Chapter 9

"I'll give you all the points I have. At the same time, I'll cast my vote for you in the student council election; in this school, the vote of the outgoing president still carries significant weight." "You aren't just feeding me empty promises, are you? Ten million will do just fine, then. Here's to a pleasant cooperation." "Pleasant cooperation." At this moment, Yuan Yuyuan shifted the topic, staring straight at Manabu Horikita. "Now that the business is settled, let's talk about personal matters. What is the relationship between President-sama and Suzune?" "Is it because of the surname? Suzune is indeed my younger sister." "It's more than just that. When you were on stage, you glanced at Class D, didn't you? I initially thought President-sama was a cold, repressed man who liked to sneak peeks at beautiful girls, but it makes sense now that I know you also share the name Horikita. I am so sorry for the misunderstanding; I have been terribly rude." Yuan Yuyuan put on a look of contrition that no one would ever take seriously. Manabu Horikita, already accustomed to Yuan Yuyuan's various strange forms of address, explained the reason for his actions without changing his expression, even though he didn't want to be mistaken for a pervert. "Interesting, that you actually noticed. I just wanted to see how much Suzune has grown after not seeing her for a few years." "And did you see anything?" "While it's not exactly a remarkable feat, the fact that Suzune managed to make two friends on the very first day was enough to surprise me." "Your standards are exceptionally low. Come to think of it, Suzune really was a troublesome child in the past." Manabu Horikita, however, seemed unwilling to discuss his sister's past. "That is true, but since Suzune has started learning how to make friends, there is no need to bring up the past." "Fine, then I won't disturb you while you reminisce about your sister. But I personally feel that Suzune might not have grown as much as you imagine. I'll take my leave now." Seeing Manabu Horikita frowning in thought, Yuan Yuyuan left after enjoying the pleasure of playing the riddle-maker. "It's already this late. I should have just mooched a meal off him. I'll just go to the convenience store and grab some deli food to make do." After picking out a bento, Yuan Yuyuan spotted an acquaintance—none other than the friend of Sakanayanagi he had seen earlier that afternoon, Masumi Kamuro. "Stealing, of all things? I suppose psychological deviants flock together; there aren't many normal people around Arisu. Is this why she's being threatened? And to think she's already stolen twice on the very first day, and despite looking like a seasoned pro, she keeps getting caught by others..." With a mischievous glint in his eye, Yuan Yuyuan quietly walked over and leaned in to whisper in Masumi Kamuro's ear. "Isn't this Masumi-san? Arisu is the one being taken care of, yet she didn't even treat you to a meal? To think you've already been reduced to living off theft on your very first day." Hearing Yuan Yuyuan's words, Masumi immediately became flustered. "Yuan Yuyuan? When did you get here?" Yuan Yuyuan held up the bento in his hand and said as if it were obvious, "Isn't it clear enough? I saw everything. Masumi-san trying to steal on the first day of school, and getting caught by Arisu and me in succession." Masumi Kamuro first looked around to ensure no one had noticed them, then hurriedly pulled Yuan Yuyuan into a corner. "How do you know Sakanayanagi... never mind. What do you want? Don't think you can order me around like that person does." "How could I? I just find this very interesting, don't take it to heart." Yuan Yuyuan looked at Masumi with an innocent expression, though his eyes occasionally flicked toward the staff at the counter. Seeing Yuan Yuyuan, who was practically begging to be asked if he was going to snitch, Masumi wore an expression of disgust. "You say that, but once you're out of here, you'll definitely report me, won't you?" "I never do anything that doesn't benefit me, so you can rest easy. Stealing isn't exactly a big deal; Masumi-san must have been CPU'd by Alice. Don't worry about it, don't worry." "But you and that Sakanayanagi person are clearly the same type of people. Don't think I can't tell just because you're playing dumb. Neither of you are good people; once someone like you gets a handle on me, I'll surely be squeezed dry." "That's so mean, for Masumi to see me that way. I really have no malicious intent, I just wanted to tease you a little. I didn't expect your reaction to be so intense. I'm truly sorry, I'll take my leave now. Please rest assured, I won't tell anyone." "How am I supposed to rest assured! People like you are completely untrustworthy!" Yuan Yuyuan slowly formed a question mark. "Don't start with that here; have you been watching too many B-movies? Do you really need me to..." Yuan Yuyuan simply braced both hands on the shelf behind Masumi Kamuro. "Masumi-san, you wouldn't want others to know about your shoplifting, would you?" Looking at Yuan Yuyuan's face inches away and feeling his warm breath, Masumi had no choice but to lower her head, showing him only the top of her hair. "Idiot, too close. I knew it would be like this; you and that Sakanayanagi person are cut from the same cloth." "Please, this is a classic case of self-consciousness. I was just teasing you because your reaction was a bit fun." "I only let you off the hook because we're acquaintances and you're the bodyguard of my friend, but you're the one who kept pestering me afterward, okay?" "Alright, I've fulfilled your wish. Remember to give me a five-star review. I'm off." Ignoring the flushed Masumi Kamuro, Yuan Yuyuan paid for his meal and headed toward the dormitory. First Semester: Chapter 10 Chapter 10: Are you an M? "Is Masumi tailing me? I never expected Masumi to be a 'regrettable' type who is a combination of a thief and a stalker. She's actually quite cute." Caught in the act, Masumi walked out from the corner with an indifferent expression. "That's a given, isn't it? You said the same thing as Sakanayanagi, but you didn't order me around like she does. How could I possibly feel safe going back?" "I told you, I was just teasing you. First you make me threaten you, and now you want me to order you around. Could it be, Masumi, that you're playing some kind of stimulating game that reads as 'theft' but is written as 'exhibitionism'?" "At least let me do something! I just feel like you have ill intentions." "I suppose I could. Come find me in Class B after the first period tomorrow. However..." "What do you want now? Don't look at me with that disgusting gaze." "Nothing, I just suddenly thought Masumi was cute. I have no evidence to prove you're a thief, yet you're pestering me to give you a task. Tell me, are you an M?" "Wh-what M? I just felt like you wouldn't let me off that easily. Besides, what does this have to do with being an M? You caught me stealing, isn't it normal to threaten me? If you don't make any demands, how do I know when you'll use this as a joke to tell others!" Yuan Yuyuan watched as Masumi Kamuro vented her... dissatisfaction without a single pause, and shrugged helplessly. "Fine, fine, let's just say that's the case. Then please be there on time tomorrow, Masumi. We'll be square after that." "Why did you have to include that strange pause? Do you even need to say something like that!" Masumi Kamuro turned and walked away after speaking, leaving Yuan Yuyuan with nothing but the sight of her purple hair. "How interesting. With a personality like this, she'll definitely be trained into a loyal dog by Arisu. I'd also like to... never mind." After returning to the dormitory and finishing his meal, Yuan Yuyuan organized his interesting school life. First was the cute Masumi-san, who was less of a...