The worst enemy you can meet will always be yourself.
F. W. Nietzsche, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra"
If, that day,
before I killed him,
he'd bitten me...
If I'd felt afraid...
Would I have made the same decision?
Where the hell did he go at this hour?
Are you going to drop out or something?
You take my points.
What?!
It was my mistake. It's my responsibility.
You said before that
no matter how many times you lose, the one who wins in the end is the strongest.
That's how you and Albert—
So what?
You're saying that's the end of it?
A tyrant's reign is only permitted
as long as his authority serves some purpose.
If you wanna quit, you'll have to fight me first!
Your grip is weak.
Because of your injuries?
And you didn't even try to roll with that hit!
Quit if you want to!
Boy, it was nice to get that out!
That one can still be useful.
Something's changed.
A complete transformation... That's what it feels like.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka...
A boy of few words and even less presence.
But he's totally different deep down.
He's put me through awful things.
But yesterday, he saved me.
Is it possible...
At some point, my feelings for Kiyotaka...
No way!
No, no, no!
No freaking way!
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2nd Season
Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of
the Elite
A date?
Yeah.
With Kiyo— With Ayanokoji-kun?
Totally!
So I was wondering if you had any... you know, secrets of success?
Huh?
You know! Like how you and Hirata-kun started dating just after school started!
Well... sure.
It's not that big a deal, though.
No, it was super awesome!
I'm super in awe of you.
R-Right...
Why Kiyotaka, though?
So...
It's totally amateur, but I worked out a date plan.
Could I get feedback?
S-Sure...
12PM Meet up and start the date! Think about where to meet up. Should I go with a cheerful outfit or something chic to match Ayanokoji-kun? 1PM Slightly late lunch If I can find out what Ayanokoji-kun might like, we go there. He's always drinking coffee, so maybe a café? 2PM See a movie At a movie theater with a nice atmosphere, if possible. I don't know much about movies, though... What should we see? 4PM Shopping at the mall Pretty basic date venue, but what would we do there? Have him pick out some clothes for me?? Could suddenly bring us closer!
Let's see...
Meet up at twelve, grab lunch, movie, shopping...
Then, under the legendary tree...
Ask him to be your boyfriend?!
You want to go exclusive? After one date?
And where's this "legendary tree"?!
Um, so... when's the date?
In two days. December 25th.
A first date on December 25th?!
That's intense!
And what's Kiyotaka thinking, taking her up on it?!
B-But it's better than a Christmas Eve date, I guess...
Karuizawa-san?
S-Sure. Yeah.
Leave it to me.
I'll totally punch up your date plan, I promise!
Really?!
Thank you, Karuizawa-san!
W-Well, I'm pretty used to that kind of thing!
Though I've actually never been on an honest-to-goodness date...
But if she's sincerely asking for my help, I should sincerely give it.
Oh, also...
What do you think of a double date?
A d—
Double date?!
Kiyotaka.
A date? Really?
Are you trying to figure out if Sato-san is someone you can use or not?
Or... are you there for the romance?
Calling
Yes?
Is anyone there with you?
N-No. I'm in my room.
There's something I'd like you to look into.
What the heck?
I thought you were done with asking me for stuff, or whatever.
So, what do you want me looking into?
Sato.
S-Sato-san?!
I want to know who she hangs out with,
and what she does on a normal day.
And if possible,
I'd like to know her personality, hobbies, and personal preferences.
So sorry, but Sato-san and I hang with different cliques.
Send me the details via email.
Hold up!
Call Ended
At least let me call you a jerk first!
Stupid Kiyotaka...
Guess he wants some pre-date info so he can make sure it goes well.
Maybe he really does like Sato-san?
Or maybe... he just wants her as a pawn?
When he already has me?
Oh, darn it...
I never know what he's thinking!
This is unusual.
You don't usually call me out unless there's a special exam coming up.
I guess not.
Well? How can I help you?
Horikita.
Why don't you join the student council?
I'm sorry.
I can't quite follow your train of thought there.
A certain someone wants you on the student council.
Horikita Manabu.
That seems unlikely.
And yet it's true.
Go on and check.
Horikita
If you'rde lying, you'll pay.
E-Excuse me... Yes. It's me.
Suzune. Yes.
I'm borrowing Ayanokoji-kun's phone...
Yes...
Yes.
Well?
He said joining... would be to my benefit.
But... I can't see what good joining the student council would do me.
At the very least, I won't do it while serving as your go-between.
I'll back off for now.
My feelings won't change later.
Merry Christmas Eve!
It's cold.
Why'd you call me out on Christmas Eve?
I thought we could have a little chat.
The sabotage of the security cameras in the second gym building...
"Part of the blame falls with us."
Apparently Class D put in that claim.
That means I get to stay.
Are you the one who arranged that?
Oh?
You were going to drop out because of the cameras?
I figured it was the Karuizawa thing.
If I'd done that, Ishizaki and the others would be expelled, as well.
That would be a lousy way for a leader to take responsibility.
I see.
Regarding the gym...
I have an addendum.
An addendum?
It was a wise decision, Ryuen.
Had you been alone, you could have still hung in there and fought me.
Putting on that show before surrendering had value in itself.
I thought looking down on others was my job...
But I'm retired now.
Well? What's your plan for me now?
Plan?
Don't play dumb.
You want to send me after the other classes, right?
There's no other reason you'd keep me here at the school.
The other classes?
I have no such intent.
But don't you want to rise—
In the class rankings? No.
Though I don't mind the others around me doing so, of course...
Just observing, eh?
Class D still has an issue it needs to take care of.
Kikyo, you mean?
What will you do with her?
Treatment can keep a cancer at bay for a time,
but unless it's excised, it'll never truly go away.
It may even spread to other organs.
I already have my conclusion.
Oh?
In the third term, Class D will ascend to Class C.
But it'll likely fall back to Class D.
Because...
I'm going to have Kushida Kikyo expelled.
You're a terror to your core, you know.
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2nd Season
Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of
the Elite
Ayanokoji-kun!
You're early.
So are you!
I didn't keep you waiting long, did I?
I just got here.
Really?
Yes.
Shall we?
R-Right...
Hey!
Hello there, Ayanokoji-kun.
Karuizawa-san!
Are you on a date, as well?
It's Christmas, after all.
Karuizawa-san invited me.
I can't believe we ran into you!
I'm glad I could spend the day with someone.
And you're with Ayanokoji-kun, huh?
Yep!
I would've thought your group of friends would have invited you out.
Neat!
Is this your first date?
Y-Yeah. We were gonna see a movie.
They probably didn't want to intrude.
Maybe.
Hey, sounds good!
Well, we don't want to take any more of your time.
Right, Karuizawa-san?
Sorry, sorry.
Say... you guys want to make this a double date?
A double date?
Yeah, yeah!
Me and you, Sato-san and Ayanokoji-kun.
It might be a fun change of pace!
But it's Christmas. Don't you think they have plans?
What do you think, Sato-san?
It sounds fun to me!
You, Ayanokoji-kun?
If the three of you want to, I won't object.
Then that's that!
Yay!
Sundays
Welcome!
I've got reservations. The name's Sato.
Reservations for four, right?
Right this way.
She reserved it for four?
Impressive insight.
I had her alter the reservation for us before we got here!
Liar.
I don't wanna hear that from you, Kiyotaka.
What do you do on your days off, Sato?
I look into fashion design stuff a lot, I guess.
Wow, I never knew!
You're into that stuff, Sato-san?
Yeah!
It'd be great if I could make it to Class A.
What'll you do when you graduate, Ayanokoji-kun?
Go to university, I guess.
I could never do that.
The thought of more school after I graduate... yuck, right?
You're not a fan of academics, Sato-san?
It's not that, exactly... R-Right, Ayanokoji-kun?
Wasn't that cool?
Yeah.
That was fun, you two.
Same! Thanks for coming along!
See you!
Later!
Hey... Could we stop somewhere on the way home?
Those two are really something, huh?
They've really got that couple's aura going on...
I'd love something like that for myself.
Sato.
Thank you for inviting me today.
I had fun.
Hey, Ayanokoji-kun...
Did you not really have any fun today?
I did.
But you didn't smile once.
I'm just not really the smiling type.
It's not that I can't smile.
But I've judged you unworthy of smiling for.
Say...
W-Will you be my boyfriend, Ayanokoji-kun?
I'm sorry, Sato.
I can't be what you want me to be.
Right...
I kind of figured.
Do you think... you could tell me why not?
I can't be your boyfriend if I don't feel affection for you.
I've never felt romantic feelings for anyone.
I don't think I'm mature enough to fall in love.
I see...
I guess I moved too fast.
Sorry...
I'm gonna run home!
You'll catch cold.
Why'd you turn Sato-san down?
She's an unsuitable substitute for you.
Hey...
I've had this feeling for a while now...
Do you really see people as nothing but tools?
And what if I do?
You've really never felt affection for anyone?
Not so far.
Is the snow coming down harder?
Knowing you, you haven't gotten any presents from anyone, right?
Here.
Just take it, okay?
That's right.
This is for you.
Cold medicine?
You were soaked through that night.
I assumed you'd take ill, but it seems I was wrong.
But it shows he was worried about me.
Thanks.
Shall we return, Kei?
Y-Yeah...
This will do.
Karuizawa Kei is now entirely dependent on me.
Proposing an end to our arrangement to spark lingering regrets in her,
then delaying rescue until just moments before she broke...
It all went as planned.
Karuizawa feels genuine trust for me now.
She won't betray me easily.
She's an effective pawn.
But...
Wow! Look at all the snow!
Indeed.
In the end...
I suppose I'm still there.
Will my perception of others as nothing but pawns...
Will this relationship of ours...
ever change?
We're coming to the dorms.
Someone might see us, so let's part ways here.
Right.
Goodnight!
We never properly said hello after so long apart, did we,
Ayanokoji-kun?
I don't know what you mean.
The ultimate masterpiece of the White Room that your father created.
The false genius.
The role of burying it should fall to me.
Are you capable of burying me?