In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld

Wherever there are people, there is competition. Violence is merely one form of it, and the most pure and simple one at that.

"Oh?"

Ryuen listened to the information Ibuki was relaying to him, his gaze shifting from initial disdain to an observant interest.

Since he could see through Ibuki's intentions in an instant and possessed the skills to toy with her, it seemed Class D wasn't entirely filled with idiots; there was actually someone this interesting.

Looking at the other party's decent appearance and his calm, collected attitude even after arriving in their class, Ryuen's interest in him grew even stronger.

However, wasn't he being a bit too relaxed? He had actually started eating the food from their class.

Interesting.

Ryuen smiled, sat down across from him, and said with keen interest:

"Takeda, right? Any interest in joining my side?"

As soon as those words were spoken, Ibuki grew anxious: "Wait... he's from Class D."

"This doesn't concern you anymore. Losers should just shut their mouths," Ryuen rebuked her without a hint of politeness.

"Tch—what a boring man." Ibuki glared at Ryuen and went to sit somewhere else.

Ryuen didn't care and continued:

"Don't worry, I treat my own people quite well. If you're willing to be my mole in Class D, I'll transfer 300,000 points to you every month. Plus—" Ryuen glanced at Ibuki and grinned, "I'll give you Ibuki, too."

Ryuen spoke without any restraint, and Ibuki, standing nearby, shot him a look of contempt upon hearing this.

"But..." Eito said, looking troubled while eating a banana.

"Is there any need to consider? You can't accomplish anything with that bunch of losers in Class D. Your talent shouldn't be wasted serving them; I am the one who can realize your true value."

"Wouldn't that be bad? I still have my companions in Class D, after all."

"Hahaha, how much is friendship worth? When things get tough, no one can be relied upon. Only profit is the bond that maintains relationships between people."

Ryuen laughed loudly, as if he had heard a joke.

Ryuen had always been alone. Even Ishizaki, Yamada, and the others who followed his orders were merely tools to him for achieving his goals, and they were more than willing to be his tools.

He didn't need any emotions to maintain his rule.

People were animals driven by profit; as long as he offered enough in exchange, they would willingly let themselves be used.

Eito remained noncommittal to Ryuen's words.

He neither opposed nor agreed.

Compared to profit, he longed for a peaceful high school life.

Besides, he didn't need it.

But how much longer would he have to keep up this act?

He had originally intended to spar with Ryuen to experience what "ultimate violence" and the "romance between men" were all about.

However, Ryuen wasn't giving him a single chance, constantly trying to flip him with boring offers, which made him feel slightly unamused.

He couldn't just punch Ryuen directly right now; that would make him seem too impatient.

There had to be a sense of ceremony.

After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Ryuen, you just said you'd give Ibuki to me, right? Then it wouldn't be too much to ask her to massage my legs now, would it?"

"Did you hear that, Ibuki? Come over and massage his legs."

Ryuen sat in his chair, crossed his legs, and said arrogantly.

Ibuki stood up and glared at him:

"Do it yourself if you want to. I don't have the time, and I have absolutely no reason to listen to you."

Although they had reached a cooperative relationship on the surface, Ibuki wasn't the type to enjoy obeying others. If it weren't for the sake of Class C, she wouldn't even look at Ryuen.

Ryuen said:

"It seems the lesson I gave you last time wasn't enough. I won't hold back this time. Yamada, you two, grab her arms."

"Yes, Boss!"

In front of two tall men, Ibuki couldn't escape even if she wanted to. After being pinned, she was brought before Ryuen.

Ryuen slapped her, and a bright red handprint appeared on her fair cheek.

"It seems you don't understand your position. This is Class C, and those who oppose me never have a good ending. Ibuki, I'll give you one more chance. Are you going to do as I say?"

"I'd rather die than massage this guy's legs. If you have the guts, just beat me to death, you dog of a man."

Hearing this, Eito sighed. To prefer death over doing such a small task—just how much was he hated?

At the same time, he sensed a feeling of dissonance.

Something had been off since a moment ago, especially the performances of Ryuen and Ibuki; they were too exaggerated, as if...

As if they were acting.

He was just a nobody from Class D; even if Ryuen valued him, it was impossible for him to harm his own class's talent for his sake.

After all, he was from Class D. Ryuen wouldn't even trust his own classmates, so how could he possibly trust him? Doing this just to curry favor with him was simply not worth it.

By the time he reacted, Ibuki had already collapsed to the ground, clutching her stomach and moaning in pain.

It looked like that punch from Ryuen had been quite heavy.

Ryuen glanced at her with disappointment and said:

"This woman is yours now. Handle her however you like. As for the answer, tell me later; I'll be waiting for your good news."

Having said that, he left with his subordinates.

And he helped Ibuki up, letting her lean against him:

"The person you could rely on has left now. What are you going to do?"

"None of your business."

"You no longer have a place in Class C. Why don't you join me? I'll protect you."

As he spoke, his hand wandered over Ibuki's body, finally slipping inside her clothes to stroke her injured stomach.

"Does it still hurt?" he asked gently.

"Mm."

Ibuki blushed, burying her head in his chest.

"Heh."

So that was it.

He finally understood Ryuen's goal.

First, he offered him conditions, then incited a conflict with Ibuki, and finally beat Ibuki up right in front of him, leaving her with no choice but to follow him.

Ryuen and Ibuki were likely both acting. By doing this, Ryuen not only increased his favorability toward him but also made him feel sympathy for Ibuki, causing him to completely lower his guard.

And this plan was likely conceived because Ibuki had already told Ryuen that he was a pervert, so they were just exploiting that trait.

This combination of a bitter-meat scheme, a honey trap, and playing hard to get was played quite well.

Since they wanted him to fall for it, he would just pretend to fall for it. Ryuen liked playing games with him, and he liked playing games with Ryuen too.

If they were in the same class, they would surely have become great friends.

Hehehe.

Chapter 53: Taking the Essence

"Let's head back."

After eating and drinking his fill, Eito stood up.

"Mm."

Ibuki gave a soft hum and turned her face away.

Holding Ibuki's wrist, he left the territory of Class C.

On the way, Ibuki didn't say a word, letting him pull her along, her head lowered as she wondered what she was thinking.

Looking at the girl like this, he found it faintly amusing.

Was this acting, or was this her true self?

He decided to tease her a little.

"Look, a snake!"

"Eh—"

Ibuki was startled, hiding behind him and clutching his clothes tightly.

Once she realized he was joking, Ibuki gave him a cold look, but didn't say anything.

This was the Ibuki he remembered.

That felt better.

"So you're afraid of snakes."

"I'm not. I just don't want to get bitten."

"So you hide behind me, not worried that I might get poisoned to death?"

"Someone thick-skinned like you probably wouldn't die."

"Uh..."

Even so, no matter how thick one's skin was, it had nothing to do with the skin on one's body.

Just like that, they returned to Class D.

When he got back to Class D, he saw that Ayanokoji was gone, but he didn't pay him any mind.

And Suzune.

Let's go take a look.

She was lying in the tent, fast asleep.

Sleeping in the middle of the day—could it be—

Sure enough, upon touching Suzune's slightly feverish forehead, he concluded that she had caught a cold and was running a low-grade fever.

Due to the butterfly effect, he wasn't sure when Suzune had started feeling unwell, but fortunately, her condition wasn't severe yet. After obtaining Hirata's consent, Eito used points to exchange for some cold medicine.

However, he immediately found himself in a dilemma.

He could take care of Suzune during the day, but he couldn't do so at night. Even though Suzune insisted repeatedly that she didn't need looking after, he still went to ask Sato for help.

Sato agreed quite happily.

But things didn't progress very smoothly.

He could tell that Sato didn't seem to be fond of Suzune's type. Although they sat in front of and behind each other, they never spoke. In particular, perhaps because of him, there was a hint of hostility in the way Sato looked at Suzune.

Seeing that the two couldn't communicate normally, he couldn't ask anyone else for help either. As for Kikyo, although she appeared friendly on the surface, he was genuinely afraid she might take the opportunity to poison Suzune, and Suzune's expression became even worse whenever she faced Kikyo.

Fortunately, after his diligent mediation, Sato was finally able to have a normal conversation with Suzune.

A day passed, which was the fourth day, and Suzune's health had mostly recovered.

"Um... thank you."

Suzune said.

"Are you shy?"

"Don't misunderstand, I'm just expressing basic gratitude." She then looked at Sato, "You too... thank you for taking care of me."

"It's nothing, I was just asked by Eito to do it." Sato laughed, "But Horikita, you actually know how to thank others? I thought you were the type of cold person who wouldn't feel anything even after receiving something from someone else."