During the break.
"Dongfang, you've got some nerve."
An unwelcome voice came from beside Dongfang Yi, who had just laid his head down on his desk.
He had no choice but to force himself awake and open his eyes.
The familiar-looking guy in front of him had slicked-back blond hair and seemed both frivolous and flamboyant.
Hashimoto Masayoshi?
Dongfang Yi narrowed his eyes, unsure why he was looking for him.
After all, this guy was a double-dealer among double-dealers, with a personality much like the protagonist of the original story.
They were both classic Japanese guys who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice someone else's life for their own sake, without feeling they'd done anything wrong.
Because, after all, they were doing it for XX~
Disgusting.
Unless necessary, Dongfang Yi wanted nothing to do with the likes of him.
But he still had to keep up appearances. After all, transferring classes wasn't something he could do immediately.
"Who are you?"
Dongfang Yi adjusted his expression and asked with a hint of confusion.
"Hashimoto, remember? I'm Hashimoto Masayoshi." The blond man put on a pitiful look and squeezed out two nonexistent crocodile tears. "I thought my self-introduction yesterday had made a lasting impression."
"Right. I'm Dongfang Yi." Dongfang Yi nodded to show he understood.
"..."
Hashimoto Masayoshi was stumped.
By the usual rules of social etiquette, Dongfang Yi should at least have followed up with something like, "What can I do for you?" But Dongfang Yi said nothing, leaving him unable to continue the conversation for a moment.
This guy looked like a cunning pretty boy, but was he actually this straightforward and oblivious?
Hashimoto Masayoshi began to doubt his ability to read people.
Fortunately, someone behind him joined the conversation.
"Nice to meet you, Dongfang. I'm Satoshi Ritonaka." A sufficiently charming face seized the opportunity to join in, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
It was a calculated move. He'd been standing nearby the whole time, but hadn't found a chance to strike up a conversation. So, when the two exchanged names, he'd hitched a ride.
Dongfang Yi nodded to show he understood, then turned his gaze back to Hashimoto Masayoshi. "Did you need something, Hashimoto?"
Since there was a third person here, he could let this double-dealer finish up and get lost.
Dongfang Yi wore an innocent expression, expertly hiding his impatience.
"You can use social niceties after all, can't you?!"
Hashimoto Masayoshi grumbled inwardly, but put on a curious look anyway. "I meant what happened this morning."
As he spoke, he made a tearing motion with his hands.
"Isn't that perfectly normal?" Dongfang Yi tilted his head, puzzled.
"What part of that is normal?!" Hashimoto and Satoshi replied in unison.
Satoshi Ritonaka paused, then explained, "Usually, when you get a love letter, you go to the agreed-upon place and hear the other person's heartfelt confession in person. Then you tell them face-to-face whether you accept."
He was an authority on the subject. As a guy widely recognized as handsome by the first-year girls at Advanced Nurturing High School, he'd received countless love letters over the years and knew the whole routine by heart.
Hashimoto Masayoshi clapped lightly. "Right. That's how it's done."
Dongfang Yi fell silent for a moment, then nodded earnestly. "I was careless. I'll keep that in mind from now on."
He took out a marker and added another line to the side of his desk—
Once he was done, he clapped his hands. "There. Now all the problems are solved."
"Dongfang, you're unbelievable," Hashimoto Masayoshi said, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"I don't see the problem. This method is clearly efficient and saves both sides a lot of time."
Dongfang Yi spread his hands.
He truly didn't think he'd done anything wrong. In fact, he was a pretty lazy person, and could hardly bring himself to waste time humoring girls whose names he couldn't even remember.
Hashimoto couldn't help but comment, "Aren't you afraid every girl in school will ostracize you? Keep this up, and rumors will spread that you're arrogant."
"...Is it really that serious?" Dongfang Yi fell into thought.
He'd been in this world for less than two months, so he really didn't know the Japanese customs Hashimoto was talking about, or the proper procedure for a confession.
Of course, even if he did know, he still wouldn't care.
Suddenly, a flash of inspiration came to him, and he looked over at Satoshi Ritonaka. "Satoshi, are you also having trouble figuring out what to do with all the love letters you've received?"
Dongfang Yi figured that if he'd received some, there was no way Satoshi Ritonaka hadn't. That guy must have received even more than he had.
And if he took the lead in tearing up love letters, then Dongfang Yi, whose charm was only so-so, could slip out of the spotlight.
Besides, the top handsome guy in the first year would never be short of girls chasing after him. A few rumors shouldn't matter.
Dongfang Yi felt like his plan was foolproof!
That "also" was completely out of place. I can't see how you're really troubled at all.
Hashimoto Masayoshi grumbled inwardly.
Satoshi Ritonaka smiled wryly. "It is a bit of a dilemma. But I've only received two, so I suppose it's easier for me than it is for you, Dongfang."
Hmm? You've only received two? Something wasn't right here. Dongfang Yi felt puzzled.
"Ah, is this the confidence of a handsome guy? Why haven't I ever received a single letter?!" Hashimoto Masayoshi clutched his head theatrically, though he was nowhere near shouting.
At most, he'd raised his voice a little.
Just like you, to make sure there wasn't even a hint of jealousy in your shouting.
Watching this drama queen perform, Dongfang Yi felt nothing at all.
Still, thinking of the girlfriend Hashimoto had won over in the original story by putting his looks on the line—the ugly Maezono from Class D, who was manipulated until she dropped out—Dongfang Yi couldn't help admiring how ruthless Hashimoto was when it came to achieving his goals.
At least, he couldn't bring himself to put his looks on the line like that.
"Hey, Dongfang, you're not trying to drag Satoshi into this with you, are you?" After finishing his performance, Hashimoto Masayoshi waved a hand. "No chance. There's no way Satoshi would do something like that."
"..." Dongfang Yi silently looked toward Satoshi Ritonaka, hoping he'd explain.
"I just came over to avoid getting pestered by the girls." Satoshi Ritonaka's smile held a hint of apology. "After all, with Dongfang's attitude being so firm, no girls will want to bother you for a while."
Dongfang Yi covered his forehead. He'd underestimated these elite students at Advanced Nurturing High School. Everyone in this class had a hundred and eight tricks up their sleeves; they were every bit as cunning as he was.
Seeing that they'd finished chatting, Hashimoto Masayoshi got straight to the point. "You all know the Little Princess, right?"
"Classmate Sakayanagi?" Satoshi Ritonaka asked. He'd heard about Sakayanagi Arisu before.
Though, shouldn't it be an A? How could someone like her be a C?
Dongfang Yi nodded too, indicating he was listening carefully.
"Well, I hear the Little Princess isn't in very good health, so she doesn't like the classroom getting too noisy during breaks," Hashimoto Masayoshi explained at length.
Dongfang Yi and Satoshi Ritonaka exchanged glances, then stared at him in unison.
Hadn't this guy been the loudest one just now?
"Hey, hey, don't judge me by appearances. I've been doing my best to hold back."
"Sure, sure. We believe you," Dongfang Yi replied, his voice flat.
Dongfang, you're definitely doing that on purpose. Hashimoto Masayoshi grumbled inwardly, but he still had a task to carry out. He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Actually, it's true, but that's not the whole story."
"It's not just during breaks. The Little Princess likes things orderly and doesn't like people breaking the rules in class or in their daily lives."
"Is that really true?" Satoshi Ritonaka asked.
Dongfang Yi understood. Sakayanagi Arisu had already begun laying the groundwork for the leadership competition a month from now.
And they were still claiming she wasn't playing dirty!
"Of course. The person closest to the Little Princess told me herself." Hashimoto Masayoshi spoke in a mysterious tone, raising his eyebrows as if it were a serious matter. "If you follow the rules this month, you might just earn the Little Princess's favor."
No, that troublesome little loli only liked people who could toy with her and keep her in the palm of their hand. Anyone who followed the rules was just a pawn. Dongfang Yi grumbled expressionlessly.
"Really?" Satoshi Ritonaka was easily led astray by Hashimoto. His eyes lit up, and he already seemed to be imagining the wonderful life he'd have after getting close to a rich loli. "Then I'll definitely do my best."
"Yeah, same here. I won't break any rules."
Seeing this, Dongfang Yi nodded too, giving a serious yet perfunctory show of agreement.
As they chatted, the bell was about to ring.
"Make sure you remember that," Hashimoto Masayoshi reminded them one last time before turning and heading back to his seat.
The handsome Satoshi did the same.
The area around Dongfang Yi fell quiet again. He rolled his neck and took his textbook back out of his desk.
Another slip of paper drifted to the floor.
No way. Again?
He picked up the love letter that had narrowly escaped its fate, and a terrible suspicion suddenly occurred to him.
Could it be...
Satoshi Ritonaka wasn't at the top of the rankings this time?
Before you continue