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

"You aren't going to do anything excessive to her, are you... her body..."

"Relax, I have my limits. Or do you think she's pathetic?"

Shikime Natsu's gaze landed on Kamuro Masumi. He had only asked Kamuro Masumi to keep an eye on Sakayanagi Arisu for a while; surely she hadn't been poached away just like that?

"I would never think a traitor like that is pathetic!"

"I just wanted to remind you that the chairman of this school is also named Sakayanagi."

"Oh, I see. So you were worried about me. Don't worry, when the time comes, I'll invite you to join me for some maid service, how about that?"

Shikime Natsu offered quite generously.

"No way!"

Kamuro Masumi turned her face away.

"How about... I pay the points, and you put on a maid outfit too, Masumi?"

Shikime Natsu seemed to have thought of something interesting and continued to press Kamuro Masumi.

The only response Shikime Natsu received was a look from Kamuro Masumi that suggested she was staring at a piece of trash.

Chapter 31: What Exactly Is This Feeling?

Kamuro Masumi eventually agreed to the lunch invitation. Of course, this time it was Kamuro Masumi's turn to treat, and Shikime Natsu naturally accepted with equal generosity.

"Are you heading to lunch, Shikime-san? Wait for me!"

Totsuka Yahiko caught up. His mental state seemed quite good, his face full of joy... and smugness.

"OK."

Shikime Natsu waited for Katsuragi Kohei and Hashimoto Masayoshi to catch up, and the four of them headed toward the back door of the classroom to leave.

"Yamamura-san, aren't you coming?"

Shikime Natsu's gaze fell on Yamamura Miki, who was sitting straight at her desk. The girl's thoughts were easy to read; she felt it might be inappropriate to approach on her own, especially without an invitation.

Although he had invited her yesterday, she wondered if it would be too thick-skinned to tag along today without being asked.

But... she clearly looked like she was looking forward to it.

As Shikime Natsu passed by Yamamura Miki, he could clearly sense the atmosphere around the girl becoming heavy. She was likely thinking, "He didn't invite me. That's right, someone like me..."

And the moment he took the initiative to invite her, the girl's entire mood brightened up.

"Yes!"

Yamamura Miki stood up in a hurry, carefully following two paces behind Shikime Natsu.

It was now a group of six heading to lunch. Most people in the classroom chose rice balls or sandwiches from the convenience store, for no particular reason other than that they were convenient and could fill their stomachs.

"If we compare the students here to products, Shikime-san, we are the premium goods!"

After arriving at the cafeteria and getting their food, Totsuka Yahiko couldn't wait to start the conversation.

Judging by Totsuka Yahiko's tone, this guy seemed to be getting a bit carried away. That wouldn't do. If he acted with such arrogance, it would definitely cause quite a few problems for their future plans.

Besides... if he kept spouting off about "premium goods" and "inferior goods," it would be very easy to offend people.

"Totsuka, this is only a temporary lead. Human potential is infinite. Among the four classes, we are merely one step ahead. Do not be arrogant or complacent."

Shikime Natsu glanced at Totsuka Yahiko. As his subordinate working for him, Shikime Natsu naturally hoped the other party could be more steady; otherwise, he might not even be able to handle small tasks properly.

"What do you think the competitive system created by this school is for? Or why do you think I don't sell information to Class D? Every class has the potential to sit in the position of Class A. I was merely testing the gap between Class D and us."

"Hashimoto also told me that the current second-year Class A was once Class B. If we underestimate our opponents too much, we will lose our position in Class A sooner or later."

"Yes, I understand! Shikime-san, I was a bit too arrogant just now. I'm sorry!"

Totsuka Yahiko apologized immediately. If anyone else in the class had said such things, Totsuka Yahiko probably wouldn't have listened, but Shikime Natsu was different.

It could be said that the lead Class A currently held was entirely due to Shikime Natsu. If someone like him wasn't arrogant or conceited, what right did he, someone who hadn't contributed much, have to be?

"It's fine. I just hope you'll be a bit more steady when handling things in the future."

Shikime Natsu nodded; a little reprimand was enough. His gaze fell on Hashimoto Masayoshi to his front right. This guy's ability to gather intelligence was truly impressive.

He had actually managed to find out that the second-year Class A had been the former Class B, even though he hadn't assigned that task to him yesterday.

"Yes!"

Totsuka Yahiko nodded.

"Do we have any plans for what's next, leader?"

Hashimoto Masayoshi's gaze landed on Shikime Natsu. Following this person meant he could graduate from Class A; that was Hashimoto Masayoshi's inner thought.

"How did the club recruitment event go yesterday?"

Shikime Natsu didn't answer Hashimoto Masayoshi's question about what they were going to do next, but instead asked about the club recruitment. After finishing his deal with Ryuen Kakeru yesterday, he had gone to read books with Shiina Hiyori. Well... he was quite busy, after all.

"I signed up for the Student Council. I don't know the results yet."

Katsuragi Kohei shook his head, his expression very calm.

"I signed up for the tennis club."

Totsuka Yahiko spoke up immediately after.

Tennis club?

Shikime Natsu was slightly stunned; he had only just remembered that he possessed tennis skills capable of trading blows with aliens.

If he were to join the tennis club, he could knock the club president off their pedestal on the very first day.

"As for me, not yet."

Hashimoto Masayoshi waved his hand. He still felt that remaining in a club didn't hold much meaning; it was better to do more work for Shikime Natsu.

He wanted to graduate from Class A and let those who mocked him see what he was capable of.

"Shikime, have you considered joining the student council?"

Katsuragi Kohei's gaze landed on Shikime Natsu. He felt that Shikime Natsu was more suited for the student council than he was.

"Forget it, I don't have that much time."

Shikime Natsu shook his head. Even if he could use the Shadow Clone Technique, it would only make him more tired.

"I don't think Shikime-san needs to participate in those things. Our class needs Shikime-san to lead us more."

Totsuka Yahiko said.

"I agree."

Hashimoto Masayoshi nodded. If Shikime Natsu were busy with student council matters, he might not be able to look after class affairs, and it was uncertain if they would need to select a new leader.

Katsuragi Kohei and Sakayanagi Arisu—neither of them were suitable.

"That's true."

Katsuragi Kohei nodded.

"Masumi, Yamamura-san, do you have any clubs you plan to join?"

Shikime Natsu's gaze fell upon Kamuro Masumi and Yamamura Miki.

"No."

"I... I haven't decided yet either."

Both of them belonged to the quiet type; one was naturally taciturn with poor teamwork skills, while the other was too self-deprecating—well, she was also not one for crowds.

Of course, none of that mattered; at the very least, Shikime Natsu could communicate with them normally.

Lunchtime ended quickly, and everyone soon returned to the classroom.

As for Yamamura Miki, Shikime Natsu had already asked for her thoughts last time. She felt quite happy; even if she was just listening from the side, it was likely because she had been invited. Even just listening, she felt the joy of being noticed, and that alone made her feel very satisfied.

"Masumi, did you enjoy lunch?"

Upon returning to his seat, Shikime Natsu cast his gaze toward the girl sitting nearby who still wore a stony expression.

"If you didn't like it, I won't force you next time."

Shikime Natsu wasn't clear on Kamuro Masumi's thoughts, so he intended to use his superpower to ask her and see what was going on in her heart.

"Average."

Average? What kind of answer was that?

"Go?"

Kamuro Masumi turned her face away, preventing Shikime Natsu from seeing the expression on it.

There was no reply.

"Alright, then I'll invite you again next time."

Shikime Natsu smiled. No answer was the best answer; why had Kamuro Masumi become so coy?

"Suit yourself."

Kamuro Masumi spoke in a low voice, but... there was an inexplicable sense of irritation in her heart. Why couldn't she express her thoughts honestly? Although she hadn't been talkative in the past, she had always clearly expressed her opinions.

But...

Now, it felt like a fishbone stuck in her throat.

This feeling... what exactly was it?

Chapter 32: A or B, Choice or

After school, Sakayanagi Arisu approached Shikime Natsu.

"Is something the matter, Sakayanagi?"

Shikime Natsu looked at the enigmatic girl walking toward him with some confusion.

"Ara, wasn't it a bet made by you, Shikime-kun? You really are forgetful."

Sakayanagi Arisu chuckled softly, tapping her cane against the floor a few times.