Classroom of the Elite, I Only Want Your Rewards

"Please continue to take care of me in the future. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving." Suzuki Toru gave them a slight nod.

"Leaving a girl behind to run off on your own, don't you think that's a bit rude, Suzuki-kun?" Sakayanagi Arisu smiled faintly, her eyes filled with teasing.

"I don't." Suzuki Toru denied it.

"How truly rude to a girl. I had thought Classmate Kamuro was lying to me when she said you were like this." Sakayanagi Arisu sighed as if disappointed.

Suzuki Toru turned to look at Kamuro Masumi, who had her arms crossed and stubbornly looked away.

This reaction was proof enough that she had told Sakayanagi Arisu about his request from back then.

Just what kind of leverage does Sakayanagi Arisu have over you that you would reveal something like that?

However, Sakayanagi Arisu cut the topic short and asked with a smile, "By the way, what do you think of Katsuragi-kun?"

From the perspective of the class, Katsuragi Kohei's abilities were excellent, and his character was sound; otherwise, people wouldn't have gathered around him as soon as school started.

Of the two factions that had emerged so far, Katsuragi Kohei had built his through his usual conduct, even if he might not have initially intended to lead the entire class.

But now, he had no choice but to consider the issue of leadership.

The logic was simple: if Sakayanagi Arisu had shown her true strength from the beginning, Katsuragi Kohei likely wouldn't have had any thoughts of competing.

However, the fact that Sakayanagi Arisu insisted on waiting a week before high-profilely asserting her presence showed that this person was doing it entirely on purpose.

Katsuragi Kohei must have sensed that something was wrong by now, and he likely harbored deep confusion regarding Sakayanagi Arisu.

As for why Sakayanagi Arisu would do such a thing, Suzuki Toru couldn't answer either. Judging by her demeanor, she didn't seem like someone who cared much about the class; it might be a personal matter.

If it were personal, it could only be a difference in interests and hobbies.

Considering Sakayanagi Arisu's actions at the time, as well as her focus on him, could it be that this person was just bored?

"Classmate Katsuragi is intelligent, has a great memory, is excellent in his studies and his attitude toward others, and has a calm and prudent personality. He has his own principles and treats his classmates well. Whenever there is a dispute, he is the first to step in and stop it. I don't see any flaws in him."

He wasn't spouting nonsense; this was the conclusion Suzuki Toru had reached after silently observing for a few days.

In the absence of a class representative or a clear leader, Katsuragi Kohei was often the one to step forward, whether it was to mediate arguments between classmates or help them resolve their troubles. In short, he was a person worthy of trust.

If Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't intervened, Katsuragi Kohei would essentially be the leader of Class A.

"That's quite an astonishing evaluation, though I have a slightly different view than you." Sakayanagi Arisu pondered for a moment. "He is excellent, but he is not suited to survive in this school. If left unchecked, he will lead Class A to lose the competition."

"Is that why you stepped forward?" Suzuki Toru asked.

"I have many areas where I am not proficient, such as physical ability; I couldn't possibly beat anyone. Therefore, I need power beyond my own to achieve more things."

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't seem to feel the slightest inferiority because of her physical condition; it would probably be fine to snatch her cane away.

"If that's the case, I hope you can speed things up."

"Hehe, is it because Suzuki-kun doesn't want to see infighting within the class?"

"No, I mean if you don't hurry up, I'm going to make my move."

As his words fell, the atmosphere turned heavy and silent, and everyone showed a different reaction.

Kito Hayato didn't have much of a change in expression, Kamuro Masumi wore an expression that said, "What are you still saying at this point?", and Hashimoto Masayoshi glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu, who still wore a faint, elusive smile.

"Hehe, it seems it is my regret that I couldn't see what Suzuki-kun looks like when he's serious." Sakayanagi Arisu sounded as if she were truly regretful, but her eyes were filled with a dangerous light—a feeling that she would be locking horns with him from now on.

"Do you want to play a game?" Suzuki Toru asked out of the blue.

"Please, tell me," Sakayanagi Arisu said very seriously.

"As students of Class A, we are about to face the encirclement and strangulation of the other three classes. If we are even slightly careless, the class will fall to the bottom." Suzuki Toru paused. "Only the most excellent leader can avoid such a situation, and I don't think you can do it."

"Hehe, I'm really being looked down upon. I can't take words like that as a joke, you know?" The smile on Sakayanagi Arisu's face grew increasingly dangerous.

"Suzuki, do you favor Katsuragi more?" Hashimoto Masayoshi interjected.

"My view is the same as Classmate Sakayanagi's." Suzuki Toru shook his head.

Kamuro Masumi seemed to realize something and couldn't help but say, "You aren't talking about yourself, are you?"

Connecting it to his previous words, Kamuro Masumi felt this idea was truly shocking.

It was already serious enough that Class A had two leaders; could it be that a third leader was about to emerge?

"Before the first year ends, I will take control of the entire class and lead Class A to the highest point." Suzuki Toru ignored Kamuro Masumi's words, as if stating a conclusion. "Before that, Classmate Sakayanagi, you can try to stop me. You'd better be quick, or I will be very disappointed in you."

As his words fell, the atmosphere suddenly froze.

Suzuki Toru's words had once again exceeded everyone's expectations.

Under his gaze, Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for a moment, then the corners of her mouth slowly curled up. She then let out a strange, eerie laugh as if she had broken down, her whole body trembling uncontrollably, and her eyes shining brightly.

"Hehehe... I really didn't misjudge you... This is wonderful... I haven't felt this emotion in a long time. I have never felt like this before... so excited..."

Kamuro Masumi was dumbfounded: "You actually broke Sakayanagi just like that?"

No, compared to that, he preferred to call it prescribing the right medicine for the illness—it hit Sakayanagi Arisu's sensitive spot perfectly.

"Hehe, what if I can stop you?" Sakayanagi Arisu quickly returned to normal, though a smile still lingered on her face.

"If you can do it, I'll be your dog and call you Master every day," Suzuki Toru said without a shred of shame. "If you can't, you have to wear cat ears and a maid outfit, call me Master every day, and obey my every command."

Well, regardless of who won, he could satisfy a certain wish.

In a sense, Suzuki Toru was not losing anything either way.

"How disgusting." Kamuro Masumi was the quickest to react, "So you're a lolicon, you guy?"

Even Hashimoto Masayoshi wore a strange expression; this was the first time he had heard such a blatant request.

Sakayanagi Arisu, however, gave a faint smile: "It doesn't matter. Suzuki-kun is a boy in his puberty, so I can understand your H thoughts about girls. However, that is on the condition that you win."

At this moment, the young girl bravely met Suzuki Toru's gaze, showing no fear.

"Hehe, I accept your invitation. Please perform well from here on out, and please don't let me down."

She added a slight emphasis to the end of her sentence; this girl seemed to hold a bit of a grudge.

At this very moment, Sakayanagi Arisu did not believe for a second that she would lose, viewing it only as an interesting game.

Chapter 21: I Hope I Haven't Guessed Right, Senior

In Class 3-A, the current student council president, Horikita Manabu, was sizing up the freshman before him.

The other party possessed a handsome appearance akin to a star, with black hair and black eyes that were clear and bright. His developing body showed few traces of immaturity or greenness; compared to Nagumo Miyabi, he might even have the upper hand.

Although he thought this, Horikita Manabu could feel that their temperaments were different. Nagumo Miyabi had a cynical, do-as-he-pleased vibe, and his usual behavior was like that of a playboy.

The person before him, however, made him feel as if he were facing an endless ocean; his first impression was that he could not see through what this freshman was thinking.

From the start of the school year until now, this was the second freshman to knock on the student council's door, and he was even a student from Class A.

Despite this, there was no expression on Horikita Manabu's face.

Beside him, Tachibana Akane, serving as the student council secretary, was also silently observing Suzuki Toru.

The last time Horikita Manabu rejected Ichinose Honami, Tachibana Akane had been on the scene. She had watched from start to finish as Ichinose Honami went from confident to nervous, and then to disappointed and dejected.

This freshman from Class A would likely show the same expression in a moment.

"Suzuki Toru of Class 1-A, what is your reason for applying to join the student council?"

With the same opening line, Tachibana Akane shifted her gaze away from Horikita Manabu and continued to look at Suzuki Toru, waiting for what should be a self-introduction or something similar.

Tachibana Akane felt a bit bored.

"As your support, after you retire, I will help you deal with Nagumo, and we can make a trade while we're at it."

"Cough, cough, cough—"

The moment the words left his mouth, Suzuki Toru saw Tachibana Akane suddenly start coughing violently, as if she had choked on something.

Strange, had she been drinking anything?

"Tachibana, what's wrong?" Horikita Manabu asked.

"It's nothing, absolutely nothing, I just accidentally sneezed!" Tachibana Akane hurriedly covered up her loss of composure; she couldn't believe what she had just heard.

Horikita Manabu withdrew his gaze from her and calmly stared at Suzuki Toru.

"What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. I've seen information about you and Nagumo on the school forum. Nagumo seems very keen on challenging you, but you haven't responded even once. Some people are still looking forward to a duel between you two."

"He is my vice president and also my junior. On what basis do you judge that we are enemies?"

"Because you rejected Ichinose-san."

Horikita Manabu fell into silence, but Tachibana Akane spoke up from the side: "It was just rejecting a freshman. She didn't meet the student council's requirements, so naturally, she couldn't join."

"May I ask what the student council's requirements are?" Suzuki Toru looked at the girl with her hair in a bun, "Could it be because she isn't a student from Class A?"

"I'm sorry, junior from the first year, whether or not one meets the requirements is judged by President Horikita and us, not based on your ideas," Tachibana Akane said stiffly.

"So what are the student council's requirements? Do you not accept non-Class A students?" Suzuki Toru did not let her lead him in circles.

Tachibana Akane was getting annoyed. What was wrong with this first-year brat?

Coming in with that kind of tone right off the bat—it was truly infuriating!

"Tachibana, let me talk to him," Horikita Manabu called out to Tachibana Akane. "The selection requirements for the student council are not judged by class status, but solely on the student's own level of excellence. Ichinose is a very excellent student, which is why I rejected her."

Faced with such contradictory words, Suzuki Toru asked quite bluntly: "Do you think she isn't suited to survive in this school?"

Ichinose Honami's own abilities were excellent; in a normal high school, she might have logically become the student council president.

Unfortunately, she was currently at Advanced Nurturing High School.

Ichinose Honami's personality was destined to be somewhat incompatible with this school; after all, competition itself was a cruel and heartless act.

"She is not suited for it right now," Horikita Manabu conceded to Suzuki Toru's words. "I believe she will grow after some time."

"And if you still haven't picked a suitable candidate by then?" Suzuki Toru asked.