We fans who watch Classroom of the Elite always talk about Ayanokoji. But if we notice closely, Horikita has been standing beside him right from the beginning. And she can be called a major female lead in the Classroom of Elite. Their bond is not filled with big emotional scenes or romantic moments yet. But it has been a close ride and a tense one at that. Which brings us to this topic: Does Ayanokoji and Horikita End Up Together?

Season 3 aired from January to March 2024 and brought the end of Year 1. Horikita stayed close to Ayanokoji throughout the journey, standing beside him even as he revealed his darker side. Then, in Year 2 Volume 10, something changed. A soft, real smile appeared on Ayanokoji’s face when he looked at Horikita. Let’s talk about it in this blog post.

Horikita Was the First Classmate Ayanokoji Truly Engaged Wit

Ayanokoji always tried to stay invisible. But Horikita was the first person he chose to speak with on the very first day. During the bus ride, both ignored the seat drama quietly.

Later, in class, they sat next to each other. Horikita noticed it and spoke about the coincidence. This was one of the few times Ayanokoji responded with real interest.

Their bond grew when Horikita tried to move Class D forward. Ayanokoji helped her, even though he preferred to avoid attention. In the survival test, she opened up about her brother Manabu. She told Ayanokoji things she had never shared before.

When Sudō got into trouble, Ayanokoji helped Horikita manage the situation. He guided her step by step. He stayed behind her but never let her fall. So we can conclude that she was the first classmate Ayanokoji had any real interaction with.

Horikita’s Trust in Ayanokoji Surpasses That of Others

Horikita is usually cold and proud, and prefers to remain socially isolated. But when it comes to Ayanokoji, she listens. She lets him handle things and has a degree of trust in him.

In the fight to protect Sudō, she took Ayanokoji’s advice without hesitation. She also accepted his leadership during the island test when she fell sick. That moment showed she trusted Ayanokoji’s judgement in tense scenarios. Even in front of other classmates, she defended Ayanokoji’s actions.

She told him about her brother and also shared some of her private matters with him. She told him what she wanted—to earn his brother’s respect. That was not something Horikita would tell just anyone. Her walls were high, but Ayanokoji was slowly allowed in.

Unlike others, she noticed how sharp he truly was. She saw that his mind worked much deeper than he let others see. That is why she kept trusting him again and again.

Ayanokoji’s True Abilities Are Hidden from Most, but Not from Horikita

Ayanokoji is a master of staying hidden. Most people in Class D still think he is average. But Horikita saw the cracks in that mask early on.

When Ayanokoji dodged Manabu’s attack with ease, Horikita noticed. She knew how skilled her brother was, so this left a mark on her mind.

Later, during the island test, Ayanokoji’s planning saved the class. Horikita saw the real brains behind the success. She was the one who handed over control because she knew he could lead quietly.

During the Paper Shuffle exam, the plan was complex and risky. Horikita followed Ayanokoji’s lead. She knew the real game was happening behind the scenes.

Bit by bit, she realized that he was not just helping the class. He was controlling everything from the shadows. And unlike others, she started to accept it.

Does Ayanokoji and Horikita End Up Together?

So far in the series, Ayanokoji is not with Horikita. In fact, he is in a relationship with Kei Karuizawa. The two are known as a couple. They go on dates, talk like lovers, and act like it.

But there is a big difference. Ayanokoji has said in his own thoughts that he does not feel anything real for Kei. He is simply going through the steps to learn more about emotions. Even in romantic moments, he feels blank.

With Horikita, something different happened. In Volume 10 of Year 2, he smiled in front of her. Not a fake one. A true smile. He even said that this was the first time he smiled like that, even more than with Kei.

This shows that he feels something around Horikita that he cannot fake. She makes him act real.

Still, their bond is not romantic yet. They work together, they respect each other, and they share secrets. But they are not a couple. At least not for now.

In the End

Even though Ayanokoji and Horikita are not in a romantic relationship yet, we fans would love to see them together. Their connection is calm but deep. It is not loud. But it makes you feel something strong is building between them.

Maybe that is why this pair became a fan favorite. They understand each other in ways no one else can. And that is rare.

Do you think they will end up together in the end? Or will their bond stay the same? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Fans like you always notice something others miss.