Classroom of the Elite, It's Not About Meritocracy, It's About Me Ruling the World! Chapter 20

Such terrifying powers of observation and analysis—is the guy in front of them even human? He might just be a monster.

Katsuragi and Ichinose were even starting to waver; could they truly ever become opponents to Kijima Tsukur?

So that's how it is.

Yamamura Miki nodded to herself; no wonder things had felt so strange.

It turned out that Nagumo Miyabi hadn't been communicating with them at all.

He had been talking to Horikita Manabu.

Nagumo Miyabi was acting like a total jerk, repeatedly testing the limits of Horikita Manabu's patience: "Hit me, go ahead and hit me, or else I'm going to reach my hands into the first-year cohort."

No wonder the atmosphere had felt so uncomfortable.

"Well played."

Nagumo Miyabi clapped his hands, still wearing an expression of admiration:

"However, this isn't bad for you all, is it? Or perhaps the fact that I looked down on you has caused you some displeasure? If that's the case, I can apologize to you."

Hearing this.

Ichinose and Katsuragi felt a complicated mix of emotions.

Even if Nagumo Miyabi's target was only Horikita Manabu and he hadn't taken them seriously, it didn't really matter.

Under the seniority system, this attitude from a senior toward a junior was perfectly normal.

Moreover, even if they were being looked down upon, Nagumo Miyabi had provided plenty of information for free; it was all gain and no loss for them!

Now, Nagumo Miyabi was even willing to apologize for it.

Of course, the apology was directed only at Kijima Tsukur, which showed he still held a certain respect for the strong.

Kijima Tsukur smiled indifferently.

"That's not it."

"I see."

Nagumo Miyabi looked back at Horikita Manabu, suddenly revealing a terrifying smile.

Beneath that bright, cheerful smile, his voice carried a hint of delight.

"President Horikita, you can rest easy now, right? This guy definitely has the ability to join the Student Council."

"No, he does not yet have the qualifications to join the Student Council."

Horikita Manabu closed his eyes, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He absolutely could not let such a dangerous guy as Kijima Tsukur join the Student Council so easily.

At the very least, he had to probe Kijima Tsukur's character tonight; otherwise, he could never allow such a person to join.

Otherwise, the entire school might be ruined by Kijima Tsukur.

On the other side.

Hm?

Nagumo Miyabi's brows furrowed.

That shouldn't be right, should it?

Hadn't Kijima Tsukur's strength already been clearly demonstrated?

He clearly had the ability to join the Student Council.

In Nagumo Miyabi's view, Kijima Tsukur was fully qualified to be his opponent, and Horikita Manabu shouldn't have to worry about Kijima Tsukur being "ruined" by him.

Why was he still refusing?

Was his own reputation in Horikita Manabu's eyes really that high?

Thinking of this, Nagumo Miyabi felt a bit conflicted, unsure whether to be happy or worried.

Being valued so highly by his senior, Horikita Manabu, was naturally pleasing, but it meant losing Kijima Tsukur as an opponent.

Forget it.

After Horikita Manabu graduated, it wouldn't be too late to find Kijima Tsukur to pass the time.

Nagumo Miyabi looked at Kijima Tsukur and spread his hands with a look of feigned embarrassment:

"My apologies, but whether or not you can join the Student Council is up to the President; there's nothing I can do."

"When did I ever say I wanted to join the Student Council?"

"Hm?"

"Nagumo Miyabi, it seems President Horikita over there is still a bit more perceptive than you."

With that, Kijima Tsukur stood up and walked toward the door.

He had never intended to join the Student Council in the first place; he could barely take care of his own life, so where would he find the energy to join the Student Council? He had only come today to scout for some information.

Just as Nagumo Miyabi wore a look of confusion, Kijima Tsukur's voice drifted in from outside the door once again.

"You are like a frog that has just crawled to the mouth of a well; seeing the lake before you, you mistake it for the ocean. Once you see the true ocean, you will understand—"

"To see me is to see God!"

Chapter 18: Social Etiquette, Yamamura Miki's Dream

Student Council room.

By the time Ichinose and Katsuragi had left the room, Kijima Tsukur was long gone.

As for Yamamura Miki, She had been the first to slip away right after Kijima Tsukur.

The remaining Student Council members were left completely bewildered, the words Kijima Tsukur had just uttered still echoing in their minds:

"To see me is to see God!"

Thinking of this, Tachibana Akane and the others were somewhat dazed, clearly stunned, and it took them a long while to snap out of it.

They had seen people act arrogant before, but never anyone who could act this arrogant...

Although Kijima Tsukur did seem to possess some ability, he shouldn't be this conceited. Comparing himself to God? Did this guy actually think he was a deity?

At this thought, Tachibana Akane and Kiriyama secretly observed Nagumo Miyabi's expression, as the remark was clearly intended for him.

Nagumo Miyabi, however, was even more bewildered.

It took him quite a while to realize that the statement was directed at him.

Once he did, Nagumo Miyabi felt even more disgusted...

Earlier, Kijima Tsukur had felt slighted, yet he hadn't shown a hint of anger, instead maintaining a condescending posture throughout.

Nagumo had originally assumed Kijima Tsukur had a good temperament, or perhaps had realized his status among the second-years and didn't want to make an enemy of him.

After all that...

In Kijima Tsukur's eyes, he was merely a frog that had just crawled to the mouth of a well? What incredible arrogance!

From childhood to the present, Not even Horikita Manabu had ever dared to look down on him like this!

"I see... this feeling is indeed quite strange."

Thinking of this, Nagumo Miyabi rubbed his chin, almost wanting to laugh.

This was likely the feeling Kijima Tsukur had just experienced; the feeling of being looked down upon by someone weaker was indeed quite strange.

However, who was truly the weak one?

Strength that hasn't been proven through action is not enough to command respect!

Nagumo Miyabi naturally felt that he belonged to the side of the strong, and he didn't take Kijima Tsukur's words to heart at all, dismissing them as mere posturing.

Feeling the gazes of those around him, Nagumo Miyabi helplessly fiddled with his hands and smiled:

"Goodness... every grade has people who overestimate themselves like this. This year's freshmen are truly beyond expectations."

"They are indeed unexpected."

Vice President Kiriyama said with some doubt: "Setting aside Katsuragi and Ichinose, that guy named Kijima has no manners at all. Logically speaking, he shouldn't have been assigned to Class A."

"Who knows? Perhaps the class assignment rules are different this year."

Nagumo Miyabi leaned back in his chair, tilted his head, and smiled at Horikita Manabu, who sat in the main seat:

"Horikita-senpai, are you really not planning to let that guy join the Student Council? Personality aside, I think his strength is more than sufficient."

"Nagumo."

Tachibana Akane scolded him sharply: "Continuing to provoke the President will do you no good. Furthermore, as a senior, you should set a good example. If you keep this up, you will eventually reap what you sow."

"Tachibana-senpai~ how scary~"

Nagumo Miyabi spread his hands, his tone light and frivolous.

Everyone knew that the so-called "sufficient strength" meant that Kijima Tsukur had the strength to challenge him, Nagumo Miyabi.

"A pity."

Horikita Manabu leaned back in his chair and glanced at him:

"He didn't seem to have any intention of joining the Student Council to begin with; he was only here to gather information. I currently have no plans to add anyone to the Student Council. If you're interested, do it yourself once you become the President."

"That is truly a shame. It's already this late, so if you'll excuse me, I shall take my leave."

Nagumo Miyabi checked the time, stood up, and left the Student Council room.

The more one responded, the more excited Nagumo Miyabi became; the more indifferent one was, the more he lost interest.

After Nagumo Miyabi and Kiriyama left, only the two third-years remained in the Student Council room.

"President Horikita."

Tachibana Akane glanced at the closed door and said with some hesitation, "Although that Kijima is a bit rude, I feel he should have the ability to deal with Vice President Nagumo, right?"

She was well aware of the situation.

Horikita Manabu and Nagumo Miyabi were locked in a fundamental clash of ideologies.

Horikita Manabu leaned toward competition based on collective units, while Nagumo Miyabi leaned toward meritocracy, competing purely as an individual.

And from this single meeting, Kijima Tsukur had already perceived this, which was enough to demonstrate his capability.

Even to someone like her, an ordinary person.

With Kijima Tsukur's strength, he was fully capable of inheriting Horikita Manabu's philosophy and standing against Nagumo Miyabi.

Therefore, even from Tachibana Akane's perspective, Horikita Manabu's refusal of Kijima Tsukur seemed somewhat inconceivable.

"No."

Horikita Manabu said in a deep voice, "We must be even more cautious when dealing with him. Alright, Tachibana, you can head back now as well."

"Eh?" This was the first time she had seen Horikita Manabu act so cautiously, and Tachibana Akane was visibly stunned:

"President, although that guy has a bad personality, he shouldn't be that big of a problem, right?"

"It's not that; I'm referring to his strength."

Recalling that terrifying aura from just moments ago, Horikita Manabu's voice still trembled slightly:

"That guy is the most frightening existence I have ever encountered."