In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld

"Hasn't Sato made any friends yet?"

"That's not true. I've actually made friends with Karuizawa, and I'll introduce you to her next time."

"Uh, no thanks."

"Eh, why not? She's quite pretty, doesn't have a boyfriend, and she happens to like handsome guys. With your looks, Takeda-san, you'd have a great chance~"

"Spare me."

No sexual interest ×

Hates troublesome women √

"Fine, just let me know if you get interested, and I'll help you out."

"Mm."

Not long after, the bell rang for the end of class.

As per Chabashira's instructions, he had to head to the faculty office, and Yamauchi was tagging along.

Yamauchi didn't miss the chance to harass him:

"So you really are in this class! You actually dared to lie to me, you bastard!"

"Actually, this is the Japan Prank Awards 2023, 4-hour special edition. Yamauchi, you've been pranked~"

"Eh, for real?"

"Of course it's fake, you idiot."

"...What... you jerk!"

"...Ah, sorry, sorry, don't hit me. I was mistaken earlier; I really am a student in this class. It was all a misunderstanding."

"Forget it. Since I'm in a good mood today, I won't hold it against you. We're all classmates, so just follow my lead from now on, and I'll introduce you to some girls. Don't look at me like that—I've already gotten a girl's contact info, you know!"

"Who?" It was hard to imagine anyone willing to exchange contact info with this guy.

"It's Kikyo, of course. How about that? Are you jealous?" Yamauchi patted him on the shoulder.

"I am a little jealous." Because he knew he would be changing phones beforehand, he hadn't managed to get Kikyo's contact information yet.

However, it made sense in Kikyo's case; after all, her goal was to be friends with everyone.

"Tell me, do you think she likes me?"

"Who?"

"Kikyo, obviously. Otherwise, why would she talk to me in such a cute voice and even want to exchange phone numbers?"

Eito was silent for two seconds, then looked him in the eye and said earnestly:

"It's very possible. When a girl is willing to take the initiative to talk to a guy, and even asks for his contact info, it's eighty percent likely she likes him."

"Eh, eh, then... what should I do? Should I confess?"

Yamauchi panicked for a moment, grabbing Eito by the shoulders and shaking him.

"That's right, just confess. Since she's already hinted at it this much, if you're a man, go confess. You don't expect the girl to make the first move, do you?"

"Oh, oh, I get it... So Kikyo likes me that much, hehehe. But... why did you hit me?"

"Sorry, I didn't control my strength... I wanted to see how thick your skin was, but I didn't expect... it to be unexpectedly soft?"

Looking at the face that had turned bright red from his slap, Eito calmly withdrew his hand:

"Anyway, don't worry about it. Good luck."

"Mm, thanks. I can tell you're a good guy... I didn't have a good impression of handsome guys at first, but you—I've decided you're my friend!"

"Uh, let's not."

After chatting for a bit, the two walked into the office together.

As soon as they entered, they saw Chabashira Sae in the corner, resting in her chair with her long legs crossed.

From this angle, one could take in the entirety of her tall, alluring body curves, especially those beautiful legs wrapped in black silk, which made Yamauchi's eyes go wide.

Yamauchi's heated, unrestrained gaze made Chabashira frown, and she looked at the newcomers with displeasure:

"Have you seen enough?"

"Uh... I'm sorry!" Apparently, even someone like Yamauchi knew this behavior was wrong, so he hurriedly looked away. "Teacher, did you call me here for something?"

Before coming, he had consulted his friend Ike and knew he shouldn't ask those kinds of questions; coming to the office was just to get scolded.

However, he still felt a bit resentful. It was Eito who had started it, and he had just asked a follow-up question. How could he be blamed for that?

If Eito hadn't started it, he wouldn't have asked either, because this teacher clearly wasn't someone to be trifled with. She was the homeroom teacher, after all; if he really offended her, wouldn't he be stuck with a target on his back for three years?

Chabashira looked at Yamauchi first:

"I don't want to say much more about your question. If this weren't a school and I weren't your teacher, I could report you for sexual harassment based on that comment alone. Remember, watch your mouth next time. This school is a bit special; if you give people leverage over what you say, you'll be in for a rough time... Sigh... forget it, you can go."

"Thank you, teacher!" Upon hearing that he was in the clear, Yamauchi was as happy as a monkey.

What the hell, was that it? It seems this teacher isn't as fierce as she looks. She even knows how to care about me. Could it be—don't tell me she likes me too? Hehe, is my charm really that potent? I've only just started school and I'm already liked by two beauties. This school is truly amazing... Hahaha...

"Do you want me to show you the door?" Chabashira's voice grew a few degrees colder.

The student grinning foolishly in front of her made her mood sour once again.

"Ah, no need, no need! Thank you for your concern, teacher!" Yamauchi scurried away in a flash.

Only Eito and Chabashira remained in the office.

Chabashira picked up the teacup on the desk unhurriedly, took a sip, and then rested her chin on her hand, staring into his eyes with a scrutinizing gaze:

"Takeda, what is your opinion of this school?"

Here it comes.

Eito knew that being called to the office wouldn't be that simple. It was likely because of his previous words; she wanted to understand him further to judge whether his abilities were outstanding.

Chabashira's goal was nothing more than to fulfill her long-held wish of leading Class D to Class A, so understanding the talent in her class was necessary.

However, Chabashira's wish was destined to fall through, because he was just an ordinary person. His only advantage stemmed from having read the original story, and he had no interest in climbing the class ranks.

"Teacher, I think this school is quite good. There's so much money to spend every month, the classmates are good-looking and very friendly, especially the homeroom teacher. I've never seen such a beautiful homeroom teacher in my life, so I feel very honored."

"Is that the question I asked you? And flattering me won't work; I don't buy that. Don't be a smooth talker here. Get serious, or you can go write a reflection paper."

"Ugh, a reflection paper... you're ruthless."

He got a headache the moment a reflection paper was mentioned.

Seeing Chabashira's expression, he knew he couldn't escape it, so he decided to come clean.

But before he began, he cleared his throat, and under Chabashira's cold gaze, he picked up the teacup on the desk and took a sip.

Because the story he was about to tell was a very, very long one—

"Once upon a time, someone founded a school called Advanced Nurturing High School...

Chapter 4: The Birth of Jester King Yamauchi

"Once upon a time, someone founded a school called Advanced Nurturing High School. This school is famous for its deception. Its surface propaganda claims a 99.9% employment rate in one's desired job, but in reality, only Class A has the right to choose freely.

Unfortunately, a student named Xiao Ying was selected. He entered this school, which was famous for its freedom, full of hope. The moment he stepped onto campus, he realized there was no such thing as freedom here, no hope, nothing at all. Three years of confinement—the people here are like livestock living in a prison, at the mercy of others.

This school worships strength. Those with strength can do whatever they want, while those without it can only live like beggars on the street, begging for food, labeled as defective products wherever they go.

Finally, one day, he had enough. Rather than living under the thumb of others every day, it was better to pull down their pants and make them beg for food with him.

He took off his school uniform and stomped on it fiercely. The badge on the uniform was like the school he loathed, everything about the school he loathed.

He stomped on it hard until the uniform was tattered and torn, finally becoming a real beggar's outfit.

And so, he put it on.

Just as light continues light, evil can also breed greater evil. Relying on his rock-solid resolve, stepping on the corpses of his enemies and the corpses of his teammates, he climbed step by step toward the supreme throne that symbolizes the strongest, amidst the fearful yet worshipful gazes of others.

Crowned as King!"

"Are you done?" Chabashira remained in her seat, her expression unchanged. "Do you want me to call you a car, Your Majesty?"

"Uh, no need." If a car from a psychiatric hospital arrived, that wouldn't be fun.

"So this is your understanding of the school?"

"More or less..."

"Heh... I have to say, I really have to look at you in a new light this time." Chabashira gave him a symbolic round of applause, her expression softening. "You are indeed a genuine talent. You realized the essence of this school just after enrolling, if we ignore the fact that you're a chuunibyou..."

The essence Chabashira spoke of was the so-called meritocracy.

"I am honored to receive praise from my homeroom teacher, but I am not a chuunibyou."

"Whether you are a chuunibyou or not has nothing to do with me. As long as I know you are a talent, that is enough."

"...I already said I'm not a chuunibyou."

"Do you have an opinion?" Chabashira glared at him, impatient.

"...No."

"So, can the teacher talk about the real business now?" Eito put away his smile and said seriously.

"Oh ho... have you already guessed it?" Chabashira looked at him playfully, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"The teacher probably wants me to assist you in promoting Class D to Class A."

"...You really exceeded my expectations. You even know about this. Could it be that you specifically investigated me before school started?" Chabashira narrowed her eyes slightly, as if trying to see right through him.

Being looked at like this, Eito felt as if he were completely naked. A strange sense of shyness rose to his cheeks, and his heart fluttered.

What is going on?

A sense of shame spread through his body like a current, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

He finally understood how a beautiful girl felt when stared at by a pervert; it was both awkward and uncomfortable.

So, he shyly covered his face with his hands, shielding even his eyes completely.

Chabashira: "..."

Seemingly sensing the strange atmosphere in the air, Chabashira's attractive face twitched. After hesitating for a long time, she finally blurted out the words she had been holding back:

"Are you... sick in the head?"

"I apologize!"

Eito leaned his body forward at a 90-degree angle, performing a standard Japanese bow.

His sincere attitude left Chabashira with nothing to say, so she could only sigh and return to the previous topic:

"So, what is your answer? Are you willing or not?"

"Actually, there are better candidates than me, such as Ayanokoji and Horikita from our class."

"You even know that kind of information?" Chabashira was somewhat surprised. "But there is no need to bring them up now. I am asking you—what is your answer?"

"Can I refuse?"

"Do you have a reason to refuse? I shouldn't need to explain the benefits of reaching Class A to you again. Or do you want to stay in Class D forever and be looked down upon by others? Oh... after what just happened, I have to re-evaluate you. Perhaps you really do have that kind of preference. In the words of you young people, what do you call it... a masochist?"

"Uh..."

He seemed to have seen this kind of rhetoric before; it was called a provocation.

If he refused, he would be a genuine masochist. Although he didn't really care, being branded with such a title for no reason felt somewhat unpleasant.

Thus, a clever idea struck him, and he thought of a way to respond.

This tactic was called advancing by retreating.

"Teacher, I can help you, but I have one condition."