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Classroom Of The Elite - Chapter 44
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“What? Do you have a rebuttal? This problem isn’t something that can be solved by the two of us. The only ones who know the answer are the school, so we’ll be left here arguing forever. I’ll interpret it as I like, and you’ll do the same. It’ll only amount to that, no?”
“You’re really talkative. I never thought you were the type of person to talk this much.”
“That’s… that’s because you’re being insistent.”
The normal Horikita would never listen to me.
If I stopped her like this, it wouldn’t be strange to receive a sharp blow. However, by not doing so, it’s evidence that Horikita also thinks the same way. That’s why she didn’t shake off my hand. Of course, she herself probably doesn’t notice.
“The day we met. Do you remember what happened on the bus?”
“You mean the time we refused to give our seat up to the old woman?”
“Yea. At that time, I thought of the meaning behind giving up my seat. To give up my seat, or not to give up my seat. Which one is the right answer?”
“I already gave my answer. I didn’t give up my seat because I felt it was useless. There’s no merit to giving her my seat, but rather a waste of time and effort.”
“Merit? All you think about is profit and loss to the very end.”
“Is that bad? Humans are calculating creatures. If you sell goods, you get money, and if you do someone a favor, it’ll be returned. I’ll receive this thing called ‘joy’ from my contribution to society if I give up my seat. No?”
“No, that’s not wrong. I also think that’s natural.”
“Then—”
“With that mindset, make sure to have a broad outlook on life. Right now, you’re too blinded by anger and unhappiness that you can’t see anything.”
“Are you someone important? Do you even have the ability to find faults about me?”
“Whatever my ability, I can only see one thing that you cannot see. This is the only fault in the otherwise perfect-looking person known as Horikita Suzune.”
She snorted, as if she was saying “Tell me if you have a bone to pick with me.”
“Let me tell me you your faults. You find other people a hindrance and you don’t let anyone come close to you. Aren’t you in class D because you always think of yourself as superior over everyone else?”
“… It seems like you’re trying to say that I’m equal to Sudou-kun and his group.”
“Then, are you trying to say that you’re superior to those guys?”
“It’s obvious if you look at the test scores. Those are clear evidence that they’re just heavy baggage for the class.”
“Certainly, if you measure by scores, they’re two, three times below your level. Even if they tried really hard, they wouldn’t be able to surpass you. However, that’s only true on top of the desk. The school doesn’t only look at intelligence. This time, if the school did some kind of physical examination, the results wouldn’t be the same. Is that wrong?”
“That’s—”
“Your physical ability is also good. After watching you swim, you’re definitely one of the better girls. However, both you and I know that Sudou’s physical abilities surpass yours. Ike has communication skills that you don’t have. If there was a test based on communication skills, Ike would certainly be helpful. Rather, you would’ve probably dragged down the class. Well then, are you incompetent? No, that’s not it. Everyone has their strong and weak points. That’s what a human is.”
Horikita tried to retort, but she wasn’t able to say anything.
“… You have no basis to your words. All of your words are just pure guesses.”
“If there is no foundation, then we have to come up with a guess from what we do have. Think about Chiyabashira-sensei’s words carefully. In the guidance room, she said, “Who decided that smart people are the ones who get into superior classes?”. So, the conclusion is that there is some factor other than academic ability that affects rankings.”
I swiftly cut off Horikita’s exit path as she looked left and right to weasel herself out of the argument. If I didn’t do that, our argument would’ve been ridiculous.
“You say that you wouldn’t regret abandoning the students who failed, but that’s not true. There will be plenty of days where you feel regret if they drop out.”
I looked straight into Horikita’s eyes. She was not only grasping the reality of the situation, but also tied it with her consciousness. I got that impression from her.
“You’re really talkative today too. Doesn’t suit your principle of avoiding trouble.”
“Yea, probably.”
“It’s really frustrating, but your words are right. You had enough persuasive power to make me think that. I’ll recognize that. However, I still can’t understand one thing. That is, your true intentions. What is this school to you? Why are you desperately trying to persuade me?”
“… I see, that’s what you’re thinking.”
“If someone doesn’t have any persuasive power, their theories won’t be believed.”
She wants to know why I’m trying to persuade her that letting Sudou and the others drop out is a bad thing.
“Without any facades, I want to know the true reason. For points? To rise up to class A? Or, to help your friends?”
“Because I want to know. What is ‘a person with merit’? What is equality?”
“Merit, equality…”
“I came to this school to seek out answers to these questions.”
Although it wasn’t well organized in my head, it came out clearly in words.
“Your hand, can you let go?”
“Ah, my bad.”
After I released my hand, Horikita turned around and looked at me.
“I couldn’t have fallen for your smooth talking, right?”
Saying that, Horikita extended her arm towards me.
“I will take care of Sudou-kun and the others for my own sake. From now on, I’ll make sure to make sure they don’t drop out as an investment for the future. Is that fine?”
“Don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll act differently. That’s the kind of person you are.”
“That’s a promise, then.”
I took Horikita’s hand.
However, it wasn’t until later that I learned that this was a contract with the devil.