Classroom of the Elite, I Also Want to Be a Good Person

"The fact is, you have been judged by the school, your classmates, and your teachers as only being fit for Class D."

"I will prove them wrong." Horikita's expression darkened, but she did not waver.

"And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Aoyama Shiki pressed on with keen interest, not minding that Horikita couldn't provide an answer immediately.

The fact that the four classes were in a competitive relationship had already been established.

In the current state of Class D, making bold claims about leading the class to Class A would only invite ridicule.

"Let's exchange contact information. Tell me once you've thought it through."

Horikita Suzune's brother, Student Council President Horikita Manabu, was a very fat sheep; there were many ways to manipulate the situation between siblings who valued each other yet remained estranged, especially by keeping things hidden from both sides.

The Student Council President, who controlled the school, had undoubtedly already taken notice of him—the student who had uncovered the school's rules and used them to trade.

"Huh? Why would I exchange information with you?"

"What reason do you have to refuse? In terms of pure benefit, I've already proven my capability. Having more friends means having more paths."

"If you really wanted to be friends with me, you wouldn't speak so harshly."

Although her personality was somewhat arrogant, Horikita Suzune was not a simple-minded person. Confident in her observational skills, she judged that this boy, Aoyama Shiki, seemed to harbor some kind of malice toward her.

"Money buys friends, and a lack of money loses them."

"The information on Class D was bought from me, and I can do many other things, such as teaching someone how to earn the appreciation of the Student Council President and join the student council."

"If you need anything, you can look for Karuizawa; she has my contact information."

Dropping the perfect bait for Horikita Suzune, Aoyama Shiki walked toward the Class A classroom without looking back.

"Wait—"

"Sorry, I don't wait for people who aren't my friends."

Waving his hand, Aoyama felt inexplicably refreshed.

Bullying a cute ice-cold beauty, he had to admit, was a wonderful thing.

[What did Mashima want with you?]

Just as he returned to his seat, Aoyama received a text from Kamuro on his phone.

As partners who had worked together to aid the enemy yesterday, Kamuro likely didn't think Mashima calling him was a good thing. Could it be that Kamuro was worried about him?

Feeling even more pleased, he immediately replied to Kamuro, who might be worrying about him.

[Nothing important, just being hinted at that class interests are my own interests.]

According to the rules of Kouiku, once a student is assigned to a class, their own interests are bound to the class—they prosper together and suffer together.

Unless the student personally possesses twenty million private points.

[Letting you do whatever you want.]

[I might do even more reckless things in the future, so you'll have to protect me then.]

[I'll scold you a little lighter when that time comes.]

[Don't do that!!!]

[...]

One message after another, Aoyama and Kamuro chatted until class started.

Peaceful time flowed by slowly. Over the next few days, nothing major happened among the first-years, and time gradually reached mid-April.

"My brain is about to explode, I need a break."

In Aoyama's dormitory, Kamuro, who was sitting in the middle of the square table, stretched, threw her cushion next to Yamamura, and lay down, her small feet wrapped in black silk coming into Aoyama's line of sight.

Just like last Saturday, Kamuro had been dragged here by Aoyama for a study session today.

After his first attempt to invite her failed, he had utilized the pitiful-looking Yamamura, instantly defeating Kamuro, who was susceptible to soft tactics but resistant to hard ones.

"That's it? Kamuro, you're weak." Teasing Kamuro slightly, Aoyama looked at Yamamura. "Let's take a break too. I'll go cut some fruit to replenish our sugar."

"Leave that to me, Aoyama-kun."

"How can I let a guest do the work as the host?"

Moving his body to stand up from the cushion, Aoyama locked eyes with Kamuro, who was lying flat on the floor.

Perhaps because she was lying down, her already well-developed chest was even more prominent, possessing a sort of "breast gravity" that made his gaze drift downward for a moment.

"Hmph, men."

Glaring fiercely at the wandering-eyed Aoyama, Kamuro turned her body to face Yamamura's side.

Due to the movement, her smooth purple hair slid over her shoulder and draped onto the floor, revealing one side of her snow-white nape, which was completely flawless.

My fault, I guess? I'm just a boy in the prime of his youth.

Awkwardly scratching the back of his head, Aoyama walked to the refrigerator, took out several apples, washed and sliced them in the kitchen, and brought them out on a plate.

"Sorry for the poor hospitality, there are only apples in the fridge."

"That was indeed a poor reception." Having sat back up, Kamuro didn't stand on ceremony and reached out first.

One after another, three slices of apple vanished from the plate in an instant.

The refreshing texture brought on by the chilling was, simply put, excellent.

"Do you want to go to Keyaki Mall together tomorrow?" Aoyama suggested, looking at Yamamura, who wore a satisfied expression.

Kamuro might go shopping alone, but as for Yamamura, he figured she hadn't even been there once in the half-month since school started.

As a reward, he felt he had to take Yamamura out for some fun.

"I don't think there's anything fun to do there."

"Of course it wouldn't be fun if you went alone." Aoyama smiled teasingly, which made Kamuro purse her lips.

"Kamuro-san..."

Just as Kamuro opened her mouth as if to say something more, Yamamura was already looking at her with a pitiful expression.

Regarding the idea of going out on a holiday with friends.

For Yamamura, who had never had friends, it was something she had never even dared to imagine.

And if it were just the two of them—her and Aoyama—going out, she definitely wouldn't go, because she didn't want to cause Aoyama any trouble.

A boy and a girl going out alone on a holiday would be mistaken for a couple.

The moment she thought about a lowly person like herself being mistaken for the girlfriend of an outstanding boy like Aoyama, she felt that even committing seppuku wouldn't be enough to wash away the sin.

"Just this once." Sighing helplessly, Kamuro accepted Aoyama's proposal.

"I'll make sure you experience the joy of hanging out with friends."

"Don't make it sound like I didn't have friends back in middle school."

Facing Aoyama, Kamuro didn't give him a pleasant look at all, a clear difference in treatment compared to how she acted toward Yamamura.

"The neighbor's kid doesn't count as a friend."

"I haven't fallen that far!" With a glare, Kamuro couldn't help but take action.

Rolling up her book, she delivered a direct, heavy strike.

Chapter 17: The Bristling Horikita

First-year girls' dormitory.

Having finished her study tasks for the day, Horikita Suzune leaned against the headboard, intending to read a book to relax.

However, as she read, her mind involuntarily drifted back to the conflict that occurred before the holiday—that is, yesterday.

In the dispute caused by herself and Sudo, the victim wasn't one of the two of them, and the core contradiction of the conflict was once again glossed over.

What on earth is that guy Hirata doing?

Closing the book, Horikita Suzune felt no gratitude toward Hirata, who in the eyes of others had taken a punch from Sudo for her sake.

As long as the issue of Sudo occasionally being late wasn't resolved, Class D's class points would forever remain at the bottom.

Because of Sudo's lead-by-example behavior, many students in the class had already developed the negative mindset of, "Why should I restrain myself when that jerk Sudo can be late whenever he wants without issue?"

The argument with Sudo could even be said to have been deliberately provoked by her.

Even if it meant using forceful methods, she had to solve this problem, but for some reason, Hirata kept getting in the way.

If it were my brother, how would he solve this?

Horikita Suzune thought of her omnipotent brother, who had not only maintained his position in Class A for three years but was also the student council president standing at the pinnacle of the school.

Although she wanted so, so much to seek her brother's help, she didn't want to disappoint him.

To be the younger sister of the student council president, yet be assigned to the trashiest class, Class D.

The mere thought that she might tarnish her brother's reputation made Horikita Suzune terrified, to the point where she was afraid to even meet him.

Even though half a month had already passed since enrollment.

Does that guy Aoyama Shiki have a solution?

Horikita Suzune recalled the boy who had claimed a few days ago that he could enter the student council whenever he pleased.

In terms of appearance, Aoyama was the most outstanding first-year she had ever seen; the gentle expression beneath his short hair gave off a mature feeling, and he carried an air of scholarly refinement about him.

Being looked down upon by him was better than being looked down upon by her brother.

[Give me Aoyama Shiki's contact information. He said you have it.]

Having made up her mind, Horikita Suzune found Karuizawa's avatar in the class group chat and immediately initiated a private message.

The longer things dragged on, the further Class D's points would fall behind the other classes.

This was something she could not tolerate.

To prove herself, Horikita Suzune decided to lead Class D to rise to Class A.

Once that happened, who would dare say she had brought shame to her brother, the student council president?

[Horikita Suzune is asking for your contact info. Should I give it to her?]

Suddenly, Aoyama received a message from Karuizawa.

Since being coerced by her, this was the first time Karuizawa had initiated contact with him.

[Take five thousand private points from her; if she gives them, consider it a gratuity for yourself.]

Taking off his sweat-soaked undershirt, Aoyama rested for a good while after his workout before using his phone to reply to Karuizawa.

Based on his understanding of Horikita Suzune, leaving her hanging wouldn't cause any issues; it might even strengthen her resolve to contact him.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

She was actually calling directly? You really are something, Horikita.

After waiting a moment and noticing an unfamiliar number, Aoyama answered and spoke in a casual tone, "Moshi moshi, this is the money-grubbing Aoyama Shiki."

"I have something to discuss with you. Naturally, I will pay," Horikita Suzune said in a cold tone.

"Time, place."

"Fifteen minutes. I'm coming to your dorm. Please hide your personal items well."

"You wouldn't happen to have chosen my dorm because you think I'd ask you to treat me, would you?" Standing on the balcony gazing at the starry sky, Aoyama smiled at the sky while holding his phone.

With her choosing his dorm as the location, that was the only explanation he could think of besides the need for secrecy.

"After all, you give off the impression of a boy who loves to take advantage of others, Mr. Money-Grubber."

"501. Just push the door open in fifteen minutes."

Unbothered by Horikita Suzune's sarcasm, Aoyama gave his reply and hung up the phone.

Fifteen minutes—taking a shower and tidying up the room would be a bit tight.

"I didn't expect it to be unexpectedly clean." Horikita Suzune cast her gaze around, finding not a single trace of clutter in sight.