Classroom of the Elite, Oh No, I've Become a Stand-in

Suddenly, a heavenly voice forcefully cut into the conversation, "Nagumo, what are you doing to my cute underclassman?"

Second-year senior Kiryūin Fūka arrived at the seat next to Mikage Touji and sat down directly.

Mikage Touji's eyes sparkled at this moment; Senior, even though I've always thought you were vain and possessed brute strength, you are truly adorable right now!

"Kiryūin," Nagumo Miyabi said with a displeased expression, "I still have things to discuss with Mikage-kun. I would appreciate it if you could come back later."

Kiryūin casually brushed her long, silver-white hair, sweeping it across the tip of Mikage Touji's nose. It tickled, carrying the scent of shampoo, making him want to sneeze.

"After all, this is an underclassman who admires me; I can't just hand him over to you. Besides..." Kiryūin Fūka clamped her arm around Mikage Touji's neck, "he's supposed to be accompanying me shopping."

That familiar strength... still just as unreasonable as ever...

Without waiting for Nagumo Miyabi to respond, Kiryūin dragged Mikage Touji toward the exit.

This move played right into Mikage Touji's hands; he feigned a struggle while actually accelerating his escape.

Goodbye—

No! Never see you again!

Outside the restaurant, the two walked side by side.

"Senior, I suddenly admire you so much."

"Hahaha, is that so? Do you think I'm cute too?"

"While that's true to an extent, how did we suddenly pivot to 'cute'?"

"Because I've always been cute. You'd better help me carry my bags later."

"Huh? So it wasn't to save me?"

"Of course it was to have someone extra to carry my bags. You could have gotten away from Nagumo on your own, couldn't you?"

"I suppose that's true..."

Chapter 13: Tea Art Master—Kushida Kikyou

Keyaki Mall, the most prosperous area of Kouiku, is where most students spend their money after school, fully equipped with all kinds of consumer and entertainment facilities.

At this moment, twilight was closing in. The campus streetlights lit up one after another, and the mall's signs flickered to life, bathing the streets in colorful light.

Girls walked arm-in-arm, carrying handbags, their faces beaming with youthful smiles as they strolled side-by-side. The boys, however, had no fixed way of shopping; some walked with arms draped over each other's shoulders, some walked in single file, others went their own way—whatever felt comfortable. With their school ties loosened and jackets removed, they laughed and joked along the way, as if casting all their troubles behind them.

But all this joy belonged to them; it had nothing to do with Mikage Touji, and he felt it was absolute "crap"!

People generally believe that girls have less physical stamina than boys.

Mikage Touji proved that this conclusion was wrong—and wrong to an outrageous degree!

"Se... Senior, let's take a break. This method of shopping is inhumane!"

By the time Kiryūin Fūka finished trying on her fifth outfit, a desperate wail echoed from deep within Mikage Touji's spine. He could clearly feel the lactic acid building up in his ankles, wave after wave of soreness washing over him.

This woman not only had brute strength, but her stamina was also shockingly good.

Mikage Touji followed behind like a frail, elderly man leaning on a cane, teetering on the brink of death. In contrast, Kiryūin Fūka was full of vitality and glowing with radiance, her long, black-stockinged legs striding with vigor as she marched toward the next store.

The kicker was that she hadn't bought a single thing!

"That won't do, underclassman," Kiryūin Fūka said, not slowing her pace as she continued forward with gusto, "If your stamina is this poor, you won't be popular with girls."

"It's just that your stamina is too good, Senior," Mikage Touji replied weakly, "Girls who are too overbearing aren't popular with boys, either."

"I suppose that's true..." Kiryūin Fūka nodded thoughtfully.

Mikage Touji felt a spark of hope, "Then let's call it a day—"

"But if it's me, I don't have to worry about that at all."

Kiryūin Fūka had killed the conversation.

"Next store!" Before the words even faded, she was already five meters ahead.

"..."

He finally understood why that marmot on his phone was always screaming; he wanted to try it too!

Watching Kiryūin Fūka walk further and further away, Mikage Touji had no choice but to force himself up and stumble after her, his steps as heavy as if he were dragging invisible shackles.

Things had reached a point where he couldn't let this woman continue; if this kept up, he was going to die!

Entering a clothing store, Kiryūin Fūka nimbly darted into the sea of merchandise.

Mikage Touji mustered his last shred of strength, opening his mental faculties to their limit, instantly scanning every piece of clothing in the store to pick out the one he deemed most suitable, like solving a permutation puzzle.

A white, slim-fit knit top, a high-waisted A-line skirt, and thick-soled Martin boots.

Taking the clothes down, Mikage Touji walked toward Kiryūin, "Senior."

"Hmm?" Kiryūin Fūka, focused on the clothes in her hand, turned around just as a set of clothes was shoved into her arms.

"This outfit suits you, Senior," Mikage Touji said concisely.

"Oh~"

Kiryūin Fūka flashed a smile, staring directly into Mikage Touji's eyes, "Do you think I'll look good in this?"

Mikage Touji nodded heavily, "I think you would look beautiful wearing it, senpai."

"Really? You think I'd look cute?"

"Really." Mikage Touji was incredibly certain.

"Heh~"

After a long moment, Kiryūin Fūka chuckled, "That remark just now earned you a high score from me, underclassman."

Kiryūin dropped the other outfit she was holding, took the one Mikage Touji had picked out, and turned toward the fitting room, "Fine, since you chose it..."

It's over!

Mikage Touji shouted in his heart, and the next second, he collapsed onto a chair in the clothing store.

The chill of the chair seeped into his bones, yet Mikage Touji felt a strange and absolute sense of relief, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier...

He was about to ascend to heaven!

"Um, are you okay?" A soft, sweet voice entered his ears, carrying a hint of cautious probing, waking Mikage Touji up.

Mikage Touji opened his eyes and pushed himself up with his hands against the chair, "I'm fine, just a little tired."

The person speaking was a girl with shoulder-length brown hair and a headband, possessing a sweet appearance. At this moment, she was half-squatting beside Mikage Touji, a look of concern on her pretty face.

Mikage Touji covered his eyes and leaned back against the chair, looking like he still had lingering fears, "Are you girls always this terrifying when you go shopping? We've been at Keyaki Mall for two hours."

"Ahaha..." The girl scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed, "We don't usually shop for this long, actually."

As expected!

It's not my problem; it's just that senpai's stamina is too terrifying!

"Oh, right."

The girl seemed to remember something, took a juice box from her bag, and handed it to Mikage Touji with a sweet smile.

"Try this, you should feel much better."

Mikage Touji was quite moved. See? This is a normal person. Unlike senpai, who doesn't stop when she shops.

Taking the juice, Mikage Touji reached out, "I'm Mikage Touji, a student in Class A of the first year. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Kushida Kikyou, a student in Class D of the first year. Mikage-kun, nice to meet you too."

Kushida Kikyou blinked her large eyes and reached out to shake Mikage Touji's hand. Her fingertips brushed against his palm, leaving behind a faint, lingering fragrance.

Class D, huh...

Mikage Touji's eyes flickered. He hadn't forgotten the intel that blonde upperclassman had given him today.

The school placed people with strong abilities but certain flaws into Class D, and the upperclassmen had even called Class D a collection of defective goods.

"So, Mikage-kun, could we exchange contact information? Because," Kushida Kikyou held her phone, looking as if she were making a grand vow, "I want to become friends with everyone in this school."

"That's an impressive goal."

Mikage Touji took out his phone, and they added each other.

"Right? Right? But I'm going to work hard at it." Kushida Kikyou clenched her small fist.

"I believe you'll succeed, Kushida-san. After all, you're so cute, gentle, and understanding."

Mikage Touji smiled and nodded, maxing out her emotional value.

After chatting for a little while longer, it seemed that Kushida Kikyou's companion had come out of the restroom and was waving at them.

"Kushida-chan, it's time to go."

"Okay."

"Sorry, Mikage-kun, let's stop here for today." Kushida Kikyou pressed her hands together and bowed slightly, her ample assets looking as if they were about to spill out at any moment, "Let's chat online tonight."

With that, she waved and ran toward her companion.

Watching Kushida Kikyou's departing figure, Mikage Touji couldn't help but rub his chin.

This girl...

A sweet-looking girl initiates a conversation, shows concern for a stranger, kindly offers a drink, adds him as a friend, and even invites him to chat at night.

Any other guy might have already been hooked like a fish.

It's just a pity she met Mikage Touji, who had just been tempered by Morishita Ran, giving him terrifyingly high resistance.

"Do I look good?"

"It's—"

The next second, his neck was already being clamped by Kiryūin Fūka.

"Not bad, underclassman. I only stepped away for a moment and you're already hitting on a little girl."

"Cough, cough, cough!" Mikage Touji patted Kiryūin Fūka's slender yet powerful arm, "You look better than her, senpai."

"Heh~ a little boy who likes to lie."

"Really, I swear." A red flush appeared on Mikage Touji's face—from holding his breath.

"Compared to that kind, I prefer your type, senpai."

"That type?" Kiryūin increased the pressure.

"Long-legged..." Mikage Touji attempted to answer.

"And what else?" She didn't seem satisfied with this answer.

"Good figure..." Mikage Touji submitted his answer once again.

"Keep going." Incorrect answer.

"Someone as cute as you, senpai!" Mikage Touji had found the cheat code to clear the stage!

"I'll let you pass." Kiryūin Fūka let go.

"Haa... haa..." Mikage Touji rubbed his neck, gasping for air, and asked with a hint of expectation, "So, are we done for today?"

"No, help me pick out one more outfit." Kiryūin Fūka turned and walked away.

Her silver hair swept across her shoulders like moonlight silk, her long legs wrapped in black stockings extended beneath her short skirt, and her platform boots clicked rhythmically against the floor.

"Don't do this!" Mikage Touji followed after her, "I genuinely think this outfit looks beautiful on you, senpai."

"Then make it two more outfits."

"Huh?! How can you do that?"

"Then... three outfits?"

"Two, two, fine, I give up, are you happy now?"

"What an insincere underclassman, especially after staring at your senpai's legs for so long."

"Cough, cough... fine, three outfits it is."

Chapter 14: The Leisurely Daily Life of Mikage Touji

The next morning, the alarm-like chirping of a Brown-eared Bulbul rang out from the woods beside the dormitory, waking those who were fast asleep.