“People, often deceived by an illusive good, desire their own ruin.”
Check out last week’s episode review.
“By the delusions of seeming good the people are often misled to desire their own ruin; and they are frequently influenced by great hopes and brave promises.”
Niccolo Machiavelli
This was a great episode – even if it was only setup.
Hiyori and Horikita in the Library
During the Sports Festival, Ayanokoji noticed that Suzune had been reading a different assortment of books each day. Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler are authors whose work can be found in the mystery section of the library.
On a whim, Suzune implores Ayanokoji to take her overdue library book back, stressing that he would be interested in checking it out. Ayanokoji takes the bait and happens to have a chance encounter with Class C’s Shiina Hiyori.
I really liked that Hiyori was reaching for a misplaced copy of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights in the mystery section. It almost felt like an analogy for her idealistic and thoughtful personality being placed amongst the ruthless and aggressive students in Class C.
(In turn, this analogy could also work for Ayanokoji. The genius boy is placed amongst a class full of flawed students.)
Feeling like Hiyori’s introduction alongside Ryuen was a misdirect, Ayanokoji’s conversation with her was kind of…delightful? Maybe it was the happy-go-lucky music we got alongside their dialogue, but I feel like I severely misjudged this character.
Or given this week’s maxim, maybe my first impression of Hiyori was correct…and I just want to believe like Sakura, that there are still good people in this world.
Chairman Sakayanagi and Ayanokoji-sensei’s Relationship
Ayanokoji-sensei drops by for an impromptu meeting with his son, Kiyotaka.
The man shrouded in mystery tries to manipulate and coerce Kiyotaka to drop out, revealing that he murdered the butler who helped Kiyotaka escape, all while cryptically stating that operations in the White Room have again resumed.
I’m not sure what Ayanokoji-sensei’s game is here with needing Kiyotaka back, but it seems like his former secretary and chairman of the Advanced Nurturing High School Sakayanagi has plans of his own for Kiyotaka.
Did you notice that when the Chairman said he personally recommended Kiyotaka for acceptance, this is one of the few times we’ve gotten a slight inclination to Kiyotaka’s inner feelings based on his face? I cannot recall any other time his poker face has been broken like that, even if it was only just for a second.
If Chairman Sakayanagi was Ayanokoji’s secretary for years at the White Room, do you think Sakayanagi is trying to achieve a similar goal with the Advanced Nurturing High School? After all, the students were already set for admission – as I’m sure were the classes and their make-up based on personality demographics.
Come to think of it, I don’t know why that surprised Kiyotaka.
Admissions are usually already decided even in the real world today. In a lot of prestigious schools, there’s a joke that a person’s name was on the admissions list since they were born. The grades don’t matter so much, as long as they are present to fulfill their role on the world’s stage is what really counts.
I wonder what role Chairman Sakayanagi has prepared for Kiyotaka?
Why Does Chabashira Want to Reach Class A?
It doesn’t surprise me that Chabashira-sensei wants to reach Class A, nor does it surprise me that Ayanokoji was placed in her class in a year full of students with potential.
Whether it be just the status of ‘being on top’ or actually learning to nurture students and bring out their best qualities, it seems Chabashira sensei has yet to even hint at what her true desires are. I wonder if she will take initiative as a teacher and help develop her defective class, or maybe realize that she was saddled with Class D because she may have some defects herself.
Again I have no clue what Chairman Sakayanagi has in store, and I don’t know why Chabashira-sensei was quarreling with Hoshinomiya-sensei from Class B during the Cruise Ship Special Exam, but I’m sure all of these things were no coincidence.
I know Ayanokoji did that whole song and dance about no longer needing to bring Class D to Class A in the hallway while telling Chabashira-sensei off, but I wonder if that is really the case?
What Does Ayanokoji Really Want?
Initially, Ayanokoji claimed he just wanted a peaceful life where he acted like a normal high school boy due to his experience in the White Room. Then when threatened by Chabashira-sensei and possible expulsion, Ayanokoji makes it his goal to reach Class A.
Interacting with his classmates, Ayanokoji begins to develop bonds, and uses his manipulation skills and tactics to defend Class D, and ‘rule from the shadows’ as their ‘shadow leader’. When Kei asks Ayanokoji what he wants, he states that his goal is to help Class D achieve Class A’s status.
But, then Ayanokoji begins to contradict himself.
He promises to still help Kei despite breaking off their (mutual) parasitic relationship. He promises to still help Horikita make it to Class A despite no longer expressing the drive to help himself achieve that status.
Could it be that Ayanokoji realized that developing Class D would also develop himself – removing the personality and social defects he presumably suffered due to his father, and the White Room’s influence?
It seemed like Ayanokoji quite enjoyed controlling the course of Class D through the shadows, and he greatly enjoyed his interactions with Kei. I’m sure while speaking on the phone, this was also the first episode we saw Ayanokoji outwardly lie for the first time.
Ayanokoji mentions his friends when speaking with Chabashira-sensei, and lies about not wanting to speak with Kei any longer…I wonder how long Ayanokoji will continue lying to himself that he is not enjoying ordinary school life and being the mastermind of Class D?
But, tell me your thoughts.
What do you think Chairman Sakayanagi’s master plan is?
Are Sakayanagi and Ichinose really friendly, or was that just to keep up appearances?
And…
Have you read any of the mystery books mentioned in the series thus far?
(I looked up Dorothy Leigh Sayers’ Lord Peter Wimsey series and the premise seems quite interesting!)
Leave your thoughts in the comment section below, we’d love to hear from you! Also be sure to follow us for more Classroom of the Elite Season 2 Episode Reviews and Discussions!
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