Chapter 22

"Please, I'll leave the special exam to you." Yuan Yuyuan turned into a literal statue. So, his emotional appeal from just a moment ago had been for nothing. Although he was always the one doing this kind of grunt work, he occasionally wanted to relax, too. He couldn't be expected to rush in and put out fires every single time something went wrong. But arguing with Honami clearly wasn't wise, so Yuan Yuyuan had no choice but to nod in agreement. "Fine, but Honami needs to be a bit tougher when I'm not around, otherwise the students are going to end up in tears." The subsequent study session was uncharacteristically peaceful. During this time, Yuan Yuyuan set his sights once again on a talent he had discovered at the start of the semester: Himeno Yuki. Although her grades weren't quite on par with Honami or himself, she was easily a match for Kanzaki. Moreover, while it was clear she was trying hard to integrate into Class B, she still seemed somewhat out of place. Her abilities were up to par, she didn't have many friends, and she was easy on the eyes (not that it mattered)—she was practically the perfect choice for a tool. Once the study session ended, Yuan Yuyuan called out to stop Himeno Yuki. "Himeno-san, would I have the honor of dining with you?" "Me? Is something the matter?" Himeno Yuki was a bit surprised; she hadn't expected Yuan Yuyuan, one of the class leaders, to suddenly approach her. Could it be that she'd been caught slacking off during the study session? He was a bit too sharp for his own good! "Don't be nervous, it's about class matters. It's definitely not because Himeno-san wasn't putting her heart into tutoring the students just now."

...Himeno Yuki frowned. That was a threat, right? That was definitely a threat. She had gone to great lengths to build relationships with some of the students, and she didn't want it all ruined by Yuan Yuyuan just like that. "I don't know what you're talking about, but if you're offering to treat me, then let's go." "My pleasure. After you, Himeno-san." Yuan Yuyuan brought Himeno Yuki to a Western-style restaurant that girls tended to favor. The prices here were high enough that they didn't have to worry about being disturbed by random people. "What would you like to eat? Please, don't be shy—order whatever you want." Yuan Yuyuan handed the menu to Himeno Yuki and watched her with a smile plastered on his face. "Thank you, then I won't stand on ceremony." This guy was disgustingly rich to choose a place like this to treat someone. Himeno Yuki didn't hold back, ordering a steak set meal along with a variety of desserts.

First Semester: Chapter 22 Chapter 21: Everyone is a Good Kid Willing to Help Others Selflessly

"Himeno-san really likes sweets, doesn't she? You're always sucking on a lollipop." "Yes, sweetness brings me a sense of pleasure. It's a small hobby in my otherwise unchanging life." Yuan Yuyuan didn't dwell on the topic, choosing instead to end the vapid small talk. "Come to think of it, this is our first time talking. Actually, I've always admired you, Himeno-san." Himeno Yuki frowned. What was this? Don't tell her he was confessing? If he knew this was their first conversation, he should act like it! What was with starting off by saying he admired her, and calling her Himeno-san so casually? This kind of self-absorbed guy was truly a turn-off. "Admire? I don't think I've done anything worthy of your admiration." Seeing that Himeno Yuki wasn't biting, Yuan Yuyuan continued with his signature smile: "On the contrary, I've been watching you since the first day. I can tell that Himeno-san is the type of girl who doesn't like to be in the spotlight but doesn't mind contributing to the class. That's a very rare quality. Though, it would be even better if you were a bit more serious when tutoring the students." "What exactly do you want to talk about? Let's get one thing straight: just because I don't mind contributing to the class doesn't mean I'm going to be at your beck and call." Himeno Yuki promised herself that if Yuan Yuyuan dared to say he wanted to date her, she would definitely throw her steak in his face. Yuan Yuyuan didn't mind her blunt remarks and instead started talking to himself. "Himeno-san must be very tired, right? Even though you don't really click with the other students, you're trying hard to hide your true self. Do you need friends? Or is it because you don't want to be isolated?" Himeno Yuki took Yuan Yuyuan's words as a threat. This time, she didn't hold back at all: "What exactly do you want? Actions matter more than intentions, you know. It's none of your business whether I'm being sincere or not." "Don't get excited. I don't mean anything else. On the contrary, I'm here with the sincere intention of helping you, Himeno-san." "You don't mean this meal is your 'sincere intention,' do you? I'm not that cheap of a girl. We can just go Dutch later if you want." "It seems I really don't rank as a 'good guy' in your heart, Himeno-san. My sincerity isn't that simple. Do you think not having to play pretend with your classmates anymore would count as a good enough gesture?" "Are you serious? But what's in it for you?" Seeing that Himeno Yuki realized what he was trying to do, Yuan Yuyuan felt even more satisfied with this half-transparent girl who usually kept a low profile. "It seems you know what I'm planning. But don't be so guarded against me. I occasionally want to take a break—that's not an unreasonable request, is it? Besides, look at me. I never go out of my way to cater to others. Do I look like someone who's being isolated? On the contrary, they have to listen to me. Isn't that great?" Looking at the completely different Yuan Yuyuan, Himeno Yuki wasn't surprised. From the moment he said she wouldn't have to play pretend anymore, she realized everyone had been fooled by him. The image he projected in class was a complete facade. Others might feel like they'd been swindled, but as for her... well, it was a case of the pot calling the kettle black. "I thought you'd want to keep all the power in your own hands." "That would make my hands quite sore. It would be even better if you could lead them to Class A, Himeno-san." Himeno Yuki fell into deep thought. Yuan Yuyuan had nothing to gain by lying to her, and these past few days, she had indeed grown tired of the "best friends" game with the others. If not for this, she would probably have to keep going like this forever. If Yuan Yuyuan was truly willing to delegate power, it was quite tempting for her. If anyone asked later, she could just say her personality had been twisted by Yuan Yuyuan; those people never bothered to look into things too deeply anyway. "Fine, I agree. What do you need me to do?" "Take the situation from just now, for example. Honami's personality is too soft, and the people in Class C don't care about her at all. That's when you need to step in. Whether you use my name or give her a push from behind doesn't matter. I only care about the results. Understand?" "I understand. So, you don't plan on coming to the study sessions anymore?" Yuan Yuyuan shrugged helplessly and said with a look of feigned compassion: "You're thinking too small, your perspective is too narrow. There are still many people in this world waiting for me to help them; how can I be confined to just Class B? With great power comes great responsibility, sigh." "You're just trying to slack off. You capitalists are always finding high-sounding excuses, treating everyone else like fools." "Hey, hey, aren't you being a bit too familiar? I'm your boss, you know. Be careful or I'll deduct your pay." "Are you saying I have a salary? Well, I suppose in your eyes, I'm someone you hired to solve problems. But this benefits me too, so you can keep the salary." Yuan Yuyuan was becoming increasingly satisfied with Himeno Yuki, but he knew that interest-based relationships were the most solid in the world. In case Himeno Yuki ever decided to just give up and stop caring about the class, at least there would be benefits to keep her tethered, otherwise, he would end up working himself to death. "That won't do. It being beneficial to you is one thing, but you being important to me is another. If you feel guilty about taking it, I can buy some sweets and have them sent to you."