"Haha, they're really getting along"
Hitomi-san uttered in worries, yet glad that everyone seems to be getting along just fine.
Staring at the room filled with talks and laughter, Mocha-san can't help but think to herself that.
"The room has a really nice vibe going for it."
She unconsciously muttered, admiring the chattery atmosphere filling the classroom.
"What do you mean?"
Hitomi-san tilted her head, overhearing Mocha-san's unconscious mumbling, food on her chopsticks as she eats away at her lunch.
Mocha-san didn't realize she said that out loud just now, in a panic, she tried defending herself for some reason.
"Ah- no, i-it's just that... Back in my old school, not everyone get along so well like this."
"Ah-, b-but that doesn't mean they hated each other, or anything!"
"I... it's just that, it felt like there was some kind of a divide, amongst friend groups ...is all I noticed."
Is what Mocha-san nervously excused herself, awkwardly, as if not wanting to be misunderstood as throwing shades at her former classmates.
'Wait, why am I being defensive?'
Is what Mocha-san realized she sounded just now. Her words hit her hard as if implicating she didn't belong in any of those friend groups, talking to a third person's perspective.
Hearing Mocha-san's self observation just now, Hitomi-san cupped her chin, thinking deeply.
She then opened her mouth and said,
"I think what you're probably referring to is due to a phenomenon called the social hierarchy."
Is what Hitomi-san formulated, taking to account Mocha-san's past observation concerning her previous class's dynamics.
"T-The social hierarchy?"
Mocha-san parroted, acting cluelessly.
"What's that?"
Hitomi-san then nodded, proceeding to elaborate.
"Yeah. The social hierarchy is this collective consciousness that dictates your place in society. It's the subconscious belief that one's social value can be assessed through one's looks, wealth, academic achievement, or their inner or outside power/connections."
"I'm not sure how I should put this, but we could categorize one's social standing to three major categories. In a ladder, those who sit at the top are the popular students, they are people who knew how to socialize, and people admire their presence either by their looks, athleticism, wealth, or even academic performances. Meanwhile those who are sitting at the bottom are considered bottom tier characters, typically consisting of loners or social outcast. People look down on them due to their lack of connections. Some became loner by choice, but some became one from personal circumstances. And for those who sat in the middle are called normies/ordinaries. They are people who goes by their day with not much drama involve. Not too popular, but no one necessarily looks down on them either."
"Because of this subconscious perception of value, some students are reluctant to interact with each other, overwhelmed by judgement, as one's self-image at our age is heavily influence by outsider's perception. That's the reason why most students of our age prefer socializing with persons of same league, as to avoid rejection and protect their own egos."
Is what Hitomi-san broke down and explain, concerning about this phenomenon called the social hierarchy.
"Haha, I see..."
Mocha-san can't help be perplexed and agree, as Hitomi-san gave a somewhat textbook sounding explanation to her statement.
Plus, Mocha-san has considered herself as one of the bottom tier characters, so that explanation, especially coming from Hitomi-san. It's just, somehow feels wrong to her...
Hitomi-san, noticing this somewhat awkward expression Mocha-san was making. She could probably guess what Mocha-san is probably thinking.
Putting on a sly smile on her face, Hitomi-san leaned closer towards Mocha-san, whispering with her mouth behind her hand.
She told her,
"By the way. I'm pretty sure i belong in the popular category."
Hitomi-san chuckled, whispering to Mocha-san in a playful tone as if teasing.
Mocha-san just sat there, remaining silent, unable to refuse Hitomi-san's claims as it was very much true.
Fixing her expression, Hitomi-san then continued.
"Actually, it wasn't always like this."
Hitomi-san casually revealed, talking about the room's harmonious atmosphere.
"What do you mean?"
Mocha-san tilted her head, inquiring about what Hitomi-san could be referring to.
For what it looks like, no one seemed to be getting left out in this chattery atmosphere. No pretend sleeping or anything loner like happening on the background. So where could this hierarchy Hitomi-san is implying to? Mocha-san could not see that this class wasn't always like this, seeing how close everyone was bonding.
Wearing a soft expression on her face, Hitomi-san placed her hand on her chest. She answered,
"This peace could only be achieved through Yukiya Saito-kun's efforts."
She revealed, with hints of gratitude to her tone as those words escaped her mouth.
"Eh?"
Mocha-san tilted her head, becoming more and more puzzled with this sudden revelation.