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

Hoya Chukai's gaze was as if it could devour a person; even though Ryuen Shoko was the current leader, it felt as though he were the true mastermind behind the scenes.

As a bystander, Shiina Hiyori watched Ryuen Shoko and Hoya Chukai, and the truth became increasingly clear to her.

The relationship between the two of them was hardly that of a king and a strategist.

She was the blade. He was the one wielding it.

Hoya Chukai was nothing more than a puppeteer, holding the strings and playing with others like puppets.

"What's wrong? You've had that look on your face ever since we came out of the room."

Hoya Chukai watched Shiina Hiyori clutching her book bag as if she were wary of him, and he couldn't help but sniff at his own clothes.

There was no smell of alcohol, was there? So why was she so worried? I'm not a bad kid, after all.

"It's nothing, I just think you're very terrifying, that's all."

Shiina Hiyori shook her head, then remembered something: "But Hoya-kun, have you read the book I recommended to you?"

"Ah, haha. Sorry, sorry. Yesterday, in order to understand the situation of the other classes, I only read A Brief History of Time when I got back to the dorms, and didn't get around to the one you recommended."

Hearing Shiina's words, Hoya Chukai knew he was in trouble. Shiina loved reading and recommending books, and her willingness to recommend one to you meant she held you in high regard. But since Hoya Chukai hadn't read it, he had to provide a somewhat plausible reason.

At least he hadn't read zero books; he had at least read A Brief History of Time.

"Why didn't you read the book I gave you?"

"Sorry, sorry. After all, A Brief History of Time was borrowed from the library and has a return date. So I prioritized that book."

Although this reason wasn't particularly strong, it held water, so Shiina just pouted and didn't say anything more.

After the awkward laughter ended, Hoya Chukai glanced at his watch; it was already twelve-thirty.

Hmm... time was getting a bit tight.

"Well then, Shiina-san, you go ahead to the cafeteria. I need to go back to the dorms to take care of some things."

"Ah, I don't go to the cafeteria for lunch."

Shiina Hiyori answered with a smile. She really didn't go to the cafeteria; she always prepared her own lunch.

As for why she had accompanied Hoya Chukai out of the room, it was only because Ryuen Shoko had said in the classroom that she needed some time alone, so she had no choice but to come out and find a place to eat lunch.

"Alright then. I was going to ask you to help bring lunch to the boss, but since you aren't going, I guess I'll have to take it myself."

Hoya Chukai stretched his arms, preparing to part ways with Shiina Hiyori. But at that moment, Shiina Hiyori suddenly stopped in her tracks.

"Hoya-kun, can I ask you a question?"

"Hm? Go ahead."

"Do you... really intend to submit to Ryuen-san?"

"Heh... as long as she doesn't abandon me, I shall stand by her through life and death."

Chapter 18: Similar Auras

Watching Hoya Chukai's departing figure, Shiina Hiyori couldn't help but whisper the words he had just spoken.

'If she doesn't abandon you, you will stand by her through life and death? As expected, you never intended to be under anyone.'

Her perception was not wrong; the two were not king and subject, but blade and wielder.

It was normal; Hoya Chukai didn't want to be the boss simply because it meant too much trouble. But that didn't mean he was willing to submit to a ten-year-old brat, either.

He was a man in his twenties before he transmigrated. If he were to work under a sixteen-year-old kid, the other party at least needed to have some capability, right?

But up until now, he could only acknowledge her looks; as for her strength... she could fight well.

What good was being able to fight? In this world, you needed strength and you needed connections, otherwise, you were just a small-time thug.

In terms of strength, she couldn't compare to Ayanokoji. In terms of background, she couldn't compare to Sakayanagi. So what was the point of her? In the original story, she was nothing more than a clown.

But Hoya Chukai? He was willing to give her a chance, willing to give her one, two, or even multiple chances.

As long as she could unite and lead Class C, he would continue to give her opportunities.

After all, she was just a sixteen-year-old child; what more could you expect? People continued to make mistakes and grow even after they became adults. As long as she didn't fall into the same trap repeatedly, it would be fine.

As a nine-tailed fox, Hoya Chukai felt that sometimes, someone still needed to stand at the front.

"Phew, the school uniform should be dry by tomorrow, right?"

Feeling the sunlight outside, Hoya Chukai narrowed his eyes slightly.

Ugh, he hated the sun. This sunlight was truly blinding.

It was early April, and the temperature had already risen. So, drying clothes now only took a day.

As for what to do later... he'd just use a hairdryer to dry them then. After all, a man can't be suffocated by his own problems, right?

Humming a little tune, even though it was already twelve-forty, Hoya Chukai wasn't in a hurry at all. He hummed his way to the cafeteria, chose two takeout meals, and then carried the two bags of food back to the classroom.

He didn't think Ryuen Shoko would come to the cafeteria for lunch, so he packed two portions for her.

As for if she actually came to eat... then he would just keep one portion for dinner or a late-night snack.

Being a teenager, his appetite naturally wasn't small. Eating an extra portion was nothing; it was no big deal.

It's no wonder they say Hoya Chukai has a way of thinking; he never loses out, no matter which way you look at it.

"Yo, who are you delivering food to this time?"

However, Hoya Chukai didn't expect to be blocked by someone.

He couldn't help but look over, and it was... a loli.

Well, even though he hadn't read the original work, he could guess who this was.

Sakayanagi Arisu.

Her height, hair color, and the presence of her female attendant, Kamuro Masumi, were enough to confirm her identity.

"Why do I get the feeling you're thinking about something very rude?"

"Just your imagination."

Responding casually, Hoya Chukai looked at Kamuro Masumi, who was standing to the side with her head down, staying silent. "So? Classmate Sakayanagi from Class A, is there something you need from me?"

"You know who I am?"

"I do. Classmate Kamuro talked to me about you yesterday."

As he spoke, he glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu's face. "She said there was a strong yet cute girl in Class A, and I figured that must be you."

He didn't mention anything about Sakayanagi Arisu's height, nor did he comment on her frail appearance. He wasn't enemies with Sakayanagi right now, so disparaging her wasn't something a gentleman would do.

Even if he didn't consider himself a gentleman or a man of virtue, he still had his own bottom line.

"Strong yet cute? Hey, Kamuro, did you really say that?"

Sakayanagi Arisu immediately turned her head to look at Kamuro Masumi, who was so startled she quickly looked up. "Huh?"

"Did you say I was a strong and cute girl yesterday?"

Sakayanagi Arisu repeated the question.

"Uh... I don't think so?"

"Why is that a question?"

"Perhaps she doesn't remember clearly; after all, she drank too much yesterday, so it's normal for her to forget some things."

Hoya Chukai said this offhandedly. As for what the two of them actually talked about yesterday? He couldn't remember either.

He had simply deduced that she was Sakayanagi Arisu based on the script he already knew.

"Is that so? Drank too much, huh? It seems you even took care of her for the whole night?"

"Not really. I drank too much too, so the only two things I did to take care of her were waking her up this morning and buying her breakfast."

Hoya Chukai answered truthfully, and a teasing expression gradually appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face. "Eh~ is that so? Thanks to you, your care has left her to be mocked by her classmates today."

"Really? How are they mocking her?"

"Things like 'You actually fell for someone from Class C?' 'Is your judgment really that bad?' 'I didn't expect you to like that kind of trash,' and so on."

Sakayanagi Arisu vividly imitated what the classmates had said. Hoya Chukai's expression didn't change at all. Once Sakayanagi Arisu finished, he shrugged. "So?"

"So? Don't you think she's a bit pitiful? Being bullied by her own classmates and all."

Sakayanagi Arisu continued to ask with a smile.

She was a troublemaker who loved watching the chaos unfold.

If Hoya Chukai could storm into Class A and make a scene, that would be the best outcome.

It was a pity that she was disappointed in this regard; Hoya Chukai simply nodded. "Oh, I see."

"You see? So you aren't planning to seek justice for her?"

Watching Hoya Chukai look like he was about to leave, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't expected him to make that choice.

But Hoya Chukai didn't stop walking; he just kept moving forward. "First, I have no relationship with Classmate Kamuro, so those rumors are just rumors. Second, in my opinion, compared to those rumors, you might be the biggest culprit behind her bullying. Finally, drink less coffee. Too much coffee isn't good for your mental state."

"How did you know I drink coffee all the time?"

"The smell of coffee on you is so strong I couldn't miss it, young lady, and it's authentic stuff, too. So drink less of it, otherwise you won't be able to sleep at night and won't have any energy the next day."

Watching Hoya Chukai walk further and further away, the playful look on Sakayanagi Arisu's face became even more pronounced.

She turned her head to look at Kamuro Masumi. "Did you really talk to him about me yesterday?"

"I... I really can't remember."

Kamuro Masumi, blushing with embarrassment, couldn't remember a thing.

But seeing her like this, Sakayanagi Arisu was amused.

She picked up her cane and continued to walk slowly toward the classroom.

"This guy, he seems to have noticed something. Since you think you didn't say anything, it seems he really is a bit different from the rest."

Sakayanagi Arisu's sense of smell was very keen; she could smell the aura on Hoya Chukai.

It was an aura that was extremely similar to her own.

"Yo, Boss, still deep in thought?"

Hoya Chukai couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Ryuen Shoko sitting at her desk in a pose reminiscent of 'The Thinker,' placing the bento box he'd brought for her onto her desk: "Haven't eaten yet, right? I grabbed this from the cafeteria."

Seeing the food, Ryuen Shoko finally felt a pang of hunger in her stomach. She didn't hesitate, popping the lid open and picking up her chopsticks to dig in.

It was only 12:45, and with class not starting until 1:00, there was plenty of time to eat.

She just needed to finish her meal within ten minutes.

"You seem to enjoy bringing food for girls, don't you?"

"Give it a rest, Boss, don't tease me. Besides, let's go eat outside; the smell is too strong in here."

Whether it was because Ryuen had turned into Ryuen Shoko, Hoya Chukai always felt she was easier to talk to than in the original story.

At the very least, whenever he suggested it, Ryuen Shoko would actually go along with him to eat outside the classroom.

The two of them squatted by the doorway to eat, and as she chewed, Ryuen Shoko frowned: "Why are we squatting to eat?"

"Because food tastes better when you're squatting. Alright, Boss, stop overthinking it and hurry up; our lunch break isn't that long."

It was impossible for the two of them to squat by the entrance of Class C without attracting the attention of people from other classes, but that was as far as it went.

Hoya Chukai ate his meal while his eyes darted around, quickly observing the movements of the surrounding students.

Hmm, the people from Class A think we're being uncouth. As expected, a bunch of self-righteous snobs.

The people from Class B didn't say anything; they were just curious, but they kept their thoughts to themselves.

As for Class D... they really have loose tongues, gossiping like old biddies, talking about absolutely everything.

Even though the girls over there weren't speaking very loudly, Hoya Chukai's hearing was sharp enough that he could still faintly catch what they were saying.

Words like 'barbarians,' 'crude,' and 'unladylike' were enough to tell him they definitely weren't saying anything nice.

The two of them squatting by the door to eat wasn't a big deal, and it was... well, it really was quite trivial; I mean, what else could you say about someone eating by a door?

Regardless, the two of them finished their meal before the next class started, and Hoya Chukai even tossed the disposable containers into the large trash bin on his way back.