Chapter Text
It started when Class F Rep Yuuji missed lunch because all of the class reps had to meet with the chairwoman.
When they came out, Shouko, head of Class A, looked dangerous in her quiet.
"It would make the most sense, strategically, to bring Himeji," said Yuuji, rubbing his chin. He glanced to Shouko and said, quickly, "But she's technically A ranked, even if she's in our class. And it would all only be mock battles anyway. I guess there's no real point in getting overly competitive."
Hiromi, Class E Rep, said, "Then why are you thinking about it so much?"
Class C Rep Yuka lifted her chin. "Obviously. We're going on a field trip together. It should at least be someone we can all stand."
"It's not like the bus will be segregated by class," agreed Hiromi. "Or by year."
"The upperclassmen looked excited. And the first years, too," said Genji, head of Class D.
Yuka, looking mildly agitated, said, "We should decide which second each of us is taking beforehand."
"Why?" asked Yuuji, grinning. "You're already gonna be riding with Nemoto."
Class B Rep Nemoto Kyoji bristled, his bangs fluttering under the wig. "What are you implying?"
Yuka refused to look over. "A lot of Class F is insufferably obnoxious."
"Worry about class B," said Yuuji, not bothering to hide his amusement.
Genji tucked his hands into his pockets. "You look remarkably relaxed. You realize taking anyone but Himeji is going to mean you're embarrassed in front of a huge audience?"
"He's not taking her. It's not representative," said Shouko.
Yuuji shrugged. "I'm not particularly concerned. This is a demonstration of the technology, nothing more."
"They're not even going to want to look at the lower levels. Our classes are being taken to demonstrate the low end of the scale," groused Hiromi.
"Bitter much?" murmured Yuuji.
Hiromi crossed her arms. "That bus ride is going to make me late to practice. Whoever I take is probably going to have to be on their off-season. It's seriously going to wreak havoc with anyone else's training."
"You think we're gonna be there that late?" asked Genji, frowning.
"Ouran Academy isn't that far as the crow flies," said Yuuji, "but it's tucked in among a bunch of side streets. The Academy's footprint is huge, and its grounds are even bigger."
"They're monumental," said Shouko, tucking her arms behind her back. "The entire school is pink."
Yuka wrinkled her nose. "Seriously?"
Shouko nodded. "My teachers in middle school urged me to apply for an academic scholarship to the Academy. They only accept one scholarship student per year."
"If you didn't get in, the competition must be insane," said Genji, his eyebrows raised.
"Oh, I got in." Shouko smiled, flushing prettily. "But I had to decline."
Yuuji turned down the next hallway that presented itself, and broke into a dead sprint.
...
Yuuji's logic followed these lines:
1. Himeji, arguably the best choice both strategically and socially (because she was a sweet girl, and easy to look at, and was embarrassed about her breasts in the way that meant she continually touched them) would also cause him the most pain (not so much because he would be accused of cheating but because Himeji was embarrassed of her breasts in the way that meant she continually touched them, and the eye, being lazy, was drawn to motion, and Shouko, being efficient, was drawn to gouging out lazy eyes).
2. Shimada was potentially a great choice, as her mathematics skills put her at B level rank, but having spent so much time in Germany had reduced her skill with Japanese to a conversational fluency at best. Though Yuuji had no doubt there were plenty of multilingual students at Ouran Academy, he couldn't risk the loss of face that would come if it could be argued that the students at Fumizuki Academy couldn't read kanji.
3. Akihisa would be amusing, especially if he made an ass of himself in lush surroundings. He'd make the bus ride pass in a flash, and they'd have a great time. But Akihisa was a probationary student, and was therefore ineligible to come.
4. Kota was a pervert. A pervert that couldn't carry a conversation in a bucket. Despite his astronomical ranking in Phys. Ed, the effort required to corral him around a bunch of unfamiliar rich girls more than compensated.
5. Hideyoshi was consistent with his scores, even if they were low. He was also helpful, friendly, willing to go along with Yuuji's schemes, and superbly easy on the eyes. The only hitch was the timing. If Hideyoshi had drama practice after school, Yuuji would feel like a heel for keeping him late. He looked like a kicked puppy on the rare occasion he ever looked sad.
6. If he had to request someone outside of his circle of friends in Class F, he'd be stuck with a slacker who wanted to play video games all day, or a freak with a hood and sickle.
Yuuji pulled Hideyoshi aside before the afternoon classes started, despite Akihisa's squawks of jealousy.
"Hey. Do you have a play to rehearse for right now?"
Hideyoshi tilted his head to the side. "No. We're down to sketches until we can decide on the spring production."
"That's good. I need you to come on a trip with me, but it's probably going to go late."
Akihisa, having caught up, flushed three different shades and pounded the wall with his fist. "Yuuji! How dare you ask Hideyoshi on a date!" He clutched Hideyoshi's lapels and sobbed. "I thought you liked me."
"I like you fine as a friend. We're bros," muttered Hideyoshi, blinking down at Akihisa.
"I'm not asking him on a date! I need him to come on a field trip with me." Yuuji put his hand on his hip and sighed. "I was hoping to avoid this, but go back inside. I'll explain it to everyone."
Akihisa pouted, but let go of Hideyoshi, stomping into the classroom with a demanding look.
Yuuji shook his head, coming to the front of the classroom. "Okay. Attention, please."
He accepted the attentive gaze of about five people of forty-nine, and ignored the vindictive susurrus from the darkened back corner, and the faint chime of GameBoy music.
"This Friday, the rep from each class, plus one extra of the rep's choice, will be going to an exhibition held at Ouran Academy. It's that private school all the rich kids go to. Apparently Fumizuki was the beta test playground for the Summoner War system and the rich kids want to see if we've worked out all of the bugs."
Himeji blinked. "Oh! Ouran!"
"You know it?" asked Akihisa.
Himeji nodded with a smile. "In middle school, my teachers wanted me to take the entrance exam. They give a scholarship every year to a student who couldn't otherwise afford the tuition."
"Oh, whoa! If you couldn't pass it, I don't even want to know how tough it was," said Akihisa, shrinking down into his collar.
Himeji laughed. "Well, they only accept one person at a time. They liked my scores, but I decided to decline." Her smile was gentle, and only for Akihisa.
Shimada squawked, "You declined?!"
"It wasn't for me," said Himeji, shrugging. "I would have had to move to get closer to the school anyway, and I couldn't have asked my parents to do that."
Yuuji placed his hand flat on the lectern. "Strategically, I'd like to take Himeji with me, but the chairwoman stressed that this trip is meant to be representative of the grading scale that put us in these classes in the first place. Her average is too high."
"So you picked Hideyoshi? I thought we were bros!" cried Akihisa.
Yuuji clasped his shoulder. "You know I'd have taken you, but your status as probationary student means you aren't permitted on the trip. Your avatar can touch material objects. They're not ready for you yet."
"Oh. I get it," said Akihisa, rubbing his chin. "They'd be intimidated. We can't do that if they're planning on adopting the program."
Yuuji smiled, nodding, carefully neglecting to mention the extreme glitchiness of Aki's avatar, especially as it interacted with modular fields.
Akihisa's ego soothed, Yuuji turned again to Hideyoshi. "Do you accept?"
"We're gonna go get the crap beaten out of us in front of a bunch of rich kids," deadpanned Hideyoshi. "Gee, where do I sign up?"
"Have I gotten the crap beaten out of you before?" asked Yuuji with a grin.
Shimada touched her chin. "I seem to remember a class rep showdown that burned up in flames."
"Hideyoshi wasn't even involved in that one! He wore dresses and held signs. I've never screwed him over directly."
Hideyoshi sighed. "Your ability to inspire my confidence is a continual source of astonishment."
"Do you want to go or not?" asked Yuuji. "I need to know."
"I'm willing," said Hideyoshi with a nod. "You asked after me specifically, after all. You must have some kind of plan."
Yuuji smirked. "Bus leaves at seven-thirty. Just be on it."