Classroom of the Elite: Free Will

V9: Chapter 4 - Expel, Save, Praise

Tomori Nao POV

As soon as classes were over I headed towards one of the rest areas the campus had.

During lunch, I messaged a friend to see if we could meet and she agreed, so, I hoped this sort of plan I had would work. I knew Sakayanagi was planning to meet someone today, but she didn't tell me who she was meeting with. She assured me everything would be fine, of course. Nevertheless, I preferred to try and do something on my own to ensure I wouldn't be expelled.

Therefore, as soon as classes ended, I walked out of the classroom leaving Sakayanagi and paying no mind to all the eyes glued on me. While most gazes were reproachful and judgemental, I noticed a certain gaze that showed more curiosity. I rolled my eyes once I was outside the classroom and continued my way.

I wanted to arrive at the rest area quickly. Unfortunately, in the shoe rack, I came across the person I wanted to see the least.

"Oh! Nao-chan, hello!" she waved her hand while showing a happy smile.

"Not now, Chikujoin," I cut her coldly, as I changed my shoes.

"Hmm?" she tilted her head. "You seem quite distressed, Nao-chan. Did something happen?"

I raised my eyes to glare at her.

"You know what happened."

"Do I?" She placed a finger upon her chin as if she had no clue what I was talking about. Then, her eyes lit up as if in realisation and she clapped. "I know! You want me to guess, don't you, Nao-chan!?"

With a huff, I finished putting my shoes on, and headed towards the exit.

"I'm sorry, Chikujoin. I have no time for you right now."

"Why? Meeting someone?" She walked beside me.

"I do have a life, you know?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, I don't stroll around campus and bother people."

She laughed. "No, of course not, Nao-chan. You stroll around campus and gain people's favour, right? I heard that you owe money to a few places at the mall."

"That's ridiculous."

My debts to the arcade and the music store were paid... mostly. And I had a free pass for things like the movie theatre, the bowling, and the karaoke because I was friends with everyone working there. Nishikawa and her friends loved to use my free pass whenever they had time. Nevertheless, I was more curious to know how Chikujoin got to know about my debts.

"Heh~? I suppose it is. People have really been saying the strangest things as of late."

"Yeah... sometimes people should really learn to shut up and remain on their corner." I uttered.

"Perhaps so," she said while looking around. The grin on her face was obvious. "But it's not so bad, is it? It could be worse."

At that, I stopped walking.

"What do you mean?"

She stopped a few steps after me and had to turn around to face me.

"Hmm... I wonder~"

"Chikujoin." I spoke dryly. "What do you know?"