Lelouch Lamperouge POV
Koro-sensei was his usual, eccentric self as he wrapped up the discussion. With his familiar grin, he turned to the class and waved dramatically. "Now, remember, class—no skipping the afternoon session! Or else, you'll see why I was hailed as the Reaper," he teased, his voice upbeat and cheerful as ever. He winked in my direction, and I couldn't help but chuckle nervously, a slight bead of sweat forming at my temple. The rest of the class just laughed it off as another one of his exaggerated threats, but I knew better.
My mind flashed back to last night. I remembered the chilling way Koro-sensei had interrogated that Britannian noble, his hands moving with an eerie calm, as he extracted information from him with what could only be described as surgical precision. There was no trace of the sunny teacher we saw every day in that moment. The man was ruthless—merciless, even. He hadn't been called "the Reaper" for nothing.
How did I end up here, relying on the help of such a man? I sighed, shaking off the memory, and turned my thoughts to more pressing matters. Swimming class. Physical activities. Damn. I internally cursed myself. I had been skipping out on these activities for far too long. If I had known that I'd be in a position where physical strength would matter... No, it didn't matter now. What's done was done.
Koro-sensei finally left the room, his cheerful aura still lingering in the air. As the door shut behind him, I stood up, straightening my jacket. I caught Suzaku's gaze across the room. We exchanged a subtle glance, and I gave a short tug on my collar—a signal. One we had used years ago. One that meant meet me on the roof.
The wind swept across the rooftop as I waited, arms folded across my chest, my back against the railing. The view from up here was serene, even in the heart of Tokyo. I heard footsteps approach and turned to see Suzaku, a faint smile on his face.
"Lelouch," he breathed, his voice a mixture of relief and disbelief. "You're alive. I—I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
I gave him a small smile in return, but I kept my usual composed expression. "I've had to keep a low profile," I explained. "Nunnally is safe, hidden with the Ashfords. She's living a quiet life."
Suzaku's shoulders visibly relaxed at that. "I'm glad. I've been worried about both of you, especially after... well, everything with Clovis." His eyes hardened slightly as he mentioned my brother. "You know I didn't—"
"I know," I cut him off before he could finish, my voice firm. "I believe you, Suzaku. You didn't kill him." My mind wandered back to Clovis, and a flicker of dark satisfaction ran through me. My brother had been just as corrupt and self-serving as the rest of the Britannian Empire. His death was a necessary evil, and I had made sure to take the blame under the guise of Zero. But the real culprit was much closer than Suzaku realized—my new, dangerous ally. My homeroom teacher, Koro-sensei. I couldn't help but smirk at the irony.
Suzaku blinked in surprise, but I didn't let him dwell on it. "After the Empire started its war against Japan, Nunnally and I left our old lives behind. We had to—there was no other choice. The Ashfords took us in, and we've been living quietly since." I glanced at him with a sly smile. "Though I almost got caught once."
Suzaku raised an eyebrow, curious. "Caught?"
I couldn't resist a chuckle. "Chess. I got a bit too bold. There's a rumor going around about someone gambling and winning at chess matches in the city."
Suzaku's eyes widened in realization. "Wait, that was you?" He laughed, the sound genuine and light. "You haven't changed at all, Lelouch."
"Neither have you," I responded with a grin. It felt like old times, if only for a moment.
Suzaku's smile faded slightly as a more serious question crossed his mind. "So... what should I call you now? Lelouch vi Britannia..."
"Lelouch vi Britannia died the day the Empire declared war on Japan," I replied, my voice even. "Now, I go by Lelouch Lamperouge. It's better this way."
He nodded in understanding, though I could see the gears turning in his mind. "I see. With the war still looming, I just hope... I hope Japan can hold out."
I sensed the weight of our conversation starting to drag us down a path I didn't want to tread just yet. "Enough of that," I said, waving a hand dismissively. "Come with me. I want to introduce you to everyone."
Suzaku hesitated, his brows furrowing in concern. "I don't know if that's a good idea, Lelouch. Everyone knows I'm accused of killing Clovis. They probably hate me."
I placed a hand on his shoulder and met his gaze, my tone confident. "They're different. They weren't called a 'generational talent' for nothing."
Suzaku's expression shifted to one of confusion. "Generational talent?"
I just smirked. "You'll see."
Without further explanation, I turned and began walking back towards the stairs, leaving Suzaku to follow, still wondering what exactly he had gotten himself into.
As Suzaku and I descended the stairs from the rooftop, our conversation slowed to a halt. Instead of heading straight to meet the others, we exchanged a brief look, both sensing the need for a break. Suzaku seemed reluctant about heading to the cafeteria, so we decided to grab something to eat and remain on the rooftop for a while longer.
We found a quiet corner away from the wind and ate our meals in silence. Suzaku was still hesitant, his unease radiating off him, but I allowed it. I knew how much had happened, how much he was dealing with internally. It wasn't just about our reunion—there were deeper layers at play. As we finished our meal, I casually suggested, "Let's go to the swimming pool area." He agreed, and we made our way down.
The swimming pool area was one of the few places on campus without surveillance, which made it a sanctuary for those who wanted some peace or privacy. The facility itself was impressive, modeled after the specifications prescribed by the Olympic Games: a 50-meter pool, audience seats on the second floor, and well-maintained changing rooms. The air was thick with the scent of chlorine, and the faint echoes of water lapping against the pool walls reverberated through the space.
When we arrived, everyone from Class E was already there, except for Koro-sensei. It was Sora who noticed us first. He waved us over with a lazy but sharp grin. "Lelouch! Suzaku!" His voice immediately caught the attention of the others.
I steeled myself as we walked over to them, already sensing the curiosity and questions forming in their minds. We barely made it to the edge of the group when Johan, ever the quiet observer, was the first to speak.
"I thought you said you didn't know Suzaku from before," Johan commented, his gaze cutting through me like a scalpel. His voice was calm but pointed, bringing up a detail I had told him earlier. I mentally kicked myself. I hadn't expected Suzaku to be here at this school, not after all the events that had transpired.
For a moment, I internally screamed. Of course, Johan would remember. I should've been more careful with my words. But there was no turning back now. I smiled smoothly, though the edges felt forced. "I didn't think I'd see him again after all these years," I replied. "We lost contact a long time ago—before the war. It's been... unexpected, to say the least."
Light was next to chime in. "So, were you childhood friends or something?" He sounded curious, but I knew his inquisitive mind was probing deeper than it appeared.
Suzaku nodded before I could respond. "Yeah, we were friends before the war." His tone was straightforward, simple—completely unlike the storm of thoughts I knew were probably going through his mind.
But before anyone else could respond, Ryuuzaki, standing off to the side in his usual hunched posture, spoke up unexpectedly. "War, huh?" His voice was soft but sharp. "Then did you really kill Clovis?"
The question sent a cold ripple through the group, the weight of it hanging in the air like a fog. Everyone went quiet, their eyes turning to Suzaku. The tension was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.
I couldn't let the silence drag on any longer. I straightened and spoke before Suzaku had a chance to defend himself. "It's already been proven that Suzaku is innocent." My voice was firm, cutting through the tension. "As compensation for the wrongful accusation, he's been given a second chance to study here at Japan's most prestigious academy." I glanced at Suzaku, giving him a reassuring nod, which he acknowledged with a subtle shift in his expression.
Light was the first to react, nodding in agreement. "That makes sense," he said thoughtfully, his calculating eyes flicking between us.
Sora, leaning casually against one of the walls, chimed in with a dry smile. "Clovis's death was inevitable. His presence here wasn't for peace, but to ensure Japan's fall to Britannia. Oppression, rule by fear, dictatorships... It's strange, isn't it? Throughout history, the lives of rulers like him have always ended the same way—assassination by someone who isn't even part of a combat unit."
Ayanokoji, who had been silent thus far, inclined his head slightly, agreeing with Sora's point. "That's often how it happens. Power makes people blind to threats from outside their immediate sphere."
Their words hit me harder than I expected. They couldn't have known, but my mind immediately went to the inevitable—I will be the one to kill my father. I'll be the one to end Emperor Charles's reign. It was no longer just a thought. It was a certainty.
But before I could lose myself in the gravity of that realization, Light casually draped an arm around Suzaku's shoulder. His eyes gleamed with that calculated kindness he often displayed, a veneer over his true intentions. "No one here believes that Suzaku killed Prince Clovis," he said smoothly. "We're all on the same side here."
There was a chorus of agreement. Even Shiro, in her usual cute and innocent manner, nodded enthusiastically, which seemed to lighten the mood.
Light removed his hand from Suzaku's shoulder and then, with a more practical tone, added, "We should change into our swimsuits before Koro-sensei arrives."
I nodded, relieved to move on from the conversation, and the group started heading toward the changing rooms. Suzaku lingered beside me for a moment longer. I could feel the weight of unspoken words between us, but now wasn't the time. There were too many eyes, too many questions.
"Let's go," I said quietly, giving him a nudge as we followed the others.
After we all changed into our swimsuits and gathered around the pool, the atmosphere felt lighthearted, the earlier tension dissipating with the sound of laughter and chatter. Suzaku, in particular, had caught the attention of the group—though not for the reasons one might expect.
Sora, always quick to speak his mind, pointed at Suzaku's defined muscles and toned body, his eyes wide with admiration. "Damn, Suzaku, you've got a seriously great build! What's your secret, man?"
Suzaku chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his head in his usual humble manner. "It's nothing special. It's just from my time in the military. Training, drills, that sort of thing. And I guess it became a habit after that."
Sora looked genuinely impressed, nodding in appreciation. "Man, maybe I should take up some military training myself if that's the result."
Before the conversation could go further, Shiro, with her playful smile, decided to chime in. "Nii's just... jealous," she teased in her soft, innocent voice. "He knows... he'll never get a girlfriend with... his current build."
The comment immediately set Sora off, his face flushing as he whipped around to defend himself. "I am not jealous!" he snapped, crossing his arms defensively. "And I can totally get a girlfriend with my body. I'm just... focusing on other things right now."
Sora's jaw dropped again as Shiro's words sunk in, and he quickly shot back, "Hey! Th-That's not—wait, what do you mean 'current' build?!"
The group burst into laughter, a brief moment of lightness that I found myself oddly appreciating. Even Suzaku, usually so tense and dutiful, allowed a small smile to cross his face. For just a second, it almost felt... normal.
Then, as if on cue, Ryuzaki decided to disrupt the peace. His eyes, perpetually analytical, locked onto Ayanokoji, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, as usual. "What about Ayanokoji?" Ryuzaki's voice cut through the fading laughter, immediately redirecting everyone's attention. "You've got quite the physique too. Almost as impressive as Suzaku's. Care to share your secret?"
I instinctively glanced at Ayanokoji, intrigued by Ryuzaki's observation. To be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to Ayanokoji's physical build before, but now, with Ryuzaki's comment, I couldn't help but notice it. His lean but undeniably muscular frame, particularly his forearms, stood out—there was an unusual density to them, as though every fiber of muscle had been honed through some rigorous, unseen training. His lower arms, especially, were striking, the kind of definition that you'd expect from someone who spent years in military conditioning. But Ayanokoji? He hardly ever exerted himself, let alone flaunted his strength.
Ayanokoji, as calm and indifferent as ever, met Ryuzaki's probing eyes without a hint of surprise. His expression was as unreadable as always. "I don't train like Suzaku," he replied flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. "It's just how my body is."
Of course, Ryuzaki wasn't about to let that answer slide. His gaze sharpened, the air around us thickening with his quiet intensity, like a predator scenting weakness. "Really?" Ryuzaki leaned in slightly, his voice carrying an edge of curiosity mixed with suspicion. "That seems rather convenient. You've got the kind of build most soldiers would kill for, yet you claim you don't engage in anything even remotely similar to military training?"
I found myself silently agreeing with Ryuzaki's skepticism. It was difficult to believe that Ayanokoji's muscular structure, especially those lower arms that looked ready to bend steel, had developed naturally.
But before the tension could escalate further, a gust of wind swept across the pool, followed by a familiar, annoyingly high-pitched voice.
"Good afternoon, my lovely students!" Koro-sensei arrived in a blur, his form radiating the same ridiculous energy as ever. He hovered at the edge of the pool, his cartoonish grin plastered across his face. "I hope everyone's ready for a fun swimming session!"
The shift in attention was almost a relief. For once, Ryuzaki seemed willing to let the matter drop, his gaze finally drifting from Ayanokoji toward our eccentric teacher.
Koro-sensei clapped his hands together in his usual exaggerated manner, his overly cheerful tone barely disguising the subtle threat in his words. "Now, now, no slacking off today! Remember, anyone trying to skip out on swimming will face a special punishment from yours truly!" He winked—though with Koro-sensei, that wink felt more like a warning shot.
My mind immediately began racing, unable to stop itself from recalling his "interrogation" of that Britannian noble the night before. It's strange how he could go from being the most obnoxiously upbeat teacher to, well, someone terrifyingly efficient in extracting information. A shiver crawled up my spine just thinking about it.
I had always thought I could avoid most of these pointless physical activities. Strategy was my strength, not jumping into a pool and splashing around like some sort of... peasant. But now, Koro-sensei had made it clear—there would be punishments for anyone who tried to get out of this.
And honestly? The last thing I needed was to be on the receiving end of one of his "special punishments." What could it be this time? Dodging lightning-fast water balloons? Endless laps around the pool with him snapping at my heels? Or worse, having him use his ridiculous speed to draw some humiliating doodle on my face that would last for days?!
I cursed myself for skipping out on these sessions before. Why did I think avoiding physical activities was a good idea? Koro-sensei is practically a sadistic overlord in disguise—one moment he's all smiles and jokes, and the next, you're begging for mercy over some ridiculous task. Note to self: never underestimate someone who can move at Mach 20.
"Now, everyone!" Koro-sensei's voice snapped me back to reality. "Let's get started!"
I sighed, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable. I may be the mastermind behind rebellions and revolutions, but in this moment, I was just a student—one terrified of being turned into some kind of aquatic comedy skit by a yellow tentacled menace.
As soon as Koro-sensei instructed us to prepare for a 50-meter freestyle race, I felt the familiar pang of dread wash over me. A swimming race? I thought to myself, inwardly sighing. Physical activities were never my strong suit, and swimming, of all things, was going to be a disaster. I glanced at Suzaku, who stood beside me, ready for the race with that ever-present calm, yet determined look on his face. Of course, Suzaku was in perfect shape, built like a military machine. He could probably swim laps in his sleep.
Patting me on the back, Suzaku offered a reassuring smile. "You've got this, Lelouch. Just give it your best."
I sighed again, heavier this time. His encouragement wasn't doing much for my rapidly sinking morale. "Right, my best..." I muttered under my breath. If only my best included any form of athletic ability whatsoever.
Koro-sensei, standing at the edge of the pool with his usual grin, suddenly waved his hand dramatically, addressing the entire class. "Listen up, everyone! This is an all-out competition, no holding back! And trust me, I'll know if anyone is slacking." He winked playfully, but his voice held a tone that meant business. "And if you do hold back, you'll receive a very special punishment... from The Reaper himself!"
I saw Koro-sensei wink directly at Ayanokoji. For a moment, I was relieved it wasn't aimed at me, but then his arms suddenly wrapped around my shoulder and Sora's, pulling us close. "And as for those who come in last..." His grin widened, a little too gleefully. "I'll personally devise some special training to help with your physique."
A shiver ran down my spine, and I chuckled nervously, glancing at Sora, who looked equally uneasy. "Great," I muttered under my breath. I can only imagine what twisted form of 'training' he's got in mind...
We all moved to position ourselves at the edge of the pool, preparing to dive in. My heart pounded as I stared at the water ahead of me, already knowing how this was going to end. What kind of punishment am I setting myself up for here? I thought, mentally cursing myself for skipping gym class, and any kind of physical exertion, for that matter.
Koro-sensei's voice boomed. "Ready... set... GO!"
We all dove into the water. Well, everyone else dove gracefully. I, on the other hand, flopped in like a sack of bricks. Immediately, I could feel the drag of the water slowing me down. I kicked my legs and swung my arms wildly, but I wasn't cutting through the water—I was flailing. Every stroke felt like I was pulling myself through molasses.
Why did I not do more physical training? I internally screamed as water splashed in my face. Every kick felt weak, and every arm pull was an exertion I hadn't prepared for. I could already feel the burn in my muscles just a few meters in. Am I swimming or slowly drowning?
Halfway through the pool, I made the mistake of glancing up. Suzaku, Ayanokoji, Light, Johan, and Ryuuzaki were already far ahead, cutting through the water like they were born in it. I couldn't even see them properly—they were practically at the finish line! What in the world... did they grow gills? How is that even fair?
I pushed harder, trying to swim faster, but my body was betraying me. My arms were turning into lead, and my legs felt like they were filled with sand. I could barely move. Koro-sensei is definitely going to kill me... Why didn't I just fake an injury? Or, better yet, drop out of this school entirely?!
Finally—finally—I reached the other side of the pool, gasping for air as I pulled myself out with all the grace of a beached fish. Suzaku, Ayanokoji, Light, Johan, and Ryuuzaki were already standing there, casually drying themselves off, clearly having finished long before me.
Suzaku gave me a sympathetic smile. "You did good, Lelouch."
Did I, though? I thought miserably, trying to catch my breath. My lungs were on fire. Was I ever that close to just drowning?
Not long after, Sora came out of the pool, huffing and puffing as he collapsed beside me. "I... think I... swallowed half the pool," he wheezed.
I was too tired to even reply. Instead, I nodded, still trying to breathe.
Then, just as I thought the nightmare was over, Shiro finally surfaced, clearly the last one to finish, barely managing to swim at all. She looked around, still catching her breath, but with a smile on her face.
The three of us—Sora, Shiro, and I—lay there at the edge of the pool, gasping for air like we had just survived a battle. "Well," I thought bitterly, "at least I wasn't last." But then the dread of what kind of "special training" Koro-sensei had planned crept back into my mind, and I silently cursed myself once more for ever agreeing to this.
As we all tried to recover, I couldn't help but wonder... What was I thinking coming to this school full of monsters like Suzaku, Ayanokoji, Johan, Ryuzaki and Light?
As we all gasped for air, Koro-sensei floated toward us, a wide, mischievous grin plastered across his face. "Well done, everyone!" he announced in his usual upbeat, sing-song voice. "Now, let's go over the standings for our little race!"
I was still struggling to get my breathing under control, but my heart sank as I remembered Koro-sensei's earlier warning about "special training" for the worst performers. Please, don't let it be me. I didn't come in last. I'm safe... right?
Koro-sensei clapped his hands together. "In first place, with an impressive 20.37 seconds... Suzaku Kururugi!"
Of course. Suzaku could probably swim across the Pacific without breaking a sweat. I glanced over at him, and he gave a modest smile, rubbing the back of his neck as if he hadn't just completely crushed everyone.
"And in second place, with 20.91 seconds... Kiyotaka Ayanokoji!"
Wait, what? I blinked, looking at Ayanokoji in surprise. The guy who claimed to have no athletic background? He tied the world record? Light was right next to him, also giving him an odd look. Ayanokoji remained expressionless, as always, casually shrugging off the stunned reactions around him.
"Then, in third place, Johan Liebert with 34.64 seconds!" Koro-sensei continued, beaming.
Johan nodded politely, as if he hadn't expected to do well but had no intention of being impressed with himself.
"Ryuzaki in fourth with 35 seconds flat," Koro-sensei went on, his eyes glinting. "And Light Yagami in fifth with 39.1 seconds!"
Light let out a small sigh of relief. Clearly, he was glad not to be anywhere near the last place.
Then came the part I dreaded.
"Lelouch Lamperouge in sixth place with 48 seconds!"
I barely had time to be relieved before Koro-sensei announced the rest.
"Sora in seventh with 50 seconds, and Shiro, our youngest competitor, in last with 52.22 seconds."
Shiro was still catching her breath when she suddenly perked up. "Niii... The world record... for 50 meters is 20.91 seconds..." she mumbled, her eyes wide as she looked at Ayanokoji, who had, to everyone's shock, tied it.
Light, ever the smooth-talker, gave a low whistle. "Suzaku, you surpassed a world record," he said, patting his friend on the back. "Impressive."
I nodded weakly, still wheezing. "No surprise... with your military training... you'd do that."
Johan, who had been quietly observing, raised an eyebrow at Ayanokoji. "Suzaku's performance makes sense. He has a military background, and I've experienced some military training myself. Even Ryuzaki, being a detective, might have had some swimming experience... but you, Ayanokoji?" Johan's voice was calm, yet inquisitive. "You tied a world record, and yet you claim to have no background in swimming."
Ryuzaki, of course, wasn't one to let that go. "Yes, quite curious, isn't it? You must have some history with swimming... or perhaps something even more rigorous?"
Ayanokoji, as calm as ever, shook his head. "No special training. I just... picked it up, I suppose."
Ryuzaki's eyes narrowed as he leaned in slightly, clearly not buying it, but before he could press the matter further, Koro-sensei clapped his hands. "Ah-ah! Enough about that! Let's focus on what really matters: the special training for our two underperformers!"
At that moment, a wave of relief washed over me. I'm safe. I wasn't last, and I wasn't second to last, so I'm in the clear... right?
But before I could even make a comment, Koro-sensei's hands suddenly grabbed my hand and—wait, what?!
"Congratulations, Lelouch! You and Sora are the lucky winners of my special training program!"
"W-wait!" I sputtered, completely caught off guard. "I wasn't even in the bottom two! Shouldn't it be Shiro and Sora?"
Koro-sensei grinned, waving one handin the air dismissively. "Oh, Shiro doesn't count due to the age difference. Besides, her performance was adorable, and you can't punish adorableness!" Shiro, who was still struggling to breathe, gave a small, victorious smile. "So, by that logic, you are technically second to last, Lelouch!"
"But—!" I protested, though it was too late.
Before I could get another word out, Koro-sensei's hand had already wrapped around me and Sora, pulling us toward the edge of the pool. Sora's face was a mix of horror and disbelief as he tried to protest, but it was all in vain.
"I've devised the perfect training regimen for the both of you!" Koro-sensei declared, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Trust me, after this, you'll be in top shape!"
As I was dragged away, I could hear the rest of Class E laughing behind me. Even Suzaku chuckled, trying to stifle his amusement. Light waved us off, calling, "Good luck with the 'special training'! Don't let him break you!"
Sora groaned. "Why does this always happen to me..."
And I? I was too busy internally screaming, already imagining the horrors that awaited me in Koro-sensei's twisted idea of "training." I'm going to die...
The endless workout Koro-sensei had put Sora and me through felt like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from. Every muscle in my body screamed for mercy, and my legs felt like they had been replaced with lead. By the time we finished, I was more or less being dragged back to the dormitory by Suzaku, while Ayanokoji supported a thoroughly exasperated Sora, who hadn't stopped complaining since we left the pool.
"That special training... was... pure torture!" Sora whined, his voice almost cracking from exhaustion. "Why would anyone ever do this willingly? I'm gonna die... This is how I die. Right here. No more games, no more life, just... endless laps..."
I wanted to say something witty to counter his dramatics, but I couldn't muster the energy. My body had long passed the point of complaining. I was just grateful I was still breathing. Suzaku, always the picture of composure, patted my back lightly as if to encourage me. "Maybe it's time you started working out regularly, Lelouch. I could help you with some basic routines."
I glanced at him, my face a mask of exhaustion. "Just kill me."
Everyone laughed—well, everyone except me. I didn't have the strength to even glare at them. Sora, on the other hand, was still whining under his breath. "This can't be real... Why do I have to get roped into special training?"
By the time we reached the dormitory, I was barely holding on. We were met by Ms. Harada, the dormitory manager, who handed out keycards and handbooks to those who hadn't received them yet. Suzaku stepped forward to take his, as he had only joined us today.
Light gave a small smile when he saw Suzaku receive his keycard. "Looks like I'll finally have a dorm mate," he remarked, clearly pleased with the outcome. "I'm glad it's you, Suzaku."
Suzaku gave a grateful nod. "Thanks, Light. I'm looking forward to it."
Sora, dragging his feet behind us, threw Light a look of mock envy. "Well, at least you won't be lonely anymore, Light. You've got Mr. Perfect Soldier as your roommate."
Light chuckled softly. "I suppose that's one way to put it."
As everyone slowly headed to their respective dorm rooms, Suzaku continued to support me while Ayanokoji did the same for Sora. It was a small miracle we hadn't collapsed right in the middle of the hallway. "You okay, Lelouch?" Suzaku asked, his concern evident.
"Do I... look okay to you?" I muttered, my voice hoarse. I couldn't even lift my head properly.
Suzaku just smiled, seemingly used to my dramatics by now. "You'll survive. A little training never hurt anyone."
"Except for me," I muttered. "It's definitely hurt me."
We finally made it to my dorm room. As Suzaku helped me inside, I collapsed onto the nearest bed, not even caring that it was Johan's. I barely had the energy to sit up, let alone move to my own bed.
"Thanks, Suzaku," I muttered weakly. "I think... I'll just sleep here... forever."
Suzaku chuckled. "Well, if you change your mind about working out, you know where to find me."
Johan was nowhere to be found, probably off somewhere in his usual quiet, enigmatic way. I was thankful for that; I didn't need his disconcerting presence while I tried to recover from Koro-sensei's workout from hell.
As Suzaku left my room and closed the door, I let out a long sigh, closing my eyes and sinking into the mattress. I barely had enough energy to think, but one thing was clear: I was never going to let Koro-sensei drag me into "special training" ever again. Whatever it took, I'd find a way out of it next time.
Meanwhile, I could hear Sora's distant complaints from down the hall, probably getting the same treatment from Ayanokoji as he was dragged to his own dorm. Somehow, knowing that I wasn't the only one suffering gave me a sliver of comfort.
"Why does this have to be the start of our school year?" I grumbled under my breath, staring at the ceiling. "And why is Johan the only one who doesn't have to deal with this?"
I could practically hear Johan's silent, ominous laughter in my head.
What a day.