Scheming in the real world? I can also do a little.

"It's just a quick chat, don't worry, it won't take long."

"But Koenji, have you seen those two girls over there? The look on that girl's face makes me want to run away right now."

The sight of the girl in the distance smiling so brilliantly made Hoya Chukai shiver; he was genuinely afraid of that young lady.

Right now, he just wanted to go back and study properly, otherwise, he wouldn't know how to answer if he ran into Shiina for a pop quiz tomorrow.

"Oh? I didn't expect our little fox boy to have something he fears? She is just a lovely young lady, after all."

As a man of beauty, Koenji naturally wouldn't insult others, especially a girl like Sakayanagi Arisu.

He looked toward Sakayanagi Arisu and even made a gesture in her direction.

You really have nerves of steel, brother.

Forget it, I might as well just sit here. Since it's going to be a pain either way, why not just enjoy it?

"Fine, whatever you have to say, say it quickly. I'm in a hurry to escape this scene."

"But little fox boy, haven't you considered that you can hide today, but you can't hide tomorrow?"

"I just feel very tired today. After all this back and forth, I just want to go back, take a nice bath, and relax."

"Alright, alright, I really will be done with my questions very quickly."

But no matter what Hoya Chukai said, Koenji wouldn't let him off the hook. He smiled and asked Hoya Chukai: "So, little fox boy, what exactly are you planning to gain by going through all the trouble of coming out for coffee with those girls from my class?"

"Gain? I think you should have figured out what this school is trying to do by now, so there's no need to mess with me here, right? I'm helpless too. For the sake of defense, I have to make some preparations so I'm not caught empty-handed when the time comes."

Hoya Chukai clapped his hands together and looked at Koenji: "Wait, don't tell me one of the people I was just talking to is a target you want to hunt? If you tell me, I promise I won't make a move."

"Ha, I only enjoy appreciating the beauty of nature with upperclassmen. As for those girls in the class... they aren't sexy at all~"

"Then can you let me go? I really want to go back, take a bath, and get some rest..."

Chapter 26: He might be a... scumbag?

Clearly, he could not.

Koenji's leg still hadn't moved.

As for stepping over that leg... Hoya Chukai didn't dare. His intuition told him that if you can't afford to offend someone, you should talk to them properly; if you try to run, things might end very badly.

"So, what other questions do you have? Ask quickly."

Hoya Chukai was exhausted to the point of death. He really wanted to go back, take a nice bath, and then buy some drinks to call Ayanokoji over to the dorm, where they could eat and he could teach him some basic common sense.

As for why he had to call Ayanokoji... it was nothing special, just because he was beautiful. Isn't it a pleasure to do anything with a beauty in front of you?

As for whether this counted as harassment... well, that's just the way of the world. The affection between men and women is part of secular life. Besides, he had no intention of making a move; he just wanted to admire a beauty.

Perhaps calling him shameless would be a compliment.

"Alright, alright, I'll ask another question—what do you think about Ayanokoji?"

"What, are you starting to care about your classmate?"

"I just think she's very interesting."

"Don't worry, I won't lay a hand on her. It's just that she's so naive about the world that I can't bear to watch. Enough, stop looking at me like that. I don't have any intention of making her a woman right now."

"Just 'right now'?"

"Who can guarantee the future?"

"Hahaha, as expected, you really are an interesting existence, little fox boy. Fine, fine, you can go now, but you'll have to get past that obstacle over there on your own."

Koenji retracted his leg, acting as if he had only wanted to find out that bit of information.

Not far away, Sakayanagi Arisu had already stood up from her seat early, arriving at the entrance a step before Hoya Chukai.

Clearly, it was impossible to avoid interacting with her.

Watching Hoya Chukai's retreating figure, a teasing expression appeared on Koenji's face.

"Hmm, high school life is certainly going to be exciting."

"Hey, where are you going?"

Sakayanagi Arisu watched Hoya Chukai walk past her without even saying hello, so she extended her cane to block his path.

"What is it, Sakayanagi? I'm a bit exhausted today. If it's alright with you, can we talk tomorrow?"

It was true; whether it was arguing with Horikita, manipulating Kushida, or educating Ayanokoji, these were all quite taxing tasks for him. Not to mention he had been in class all day. He felt his day had been a bit too full, and now he just wanted to go back and relax.

People only have so much energy. After setting up all his schemes, he was naturally exhausted.

"Then I will only say one thing to you: Ayanokoji is my target. Do you understand?"

Sakayanagi Arisu retracted her cane and tapped it gently against the ground to show her resolve.

"Don't worry, I won't turn her into a woman. She belongs to you."

"That is not what I meant!"

Hearing Hoya Chukai's suggestive remark, Sakayanagi Arisu was so angry she tapped her cane against the ground again: "I mean, she is my opponent. You need to be careful."

"Don't worry, you two will have a showdown sooner or later. I'm just purely worried about her naivety. You two will face off eventually, don't worry, don't worry."

Waving his hand, Hoya Chukai's figure gradually receded into the distance. Watching him go, Kamuro Masumi couldn't help but glance at Sakayanagi Arisu.

She didn't know what to say. It seemed that her greatest fear might actually be coming true: Sakayanagi Arisu was starting to take an interest in Hoya Chukai.

"How nice. High school life is truly wonderful."

Yet, she saw a look of genuine pleasure on Sakayanagi Arisu's face: "Kamuro, you talked to him for so long yesterday. What kind of person do you think he is?"

"Hoya-kun?"

Recalling the many events of the previous day, she shook her head: "I suppose... he's a good person."

"A good person? Just a white fox in sheep's clothing. Very well, let me see just how far he can go. Let's go, it's time for dinner."

"Yes, My Lady."

"I feel you should call me Master instead."

"My apologies, I don't think I'm shameless enough for that. Besides, My Lady, I only follow you because of that one incident; don't go thinking I'm your slave."

"Tsk, aren't you?"

"I can hear you, My Lady."

"By the way, why do you call me My Lady?"

"Hoya-kun calls Ryuen 'Big Sister,' so I don't see why I can't call you My Lady, right? My Lady."

"Suit yourself."

The two continued their conversation as they left the cafe.

Having finally shaken off all his troubles, Hoya Chukai decided to go buy some dinner.

Since he planned to eat well tonight, he decided to go all out with fried chicken, skewers, and beer. At this moment, he seemed to have completely forgotten his earlier intentions of being frugal.

Perhaps this was just the arrogance of a winning streak; when one has money, one chooses to spend it. Otherwise, why else would he be a "moonlight clan" member who spent his entire paycheck every month?

Saving money? That didn't exist. One must enjoy life while they can. Today's progress was very nice, so a simple celebration was in order.

Besides, since he was inviting Ayanokoji to his dorm, he couldn't be too stingy. He had to lay out all the good food.

Add some cola-flavored fried chicken, grab some oden from over there, oh? And grilled sausages? Give me two.

Unlike his usual self, who would calculate every cent, Hoya Chukai was in a fantastic mood right now. He was as happy as a child.

It made sense; aside from those suffering from anorexia, who could hate a good meal? Especially when it consisted of various delicious snacks.

While waiting for his food, Hoya Chukai didn't forget to send a message to Ayanokoji: 'Go downstairs and buy two six-packs of beer, then wait for me at my door. I'm buying food right now, we can eat and chat in a bit.'

Drinking and hanging out in his room with a girl he'd only met the day before—it didn't exactly look like the behavior of a decent person. But since Ayanokoji's common sense level was near zero, there was nothing more to say. Naturally, she agreed.

After all, in her understanding, she and Hoya Chukai were already friends. If a friend invites you over, buying a few things to bring along is perfectly fine, right?

She really didn't seem to have a deep understanding of the dynamics between men and women.

Tsk, for no reason at all, he felt even more worried that she might be deceived by a bad man.

Humming a tune, Hoya Chukai returned to the dormitory and saw Ayanokoji Kiyohime, who had been waiting for some time. He opened the door to invite her in, and once they both stepped inside, the door clicked shut.

However, Hoya Chukai didn't notice that in the room diagonally across from his, a door had been left slightly ajar. A young man had been observing for a long time. He watched Ayanokoji waiting for Hoya Chukai, and he watched Hoya Chukai invite her into his room. He couldn't help but swallow hard; he seemed to realize...

His neighbor... might be a scumbag?

Chapter 27: Starting an Education in Common Sense

"I don't have any extra slippers in the dorm, so you can just take your shoes off."

Hoya Chukai placed the various snacks on the table and took the beer from Ayanokoji to set it beside the small table.

He had cleaned the small table that morning. Because he had gone so hard with the drinking yesterday, he didn't plan on binge-drinking today; instead, he intended to pace himself and make the night last.

After all, drinking was just a way to foster friendship. As for why he was drinking with a girl...

Well, he hadn't thought about it. He just had a craving for it.

Ayanokoji Kiyohime took off her shoes and socks, walking barefoot on the floor.

Sitting in his chair, Hoya Chukai glanced at her feet... small and delicate, quite pretty.

Is this what a perfect creation looks like? You have to admit, the exterior is quite flawless.

"Why do I feel like your gaze is strange?"

Ayanokoji Kiyohime sat opposite Hoya Chukai, her posture as poised as ever.

"It's supposed to be strange. After all, you need to be aware of your own appearance. A beauty will naturally be targeted by hungry wolves... but then again, you really dared to come to the boys' dorm alone?"

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

Ayanokoji Kiyohime didn't understand what Hoya Chukai meant by that.

"A man and a woman alone in a room—aren't you afraid I might do something to you?"

"You can't beat me in a fight."

"What about drinking? Aren't you afraid that if you get drunk, I might take advantage of you?"

"You can't outdrink me."

Alright, two short sentences, absolutely invincible.

Indeed, in a certain sense, once those two conditions were met, Ayanokoji Kiyohime was truly in no danger; after all, Hoya Chukai couldn't beat her.

He was merely a fox, so how could he possibly defeat a tiger?

"Ah, as expected, that naive look of yours is truly worrying."

Hoya Chukai knew exactly what Ayanokoji Kiyohime's problem was—she didn't understand the ways of the world.

Whether it was daily life or academics, she had no issues, but the moment it involved social nuances or interpersonal matters, she was completely clueless.

The fact that she had tried to aim for a middle-of-the-road score on an exam and ended up getting exactly 51 points in every subject was a perfect example. To many people, she probably just looked like an idiot; she didn't even know how to fake it.

Indeed, she didn't know how to fake it, because she was only capable of scoring a perfect one hundred. She had never experienced interaction or contact with others, so naturally, she didn't know the level of an average student. Thus, she had simply assumed that 51 points was the median.

It was the same concept as "why don't they just eat meat porridge?"—without the experience, there was no frame of reference. Her core issue was social.

Ayanokoji was an excellent, perfect creation, a test subject from something called the White Room.

Well, Hoya Chukai had only read fanfiction, so he didn't know what the White Room was actually like. But that didn't matter; he only needed to know what kind of place the White Room was.

According to his understanding, what was it? A bug-fighting pit.

In the end, only the most venomous insect could emerge victorious; all that talk about "friendship first" was nonsense. If you weren't the champion, you died.

This was what created Ayanokoji. She had never made friends with anyone and had never understood the ways of the world. She always got perfect scores in her studies because if it wasn't a perfect score, she couldn't surpass the others.

Her academic ability was definitely at an S-level, and her physical training was surely at an S-level as well. She might even know free-style wrestling, combat, and more. If she had also cultivated her character, she might have even touched upon art, music, and board games. It was as if she were proficient in all the Six Arts of a gentleman.

"Alright, eat whatever you want. I invited you here just to treat you to some food."

"Treat me... to food?"

I don't know how it happened, but after Ayanokoji Kiyotaka became Ayanokoji Kiyohime, she actually seemed a little bit dorky and cute. Perhaps this was the difference between men and women?

"Yeah, friends treating each other to meals is a common thing, right? The way I see it, you're just a sheltered little princess who never steps out of the house, completely unaware of what the outside world is like. You suddenly arrived here and don't understand anything."

Biting into a skewer and drinking beer, Hoya Chukai couldn't help but let out a sigh: "Woo, that's refreshing. This dump might as well be heaven to me right now."