Classroom of the Elite Romance: Who Does Ayanokoji End Up With?

Romance in the Classroom of the Elite Universe

In a series built on psychological warfare, extortion, and Machiavellian tactics, romance in Classroom of the Elite is rarely straightforward.

If you are an anime-only watcher, the romantic tension might seem like a standard high school harem. However, light novel readers know the truth is far darker, heavily calculated, and entirely devoid of typical romance tropes. The relationships at ANHS are often just another tool for power and control.

Who Does Kiyotaka Ayanokoji End Up With?

As of the current light novel timeline (Year 2), Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is officially dating Kei Karuizawa .

While the anime teased multiple girls falling for Ayanokoji—including Airi Sakura, Maya Sato, and Honami Ichinose—Kei is the one who ultimately wins the "boyfriend" title. Ayanokoji formally confesses his feelings to Kei at the end of Year 1 (Volume 11.5), and they spend Year 2 navigating a secret relationship before eventually going public.

The Dark Reality of Ayanokoji's Relationships

Most summaries stop at "they are dating," but that misses the entire point of their dynamic. Ayanokoji did not ask Kei out because he experienced a sudden rush of genuine, selfless love.

Ayanokoji views his relationship with Kei as a "textbook of love."

Having been raised in the emotionless, sterile environment of the White Room, Ayanokoji does not understand human affection. He explicitly states in his internal monologues that he chose Kei because her deep-seated psychological trauma and dependency issues (her "parasite" mindset) made her the perfect, controllable test subject.

He wants to experience what a normal high school romance feels like, step-by-step. He intends to cure Kei of her parasitic dependency, help her grow into a strong, independent woman, and then likely discard the relationship once his "lessons" are complete and she no longer needs him to survive.

The Looming Threat: Honami Ichinose

While Kei is his official girlfriend, Ayanokoji’s romantic web remains highly complex and manipulative. Honami Ichinose, the leader of Class B (later Class C/D depending on the volume), harbors intense, genuine feelings for Ayanokoji.

In Year 2 Volumes 9 and 10, Ayanokoji begins aggressively manipulating Ichinose's mental state, breaking her down and building her back up to forge her into a ruthless leader. Many fans theorize that if Ayanokoji decides his "textbook" with Kei is finished, he may pivot to a relationship with Ichinose , not out of love, but as his next psychological experiment.

Suzune Horikita's Love Life: Sudo & Ayanokoji

Because Horikita was heavily featured as the primary female lead in Season 1 of the anime, many fans naturally assumed she was destined to be Ayanokoji's endgame romance. The reality in the light novels is completely different.

As of the current story, Suzune Horikita does not have a romantic partner, and she actively prioritizes her goals over romance.

Does Horikita like Ken Sudo?

Ken Sudo’s character development is one of the best arcs in the series. Initially a hot-headed, failing student with a massive crush on Horikita, Sudo spends over a year transforming himself. He studies relentlessly, learns to control his temper, and becomes one of the class's top academic and physical assets—all to become a man worthy of Horikita.

In Year 2 Volume 8 (during the cultural festival arc), Sudo finally musters the courage to officially confess his love to Horikita.

Horikita formally rejects him .

She handles the rejection with profound grace and respect, acknowledging how incredibly far he has come and how much she values him as a core pillar of the class. However, she admits she simply does not harbor romantic feelings for him. Sudo takes the rejection like a champion, securing his growth as a mature character, and their dynamic shifts to deep mutual respect.

What about Horikita and Ayanokoji?

Do they have romantic feelings for each other? No.

While the anime played up their physical proximity and teased "tsundere" moments, the light novel establishes a much colder, pragmatic dynamic:

• Horikita's Perspective: She views Ayanokoji as an frustrating, terrifyingly brilliant enigma. She respects his abilities and relies on him, but her driving motivation is stepping out of her brother's shadow and leading her class to Class A. Romance is not on her radar.
• Ayanokoji's Perspective: Ayanokoji views Horikita as his greatest project. He is subtly guiding her development, hoping she eventually becomes a leader strong enough to defeat him in a direct class battle.

Their relationship is best described as an alliance of convenience that has slowly evolved into a bizarre, unspoken trust. Ayanokoji considers Horikita his first true "ally" (and arguably his first real friend outside of the White Room), but he does not view her romantically.