards of glass that had been broken by a single touch. Coming here truly was a waste of time.

Though, I should be grateful he spared me the unnecessary action.

“But I get it... you liked her too, didn't you? You had to bear with me talkin' and talkin' about her, you must've felt a li'l hurt, right? ‘Cause you love her too?”

“Yeah...”

The misunderstanding is immense. However, I feel no need to correct him. As long as he finishes up as soon as possible.

“I thought about it a lot during lunch. But, after a long time thinkin' I came to somethin'.” He stands from his dejected position, “I'll... let you take care of her. ‘Cause you two were clearly made to be together...” he places his hand on my shoulder, “I'll leave her in your hands, Kiyotaka.”

After whispering that in my ear, he walks off. Acting cool was most likely his approach to this confrontation, however it did not affect me.

Accepting Suzune's confession was merely to add spices to this High School Life. It is now up to her to instil the feeling of love into me. To convince me to continue this relationship.

If not, then I'll move on with her, and find something else.

That has, and always will be, my motive.

“Guess I'll meet with her now. I made her wait.”

Main account: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Diefeel

I know most of you would want a SOL story, but I'd rather write a serious fanfic with a few SOL chapters. And FYI, I will skip the events of the special exams and focus solely on the romance.

And maybe I'll try and develop Ayanokoji, unlike the current author (or, at least i dont think he has) :) Thanks for reading!