Classroom of the Elite, I Really Just Want to Collect All the CGs

The difficulty will be immense, but if Shikime Natsu successfully resolves this incident, then... his prestige within Class A will continue to rise to a truly terrifying height.

I can only wait for the next opportunity...

To think that being just a little late to make a move would put me in such a passive position?

An interesting man.

This game of chess... has only just begun.

"You really are the worst!"

Shikime Natsu suddenly received a message from Kamuro Masumi and instantly understood what she was referring to. He couldn't help but have black lines appear on his forehead; to think that woman Sakayanagi Arisu actually had her phone on speaker while calling!

About ten minutes later, Ryuen Kakeru arrived at the karaoke room with Ishizaki Daichi and Yamada Albert.

This Ishizaki Daichi looked like he had already been subdued; he was completely different from the Ishizaki Daichi of yesterday. Yesterday, he had a much sharper edge, but now... he looked somewhat like a lackey.

"Speak. Your deal is about the complete information regarding this school, right?"

Ryuen Kakeru's gaze was fierce, looking like the type who would start a fight at the slightest disagreement.

"I wouldn't call it 'complete' information, but it's worth two million private points. I believe... Sakagami-sensei should be aware of that."

Shikime Natsu's gaze fell upon Sakagami Kazuma. He had basically already learned about the homeroom teachers of the four first-year classes; of course, saying he "learned" about them was just a polite way of saying he knew their names.

"That's correct, such a matter does exist. Come to think of it... if it weren't for the phone call Shikime-kun just made, we would have already completed the transaction."

Sakagami Kazuma gently adjusted his glasses, a smile on his face.

He had originally thought that Ryuen Kakeru's insight was very strong, as he had not only used iron-fisted methods to conquer Class C (temporarily) on the first day of school but also grasped the deeper meaning of "everything can be bought with points at this school."

One had to know that in all the years he had taught Class C, no one had ever been able to do that. Now it seemed... Ryuen Kakeru's change might have something to do with this Shikime Natsu from Class A in front of him.

"Is that so? That's truly a pity. I imagine... Ryuen, you were also thinking of selling the information to acquire points, right?"

Shikime Natsu shifted his gaze back to Ryuen Kakeru.

"So, at what price do you intend to buy it from me?"

Ryuen Kakeru calmed his mind. Private points... yet another new concept.

The Shikime Natsu before him was truly remarkable; in such a short time, he had already figured out this school.

"One million five hundred thousand private points, how about that?"

Shikime Natsu stated a number first. In a typical transaction, one naturally starts with the highest price and slowly lets the other party haggle until both sides reach a mutually acceptable expectation. Of course, if they were to just hand over one million five hundred thousand private points without a word, Shikime Natsu would be quite happy with that too.

"Too high. You can still sell the information to Class B and Class D, right? Three classes, four million five hundred thousand points—you really have a big appetite."

Ryuen Kakeru sneered. This guy's brain was truly quite good; not only would he recoup his costs, but he would also have a net profit of two million five hundred thousand.

"If you, Ryuen, were to go and trade with Sakagami-sensei yourself, it would cost a full two million private points. You don't need to think about trading with the other two classes; that would be a net loss of two million private points."

Shikime Natsu was unhurried, gently tapping the glass placed in front of him. He had already drunk enough juice for today.

If Ryuen Kakeru had traded with the other two classes before Shikime Natsu, then spending those two million private points would have been quite worth it, but what if he couldn't?

Then, merely exchanging for a piece of information would be a significant loss.

Sakagami Kazuma just sat quietly on the side, watching everything that was happening without a word. The school had regulations that teachers could not overly interfere with student behavior.

He would show some favoritism, but he would not interfere, even if he saw a glimmer of hope in Ryuen Kakeru.

"Five hundred thousand."

Ryuen Kakeru spoke, cutting off one million private points right off the bat.

Is this really the Ryuen Kakeru I know?

Shikime Natsu remembered that when Ryuen Kakeru transferred points to him yesterday, he had been quite straightforward and decisive. Now, he was haggling right for the jugular.

"Heh, so there's no deal then, right?"

Shikime Natsu chuckled, his eyes filled with amusement. He rejected this price outright; what a joke, he didn't want to take a loss.

No matter what, his bottom line was one million.

"Ryuen, as a businessman, making a profit is the most basic requirement. If everyone haggled like you, I wouldn't even be able to break even."

Shikime Natsu shook his head.

"Can't you just raise the price for the other two classes?"

Ryuen Kakeru clearly didn't care. After all, he wasn't the one selling the information. Of course, if it were him, his performance would probably be similar to Shikime Natsu's.

No, perhaps he would be even tougher.

"As the leader of my class, I bear the mission of bringing benefits to the class. And... just because you know how to haggle, doesn't mean others don't, right?"

Shikime Natsu shook his head.

"Let's compromise: one million. Otherwise, the deal is off."

Ryuen Kakeru also gave his bottom line, his gaze still fierce. This guy Shikime Natsu really wouldn't budge an inch. Don't let him find an opportunity, otherwise...

"Of course. However, there is one additional condition: the content of this transaction cannot be leaked to Class D, nor can it be sold to Class D. No problem, right?"

Shikime Natsu had additional conditions to consider; he couldn't be certain whether Ryuen Kakeru would suspect him of selling information to the other two classes. If he were to probe Class D and alert them, it wouldn't be what Shikime Natsu wanted. As for Class B, he had already told them he would be selling information to the other two classes, so they likely wouldn't take any probing actions. Furthermore... Hoshinomiya Chie would be taking action as well.

"Class D?"

Ryuen Kakeru's eyes flickered, as if he were contemplating something.

"Fine, I agree."

After a long silence, Ryuen Kakeru made his decision.

"That settles it then. Sakagami-sensei, you'll act as our witness, is that alright?"

Shikime Natsu cast his gaze toward Sakagami Kazuma.

"Of course, no problem."

Sakagami Kazuma nodded with a smile, and the deal was struck.

"..."

After receiving the points, Shikime Natsu repeated the information he had obtained from Hoshinomiya Chie.

Upon hearing this, a cold sneer couldn't help but appear on Ryuen Kakeru's face. Sorting students by merit and not selling the rules to Class D—the first three classes were all aware of this. Ryuen Kakeru had his own guesses regarding the motive, though, naturally, not in the direction of Hoshinomiya Chie.

After completing the transaction with Ryuen Kakeru, Shikime Natsu felt a sense of relief. His task was finally finished; sighing, he realized it really was exhausting.

But there was no helping it. In the initial stages of building an organization, the leader always has to do a bit more. Once he understood the characteristics of everyone under his command in the future, he would be able to relax quite a bit.

"I will explain the information during tomorrow's homeroom, and the points earned from the sale will be split equally."

Shikime Natsu edited a message and sent it to the class group chat.

"As expected of Shikime-san! Too strong!"

"How did the leader get this information? Can you do it without using points?"

"Shikime-kun is amazing!"

The group chat quickly boiled over; Shikime Natsu's ability to get things done was truly formidable.

"Do not speak of this to outsiders for now. I will explain the reasons in detail tomorrow."

Shikime Natsu edited another message, his eyes scanning the stream of replies. They were mostly sincere; fortunately, there weren't as many backstabbers as he had imagined. Even Sakayanagi Arisu was behaving herself for the time being.

He felt slightly at ease.

He looked at the sky; the sun was about to set. As for dinner... Shikime Natsu didn't want to eat just yet. He had drunk too much juice and wasn't hungry.

"Did you borrow this book from the library?"

"Yeah, there are still plenty of books in the library."

The library...?

Shikime Natsu realized he hadn't even visited it since arriving at this school.

Since it was such a rare opportunity, he might as well head over now. Besides, Shikime Natsu wanted to pick up some novels to read.

Chapter 28: I Want to Share My Thoughts on the Book With You

Soon, the library appeared before Shikime Natsu. It was quite large, and... it looked rather impressive.

It seemed like a pretty suitable place for studying.

Shikime Natsu observed the environment for a moment, then let his eyes sweep across the various book classifications.

His gaze landed on the mystery novels. Shikime Natsu had read Keigo Higashino's Malice, The Devotion of Suspect X, Journey Under the Midnight Sun, and The Miracles of the Namiya General Store. He had also read Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. His impression of mystery novels was quite favorable.

Just as Shikime Natsu walked closer, he suddenly noticed a girl with beautiful silver hair standing on her tiptoes, trying to reach a book on a higher shelf. However, due to her height, she was struggling a bit.

"Is this the one?"

Shikime Natsu walked to the girl's side and helped her take down the book she wanted.

"Thank you."

After receiving the book, the girl flashed a sweet smile at Shikime Natsu, her tone very gentle.

Only then did Shikime Natsu get a clear look at her. The girl's long silver hair fell naturally to her waist. She had a pair of purple eyes, a small and cute face, and very fair skin. She was wearing her school uniform, and beneath her skirt were white knee-high socks that outlined the shape of her legs beautifully. The girl's absolute territory was also quite hard to look away from.

[Ding~]

[CG11: First Encounter (Shiina Hiyori)]

[Do you like reading?]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the skill card: Photographic Memory (Once you have seen something, you will never forget it. When you go to the restroom during an exam, you can glance at a top student's paper, and you will be able to copy it perfectly.)]

What is the meaning of this note?

Shikime Natsu felt insulted. He had to remember that he was the seventh-ranked student in the entrance exam!