Chapter 27:

Never the Better, Neither the Wiser

Good Luck in the Golden Classroom: The Golden Waltz


 Scanning the newcomer from head to toe, I found out that, “Miyazo…” she was but wasn’t simultaneously. “…no?”

“Why, yes, it’s me, the one and only Miyazono!”

I didn’t know what she meant by that; either she was an impostor or a different person with a coincident name.

She didn’t care to assess the situation. She has completely broken the mood and taken control. “So, this is the rooftop.” She walked with the usual flair. Her long, black hair flowed behind her like a train. Her face was uplifted in confidence. She acted as if she owned the place, and we were mere tenants.

After looking around the empty rooftop, she turned to us.

“It’s quite empty in here. It’s a shame no one’s at that artificial beach today,” she said.

There was an explanation for that; I wanted to inform her what it was, but a particular someone was quite unhappy.

“What are you doing here?” Chinatsu was speaking through her teeth. She was struggling to maintain her gentle nature and patience. It seemed that ‘Miyazono’ interrupted the most important event in her life.

“Can’t I be here?”

“You could be anytime, but not now.”

“What was that supposed to mean?”

They faced and approached each other, as a prelude before the war.

Chinatsu placed her hands on akimbo, stating her unparalleled superiority. “Who are you anyway? I haven’t seen you anywhere.” Her tone escalated to anger.

But ‘Miyazono’ stayed calm and collected, reminding me of someone. “Don’t you know who I am? You must have stayed under a rock.”

I began to think about who she might be. If I connect today’s rumored events, she must be that transfer student.

“I wouldn’t care to know who you are,” it was Chinatsu’s final line before she says something explosive, I sensed. “Do you even know who I—!”

“Excuse me,” I took my chance at the opening. After all, I already knew what Chinatsu had to say. I’d say I was thankful for this interruption. Despite my newly-acquired knowledge, I wasn’t prepared; I had no idea how to act or answer her anyway.

It was just a spur of the moment. These piddling feelings spurred rash decisions. I was glad to avoid it. I had lost myself at that moment.

“Could you be the transfer student?”

“Oh, I’m glad! There’s someone who knows about me!”

That wasn’t exactly correct, but she seemed glad, so I shouldn’t ruin her mood…

“Yajima,” Chinatsu glanced at me with a forced smile before relaxing herself back into anger.

…though, she had ruined Chinatsu’s mood.

But, Chinatsu smiled again; this time a more radiant smile. She seemed to have quickly concocted a plan——plan B, the escape plan. “Yajima—you know what, Amahiko.”

By my first name?

“Let’s go someplace else; let’s say, coffee?”

“I’d be happy with,” suddenly, someone pulled my arm from behind.

“Hey you, kid. Care to lead me, a new transfer student?” This ‘Miyazono’ looked at me with begging eyes. She had the same golden brown eyes as the genuine Miyazono. This type of look, where she begs for an offer, I secretly wished for. But the original Miyazono would never help me for anything, much less beg me for something.

I was lured by this longing that I had subconsciously agreed to help this new student. There was no danger in helping, I thought.

“What are you doing!?” Chinatsu pulled me the other way. She was quite forceful with me that my arm could have been torn off. Good thing I had those daily exercises. “You come and barge in, and now you take him away? Who do you think you are? Stay away from him, you—” In her rage, she almost lost herself. I thought she was a different person at that moment. Suddenly, I realized what a fool I must have been, being fooled by this pretentious woman.

“Chinatsu, calm down,” I said, but the other wanted to provoke anger.

“Heh, I know Yaji—Amahiko more than you,” she competed. “Knowing from the fact that he’s from Class Gold, you must be also from Class Gold. The higher class usually doesn’t mingle with the lower class, do they? Just so you know, I’m from Class Palladium, so know your place.”

Oh, she has made one fatal mistake. In battle, you should know their place before you reveal your own. If you found yourself in a worse position, you must relocate, but this ‘Miyazono’ has ignored common sense——something the genuine Miyazono wouldn’t do. This ‘Miyazono’ was lucky to be in a higher class than hers. There must be no relation.

Chinatsu, who was fuming red with her raised eyebrows, started laughing. “Y—you’re from Class Palladium!? You should know your place!” She nudged me, “Tell her what class I’m in.”

Seriously? This tactic? I’ll go along.

“Chinatsu here is from Class Iridium,” I meekly stated. I was feeling a little pitiful about her predicament.

“So, don’t be so cocky!” she added. ‘Miyazono’s grip weakened, and Chinatsu asserted possession. She pulled me to the elevators, leaving ‘Miyazono’ defeated. “Let’s go someplace else. I don’t want to see her face,” she expelled the last of her frustration. She commanded the elevator to the Mall’s floor.

When the elevators were about to close, a hand slipped in. It was ‘Miyazono’ again, intruding into our bubble.

“What are you—!?”

“I didn’t want to wait for the other car; don’t worry. Just pretend I’m not here.”

Chinatsu pushed ‘Miyazono’ out of the elevator, but the doors have already closed, and the elevator began its trip.

Chinatsu couldn’t ignore her sworn enemy, so no one uttered a word or made a noise. The only sound was that awkward elevator music.

Finally, the elevator arrived at its first destination, the Mall, and Chinatsu hurriedly exited. Realizing that I didn’t come with her, she turned around, completely ignoring the other passenger.

“Amahiko? We’re here, aren’t you coming?”

I shook my head, “Sorry, Chinatsu. I don’t feel like it anymore.” That was the truth, but at the same time, a lie. I was a little disappointed and a little relieved. Maybe at another time, I will be ready.

Chinatsu showed her last grimace, only looking towards us before the doors closed. Now, I and ‘Miyazono’ were alone. I selected our next stop. For some reason, she didn’t select hers.

“Cute girl, huh?” For some reason, momentarily, I thought she was Eriki Miyazono. I could alter her words in my memory. ‘Cute girl, isn’t she?’ Since she didn’t use her usual phrase, she must not be related in any way.

I forgot to answer her question, but she didn’t requestion. I hoped that she didn’t misinterpret my silence.

The doors opened, and she surged ahead. I braked at first, surprised that she had chosen this floor. Being in Class Palladium, her room must be on the next floor. But I considered that the academy could only provide accomodation on short notice.

Those were what I concluded. There would be no more surprises made by this woman.

I waited in front of my room’s door, watching her route. She stopped at a room——a room I identified so familiarly.

She spoke on the intercom.

“Hello!”

“S—sister!? What are you doing here?”

“Can’t I visit my cute little sister?”

“Don’t embarrass me!”

“Are you still not going to let me in? You’re making me feel lonely.”

“Alright, alright! Just wait there.”

The door clicked in the distance and opened. The light from Eriki Miyazono’s room mixed with the hallway’s light. She appeared with a towel wrapped around her head, wearing pink pajamas littered with teddy bear designs.

Instantly, she jumped and hugged her tightly, like a snake capturing its prey.

Eriki Miyazono’s voice was muffled in her supposed sister’s bosom. One was shorter, and one was taller and more mature and refined in her features. Now, I didn’t know who the genuine Miyazono was, seeing a shockingly different side to Eriki Miyazono.

For some reason, regret left my mind, removing its weight on my heart.

While this childish-looking Miyazono was wrapped tightly, the classier Miyazono beckoned me to her. I followed her, being in a daze.

“I’ve heard about you from my cute sister,” she spoke to me. “Thank you for putting up with her.”

“Sister?” her voice rose. She peeked her head from her chest and glanced at me. “W—wha—!?”

“Good afternoon, Miyazon—err, Eriki Miyazono.” I faced the taller one, “Could you tell me your name?”

“Me? Ah, I’m glad you asked me that.” she smiled gleefully.

I waited for her next words. Even Eriki Miyazono waited.

“Um, excuse me?”

“Oh, sorry! I spaced out for a second there. My name’s Azuki Miyazono, Eriki’s older sister.”

Older? Not a twin? Then, how was she enrolled in this academy?

In this academy, there were no higher grades, only higher classes. So, how exactly did she enter this academy? Did she drop out? Did she restart a year and transfer? Whatever the reason, I’ll have to find out by systematic methods.

Azuki might be someone special.