Classroom of the Elite: Alter - Self-Test

"Yo, Ayanokouji!" Ike greeted me with a grin. "Everyone's waiting for you. The girls were looking quite worried, you know? You lucky bastard."

"Wanna switch places with me? You guys might want to explore the island yourselves."

"Ohhh! I'm alright with just fishing and teaching everyone some stuff, but I'm down for tomorrow if everything goes well." Ike lightly slapped my arm before heading back. "C'mon, the boys just finished making the bonfire, and we've got leftover food from earlier."

Thanks to their work, I managed to find my way to the campsite with ease.

Most of my classmates greeted me upon return. I brought the fruits I got on the way back and had the food experts store them somewhere.

All of us ate supper like normal. The moment I finished, Hirata secretly lent me one of the flashlights so I could use them later. He'll explain everything to Kikyou, Horikita, and Karuizawa, but for now, I need to leave as fast as I can. After all, the roll call will be held at exactly 8:00 PM. If I leave now, around 6:45, I think I'll have enough time given my familiarity with the place. The darkness will slow me down, but the flashlight and moonlight should be enough to guide me properly.

At around 7:28 PM, I finally reached the top. I barely managed to go back in time many minutes later, at 7:56 PM. Of course, the bonfire acted like my beacon.

"Oh, Ayanokouji-kun, you're finally back." Hirata greeted me with a pretty loud voice, enough for most of my classmates to hear.

With his help, everyone was under the impression that I went out to the forest to get some wood for my own little campfire, just like last night.

"Yeah... I got lost, but I made it back, somehow."

After Chabashira-sensei's roll call, everyone got ready to just chill out and sleep. As usual, I looked over the map and manual, checking them with a quick scan. While hearing the lively conversations of my classmates, Horikita approached me with her light footsteps.

"Horikita...? Is everything alright?"

This time, I was ready. I prepared a seat across mine if ever someone wanted to talk with me. Horikita sat on the sturdy branch and stared at me. I kept the map and manual back inside my bag.

"Will we continue everything like this?" she asked.

"Pretty much. It would've been nice if we could send out people along with the search party to scout out the other classes' base camps, but it'll be pointless. Class D is a lost cause. I don't know if they've retired already, but they won't get past the fourth day for sure. We're in a cooperative relationship with Class C, so betraying them would hurt us in the long run. And lastly, Class A is pretty much a fortress. As an overall better class, antagonizing them directly would put our current position at risk," I explained.

Katsuragi already suggested a non-conflict strategy for all classes. This can only mean that he's confident about getting more spots than us... Well, the western region certainly has some noticeable spots, but is that really it...? Being secretive about their cave was strange, to begin with. They should have a very good reason for it, and that reason is vital for their success.

"I see... I've been thinking about the same things. In the end, I think the only strategy left is to get points from spots as much as we can. The whole class is stable thanks to your instructions, as well as Karuizawa-san and Hirata-kun's leadership..."

Midnight attacks can be done as long as I'm alone, but the physical risk is too high. The most plausible plan to penetrate Class A's defense is from the inside... I don't know how divided their class is, but colluding with a traitor is a decent plan. It's unfortunate that I don't have connections with any Class A students, though.

We still have three full days... I guess I'll start with gathering information.

"Yeah, let's just wait it out. As long as Class B comes out fine after this, we can consider it a win. I'm sure we'll get more chances to overtake Class A in the future."

Horikita nodded calmly before addressing me for another topic.

"Ayanokouji-kun... I would like to apologize about before."

"Apologize? About what?"

"I know you don't like talking about your past. That's why my behavior from back then must've bothered you a lot." With her somber tone, Horikita talked to me while staring at the small campfire.

"It's alright, to be honest. I understand why you acted like that. It's natural to not trust someone when you barely know what they want," I shrugged. "It's easy to trust you since I already know what you want, though."

"And that is?"

"Reaching Class A and getting your brother's acknowledgment, right?"

"That-... Yes, I can't deny that..."

"And by now, I guess everyone in our class knows what I want."

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but as you've mentioned before, you would like to reach Class A and then live a peaceful high school."

"Exactly. But unlike most students, I see Class A as a fleeting goal. Once we get to Class A, I'll stop leading the class. That responsibility will be yours and Hirata's. I want to focus on enjoying my high school life peacefully— full-time."

Like a retiree.

"I see... How will you tell the class?"

"I'll just make some sort of sob story about it— like how it's too stressful for me to continue being the leader."

At first, I thought about just telling them straight out. "I'm done being the leader.", "I'll be stepping down permanently this time."... It's not like I absolutely don't want their impressions of me to go down. I'm more concerned about their curiosity, more than anything. I can probably consider everyone in Class B as my friends. They've reached out to me with their problems a lot of times in the past. Most of them would certainly try to ask me why I went through with such a decision.

"But it'll be hard to convince the class. Every one of them knows how mentally and physically formidable you are."

"Yeah, that's why I'll need your help along with Kikyou. As my closest friends, they won't question your words so easily. I'll drop hints for my other friends, too. They'll vouch for you when the time comes."

It's better to have an excuse ready. I wanted the two of them to deliver it so everyone would be satisfied. If anyone ever asks me to elaborate, I can just repeat what Horikita and Kikyou would say.

"Alright, Ayanokouji-kun. I'll help you."

"Don't worry, Horikita. I'll still fulfill my role as a member of the class. Although I don't think I can get extremely high scores in our written exams like before, I won't hold you guys back on academics by slacking off." My written tests always range from 90 to 100 points, but after stepping down, I might bring them down a little bit more. "That goes for athletics, as well. And lastly, it'll be you and Hirata who'll think up everything for the future special exams."

And I guess that's it for my retirement plan.

"Yes, you can leave it to us."

Fortunately, our conversation was fluid. Horikita understood where I was coming from.

"Thank you, Horikita... for respecting my wishes and all that."

"No, I'm the one who should thank you. If you're suspicious about me being too nice, then please stop because I'm just repaying a favor. We wouldn't be this close to Class A if it weren't you, after all. If you think it's weird, then you're just being rude."

"My bad." I guess she read my mind. "It would've been nice if you could smile like before."

My vague wording shook Horikita.

"Like before...?"

"When we were looking over the old test questions. That's the first time ever seen you smile for real."

Horikita tends to smirk whenever she wins an argument against me. Those moments were the closest I've seen her crack a smile. We've been wild with our audacious grins towards each other, huh?

"Oh... That's what you mean." Horikita's cool expression didn't fade, but I noticed a hint of melancholy from it.

I slowly stood up and faced the boys' tents.

"Don't linger around for too long, Horikita. No one will complain even if you sleep early."

Horikita was assigned to night watch this time. But as her sickness was known to everyone, none of our classmates should have a problem with her going off-duty before midnight.

I lay down and closed my eyes as another day passed for this week-long test.