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

So you didn't help me ask Horikita Suzune out, but instead, you came here for a date yourself, right?

"That's not it."

Before Shikime Natsu could even open his mouth, Kamuro Masumi spoke up first.

"Then, would you mind if we sat here?"

Kushida Kikyo asked further, her eyes filled with a smile and an ambiguous glint, as if she were calculating something in her mind.

Shikime Natsu didn't answer, looking instead at Kamuro Masumi. Since he was the one who had extended the invitation, it would be impolite to Kamuro Masumi if he were to unilaterally allow Kushida Kikyo and her companion to sit down.

"Sit."

Kamuro Masumi suddenly spoke. Shikime Natsu had expected to see "falseness," but it turned out to be "genuine"?

What was going on here?

Shikime Natsu was becoming increasingly confused.

"Then, excuse us~"

Kushida Kikyo smiled and pulled Wang Meiyu, who was beside her, down to sit.

"Ex... excuse us."

Wang Meiyu replied timidly.

The table was originally a four-seater, and now it was perfectly full.

"By the way, nice to meet you. I'm Shikime Natsu, and this is Kamuro Masumi."

Shikime Natsu gave a brief introduction for himself and Kamuro Masumi.

"Hello, I'm Kushida Kikyo. Please take care of me~"

Kushida Kikyo wore a gentle and generous smile on her face.

"I... I'm Wang Meiyu. Please take care of me."

When Wang Meiyu said these words, her entire face turned bright red.

Her communication skills seemed even worse than Kamuro Masumi's—though, of course, if Kamuro Masumi were willing to communicate, she would certainly be better than Wang Meiyu.

Wang Meiyu's courage definitely needed more practice.

"Mm, please take care of me too."

Shikime Natsu nodded with a smile. It had to be said that Shikime Natsu's appearance was exceptionally refined; Wang Meiyu didn't even dare to meet his gaze, or rather, she would immediately look away after making eye contact.

"The coffee here is quite good. Which kind did you order, Shikime-kun? Could you recommend one?"

Kushida Kikyo noticed the coffee in front of Shikime Natsu and Kamuro Masumi and asked with an interested smile.

"Of course, I highly recommend this one."

Shikime Natsu nodded and pointed to the coffee he had ordered.

"Then I'll have that one. How about you, Mei?"

Kushida Kikyo handed the menu to Wang Meiyu.

"I'll have that one too."

Wang Meiyu made her decision after only a cursory glance.

It seemed she was the type to follow the crowd.

Shikime Natsu briefly analyzed Wang Meiyu's personality. The person beside him was different from Wang Meiyu; if she didn't like something, she would refuse it directly. He just didn't know if that was only directed at him or if she treated everyone the same way.

However... within Class A, Kamuro Masumi seemed to be the only one he was familiar with. He had originally thought about having Yamamura Miki make friends with Kamuro Masumi at noon, but judging by the results, it hadn't been easy.

Such things were hard to rush.

"By the way, do you come to this cafe often, Shikime-kun?"

Since neither Wang Meiyu nor Kamuro Masumi seemed like the type to initiate conversation, Kushida Kikyo had to try her best to find topics herself.

For Kushida Kikyo, this was a daily routine. After all, the persona she had to maintain was exactly this kind of image, and she enjoyed it—even more so, she enjoyed using this image to listen to the secrets of those around her.

"I suppose you could say I come here often."

Shikime Natsu recalled that he had only been at this school for three days, and he had already visited this cafe twice; the frequency was already quite high.

"I see. This school is really great, isn't it? Giving us 100,000 points every month. If we were outside, I imagine I'd only come to a cafe like this once a month."

Kushida Kikyo sighed with slight emotion.

"That's true. If I were outside, I wouldn't dare spend money so recklessly. By the way, I heard from you yesterday, Kushida-san, that someone in your class spent 30,000 points on a game console. Is that true?"

Shikime Natsu became a bit gossipy.

Watching Shikime Natsu's demeanor, Kamuro Masumi knew exactly what he was doing—prying into the point situation of Class D.

Wasn't that last statement a bit too fake? Spending 30,000 personal points on the first day? No normal person would do that, right?

"Mm, it's true. Ike-kun from our class spent 30,000 points to buy a handheld console, and other students have also bought some rather expensive things, more or less. If we were outside this school, I don't think anyone would do that, right?"

Kushida Kikyo nodded, and as she recalled the items her classmates had purchased, she couldn't help but sigh.

"I've also spent a bit more points than before."

"What about you, Shikime-kun?"

Kushida Kikyo blinked her large eyes at Shikime Natsu, practically wearing a sign that said, "I'm so curious."

"I haven't really bought any luxury goods. I mostly just use them for meals, coffee, and things like that."

Shikime Natsu spoke slowly. That's right; even though he had over a million private points in his possession, he had no intention of splurging on luxuries.

Satisfying his own appetite was basically enough.

"Shikime-kun really seems like the type of good man who is frugal and manages his household well."

Kushida Kikyo praised him.

As Kamuro Masumi listened to their conversation, she didn't know what kind of expression to make. It was a completely nonsensical dialogue, and she wasn't interested in it at all. What she wanted to know was how Kushida Kikyo and Shikime Natsu knew each other—though, in all likelihood, it was probably Shikime Natsu who had initiated the contact.

"Hahaha, pretty girls, enjoy yourselves to the fullest! I'll pick up the tab!"

A boisterous voice rang out from the entrance of the cafe, and a man with golden hair walked in, accompanied by several girls.

This person really left a deep impression on Shikime Natsu. Isn't this the blond guy from the bus?

"That's Koenji Rokusuke from our class."

The expression on Kushida Kikyo's face was slightly awkward. After a minor conflict on the bus, she had wanted to make amends with him, but his attitude was truly infuriating. Phrases like "I didn't care at all" and "You don't need to worry about it" had left Kushida Kikyo feeling quite dissatisfied. Such a condescending attitude was simply maddening!

Just as they were discussing Koenji Rokusuke, his gaze drifted over to them inadvertently, but his expression didn't change in the slightest as he continued chatting with the girls around him.

"Koenji... is it the Koenji conglomerate?"

Shikime Natsu associated the name with a conglomerate he had seen in the newspaper.

"Yes, that's right."

Kushida Kikyo nodded.

If he was from that conglomerate, it was somewhat understandable; riding a bus must have been quite a grievance for Koenji Rokusuke. After all, the gap between people from a conglomerate and ordinary people was not small at all.

But... an heir to a conglomerate actually came to this school?

Is this school really that impressive?

Shikime Natsu recalled the information about this school in his mind. It was established by the Japanese government, and it had only been around for twenty-some years. Even with its high employment and advancement rates, Shikime Natsu didn't think that was a reason for a conglomerate heir to choose this school.

And... the heir to a conglomerate is actually in Class D?

It was truly bizarre. There were probably some complicated interests involved behind the scenes, right?

Regardless, Shikime Natsu didn't intend to interfere too much; the water here felt very murky.

"Shikime-kun... do you also know Koenji-kun?"

Wang Meiyu spoke cautiously. She seemed to have gathered her courage to find a topic, having just sat there on the sidelines without being able to join the conversation.

"Yes, Kushida-san and I, along with Koenji-kun—oh, and Horikita-san and Ayanokouji-kun from your class—were all on the same bus when we arrived."

Shikime Natsu spoke. Three of the "bus group" of five were now gathered; only Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remained. Well... it didn't really matter if Ayanokouji Kiyotaka came or not.

"So that's how it is."

Wang Meiyu nodded. Kamuro Masumi also understood how Shikime Natsu knew Kushida Kikyo: they had ridden the same bus.

Thinking about how she was just his seatmate and this guy had struck up a conversation with her so naturally, Kamuro Masumi finally understood.

However... even though Kushida Kikyo and Shikime Natsu had known each other longer, Kamuro Masumi keenly sensed that Shikime Natsu treated her differently than he treated Kushida Kikyo.

Perhaps because she was his seatmate, Kamuro Masumi felt that Shikime Natsu's attitude toward her was slightly better. She was somewhat satisfied with this, though, on the surface, Kamuro Masumi would never show it.

If this guy knew she was happy about something like this, he would definitely make fun of her.

Just thinking about the smug expression Shikime Natsu might make, Kamuro Masumi felt the urge to beat up this detestable guy.

"Alright, we won't disturb your plans any further. We'll be heading off now. Consider the coffee on me."

Shikime Natsu glanced at Kamuro Masumi's empty cup and then stood up.

"No, there's no need. We can pay for ourselves..."

Wang Meiyu said, looking very nervous.

"It's fine. I made new friends today; two cups of coffee in exchange for friends is well worth it."

Shikime Natsu chuckled.

"Then thank you, Shikime-kun~"

Kushida Kikyo clasped her hands together and smiled.

"This... this... alright, thank you, Shikime-kun."

Wang Meiyu hesitated for a moment before nodding.

Good Deeds Bring Good Rewards. After Shikime Natsu paid, the skill did not indicate a successful activation. It seems... hypocrisy doesn't count as a good deed.