The real estate agent's gaze was almost predatory. Even though Ryuen Shoko was supposedly the one in charge, he seemed like the true mastermind behind the scenes.
As an onlooker, Shiina Hiyori could see the truth more clearly the longer she watched Ryuen Shoko and the real estate agent.
What kind of king and strategist were they? Nothing like that.
She was the blade. He was the one wielding it.
The real estate agent was a puppeteer, holding the strings and manipulating others like puppets.
"What's wrong? You've had that look on your face ever since we left the room."
Seeing Shiina Hiyori clutching her schoolbag and looking wary of him, the real estate agent couldn't help sniffing at himself.
He didn't smell of alcohol. So why was she so worried? He wasn't a bad kid.
"Nothing. I just think you're scary, that's all."
Shiina Hiyori shook her head. Then she remembered something. "By the way, Hoya, did you read the book I recommended?"
"Ah, haha. Sorry, sorry. I was trying to find out what was going on in the other classes yesterday, and when I got back to the dorm, I only read A Brief History of Time. I didn't get to the book you recommended."
From Shiina's words, the real estate agent knew he'd messed up. Shiina loved reading and recommending books, and if she recommended one to you, it meant she thought well of you. But he hadn't read it, so he had to come up with a decent excuse.
At least he hadn't skipped reading entirely. He'd read A Brief History of Time, after all.
"Why didn't you read the book I gave you?"
"Sorry, sorry. I borrowed A Brief History of Time from the library, and it had a return date, so I read that one first."
The excuse wasn't particularly convincing, but it was reasonable enough. Shiina only puffed out her cheeks and said nothing.
After his awkward laugh, the real estate agent glanced at his watch. It was already half past twelve.
Hmm... I'm running out of time.
"Then, Shiina, you go to the cafeteria first. I need to head back to the dorm and take care of something."
"Oh, I don't eat lunch in the cafeteria."
Shiina Hiyori replied with a smile. She really didn't go to the cafeteria; she usually prepared her own lunch.
As for why she'd come out of the room with the real estate agent, it was because Ryuen Shoko had said she needed some time alone in the classroom, so Shiina had been forced to find somewhere else to eat.
"Okay, then. I was going to ask you to bring lunch to our big sis, but if you're not going, I'll have to take it myself."
The real estate agent rolled his shoulders, ready to part ways with Shiina Hiyori. But just then, she stopped.
"Hoya, can I ask you something?"
"Hmm? Go ahead."
"Are you... really willing to submit to Ryuen?"
"Heh... As long as she doesn't abandon me, I'll live and die by her side."
Chapter 18: A Similar Aura
Watching the real estate agent walk away, Shiina Hiyori softly repeated what he'd just said.
If she doesn't abandon you, you'll live and die by her side? I knew it. You never intended to serve beneath anyone.
She hadn't been mistaken. The two of them weren't a king and her subject, but a blade and the one wielding it.
It made sense. The real estate agent didn't want to be the boss; he just found it a hassle. But that didn't mean he was willing to submit to some kid in her early teens.
Before he'd transmigrated, he'd been an adult in his twenties. If he was going to work under a sixteen-year-old kid, she'd better have some real ability.
So far, all he could acknowledge was her appearance. As for her ability... she was good at fighting.
What good was being good at fighting? In this world, you needed ability and connections. Otherwise, you were just a nobody.
In terms of ability, she couldn't compare to Ayanokoji. In terms of connections, she couldn't compare to Sakayanagi. So what use was she? In the original story, she was just a clown.
And yet the real estate agent was willing to give her chances. One chance, then another, and even more after that.
As long as she could still unite and lead Class C, he'd keep giving her chances.
She was only sixteen, after all. What more could you expect? Even adults kept making mistakes and growing from them. She just had to avoid falling into the same pit over and over.
As a nine-tailed fox, the real estate agent felt that sometimes you needed someone to stand out in front.
"Whew. My uniform should be dry by tomorrow, right?"
Feeling the sunlight outside, the real estate agent squinted slightly.
Yeah, he hated sunlight. It was so glaring.
It was the beginning of April, and the temperature had already risen. Clothes would dry in a day now.
As for what he'd do later... He could use a hair dryer to dry them. People always found a way to survive, didn't they?
Humming a tune, the real estate agent headed to the cafeteria. It was already twelve forty, but he wasn't in the least bit flustered. He ordered two takeout meals and carried them back to the classroom.
He didn't think Ryuen Shoko would come to the cafeteria for lunch, so he'd gotten two meals to take back to her.
And if she did come to eat? He'd just save one for dinner or a snack.
He was a teenager, after all. He had a healthy appetite. Eating one extra meal was no big deal.
That was why the real estate agent always had a plan. No matter what happened, he wouldn't lose out.
"Hey, who are you bringing food to this time?"
The real estate agent hadn't expected anyone to stop him.
He looked over. It was... a little girl.
Well, he hadn't read the original story, but he could guess who she was.
Sakayanagi Arisu.
Her height, her hair color, and the female attendant beside her, Kamuro Masumi, were enough to confirm it.
"Why do I get the feeling you're thinking something really rude?"
"You're imagining things."
He replied casually, then looked at Kamuro Masumi, who was standing beside her with her head lowered and saying nothing. "So, Sakayanagi from Class A, what do you want with me?"
"You know who I am?"
"I do. Kamuro told me about you yesterday."
As he spoke, he looked at Sakayanagi Arisu's face. "She said there was a strong-willed and cute girl in Class A. I figured she must have meant you."
He didn't mention Sakayanagi Arisu's height or how frail she looked. He and Sakayanagi weren't enemies, so insulting her wasn't something a gentleman should do.
Even though he didn't consider himself a gentleman or a virtuous man, he still had his own principles.
"Strong-willed and cute? Hey, Kamuro, did you really say that?"
Sakayanagi Arisu immediately turned to Kamuro Masumi, who hastily looked up in alarm. "Huh?"
"Did you say yesterday that I was a strong-willed and cute girl?"
Sakayanagi Arisu repeated herself.
"Um... I don't think so?"
"Why did you say that as a question?"
"Maybe she doesn't remember clearly. She drank too much yesterday, so it's only natural she'd forget some things."
The real estate agent said it casually. As for what the two of them had talked about yesterday, he couldn't remember either.
He'd only guessed that she was Sakayanagi Arisu based on what he knew of the plot.
"Is that so? She drank too much. So you took care of her all night?"
"Not exactly. I was drunk too. The only two things I did to take care of her were wake her up in the morning and buy her breakfast."
The real estate agent answered honestly. A teasing look gradually appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face. "Oh? Is that right? Thanks to you taking care of her, her classmates have been making fun of her all day."
"Really? What did they say?"
"They said things like, 'She actually fell for someone from Class C,' 'Does she have such terrible taste?' and 'I didn't think you'd be into someone like that.'"
Sakayanagi Arisu imitated her classmates in a vivid, exaggerated way. The real estate agent's expression didn't change. Once she finished, he shrugged. "And?"
"And? Don't you feel sorry for her? Her own classmates are bullying her and all."
Sakayanagi Arisu continued to ask with a smile.
She was the sort who loved to watch others squirm.
If the real estate agent stormed into Class A and made a scene, that would be ideal.
Unfortunately for her, she was disappointed. The real estate agent simply nodded. "Oh, I see."
"You see? So you're not going to stand up for her?"
Seeing the real estate agent getting ready to leave, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't expected him to choose that.
But the real estate agent didn't stop. He kept walking. "First of all, Kamuro and I have nothing going on, so those rumors are just rumors. Second, I think you're the one who's really bullying her, more than anyone spreading those rumors. Lastly, cut down on the coffee. Too much isn't good for you."
"How do you know I drink coffee all the time?"
"The smell of coffee on you is so strong that I can't help noticing it, young lady. And it's good coffee, too. So drink less, or you won't be able to sleep at night and you'll be tired the next day."
As she watched the real estate agent walk farther away, the playful look on Sakayanagi Arisu's face grew more pronounced.
She turned to Kamuro Masumi. "Did you really tell him about me yesterday?"
"I... I really don't remember."
With her face flushed red, Kamuro Masumi couldn't remember a thing.
Seeing her like that, Sakayanagi Arisu laughed.
She picked up her cane and slowly headed back to class.
"That guy seems to have figured something out. If you're sure you didn't tell him, then it looks like he really is a little different."
Sakayanagi Arisu had a keen sense for these things. She could sense the aura around the real estate agent.
An aura much like her own.
Chapter 19: Eating at the Doorway? Nice One
"Hey, big sis, still thinking?"
The real estate agent grinned at the sight of Ryuen Shoko sitting at her desk, looking like a "thinker." He put the boxed lunch he'd brought her on her desk. "You haven't eaten, have you? I brought this from the cafeteria."
Seeing the food, Ryuen Shoko realized she was a little hungry. She didn't hesitate. She opened the lid and picked up her chopsticks.
It was only twelve forty-five, and class didn't start until one, so there was plenty of time to eat.
They just had to finish in ten minutes.
"You sure like bringing food to girls, don't you?"
"Give it a rest, big sis. And let's eat outside. The smell's strong."
Maybe it was because Ryuen had become a girl, but the real estate agent felt she was easier to deal with than in the original story.
At least when he suggested eating outside, Ryuen Shoko really did join him to eat their boxed lunches outside the classroom.
The two of them squatted in the doorway as they ate. Ryuen Shoko frowned between bites. "Why are we eating while squatting?"
"Food tastes better when you squat. Come on, big sis, don't overthink it. Hurry up and eat. We don't have much time for lunch."
It was impossible for the two of them squatting in the doorway of Class C not to attract attention from students in the other classes, but that was all.
As he ate, the real estate agent quickly watched the students around them.
Hmm, the students from Class A thought eating like this was uncivilized. No surprise there. They were a bunch of self-righteous snobs.
The students from Class B didn't say anything. They seemed interested, but didn't comment.
As for Class D... They sure did gossip. What a bunch of chatterboxes. They really said anything that came to mind.
Even though the girls over there were speaking quietly, the real estate agent had good hearing and could still make out what they were saying.
Words like "savages," "uncouth," and "unladylike" made it clear they weren't saying anything nice.
The two of them eating in the doorway wasn't a big deal—or rather, it really was pretty minor. What could anyone even say about eating in a doorway?
Anyway, they finished before the next class began. The real estate agent even threw their disposable lunch containers into the big trash can.
Before you continue