Chapter 14

"In my opinion, Suzune, your greatest flaw has never been your arrogance, but rather your stubborn self-reliance. A great man once said, 'A single spark can start a prairie fire.' But how can you be so certain that the classmates you view as dead weight don't possess any merits that others would envy?" Horikita Suzune wore a contemplative expression; she found it difficult to accept Yuan Yuyuan's words. In her view, if someone couldn't even handle their studies, what other commendable traits could they possibly have? Yet, upon closer reflection, every word Yuan Yuyuan said rang true. Unless the school's evaluation was flawed, this had to be the reason she was placed in Class D. "Why are you telling me this? According to your own words, aren't we enemies?" Yuan Yuyuan didn't understand, but he was deeply shocked. Was this girl's reaction time a bit too slow? She was only just realizing they were enemies, even though she was the one who had just asked an enemy a question. Still, he found it hard to explain himself now. Ichinose was sitting right beside him, and his go-to excuse—that he was just after her body—was currently on cooldown. There was no help for it; since he was lying anyway, any passable reason would do. "Because I have high hopes for Class D. You might not know this, Suzune, but Class D is hiding someone whose abilities are beyond your imagination. He will be the deciding factor in whether Class D can rise to a higher class. If you can get him to contribute to the class, I might consider forming an alliance with Class D." Yuan Yuyuan didn't hesitate to sell out the yet-to-be-met Masterpiece-kun. "Hiding his strength? Why would he do that? Isn't it better to rise to Class A?" Horikita Suzune was very puzzled. Aside from being mocked, she couldn't imagine any other purpose for Class D. "Objectively speaking, the benefits of reaching Class A are merely preferential treatment after graduation, more living expenses than other classes, and perhaps gaining the respect of others. After all, not everyone has a brother in Class A like you do, Suzune. But that person in your class—he doesn't feel happy just because others look up to him, and he wouldn't care even if he lost all his points. Furthermore, his life has been planned out by others from the moment he was born until the day he goes into the grave, so preferential treatment is a joke to him. He is likely the only one of his kind in Class D; perhaps you'll have an impression of him. Anyway, Honami and I have things to attend to, so we'll take our leave." As soon as the two stepped out of the cafeteria, Ichinose couldn't help but ask, "Yuyuan seems very concerned about Horikita-san. Could it be that the type of girl Yuyuan likes is actually someone like her?" "How did we get onto this topic? Why bring this up all of a sudden?" "No, no, I was just curious." Yuan Yuyuan felt a headache coming on. He certainly couldn't agree with Ichinose's assessment, but to say he was using Class D to keep Class C in check... telling Ichinose that would only earn him a reputation for being deep and calculating, which wasn't a good thing in Class B, where everyone was supposed to be open and honest. Helpless, he had to bring up Manabu Horikita. "It's like this: the Student Council President, who looks so serious on the surface, is actually a terrible sister-complex. Honami, haven't you noticed that I call him Manabu when I'm in front of Suzune? It's because even though these siblings care for each other, their stubborn personalities make their relationship very twisted. So, President Horikita specifically allowed me to pretend to be close to him so I could get near his sister and look after her a little. That's all." "Is that so? I thought... hehe, never mind." Ichinose didn't feel anything was wrong, after all, her own relationship with her sister... had always been good before that. "So, what did you want to talk to me about, Yuyuan?" Ichinose wasn't stupid. Once her mind shifted gears, she didn't think someone like Yuan Yuyuan would be reckless enough to confess to her on the second day of knowing her. Yuan Yuyuan had been hesitant; if it were for the benefit of Class B, he should warn Ichinose regardless of whether it was useful. If it were for his own sake, it would be better to publicly criticize her when she suffered a crushing defeat. But he had thought it over carefully: Class B already looked to Ichinose as their leader. If more time passed, everyone would likely become her yes-men. Even if Ichinose failed, she would just wrap it up by saying, "Let's all work hard and win next time." And at that point, he, the one who criticized her, would become a social pariah. Yuan Yuyuan realized he had no choice but to push forward. "Honami, do you really think it's okay for Class B to continue like this? In this school, you ultimately have to compete to determine the winner. Being too close to people from other classes isn't a good thing." Yuan Yuyuan wasn't just shooting in the dark. Due to the style of their leader, Ichinose, and the personalities of the others, the students of Class B all had more or less some friends in other classes. And because most students didn't know the true nature of this school, it led to many people getting along better with the universally kind students of Class B than with their own classmates. "I understand what you're saying, Yuyuan, but as long as we're vigilant during the special exams, it should be fine, right?" "I'm not against it, I just don't want your kindness to be taken advantage of by others. After all, some people always look so silly; they're the type who would be sold and still be helping the other person count the money." "Ugh, Yuyuan is so mean, saying such hurtful things without even blinking. I'll work hard to grow... probably?" Ichinose had always treated others with the utmost goodwill since she was a child. Coming to this school and being told she had to scheme against others was something she found hard to accept. Thinking of this, she couldn't help but look at Yuan Yuyuan with a pitiful expression. "If it's Yuyuan, you can definitely do it! Please, lead our class during the special exams!" This caught him off guard. Because of Ichinose's powerful angelic aura, Yuan Yuyuan had never been able to make the students of Class B serve him. With Class A mired in internal strife and Class B being a solid block, the students of Class B were much more willing to let the high-affinity Ichinose give the orders than Yuan Yuyuan. But what he never expected was that Ichinose would hand over this power so easily. If he didn't know Ichinose was genuinely naive, Yuan Yuyuan would have thought his intentions had been seen through. Perhaps due to the bond of being classmates, Ichinose had no defenses against Yuan Yuyuan. Her complete lack of concern about the matter made Yuan Yuyuan feel an urge to act like a saint. "Is this really okay? Won't the other students think I'm bullying you?" "How could they? In terms of ability, it should be Yuyuan leading the class anyway. Besides, the students all think..." "Think what?" "Nothing, nothing. Anyway, the students won't misunderstand you. Ahaha, it's almost time for class, let's go to the classroom together!" "I suppose so. But I have a feeling that line is a bit familiar. Who did you learn that trick from, Honami?" That was what he said, but Yuan Yuyuan didn't press the issue. Since Ichinose didn't want to say, there was no need for him to make things awkward for both of them. First Semester: Chapter 15 Chapter 14: The Stagnant Kiriyama and the Lecherous Nagumo "Honami, why... have you been with him after school every day?" Before the two could even enter the classroom, Chihiro Shiranami, who had been waiting anxiously in the hallway, walked over. She stared at Yuan Yuyuan with an unfriendly expression, her words carrying the distinct tone of a scorned lover. But Yuan Yuyuan just greeted Ichinose and walked straight into the classroom, not intending to pay her any mind at all. It was the perfect opportunity to quietly find Kanzaki while Ichinose was busy coaxing the younger girl. "Ryuji, come here for a second. Have there been any strange rumors in the class lately?" Seeing Kanzaki looking at him with a blank expression...