In a practical education, scheming against people? I can also do a little.

You're terrible at this, yet you're so addicted, tsk tsk.

You've practically bullied the person into a shell.

"Where's the shooting versus mode, where is it..."

Watching Ryuen Shoko search for the shooting competitive mode, Hoya Chukai couldn't help but stroke his chin, pondering that things couldn't go on like this.

"How about... we just play co-op mode?"

"Tch... I suppose that's the only way."

Ryuen Shoko looked disgusted. Watching Hoya Chukai start playing the game with his clumsy posture again, she began to feel that cooperation might be a major problem.

As expected, the two of them didn't even make it past the second level in their first round.

"Why did you rush out just now? Hold your ground, hold your ground!"

"Ah, I know, I know."

Scratching his head, Hoya Chukai felt like he was starting to understand how this was supposed to be played.

So, by the third round...

"Holy crap, wait for me."

"Don't rush, I'll clear a path for you first. Hey, watch your side."

As Hoya Chukai spoke, he controlled his in-game character to shoot down the enemies next to Ryuen Shoko, then continued to charge forward.

"Hmm..."

Although they got a high score this time, Ryuen Shoko felt very annoyed.

Yeah, she was being carried; there was absolutely no sense of actually playing the game.

"One more round?"

"No, it's boring."

"Then let's play something else?"

"Whatever."

Great, she was throwing a tantrum.

Hoya Chukai sighed, having no choice but to keep coaxing her to let her vent her frustration.

Not far away, a few students from Class D were observing Hoya Chukai.

"Is he that scumbag?"

"Seems like it. How does he have such a good relationship with Kushida?"

The people whispering here were none other than The Three Idiots: Yamauchi Haruki, Ike Kanji, and Sudo Ken.

Of course, among those discussing this, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki were the ones lacking intelligence; Sudo Ken was the most reliable of the three, he just happened to dislike studying and had a short temper.

"It's not just Kushida, I remember he's also close with Karuizawa and Ayanokoji, right? I heard he went to karaoke with a bunch of girls on Friday."

"Eh? Is it really that awesome?"

That part was indeed true, but many people overlooked Albert and Shibata Sou. There was no helping it; Albert looked like a bodyguard no matter how you looked at him, while Shibata Sou was ignored due to his low presence.

He wasn't the type of person with low presence, but since everyone around him had such high presence, he effectively became invisible by comparison.

The one who drew the most attention and jealousy was naturally Hoya Chukai.

"Ugh, I'm so envious. And with Kushida, too, wuwu."

Ike Kanji fake-cried, wishing he could build a good relationship with Kushida, never expecting someone from another class to beat him to it.

If she hadn't repeatedly stated that she didn't have a boyfriend, he would have been having a massive headache.

"Speaking of which, Sudo, are you still playing basketball over there? Don't you care about his relationship with Ayanokoji?"

"Care... why would I care about him?"

Suddenly being called out, Sudo Ken couldn't help but rub his head. In this world, he did indeed have a few lingering thoughts about Ayanokoji.

Chapter 70: You Dare! (4/10)

On the first day after school, he couldn't pay because he didn't have his phone, and it was Ayanokoji who helped him out.

If Ayanokoji were a boy, that would be one thing, but she was a girl—a beautiful girl who was completely oblivious to her own charm—so naturally, Sudo Ken was attracted to her.

But it was only attraction; he never dared to interact with her in any substantial way, only able to watch her silently.

Therefore, Yamauchi's words did indeed hit a sore spot, and he failed to sink the basketball into the hoop while he was shooting.

"No, I don't care. The basketball club is recruiting next week, and I'm going to join then."

"Stop obsessing over that stupid basketball of yours. Keep at it, and Ayanokoji will be snatched away."

"You guys are just overthinking it. If you really want to pursue her, then go for it. What's the point of just talking here?"

Sudo Ken mimicked throwing the basketball again, and this time, it went straight into the net.

His words naturally hurt Ike, who couldn't help but clutch his chest, feeling quite miserable.

"That's so hurtful, boo-hoo."

Ike Kanji, one of The Three Idiots, really wanted to fall in love, but his personality kept him from ever daring to pursue anyone.

What if he failed? Could they still be friends in the future?

They probably could... after all, Kushida had such a gentle and kind personality.

If Hoya Chukai had heard the thoughts inside Ike Kanji's head, he would have undoubtedly let out a scoff or two.

A kind personality? You don't even know the other side of Kushida, yet you want to pursue her?

A shallow man, shallow, far too shallow.

Hoya Chukai prided himself on not being such a shallow man, but he was currently having a massive headache. He was completely unable to understand what on earth Ryuen Shoko was thinking, and it had taken him ages of coaxing just to get her into a good mood.

"Alright, alright, no more playing around. How about we go get some milk tea?"

"Mm."

Having finally managed to soothe her, Hoya Chukai let out a sigh of relief. He and Ryuen Shoko arrived at a milk tea shop, ordered two drinks, and sat at a table to sip them.

"Is that the boss and the strategist?"

"Seems like it, right?"

Vaguely, Hoya Chukai felt like he heard someone whispering about him and Ryuen.

He couldn't help but lift his head to observe his surroundings, and he soon discovered that there were other people from Class C in the shop.

He simply gave a nod of greeting and didn't pay them any more mind. They were just classmates; they weren't particularly close, so a simple greeting was enough to be polite.

So why was he on such good terms with students from other classes?

"Oh my, isn't this Hoya-kun? What a coincidence, meeting again."

Sakayanagi Arisu popped up out of nowhere, though this time, her bodyguard had changed; it wasn't Kamuro.

"Why did you come to a milk tea shop?"

"Is there a problem with me coming over to order a cup of milk tea?"

"Did you drink too much coffee, causing insomnia, so you switched to milk tea?"

"..."

Hoya Chukai's words made Sakayanagi Arisu silently maintain her smile. What else could she say?

Just how much did this guy know? Or did he know nothing at all? Why did he keep dropping hints about what coffee meant?

"This must be Ryuen-san from Class C, right? Chukai-kun has told me quite a lot about you."

Sakayanagi Arisu sat down at the table with extreme familiarity, exactly as she had in the cafeteria yesterday.

"Oh? And you are?"

"Sakayanagi Arisu. Chukai-kun should have told you about me, right?"

"Ah, he did. Just a short, dumpy runt."

Hearing Ryuen Shoko's words, Hoya Chukai couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.

He could clearly see the veins on Sakayanagi Arisu's forehead starting to bulge, for heaven's sake.

So, did she really not sleep at all yesterday? She looked so haggard.

"Is that so, Hoya-kun? Did you say that before?"

The change in how she addressed him signaled that Sakayanagi Arisu was in a very bad mood. She narrowed her eyes at Hoya Chukai, and the words squeezed through her teeth made Hoya Chukai start whistling: "How could that be? Don't overthink it, young lady."

Had he said it? No. But even if he hadn't, he had to act as if he had—or perhaps as if he hadn't.

Otherwise, given Ryuen Shoko's comment, this petty woman would definitely hold a grudge, and who knew when she might pull out a dagger and aim it at her waist.

"Is that so? I really don't like people who are two-faced, you know~ Chu~kai~kun~"

She gritted her teeth while saying his name at the end. Hoya Chukai kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling, refusing to look Sakayanagi Arisu in the eye: "Right, right, I know, I know."

"Then why don't you dare look at me?"

"Ahem, I don't think that has anything to do with it."

"I think it has everything to do with it~"

"Fine, looking at you is fine, right? I get it."

Harassed by Sakayanagi Arisu, Hoya Chukai suddenly shifted his gaze toward her. He stared straight at her and said, "I get it."

This sudden behavior caught Sakayanagi off guard; the shock on her face for that split second was incredibly obvious. Ryuen Shoko, watching the drama from the side, couldn't help but chuckle: "Heh, so even you can be surprised."

"What, does Ryuen-san think I'm a robot? That I wouldn't be surprised?"

"Ah, well, you are an elegant young lady, after all. Logically speaking, you shouldn't be like that. Come to think of it, for a young lady, what's the meaning of always trying to hook up with someone else's man?"

"Oh? Are you saying that I am... a homewrecker?"

Sakayanagi Arisu felt that this woman was truly detestable, absolutely detestable.

Not only was her speech unpleasant, but she also loved to stir up trouble.

"Hey, Boss."

Just then, Hoya Chukai suddenly spoke up: "To deal with her, you have to be a bit ruthless. She likes it that way."

"What do you mean I like it ruthless?"

"Aren't you a masochist?"

"?"

Sakayanagi Arisu found that Hoya Chukai's personality seemed to keep changing. He was one way yesterday and another way today.

Although he had murderous intent yesterday, it was at least superficially harmonious. What was wrong with him today? Did he want to get into a heated confrontation with her right on the spot?

Could it be... because the female companion by his side today wasn't the same one as yesterday?

"Hoya-kun, could you explain exactly who is spouting such nonsense here?"

"If you aren't a masochist, why are you drinking coffee for no reason?"

So you knew all along! And yet you still claimed you couldn't sleep!

Sakayanagi Arisu had a weak heart; logically speaking, she shouldn't be drinking coffee, yet she loved it dearly, as if she wanted to torture herself this way.

She hated her own frail body, and she possessed a certain tendency toward self-destruction.

It was an illness that needed treatment. But she didn't want to be cured; she felt that this was just fine.

Whether it was fine or not, Hoya Chukai didn't know, but he still felt he should scold her. After all, with Ryuen here to back him up, what did he have to fear?

"Then tell me, how should I be ruthless?"

"Pin her to the table and spank her; that's definitely ruthless."

"You dare!"

Chapter 71: Putting on a Show in Front of Koenji (5/10)

Sakayanagi Arisu stared daggers at Hoya Chukai, her gaze sharp enough to devour him.