Alex's Pov
It has been a few days after the partner exam concluded and I have decided to take a potentially dangerous gamble, if it turns out well the results could be very useful in the future.
The thing I am doing that carries such a high likelihood of risk is talking to Horikita, more specifically letting her in on the stuff she has been oblivious to the entire time.
This is a calculated risk in preparation for the future, once we reach the point of where I read in the novels I will in all likelihood be even less intelligent than Horikita.
To combat this I have decided to help elevate her understanding and perception as a second layer of defense. Previously I have had a bad relationship with her and I would like to change that and perhaps get her indebted to me while I can.
Of course I wont be telling her everything, I am quite good at coming up with convincing stories after all.
As apposed to calling her beforehand or texting I decided to show up at her room unannounced, it might seem rude but it establishes the precedent that I am superior to her and judging from past experiences she wont pass up the opportunity to learn more about the inner working of what is going on.
The time I decided to go was early evening, a few hours after class but not too long that it was dinner time, I wore simple jeans and a hoodie.
When arriving at her room I did what any normal person would and rang the bell, after about 10 seconds of nothing I rang it again. As it rang the second time the door opened, and I was met by the cold gaze of a girl with short black hair and crimson eyes that bore into me like drills.
" What are you doing here Alex-kun?"
She put no effort into hiding her displeasure with seeing me here, I doubt she was in the middle of anything much.
"I was wondering if we can speak about some important matters, I think it will be very informative for you."
As a response she keep staring at me, her gaze gave the impression of "you better not be messing with me asshole," She soon moved to the side motioning me in.
As I entered the beautiful notes of Mozart's Requiem in D minor danced into my ears, I decided to comment on it in an attempt to show her I was civilized.
"A beautiful choice in music Horikita, however I wonder what the somber occasion is to prompt you to listen to it."
It was clear she was surprised by my question, most likely not thinking I knew anything about classical opera music.
"Your arrival is enough of a somber occasion to warrant something like this, otherwise maybe I would go with Serenade No. 13 in G Major."
It seems Horikita likes Mozart, a perfectly understandable choice that I can respect.
I sat down at the table present and Horikita gave me a hospitable question.
"What would you like to drink? I have coffee, tea, juice, and water."
I gave her a quick answer.
"I'll have some water, thank you for asking."
She then retreated to get us some beverages while I went over what I would and wouldn't tell her one last time.
A few seconds later she returned and handed me some water, as I took I sip I looked at her, I had almost forgotten how beautiful she was, even with short hair she was extremely attractive.
As I swallowed the water I decided how I would start, from my experience if you sound vague and philosophical people will think you are smart, so I went with that approach.
"Horikita, for over a year we have all been planets in a solar system rotating around a sun, looking to try to advance our class and have a more enjoyable life here. What would you think if I told you there has been an invisible force that has been pulling all of us towards it without our knowledge, we know this force exists but we know not why or how it does what it does.
This so-called black hole never lets any light escape, but we can see the traces that light has been pulled into it. I would like you to tell me what you think about this Horikita."
I could see she was thinking carefully about what I said, I was pretty happy she didn't yell at me to stop spouting bullshit and get to the point.
After a few minutes of careful silence, the only sound being me drinking water, she finally responded.
"Although your analogy relating to astronomy took me a second to put together I believe I understand. You are saying that there is a shadowy figure that has been manipulating us for the past year, this sounds like either yourself or Ayanokoji-kun though, im not sure what new groundbreaking information you mean by what you said."
I took a breath and started to explain.
"When you look at a black hole you can see it devours everything to grow, correct? Well think of this black hole as Ayanokoji, you have seen him do many amazing things, the question is Horikita, have you seen what is past the event horizon? The place where the force of gravity is so strong that not even light can escape it, the void, the abyss, that is what I am telling you. You think you have seen and understand the black hole known as Ayanokoji, but just like scientists in real life, you have absolutely no clue what is going on apart from what he allows you to see."
It took a short while for Horikita to take in what I said to her, it was as if a mask had been removed from her eyes as the look she currently wore was dramatically different than before.
"So do you intend to tell me about that which is beyond what I can see?"
I couldn't help but think the dialog has gotten increasingly strange since I came here, but for some reason speaking this way feels fun to me, yeah I'm a weirdo.
After that I began sewing a massive web mixed with truths, half-truths, exaggerations, and lies to present an extremely compelling narrative.
Throughout the story I could see in Horikita's eyes that she believed me, the curiosity and awe of learning so much information she must have thirsted for before must have fried her rational decision-making circuit as she paid attention as you would expect from an honor student.
When I was done it was clear as day she fell for my words hook, line, and sinker. To be fair I had been very truthful for the most part, almost everything that actually happened at school I told her about was real. After she was done she spoke, clearly much happier to have me as company than a few hours ago when I arrived.
"So in short, Ayanokoji-kun is here to escape his family because he doesn't want to be in charge of the family company. Then his powerful father framed the chairman of the school for a crime and has sent students and faculty to expel him to get him back home? It sounds completely crazy but it is also feels strangely to make complete sense. If he was from an extremely wealthy and powerful family it would explain why he is so good at so many things."
Now because she buys my story she will use other information she has to substantiate it and reinforce its authenticity. With that for the most part done I decided to move on to some more thing I wanted to talk about.
"Horikita, what is it that you want? Love? A successful career? A happy family? To rule over others? Deep inside your soul is pulling you towards something, what is that?"
She looked confused but answered quickly.
"I want to get a good job and eventually have a family with someone I love."
I had to stop myself from saying something about her brother, I had to keep being serious.
"For the goal you want you have to graduate from Class A correct? Staying below the top would be a major setback for your future plans, correct?"
"Of course I am going to graduate from Class A to get the job I want."
After a little bit I responded again.
"Horikita, as some advice I recommend you change how you think about this school and your future. If you want to graduate from Class A to fulfil your goals then you have to put your entire being into it, not like you are now. You no longer have those future goals for why you want a job of your choice, your brother and parents no longer matter to why you want to ascend to a higher class. You now want to win, everything else is irrelevant, winning is what you are having for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Ayanokoji only cares about winning, in fact he has already won, he is simply deciding how he should do it."
I took a small break and continued.
"This past year you have gained so much Horikita, you have in the truest sense of the word evolved and I am honestly proud of you. With that said, the higher you climb you will receive diminishing returns for your effort. Think of this information I have given you as a gift to propel you into contention with other leaders. I look forward to what you will do this upcoming year, not only for the class, but on a personal level of growth."
I stood up and began to leave, I turned and said another thing as I put my shoes on.
"Even with what I said, don't overwork yourself, taking breaks and relaxing is good. Remember though, morality is a tool used to control the masses, it is in no way needed for winning."
With that I got ready to leave and Horikita walked to the door to say goodbye to me, it was already night out and the black night sky was visible. It might even feel romantic, then Horikita spoke and disrupted the peace.
"Alex-kun, why did you talk in the way of a novel character who was about to be killed off?"
It kind of took me off guard I and turned back towards her awkwardly.
"Erm, because it sounded cool I guess?"
She gave me a deadpan look before shutting the door in my face.
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Horikita's Pov
I have learned a lot today from Alex-kun, I do not believe all of it but I am sure it will be useful in the future. The biggest takeaway for me was towards the end, he is right, I want to win. Getting Class A is my goal and nothing will stand in my way.
Now I have much more information on Ayanokoji-kun I feel I can understand him better, now I wonder about you Alex-kun, how is it possible you know this clearly high secretive information?
I guess we will find out.
The End
