Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kushida Kikyo learns that Dongfang Yi is a freshman, not a senior, and is shocked and angry at being deceived.
• Dongfang Yi encounters Satoshi Ritonaka, who tries to get free coffee and hit on girls with him, but Dongfang Yi refuses and makes Satoshi pay for the coffee instead.
• Sakura hides under the counter due to embarrassment when Satoshi and his group enter the shop, and Dongfang Yi teases her about it afterward.

Character Developments

• Kushida Kikyo: Realizes she has been deceived by Dongfang Yi and becomes determined to make him pay.
• Dongfang Yi: Maintains his composure and innocence despite the situation with Sakura and Satoshi.
• Sakura: Shows embarrassment and indignation when teased by Dongfang Yi.

Significant Themes

• Deception and truth: Kushida's realization that Dongfang Yi deceived her about his grade level.
• Appearances vs. reality: Dongfang Yi's true nature is revealed to be different from Kushida's initial impression.
• Embarrassment and pride: Sakura's reaction to being seen crouching under the counter.

Character Interactions

• Kushida Kikyo and Dongfang Yi: Kushida becomes determined to make Dongfang Yi pay for deceiving her.
• Dongfang Yi and Satoshi Ritonaka: Dongfang Yi refuses Satoshi's attempts to get free coffee and hit on girls with him.
• Dongfang Yi and Sakura: Dongfang Yi teases Sakura about hiding under the counter, and Sakura becomes indignant.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi meets Kushida Kikyo, a seemingly harmless but potentially dangerous girl, at his café.
• Kushida expresses her desire to befriend Dongfang Yi, revealing her obsessive and possessive nature.
• Dongfang Yi's Malice Perception skill upgrades to B-rank due to Kushida's increasing hostility.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi: Maintains a calm and polite demeanor despite Kushida's threatening behavior. He strategizes to avoid escalation.
• Kushida Kikyo: Reveals her yandere tendencies, becoming increasingly aggressive and possessive towards Dongfang Yi.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Control: Kushida attempts to control Dongfang Yi by playing on his emotions and guilt.
• Perception vs Reality: Dongfang Yi's Malice Perception skill helps him see through Kushida's harmless appearance to her true nature.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Kushida Kikyo: Their interaction is tense and dangerous, with Kushida's obsession growing while Dongfang Yi tries to navigate the situation carefully.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi makes coffee for Kushida Kikyo and shares his classification of friends based on rarity in gacha games (R, SR, SSR, UR, MR).
• He describes 'acquaintances' (R), 'best friends' (SR), 'soulmates' (UR), and hints at 'sharing life and death' (MR) friends.
• He makes a latte art of Kushida Kikyo as a reward for finding the answer to his riddle and shares a secret about a monthly perk for a lucky customer.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi: He shows his playful and teasing side while maintaining his calm and indifferent demeanor. He reveals his unique perspective on friendship and his ability to make people feel special with small gestures like the latte art.
• Kushida Kikyo: She shows her determination to befriend Dongfang Yi, her ability to adapt to his teasing, and her genuine appreciation for his small gestures. She also reveals her desire for deep, lasting friendships.

Significant Themes

• Friendship: The chapter explores the different levels of friendship and the importance of understanding and accepting others for who they are.
• Communication: The conversation between Dongfang Yi and Kushida Kikyo highlights the importance of open and honest communication in building and maintaining friendships.
• Appreciation: Dongfang Yi's latte art and the monthly perk he shares with Kushida Kikyo emphasize the importance of showing appreciation and making others feel special.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Kushida Kikyo: Their interaction is playful and teasing, with Dongfang Yi keeping Kushida Kikyo on her toes with his riddles and hints. Despite this, they both show genuine interest in understanding each other and building a friendship.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi reveals a "secret" about Palette Cafe to Kushida Kikyo.
• Kushida realizes she's been tricked but decides to visit the cafe daily for free desserts.
• Dongfang Yi teases Kushida about a new blueberry mousse cake, persuading her to visit the next day.

Character Developments

• Kushida Kikyo: Becomes more perceptive and less naive, though still easily tempted by free desserts. Shows signs of growing more open and honest.
• Dongfang Yi: Maintains his playful, teasing demeanor, enjoying manipulating Kushida's emotions for his amusement.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and deception: Dongfang Yi uses his words to manipulate Kushida, while she tries to manipulate him into lending her points.
• Greed and temptation: Kushida's desire for free desserts and points clouds her judgment, leading her to act more honestly and openly.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Kushida Kikyo: Their interactions are playful and teasing, with Dongfang Yi manipulating Kushida's emotions and her trying to manipulate him in return. Despite this, they seem to enjoy each other's company.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Kushida Kikyo tries to borrow points from Dongfang Yi, but he offers her free mini-cakes instead, with the condition that she keeps it a secret and pretends to order them.
• Dongfang Yi's plan is to build favorability with Kushida, ensuring she'll help him later.
• Sakura Airi returns from a conversation with Chabashira, asking Dongfang Yi to keep accompanying her in the future.
• Dongfang Yi invites Sakura to go shopping with him on Saturday to buy art supplies.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi: Shows manipulative tendencies, wanting to build favorability with Kushida for future use. He also shows kindness towards Sakura, inviting her to go shopping.
• Kushida Kikyo: Realizes the potential danger of accepting free gifts from Dongfang Yi but is touched by his consideration.
• Sakura Airi: Becomes more open with Dongfang Yi, asking him to continue accompanying her.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and favorability building (Dongfang Yi with Kushida).
• Friendship and companionship (Dongfang Yi with Sakura).
• The potential dangers and benefits of accepting favors (Kushida's situation).

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Kushida Kikyo: Dongfang Yi manipulates Kushida into accepting his offer, building favorability.
• Dongfang Yi and Sakura Airi: Sakura asks Dongfang Yi to continue accompanying her, and he invites her to go shopping.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi starts working at a cafe and feeds small cakes to Kushida and a middle-aged man daily to increase their favorability.
• He meets Ichinose and observes her helping Class B students.
• On a weekend outing, he bumps into Kushida and goes shopping with her and Airi. They buy casual clothes for him.
• Dongfang Yi completes the weekly task unexpectedly, earning 10,000 points and unlocking storage space in the system.
• He buys the skill 'Eye of Investigation' for 20,000 points.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi continues to observe and interact with Kushida, noting her exceptional communication skills and obsession with connections.
• Airi's stamina improves from working at the cafe.
• Dongfang Yi reflects on his own abilities and considers learning massage techniques.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and favorability: Dongfang Yi uses small gifts to increase favorability with Kushida and the middle-aged man.
• Observation and understanding: Dongfang Yi observes and analyzes the behavior and relationships of those around him.
• Resource management: Dongfang Yi manages his system points and considers future expenses.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi interacts with Kushida daily at the cafe and goes shopping with her and Airi on the weekend.
• He observes Ichinose helping Class B students and meets her briefly at the cafe.
• Dongfang Yi reflects on his interactions with the manager and other cafe customers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi, the protagonist, is having a busy day due to his future self's actions, including learning painting skills, writing reports, and accompanying Sakura Airi for a photoshoot.
• He vents his frustration in his notebook while in the library, expressing his lack of inspiration and desire to be in Class D or A.
• He sketches Sakura Airi, gaining 10 drawing experience points, but the result is comical and not like the real person.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi shows frustration with his future self's actions and expresses his desire to be in a different class.
• He demonstrates his artistic skills and lack of appreciation for his own work, as well as his concern for Sakura Airi's grades.

Significant Themes

• Laziness vs. Productivity: Dongfang Yi struggles with his future self's actions and his own lack of motivation.
• Artistic Appreciation: Dongfang Yi's sketch of Sakura Airi highlights his lack of artistic skill and the System's lack of appreciation for his work.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi interacts with Sakura Airi, who is engrossed in a photography tutorial, and later with Ichinose, who interrupts his sketching.
• He expresses concern for Shiina Hiyori, who is likely not in the library, and worries about Class C's progress under Ryuen's leadership.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi is writing in his notebook, which Ichinose mistakes for a light novel but is actually his diary.
• Dongfang Yi teases Ichinose by pretending his diary contains a 'Guide to the Destruction of Dongfang Yi's Life' and a 'Self-Destruction Plan of Unrivaled Intellect'.
• Ichinose promises to keep the diary a secret, but Dongfang Yi reveals he was only teasing her.
• Ichinose is going for a student council interview and plans to become an officer to help others.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi shows his playful and manipulative side, teasing Ichinose.
• Ichinose is shown to be kind-hearted, honest, and easily deceived, but also determined to help others.

Significant Themes

• Honesty vs. Deception: Ichinose's honesty contrasts with Dongfang Yi's deception, highlighting the theme of trust and its importance in relationships.
• Helping Others: Ichinose's desire to become a student council officer to help others showcases her selfless nature.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Ichinose's interaction is playful and teasing, with Dongfang Yi manipulating Ichinose's emotions for his amusement.
• Despite being deceived, Ichinose remains determined to help Dongfang Yi, showing her kindness and forgiveness.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ichinose seeks Dongfang Yi's advice for her student council interview.
• Dongfang Yi agrees to help Ichinose improve her ability to identify lies, as he believes it will benefit her friendship and understanding.
• Dongfang Yi teaches Ichinose about the three types of lies and focuses on the third type, which combines truth and lies.
• He explains that lies are constructed to target the weaknesses in a person's nature, and the key to identifying them is self-restraint and calm thinking.

Character Developments

• Ichinose shows determination and eagerness to learn, demonstrating her desire to improve herself for her interview.
• Dongfang Yi displays his wisdom and experience in understanding human nature and lies, positioning him as a mentor figure.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding and identifying lies to maintain healthy relationships and make informed decisions.
• The concept of self-restraint and calm thinking as a foundation for clear judgment.
• The manipulation of human emotions in constructing lies.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Ichinose engage in a mentor-mentee dynamic, with Dongfang Yi patiently explaining complex concepts to Ichinose.
• Dongfang Yi uses a hypothetical scenario to illustrate his points, involving a tourist and a stranger, to help Ichinose understand the dynamics of lies and human nature.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi teaches Ichinose about the purpose behind lies and how to identify them.
• He uses a job interview scenario to illustrate high-frequency zones for lies in real life.
• Dongfang Yi discusses the differences in treatment between applicants by companies that are short on staff versus those that aren't.

Character Developments

• Ichinose shows her ability to think critically and engage in the conversation, demonstrating her aptitude for learning.
• Dongfang Yi reveals his teaching style to be direct and practical, using real-life examples to illustrate his points.

Significant Themes

• The importance of understanding the purpose behind actions and words to see through lies.
• The high frequency of lies in job interviews and the different treatment of applicants based on the company's staffing needs.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Ichinose engage in a Socratic dialogue, with Dongfang Yi asking leading questions and Ichinose providing thoughtful responses.
• Dongfang Yi teases Ichinose, causing her to express her complicated feelings, but they quickly return to the main topic.
• Dongfang Yi considers involving Sakura in the conversation but decides against it due to her fatigue.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi helps Ichinose understand the motives behind the student council's actions, including the upcoming interviews.
• He reveals that the student council president, Horikita Manabu, might be manipulating the interviews to secure the position for his sister, Horikita Suzune.
• Dongfang Yi gives Ichinose a voice recorder to secretly record the interviews.

Character Developments

• Ichinose: She becomes more aware of the potential corruption within the student council and starts to question her desire to join.
• Dongfang Yi: He shows his analytical skills and manipulative nature, trying to influence Ichinose's actions.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and power dynamics within the student council.
• The importance of understanding one's own worth and not being discouraged by rejection.

Character Interactions

• Ichinose and Dongfang Yi: They engage in a conversation where Dongfang Yi shares his deductions about the student council's motives and encourages Ichinose to join despite potential obstacles.
• Ichinose and Horikita Manabu (implied): Their relationship is strained due to the potential manipulation of the student council interviews.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi buys kitchenware to cook for himself and plans to invite friends to praise his cooking, aiming to establish a good image for his class transfer plans.
• He invites Sakura and Ichinose but realizes Sakura needs to rest, so he decides to let her sleep in his room while he cooks.
• Dongfang Yi tries to use the Eye of Investigation to check on Ichinose's interview but fails due to insufficient System points.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi shows a more considerate side by allowing Sakura to sleep and not disturbing her while cooking.
• Ichinose reflects on her role and the potential consequences of joining the Student Council, showing a sense of responsibility and guilt over her past actions.

Significant Themes

• Appearance vs. Reality: Dongfang Yi's actions show a desire to present a certain image to others, while his inner thoughts reveal his true motivations.
• Manipulation vs. Altruism: Dongfang Yi's plans involve using others for his benefit, while Ichinose wants to help others genuinely.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi & Sakura: Dongfang Yi shows concern for Sakura's well-being, allowing her to sleep in his room.
• Dongfang Yi & Ichinose: Though not directly interacting, Dongfang Yi's plans involve manipulating Ichinose, while she ponders the potential consequences of their alliance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ichinose Honami and Katsuragi Kohei meet and chat before their Student Council interviews.
• Katsuragi shares insights about Dongfang Yi's popularity and strict policy regarding love letters.
• Ichinose and Katsuragi wish each other luck before their interviews.

Character Developments

• Ichinose Honami: She's nervous about her interview but tries to maintain composure. She's curious about Dongfang Yi's personal life.
• Katsuragi Kohei: He's calm and collected, with a good understanding of people. He's applying for the Student Council and is familiar with Dongfang Yi's class dynamics.

Significant Themes

• First impressions and initial interactions among students.
• The Student Council's influence and the interview process.
• Romantic interests and the challenges of expressing them, as seen through Dongfang Yi's experiences.

Character Interactions

• Ichinose and Katsuragi meet and discuss their nerves about the interview, leading to a friendly conversation.
• Katsuragi shares insights about Dongfang Yi's popularity and his strict policy regarding love letters, which intrigues Ichinose.
• Dongfang Yi, though not present, is discussed at length, revealing his strict approach to romantic advances and his kindness towards Ichinose.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ichinose Honami is the last student to be called for an interview with the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu.
• The interview is conducted in a neat, meticulous office. Horikita Manabu asks Ichinose about her background, experiences, and abilities.
• After Ichinose's confident responses, Horikita Manabu rejects her, stating that "now is not the time" for her to join the Student Council.
• Kiriyama, a Student Council member, approaches Ichinose and asks her to meet with Vice President Nagumo Miyabi.

Character Developments

• Ichinose Honami: She maintains her composure throughout the interview, despite her doubts and anxiety. After the rejection, she seeks advice from Dongfang Yi, showing growth in her ability to handle unexpected situations.
• Horikita Manabu: He remains expressionless and serious throughout the interview, giving no indication of his thoughts. His rejection of Ichinose is abrupt and unexpected.
• Dongfang Yi: He provides guidance to Ichinose, showing a more serious and strategic side. He also expresses his disdain for Horikita Manabu's reasoning.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and Deception: The Student Council's actions suggest a hidden agenda, manipulating the students' expectations and emotions.
• Adaptability: Ichinose demonstrates her ability to adapt to unexpected situations, showing growth in her character.
• Power Dynamics: The interactions between Ichinose, Horikita Manabu, and Nagumo Miyabi highlight the power dynamics within the school's hierarchy.

Character Interactions

• Ichinose Honami and Horikita Manabu: Their interaction is formal and tense, with Horikita Manabu maintaining a serious and unreadable expression throughout the interview.
• Ichinose Honami and Dongfang Yi: They have a friendly, comfortable rapport. Dongfang Yi provides Ichinose with advice and support, showing a more strategic side.
• Ichinose Honami and Kiriyama: Their interaction is brief and polite, with Kiriyama acting as a messenger for Nagumo Miyabi.

Ichinose Honami, after her disappointing Student Council interview with Horikita Manabu, calls Dongfang Yi for advice. Dongfang Yi explains the 'good cop, bad cop' strategy being used against her, with Horikita playing the bad cop and Nagumo Miyabi likely to play the good cop. He warns Ichinose that Nagumo will try to make her empathize with him, gain her trust, and ultimately make her his obedient 'tool' to handle Student Council work. Dongfang Yi advises Ichinose to act disappointed and insecure before meeting Nagumo, and to be aware of Nagumo's manipulative tactics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ichinose learns about Nagumo's potential plan to use her as a tool and extract a 'pledge of allegiance' (secret) to control her.
• Dongfang Yi teaches Ichinose how to handle this situation, including how to act dejected and hesitant, and how to give a firm refusal.
• Dongfang Yi shares a hypothetical scenario involving a boy who committed suicide due to her blog posts, which Ichinose misinterprets as a real event from his past.

Character Developments

• Ichinose gains insight into Nagumo's manipulative tactics and starts considering how to navigate this situation.
• Dongfang Yi demonstrates his manipulative skills and understanding of human psychology, but also shows a lack of social awareness and a tendency to make inappropriate jokes.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and control: Nagumo's plan to use Ichinose as a tool, and Dongfang Yi's teaching of manipulation tactics.
• Trust and deception: Ichinose's struggle with trusting Nagumo, and Dongfang Yi's manipulation of Ichinose's trust in him.
• Guilt and redemption: Ichinose's guilt over her past mistake, and Dongfang Yi's hypothetical scenario involving guilt and redemption.

Character Interactions

• Ichinose and Dongfang Yi: They discuss Nagumo's plan and Ichinose's potential responses. Dongfang Yi teaches Ichinose manipulation tactics, while also making inappropriate jokes that Ichinose chooses to ignore.
• Ichinose and Nagumo (implied): Their relationship is strained as Nagumo plans to use Ichinose as a tool, and Ichinose starts considering how to handle this situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nagumo Miyabi awaits Ichinose Honami, eager to recruit her into the Student Council and manipulate her.
• Ichinose arrives, feigning dejection due to her interview rejection.
• Nagumo tries to coax Ichinose into revealing her reason for being in Class B, offering Student Council membership in exchange.
• Ichinose, guided by Dongfang Yi's advice, refuses to comply and instead insults Nagumo, calling him "worse than a beast."

Character Developments

• Nagumo Miyabi: Reveals his manipulative and arrogant nature, desperate to prove his superiority and gain Ichinose's submission.
• Ichinose Honami: Shows unexpected resilience and defiance, refusing to be swayed by Nagumo's attempts to manipulate her.

Significant Themes

• Manipulation and power dynamics: Nagumo tries to assert his dominance over Ichinose, but she resists.
• The true nature of individuals: Ichinose sees through Nagumo's facade and reveals his true character.

Character Interactions

• Nagumo and Ichinose: Their interaction highlights Nagumo's arrogance and Ichinose's unexpected strength and defiance.
• Ichinose and Dongfang Yi (off-page): Dongfang Yi's guidance influences Ichinose's actions and helps her stand up to Nagumo.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Dongfang Yi tries to wake up Sakura Airi without scaring her.
• He attempts various methods suggested online, such as calling her name, touching her head, using food aroma, and even looking for acupoints in a massage manual.
• He finally succeeds in waking her up by tickling her lips and neck.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi shows concern and care for Sakura's well-being, demonstrating his growing affection for her.
• Sakura Airi is portrayed as a heavy sleeper, oblivious to her surroundings while asleep.

Significant Themes

• The theme of affection and care is emphasized through Dongfang Yi's efforts to wake Sakura gently.
• The contrast between reality and dreams is explored, with Sakura's dream serving as a reflection of her feelings for Dongfang Yi.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Sakura Airi's interaction is limited to Dongfang Yi's attempts to wake her up, with Sakura remaining asleep throughout.
• Dongfang Yi's internal monologue reveals his thoughts and feelings, providing insight into his character.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Sakura wakes up and kisses Dongfang Yi, initiating a passionate moment between them.
• Dongfang Yi realizes his path forward, unlocking series achievements and gaining System Points.
• Sakura runs away after learning that Ichinose is coming.

Character Developments

• Sakura: Becomes more assertive and confident in her feelings for Dongfang Yi, but also more timid and anxious about his reaction.
• Dongfang Yi: Realizes his true desires and the path he wants to take, embracing his feelings for Sakura.

Significant Themes

• Morality and personal values: Dongfang Yi grapples with his moral compass and decides to embrace his desires.
• Communication and honesty: Both characters struggle to express their feelings and thoughts, leading to misunderstandings and awkward moments.

Character Interactions

• Sakura and Dongfang Yi: Their relationship deepens, with Sakura becoming more open about her feelings, while Dongfang Yi struggles with his newfound clarity and desire for Sakura.
• Dongfang Yi and Ichinose: Although they don't interact directly in this chapter, Ichinose's impending arrival causes Sakura to run away, hinting at potential tension between the two men.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Ichinose visits Dongfang Yi's dorm after her Student Council interview.
• They discuss the school's rules and the division of classes.
• Dongfang Yi reveals the school's method of categorizing students' excellence and stability from A to D.

Character Developments

• Dongfang Yi: Shows his knowledge of the school's system and his ability to analyze it. He also displays his humble attitude towards his own excellence.
• Ichinose Honami: Demonstrates her curiosity and willingness to learn about the school's dynamics. She also shows self-awareness about her own abilities.

Significant Themes

• Competition and Excellence: The school's system is built on competition, with the goal of cultivating talent. However, this competition is designed to be unfair, favoring certain groups over others.
• Perception vs Reality: Dongfang Yi's excellence is perceived as the standard for Class A, but he clarifies that he is an exception, and Ichinose should not compare herself to him.

Character Interactions

• Dongfang Yi and Ichinose: They engage in a friendly and open conversation, with Dongfang Yi explaining the school's system to Ichinose. They both show respect and interest in each other's opinions.
• Dongfang Yi and Sakura: Although Sakura is not physically present, Dongfang Yi mentions her, showing that he has a relationship with her. This interaction is brief but implies a level of familiarity.