Chapter 23

"Don't talk nonsense. 'Very important' just means you want me to be your puppet, but since your conscience is bothering you, I suppose I don't mind." Himeno Yuki didn't buy Yuan Yuyuan's act, but she wasn't about to turn down a freebie, so she accepted the compensation he offered. Yuan Yuyuan nodded in satisfaction; he wasn't afraid of her asking for too much, only of her asking for nothing. If Himeno Yuki ever wanted to slack off in the future, he could always "accidentally" let others know about their arrangement. Although it was a standard transaction, suddenly quitting would be unacceptable to the saintly types in Class B. While they wouldn't necessarily ostracize her, it would certainly create some awkwardness. After all, they were all such good kids who loved helping others selflessly!

First Semester: Chapter 22 - Look at You, Two-Faced Little Thing

Ever since he had Himeno Yuki's help, Yuan Yuyuan finally didn't have to run to study sessions every day. Everyone was doing well enough on their own, and they didn't really need him. Although the price was that the other classes now knew Class B had produced a vice president and a secretary—both leaders of the class—Yuan Yuyuan didn't care. He just wanted a vacation. However, knowing the importance of staying connected to the masses, he went to the library again. Halfway through, he spotted an acquaintance holding a book high up, as if afraid someone wouldn't notice she was studying, while her eyes drifted elsewhere. "Hey, isn't this Masumi? You actually study in the library? Has Sakayanagi Arisu finally learned to walk upright?"

Kamuro was startled. Upon realizing it was Yuan Yuyuan, she quickly pressed a finger to her lips. "Shh, keep your voice down. I have my own things to do, okay? Who says I have to follow that girl around? She's disabled, not a vegetable." Thanks for the "plane" gift from the stubborn girl—she was practically holding the book upside down. Yuan Yuyuan looked in the direction she was peeking: it was Katsuragi and his number-one lackey, Totsuka Yahiko, along with other members of the Katsuragi Faction. Wasn't she just spying on political rivals? "Sakayanagi's business is my business"—she really was a loyal dog-type high school girl. She was so dedicated, it made him want to cry.

"I get it, I get it. By the way, did Arisu not even tutor you? Or is the library just too conspicuous for tailing people?" "Seriously, why are you so sharp? Hey, you nasty guy, don't tell me you're going to threaten me again?" "I'm neutral. Don't point your keyboard at me. I really just came over to say hello." Kamuro curled her lip in disdain. "Oh, sure. I really couldn't tell." "Masumi, your malice toward me is truly overwhelming. I won't disturb you then." "Wait—I mean, if you want to, it's fine to sit down and chat." Yuan Yuyuan looked at the uncharacteristically behaving Kamuro, sensing that nothing good would come of this.

"Eh? But I don't want to at all." "You're just going to discard me after using me, aren't you? Sit down, or I'll scream 'harassment'!" "Go ahead and scream. Everyone already thinks Honami is my girlfriend. Why would I harass you?" "Are you saying I'm not as good as that woman? It always works on TV—wait." Kamuro thought she had found a blind spot and gloated in front of Yuan Yuyuan. "You mean Ichinose isn't your girlfriend? I've got you now! If you don't sit down, I'm going to go around spreading this everywhere." Yuan Yuyuan was almost amused to the point of laughter by Kamuro's stupidity and waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, I'm so scared. Go ahead and say it. Maybe Honami will like me even more for clearing up the rumors."

"How can you have zero gentlemanly conduct? Can't you just let me win for once?" "If you wanted to chat with me, just say so. Masumi, you really are a difficult child. Alright, no more games. You can talk now. Even if it's a confession, it's fine—who knows, I might even accept it." Kamuro finally realized that this guy only responded to soft tactics, but acting like a sweet girl was truly too difficult for her. "Who would confess to you, you self-absorbed jerk? I heard you and Sakayanagi are childhood friends. Can you... just tell me about her weaknesses... no, her past."

"First of all, we aren't childhood friends. Our families were just close, so we knew each other when we were little. Later, for certain reasons, we grew apart." "Geez, even someone as thick-skinned as you can be shy? When Sakayanagi heard about your romance with Ichinose, she publicly announced in class that you two were childhood friends and that she would never let Ichinose take advantage of the situation. She even said you two had a marriage pact when you were kids. Surely she wouldn't joke about something like that, right?" Yuan Yuyuan's eyes widened like copper bells. If not for the setting, he would have torn the roof off. But since they were in the library, he whispered to Kamuro, "She's slandering me! Heaven is my witness! We haven't seen each other once since we grew up. Marriage pacts? That's just kids talking nonsense—can you really take that seriously? Did she go crazy that year and fry her brain?"

The more Yuan Yuyuan thought about it, the more wrong it felt. He had heard rumors that after their relationship soured, Sakayanagi Arisu had become a completely different person. He didn't think she was the type to take childhood pranks seriously, unless... "She wants to use my status in the Student Council to shake up the Katsuragi Faction. Think about it: if we really had that kind of relationship, even if I couldn't help the Sakayanagi Faction due to class conflicts, I could easily throw a wrench into the Katsuragi Faction's plans. The Katsuragi Faction is probably terrified right now. This vicious woman actually dared to use me!" Even after figuring it out, he couldn't feel happy. Being used by her was worse than her being crazy. Yuan Yuyuan decided he had to help Katsuragi; after all, a unified Class A was bad for him. Publicly, a divided opponent was his chance. Privately, Sakayanagi had really crossed the line. To his face, she put him on a pedestal, calling him a true genius and her goal to surpass, but behind his back, she used his name to split the Katsuragi Faction. Look at you, you two-faced little thing.

"Is that for real? Is the world of you rich kids nothing but backstabbing? Maybe she actually likes you." Facing the naive Kamuro, Yuan Yuyuan shook his head as if she were too young. "Too small—no, the perspective is too small. With her 'I am the Queen' personality, would she say something like that in public? If she really liked me, she should be dealing with Honami, right? She hasn't." Yuan Yuyuan didn't give Kamuro a chance to speak, continuing like a machine gun: "Even if I take a step back and assume she does like me, saying it out loud brings her no benefit. Given the current situation, if she were to sabotage Honami behind the scenes, Class B would only blame Class C. Why would she say it out loud? Therefore, it is absolutely, definitely, 100% fake." Yuan Yuyuan ignored the fact that they were in a library and slammed his hand onto the table, though he still felt unsatisfied.

"Besides, I don't have those feelings for her. I admit she's cute, but I've always seen her as a little sister. That would be incestuous!" "Is that so? Then why are you reacting so strongly? I didn't even ask what you thought of her. Don't tell me your hidden, forbidden love has been awakened?" Seeing Yuan Yuyuan look like he was about to flip out, Kamuro quickly changed the subject. "Oh, that... by the way, she did say she wanted to deal with Ichinose, but it seems that's only after she finishes off Katsuragi." "That's exactly it. She released that news just to take down Katsuragi."