In Classroom of the Elite, but in the Underworld Chapter 7

Eito closed his eyes and pressed his palms together, wearing an expression of devout piety.

Then, he opened his eyes and looked at Kikyo with a calm expression:

"Well then, I'll take my leave now. Enjoy your meal."

Without waiting for Kikyo to ask anything else, he grabbed his tray and ran off.

Kikyo: "..."

Only then did she realize that she had been played.

Heh, Heh, Well, how wonderful.

But she couldn't get angry here; she had to be everyone's Kikyo, after all.

Right, she had to endure it.

Looking up at Ayanokoji, who was still chewing slowly, Kikyo joked:

"Your friend eats really fast, doesn't he? Does he have some urgent business?"

"I don't know. This is the first time I've seen him eat that quickly. It's better to eat slowly; otherwise, you might choke."

"Ayanokoji-kun really is knowledgeable... Well then, I'll start eating too."

On the other side.

Having escaped from the cafeteria, Eito was reading a book in the library.

He had guessed the reason why Kikyo wanted to eat with him the moment he entered the cafeteria.

There were two possibilities.

The first was to ask him about Suzune and, incidentally, have him act as a bridge.

However, that was unlikely, as he wasn't close to Suzune at all; seeking out Ayanokoji would be the logical choice for that.

The second was the primary reason.

He had already guessed that Kikyo wanted to confront him about why he had fabricated the story that she liked Yamauchi.

Given Yamauchi's personality, he would likely look for a scapegoat after a failed confession, and Eito was the perfect excuse. Since he had indeed said those things, he would have no defense if the blame were shifted onto him.

If Kikyo had confronted him, he would surely have fallen into a state of guilt and self-reproach, apologizing incessantly because he couldn't find an excuse.

Rather than that, it was better to throw the problem back at Kikyo and let her ponder it herself.

And so, he had come here.

Though, it must be said, there were quite a lot of books here.

He read everything, though he didn't have a favorite genre. If he had to say, he would read any book as long as it was good.

As for what defined a "good" book, that was a matter of opinion.

Come to think of it, he had seen Horikita reading a book after class called Crime and Punishment.

Perhaps he should take a book back with him; surely, as fellow book lovers, they would have plenty of common topics to discuss.

And so, he chose a book he felt was most appropriate and prepared to take it back to read.

Returning from the library, Eito saw that Ayanokoji had also returned.

He asked curiously:

"So, what did Kushida want with you?"

Ayanokoji was frank:

"She asked me to help her get on good terms with Horikita."

"And you agreed?"

"..."

"I couldn't tell, but you're actually a lecher. I misjudged you."

"That's not it," Ayanokoji said. "I should say I didn't seem to be able to refuse. After all—"

"After all, she's so cute, how could you possibly refuse, right?"

"Uh..."

Eito understood his perspective.

Kushida's cuteness didn't seem fake at all. If he hadn't known about her beforehand, he wouldn't have suspected a thing.

From his own personal experience, he also felt that this person was quite cute.

If it were truly the kind of "fake" cuteness, it would actually be quite easy to distinguish, because people who like to pretend to be cute are generally not cute at all. Cuteness is something that is very difficult to fake.

People who put on an act might think they are being cute, but others can tell at a glance; after all, people aren't stupid, and even if there is one fool, it's impossible for everyone to be one.

Yet, Kikyo is capable of reaching a level in the near future where no one in the entire grade, regardless of gender, would ever suspect her.

This can no longer be simply called acting; calling it a talent would not be an exaggeration.

He had a preconceived notion that Kikyo was faking it, which is why he was able to notice the things that were off about her.

In reality, if one knew nothing, Kikyo would be no different from an ordinary girl next door.

Even.

Eito feels that the value of this talent, among everyone in the class, is the highest aside from Ayanokoji. If he could truly make someone like Kikyo obey him, the help it would provide him would be immense.

For the sake of a peaceful school life in the future, Kikyo is an indispensable factor.

However.

Thinking about how troublesome this person is, he gets a bit of a headache.

Simple brute force is definitely out of the question; too light and it's useless, too heavy and it might cause Kikyo to lose her value, turning her into a walking corpse.

Relying on threats is also prone to backfiring; there's no telling when Kikyo might turn on him.

Thinking about how he still has the system, he took a look.

Currently, his malice points are at 23, and activating hypnosis requires 100 points.

That's way too much.

Moreover, he looked at it carefully and realized that the superpower of hypnosis has its flaws.

It cannot control a person at all times, and the behavioral patterns of a hypnotized person are different from their usual self.

If they are given too many suggestions, those with a fragile mind are prone to breaking down.

Using it constantly might turn someone into an idiot.

When it comes down to it, he still has to find a way himself.

So, for now, let's set the goal as subduing Kikyo.

Chapter 9: A Different Horikita Suzune

There is a club recruitment event in the afternoon.

For those who like to celebrate school life, joining a club is a good choice.

Although there are very few clubs in this school, and there isn't much room for choice.

He originally didn't intend to go, but due to Ayanokoji's request, he went to take a look reluctantly.

However, just the two of them would be quite boring, so he called Suzune along.

At first, Suzune refused him without any mercy, but after he inadvertently revealed that the student council president might appear, Suzune stopped talking.

And so, she followed behind them.

Eito smiled and said to Horikita:

"You said you didn't want to, yet here you are walking with us. Could it be that you're a tsundere, Horikita?"

Suzune said with a cold face:

"No, I'm just doing this for the sake of verification. If I find out you were lying later, I will immediately stab you to death with a compass."

"..."

How terrifying.

Arriving at the gymnasium, quite a few first-year students were already waiting in advance. They were chatting with each other, and the scene was somewhat noisy.

He also saw Yamauchi, Ike, and the others. Surprisingly, Sudo had also joined Yamauchi's circle.

The trio of idiots, have they reunited?

Sure enough, this is fate.

His combination with Ayanokoji and Suzune was still quite conspicuous. Yamauchi spotted him immediately and rushed over:

"Hey, Takeda, you liar!"

"What's wrong? Let's talk this out." He looked calm.

"You lied to me saying that little Kikyo liked me, and even told me to go confess."

"Hey, hey, when did I ever say something like that?" Eito sighed, "Do you want me to help you recall? I said there was an eighty percent chance; I never said one hundred percent. You misunderstood it yourself, what does that have to do with me?"

Yamauchi froze and scratched his head: "...Uh, it seems that's how it was."

But he quickly reacted: "That's not right! Then why did you tell me to confess? You were clearly misleading me, damn it!"

Eito was a bit surprised. He hadn't seen him for a day, so how did this guy get a bit smarter? Could it be that he lost his mind after being rejected?

He was careless; he must be more careful in the future.

"Regarding the fact that you were rejected, I am also very puzzled." Eito rested his forehead with one hand, putting on a sorrowful expression, "Logically speaking, you are so... handsome, and Kushida is so kind, yet she rejected you. It just goes to show that Kushida doesn't have very good taste either."

"You think little Kikyo has no taste too, right!" Yamauchi excitedly shook his arm, "I said it wasn't my problem! They just don't understand me, a bunch of short-sighted people. You're the one who understands me best, woo woo~"

"Heh."

Watching Yamauchi try to wipe his snot on him, he decisively pushed the other boy away, then said coldly while Yamauchi wore a confused expression:

"Yamauchi, now that we're done with that matter, it's my turn. I heard you sold me out."

"Eh, about that..."

"I kindly offered you advice, and you actually turned me in. I'm so disappointed in you."

"Listen to me, I had no choice, because at the time... if I didn't do that, I would have... you... you have to believe me, I definitely won't betray you next time."

"Fine, but I don't want to see you right now. Get out of my sight immediately."

"Yes, sir!"

Yamauchi gave a clumsy military salute and then scurried away like a monkey.

Suzune and Ayanokoji remained at the scene.

Clearly, they had witnessed the farce that just unfolded.

Ayanokoji didn't say anything, wearing a thoughtful expression, while Suzune furrowed her brows, looking at him with a hint of disgust:

"You really aren't a good person, Mr. Con Artist."

"Horikita, that's where you're wrong. If it were you, would you communicate normally with a pervert? Or are you saying you like Yamauchi, so you're angry that I bullied him?"

"Get lost!" That remark seemed to have stepped on a landmine for Suzune.

Suzune reached out to grab him, wanting to teach him a lesson.

Her movements were clearly practiced, but Eito didn't want to be arrogant, nor did he want to reveal his true strength, so he ducked directly behind Ayanokoji.