Classroom of the Elite, Keima Katsuragi's Love Brain Battle

Masumi Kamuro.

At this very moment, Masumi Kamuro watched the back of Airi Sakura, feeling utterly bewildered.

What was going on?

Was this girl also tailing Keima Katsuragi?

But...

What was up with her behavior, which was practically begging to be exposed?

It was just too, too conspicuous!

Masumi Kamuro realized that Airi Sakura was nothing more than an amateur.

Not only that, but because of Airi Sakura's various actions, she was drawing so much unnecessary attention that it was starting to affect her own tailing efforts.

What on earth was wrong with this person?

No...

Judging by Arisu Sakayanagi's reaction yesterday, Keima Katsuragi seemed to possess strength far beyond that of an average student.

Could it be that this red-haired girl was actually an arrangement made by Keima Katsuragi?

He had deliberately let this clumsy girl follow behind him, thereby indirectly preventing others from tailing him.

This guy...

He really wasn't an ordinary person.

Masumi Kamuro narrowed her eyes slightly and came to a halt.

She would have to temporarily abandon her tailing plan.

Meanwhile, at the very front, Keima Katsuragi was feeling somewhat dumbfounded.

What was Airi Sakura trying to do?

He had, of course, noticed the presence of Airi Sakura behind him.

If he had to be honest, it was hard not to notice her.

Her appearance was completely outside of his expectations.

Why was she following him around like some kind of perverted stalker?

And even if she was going to tail him, couldn't she at least try to be subtle about it!

Did she think that taking off her glasses and changing her hairstyle counted as a disguise?

Now that he thought about it, he had indeed said something similar to her yesterday...

He couldn't let Airi Sakura keep following him!

This was his time with Hiyori Shiina, and if the two storylines became entangled, it could lead to a disastrous "Affection Level Decrease" event.

Spending time alone on the weekend was fundamentally different from a regular study session.

He had to prevent such a thing from happening at all costs!

Keima Katsuragi's brain whirred at high speed as he reached into his pocket, his fingers nimbly typing away.

He had long since mastered the ability to touch-type anytime, anywhere.

"Eh?"

Hiyori Shiina also seemed to notice something strange behind them and was just about to turn her head—

"Hiyori, how do you feel about playing games?"

Keima Katsuragi spoke immediately, forcibly shifting Hiyori Shiina's attention back to himself.

"It's wonderful, a very novel experience."

"In that case, I have a few more games with mystery and puzzle-solving elements that I can recommend to you."

Keima Katsuragi then began to introduce various games to Hiyori Shiina.

In Airi Sakura's eyes, Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina looked like they were chatting quite intimately.

They looked like they were having a good time, didn't they?

No, that wasn't right!

Hiyori had said earlier that she had questions about games she wanted to ask Keima-kun, so it was normal for them to be talking.

But...

Would they end up talking about other topics later?

Just as Airi Sakura was feeling incredibly anxious, Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina walked into a cafe and found a spot to sit down.

Although it was the weekend, there weren't many people in the cafe at this hour.

Airi Sakura chose a seat as far away as possible—but she soon realized that she couldn't see Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina from there, so she immediately got up and changed seats.

From this angle, she could better keep an eye on Keima Katsuragi.

"Customer, would you like to order something?"

Just as Airi Sakura was focused on her stealthy observation, a waiter walked up in front of her.

"I, ah, I, I..."

The waiter's words forcibly pulled Airi Sakura's thoughts back to reality, and she immediately reverted to her previous self.

"I-I-I-I, I..."

Airi Sakura's face flushed bright red.

All the growth she had shown earlier was limited strictly to when she was in front of Keima Katsuragi.

"P-please... please give me a latte..."

Airi Sakura's breathing accelerated, and she squeezed the words out with all her might.

"Certainly, customer. Please wait a moment."

The waiter quickly walked away.

She hurriedly shifted her gaze back to Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina.

The two were currently discussing matters related to games.

Hiyori Shiina was sharing her recent gaming experiences very earnestly and had not noticed the abnormality coming from Airi Sakura's direction.

Keima Katsuragi, meanwhile, was forcing himself not to look toward Airi Sakura.

But that gaze was just too obvious!

Airi Sakura was staring straight at them.

Could she at least try to pretend to be subtle...

Keima Katsuragi felt a sense of helplessness, and he could only pray in his heart that the person who could change everything would arrive soon.

Right now, she was the only one who could help.

Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina kept chatting about games.

For the latter, it had been a long time since she had been able to talk so freely with someone—no, it would be more accurate to say she had never done so before.

Keima Katsuragi spoke eloquently about everything, not just the problems encountered in games and the feelings of playing them, but even the history and lore behind them.

These were things that required a great deal of effort to collect.

Although the content wasn't novels, Hiyori Shiina felt that their essence was the same; they were equally captivating stories.

Moreover, many of the games Keima Katsuragi recommended to her contained Easter eggs from well-known mystery novels.

The feeling of sharing the Easter eggs she had discovered was truly wonderful.

Come to think of it...

She had actually been preparing for an occasion like today all along.

"Keima-kun, thank you so much for your time today. You've told me so much; I've benefited greatly."

"It's no trouble at all, as I rarely meet friends I can talk to so openly."

"Friends..."

Hiyori Shiina repeated the word, then, as if having made up her mind, she took several books out of her bag.

Because of the thought, "When someone who can talk about similar hobbies appears, I will lend them to him," she had been carrying many of her personal books in her bag.

She had never had the chance to meet someone she clicked with before, so these books had always just stayed in Hiyori Shiina's bag.

Until now.

"Keima-kun, these are novels that I really love."

When Hiyori Shiina took out the books, her gaze was locked onto Keima Katsuragi.

"These are all my personal belongings. I was thinking that if one day someone appeared who I could talk to about similar interests, I would lend them the books, which is why I've been carrying them around everywhere. At first, I only carried one, but the number gradually increased before I found someone to lend them to."

Keima Katsuragi looked at the books Hiyori Shiina had brought out, feeling slightly surprised. Was she perhaps even more unique than the literary girls found in games?

"Please, don't be shy. You can take whichever one you like!"

Hiyori Shiina looked at Keima Katsuragi, her eyes filled with anticipation.

And further away, Airi Sakura's gaze was still fixed on them.

It looks like Hiyori-san is trying to give Keima-kun something!

I'm so, so curious!!!

I really want to know what they are talking about!

Will Keima-kun accept Hiyori-san's gift?

Should I change seats again?

Keima Katsuragi was currently deep in thought.

If he accepted Hiyori Shiina's gift, it would very likely lower Airi Sakura's affection level.

The occasion of receiving a gift or a confession must absolutely never be witnessed by another target of conquest!

However, if he were to refuse, Shiina Hiyori's affection rating might drop.

This was the reason Keima Katsuragi had previously done his best to avoid "advancing multiple routes simultaneously."

He also hadn't expected that Airi Sakura would actually follow him here today.

This was an unforeseen situation...

But if he thought that something of this level could stump me, the God of Conquest, he would be far too delusional!

"Sorry, Hiyori, I don't intend to take these."

"Is that so..."

Shiina Hiyori lowered her eyes slightly.

"I previously always believed that books were the least efficient medium; obtaining information through them is too slow, and as for stories, they lack a sense of immersion. I had read some novels before, but only to better clear games—"

Keima Katsuragi's expression was extremely serious.

"I can understand Keima-kun's thoughts... after all, everyone has different perspectives..."

Shiina Hiyori politely expressed her understanding, but Keima Katsuragi knew clearly that she must be feeling somewhat disappointed inside.

This was his chance to press the advantage!

"—However, during this period of time, my thoughts have changed."

"Hm?"

Shiina Hiyori raised her head, her purple eyes casting a look of curiosity.

"After meeting you, Hiyori, I realized that we might be people with the same personality. You chose to learn about games, so naturally, I should also settle down and try reading."

A smile appeared on Keima Katsuragi's face.

"Because of you, Hiyori, I have also tasted the feeling of reading. Although I still believe that books are inferior to games in most aspects, there are things within them that cannot be replaced. When I get tired of playing games, I go read books—the reason it's inconvenient for me to borrow your books is because I've already borrowed these exact ones from the library! I haven't returned them yet!"