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

"What do you mean by that?"

Shikime Natsu could feel the pressure on his shoulders growing lighter; this girl's stamina really wasn't anything to write home about. Of course, Shikime Natsu had no intention of letting Sakayanagi Arisu stop. After all, she had caused trouble for the class, so accepting the punishment was only right.

Besides... she had suddenly started a conversation with him, so it seemed she was up to no good.

"This school is a meritocracy. Classmate Shikime, you must have observed the upperclassmen, right? Every class is missing a few students here and there, and the student body is less than forty per class. I suspect that not every student chooses to drop out voluntarily; after all, finding a new school is no easy feat."

Noticing that Shikime Natsu was drawn into her topic, Sakayanagi Arisu continued, seemingly just sharing information with him.

"Hmm, you're right. So these students must have been forced to drop out, perhaps due to failing exams or something similar."

"You can take a break now. Just sit on this chair."

Shikime Natsu stood up, pushed the chair nearby toward Sakayanagi Arisu, and then sat down on the bed himself.

This girl's insight was indeed quite impressive, but it was a pity she had too many tricks up her sleeve.

"It seems we think alike. Since this is a meritocracy, the students who get eliminated are naturally those who lack the necessary ability."

Sakayanagi Arisu massaged her small hands. She didn't know what was up with Shikime Natsu's shoulders; they were rock-hard, as if she had been pressing against a block of iron. It was truly exhausting.

"As the leader of the class, I imagine... Classmate Shikime has already decided which of the weaker students to discard, right? In your opinion, who in this class has the most mediocre ability?"

Her purple eyes stared straight at Shikime Natsu, a smile plastered on her face as always.

"We've only been enrolled for a few days, and yet Sakayanagi already knows who in the class is talented and who is mediocre?"

Shikime Natsu leaned his back against the wall, a faint smile playing in his light golden eyes.

"Of course. In this class, the only opponent I find worth looking at is you. Everyone else is nothing but mediocre."

When Sakayanagi Arisu said this, the arrogance she exuded was on full display. She truly believed it.

Even Katsuragi Kohei didn't seem like much to her now; only Shikime Natsu could pique her interest even slightly.

"Sakayanagi, you really think too highly of me."

Shikime Natsu chuckled upon hearing this. He hadn't expected Sakayanagi Arisu to rate him so highly, though, of course, he held himself in high regard as well.

"What if I said that, in my eyes, you also fall into the category of having mediocre ability, Sakayanagi?"

The words were like a needle prick, and the smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face vanished instantly.

"Ara, what is Classmate Shikime saying?"

Sakayanagi Arisu decided to give Shikime Natsu a chance to rephrase his words; she would pretend she hadn't heard what he just said.

Ever since she was born, she had essentially been crowned a genius, and she believed in that fact. Even the so-called artificial geniuses from the White Room were merely targets for her to defeat.

"Does Classmate Sakayanagi not want to admit it? In reality, your abilities are quite ordinary, aren't they?"

Shikime Natsu continued, a hint of playfulness in his light golden eyes. He wanted to see how the girl would react.

"Then, in Classmate Shikime's opinion, what rank would I hold in the class if I were merely mediocre?"

Unexpectedly, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't show any signs of anger. She still wore a faint smile, though, of course, the girl wasn't good at disguising her emotions. Her technique was quite clumsy; even while she was smiling, Shikime Natsu could feel the fury radiating from her face.

She looked quite cute when she was angry.

"Hmm... to be honest, you would probably be ranked last."

Shikime Natsu thought about it seriously before giving his answer. After all, no matter how strong one's ability was, if they were a backstabber, wouldn't that make them the worst possible asset for the class?

"Hehe, Classmate Shikime's words are truly heartbreaking."

Sakayanagi Arisu let out a soft laugh, but the sound was filled with rage. This guy was insulting her. If she were wearing her regular clothes, it might be one thing, but now she was dressed as a maid. Even though not a single inch of skin was exposed, it couldn't hide the fact that she had lost, and these mocking words felt like a heavy hammer blow, which was incredibly unpleasant.

There was no heartbreak at all; it was pure fury directed at Shikime Natsu.

"Wasn't this something you asked for, Sakayanagi? Since that's the case, you'll just have to accept it, right?"

Shikime Natsu spoke nonchalantly, his eyes scanning Sakayanagi Arisu as she tried her best to suppress her anger.

"Classmate Shikime, if this school eliminates students based on ability, and since I am ranked last, I would like to know who is second to last. Can you satisfy such a small wish of mine?"

Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Shikime Natsu. She wanted to maintain her composure in front of him, but his relentless barrage of attacks made her feel like she was losing control of her emotions.

Since she was born, no one had ever insulted her like this. Even when others mocked her, they could only attack her physical capabilities, and those who did so had all disappeared from her world.

"You are a maid right now~ Maids don't have the qualifications to ask me for favors. Of course, if your service is good, I might be able to satisfy your little curiosity."

"But, Maid Sakayanagi can't even perform a simple massage. You really are quite a clumsy maid."

Shikime Natsu shook his head, his face full of disappointment.

Very well, Sakayanagi Arisu admitted that Shikime Natsu had truly annoyed her. She couldn't stand another minute of this week-long maid life.

Sakayanagi Arisu had originally thought he would act according to her expectations, but every step Shikime Natsu took was outside of her plans.

"I am terribly sorry."

Sakayanagi Arisu swallowed the humiliation, a humiliation she would one day pay back twofold.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, no need to blame yourself. After all, that's just how human ability is. Since you can only do this much, I suppose that's the extent of your capability, and I won't demand too much."

Shikime Natsu waved his hand, smiling with an air of magnanimity.

Sakayanagi Arisu really wanted to punch this guy, wanted to very, very much, but she knew perfectly well that she was absolutely no match for Shikime Natsu.

"Please allow me to demonstrate my abilities once more, may I?"

Sakayanagi Arisu swallowed her pride and continued to wear an apologetic smile.

"Sakayanagi, do you know? In society, if you fail to demonstrate your capabilities the first time, you won't get another chance later on~"

Was this guy actually lecturing her?

"However, for now, I will allow you to demonstrate your skills again."

Shikime Natsu sat back down in the chair, intending to enjoy the girl's massage. Unfortunately... the girl didn't know any massage techniques that would stir a man's heart. No, it would be more accurate to say that even if she did, she couldn't pull it off; after all, she was nothing more than an A-cup.

Feeling those two small hands rest on his shoulders again, Shikime Natsu relaxed his body and let Sakayanagi Arisu perform her massage service.

After two or three minutes, the pressure dropped again.

"Alright, Sakayanagi, that's enough maid service for today. If you don't head back now, you'll miss the curfew."

Shikime Natsu glanced at the time; it was almost ten o'clock.

"If Shikime-san asks, this maid can stay, you know~ After all, we agreed on a week, but didn't specify how many hours per day."

Sakayanagi Arisu whispered into Shikime Natsu's ear, a warm sensation making his ear feel slightly sensitive.

"In that case, please remember to clean the classroom after school every day. I prefer to see the classroom looking clean. That should be the most basic task for a maid, right?"

Humiliation! This was absolute humiliation!

Not only did he make her wear a maid outfit, but he also wanted her to do such shameful things in public. This was an insult to a genius!

Sakayanagi Arisu's years of self-restraint kept her from letting her emotions explode. Even after being told this by Shikime Natsu, she held it in.

"I'm sorry, but I might not be able to fulfill that. After all, Shikime-san is aware of my physical condition."

Sakayanagi Arisu spoke, and even without looking at the girl's expression, Shikime Natsu knew exactly what it looked like.

"That's true. I really am making things difficult for you. You can go back now."

Shikime Natsu sighed, looking extremely disappointed, as if Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't do anything right, once again grinding her self-esteem into the dirt.

"Fine, I understand."

Sakayanagi Arisu clenched her small fists. This guy was a truly troublesome opponent, but... defeating someone like this would be a real challenge. No, she had to crush this guy and make him taste the humiliation she had suffered today!

"Oh, right, Sakayanagi. Didn't you say you had a little wish?"

Just as Sakayanagi Arisu was changing back into her regular school uniform and preparing to leave, Shikime Natsu suddenly spoke up with a smile.

"What, does Shikime-san intend to grant my little wish now?"

Sakayanagi Arisu paused in her tracks.

"No, I intend to give you a gift. Although your maid service was quite mediocre, you did at least keep your promise. This is a gift for you."

As he spoke, Shikime Natsu walked up to Sakayanagi Arisu and shoved something into her hand.

The smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face stiffened.

"Next time you come here, don't bring a voice recorder, okay~ Oh, and you should change how you address me. Don't call me Shikime-san. As a maid... you should call me Master."

Humiliation!

Sakayanagi Arisu's chest heaved violently, and even though there wasn't much of a curve, it was still noticeable.

Shikime Natsu met those purple eyes filled with rage.

[Ding~]

[CG16: Humiliation (Sakayanagi Arisu)]

[I will definitely make you pay the price for humiliating me!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining the skill card: God-tier Massage Technique (Your massage can cure any illness, whether it's a cold or cancer, you can handle it all. The process is determined by the complexity of the disease)]

Chapter 40: Remember to say "Good morning", Horikita

Shikime Natsu couldn't help but look pleased when he saw the reward. Sakayanagi Arisu was truly helpful; this reward was exactly what he wanted. With this skill, he wouldn't have to worry about getting sick anymore, as he could use it on himself as well.

It was just... why was a healing skill a massage technique? This cheat was a bit too lewd!

By this time, Sakayanagi Arisu had already walked out of the dormitory. Fortunately, she didn't slam the door shut with a "bang." Her ability to endure was far greater than he had imagined.

However... she was far too calculating. If it weren't for the maid outfit CG, Shikime Natsu would never have known that Sakayanagi Arisu would bring a voice recorder, hidden inside the outfit. Thankfully, he possessed Master Thief; when he moved the chair for her, he had directly swiped her voice recorder and phone. He turned the phone off and kept the recorder in his hand.

Of course, even so, Shikime Natsu chose not to answer Sakayanagi Arisu's questions. He didn't intend to leave even the slightest opening for her.

If his leverage were to fall into this woman's hands, it would be truly disastrous.

Shikime Natsu checked the area where Sakayanagi Arisu had been to ensure no devices were planted, and he breathed a slight sigh of relief. This was normal, though; given Sakayanagi Arisu's physical condition, there were many things she couldn't do unless she bought something like a pinhole camera, which, of course, was very expensive.

Sakayanagi Arisu's maid outfit was worth 10,000 points. If she kept buying things like that, she would likely be eating wild vegetable sets for most of the time. How pitiful.

As for his skill card, Shikime Natsu planned to use it on Sakayanagi Arisu, but only after her personality had been properly "trained" by him.