Chapter-05 · EP-072

Episode 72: Hikaru Kujo (Part 7)

"Why is it wrong for me to get along with D-Class students?"

I asked Professor Kyogoku.

It was true that I interacted with D-Class students. But I didn't understand why that should be criticized.

"It's obvious, isn't it? D-Class students are commoners, and you are a noble."

I was speechless at his words.

"On the contrary, why do you try to get along with D-Class? Even if it's to learn about the lives of the lower classes, there is a limit. You don't need to imitate commoners. As a noble, you must not associate with commoners more than necessary."

"W-with all due respect, Professor. My father taught me to treat people equally, without being bound by status or class."

"Haa… Your father is indeed a supporter of democracy in the House of Peers. But listen carefully. In politics, there is a difference between true intentions and public statements. The general public vastly outnumbers the nobility, so gaining their support is also very important for nobles. Your father says those things publicly to gain the support of the people."

"That's not true! My father…"

"I see. You still don't understand. That can't be helped. But let me tell you one thing. Getting along with D-Class will bring you no rewards. Absolutely none."

"I-I'm not seeking any rewards."

I argued as best I could.

But Professor Kyogoku didn't understand my feelings.

"You are a noble's daughter, so you cannot live by such public statements alone. Listen. If you are going to associate with people, prioritize those who bring benefit to your father. Even as a young lady, you are a member of the Kujo family. You must think about what you should do for your family and act accordingly."

This man was also a serious noble supremacist. And he was convinced that he was absolutely right.

I remembered my father's words. Stubborn people, especially older ones, refuse to listen to opinions different from their own. He said that you cannot change such people's minds. I thought Professor Kyogoku was exactly that.

As I stood speechless, Professor Kyogoku continued.

"Now, the last item. Regarding you attending the Second Swordsmanship Club. Is this true?"

I answered his question.

"Yes. It's true."

"Why would you do such a thing? The Second Swordsmanship Club is a hobby club. If you truly want to learn swordsmanship, join the First Club. If you wish, I can write you a special letter of recommendation."

Mei reacted to his words.

"Professor, Hikaru-sama has already received an invitation from the First Swordsmanship Club without needing a letter of recommendation."

"Is that so? Then you should join the First Club…"

"However, after seeing their fighting style, Hikaru-sama judged that this was not the right club for her and declined."

"Huh? Why?"

Professor Kyogoku looked puzzled hearing Mei's explanation.

Mei continued.

"Also, regarding the Second Swordsmanship Club being just a hobby club, this year Iori Takigawa from D-Class is instructing them. I am also receiving instruction together with Hikaru-sama. There is much to learn from her."

"Huh? You're receiving instruction from someone in D-Class? Stop such embarrassing behavior! It's a disgrace to the nobility!"

"Is that so? I believe that if I can become stronger by learning from someone, there is no shame in it."

Mei answered Professor Kyogoku.

Her confident response gave me courage.

I stood up and honestly told the professor my feelings.

"Professor, I share Mei's opinion. I attend the Second Swordsmanship Club because I believe I can become stronger, and I see no problem in interacting with D-Class."

Hearing my words, Professor Kyogoku's mouth hung open in surprise, and Okumoto-san next to me made a sour face. Only Mei looked at me with an expression of support.

"F-fine. It seems no matter how much we discuss, we will remain at odds. Very well. It will be you who regrets this later. I have clearly told you. Interacting with D-Class will bring you no benefit whatsoever! Take responsibility for your own actions. That concludes today's homeroom!"

It seemed my words had soured Professor Kyogoku's mood. He quickly gathered his things and was about to leave the classroom.

Just as he opened the door, he stopped because someone was there.

"Wh-what do you want?"

From my seat at the front of the classroom, I could see the student in the hallway.

It was Shirou Ichinose from D-Class.

"Um, is Kujo-san here?"

As usual, he spoke in a casual tone. It seemed he had come to see me, so I tried to go to him. But Professor Kyogoku blocked him, staying where he was.

"You're a D-Class student, aren't you? What business do you have with Kujo-san?"

"Well, you see…"

"Haa. Listen here. Because people like you get carried away, the kind-hearted Kujo-san is forced to waste her time on unnecessary relationships! To begin with, Kujo-san, the daughter of a Duke, is not someone someone like you should be addressing!"

"Anyway, I have a promise to keep…"

"What are you saying! A commoner extracting a promise from a noble is unthinkable!"

"No, the promise came from her side…"

As Ichinose-san and Professor Kyogoku went back and forth, I stepped in to help him.

"Professor, Ichinose-san came to see me about something. Please let me handle it."

"Young lady!"

Seeing my face, Ichinose-san looked relieved. Professor Kyogoku, in contrast, turned around with an unhappy expression.

"Kujo-san, who is he?"

"He is Shirou Ichinose from D-Class. A friend of mine."

"A friend? This won't do, Kujo-san! You lack awareness of your position as a Duke's daughter. You must not make friends with such commoners! It's a hundred harms and not a single benefit!"

"Professor, as I said before, I do not choose friends based on profit and loss."

"Excuse me, this will only take a moment. Can I speak now?"

Ichinose-san stepped between me and Professor Kyogoku. Finally, I was able to talk to him.

"It's unusual for you to come looking for me. What's the matter?"

"Ah, young lady. Remember when you asked me to sell you a Rank 4 potion if I got one?"

"Huh? Did you get one?"

"No, not Rank 4… I got a Rank 3. Do you want it?"

"Of course I do. I used up the Rank 2 I had, so now I only have a Rank 1."

"Ah, really? Here you go."

Ichinose-san said, casually pulling a Heal Gem from his pocket and handing it to me.

It unmistakably had the number 3 floating on it.

Not only I, but Professor Kyogoku and the nearby students who saw it froze.

"Huh? There's no way someone like you could obtain a Rank 3!"

Professor Kyogoku shouted loudly.

I took the Heal Gem from Ichinose-san. Not because I doubted it, but I used my only skill, "Analysis," to confirm.

Heal Gem… Rank 3

And I answered.

"This is unquestionably a Rank 3 potion."

"No way?"

Professor Kyogoku's mouth hung open in shock upon hearing my words.

"Ichinose-san, are you sure you can give this to me?"

"Yeah, I promised."

Hearing our exchange, Okumoto-san suddenly stood up and approached.

"W-wait. I could buy it from you. I'll pay more than Kujo-san. How much?"

"Who are you?"

Okumoto-san's sudden proposal confused Ichinose-san. Then Professor Kyogoku called out to him.

"Wh-where did you get a Rank 3?"

"That's a trade secret."

"Th-then why are you giving it to Kujo-san?"

"Man, you're persistent. I'm giving it to a friend who asked me for it. Sorry about the 'hundred harms and not a single benefit.' Turns out there can be at least one benefit."

Ichinose-san answered, turning Professor Kyogoku's earlier words back on him.

Professor Kyogoku just grumbled, "Gu… gu…" and couldn't retort.

"Thank you, Ichinose-san. Professor, as you have just seen, interacting with D-Class students is not necessarily without benefit. I will choose my friends according to my own will. And I will become stronger at the Second Swordsmanship Club."

"Mu… mu… D-do as you please!"

Leaving those words, Professor Kyogoku left the classroom.

Ichinose-san, his business done, said, "Well then!" and quickly left as well.

Watching his retreating figure, I felt the unease and confusion from earlier melt away, and I felt a little courage.