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

Chapter 5

“We can begin now, Ichinose.”

Giggling for a few seconds at my nonchalant response, Honami turned to the class again who were now all looking at us for answers at what had just happened.

“Okay everyone. Settle down please and we’ll do our best to answer any questions you might have.” Honami declared clapping her hands once and bringing everyone immediately into attention once again showcasing her immense popularity.

Seeing that she had everyone’s attention, Honami smiled at everyone and began. “Okay, for those of you who weren’t here after introductions yesterday, Ayanokōji-kun managed to figure out a very important detail pertaining to the school in general and to our points.”

Honami then took a few moments explaining everything we had discussed yesterday with everyone paying close attention to everything she was saying. When she was done, she asked for questions where half the class immediately raised their hands.

Not looking overwhelmed at such a thing, she spent a few minutes answering a few questions that basically asked for clarification to some of what she had said.

Eventually of course came a question she couldn’t answer and Honami finally turned to me for help. Coincidentally, it was Kei with the same question she had asked before class started, asking me if I had found any more clues to everything.

“Ahem, as a matter of fact I did find more clues yesterday.” I said now bringing everyone’s attention to myself.

“The first and most obvious one was actually during lunch yesterday. I noticed that some upperclassmen were eating the disgusting lunch that is offered to everyone for free. At first, I thought maybe they actually liked such a food but when I noticed more than a few getting such a thing I became suspicious. Why would they eat such a thing especially at the start of a new year where everyone is supposed to have received their budget this month?”

I then remained quiet for a moment letting everyone contemplate on what I said, making more than a few blink in realization including Horikita who quietly cursed to herself before jotting something down in a notepad.

Figuring I had given them enough time I continued.

“I actually got 2 other clues later that evening when I went to the convenience store to pick up some essentials. In there I also saw a cart of free items and once again saw some upperclassmen take some. Then the third and final clue came when a few senpais confronted me and Sudo last night calling us ‘Defects’ once they figured out, we belonged to Class-D meaning there’s also a hierarchy system between classes with Class-D being considered the worst.” I finished my observations causing a small commotion again at being labeled as such.

“Yeah, those idiots looked real smug talking to us as if we were beneath them. The bastards.” Sudo suddenly called out with a snarl remembering last night’s events.

I then spent the last few minutes answering any questions anyone had about what I had just said. With only a minute remaining Honami took the reins again.

“Okay everyone so let me just recount what was said since we discussed a lot today. First and foremost, the 100 thousand points are not guaranteed every month so please use your points wisely. Secondly, like Ayanokōji-kun said all of our actions are being recorded every time we’re in class, so please be sure to be in your best behavior so we don’t lose any points for next month.” Honami then took a deep breath and seeing that everyone was still paying attention continued.

“Third and last for today will be the making of study groups. Since this school works on a merit system it stands to reason that our exams scores will also contribute to how many class points, we get at the end of the month. For this reason, I want to ask the highest scoring students if they could please take in a few people. But I’m getting ahead of myself now so please give me until tomorrow so I can discuss this with a few people and then I’ll get back to you, okay?”

“I want to be on Ichinose-chan’s study group!”

“Me too~”

“Ayanokōji-kun, will you be teaching as well?”

“You’re the one who figured all of this out so you must be crazy smart.”

None of the questions went answered as Sae chose that moment to walk back in the room telling us that our time was up and to return to our seats. A few groans of disappointment were heard but overall, everyone settled down after that and Homeroom finally began.

When lunch came around Horikita surprised me as she turned in her seat and faced my direction with a firm look on her face. “Ayanokōji-kun-kun want to grab lunch with me?”

Narrowing my eyes at the girl in confusion for a moment at her abrupt question, I sighed a moment later figuring she probably needed my help with something. “Sure.” I nodded my head.

Not saying anything in response, Horikita just stood up from her seat and walked out of the classroom before stopping at the door and turning back to look at me with a small scowl when I didn’t immediately follow behind her.

Sighing again at her attitude, I stood up myself only to be stopped midway by Tsubasa, Honami and Ichika who were giving the latter curious looks as they hadn’t seen when she arrived.

“Sorry girls. It seems Horikita wants to talk to me about something so I won’t be able to join you today for lunch.” I apologized to the girls while scratching the back of my head. “I’ll see all of you later all right? I got a feeling if I take any longer, Horikita might stab me with something.”

“No problem Ayanokōji-kun. See you later.” Honami seeming satisfied with my answer was quick to dismiss my worries and went her own way.

“That rude girl again huh? Well as long as she doesn’t really do anything to you its fine. Later Kiyotaka.” Tsubasa said throwing a small scowl at Horikita before shrugging and following after Honami.

“Is Senpai already cheating on me perhaps?” Ichika asked with a small giggle.

“Haah it’s too early for your jokes Ichika.” I commented lightly before continuing on my way. Just as I was about to pass her however, I leaned down slightly and whispered in her ear. “I need you to look into Class-C for me next.”

Knowing she heard me I finally stepped outside the classroom where I joined an irritated Horikita and made our way to the cafeteria. Getting our food, we found a table to sit at where I ended up sitting beside her. Having an idea on what she wanted I took a small sip of my drink and turned my head in her direction.

“So, what do you need?”

“Aren’t you upset that you were placed in the lowest Class in the school?” Horikita asked with a small frown on her face.

“Not at all. To be honest I don’t really care about class positions.” I said with a careless shrug. ‘After all, why should I care about such a thing when in the next few weeks everyone will be under my control? As far as I’m concerned, this coming year will be nothing more than a game for me before I move on from this boring world.’

My response only made the frown on Horikita’s face more pronounced. “Then why did you decide to warn me along with telling everybody in class about what you had learned?”

“Partly for my own selfish reasons in having a steady income where I can live comfortably.” I revealed part of the truth. “That and I also want to make friends with other people and it wouldn’t have looked good on my part to hold something that important back.”

“Tsk! So, you did it for money. That’s surprisingly scummy of you Ayanokōji-kun.” Horikita turned her nose in distaste and looked away from me.

‘Not just any money Horikita but specifically Company Credits. There’s not a lot of things I wouldn’t be able to do to acquire such a precious currency.’ I thought blankly thinking about the Undisputed Number One mission.

“Is that what you wanted to ask me?” I asked curiously.

Horikita let out a sigh before folding her hands in front of her face and looking at me again with a firm look on her face. “Let me be one of the tutors.”

Even though I somewhat expected such a question I still found it a bit odd. “Why are you asking me?”

“You are the only person I find tolerable to talk to in class.” She said with a small frown. “Besides you seem to be in good terms with Ichinose-san who seems to have taken the role of class representative based on everyone’s interactions with her.”

“Haah alright I’ll talk to her but please try to tone down your attitude with anyone you end up tutoring. Try to remember that not everyone is as smart as you.” I relented with a sigh and tried to give her some advice to avoid the disaster that happened in canon.

“Hmph, I’ll take your words into consideration.” Horikita said with a small frown before going back into her meal and not saying anything else for the remainder of lunch.

I thought about moving tables to go and eat with Tsubasa or Honami more than once but at the end decided against it as I didn’t want to be rude.

‘Yep, this is one of the many reasons why I’m not interested in you Suzune.’

When lunch was over Horikita quietly excused herself leaving me alone. Following her lead, I met up with Tsubasa and Honami and together we walked back to class.

When asked what Horikita wanted with me I let them know what she told me taking them by surprise as Horikita seemed really cold and never spoke to anyone. Nonetheless being the angel that she was, Honami agreed to her request with her asking me next if I could also help out with the tutoring.

“You want me to help? Are you sure about that? I don’t have a lot of experience teaching others you know?” I asked sounding a little skeptical.

I guess if it came down to it, I could buy the Educational perk to help me with my remaining credits. It could also come handy in the future at teaching my waifus how certain powers worked or if I wanted to teach them a certain ability.

“Please Ayanokōji-kun? Nanase-san told me that you were really smart and I believe her. I promise to only have you tutor at the most 3 people. What do you say?” Honami pleaded with her hands pressed together against her chest and giving me puppy eyes.

I flinched back at her look before sighing and giving the girl a mock annoyed look. “Fiine. That look of yours is just too powerful.”

“W-what’s that supposed to mean?” Honami pouted cutely only making her look even more beautiful to my eyes.

“It means that as a normal teenager I’m rather weak when a pretty girl asks me to do something. Just ask Tsubasa here.” I said in a deadpan pointing to a smugly smiling Tsubasa who had used such a face whenever she wanted something from me.

“P-pretty? M-me?” Completely ignoring my comment about Tsubasa, Honami turned a rather dark shade of red as she turned away from me and cutely poked her index fingers together.

“Of course, I’m talking about you, silly girl.” I said playfully giving her a head pat making her squeak in embarrassment.

Honami was too embarrassed to answer to my teasing so the rest of the way she stayed silent as me and Tsubasa chatted along about whatever came to mind.

The rest of the day continued as normal with the exception that everyone in class was trying to pay attention in class and taking notes even if there were a few mishaps with Sudo falling asleep a few times. When class was over for the day, I got ready to leave and stood outside the door waiting for Honami to finish.

While waiting for Honami I said goodbye to a few girls including someone I didn’t expect to talk to me as of yet.

“S-see you l-later A-Ayanokōji-kun.” Airi Sakura nervously waved at me with a small blush and continued walking not waiting for a response.

“Later Sakura. Take care of yourself alright and see you tomorrow.” I called out to the retreating girl in confusion making Airi squeak as she quickened her pace and left in a hurry with her head down.

“Sorry for taking so long Ayanokōji-kun.” Honami apologized now standing to my side looking at the retreating form of Airi in curiosity. “That was Sakura-san, right?”

“Yep,” I nodded my head and turned to look back at Honami. “And don’t worry about it. Are you ready now?”

“Wow I think this is the first time I’ve heard her talk to anyone being how shy she is.” She commented in amazement before shaking her head. “Anyways, yes I’m all ready now.”

Nodding my head, I took the lead after asking if she had a problem heading to my dorm for our discussion and Honami saying she didn’t mind. On our way there Honami remained silent looking deep in thought and not wanting to interrupt her I remained quiet myself knowing we would soon be talking anyways. A few minutes later we finally reached my dorm room and I led the girl inside.

“Would you like something to drink Ichinose? I have tea, coffee, soda and juice.” I offered after telling her to take a seat and heading to the now stacked kitchen thanks to bringing things over from my Pocket Apartment since they would refill at the end of the day anyways.

“Tea please.”

When the tea was done, I headed back to the small table I had where she was sitting and put down her cup in front of her along with a snack.

“Thank you Ayanokōji-kun.” Honami muttered softly looking nervous all of a sudden and taking a small sip of her tea. “It’s good~”

“You’re most welcome.” Taking my own sip of tea, I remained silent waiting for her to start.

“Haah I guess it’s now or never…you see back in middle school I did something horrible…” With a nervous sigh Honami recounted her story about stealing something for her sister due to her family being rather poor and wanting to bring a smile to her little sister’s face.

Because she was not old enough to get a job yet she eventually caved in and stole a hairpin that her sister really wanted. Later her mother eventually found out and got furious at her then forced her to get on her hands and knees and apologize for the actions at the store. Because of her actions, her mother and sister lost their smiles and she spent most of her third year being a shut in not interacting with anybody.

At the end of her story Honami had broken down into tears calling herself a horrible person and a criminal and about how she didn’t deserve to be forgiven for her actions. Sometime during her story, we ended up sitting together in bed with Honami resting her head on my shoulder as she cried her heart out with my hand around her shoulders.

“’Sniff’ So you see ‘sniff’ Ayanokōji-kun, I’m not really as great as you think I am. How can I when I’m nothing but a criminal?” Honami asked me while wiping her face clean of any tears already regressing slightly from the slight progress, I had made with her.

Shaking my head at her self-depreciating attitude I gently raised my hand from her shoulder and placed it on her head instead before rubbing it playfully messing up her hair a little. At my action Honami raised her head from my shoulder and turned her head up looking at me with teary eyes.

“There you go again thinking you don’t deserve a second chance.” I reprimanded her lightly with a small smile making her blink at me slowly.

“Let me be the first to tell you that everyone deserves a second chance. If someone like me was given the opportunity for a second chance then someone as bright and sweet as you definitely deserve one.” I finished with a quiet whisper thinking about both of my lives. One filled with regrets that ended way too soon and the second being nothing more than a lab rat for most of my life.

“W-what do you mean Ayanokōji-kun?” Ichinose asked curiously her tears thankfully having stopped now.

Sighing I mentally prepared myself to share my story with her, this being the first time I would be doing such a thing in both lives honestly.

“Since you were brave enough to share your story with me, I think it’s only fair that I do the same. Unfortunately, my story is a lot darker than yours Ichinose. Are you sure you want to hear it?” I asked looking at her with a neutral expression on my face.

Hearing my question and studying my face for a moment Honami then wiped any remaining tears on her face and turned to face me properly. “I would if you let me.”

“You know my comments about being homeschooled and not having any friends until about a month ago?” At her nod I continued.

“Well, there’s much more to that story than I’ve told anyone. The truth is… as long as I can remember I’ve been raised and treated as nothing more than a lab rat by my own ‘father’.”