Classroom of the Elite: Alter - Self-Test

Vol. 2: Chapter 3.4 - Blank Slate

"A-Ah-! What I meant was... You're completely different from normal people like me... or Miyacchi, for example," she clarified.

"What do you mean by different?" I tilted my head.

"Well, you're really smart and athletic. You're super strong, too."

"Ohh... I mean, Hirata's the same, right? Kouenji, too. And I'm sure there are some students in other classes who are like me. Not to mention the higher years," I mused.

"You're right... You're right but, there's just something about you that..." Haruka can't seem to articulate her thoughts. "It's like you're... more mysterious than anyone else-- like you're still holding back..."

Is that something noticeable? It must be my demeanor if anything else.

"I see... I think you're just talking about my negative traits, Haruka. For example, I don't like talking about myself and I'm not that great at making casual conversations, so I might give the impression of aloofness and mystery. I also don't look motivated when doing anything, so it feels like I'm still holding back... And because I'm your friend, you might just be romanticizing those negative traits into something positive, which is understandable," I explained.

I ruthlessly rationalized Haruka's romanticism.

This might be what Chabashira-sensei was saying. My excuse right now was pretty reasonable, but it would only work on the people I'm close with, like Haruka.

"That's... You might be right... You're probably right... But somehow, I just get this feeling that--... It's like you're... unfathomable," she said, with a serious expression. "I'm sure Miyacchi, Airi, Kencchin, and everyone in Class B have already sensed it. Sure, there are a lot of exceptional students in this school, but you give off a different kind of 'exceptional' vibe."

"Is that so...? Well, I can't understand it myself. My perspective is distinctly different from everyone else's, after all."

"It's pretty weird though. You were popular in your younger years, right? Especially since you're a foreigner in America," she said.

I knew it would come to this...

"No... I didn't really have any friends."

"Eh?! Like, zero? I thought you were just exaggerating!"

I nod.

"Were you not showing your abilities back then like you're doing now, or something?"

"I guess so. I didn't really take school too seriously, so everyone left me alone. I had a pretty peaceful school life."

"You're a weirdo. You would've been extremely popular!" She comedically reprimanded me.

"Well, I didn't really know how to talk with people back then," I explained. "I just forced myself to socialize with others in this school. Even if I liked solitude, I can't possibly ascend to the higher classes without associating myself with you guys."

"Ohh... I see... That makes sense..."

It was better to say that I really had no friends back then. It would make the conversation more manageable. In the end, I had no choice but to be vague. However, my explanations should satisfy Haruka's curiosity.

"Why'd you wanna talk about all this?" I asked.

"Ah- Eh... That's... I just wanted to know you more, I guess." Haruka scratched her head. "Hahaha..."

That's fair. I already know so much about her, after all. That goes for most of my friends, like Matsushita or Karuizawa. Meanwhile, I haven't really talked about myself that much-- for obvious reasons, of course.