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

Unfortunately, heaven did not grant his wish...

"Hey, hey, Mikage-kun, what's your type?" A question drifted from somewhere in the classroom.

Mikage Touji fell silent for a moment, then began to stroke his chin: "My type... my ideal partner... hmm... alright, since you want to know..."

A portion of the girls in the class subconsciously pricked up their ears.

"My ideal partner..."

Mikage Touji clapped his hands together, causing the podium to vibrate, and declared with passionate intensity:

"He must be 50 meters tall!"

"Possess a highly evolved brain!"

"Have an incredibly robust physique and the highest moral character!"

"And he must be able to fire the Specium Ray!"

"Though, that one who likes to boil people into soup is a no-go, he's too much of a scumbag. It's best if it's the kind that can combine, that way I can get multiple different experiences at once."

"If you have such an existence around you, please be sure to introduce me."

"Thank you!"

The powerful declaration echoed through the classroom, and everyone stared blankly at the existence on the podium.

In the dead-silent classroom, a crisp "crack" sound seemed to ring out.

A long while later.

"He's such a handsome guy, and his name sounds so cool and aloof," one girl leaned back in her chair, murmuring in a daze, "how did he end up like this..."

Alright, done and dusted!

Mikage Touji wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead and walked off the podium, only to find Morishita Ran clutching her chest.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Please don't talk to me! Because of you, I am in a very bad mood right now."

"How did I offend you again?"

"My meticulously prepared, magnificent self-introduction was ruined by you. My dreams have been shattered, and it's all because of you, Mikage Touji, you murderer!"

"Isn't that a bit too dramatic?"

"And I feel..." Morishita Ran looked at the reactions of her classmates and muttered, "that something that originally belonged to me was snatched away by you. You owe me!"

"Hey, hey, how am I supposed to compensate you for something so ethereal?"

"That's why, from now on, please don't talk to me. I'm going to mourn my lost dreams."

In the end, Morishita Ran only gave an exceptionally bland self-introduction. After returning, she went back to playing with her bubble wrap, only with a bit more force, and she started scribbling on his back.

But this feeling... she wouldn't be trying to draw a talisman to put a curse on him, would she!

Mikage Touji felt something was amiss.

The last one to go up was the bald classmate; he seemed to have waited specifically until the very end.

"My name is Katsuragi Kōhei. I hope we can all spend these three years together in a fulfilling way..."

The bald classmate with the gleaming head gave his self-introduction in a steady tone.

"As for my personality and such, I won't mention it. I believe that over the three years we spend together, you will all come to know what kind of person I am. Finally, I want to say..."

Katsuragi Kōhei paused slightly, his tone deepening.

"Regarding the criteria for the monthly distribution of 100,000 points that Mashima-sensei mentioned just now. I believe you all heard it very clearly: it is not guaranteed that 100,000 points will be distributed every month."

"Therefore, before we figure out the criteria for point distribution, I would like to ask everyone to maintain the status quo and not do anything too extreme."

He didn't immediately jump to conclusions about Mashima-sensei's statement, nor did he rashly call for the whole class to take action. It was a truly steady statement, matching the personality that went with his sturdy build.

Just as Mikage Touji gave his assessment in his heart, his back was poked.

"Mikage Touji, aren't you going to say a few words? You could salvage the image you just sent sliding into the abyss in their hearts." Morishita Ran rested her chin on the desk, saying with boredom.

"I'm not interested in that kind of thing. Didn't you say you weren't going to do it either? Also, didn't you say not to talk to you? Aren't you mourning your dreams anymore?"

"I found a new dream three minutes ago."

"You really are fickle."

"A guy who likes combining Ultramen has no right to say that to me."

On the podium, after Katsuragi Kōhei finished expressing his views, he looked at Mikage Touji.

"Mikage-kun, do you have anything you'd like to add?"

"Looks like you have no choice even if you aren't interested. Darkness is encroaching upon you." Morishita Ran behind him said with a flat tone, gloating.

I know, so stop saying it!

"Nothing." Mikage Touji shrugged, "Without knowing the intelligence, maintaining the status quo is the best method. The top priority is intelligence."

"I can try asking the upperclassmen; they should have some information regarding this," Hashimoto Masayoshi said, volunteering as he combed his bangs.

Katsuragi Kōhei nodded, "That is indeed necessary, but considering Mashima-sensei's attitude earlier, I honestly don't think the answer will be that easy to come by."

"If you need anything, feel free to ask for my help."

"Same here."

Before long, the students in the class reached a consensus regarding the points.

At the same time, the students of Class D were also discussing the 100,000 points.

"Kushida-chan, let me tell you, back in middle school, a Japanese youth baseball team actually came all the way to our school to scout me! It's a pity that the guys at school were jealous of me and didn't even tell me about it, causing me to miss the opportunity. Otherwise, a number like 100,000 wouldn't even be worth my attention."

"Ahaha, is... is that so..."

"There's this figure I've wanted to buy for a long time, hehehe..."

"Don't misunderstand, I have absolutely no interest in making friends with people like you."

"100,000 points every month, this is just too dreamy! New skirts, new bags, more, more..."

"Hmph, hahaha, I am just too beautiful."

In the corner of the classroom, the composed smile of Sakayanagi Arisu stiffened.

Chapter 4: Two Supremes Battle Until the Great Dao Erodes

Regardless of the world, entrance ceremonies are always boring and long.

After yawning more times than he could count, the entrance ceremony finally concluded.

Declining the invitation from Katsuragi Kōhei and the others to go scout for information, Mikage Touji stepped out of the gymnasium to find the sun hanging high in the sky.

April in Tokyo is not hot, even a bit cold, but the sun hitting one's body provides a warm, cozy feeling.

Does this place also have unlimited free mineral water?

Mikage Touji stretched his waist, standing beside a vending machine in deep thought.

This vending machine was clearly different from the ones outside; it had an extra button labeled "Free," likely retrofitted to provide complimentary mineral water.

Pressing the free button, a bottle of mineral water slid into the retrieval slot, and Mikage Touji bent down to pick it up.

It was an ordinary 500ml bottle of mineral water, the kind commonly found on the market, priced at about 60 yen.

Mikage Touji stared at the production date on the bottle, his eyes flickering.

The date is quite recent; it must have been restocked not long ago.

The school only has 480 students in total, and these vending machines are located all over the campus, so logically, the demand shouldn't be that high.

Yet the reality is that a significant number of students still come to collect the free mineral water.

Even with points distributed every month, does the school still judge that some students will fall into a state where they can't even afford 60 yen?

Mikage Touji tapped his shoulder rhythmically with the water bottle, feeling that for the sake of his life over the next three years, it was necessary to investigate.

Taking the mineral water, Mikage Touji headed toward the Student Cafeteria.

Ten minutes later, Mikage Touji stood at the entrance of the Student Cafeteria, scanning the various windows.

Since there is free mineral water, then free meals should logically also... there it is!

His gaze paused, landing on the station labeled "Mountain Vegetable Set Meal."

Vegetables, Miso Soup, meat that looked unappetizing at a glance, and finally rice—a nutritionally balanced yet indescribably strange combination...

Mikage Touji took the tray with the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal and found a seat at random.

Then, he bumped into Morishita Ran, who was also dining in the cafeteria.

Karaage, a meat patty, salad, and a carbonated drink—a very childish combination.

Sitting nearby, Morishita Ran, who clearly had her mouth full, moved one seat over after seeing Mikage Touji.

"..."

What is this "I am currently enjoying my lunch, so please do not disturb me for now" vibe?

But that's fine too. Mikage Touji sat down, his gaze fixed on the direction of the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal window, and popped a piece of vegetable into his mouth.

So dry...

It had absolutely no flavor, pure torture; it reminded him of his middle school cafeteria in his previous life—no! It was even worse than that!

One...

Two...

Three...

While chewing the dry meat slices at a leisurely pace, Mikage Touji silently counted the number of students collecting the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal.

"Which one are you up to?"

"The sixth—"

Mikage Touji forcibly cut his words short. Without needing to turn his head, he couldn't think of anyone other than Morishita Ran who would suddenly chime in like that.

"How did you know I was counting the people?"

"..." Morishita Ran remained silent.

This reaction piqued Mikage Touji's curiosity. To make that maverick Morishita Ran go quiet...

"Wait!" Mikage Touji recalled the line of sight when he had bumped into Morishita Ran. "Don't tell me you were also—"

"Correct." Morishita Ran snatched the words away. "I originally planned to explore the school's hidden treasures while enjoying my lunch, but then Mikage Touji, who ruined my dreams, wandered into my field of vision.

I was a bit angry, so I thought about whether I should sneak up behind him to give him a scare as revenge. By the time I came to my senses, I realized I had forgotten what number I was on."

Mikage Touji stared blankly at Morishita Ran's expressionless face. Is this person smart, or just incredibly blunt?

"Then I discovered that Mikage Touji was also counting the people, so I decided to use him to make up for my loss. To avoid disturbing him, I even generously left the spot open for him. As I expected, things followed suit." A trace of smugness flashed across Morishita Ran's cold face.

Fine, I can't predict this person at all.

"So, shall we exchange information now?"

"No." Morishita Ran refused flatly, without a moment's hesitation. "If a treasure isn't found by oneself, it is meaningless. This is the ancestral motto passed down through the Morishita Family."

"...Are your Morishita Family ancestors the One Piece? Also, you really are a bit strange."

"Yes, the bloodline of the One Piece flows through the Morishita Family." Morishita Ran automatically skipped over the comment about her and nodded quite affirmatively.

"..." What kind of tone is that? It's like saying, "I'm lying, but you absolutely must not call me out on it."

Mikage Touji decided to move past this question. If he kept talking, he had no idea where she would take the conversation. "Then, what is your conclusion?"

"A considerable portion of the students at this school are living in financial straits, which suggests that the distribution of personal points might be extremely low or even zero."

"Agreed. In just one lunch period, more than six students claimed the Free Set Meal. No matter how you look at it, that number is not right."

"Seven. And that includes the Mikage Touji who has pica, chewing and savoring his food."