Classroom of the Elite, It's Not About Meritocracy, It's About Me Ruling the World! 39

Even with Katsuragi and the others explaining, aside from a few members of the Katsuragi faction like Totsuka, no one else believed it at all.

Because, Kijima Tsukur's methods were too outrageous, compounded by the deliberate silence of Hashimoto Masayoshi and Kamuro Masumi.

People are more willing to believe what they want to see!

Rather than believing Kijima Tsukur was sharing information for free, they preferred to believe he was selling it for personal points, just at a price that was too low.

Of course.

This information was originally just speculated and gathered by Kijima Tsukur.

Strictly speaking, Others had no right to stop him, But they couldn't help it when Sakayanagi Arisu kept discussing it; she was intentionally intensifying the conflict.

Perhaps saying it that way is a bit inappropriate.

It was impossible to topple Kijima Tsukur based on this alone, and Sakayanagi Arisu didn't want to defeat her opponent just like that.

She was simply maintaining the conflict, Keeping the dissatisfaction alive in everyone's hearts and damaging their impression of Kijima Tsukur.

"Do you want to go over and take a look?"

Although Morishita Ai wasn't worried, she was more interested in observing Yamamura Miki's reaction.

"This..."

Yamamura Miki hesitated for a moment before nodding after a long while:

"Alright, are you going too?"

"Yeah, I don't have anything to do right now anyway."

"Then let's be quiet~"

The two curled their petite bodies, Sneaking over like two little mice.

The spectator stands on both sides were separated by a deep entrance aisle for the participants.

The two stood in the aisle, A position from which they could just barely hear the conversation between Kijima Tsukur and Sakayanagi Arisu.

Yamamura Miki and Morishita Ai stood on their tiptoes, their small hands gripping the wall, peeking their heads out slightly to secretly observe the two.

Chapter 36: Probing, Komatsu Kyo?

Spectator stands.

A few minutes earlier.

Watching Kijima Tsukur, who was spinning a Rubik's cube in one hand while flipping through a book with the other, Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane and walked slowly in front of him:

"Kijima-kun, aren't you going swimming?"

"Not interested."

"I heard from Kamuro-san that Kijima-kun should have had some experience in martial arts before, right?"

"Naturally."

"Which martial arts specifically have you studied? Don't look at me like that, I actually know a little bit about martial arts."

"Taekwondo, Karate, Aikido, Judo, Sanda, Boxing, Wrestling, Muay Thai, Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, Chinese Martial Arts, Capoeira..."

Why don't you just fly to the sky?

Kijima Tsukur rattled off a long list of martial arts in one breath, which Sakayanagi Arisu naturally didn't believe.

How old was Kijima Tsukur anyway?

A person could be considered a master if they mastered just one; how could anyone learn so many?

He probably just dabbled in them, Or perhaps he just knew the names?

"I heard from the teacher that the first place in the swimming class gets a reward of five thousand personal points. Since you've studied so many martial arts, you certainly wouldn't lack physical training. Don't you plan to give it a try?"

"Not interested."

"May I sit here?"

"Suit yourself."

Sakayanagi Arisu sat down beside Kijima Tsukur and smiled:

"Is it because the reward isn't enough? If Kijima-kun can take first place, I can personally contribute another twenty thousand."

"Not interested."

"Oh? Are you afraid of defeat?"

"..."

Kijima Tsukur looked at the textbook in his hands, his tone indifferent:

"Then let me answer you in a different way. The school has midterm and final exams; as long as you can rank in the top twenty of the class, I will offer fifty thousand private points as a reward. How about that?"

Given Sakayanagi Arisu's academic performance, the top twenty was a certainty; these private points were essentially a free gift.

However, the essence of this question, was to judge something more fundamental, to see through the other person's character and determine whether they could be manipulated by money.

As for the idea of getting something for nothing, it didn't actually exist.

If there is a first time, there will definitely be a second!

If one is manipulated by greed for money, their character and backbone will inevitably be corroded by it, and when they find themselves in dire straits, they will surely succumb to money.

As an ordinary person, such a character is not worth praising, but it doesn't pose much harm either.

But as a leader, being complacent over a few private points is a fatal flaw in character.

"Interesting. As it happens, I have no interest in money either."

Faced with the easily obtainable private points, Sakayanagi Arisu did not accept them either. She looked at the swimming pool and smiled:

"However, there is one thing I don't quite understand. Could Kijima-kun clear up my confusion?"

"Speak."

"You clearly distributed the private points you earned equally among everyone, yet for the past few days, I have led some students to accuse you of harming the class's interests by selling information. Kijima-kun, do you have no dissatisfaction at all?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was ethereal, and the smile remained on her lips.

She made no attempt to hide that she was the mastermind behind it; what she wanted to see more was Kijima Tsukur's reaction, as only by seeing his reaction could she more easily formulate her next strategy.

However, no matter how she attacked these past few days, Kijima Tsukur had no reaction at all.

It felt very much like the saying: "Let him be strong, the breeze blows over the hills; let him be fierce, the bright moon shines on the river."

Kijima Tsukur really didn't feel anything.

"None."

"Hmm..."

This impenetrable demeanor truly gave Sakayanagi Arisu a bit of a headache:

"This will undoubtedly affect your leadership position. Do you really not care at all? Could it be that you truly believe in the existence of Tenmei?"

"..."

Kijima Tsukur turned to the next page and said while reading:

"Then let me answer you in a way you can understand. Everyone has things they are good at. If I had to consider the opinions of my subordinates, I would have been exhausted to death long ago. All you need to do is gather the information for me and then obey orders."

As he spoke, Kijima Tsukur closed his book and glanced at her:

"Alright, you came here to probe for my weaknesses, didn't you? There's no need to be so circuitous in the future. I can tell you directly if you have any questions."

"I consider myself to have two weaknesses!"

"First, I am headstrong and generally do not listen to the opinions of those around me, but I personally believe that is because I haven't met anyone who can stand on equal footing with me."

"Second, I suppose I am lustful, but that is a weakness that doesn't count as one; I can maintain restraint when necessary."

"But..."

Kijima Tsukur suddenly turned his head and leaned in toward Sakayanagi Arisu, his cheek only a few centimeters away from her pretty face, his deep eyes seemingly ready to swallow her whole.

"My shortcomings are the destination you could never reach in your entire life!"

"..."

Sakayanagi Arisu met Kijima Tsukur's gaze without the slightest intention of backing down.

Although she didn't like it, she would never yield.

Just then, two little heads suddenly popped out from the walkway to the side.

"Is that so?"

The smile on the corners of Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth became even more delighted:

"However, I have discovered two more of your weaknesses."

"First, arrogance. Even the elites from political circles and wealthy families wouldn't dare to look down on me like this. To be underestimated to such a degree is truly a first since I was born."

"Second, you don't know how to utilize people's talents."

Seeing Kijima Tsukur sit back down, Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and explained:

"I have observed Morishita-san and Yamamura-san. Setting aside Morishita-san for a moment, Yamamura-san has a very faint presence, making her perfectly suited for gathering intelligence. Yet, you only keep her by your side as a secretary. This is a failure to recognize talent, don't you think?"

"Therefore, this is your limit."

Kijima Tsukur's expression remained unchanged, and he said indifferently:

"Although there are objective reasons involving my limited mobility, that is precisely why you need her to gather intelligence for you because your own strength is insufficient. As for me, I value something more core about her; she does a decent job of taking care of my daily life."

"..."

The corner of Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth twitched slightly, and she was genuinely infuriated.

She had indeed come this time to probe for information and issue a challenge.

But every time she interacted with Kijima Tsukur.

The core takeaway could always be summarized into two points.

When giving orders, it is Tenmei.

When being questioned, it is because you are incompetent!

This was simply unsolvable!

"Is that so? I hope you can maintain this attitude forever."

With that, Sakayanagi Arisu leaned on her cane and left, her heart filled with suppressed rage. It was the first time in her life she had been this angry.

Fine, fine, fine.

She absolutely had to thoroughly crush this self-righteous guy!