In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld Chapter 26

"I'm already fifth, which means I must have a little bit of popularity, right? Why haven't I received a single love letter?"

Ayanokoji goes without saying; although he's handsome, he usually doesn't show much expression, giving people a gloomy impression.

Although he isn't proactive either, he manages to be polite enough to maintain basic social interactions.

"Yeah, why is that?" Kikyo said with a smile.

"Could it be... that you threw them away?"

"Bingo~ Congratulations, you got it right."

"Ugh."

"Eh—could it be that you really wanted them?" Kikyo covered her small mouth with an exaggerated expression of surprise in her eyes.

"This..."

"Don't worry." Kikyo patted his shoulder. "I've already investigated for you. The people who wrote you love letters are average-looking; they probably wouldn't be to your taste."

"..."

How was he supposed to respond to that?

One day.

Ike approached him, saying he wanted to ask for advice on how to pursue girls.

"Why ask me?" Eito asked, puzzled. "Wouldn't Hirata be more suitable?"

"I already asked him, and he said all you have to do is treat girls gently. What kind of nonsense is that? If I looked as good as him, I would've done it a long time ago. What a guy who doesn't know how lucky he is."

No, even if he looked as good as Hirata, he still wouldn't be able to make girls like him to that extent.

Charisma is also a factor; some people, even if they aren't good-looking, have an aura about them that is more convincing to others.

Obviously, this has to do with life experience, something Ike could never achieve no matter what.

"You're my best friend, so you'll definitely help me, right?" Ike put on a tearful, wailing act.

"Fine, but I don't acknowledge you as my best friend."

"Eh, why?"

"Because you're too ugly."

"Tch—" Ike said unhappily. "That's why I hate handsome guys the most."

"So... who do you want to pursue?"

"How about Chabashira-sensei? I used to talk to her quite often."

"No chance," Eito replied without even thinking.

Could it be that the "conversations" Ike was referring to were the times he asked Chabashira if her period hadn't come yet during class?

"What about little Kikyo? She doesn't seem to have a boyfriend yet."

"Forget it, Ike. You wouldn't even be able to lick the boots of a girl at that level in your next life."

"Then... how about Sakura? These introverted girls are the easiest to pursue, and I noticed her chest seems quite large. Even if she's a bit ugly, I don't—hey, wait a second, don't hit me!"

Eito still punched him:

"You've got a lot of nerve. Sakura is my friend, and you dare to talk bad about her in front of me."

"I was wrong, you... let's just talk about how to pursue girls." Ike hurriedly changed the subject. "Right, I remember there's a very pretty girl in Class C who looks very quiet and is always reading in the library. Maybe I should try pursuing her? Maybe if I'm lucky, she'll say yes."

Lucky, huh.

The person Ike is talking about must be Shiina Hiyori from Class C. With her silver-gray long hair, she always likes to act alone. She seems quiet, but she is actually a talented girl with impressive abilities, and her appearance is truly outstanding.

"Ike, if you aren't afraid of Ryuen's fists, then go ahead and try."

Although Hiyori doesn't like class conflicts, her strength has been recognized by Ryuen. Even if he doesn't usually pay attention to her, he wouldn't just let someone he values associate with a third-rate character from another class.

However, Ike was confused: "Who is Ryuen?"

"Ryuen Kakeru, the leader of Class C, the man who rules Class C through violence. Scared yet?"

"Alright, I'll pick someone else."

Ike was frightened, and then he spent a long time thinking without coming up with an answer.

Finally.

"Takeda, why don't we two just settle for each other?"

"Eh?"

"Look, you don't look bad yourself. If you dressed up as a girl, you might be unexpectedly cute. I feel like I wouldn't mind—"

Is he crazy?

Eito stepped back a few paces:

"Don't come any closer, or I'll punch you."

"Come on, Miss Eiki, let's just..."

"Go to hell!"

"Ah--"

Ike was sent to the infirmary by him, and it was said that he would need two days of bed rest before he could move around again.

This incident didn't bring Eito much guilt.

"Morning, Horikita."

In the elevator that morning, he ran into Suzune, who happened to be heading down.

Suzune nodded, signaling for him to step inside.

"It's still early. Would you like to go for a morning run with me?"

"You would do something like that?" Suzune asked, looking puzzled.

"I wouldn't, but if you're willing to keep me company, I'll go for a morning run every day from now on."

"Uh, alright."

"So, what's your answer?"

"Fine, let's go. I don't have anything else to do anyway."

"It's a deal then. You'll join me for a morning run every day from now on."

"Wait—is that what you meant?" Suzune looked at him with a strange expression, a hint of annoyance flickering in her quiet eyes.

She was unhappy because she had been tricked by his wordplay.

"Fine." Eito sighed. "I was just being overly sentimental. I had hoped to grow closer to you, but if you're not willing, it doesn't matter to me."

To make it look authentic, he recalled some sad memories from the past, and tears couldn't help but fall.

Yes, he possessed this skill; he could cry whenever he wanted to.

Watching him, Suzune could only helplessly agree:

"Fine, let's set a time for next time. If you miss it, I won't go with you."

"Mm, thank you."

Just like that, Suzune fell for his trap.

Finally, there was one more thing.

Ever since that day, although Sato would still talk to him normally, he always felt something was off.

For instance, when she spoke to him, she would occasionally zone out.

Sometimes she would stare blankly at his face until he called her back to reality, at which point she would hurriedly apologize.

Sometimes, if she accidentally brushed against his hand, she would blush.

These various strange reactions led him to form a certain hypothesis.

She likes me.

Everyone has had a thought like that before.

But until the answer was fully revealed, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself.

And since that day, Sato had never brought up the topic of them hanging out together.

While it made him breathe a sigh of relief, he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

With that, all the daily routines were basically wrapped up.

Class D had passed the final exams.

Next up was the luxury cruise trip that the students had been looking forward to for so long.

Summer vacation had arrived.

Chapter 34: The Island Exam

The scent of the sea.

Standing on the spacious deck, enduring the wind blowing against him, the fabric of his clothes rustled in the breeze.

Every current of air that brushed past the tip of his nose was mixed with a faint, salty tang.

It was the scent that symbolized freedom and peace.

However, at this moment, there was a dog standing right next to him.

Ike: "Ohhh! The ocean, here I come!"

Giving him a kick, I sent Ike stumbling forward a few meters until he grabbed the railing.

Glancing down, Ike shivered before looking at me with a complaint:

"What are you doing? You could kill someone!"

"Nobody would care even if you died."

"Are you looking down on me... aren't my parents people?"

"...You're right, my mistake."

Not far away was a group of girls led by Karuizawa.

Even Kikyo was mixed in among them.

However, they didn't seem to be looking this way, though Sato secretly waved at me.

Needless to say, the exterior of this cruise ship was impressive, and the facilities were incredibly well-stocked. From top-tier renowned restaurants to theaters for enjoying plays and high-end spas, everything was quite complete.

If one wanted to go on a personal trip like this, the cost would be no less than several hundred thousand yen.

Fortunately, the facilities and food on board were free, which was a very happy thing for the students of Class D.

Leaving Ike behind, I walked toward a corner of the deck, where I saw a familiar person.

"Sakura, are you here to look at the scenery too?"

"No... uh... no, yes, I am."

Sakura nodded firmly, though her occasionally darting eyes made it obvious at a glance that she was lying.

"Don't tell me... you came here looking for me."