Protect your Dignity

 The deliberation was finished, and everyone waited in the hall for the announcements.

The higher classes had a confident look on their faces. Their lazy eyes glazed, glancing mockingly at us.

We returned their glances with our grins. We faced their confidence with our certainty.

The Palladium Class hollered some insults saying that we lost, but we had no time for losers.

Faith was fragile; doubt settled in their hearts.

“What if we don’t win?”

“What if all is for nothing?”

Mostly those doubts were from the non-participants, and I didn’t need to rebuke them because Ryuu took my place.

“You should appreciate our efforts. Next time, you’ll bear our name.”

The emcee appeared on stage with an envelope in hand. He asked for everyone’s attention through the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, if I may ask for your attention. The time has come for the announcement of the winners. But, before that, let me thank you all for…” He went on a tangent, thanking everyone for participating in the event.

“Without further ado, we will be naming the winners!”

Class Gold and Palladium tensed up. We were at the edge of our seats. Usually, other people would glaze over the last place winner, but because of the bet, we would know who would lose first.

If they call them first, they lose.

Everyone in the hall was quiet. The emcee awaited some kind of cheer, but no one spoke or gave even the slightest interest.

Except for us. Ito aroused everyone to start cheering.

“Come on guys. We aren’t going to lose anymore! This will be our breakthrough! So make sure to make your mark on history! We won’t lose! We won’t lose!” He started chanting. “We won’t lose! We won’t lose!”

Everyone else was bewildered. This hasn’t happened before. Soon, the other students started whispering to each other, and everyone can assume what discourse they had.

Class Palladium also started their chant to daunt and spite us. They chanted louder.

“We already won! We already won!”

“We won’t lose! We won’t lose!” We chanted all the louder.

This back and forth lasted for a full minute until the emcee intervened.

“Alright, silence now. I know you’re all excited, but I need to say the results!” He laughed. “In last place…” he opened the envelope. “We have…” And his face contorted in confusion. Murmurs arose.

This time, because of the excitement, everyone was tense about this announcement. All have understood the occurring event. The spectators seemed neutral, not cheering for either side. But, they were silently rooting for Class Palladium. After all, which class was the classic loser?

The emcee cleared his throat. Everyone went silent again. Then, he looked back and mouthed a few words. He nodded a few times and face the audience again. “In last place is…” The drums rolled, thumping through the speakers, making our hearts tremble. “Class Palladium!”

The entire hall became tumultuous while we joyfully celebrated.

“We won! We won!!” shouted Ito.

“We finally won for once!!” and other words of relief and elation.

“Everyone, thank you for your effort,” I thanked. “Without all of you, we wouldn’t have achieved this victory.”

“It’s not all us! It’s mostly you!” Ryuu stated. “If you didn’t gather and lead us, we would have done the same thing over again.”

“That aside,” I continued, “do you now realize the power we have in unity? Don’t you want to accomplish something again, as a class?”

My classmates stared at me. Realization hit them.

“You know, I only did this for my selfish reasons. Before, I wasn’t able to be part of my class; I didn’t want that to happen again. So, I changed myself and enrolled in this academy because of the good things I heard, hoping I would be able to befriend every one of you. Imagine my surprise when I saw this class. Imagine my despair when I realized that… it would happen again. I just want to be part of a class that accepts and recognizes me.”

“Amahiko, you…” Ito called out. “I didn’t know you could be selfish too.” He smiled. “But, it’s commendable. It’s noble.”

“But before I can be a part of your class, you must be a part of yourselves. If you feel grateful for me, please be friends with each other… for me.”

My classmates were shocked; they didn’t expect me to request such a favor. Before they could respond agreeably, the losers stepped in.

Takeuchi guffawed. In his laugh, there was a hint of defeat——the defeat he stubbornly rejected. Still, he continued his proud stride. “You think you won? I’ve only given ya’ll pitiful plebs a chance, and it seems that you have wasted it.”

What did he mean? What chance? What defeat? He couldn’t accept his loss, can he?

“What are you trying to say?”

“I don’t know what shenanigans you did, but I won’t forgive you for it! If you have let us win, I would have let you off easy. But, it seems that you’ve made your choice to rebel against me. Prepare yourself!” With this, he left. His every stomp was grudgeful.

“Hey, hey, what’s he going to do to us?” Ito asked.

I remained silent.

“Will his harassment get even worse?”

I shook my head, then paused, then nodded.

“Don’t worry, Amahiko, me and the boys will handle this. It’s time to let us do our part.”

No, that was wrong. That train of thought—the sacrificial mindset was wrong. Their spirits were high, and their confidence too. They have thrown away the fact that Class Palladium held more power. We were lucky to win over a higher class, but that was because it was set in favorable conditions.

All of this was my fault. I knew such a boastful person wouldn’t bow down easily, and yet, I agreed to such suspicious conditions. This was my responsibility, not my classmates’. This was my battle, not theirs.

So, I’ve decided…

…

…

…

…to skip the celebratory afterparty to return to my room and fell into a trance.

That was a Monday. The academy was kind enough to give us a three-day break, so, there were no classes. Everyone can leave the premises or they could roam around the facilities.

I had no business outside or inside, but someone made one for me.

The doorbell rang several times. Whoever was outside was very excited to meet me. So, I lazily attended to the door, skipping the intercom.

“Yes?” I said, opening the door.

Suddenly, he pushed me, causing me to fall. I caught myself by the doorknob and pulled myself.

“Huh.” It was Takeuchi with two other friends who welcomed themselves. “What a plain room.” They entered without removing their shoes.

I was feeling bad for Reona.

“What are you doing, barging into my room?”

“We’re going to discuss that bet.”

Pushing me back, they gained ground into my room——a full-on invasion of my personal space. And I can’t do anything about it.

“You’ll void that bet.”

As predicted, they were not willing to go through such humiliation.

“I veto.”

“Oh? You sure?”

“I don’t want to repeat myself.”

“Then, we’re going to make you!”

Takeuchi sent his two friends who were approaching with blunt objects in their hands. I retreated, approaching the bezel-less window behind me. Then, I reached the sky’s end.

Simultaneously, they swung the blunt—sharp object. They turned out to be knives. I dodged below in time, and they etched the thick glass.

“Takeuchi, do you plan to kill me?”

“No, I just want to understand your position with your blood!”

I ran for my bed. They ran after me while I lifted the bedframe to overturn it. Then, they hesitated.

“Kazuya!” One of them shouted.

Takeuchi saw what I was about to do.

“You know what happens when this bed goes upside down, right?”

He clicked his tongue. “You’d better watch your back the moment you step out of this room.” The invaders started to leave.

“Fine, I’ll reconsider the bet, but on one condition.”

Takeuchi looked back, “You’re out of conditions. I have no reason to spare you.”

“You don’t have to spare me. If you meet me at the rooftop, this time by tomorrow, then, I’ll let you do anything you wish to me——dropping out, beating the crap out of me, anything, and I wouldn’t tell a soul. But you must leave my classmates out of this. I was the shepherd; they were only the flock. What good would it do if you slaughter the flock?”

He grinned, “You’re right; what good will it do if I slaughter the flock?” Then, they left.