Classroom of the elite: The Four elites

Suzune Horikita's POV:

The morning light filtered gently through the expansive windows of the library, casting soft rays across the quiet place I had just entered. It was a place of calm, a place for focused study, and today, it was where I would prepare for a session with the idiots from Class D. Ayanokoji had stayed behind to make a call, so with that I set everything up for the study session. With the rest of our group yet to arrive, I took the opportunity to settle in. I unpacked my books, notes, and materials, placing them neatly on the desk in front of me.

As I took my seat and began scanning the contents of my textbooks, my mind wandered over the material, double, checking the topics I intended to cover. My gaze lifted occasionally to the clock as soon, the others would arrive. The library's gentle atmosphere gave me space to reflect, and so, my attention drifted across the room, taking in the place and the people around.

It was during this idle observation that something caught my eye, a figure in the corner of my vision. A boy. His presence stood out, even among the other students. His brown eyes briefly met mine, and I felt a flicker of recognition stir in the back of my mind. It was him again, Light Yagami, from Class C. The student who had earned the title of Japan's top, ranked scholar.

Admiration was a rare sentiment for me, and it was not something I readily indulged. But there was no denying the brilliance that surrounded the figure of Light. His previous academic prowess had already cemented his place in the school's hierarchy.

Before I could reflect further, he stood from his seat, excusing himself from his group with a polite nod, and made his way toward me.

"Suzune Horikita, from Class D," he greeted, his voice smooth, his smile warm but seemed almost fake. "I believe our previous encounters have been less than pleasant, wouldn't you agree?"

I considered dismissing him immediately, but curiosity won out over my initial impulse. "Just to clarify," I began, my voice calm but inquisitive, "you're the same Light Yagami who topped the mock exams before entering this school, correct?"

He nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes. "That's correct," he confirmed. His gaze swept over my desk briefly before he added, "If you're here on your own, you're welcome to join my study group. I'm certain they wouldn't mind, and it could be more productive if we work together."

For a moment, I considered his offer, weighing it against the familiarity of my own group. In the end, my decision was swift as my head began to shake. "No, thank you. I have others joining me soon." The words left my mouth with ease, as I was confident I could manage the session without outside help.

Light simply nodded, his smile never faltering. He seated himself across from me, his posture relaxed. His expression shifted, becoming one of genuine curiosity than anything else.

"I've been doing some research," he began, his tone having a hint of intrigue. "And I've come across some interesting information. Might you be related to Manabu Horikita, the Student Council President?"

The mention of my brother sent a little chill through me, though I quickly masked it. I met his gaze, steady and composed. "Yes, Manabu is my older brother," I confirmed, wary of his prying tone. "Why do you ask?"

Light's eyes flickered with something that might have been understanding, or perhaps simply the sharpness of someone who never let a detail slip unnoticed. "Your expression changed when I mentioned his name," he observed, his voice soft. "I couldn't help but notice."

I stiffened slightly, but only for a moment. I quickly regained my composure, masking any discomfort. "I'm not sure what you mean," I replied, forcing a neutral tone.

He chuckled, the sound light and almost too knowing. "I must be imagining things. Still," he continued, shifting his gaze to my desk, "I can't help but wonder... for someone of your intellect, you should know the guide I gave your fellow classmates is more than enough to help them at least pass."

His words was an unexpected probing that made me hesitate. It was curious that he was offering such advice when, from what I could see, he was still working diligently on his own study group, even with his glowing praise of the guide he had given everyone.

Just as I began to process his words even more, my peripheral vision caught sight of Ayanokoji and the rest of our group finally entering the library. My gaze shifted briefly, noting their arrival. It seemed that Light had noticed as well. Without missing a beat, he rose from his seat.

"I've imposed on you long enough," he said, his voice tinged with polite finality. "We'll have to continue our conversation another time. I'm sure I'll see you soon, Suzune Horikita."

With those parting words, Light Yagami had retreated, leaving me alone with the faint afterimage of our conversation as my classmates finally arrived at the desk and our study group could get underway.

Light Yagami's POV:

As I slowly withdrew from the vicinity of the table where Horikita sat, a quiet sense of disappointment settled over me. A sigh, barely audible, slipped from my lips before I could stop it. My knowledge of the student council's inner workings was limited, but from my observations, it had become clear that Suzune Horikita was, in fact, the younger sister of the highly esteemed student council president.

I cast a subtle glance over my shoulder, observing her once more. In that fleeting moment, my initial assessment of her seemed to shift. Horikita no longer held the potential value I had once thought. My original plan had been to cultivate an alliance with her, using her influence over her brother as leverage to further my own plans. But after our brief exchange, two things had become more than clear, it was clear that she wasn't easily swayed by charm. The second was the coldness in her reaction to the mere mention of her brother spoke volumes.

I walked slowly back to my seat at our study table, the thoughts pondering in my mind. The student council, was it really worth pursuing? My brief interaction with Horikita had made me question whether my energy was better spent elsewhere. Before I could dive deeper into that line of thinking, an unexpected voice snapped me back to the present.

"Light," Hiyori's teasing tone cut through my contemplation. "I didn't take you for the type to show interest in someone like her."

Hiyori. The shy girl who had, in recent weeks, started to blossom in subtle ways. She was no longer the reserved figure I had once known, inching closer to something more slightly extroverted. It was almost as if she were emerging from her protective shell.

I paused for a moment, offering her a calm, measured response. "Maybe that's my preference... or maybe not. But what about you, Hiyori?" I leaned back slightly, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "What sort of man catches your interest?"

She hesitated, as if carefully considering her answer, before shaking her head with a gentle dismissive laugh. "Now that's a secret I'll keep to myself."

"Ah, well," I said, leaning in slightly as if sharing a personal insight. "I'm pretty sure I know one thing for sure. Whoever it is, they'll have to be a massive fan of books."

I chuckled lightly, watching her smile slightly widen. My attention then shifted back to the task at hand, our study session. Even with the study guide I had so confidently provided, it was better to be thorough. Guiding my classmates through their lessons was still the most important thing. I had no intention of letting distractions derail the session to any progress possible.

However, just as I began to focus on the material in front of me, a disturbance caught my ear, a commotion coming from the table I had just recently vacated. I glanced over. A man, easily over 180 centimeters tall and with a physique that radiated strength, had grabbed Horikita by the collar. The girl I recognized as Kushida was intervening, gripping the arm of the man I knew as Sudou.

The specifics of their altercation were muffled by the distance between our tables, but the reasons seemed to be clear. The crowd gathered, and then dispersed, leaving behind only the three of them. The imposing figure stormed off, his anger rising in every movement, while some of the other males on the table trailed after him.

I watched the scene unfold with detached curiosity. Horikita, Kushida, and Ayanokoji remained at the desk, likely trying to make sense of the recent commotion. I could only guess that the large man had been provoked by something Horikita had said or done. But whatever the cause, it wasn't something I had any interest in involving myself with.

Ayanokoji pov:

Upon departing from the halls of the library, my feet hastened in pursuit of the girl known as Kushida. My heart was set on expressing gratitude for her diligent efforts in convening our study group and tendering an apology. Moreover, I was determined to forge amicable ties with her, for her cute charm had not escaped my notice.

I drew my cell phone from my pocket, wanting to bridge the gap with a call. Kushida's name shown on the screen, and as I initiated contact for the second instance. The dial tone echoed once, twice, and three times, yet the call was unanswered. Did she not notice me calling, or was it a deliberate silence?

Nowhere within the campus grounds was there a sign of her presence, and thus I continued my quest to find her. Upon reentering the academic fortress, I was able to catch a fleeting glimpse of a figure resembling Kushida from behind. The clock's hands pointed to the hour of six p.m., a time when only those bound by club commitments would linger. But Kushida was not one to be confined by expectations, perhaps she was waiting for a cherished friend's day to conclude.

With resolve renewed, I pressed on; if she was busy, though, I could just talk to her later. With this in mind, my advance was steadfast. I retrieved a pair of indoor shoes from their cubicles in the hallway, yet there was no sign of Kushida. Had she vanished? Disappointment crept in, only to be dispelled by the telltale sound of shoes striking the floor.

I trailed the sound up the stairs to the second floor, following the footsteps that ascended still higher to the third. The next ascent would lead to the roof, a place that was opened during lunchtime but should have been locked up after class. Puzzled by what exactly she was doing, I climbed the stairs, my presence a shadow, and as I walked, I stopped partway.

Someone was indeed above.

I gently leaned against the handrail and peeked through a crack in the rooftop door. Through the opening, I glimpsed Kushida. No one else was with her. Was she waiting for someone?

A rendezvous at such a secluded place... Could she possibly be waiting for her boyfriend? If that were the case, I could end up cornered on all sides. While I agonized over how to sneak away, Kushida slowly set her bag down on the ground.

And then...

"Ahhh, so annoying!"

Her voice was so low that it didn't sound at all like Kushida.

"She's seriously annoying! God, how irritating. It'd be better if she just died."

She grumbled to herself, as if chanting the words to some kind of spell or curse.

"Ugh, I hate stuck-up, snobby girls who think they're so cute. Why is she such a harpy? A rotten girl like her couldn't possibly tutor me."

Was Kushida annoyed with Horikita?

"Ah, she's the worst! She's just the worst, the worst, the worst! Horikita, you're so annoying! You're so damn annoying!"

I felt like I'd glimpsed another side of this gentle girl, the most popular person in our class. She probably didn't want anyone else to see this darker side. A voice in my head whispered that it was dangerous to stay here. While watching, I placed my phone on the floor, trying to understand the situation better.

However, an odd question arose. Why had she agreed to work with me if she felt such hatred toward Horikita? Kushida should have understood Horikita's personality and behavior perfectly well by now. She could have refused to help, just left the study group to Horikita, or otherwise washed her hands of involvement.

Why force herself into the study group? Did she want to get along with Horikita? Or did she want to become closer to another participant?

None of it made sense. I couldn't explain her reasoning.

No. She may have shown signs of this from the very beginning. I hadn't really thought about it before, but considering the state she was in right now, I had a hunch. Perhaps Kushida and Horikita were...

At any rate, I needed to get away from there. Kushida probably didn't want anyone else to hear her diatribe. Still hiding, I quickly tried to leave.

As I tried to leave, I accidentally kicked the door much louder than I anticipated. It'd been unexpectedly loud, really. Kushida tensed and stopped breathing. I'd instantly become her enemy. Turning, Kushida set her sights on me. I'd been seen.

After a brief silence, Kushida coldly asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I got a little lost. Sorry. My bad, my bad. I'll be going now."

Kushida looked straight at me, clearly seeing through my obvious lie. I'd never seen such an intense gaze before.

"Did you hear?" she asked.

"Would you believe me if I said I didn't?" I replied.

"I see..."

Kushida briskly walked down the stairs. She placed her left forearm against the base of my throat and pushed me up against the wall. Her tone of voice, her actions, everything about her was completely unlike the Kushida I knew. This new Kushida wore a terrifying expression, one that I could almost compare to Horikita's.

"If you tell anyone what you just heard, I won't forgive you."

Her words were ice, and I didn't think they were an idle threat.

"And if I did tell?"

"In that case, I would tell everyone that you raped me," she said.

"That's a false charge, you know."

"That's okay. It wouldn't be false."

Her words had heft and power, leaving me unable to reply. As she spoke, Kushida grabbed my right wrist and slowly opened my hand. She pushed my palm up against her soft breast.

"What are you doing?" I asked. I hurriedly tried to pull away, but she pushed on the back of my hand.

"Your fingerprints are on my clothes. That's evidence of my claim. I'm being serious. Understand?"

"I understand. I really do. So let go of my hand."

"I'm going to leave this uniform in my room without washing it. If you betray me, I'll hand it over to the police."

I glared at Kushida for a while as she kept my hand pressed against her.

"It's a promise," she said.

Kushida stepped away from me. Even though this was the first time I felt a girl's breasts, I couldn't remember the sensation.

However, I glared at Kushida as I spoke up again: "I'm afraid I can't keep up with the end of the promise you made."

I saw her turn around as she looked at me with an expression that was laced with even more killing intent. In a different timeline, I may have let this play out, but quite honestly, it wasn't an option after the knowledge I had received.

————

A grin slowly spread across his face as he spoke, a sense of knowing behind his words. "That would mean you're the so called masterpiece from the White Room."

I studied him carefully, sizing him up. Was he possibly from the White Room as well? But before I could entertain the thought further, he spoke again.

"I'm sure you have many theories, but I can assure you, that I'm not from the White Room. And no, I don't plan on leaking this to anyone. From what I've observed so far, you're trying to hide the fact that you are from there and the ability's you possess," he said, his tone almost as if he were testing me, trying to gauge my reaction.

I met his gaze without flinching, maintaining my calmness. "So, what exactly do you gain by telling me this now? What do you want?" I asked, my voice steady, trying to gauge the threat he might pose.

He paused for a moment, a slight yet odd chuckle escaping his lips. "Well, I was just making sure you're the guy I'm referring to, though I already knew for certain. I was curious to see how you'd respond. After walking past you before the entrance ceremony, you piqued my interest. After discovering your name, it was easy to put two and two together."

He looked me up and down for a few moments before he continued, "You and I aren't so different, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. We both don't show it, but deep down, I know you have a sense of pride that won't let you lose just like me."

Who was this guy? He knew so much about me, yet I knew almost nothing about him. The realization unsettled me, but I kept my expression neutral.

He seemed to sense my curiosity and leaned in slightly, his eyes narrowing. "I've got nothing to hide, so I'll tell you. Around two years ago, I explored the White Room, where I met your father. He was an interesting man to say the least. I didn't get to see you physically, but your father was so proud of the creation you had become. From what I've observed, I can't say he was entirely correct, but even I can't deny that the aura you possess is one of the best in this school."

I absorbed his words, the weight of his knowledge settling over me. It was more than surprising by how much he knew, and yet, at this moment, I couldn't shake the feeling that I might be able to trust him. Still, uncertainty lingered. "How do I know you're being truthful? At any moment, you could decide to leak my past."

He shrugged nonchalantly, as if anticipating my doubt. "I'm not interested in having an unfair advantage, but I'll say this, I'm sure you've heard of me. I'm the greatest detective known as L."

I couldn't hide my surprise, my eyes widening ever so slightly. The name "L" had appeared in some of the study materials we'd used, but hearing it from him directly carried a weight I hadn't expected. "How can I be sure of that?" I asked.

"You can't. Maybe I'm lying, maybe I'm not. I can't prove you're from the White Room, just like I can't prove I'm L," he said, his thumb tracing his lips thoughtfully.

"How do you know I'm not recording this conversation?" I asked.

"How do you know I'm not recording our conversation either?" he shot back, his smile widening.

I couldn't argue with that logic. There was no way to know for certain, but something about him seemed strangely genuine.

He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp, as if searching for something deeper. "From what I've said earlier, I can tell you're just like me. Both of us without loving parents, both perfect at different things, and both unwilling to lose. You wouldn't be the masterpiece if you were okay with losing."

I didn't react, though his words certainly struck a chord. He seemed to be trying to provoke me, to get a rise out of me, and I decided to grant him the response he was looking for. "Do you know what's going through my mind right now?"

He looked at me intently, unblinking, waiting for me to speak.

"I'll tell you," I began, my voice steady and cold. "In this world, I will never have anyone. I have no need for temporary happiness, something that will ultimately lead to nothing. I don't need friendship, companionship, or even a partner. There's only one thing that matters, and I'm sure you would agree with me on this, it's called winning."

His eyes widened with a flash of amazement, as if he hadn't quite expected that answer. His grin returned, sharper than ever. In the background, I could hear murmurs, a few members of my class not to fair behind where I was, one of them was Kushida.

But my attention was still on him. As if satisfied with what he'd uncovered, the man who claimed to be L turned and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing in the hallway. I couldn't help but feel that something had shifted in our interaction, but for now, he was content with what he had learned, and so was I.

————

"You dare defy what I just said, I'll tell everyone how you assaulted me, and I have the proof to back it up." Kushida said it as if she had cornered me her voice filled with annoyance.

Kushida's attempt to manipulate the situation had backfired as I revealed the voice recorder I had bought, as I had started to record since the moment I saw her. Her once confident demeanor quickly turned into panic as she realized her plan was falling apart.

In a desperate attempt to salvage her position, she tried to claim that I had coerced her into making those statements. However, I calmly reached for my phone on the floor and informed her that I had been recording everything since I arrived. The evidence of her words and actions was safely stored on my device.

As the weight of her actions sank in, Kushida's eyes widened in horror. She was now the one trapped in a corner. Although the mention of recording from my phone was merely a bluff, I strategically placed my phone as a precautionary measure.

While anger and tears began to well up in Kushida's eyes, I knew there were still unanswered questions that needed to be addressed and now was the time for them.

"Hey, Kushida. Which is the real you?"

"That's none of your business."

"I see. Well, I was wondering something. If you hate Horikita, then you don't need to involve yourself with her, right?"

I knew she probably wouldn't like that question, but I was curious about her motivation.

"Is it bad to want everyone to like you? Do you understand how difficult it is to accomplish that? You can't know, can you?" she asked.

"Well, I don't have that many friends, so I guess not."

Ever since the first day of school, Kushida has made an effort to exchange contact information with, invite out, and, of course, talk with the pessimistic Horikita. One could easily imagine how difficult and time, consuming that would be.

"At least on the surface, I wanted to appear to get along with Horikita."

"But the stress of that just kept building, huh?"

"Yeah. That's what I want out of life, though. That way, my existence has meaning." She answered without hesitation. Kushida had a singular way of thinking. Her own internal rules demanded she get close to Horikita.

"Let me tell you something while I have the chance. I absolutely despise gloomy, ordinary guys like you."

The fantasy of a cute Kushida that I'd carried until now had been shattered, but I wasn't actually that shocked. Most people possessed both a public face and a private, inner self, after all. However, I felt like Kushida was both telling the truth and lying right now.

"I'm just speculating, but did you and Horikita know each other before this year? Maybe you both attended the same school in the past." The instant I said it, Kushida shuddered in response.

"What the... I don't know what you mean. Did Horikita-san say something about me?" she snapped.

"No, but from what I've gathered, Horikita never said her name to the class. Yet you were able to figure it out. Or did you already know her name from a previous encounter?"

"Just shut up. Hearing you talk irritates me, Ayanokouji-kun. I only want to know one thing: What do you plan to do with the dirt you now possess over me?"

I narrowed my eyes at her, contemplating my next move. There were many ways I could handle the situation, but I decided to take a different approach. I chose to play a different game, her game, to be precise.

"I believe it's only fair that if you were planning to have me expelled by framing me off for such a heinous crime, then I should do the same crime you were going to use against me," I stated calmly, locking eyes with her.

She looked horrified, pleading with me to reconsider. But I remained firm, moving closer to her and making a show of reaching for her skirt.

"I'm sure you'll find it quite satisfying in the end," I remarked, watching as fear flashed across her face.

Despite her attempts to resist, I could see the fear in her eyes. She eventually relented, whispering a soft plea for me to hurry and get it done with, as she knew she couldn't escape the situation at hand.

But I had no intention of going through with it. Instead, I released her and made my true intentions known.

"Luckily or unluckily for you, I'm not interested in your body, Kushida. I'm more interested in using you in a different way," I declared, leaving her stunned and confused.

I turned away as I walked away; I made it clear that she was now under my control, a mere pawn, I suppose. It was the best course of action, considering the circumstances.

In conclusion, this was simply the best outcome, as I fully couldn't be sure this wasn't a ploy by the man calling himself L, though unlikely I couldn't be too certain for now.