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

After all, Classmate Sakayanagi looked so confident; perhaps she really could provide a great solution.

"I'm sorry, this is... a secret." Cutting off the thought that had just emerged, Yamamura felt an urge to leave.

Setting aside the fact that her own troubles were difficult to put into words, the mere fact that Aoyama disliked Sakayanagi made it impossible for her to confide in her.

Although Sakayanagi was elegant, cute, and possessed a powerful aura, and in no way appeared to be the type to have a princess complex, that was Aoyama's judgment.

Compared to her own judgment, Yamamura trusted Aoyama's judgment more.

"It seems this has something to do with Classmate Aoyama, doesn't it?"

Without appearing deliberate in the slightest, Sakayanagi's lower leg inadvertently brushed against her cane, causing the base of it to slide into the space right between Yamamura's feet.

If she were to stand up suddenly without moving the cane, Yamamura realized she would definitely knock it over.

In the past, she would have quietly remained "sealed" by the cane until Sakayanagi stood up and left.

"I'm sorry, Classmate Sakayanagi, I have something to do... so I'll be going first."

Carefully picking up the cane and leaning it against the edge of the chair, Yamamura stood up in a hurry without answering Sakayanagi's question.

As if fleeing from something dangerous, she soon vanished from Sakayanagi's sight.

What on earth did that bastard Aoyama say to Yamamura to make her treat me like a pest?

Her smile gradually faded, and Sakayanagi's expression slowly darkened.

In her assessment, Yamamura belonged to the category of good children who couldn't refuse others and cared more about others' thoughts than her own.

Logically, she shouldn't be this resistant to her, nor would she ever run away so rudely.

No matter how well-prepared her rhetoric was, it was useless if the other person wouldn't even listen.

"Looks like you failed, Princess." With a flippant tone, Hashimoto sat down in the seat Yamamura had just vacated.

It was no coincidence that the mobility-impaired Sakayanagi had managed to corner the troubled Yamamura.

For several days in the classroom, after noticing that Aoyama was no longer chatting with Yamamura as he usually did, Sakayanagi had set her sights on her.

If she could flip Yamamura, she would be a trump card for dealing with that detestable Aoyama.

"I think Kamuro might be easier to handle. When it comes to girls, I should understand them better than you, Princess."

"Yamamura is clearly infatuated with Aoyama; there's no way she'll defect."

As a handsome, smooth-talking blonde, Hashimoto had seen his fair share of girls.

When it came to understanding the opposite sex, he was confident he knew much more than a young lady like Sakayanagi.

"Judging by Classmate Kamuro's independent personality, I don't think it's possible to persuade her to defect." Sakayanagi offered her own perspective.

"At the very least, the probability is much higher than with Yamamura, and besides," Hashimoto narrowed his eyes, "compared to a goody-two-shoes like Yamamura, someone like Kamuro is more likely to break school rules."

The middle school he attended had been quite chaotic; to put it nicely, it was a place where students easily unleashed their nature, but in reality, it was full of students who did whatever they pleased.

Based on his observations of Kamuro in class, she didn't hold much reverence for rules; she wasn't an ordinary girl.

Furthermore, it was certain that Kamuro hadn't developed any romantic feelings for Aoyama yet, otherwise, she wouldn't constantly give him looks of disgust.

"If you think it's possible, then by all means, go ahead and try."

Since Hashimoto insisted on his own opinion, Sakayanagi gave her permission, even though she didn't quite agree with him in her heart.

During the class meeting on May 1st, Aoyama had all but killed her chances of becoming the leader of Class A.

There were many students now willing to be friends with her, but not one of them would take action to topple Katsuragi for her sake.

After all, given Aoyama's usual arrogant behavior, no one thought he was lying.

If he dared to mess with Katsuragi, he would truly go on a rampage.

The consequences would be dire, and the students of Class A did not want to see that.

The only one who supported her and acted on her behalf was this capable, yet self-serving, Hashimoto.

Moreover, she had to "pay" him every month.

"Then, would you like me to escort you back to the dormitory building, Princess?"

"That won't be necessary; Classmate Nishikawa is already on her way."

Declining Hashimoto's kindness, Sakayanagi closed her eyes, signaling for him to leave, and began to ponder.

Is there any way to kick away this stumbling block named Aoyama? He is truly disgusting.

From the time she could remember up until high school, she was certain that Aoyama had never appeared in her memories; why did he harbor such great hostility toward her?

If he were a mere lackey or from another class, it would be fine; she would kick him to the curb without a second glance.

But he just had to be in her class, and his abilities were exceptionally outstanding.

He became the vice president the moment he joined the Student Council, and clearly a powerful one at that; he was ridiculously capable.

Keyaki Mall.

Having fled from Sakayanagi, Yamamura found herself wandering here without realizing it, as she didn't want to return to the dormitory just yet.

Starting from the first floor, she began browsing level by level until she reached the very top.

[Rentals, Custom Formal Wear, Cosplay Costumes]

Yamamura stopped in front of a shop that no one was visiting, and the image of Aoyama appeared in her mind.

Next time, I'll get you a maid outfit. I feel like it would really suit you.

His eyes had been full of joy; the Aoyama who said that back then must have truly meant it.

Chapter 50: A Busy Saturday

Saturday.

The usual trio for the study session in Aoyama's dormitory was missing one person.

"Just hurry up and make up already, you jerk." Kamuro propped her chin on her hand and looked up at Aoyama. "I don't want to be stuck studying in a room alone with just you."

She didn't dislike Aoyama, but she hated having to ask him for help.

Whenever Yamamura was around, she would always ask her instead.

"The problem is, Yamamura and I didn't even fight, but I'll talk to her tonight."

Setting down his pencil, Aoyama also felt that things couldn't go on like this; he had to have a proper conversation with her.

If she was too shy to face him, well, it had been several days now, so she should have calmed down by now.

"By the way, are you already starting to study second-year material?" Noticing that the textbook in front of Aoyama was different from her own, Kamuro leaned over to take a look.

"This is third-year material."

With a smug smile, Aoyama showed the first page of the book to Kamuro.

Although the reward from Rum's Eye wasn't top-tier, the ability to never forget what one has seen was a godsend for studying.

His thinking ability wasn't bad to begin with, and two months was more than enough for him to master the first and second-year curriculum.

"I hate geniuses."

"I'm just a little bit more hardworking than the average student." Aoyama made a gesture that would trigger any guy from that one country.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."

Giving Aoyama a grumpy retort, Kamuro went back to studying hard.

Yesterday, Friday, Mashima had already announced the date for the final exams, along with the warning that failing would lead to expulsion.

With her grades, she was guaranteed to pass, but they weren't exactly high either.

For a secretary of the Student Council, that was a bit embarrassing.

"How do you solve this problem? You jerk of a genius."

In order to improve her grades, Kamuro had no choice but to bite the bullet and ask Aoyama for help.

When she found out the Student Council could check students' exam scores, she had curiously looked up the grades of the other members.

The result was that everyone except her was an honor student, and many were academic elites with averages over ninety.

"Yes, yes, the jerk of a genius is here to help you."

Leaving his original spot, Aoyama chuckled and sat down next to Kamuro.

With Kamuro by his side, time seemed to pass very quickly.

The morning study session ended in a flash. After forcefully tagging along for a meal with Horikita Suzune at noon, Aoyama met up with the lovely Shiina at the library in the afternoon.

She wore a blue ribbon tied into a bow at her collar, and beneath her silver-white bangs, her beautiful purple eyes always held a gentle smile.

"It's just the two of us today. Does it feel like a library date?" Sitting down at their familiar small round table, Aoyama teased Shiina.

"Doesn't that make me the object of envy for the girls at school? My reputation as a girl has gone up, then."

The corners of Shiina's mouth curled as she countered nonchalantly.

Between the Student Council and their Saturday library sessions, she saw Aoyama six days a week.

She had already grown accustomed to his occasional teasing.

Aoyama held out his hands, palms up, toward Shiina. "In that case, you should thank me. Please pay the 'thank you' fee, thank you."

"You're welcome, young Aoyama-kun." Shiina chuckled and picked up three books. "Is the thanks you want this copy of Golden Mask Volume 1, or this copy of Golden Mask Volume 2?"

"I'm nothing like the woodcutter, though Shiina is so beautiful that it's quite believable to call you a female river god."

Adaptation isn't just making things up, Miss Shiina.

After a brief internal retort, Aoyama spoke, killing the conversation.

A river god is still a god, and generally speaking, goddesses are top-tier beauties.

Shiina, who had been chuckling, instantly turned bright red, and her face was quickly hidden behind a book from Aoyama's view.

"That's too exaggerated, Aoyama." Two shy eyes peeked out from above the thin book.

"Not exaggerated at all. I think it's just right."

Aoyama really wanted to pat Shiina's cute-to-a-fault little head, but with the small round table between them, he had no choice but to give up.

Picking up the first volume of Golden Mask that Shiina had placed back on the table, he began to read.

Soon, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere descended upon the space.

The only noise that echoed for a time was the rustling sound of pages being turned.

After playing a staring contest with Sakura Airi and having dinner with Horikita Suzune, it was already seven o'clock by the time Aoyama returned to his dormitory.

He sat at his desk for a while to surf the web, and figuring that Yamamura had finished her meal, he gave her a call.

Unlike previous times when she would pick up immediately.

This time, Aoyama waited for quite a while before hearing Yamamura's somewhat flustered voice on the other end of the line.

"I haven't seen you all day and I've missed you, can we meet?" Leaning back against his chair, Aoyama said to the phone with genuine sincerity.

Having only been able to chat with Kamuro in the classroom for the past few days, he had started to miss Yamamura's shy demeanor.

"Half an hour... wait half an hour... I will wait for you in my room."

"Alright, I will visit on time."

After agreeing and hanging up the phone, Aoyama felt that Yamamura seemed to be in a very nervous state, even more so than when he teased her in person, though he didn't know the reason why.

Still, in half an hour?

Glancing at the time on his phone, Aoyama had a slight concern.

Male students were not allowed on the female dormitory floors after eight o'clock; getting caught by the dorm supervisor would result in a deduction of class points.

It was already seven o'clock now, and going to Yamamura's room as agreed would only allow him to stay for half an hour at most—the time was neither long nor short.

He hoped things could be resolved as quickly as possible.