Learning to Live (Ayanokoji SI-Waifu Catalog) (Patreon)

Chapter 2

(The Next Day)

I was now waiting for the bus to arrive that would take us to school with Tsubasa standing to my side talking to me about her day. Ever since our first encounter weeks ago she had been a regular at Matsuo’s place where we got to know each other better. I got to learn that she was trained in martial arts and even sparred with her a bit impressing her with my abilities.

The girl had gotten comfortable enough to even call me by my first name which I still found it weird to be called sometimes and had asked I do the same to her.

As for my sexy shortstack, she was actually already on the bus we were waiting for since she had taken the bus from another location. Technically today would be the day we ‘reunited’ with one another as we were going with the story of being childhood friends.

“I still can’t believe you grew a whole 14cm in two months. Is that normal for boys?” The voice of Tsubasa pulled me from my thoughts.

Blinking at her question, I took a moment to look down at Tsubasa noticing that I now towered over her small frame of 155cm where before she used to come up to my chin. At my new 190cm height thanks to Body Tune-Up, Tsubasa barely came up to my chest now forcing her to look up every time she spoke to me.

“Yeah, it actually is.” I finally said remembering how in my past life I had shot up 10cm one summer.

“That’s a little unfair.” Tsubasa said with a cute pout.

“Hmm well look at it this way, you can always ask me if you want something from the top shelf.” I said teasingly with my eyes slightly crinkling in amusement.

“Jerk~” I received a playful light jab in response for my teasing. “Anyways, get your head out of the clouds silly, the bus is here.”

Turning towards the road I saw that indeed the bus had just arrived.

“Thanks, Tsubasa. Come on, let’s go.” I praised the girl with a brief head pat getting her to close her eyes in pleasure and lean into my hand.

‘So, it finally starts huh?’ I thought thinking of everything that awaited us.

I gently guided the girl inside the bus as this time she was the one with her head on the clouds and found us a seat. Subtly looking around, I noticed that Horikita was seated across from us silently reading a book with Ichika sitting beside her and a few rows in front of us there was Kushida.

Ichika, immediately noticing my gaze on her turned and gave me a cheeky wave earning a raised eyebrow from Tsubasa beside me. Mentally rolling my eyes I waved back at her knowing that she wouldn’t stop waving unless I did.

“Do you know her Kiyotaka?” Tsubasa quietly asked beside me.

“Yeah,” I nodded my head turning to face Tsubasa properly. “You could say that much like you and Eiichirou, she’s my childhood friend who I haven’t seen in a while. I’ll make sure to introduce you two once were at campus since it appears, we’ll be going to the same school.”

“Childhood friend huh?” Tsubasa muttered quietly before shaking her head and nodding at me.

I was then pulled into a conversation by Tsubasa right after that so I stopped paying attention to whatever was going on around us. Minutes later we were pulled from our conversation about what kind of clubs we could join by a commotion in the middle of the bus.

Looking at the scene we watched a middle-aged woman argue with Koenji for a bit before Kushida joined in when she noticed that the woman was losing the conversation. When Kushida asked if anyone was willing to give up their seat, I was quick to raise my hand and stand up from my seat just beating Tsubasa who was ready to do the same thing.

Getting a smile from Kushida, I helped the old lady to my seat and grabbed ahold of a metal handle in the roof.

“That was rather kind of you. Thank you for doing that.” A female voice spoke from beside me making me look down into the red eyes of a beige haired girl who was smiling happily at me.

“I’m sure if I didn’t volunteer someone else would have.” I shrugged in response looking back up and noticing Tsubasa subtly glaring at Kushida from the corner of my eyes.

“Huhuhu still you’re the one who did it, not anyone else so thanks. My name is Kikyō Kushida by the way, I hope we can become good friends.” I heard Kushida say making me look back down at her and spotting a dark look cross over her eyes for a second.

“Likewise.” I said with a nod of my head not feeling nervous at all knowing that very soon this girl would be using her abilities for my benefit. “My name is Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.”

We made small talk the rest of the way to school before parting ways when we arrived leaving myself and Tsubasa to slowly make our way inside. Looking at Tsubasa, she was currently giving me the cold shoulder as she looked away from me with a cute pout.

Before I apologized to the girl, I heard another cold voice address me from in front of us making me look up into the orange eyes of Suzune Horikita.

“You were looking at me on the bus. Why?”

Blinking once at her blunt question I made to respond. “Sorry about that. I was curious about the book you were reading honestly. I just started reading it myself.”

It was partially the true as well as while I had been expecting to meet the girl, I was also curious what she read all the time. The answer being a mystery novel that I had already read based on my memories.

Horikita blinked in return at my answer before the cold look lessened from her eyes as she turned away from us with a silent huff. “I see. Farewell then.” With that she left without another word leaving us alone again.

“Hmph, what a rude girl.” Tsubasa said with a frown with her hands on her hips looking more cute than angry.

I was once again interrupted before I could get any word in. This time by a loud and very familiar voice.

“Kiyotaka-Senpai~ So it really was you~” Came the happy shout before I felt Ichika jump on my back and hug me around the neck.

“Whoa! Ichika! What have I told you about suddenly jumping me like that?” I asked with some annoyance in my voice due to her antics but nevertheless grabbed ahold of her legs so she wouldn’t fall off.

“I couldn’t help it Senpai~ I just missed you soooo much that I couldn’t help but give you a hug!” Ichika said exaggeratedly.

“Yeah, yeah I missed you too. Now can you please get off? You’re making a scene.” I asked looking around us and seeing all the jealous looks most of the guys were sending my way.

“Fiiine. But in return, you have to buy me lunch.” Ichika said with a small pout hopping off my back and crossing her arms across her chest pretending to be angry.

“Hah, whatever.”

“Umm excuse me. Kiyotaka who is this?” Tsubasa suddenly chimed in with a monotone voice with her eyes never leaving Ichika.

“Hmm, oh Tsubasa. This is the friend I was telling you about. This is Amasawa Ichika, an old friend. Ichika meet Nanase Tsubasa, a friend I’ve met recently.” I finally introduced them properly.

“Nice to meet you Tsubasa-san~ Any friend of Senpai is okay in my book.” Ichika greeted rather cheekily with a big smile on her face.

“Likewise.” Tsubasa said simply with a nod before looking at Ichika curiously. “Why do you call Kiyotaka Senpai though? Aren’t you both the same age if you’re also a first year?”

“Hihihi don’t worry about it. I’ve been calling him that since forever so it kinda just stuck.” Ichika said with a shrug.

“I see.” Tsubasa said quietly not quite understanding at all.

“Girls, we should really get a move on. We don’t want to be late on the first day, right?” I said grabbing them both by the hand and pulling them along.

Not hearing a response from them, I discreetly looked at them from the corner of my eyes only to sweat drop when I saw Tsubasa openly glaring at Ichika, and Ichika childishly sticking her tongue out at her in return.

Not daring to say anything for now, we slowly made our way to the classroom receiving many curious looks from a plethora of people with most of them being girls. Before long we had to say goodbye to Ichika who had been assigned to another class and the little devil caught me off guard when she pulled me in for a quick hug.

“Later Senpai~ Remember that you still owe me lunch.” Ichika said with wave before finally departing.

“Don’t let her get to you. She loves teasing people.” I quietly said to Tsubasa who looked a second away from saying something to the retreating girl.

Thankfully my advice managed to calm the jealous blonde and we continued on our way.

Upon reaching the classroom, I finally released her hand and walked inside attracting some attention our way.

Offering everyone a polite nod I slowly looked for my desk finding that I had gotten the protagonist seat at the back of the class next to the window. And sitting beside me was none other than Horikita who upon finding out we were going to be neighbors only turned her head away from me while commenting about unpleasant coincidences.

Ignoring her rude comment, I turn to the girl and introduce myself. “Since we’re going to be seatmates for a few years we might as well introduce ourselves. My name in Kiyotaka Ayanokōji and yours?”

Horikita frowned at my question, looking at me from the corner of her eyes. “Is it a problem if I refuse to answer?”

Sighing at her attitude I shrugged my shoulders in response. “No but it’s going to get awkward not knowing the name of the person sitting beside me.”

Mulling a bit at my response Horikita then sighed as if in resignation before finally turning my direction. “It’s Horikita Suzune.”

Before the conversation could continue Tsubasa chimed in with a small frown on her face while crossing her arms. “You could stand to be a bit more polite to Kiyotaka you know? He was just trying to be nice.”

Turning to the newcomer Horikita frowned harder at her before turning her head back to her book with a small huff. “I could care less about being nice. I didn’t join this school to be friends with anyone.”

“Why you-”

I interrupted before things could escalate any further knowing that Tsubasa was rather stubborn when she was defending someone. “It’s fine Tsubasa. Some people just prefer to be left alone and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Tsk, you’re too nice Kiyotaka but fine I’ll drop it.” Tsubasa said with a click of her tongue turning away herself with a huff as well.

“Thanks, Tsubasa. Now I think you should get back to your seat. Class is about to start.” I thanked the blonde girl with my lips curling up slightly in a smile.

Tsubasa suddenly blushed and looked away from me looking embarrassed before heeding my advice and went back to her seat after promising to meet me later for lunch. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted Horikita frowning at Tsubasa for a moment in confusion before looking back down at her book.

I didn’t get to question such behavior when in the next moment Sae Chabashira chose that moment to walk in the room halting all conversations around the room. Then the teacher took the next few minutes vaguely going over the rules for the school before she left after informing us, we had to attend the opening ceremony in an hour.

With the teacher gone a girl with pink hair and blue eyes stepped up to the front of the class standing behind the podium and addressing the whole class.

“Everyone! Since we are going to be spending the next 3 years together why don’t we introduce ourselves to everyone so we can become better acquainted? What do you guys think?”

I blinked multiple times in confusion wondering if I was dreaming or hallucinating at seeing the arguably most popular girl in the series at the front of the class. Wondering if this was also thanks to Universal Calibration, I subtly took a look around the room seeing if I spotted anyone who wasn’t supposed to be here.

It was not long before I spotted that instead of the 25 students like in the anime adaptation, there were instead 40 students present in class just like the light novel.

‘I wonder what else will be like the light novel.’ I thought silently before blinking when Honami called out to me as it was my turn to introduce myself now.

Turning my attention to Honami I noticed she was giving me an encouraging smile while waiting patiently for my introduction. Seeing no harm in doing such a thing I slowly stood up from my seat and faced everyone with quite a few girls giving me their undivided attention.

“Hello everyone. My name is Kiyotaka Ayanokōji. I like cooking, playing various musical instruments though I prefer the piano, drawing on my spare time and football. I’m hoping I can either join the football or music club. If you have any questions, please don’t be afraid to ask. Since I was homeschooled my entire life, I hope I can make some friends this year. Thank you.” I said while giving everyone a small smile hoping that I hadn’t messed up as first impressions were super important for teenagers.

“EEEK! He’s so handsome!” / “So dreamy~” / Are you single Ayanokōji-kun?”

A myriad of voices all spoke at once bringing chaos to the classroom for a while until Honami managed to calm them down a few minutes later. Throughout all of that I could only blink in surprise at receiving such a reaction completely in contrast with the initial reaction the other me had received in canon.

‘Did a proper introduction and a smile really make such a difference?” I thought somewhat skeptically looking that even now I had the attention of more than a few girls other than Tsubasa. ‘I guess it did.’

“Alright everyone why don’t we continue where we left off?” Honami asked after having regained control of the class.

“Tsk, this is childish and stupid. I’m outta here.” Sudo, the delinquent looking redhead, said standing up from his desk and leaving the room ignoring Honami’s pleas to come back.

Then as if the gates had been opened a few others also followed his lead and left the classroom including Horikita leaving a depressed looking Honami behind. Not liking the sad look on the beautiful girl’s face, I stood up from my seat as well before going up to her and gently laying my hand on her shoulder causing her to turn her head in my direction.

“Don’t take it too personal. I’m sure that most of them are just a little nervous of being in front of so many people and will come around eventually.” I said calmly trying my best to comfort the girl as she was one of my favorite characters in the series due to being a genuinely good person along with Hiyori Shiina.

A small blush sprung on Honami’s face as she graced me with a smile. “I suppose you’re right. Thank you Ayanokōji-kun~”

“Yeah, don’t sweat it Ichinose-san.” Another voice entered the conversation causing us to turn to see Kushida and a few others trying to offer their own support.

“Like Kiyotaka said, they’ll come around eventually.” Tsubasa added her own words of support for the girl.

When the commotion died down, I cleared my throat lightly bringing everyone’s attention back to myself. Looking around I noticed that other than Hirata and Miyake, every other boy had already left meaning that the ratio of boys to girls was currently almost 5-1.

“Everyone regarding the points we just received…” I paused for a moment making sure I had everyone’s attention before continuing. “I think we should be careful about how many points we spend this month if my hunch is correct.”

There were several frowns at what I said with the only exceptions being Honami who brought her hand up to her chin in thought.

“What do you mean Ayanokōji-kun? Won’t we just get another 100,000 points next month?” Kei Karuizawa asked in confusion almost making me blink that the girl felt comfortable enough to talk to me.

“Are we though?” I asked in return making the others blink in confusion clearly still not understanding what I meant yet so I decided to push further.

“Remember what sensei said about students here being judged on merit? What if there’s more to it than that? Besides sensei only said that we will receive points each month but not how many we will receive did she?” I explained my points getting some to finally take me seriously based on the worried looks that appeared on their face.

“What you’re saying is only speculation. Do you have any actual proof of what you’re saying is true?” Satsuki Shinohara asked with a frown on her face making a few other girls agree with her.

“No,” I shook my head “but do you honestly believe that the school is just going to spend ¥576,000,000 a year with no strings attached at all?” I asked her with a raised eyebrow making the girl blush in embarrassment and look away from me with a huff.

“You should listen to him.” I got unexpected help from Tsubasa who stepped up to my side and turned to face our classmates. “Kiyotaka is crazy smart so if he says we should be careful with our spending then I will.”

Seeing that Tsubasa’s help was slowly swaying the others I decided to put the final nail in the coffin while we had the momentum.

“Think about it like this. We lose absolutely nothing by being a little careful about how we spend our points this month and if my hunch proves false then you can just buy whatever you wanted next month anyways. I’m not telling you to not spend any points at all of course, I’m just saying we should save up some points for next month in case my prediction proves true.”

“And what prediction is that Ayanokōji-kun?” Chiaki Matsushita asked curiously not looking opposed to my idea at all.

At her question, everyone broke out from their thoughts and refocused their attention back on me again.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly released it before looking at everyone with a serious expression. “I still have a few more things I want to check, this being our first day and all but if my hunch is correct. Then this school is probably run by a point system with all classes in competition with each other with our every action being seen and graded by the school.”

My answer caused a small commotion to erupt within everyone as they all began speaking over each other discussing whether my point was valid or not. Then my angel once again came to the rescue as she stepped up to my other side and loudly clapped her hands grabbing everyone’s attention.

Seeing that she had everyone’s attention Honami shared her thoughts. “For what it’s worth I agree with Ayanokōji-kun.” She declared surprising everyone. “This actually coincides with something I heard some of the upperclassmen say about saving up enough points this year.”

“That sounds good enough for me.” Maya Sato said with a nod of her head finally seeming convinced at what I said along with all the others who were still skeptical.

“So, we just have to conserve our points and do good in class then?” Kushida asked with a tilt of her head. “That doesn’t sound too hard. I’m sure everyone else will agree once we explain it to them.”

“One more thing before we head to the entrance ceremony. Make sure you are at least pretending to pay attention during class and only use your cellphone during break or lunch. I don’t think those cameras are just there for decoration after all.” I finished pointing to the 4 cameras in every corner of the room that were almost completely hidden from view.

“Whoa I didn’t even notice those! You have good eyes Ayanokōji-kun.” Honami complemented me after seeing them for herself.

“Still, it’s only the first day of school and we already know this much thanks to you Ayanokōji-kun.” Hirata said offering me a polite smile.

“It was nothing.” I said with a shrug. “There are still many things I probably missed or got wrong. I’m just glad I could be a little help to everyone.”

“Don’t say that Ayanokōji-kun.” Honami said with a shake of her head. “Your input was invaluable and I’m sure it will be a great help to the class in the future.”

“Yeah! Thanks, Ayanokōji-kun~”

“Hang out with us during lunch Ayanokōji-kun.”

“By the way Ayanokōji-kun what’s your relationship with Nanase-san?”

The class devolved into chaos again so I made the wise decision to retreat before I was bombarded with more personal questions. Signaling Tsubasa to follow me I made a hasty retreat with questions still being shout my way.