Classroom of the Elite, I Only Want Your Rewards

Walking back to the dormitory, Suzuki Toru could not stop thinking about what had just happened. He hadn't expected it to be so easy to take down a girl.

As it turned out, the weight of a secret depended entirely on how much the person involved valued it.

Ichinose Honami was clearly filled with regret over her act of theft and felt a deep sense of self-loathing, which was exactly why she was so terrified of him exposing it.

Setting Ichinose Honami aside, the bigger issue was Nagumo Miyabi. As the vice president of the student council, why would he want to exploit a first-year student? What was he planning?

If the competition were merely between the four classes, there would be no need for Nagumo Miyabi to concern himself with the first years.

So, did this mean there would be cross-grade competition in the future?

Suzuki Toru sighed. Whether it was his homeroom teacher Mashima Tomoya or the upperclassmen, none of them were people he could truly let his guard down around.

If Sakayanagi Arisu didn't make a move soon, he would have to consider consolidating his own class.

Well, he had no intention of participating in any competition; his priority remained fulfilling his wishes, and this would simply be a more energy-efficient way to do so.

He didn't want to be held back by a bunch of idiots while he was trying to complete his goals.

Just then, someone tentatively called out to him.

"Um, excuse me, are you Suzuki-kun from Class 1-A?"

Suzuki Toru looked over to see a few girls who appeared to be returning from the shopping mall. They were carrying quite a few items, suggesting they had spent a fair amount of points.

One girl in particular stood out. Her short, tea-colored hair shimmered in the sunlight, and she wore a cute headband that framed her slightly exposed bangs.

She wasn't tall, but she possessed a pair of fair, soft-looking legs. The skin of her thighs was visible beneath her skirt, appearing slightly plump, while her calves were encased in black stockings that hinted at the skin tone beneath.

What was even more eye-catching was that despite her petite and slender frame, her breasts were exceptionally well-developed. Even in clothing that didn't emphasize them, it was hard not to let one's gaze drift toward them.

[Want to make the little angel Kushida-chan lose her cool], [Kushida-chan should be pinned to the bed and taught a lesson with vigorous thrusts], [Lead the isolation of Kushida Kikyo], [Lick Kushida Kikyo's jade feet until they're ruined], [Want to see Kushida-chan making a peace sign], [Detonate Kushida Kikyo]...

Suzuki Toru was slightly surprised, not because these wishes were becoming increasingly depraved, but because he couldn't understand why this school was filled with so many popular characters.

In his previous world, wishes only appeared around idols; ordinary people had none at all.

He hadn't expected them to be everywhere here. Had the wish-granting machine sent him here to clear out a wasteland?

"Do you know me?" Suzuki Toru asked her.

Kushida Kikyo flashed a relieved smile, then looked a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, I think this is our first time meeting. I'm Kushida Kikyo from Class 1-D. I've heard about you from some classmates in your grade; Suzuki-kun is quite famous among the girls."

As she spoke, the girls beside her also looked at Suzuki Toru with curiosity.

"I don't recall doing anything that would make me famous." Suzuki Toru felt a bit puzzled.

Seeing his reaction, Kushida Kikyo blinked. "It's because Suzuki-kun looks like a celebrity. Some people even thought you were an idol, but they couldn't find any information about you online."

There was no way to respond to that.

"And some people saw you walking with a very cute girl, so they were wondering if you were the first couple of the school year," another girl with twin tails added cautiously.

Suzuki Toru fell even more silent. She must have been talking about Sakayanagi Arisu. Could it be that in everyone else's eyes, he was tied to a middle-schooler?

"Sorry, did we say too much?" Kushida Kikyo peered at his expression, looking apologetic.

"No, I was just surprised that someone would come up to greet me," Suzuki Toru replied.

Kushida Kikyo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, then asked curiously, "Though it might be forward of me, does this mean Suzuki-kun doesn't have any friends?"

"I've been a bit busy lately and haven't had time to make friends," Suzuki Toru said, feigning regret. "By the time I realized it, everyone had already formed their own groups."

Kushida Kikyo looked surprised, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. "Actually, it's not too late. I think if Suzuki-kun just takes a little initiative, there are definitely people who would be willing to accept you."

In truth, the girls had privately made a ranking of the handsome first-year boys. Based on his looks, Suzuki Toru should have easily taken the top spot.

It was only because he hadn't actively participated in their circles and seemed unapproachable that he was ranked second.

"I see. It seems that's my fault," Suzuki Toru mused for a moment, then suddenly spoke up. "Would you mind if I became friends with you, Kushida-san?"

Kushida Kikyo was slightly taken aback. She was the one who should have initiated this; why was he the one making the move?

How strange. This boy was unexpectedly bold.

"Of course! Actually, I've been wanting to try and get on good terms with you too, Suzuki-kun!"

As she said this, Kushida Kikyo eagerly pulled out her phone.

When she stepped in front of Suzuki Toru, a pleasant, girlish fragrance wafted over. Due to the height difference, Suzuki Toru could catch a glimpse of the pale, snowy skin at her collarbone, subtly hidden beneath her clothes. It was barely visible, yet incredibly captivating.

"There, the exchange is complete." A happy smile bloomed on Kushida Kikyo's face, her neck looking fair and delicate.

Afterward, Suzuki Toru exchanged contact information with her friends as well. No one objected; after all, in this world, no one hated someone who was good-looking.

However, perhaps because of that, he felt they were still holding back, and only Kushida Kikyo was able to converse with him naturally.

Once they put their phones away, Suzuki Toru asked, "Is there a girl in your class named Horikita Suzune?"

In an instant, Kushida Kikyo's expression stiffened.

Although she recovered quickly, this subtle change did not escape Suzuki Toru.

"Ahaha, are you talking about Horikita-san?" Kushida Kikyo said nonchalantly. "She usually acts alone. I don't see her with any friends. Do you know her, Suzuki-kun?"

"Impossible, right? Is there really no one willing to be friends with Suzune?" Suzuki Toru asked, feigning surprise.

The fact that he used such an intimate term for Horikita Suzune made the micro-expressions on Kushida Kikyo's face even more fascinating.

"Not really. Actually, everyone wants to get along with Horikita-san, but she keeps rejecting us," Kushida Kikyo sighed as if she had a headache. "Only one boy can talk to her; it seems they knew each other from the very beginning."

Suzuki Toru recalled the club orientation; he had seen a boy right next to Horikita Suzune at the time.

"Is his name Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?"

"Eh? Does Suzuki-kun know Ayanokoji-kun too?" Kushida Kikyo looked quite surprised. "You don't seem like the type who doesn't have friends. You aren't lying to me, are you?"

"I have a few friends, but I'm missing one: Kushida-san." Suzuki Toru smiled.

A handsome guy's smile, paired with such a cunning line—it should be enough to win over quite a few girls.

Kushida Kikyo narrowed her eyes, alarm bells ringing in her heart. It seemed she had met her match today.

"I've never met a friend like Suzuki-kun before. You don't seem as cold as the rumors suggest."

"Would you like to go out sometime?"

"Ahaha, I think everyone would welcome Suzuki-kun."

[Image attached here; viewable after updating the version]

Chapter 15: The Little Princess is About to Make a Move

Although it was a naive thought, Kushida Kikyo had once considered whether she could get along with everyone.

No matter who she met, they would smile at her, whether they were telling her their troubles, asking for her help, or telling her to do something.

This feeling of being watched was, without a doubt, a necessity of life for Kushida Kikyo.

However, she had seen someone at this school she didn't want to see.

"Hey, Suzuki-kun, were you and Horikita-san acquaintances before?"

Kushida Kikyo didn't want to continue the small talk with him. Her previous assessment of him was completely wrong; this guy wasn't some emotionless person at all—he was clearly a predator.

"Not exactly close. By comparison, I have more in common with her brother." Suzuki Toru didn't feel like he was lying; after all, he was going to join the Student Council, so he would definitely be talking to Horikita Manabu quite a bit.

Kushida Kikyo's eyes sparkled, though it was hard to tell what she was thinking.

"Actually, I want to be friends with Horikita-san too. Since you know her, could I ask you to help me out a little?"

As she spoke, she added, "I previously asked Ayanokoji-kun to help me call Horikita-san out, but as soon as she saw it was me, she turned around and walked away."

Kushida Kikyo put on a pitiful expression, biting her lip slightly and looking up at Suzuki Toru. Her expectant gaze was impossible to refuse.

"I'd love to help, but I don't have her current contact information, and we aren't in the same class." Suzuki Toru expressed his regret.

"Eh? Doesn't Suzuki-kun know Horikita-san?" Kushida Kikyo smiled, blinking her eyes.

Suzuki Toru pondered for a moment. "You could try calling her out and saying that a friend of her brother's wants to talk to her. If it goes well, I should be able to make her understand your desire to be friends with her."

Kushida Kikyo said embarrassedly, "I'm really sorry to trouble you, Suzuki-kun."

"After all, Kushida-san is very cute. Any normal person would try to find a way to help." Suzuki Toru smiled.

"You really know how to compliment girls. But I'm a bit surprised that Horikita-san has a brother." Kushida Kikyo probed, "Is her brother at this school too?"

"The current Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, is her brother." Suzuki Toru dispelled Kushida Kikyo's last shred of doubt with a breezy tone.

"Eh!?"

Several girls let out a classic high school girl sound in unison. They probably never imagined that the antisocial Horikita Suzune could be related to the Student Council President.

"Ahaha, so that's how it is. Thank you for telling me so much." Kushida Kikyo subconsciously brushed her hair back, her face full of smiles.

However, the smile was a bit forced.

This reaction was worth pondering—it was a mix of shock, uncertainty, and a hint of frustration and annoyance. Suzuki Toru shifted his gaze to the bags in their hands.

"Are you heading back to the dorms?" As he spoke, Suzuki Toru reached out his hand. "I happen to be heading back too. If you don't mind, I can help carry some of that for you."

"Th-that would be too much trouble for you." The girl with twin tails saw this and waved her hands hurriedly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Sorry, I'm a bit slow. I was just thinking about how to get on good terms with others as quickly as possible. Did I make you feel like it was too sudden?" Suzuki Toru came to his senses and couldn't help but show a hint of apology.

As expected, a handsome face had great lethality, and combined with his so-called kindness, the girls immediately looked at each other, then averted their eyes in an instant.

"N-no, not at all..." the girl with twin tails whispered.

Kushida Kikyo's face darkened. This guy really was the same type of flirt; he was actually aggressively hitting on her friends right in front of her.

"Suzuki-kun is very gentle with girls. I guess we have no choice but to leave it to you." Kushida Kikyo took the lead and handed her bags to Suzuki Toru. "I can understand that feeling of wanting to get along with everyone."