Classroom of the Elite, After the Intel Refreshed, They Always Want to Conquer Me! 12

Shimizu Akira suddenly realized that in this class, perhaps the greatest enemy was not the strict school rules, but this group of teammates who lacked any self-awareness.

So that's how it is...

Shimizu Akira finally understood the deeper meaning behind the words "spend sparingly" from Chabashira Sae.

These rules, which should have been open and transparent, were being deliberately obscured by the school.

He watched another classmate swagger into the classroom late, the person not even possessing the most basic sense of urgency.

Right now, he faced a choice: should he make this information public?

But the thought of sharing the information he had spent 10,000 points to acquire for free with this group of oblivious classmates left him with a long-forgotten sense of speechlessness.

It gave him the inexplicable illusion of being a fresh graduate in the workforce, having his hard work leeched off by some lazy senior.

He had been treated as a blood bag enough in his past life; he absolutely did not want that to happen in this one.

Thinking about it carefully, even if he spoke up, it probably wouldn't change anything.

If this were Class A or Class B, those honor students would surely adjust their behavior immediately and work together to protect the class's interests.

Or rather, even if they didn't know the rules, they wouldn't necessarily lose many points.

But this was Class D—a gathering place for problem students who couldn't even follow basic discipline.

On the second day of school, during the first period, after the teacher tacitly ignored certain students sleeping or playing on their phones, a portion of the class seemed to let go and began acting out in class.

So Class D really was the bottom of the barrel.

Just thinking about the scene where he revealed the rules only for the Class D students to disbelieve him, or even look at him like he was a fool, made his temples throb.

It was bad enough that there was no benefit to being a good person, but he might even end up becoming a laughingstock.

Is this the reality of being a good person in Class D? It feels like an increasingly vicious cycle.

He wouldn't do such a losing business even if his brain were flooded with water.

What a dismal number...

Shimizu Akira silently calculated the information revealed by that senior—the Class D of the second year had less than 30,000 personal points per month, which translated to less than 300 class points.

On average, that wasn't even enough for a hearty lunch each day; they could only afford the vegetable set meal.

And this was only after the various exam bonuses were opened in the later stages, showing just how difficult the situation in Class D was.

Class points? They can't quench a thirst from far away.

He stared at the textbook spread out on his desk, but his eyes were focused on more realistic problems.

Rather than hoping his classmates would suddenly awaken and win glory for the class, it was better to ensure his own personal point income.

After all, in this school where the weak are prey to the strong, the personal points held in one's own hands were the only capital that truly belonged to oneself.

Class points were still too ethereal for him.

As soon as the bell for the end of the school day rang, Shimizu Akira quickly packed his textbooks.

He planned to go to the First Gymnasium to take a look—before the lunch break ended, the school broadcast had specifically notified students interested in club activities that they could go and visit.

Club activities... perhaps this is an opportunity.

He recalled the information revealed by that senior: ordinary students had the chance to earn points by participating in clubs, and if they performed well, they could receive extra subsidies from coaches, or even rewards issued by the school.

This was much more practical than relying on unreliable class points.

Of course, such rewards were personal honors, and they were all awarded as personal points.

A faint scent of citrus drifted over.

"Shimizu-kun~" Kushida Kikyou stood with her hands behind her back, leaning in slightly, "Take out your phone. Yesterday when you weren't here, I already exchanged contact information with most of the people in the class."

Shimizu Akira didn't stop his movements, simply nodding briefly: "Sure."

Kushida took out her phone, the contact interface already pulled up on the screen.

Their fingers tapped lightly on the screens, completing the exchange.

"Horikita-san... if it's possible..." Kushida Kikyou looked toward Horikita Suzune not far away with a sweet smile.

"I don't want to add you." Horikita Suzune didn't even pause her steps, the cold three words spilling from her lips before she vanished out the classroom door in the blink of an eye.

"Aww~ rejected by Horikita-san again." Kushida Kikyou sighed softly, then immediately raised an even brighter smile, clenching her hands into fists in front of her chest in a cheering gesture, "Looks like I'll have to keep trying next time!"

Standing to the side, Shimizu Akira silently watched this scene. He knew better than anyone the true face hidden beneath this sweet smile—which was exactly why he found it even more terrifying.

Just how much pressure must one be under to maintain a perfect smile in the face of such an obvious rejection?

Speaking of which... how does this classmate usually vent her stress? Could she be watching some stress-relief videos?

I wonder if she can recommend some good ways to relieve stress.

Shimizu Akira was under a lot of pressure right now after learning about the S System, and he really needed to relieve it.

"Speaking of which," Kushida Kikyou suddenly turned to Shimizu Akira, tilting her head with a curious expression, "Shimizu-kun seems to be able to communicate with Horikita-san normally."

"It's just normal communication between seatmates. Besides, I don't have her contact information either." Shimizu Akira was stunned for a moment and shrugged.

Although he had never asked, given Horikita Suzune's aloof and distant personality, it was impossible for her to easily give out her contact information to others.

"Oh, right, right! Shimizu-kun, you didn't get a chance to introduce yourself yesterday, did you? Let me help you introduce yourself to everyone!" Kushida Kikyou flashed a brilliant smile and offered enthusiastically.

School in Japan always ends early; it was not even four in the afternoon yet, and the sunlight outside the window remained bright and pleasant.

With nearly an hour left until five, Shimizu Akira could easily stay in the classroom and spend time with his classmates.

This suited Shimizu Akira's intentions perfectly, as he had been thinking about adding a few friends to his social media account. "Then I'll leave it to you."

021 Kouenji Rokusuke: Shimizu-kun is a rare gentleman; I owe him a favor.

Shimizu Akira noticed that Kushida Kikyou in his class was like a miniature version of Ichinose Honami.

Whether it was the aloof and haughty Hasebe Haruka, the reticent Miyake Akito, or even the introverted Yukimura Teruhiko, all of them maintained good relationships with her.

Through the interpersonal bridge built by Kushida, Shimizu Akira successfully obtained the contact information of a portion of his classmates.

"Shimizu-kun, you really must teach that trio of idiots a lesson next time!" Shinohara Satsuki lowered her voice, her eyes glancing involuntarily toward Ike Kanji. "They talk nonsense and make lewd comments all day long, acting as if the classroom is their own territory."

(The trio of idiots? That nickname is actually quite fitting...)

"Hehe... Shinohara-san, don't take it to heart~" Kushida Kikyou interjected at the right moment. "Boys at this age, well... it's normal for them to have... um... adolescent thoughts."

"Kushida-san is a true angel! KMT!" Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji shouted in unison, their eyes practically sparkling with hearts.

Kushida Kikyou's romaji is Kikyou Kushida, so the acronym KMT was indeed correct.

(If these two guys were transported to another world, they would probably let themselves be torn to pieces by Elsa Granhiert just to protect a saintess like Emilia...)

It is worth mentioning that, thanks to Kushida Kikyou's skillful maneuvering, on the surface, Shimizu Akira and Yamauchi Haruki were already able to engage in normal daily conversation.

As for what Yamauchi Haruki was really thinking? Shimizu Akira didn't care.

As long as the other party was sensible enough not to provoke him, that was fine.

In just over ten minutes of negotiation, Shimizu Akira's contact list had already added nearly half of the class.

The efficiency of being led through a dungeon by a social butterfly gave him the illusion of "getting carried"—as if he were being led by the "social MVP" Kushida Kikyou to rack up points in the class's social hierarchy.

"Shimizu-kun..." Kushida Kikyou suddenly tugged lightly on his sleeve, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. "Um... could you do me a small favor?"

Shimizu Akira was stunned for a moment, then revealed a knowing smile.

(As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch...)

This reminded him of the guys in his dormitory in his previous life; the "small requests" for him to pick up food or drinks never seemed to end.

However, the request from this social butterfly in front of him surely wouldn't be that simple.

He leaned in slightly, maintaining a polite distance: "I wonder what it is you need me to do, Kushida-san?"

"Shimizu-kun, do you remember the first thing I said when we first spoke?" Kushida Kikyou folded her hands in front of her.

"You said you had already exchanged contact information with the vast majority of the class." Shimizu Akira keenly caught the hint in her words.

"That's right..." The girl bit her lower lip, showing a rare look of distress. "Actually, besides you, Shimizu-kun, there are two people I still haven't been able to connect with—Horikita Suzune-san and Kouenji Rokusuke-kun."

(I see, so this is the real challenge stage...)

Shimizu Akira nodded thoughtfully: "So, you want me to help act as a bridge?"

"Exactly. Actually, I just need help getting to know one of them." Kushida Kikyou looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "If it were you, Shimizu-kun, perhaps you could..."

(On the surface, it's a choice between two, but in reality, there's no choice at all...)

Shimizu Akira muttered to himself. After all, the whole class knew that as Horikita Suzune's seatmate, he was indeed the most suitable "middleman."

(So that's where you were waiting for me...)

He looked at the "social butterfly" in front of him with interest. The almost paranoid obsession in the girl's eyes reminded him of certain completionist gamers who felt compelled to fill every entry in their collection.

(Are you really that desperate to be "friends" with everyone?)

A personality that views interpersonal relationships as a lifeline is like treating social media follower counts as a life KPI.

For Kushida Kikyou, even if one person showed aversion toward her, it would likely be as unbearable as having the persona she meticulously maintained exposed in public.

"I understand." Shimizu Akira suddenly wore a meaningful smile. "Let's go, I'll take you to meet Kouenji-kun."

"Eh...?" Kushida Kikyou's pupils dilated slightly, and the perfect curve of her smile stiffened for an instant.

(Hehe, didn't expect that, did you?)

Shimizu Akira deliberately put on a confused expression: "What? Kouenji-kun and I are both guys; it's easier for men to communicate, isn't it?" He asked pointedly, "Or is that not what you were thinking, Kushida-san?"

It was true that he owed her a favor, but that didn't mean he was willing to be a puppet on a string.

(Since I have to choose, I'll naturally choose the one that surprises you the most--)

Kushida Kikyou's expression management was perfect; after a mere 0.5 seconds of losing her composure, that exquisite face was once again wearing an impeccable, gentle smile: "Shimizu-kun is right... then I'll trouble you."

When the two approached, Kouenji Rokusuke was facing a small gilded mirror, intently admiring his own perfect profile.

"Kouenji-kun..." Kushida Kikyou approached with her signature sweet smile.

"Hmm?" Kouenji didn't even look up, his slender fingers gently brushing his temple. "Could it be that Kushida-san is still brooding over the seat-offering incident from before? No need to worry; I, Kouenji Rokusuke, never take such trivial matters to heart."

Kushida's smile froze on her face instantly.

Interesting... It seems Kushida Kikyou was right; this guy is exactly the type of narcissist she finds most difficult to deal with.

He secretly compared the differences between the narcissist before him and Kamuro Masumi.

Both were equally self-centered, but while Kamuro was like a rose arming itself with thorns, Koenji—

"How is it? Are you moved by my magnanimity?" Koenji finally deigned to put down his mirror, flashing an incredibly confident smile.

This classmate was more like a narcissus growing under a spotlight, with the words "I am the most beautiful" written all over him from the inside out.

"Oh? Shimizu-kun is here too?" Koenji suddenly shifted his gaze toward Shimizu Akira, who was standing to the side. He casually tucked his small mirror into his desk and turned to face the two of them with an elegant flourish.

Before Kushida Kikyou could react, she heard Koenji announce in an operatic tone: "Speak. Your requests—I grant them."

"Eh?" Kushida's eyes widened, and the phone in her hand nearly slipped.

She instinctively looked at Shimizu Akira, only to find that he was wearing an equally bewildered expression.

Koenji continued on his own accord: "After all—this gentleman not only gave up his seat for me voluntarily but also reported those blind interviewers on my behalf, didn't he?"

Hearing this, Kushida glanced at Shimizu Akira in surprise, but ultimately remained silent as she handed over her phone, and the two took the opportunity to exchange contact information.

Shimizu Akira felt an indescribable sense of speechlessness surging within him.

Who told you he gave up his seat for you? There's a limit to narcissism, you know.

Wait, how did this guy know about him reporting the interviewers?

022 Senior: Trust me, this is a school where might makes right

"A few more upperclassmen want to invite me for coffee?"

"In that case, I shall take my leave."

Koenji gently smoothed his bangs, said this in a languid tone, and then turned elegantly, preparing to leave the classroom.

Before stepping over the threshold, he suddenly paused, his gaze sweeping meaningfully over Kushida Kikyou before finally settling on Shimizu Akira.

"My 'favor' isn't as simple as just exchanging contact information."