Classroom of the Elite, I Only Want Your Rewards

Chapter 63: An Unpleasant Parting

For the past two days, Class D has been preparing for a study session.

The person who proposed it was Hirata Yosuke; he approached the students with better grades in the class, asking them to help provide tutoring to all the underachievers.

Every day after school, they would study in the classroom for about two hours.

In particular, those who had been sentenced to death by Chabashira Sae for failing their exams signed up one after another.

However, only Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki refused to participate in the study session.

Horikita Suzune found this baffling; she could not understand the mindset of these people—did they not care even if they were going to be expelled?

She had always been dissatisfied with this decadent atmosphere in the class, so without any hesitation, she immediately asked Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to bring them to the library for her own study session.

Of course, it wasn't out of kindness toward her classmates; Horikita Suzune had also considered taking the opportunity to weed out a batch of underachievers.

But considering that too many expulsions might affect the class, she decided to reach out and help them—save them if she could, and give up immediately if she couldn't.

Horikita Suzune's plan was well-calculated, and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had agreed to her request.

However, she hadn't expected him to bring Kushida Kikyo along.

Horikita Suzune didn't have much affection for Kushida Kikyo, and because the girl kept trying to get close to her, her impression of her was getting worse; she always felt that another face was hidden beneath that smile.

Still, seeing that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had indeed brought Sudo Ken and the others, Horikita Suzune let his unauthorized decision slide for the time being.

Although she had anticipated the learning abilities of these idiots beforehand, Horikita Suzune found that she had severely underestimated them.

Not to mention the textbook material, they didn't even understand middle school content; not only that, but they even turned the tables and asked her what a system of linear equations was.

This level could no longer be called unlearned; it was as if they had never attended school at all.

It was no wonder they were the bottom-ranked underachievers in the class, especially Sudo Ken, who occupied the last place with a score in the teens.

Horikita Suzune seriously suspected that he likely just got lucky and guessed one or two multiple-choice questions correctly.

She had no idea how to proceed; no matter what she said, these people couldn't understand it, and it eventually devolved into an unpleasant parting.

"Horikita-san, with your method, no one will be willing to study with you..."

After witnessing Sudo Ken and the others leave, Kushida Kikyo let out a deep sigh.

"It is indeed my problem. Even if I can help them get through this crisis, the same problem will repeat itself next time. As long as they aren't corrected, it's meaningless." Horikita Suzune's voice became extremely cold. "Rather than wasting time on these people, it's better to just give up."

Kushida Kikyo was stunned; she hadn't expected her to say such things. Her eyes flickered, and she then looked toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka beside her as if seeking help.

"Hey, does Ayanokoji-kun feel the same way?"

"Since Horikita has reached this conclusion, it doesn't matter if we do it that way." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka remained expressionless, maintaining an attitude of doing whatever Horikita Suzune said.

Kushida Kikyo lowered her eyes, as if a shadow had been cast over her, and then she forced a smile: "I'll find a way. Separating from everyone so early... I can't agree to that."

Horikita Suzune watched her one-woman show with cold eyes and said bluntly, "If you truly want to help them, I will cheer for you, but unfortunately, I don't think you actually hold that sentiment."

Kushida Kikyo's expression stiffened; it seemed that, like everyone else, she had finally reached her limit with her mockery.

"Why can you say such hurtful things so nonchalantly, Horikita-san?" She bit her lip, a look that was truly pitiful. "I really want to help everyone... this is just too painful."

After saying this, Kushida Kikyo picked up her bag, bowed slightly to the two of them, and then left the library.

Seeing this, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked at Horikita Suzune as if nothing had happened; only he and this person were left for today's study session.

"I didn't expect your thoughts to be similar to mine." Horikita Suzune began. "If you need tutoring, I can teach you a little."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka felt speechless. Had this woman really never thought about how to interact with people?

Even a guy like him, who came from the White Room, understood a bit of common sense regarding interpersonal relationships.

"I'll pass. Although I can understand why you look down on Sudo and the others, I think it would be beneficial for you to consider things other than just studying."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka thought his reminder was as good as an explicit hint, but he hadn't expected Horikita Suzune to completely ignore his words.

"Not interested..."

Halfway through her sentence, Horikita Suzune suddenly paused. She looked toward a certain spot with suspicion and alarm, then tried hard to mask her expression.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced over; he had noticed Suzuki Toru and Kamuro Masumi long ago.

"Let's stop here for today. I'm going back." Horikita Suzune tried her best to act as if nothing was wrong, but she was shocked to the core. Why was Suzuki Toru here?

And wasn't the girl with him her creditor?

What on earth was going on?

Because she hadn't received a single Private Point this month, Horikita Suzune had no ability to repay her debt, and she was currently having a splitting headache over this matter.

Fortunately, the deadline to pay off the debt was within six months, otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to sit still; she had to find a way to resolve the debt issue.

However, she hadn't expected to run into Kamuro Masumi here.

One was the person who wanted to get her expelled, and the other was her creditor—was there something wrong with this combination?

Horikita Suzune didn't have time to think too much; she just wanted to avoid them and think calmly.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka watched her run off and couldn't help but fall into deep thought. Although he didn't know the inside story, he could catch a glimpse of it through the clues he had gathered.

He knew that Suzuki Toru wanted to expel Horikita Suzune, and he also knew that Horikita Suzune had completed an information trade with a certain student from Class A.

Could it be the girl next to Suzuki Toru?

In that case, wouldn't Horikita Suzune be equivalent to a little lamb waiting for the hunter to slaughter it?

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression tightened. He happened to notice Suzuki Toru looking calmly in his direction, and their gazes locked.

Consequently, he saw Suzuki Toru flash him an intrigued smile.

In an instant, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka felt as if he were being stared at by some kind of predator, and his muscles involuntarily tensed, though his face remained devoid of any expression.

He turned around, picked up his bag, and walked toward the library with a blank expression.

It seemed highly likely that this Suzuki Toru was targeting him. As for whether he was from the White Room, he would just have to wait patiently for Suzuki Toru to make a move.

Surely he wouldn't get him expelled on the spot, would he?

However, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not know that shortly after he left, Suzuki Toru received a message and subsequently stood up to leave the library as well.

Chapter 64: My Foolish Little Sister

Regarding Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, Suzuki Toru didn't have any particular plans for the moment.

After all, the wishes surrounding the other party were a bit tricky to handle.

[Make Ayanokoji cross-dress], [Threaten Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: You wouldn't want to be expelled, would you?], [Destroy the masterpiece], [Frame Ayanokoji for doing something lewd], [Expose Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's true strength], [Send him back to his dear father], [Let Ayanokoji Kiyotaka experience the taste of failure]...

Wishes weren't things you could just fulfill on a whim; many of them were self-contradictory.

The reason Suzuki Toru recorded the wishes of his targets was because he needed to select the ones that were actually feasible.

Leaving Ayanokoji Kiyotaka aside for now, he was more concerned with another target.

Not long after Horikita Suzune left, Horikita Manabu had sent him a message asking him to return to the student dormitory.

It seemed his role as a Life Mentor was about to go live.

Putting away his phone, Suzuki Toru made up a casual excuse to hold back Kamuro Masumi, who was trying to follow him.

Immediately after, he returned to the student dormitory alone.

"Suzune, you really haven't made any progress at all. Even now, you haven't realized your own shortcomings. Coming to this school, one can only say you are a qualified failure."

The afternoon dusk gradually sank into the earth, and two figures could be seen confronting each other behind the student dormitory.

The person who had just spoken was Horikita Manabu, and standing before him was Horikita Suzune.

When Suzuki Toru saw this scene, he happened to hear Horikita Suzune biting her lip. Her throat moved, and she retorted with a hint of bitterness: "It's different. I'm different from the person I was before. This time, I will prove it to you. I will rise to Class A soon..."

"As expected, no matter what is said, you remain as foolish as ever." Horikita Manabu said coldly. "Suzuki has already told me about the situation between you two. He is far more excellent than you, and the Class A he belongs to is a place you will never be able to reach."

Horikita Suzune's face turned pale. Compared to when she heard Suzuki Toru's words earlier, there was no doubt that Horikita Manabu's words dealt her a much heavier blow, as if he were negating her entire existence.

Regarding this, Suzuki Toru had a strange expression. He had just arrived and heard the President's evaluation of him; it felt like a neighbor lecturing their child and demanding they learn from him.

Seeming to hear Suzuki Toru's footsteps, Horikita Manabu turned his head to look at him and nodded slightly.

He had actually noticed Suzuki Toru the moment he arrived, which was why he had said those words just now.

However, Horikita Suzune showed a look of surprise; clearly, she had not expected him to appear here.

"Good afternoon, President." Suzuki Toru greeted the two. "And, we meet again, Horikita-san."

"Why are you here?" Horikita Suzune felt astonished. It was already unlucky enough to run into him at the library earlier; how could he be here too?

Could it be that he was following her?

The moment this thought popped up, Horikita Suzune immediately dismissed it, because her meeting with Horikita Manabu right now was not her own doing, but rather Horikita Manabu seeking her out.

In other words, it was highly likely that Suzuki Toru had been summoned by her brother.

Soon, Horikita Suzune's suspicion was confirmed.

"While you have been lingering in place, Suzuki has already become the Vice President of the Student Council and has accumulated six million Private Points." Horikita Manabu stated. "Furthermore, your Class 1-D has set the highest record in this school: the first time a class has had its Class Points reduced to zero, with nothing left."

Horikita Suzune was completely stunned. First the six million Private Points, then the so-called highest record—her thoughts were in total disarray.

Even if she wanted to retort, she didn't know what to say. She could only bite her lip, revealing an expression of both unwillingness and inferiority.

"If people find out you are my sister, I am the one who will lose face. It might even cost the Student Council its reputation."

There was no expression on Horikita Manabu's face, and his gaze toward his sister seemed to contain not a shred of emotion.

"President, would you like me to help get her expelled?" Suzuki Toru offered, joining in the fun.

As the words fell, Horikita Suzune's expression became extremely rigid, and a flash of panic crossed her eyes.

Horikita Manabu's mouth twitched slightly, and then he said expressionlessly: "Even if I don't want to admit it, she is, after all, my sister by blood. Since even you know of her existence, I don't think it can be kept hidden for much longer."

Suzuki Toru blinked. If that was the case, shouldn't he get rid of this useless sister sooner?

However, Horikita Manabu ignored his gaze and continued: "Since you are interested in this foolish sister of mine, I hope you can teach her what true excellence is, rather than the foolishness of confusing being aloof with being lonely."

So, this was the officially certified Life Mentor role, then?