In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld Chapter 21

Between ordinary friends, leaning on a shoulder is a perfectly normal thing to do.

But immediately, Eito sensed that Kikyo was up to her little tricks again.

She pulled his hand from behind and wrapped it around her waist.

That was no longer normal.

If Sato came over now, she would definitely notice.

Having been teased by her for so long, Eito felt a spark of irritation and reached over to tickle her stomach.

"Haha... you... stop tickling, I... I surrender."

Kikyo lay on his lap, one hand covering her stomach while the other pushed his hand away.

Eito stopped tickling and let go of his hand.

Just then, Sato happened to come down, and seeing Kikyo still lying on his lap, she couldn't help but ask:

"Um... what are you two... doing?"

Eito felt a bit awkward.

Kikyo stood up, smoothed out her clothes, and explained:

"I just said I wanted to experience a lap pillow, so I begged Eito for it. Yeah, it's nothing."

Eito let out a sigh of relief; he had been worried that Kikyo would accuse him of being a pervert.

Sato nodded, looking relieved:

"Oh, so that's it. I thought... never mind."

Kikyo took the opportunity to say:

"Why don't you give it a try too, Sato? It's actually quite comfortable."

These words caused both of them to fall silent.

Eito shot her a glare, but Kikyo ignored him and continued:

"It's fine, we're all friends. I just tried it, so you should give it a go, Sato."

"But..." Sato's face flushed slightly. Feeling her own heartbeat, she gritted her teeth and said, "Alright then, after all... we are friends..."

Eito said:

"Kikyo is just joking, you don't have to force yourself."

To his surprise, Sato huffed:

"Hmph, if Kushida can do it, why can't I? Are you saying we aren't as close as you and her?"

"...Do whatever you want then."

Eito had no choice but to shut his mouth, adjust his position, and let Sato lie on his lap.

Sato moved very carefully. After glancing at him once she lay down, she turned her head away and shifted into a side-lying position.

In a spot where Sato couldn't see, he noticed Kikyo casting a smile at her that held an ambiguous meaning.

In it, he sensed the scent of a conspiracy.

"Well, it's my turn to sing." Kikyo shook the microphone and walked toward the stage.

Chapter 27: Kikyo's Conspiracy

How should he put it?

It was somewhat awkward.

Although his relationship with Sato was quite good, and they would sometimes crack dirty jokes.

But they had never engaged in such an intimate act until today.

This was definitely not something ordinary friends would do; Kikyo was just lying.

From this angle, the curves of Sato's body were fully in view.

Her fair, tender feet, now bare of stockings, were curled up, revealing how nervous their owner was.

And he was even more nervous.

He couldn't show too much excitement, yet he didn't know what to say.

Wrapping his arms around her now would definitely be the act of a pervert; until he understood Sato's intentions, he wouldn't make any rash moves.

After all, he was someone who truly valued friendship.

Therefore, he deliberately brought to mind the face of Yamauchi.

And then.

He became calm and composed.

"Um... can I call you by your first name?" Sato, who had been silent, suddenly asked.

"Why?"

"Since Kushida calls you that, I... can't I do the same?"

"...Fine, then I'll call you Maya from now on."

"Mm, Eito."

As Sato spoke, she leaned her head against his chest, as if searching for the most comfortable position.

And he chose not to push her away.

It wasn't until Kikyo returned that Sato sat up amidst Kikyo's smile.

Kikyo handed the microphone to him: "It's your turn, Eito."

Eito didn't take it, saying instead: "I'm going to the restroom first."

Then he opened the door and walked out.

"Mm, I'm going to the restroom too." Not long after Eito left, Kikyo said, "Sato, why don't you go ahead and sing first, is that okay?"

"Sure." Sato was a bit puzzled, but didn't think much of it.

Eito didn't go to the restroom; he just went to splash some water on his face to calm himself down.

As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Kikyo at the doorway.

"Miss Kikyo, are you waiting for me?"

"Is there anyone inside?" Kikyo pointed toward the men's restroom.

"...No."

"That's good." Kikyo pushed him inside and then locked the door.

"What are you doing?"

Kikyo smiled adorably:

"Didn't get enough earlier, did you? Want me to help you out?"

"..."

Kikyo didn't say anything more, pressing her burning body against him.

Twenty minutes passed. Sato had already sung several songs, and seeing that the two still hadn't returned, her inner suspicions grew heavier.

"I should go check."

She opened the door and left the room.

The hallway was quite quiet, showing that the soundproofing of this KTV was excellent.

Thinking back to the two's earlier words, she took steps toward the restroom.

Every step she took felt uneasy.

She had sensed that something was off with the two of them while they were singing earlier.

Now that they had both gone to the restroom for so long without returning, could it be—

Sato shook her head.

How could that be?

Although her relationship with Kikyo wasn't that close, they still fell into the category of friends, and she had a very good impression of this incredibly kind girl.

And Eito went without saying; she had never met a guy of this type before.

Not only could he keep up with her conversation, but he could also make her happy, and at times, he was very gentle.

Sometimes, his reactions were even cute.

Chatting with him had gradually become one of her sources of joy.

Sometimes when she bragged about him to friends, they would even tease her, asking if she liked him.

Like?

Was this what liking someone felt like?

She had never seriously thought about such a question until she saw their intimate interaction on the stage just now, which made her feel a faint tightness in her chest.

Was it liking, or just unhappiness because her best male friend was being taken away?

She still didn't understand.

But she was close; she was almost at her destination.

As the distance grew shorter, her heartbeat grew faster.

Just as she placed her hand on the doorknob, the door suddenly opened.

Eito walked out from inside, looked at her, and asked in confusion:

"What's wrong, Maya?"

"Ah... nothing, it's nothing."

Sato awkwardly pulled her hand back:

"Um, where is Kushida?"

"She went to buy some water."

"Oh."

"Do you still need something, Maya? Do you need to use the restroom too? Though I think the girls' restroom is over that way."

"No, I'm sorry, I'm heading back!"

Sato's face flushed red, and she turned around and ran off.

Eito watched her walk away, then closed the door once more.

Meanwhile, Kikyo was leaning blankly against the corner of the wall, her eyes unfocused, her clothes in complete disarray.

Ability Deactivated--

Kikyo snapped back to reality, looked at him, and said with a fierce glare:

"What did you do to me?"

"Nothing much, just made you quiet for a little while."

Only Eito himself knew what he had just done.