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

Given the level of self-discipline in Class A, they could achieve quite good results even without knowing about the code of conduct exam, but if other classes found out, the gap would inevitably be narrowed.

"Besides, you two are also involved in this information; I can't decide on my own."

"I... my share is nothing to worry about, Mikage-kun," Yamamura Miki, who was sipping her soup, raised her head quickly like a startled squirrel, "As long as I can help Mikage-kun, it's fine."

"Do whatever you want with that; I don't care," Morishita Ran carefully picked a noodle out of the fiery red broth, touched it with the tip of her delicate pink tongue, and immediately recoiled, her small face scrunching up, yet she tried again, unwilling to give up, "The problem is that someone must keep an eye on the students in the class to prevent them from acting as recklessly as you did last time, right?"

"True, first of all, he must have some ability, otherwise he won't be able to keep the class in check," Mikage Touji said.

"Secondly, it would be best if he has a sense of responsibility and can lead the students of Class A in battle," Morishita Ran followed up.

"Ideally, someone who is willing to work hard without complaint, someone who is happy to be a workhorse for the class's affairs."

"The problem is, where can we find such a person?"

"Yeah, I'd like to meet someone like that too."

"..."

The two stopped at the same time, looked at each other, and said in unison:

"Katsuragi Kōhei!"

Mashima Tomoya put down his chopsticks, straightened his suit, and left with a satisfied expression.

In the end, Morishita Ran finished her first experience at a ramen shop with a respectable score of five and a half noodles. Of course, she didn't pay; Mashima Tomoya covered the bill for all three of them when he left.

"Is this the Morishita family's challenge? Amazing, it really opened my eyes."

Mikage Touji walked along the road, laughing.

"This was a tactical adjustment; in fact, I have already conquered it."

Morishita Ran retorted with a blank expression, but her flushed lips and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead had already betrayed her.

Yamamura lowered her head, covering her mouth to hide a giggle.

"Hey, hey, Morishita, this isn't the way back to the dorms, is it?" Morishita Ran had led them off-course once again.

"It is. I've decided to go to the supermarket to make up for the dinner I didn't finish."

"Then I'm heading back."

"In this dead of night, in the dark, sprawling Advanced Nurturing, you're actually going to abandon two girls and run away on your own? You heartless guy!"

"You're the one who's heartless, Morishita Ran, the seat-stealer!"

"You're the one who steals seats!"

"You..."

"You!"

The bitter defeat of the spicy ramen and the secret conspiracy of their partnership both dissolved into the humid late-spring wind of Tokyo, blowing off into the distance together.

Chapter 10: Love at First Sight?

On the fourth day of school, Mikage Touji rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly at the Japanese history teacher on the podium.

Chabashira Sae possessed a beautiful face and a cold temperament; the professional office attire she wore actually looked somewhat sultry on her.

However, he wasn't interested in that type, and he was even less interested in the Japanese history she was teaching.

After one class, the hypnotic damage he received far exceeded that of any other subject.

"Ha~"

Mikage Touji let out a yawn and continued to zone out.

Morishita Ran hadn't been pulling any pranks in class for the past two days, likely affected by the code of conduct exam; she was probably feeling just as bored as he was.

Mikage Touji rolled his eyes in boredom, his gaze shifting...

Hashimoto Masayoshi, a guy who looked like a delinquent, was surprisingly serious about his studies and had excellent capabilities in all areas. It would be even better if he didn't keep trying to squeeze his way over to his side. Thinking back, this guy had added him as a friend on the very first day of school and frequently sent messages to his phone asking if there was anything he could help with—it was truly a bit too enthusiastic.

Katsuragi-san, a pretty decent guy. He had a sense of responsibility, was capable, and handled things steadily. Most of the class affairs were currently being handled by him, and he had even heard he decided to join the student council. Wish him success.

Shiraishi—

Mikage Touji's gaze paused. He felt as if a glance had quickly moved away from him.

Was it his imagination...

Mikage Touji withdrew his gaze and propped up his textbook, pretending to stare at the small print on it.

It wasn't his imagination!

You're the one peeking at me, Jojo!

He quickly turned his neck, revealing a villainous, "plan-succeeded" smile, and locked onto his target instantly.

A pair of bright, beautiful eyes entered his vision. The owner of the eyes didn't panic after being caught; instead, she looked openly at Mikage Touji, her large, clear eyes rippling with a smile like a lake.

Stare—!

This situation actually left Mikage Touji at a loss, so he immediately returned the gaze, looking toward the owner of those eyes as well.

However, the other party showed no reaction, continuing to stare straight at Mikage Touji's face.

A few minutes later, Mikage Touji couldn't hold out any longer and submitted a request to surrender.

The other party rejected the surrender and continued her big-eyed offensive.

Not long after, class ended, and Mikage Touji finally couldn't take it anymore.

"Um... Shiraishi-san, is there something on my face?"

Shiraishi Asuka replied with a smile: "Hehe~ there isn't..."

"Then why have you been staring at me?"

"Because Mikage-kun is very handsome."

"Thank you."

"Mm..."

Seeing that Mikage Touji clearly didn't believe her, Shiraishi Asuka held a finger to her cheek, tilted her head in thought, and then smiled. "Maybe I fell in love with Mikage-kun at first sight."

"Guess whether I believe you or not?" Mikage Touji said with a deadpan expression, letting out a dry chuckle.

"It's true, you know," Shiraishi Asuka said, her eyes reflecting Mikage Touji's figure, her voice as light as a feather. "Mikage-kun, you look a lot like someone I used to know..."

"Is that so? To think there's a guy who looks just like me..."

Mikage Touji straightened his back solemnly, raised a hand to support his chin, furrowed his brows, and pressed his lips into a thin line.

"Doesn't that mean he could threaten my status as a visual icon?"

"..."

Shiraishi Asuka's gentle expression froze, and a few seconds later, she burst into a giggle.

"Hehe~"

She used her index finger to wipe away a tear from the corner of her eye. "As expected, Mikage-kun really isn't like him."

"Are you saying I look like him or not?"

Mikage Touji looked unconvinced and pressed further. "You have to realize that I'm a man who claims he could make a living on his looks alone. Suddenly hearing about a guy like that gives me a strong sense of crisis."

"I don't know." Shiraishi Asuka stood up from her seat, raised her hands to gather her hair, and shouldered her bag. "It's been a long time since I last saw him, too." As she spoke, she walked toward the door. "Let's leave it at that. I have some things to do, so I'll be going now. See you tomorrow, Mikage-kun."

"See you tomorrow."

After waving goodbye to Mikage Touji, Shiraishi Asuka left the classroom.

Watching her retreating figure, Mikage Touji turned around decisively. "Morishita, is there something on my face?"

After observing him carefully, Morishita Ran nodded. "There is the adorable Morishita-sama."

Confirming there was nothing on his face, Mikage Touji felt a bit agitated.

"Could it be that someone actually likes me?"

"Impossible. Give it up; it's unrealistic." Morishita Ran delivered a triple-combo of rejection in a flat tone.

"It's impossible for anyone to like a Mikage Touji who is a chuunibyou, loves to fantasize, is petty, and enjoys bullying girls."

The heartless words struck Mikage Touji like a giant boulder, knocking him to his knees on the spot.

Morishita Ran... how can such cold words come out of your 37-degree mouth?

"You'd better be careful. Shiraishi Asuka might just be the 'Madonna' of our class." Morishita Ran walked over, crouched down, and curiously poked the cheek of the petrified Mikage Touji.

"Do you have any evidence for that?"

"Intuition!" Morishita Ran puffed out her chest and said righteously. Seeing that Mikage Touji didn't believe her, she added, "A woman's intuition is very accurate."

"Heh..."

A woman said that last time, and as a result, I lost 1,000 big ones buying her a strawberry cake.

After staying in the classroom for a while longer, the sun began to sink below the horizon.

"It should be about time." Mikage Touji took out his phone, glanced at the screen, stood up from his seat, and rolled his shoulders. "Time to get down to business."

He had arranged to meet Katsuragi Kōhei on the rooftop, and he should be arriving there about now.

"Want to come along?"

"I refuse. I have no interest in things that are already certain." Morishita Ran said decisively. "I've judged that Katsuragi Kōhei is enough to support the class."

"Even though you were part of the planning process." Mikage Touji wasn't surprised by this. "Then are you going to eat, or are you going somewhere else to dig for your treasures?"

"I can't tell you that--"

Morishita Ran widened her eyes, covered her chest with both hands, took two steps back, and feigned shyness. "To think you'd pry into Morishita-sama's affairs like that. Could it be that you have ulterior motives for me? Did you fail with Shiraishi Asuka, so now you're setting your sights on me?"

"Impossible, unnecessary, no interest." Mikage Touji used her own logic against her, returning the favor.

"You were so easy to fool just a moment ago, how are you so clear-headed now?" Morishita Ran said indignantly.

"What do you think?" Mikage Touji squinted his eyes.

After trading so many blows with me, don't try to play coy.

"I'm leaving."

Having failed in her scheme, Morishita Ran no longer lingered, leaving the classroom with a light, brisk step.

"I'm curious about Yamamura Miki's presence, so I'm currently developing a way to utilize her."

Didn't she just say it out loud anyway?

Mikage Touji's lips curled upward.

Chapter 11 Katsuragi: Damn, I've Been Set Up by Capital

The rooftop of the Kouiku school building was different from other schools; because it was equipped with cameras that overlooked the entire campus, it was open for student use during the day.

However, almost no students ever came to such a place. The freshmen were busy experiencing their dream campus life, and the upperclassmen had no reason to trek all the way up here to eat, given the school's abundant facilities.

By the time Mikage Touji arrived, Katsuragi Kōhei was already waiting, his sturdy frame casting a shadow that made him look like a monolith standing firm against the earth.

"Yo, Katsuragi-san, sorry to keep you waiting." Mikage Touji pulled out his phone as he approached Katsuragi Kōhei.

"No, I just arrived. You are very punctual, Mikage-kun."

Mikage Touji found a comfortable spot, leaning half-against the railing, and unlocked his phone to open his notes, handing it over to Katsuragi Kōhei.

It contained the intelligence he had deduced himself, though the parts derived by Morishita Ran and Yamamura Miki, along with some scattered bits of information, were left out.

"This is part of the truth regarding the school's rules. Take a look." He had already verified the authenticity of the information with his senior to ensure there were no mistakes.

"I understand."

Katsuragi Kōhei nodded solemnly and picked up the phone to read. As time passed, his expression grew increasingly grave; the content wasn't long, but every single point was packed with massive implications.

Mikage Touji turned his head to gaze at the scenery in the distance.

Morishita Ran was pushing Yamamura Miki out of the school building's main entrance. Judging by the direction, they were heading toward the secluded path behind the building; he had no idea what new stunt she was pulling now.

A small group of boys from the class, led by Satonaka and Shijo, finished their lunch and walked toward this area in a row, arms draped over each other's shoulders.