This time, Toudou Shizuka was no longer an awkward listener. He began expressing his opinions at the right moments, drawing on the limited knowledge the system had instilled in him. He skillfully asked questions to guide the other person deeper into the conversation, and naturally picked up the thread whenever they paused. He was still far from being completely at ease, but the conversation was beginning to flow smoothly and naturally.
[Comprehension: Social Affinity (Broad) A-Rank: 15.71%... 32.86%... 67.23%... 99.99%!]
When his comprehension finally reached the critical point, a massive flow of information once again poured into his mind! Countless fragments of knowledge about micro-expression reading, tone control, topic selection, icebreaker techniques, and emotional resonance fused in an instant with the insights he had gained from repeatedly hitting dead ends and trying again in the noisy banquet hall! A strange warmth swept through his nerves, as if a new drive had been installed in his social instincts.
[Congratulations, Host! Skill acquired: Social Affinity (Broad)! Rank: A-Rank!] [Simulation Points gained: 50!] [Current Simulation Points: 150!]
His consciousness returned to reality. The bus was passing through a tree-lined avenue, dappled light dancing across the inside of the vehicle. Toudou Shizuka remained quietly seated in the corner, as if he had merely been lost in thought for a moment. He lifted his eyes slightly, glancing at Kushida Kikyo, who was chatting easily with the classmate beside her, her smile sweet.
This time, he saw more than just her outward appearance. He could more clearly sense the subtle control of the muscles behind her smile, the perfectly judged angle at which she leaned forward while listening, and the precise shifts in her tone that touched the other person's emotional pressure points. Her A-Rank affinity was laid out before him like a meticulous blueprint, deconstructed.
He looked away, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly before the expression vanished. No one knew that in that brief moment, this quiet boy had awkwardly practiced how to talk to people over a thousand times amid the simulated din.
"Wow! This place is amazing!"
"So this is Kōdo Ikusei High School? It looks like a castle!"
"Look, look! The class assignments are over there!"
The enormous white Teaching Building stood before them like a stately fortress, sunlight glinting brilliantly off its vast glass walls. The carefully manicured lawns and artfully arranged trees all spoke of the school's immense wealth. The School Entrance was already bustling. New students in pristine uniforms, their faces full of excitement, curiosity, or anxiety, poured toward the huge electronic Notice Board in front of the Teaching Building.
With a shoulder bag on his back, Toudou Shizuka moved slowly along with the crowd. He deliberately kept a low profile, calmly surveying his surroundings. A pale blue System Light Spot flickered in his field of vision, and the Target Scan and Analysis Zone quietly covered the people around him like an invisible radar.
[Scanning target: Horikita Suzune] Learning Ability (Theoretical Absorption and Logical Deduction): A-Rank (top-tier) Self-Discipline and Focus: A-Rank (highly self-disciplined) Athletic Ability (Basic Physical Fitness): C-Rank (meets standard) Social Skills (initiative): D-Rank (severely lacking) Self-Perception (rigid): B-Rank (highly confident, unlikely to accept others' opinions) ... [Scanning target: Kanji Ike] Basic Academics (theory): C-Rank (average) Video Games (specific genres): B-Rank (proficient) Information Gathering (gossip): C-Rank (has connections) Conformity: C-Rank ... [Scanning target: Yamauchi Haruki] Fashion Trends (following): C-Rank (highly attentive) Pickup Skills (beginner): D-Rank (low success rate) Overconfidence: B-Rank (doesn't match actual ability) ...
Familiar and unfamiliar faces, skills ranging from impressive to mediocre, all streamed through Toudou Shizuka's consciousness like lines of data. He was like an observer looking on from the sidelines, coolly assessing these future "classmates" and potential "skill sets."
At last, he squeezed his way to the enormous electronic Notice Board. The screen clearly listed the new students by class.
Class A: Sakayanagi Arisu, Katsuragi Kouhei, Kamuro Masumi...
Class B: Ichinose Honami, Kanzaki Ryuji, Shiranami Chihiro... --Toudou Shizuka--... Amikura Mako...
Class C: Ryuen Kaku, Ibuki Mio, Albert...
Class D: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Horikita Suzune, Ken Sudō, Kanji Ike, Yamauchi Haruki, Kushida Kikyo, Hirata Yousuke, Karuizawa Kei...
Toudou Shizuka found his name on the Class B list and felt nothing.
Class B, the Neutral Zone—a "close-knit and friendly" group led by Ichinose Honami. The placement suited his "quiet and inconspicuous" role perfectly, making it convenient for him to observe and act in secret.
His eyes quickly swept over the Class D list, especially one name—Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. Just as in the original story, he had been deliberately assigned to the lowest class.
"Hey! Move it! You're in the way!" A rough voice came with a hard shove from the side.
Toudou Shizuka's body reacted almost instinctively! The combat instincts granted by his S-Rank Fighting Style kicked in at once. His leg muscles adjusted slightly, and his center of gravity held steady as a boulder. The force of the collision struck him, but he didn't budge, like a reef embedded in the ground.
"Ugh!" The tall figure who had bumped into him instead stumbled and nearly fell. It was Ken Sudō.
Rubbing his sore shoulder, he glared at Toudou Shizuka with clear annoyance and muttered, "What the hell? You're standing there like a damn post..."
Toudou Shizuka looked at him calmly, his face expressionless. His gaze was gentle, with a hint of confusion at being jostled, perfectly portraying an ordinary student who had been innocently bumped into. He said nothing, merely shifting to the side to make a little room.
[Scanning target: Ken Sudō (refresh)] Basketball (top high school level): A-Rank (core skill) Burst Strength: B-Rank Physicality (contact): B-Rank Irritability and Impulsiveness: D-Rank (negative trait, markedly increased) Observational Skill (on the court): C-Rank ...
Ken Sudō's irritability and impulsiveness had indeed spiked. Toudou Shizuka understood and paid him no more attention, turning his gaze back to the Notice Board.
"Tch, Class B..." Ken Sudō spotted the class label beside Toudou Shizuka's name and pursed his lips. He seemed to think that arguing with someone from a "mediocre" class was beneath him, and irritably pushed through the crowd to find Class D.
"Are you all right?" a gentle voice asked from beside him. Toudou Shizuka turned and saw a handsome face wearing a concerned smile. It was Hirata Yousuke. He was also looking at the Notice Board and had clearly seen the scuffle just now.
[Scanning target: Hirata Yousuke] Team Coordination and Organization: B-Rank Emotional Soothing and Mediation: B-Rank (active) Basic Leadership: C-Rank Affinity (proactive concern): B-Rank ...
"I'm fine, thanks." Toudou Shizuka gave him a slightly awkward but polite smile and shook his head. He noticed Hirata Yousuke's gaze pass over the Class D list on the Notice Board, his brows drawing together almost imperceptibly. He seemed to find the class assignments a little troublesome, too, but the expression was soon hidden behind his gentle smile.
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