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

After Keima Katsuragi finished speaking, he added another sentence, "I've also read all the novels you previously recommended to Elsie."

"I see! So Keima-kun has read them all?"

Her tone seemed to carry a hint of surprise, and a spark of light seemed to burst forth from Shiina Hiyori's eyes.

Keima-kun had actually read all of those books?

And...

Did Keima-kun read those books because of me?

In Shiina Hiyori's heart, an emotion called happiness began to well up.

"That's right, the plot of this book had so many twists and turns, and the ending really took me by surprise; the prose in this other book was incredibly delicate..."

Keima Katsuragi listed the characteristics of all those books.

In a sense, everything he said was the truth.

He had indeed read all of those books—naturally, to clear certain games.

And since he figured Shiina Hiyori's most frequent 'respawn' point was the library, he had left quite a few borrowing records there as well.

Today, it had certainly come in handy.

"Those books are my favorites too!"

"Keima-kun... our tastes are so similar!"

Shiina Hiyori happily pressed her hands together and laughed, her quiet smile as moving as an angel's.

"But Hiyori, if you have any other novel recommendations in the future, you must tell me! I'll definitely borrow them from you to read!"

"Mm, definitely!"

Shiina Hiyori didn't end up checking out any books today.

Yet, she felt even happier.

It was that sense of validation that something she cherished was also valued by someone else.

In her heart, she felt more and more that she and Keima Katsuragi got along well.

They were, perhaps... kindred spirits.

Meeting Keima-kun really was a wonderful thing.

[Name: Shiina Hiyori]

[Affection: 37]

[Affection: 45]

[Affection: 50]

"Keima-kun, didn't he accept the gift from Hiyori?"

On the other side, Airi Sakura watched everything from afar, feeling a bit puzzled; she couldn't hear the content of their conversation.

For some reason, Airi Sakura felt a sigh of relief in her heart.

Just then, the door to the cafe was pushed open, and the person Keima Katsuragi had been longing for finally arrived.

Elsie.

Although she was an unreliable demon, Elsie was the only one Keima Katsuragi could rely on right now.

After all, only Elsie knew about the so-called conquest plan.

That was why, while on the way, Keima Katsuragi had sent a message to Elsie.

Because he was in a rush, he only had time to send the most important information to Elsie.

"Conquering Shiina, cafe, distract Airi."

Keima Katsuragi figured that no matter how slow Elsie's brain was, she should at least be able to understand that line.

Sure enough, Elsie had arrived at the cafe.

Next, it was up to Elsie to find a way to quietly lead Airi Sakura away...

Keima Katsuragi looked at Elsie, who wore a confident smile that said 'leave it to me.'

That smile made Keima Katsuragi feel a sense of impending doom.

"Airi, you're here! What a coincidence!"

That loud voice rang out through the cafe, startling Airi Sakura so much that she nearly fell off her chair.

"E, Elsie?"

Airi Sakura turned her head to look.

In that instant, she even briefly entertained the thought of denying that she was Airi Sakura.

After all, her appearance was now vastly different from before.

However, Airi Sakura quickly calmed herself down.

Since Elsie had just shouted her name, there was no point in playing dumb.

"What a coincidence, Airi!"

Elsie plopped down into the seat next to Airi Sakura, then turned her head and looked toward Keima Katsuragi with what appeared to be an incredibly deliberate expression.

"Oh! Big Brother! You're here too! What a coincidence!"

But the only response she received was the somewhat vacant look on Keima Katsuragi's face.

No, what are you doing?

I told you to find a way to grab Airi Sakura's attention and then make an excuse to take her somewhere else, didn't I?

Why are you shouting her name so loudly?!

Are you afraid Hiyori Shiina won't hear you!

Elsie had completely misunderstood Keima Katsuragi's intentions.

She thought that while Keima Katsuragi was on a date with Hiyori Shiina, he also wanted to attract Airi Sakura's attention!

"Oh, Elsie-san, Airi-san? Are you two here as well?"

Hearing the noise, Hiyori Shiina turned her head and happened to see Elsie and Airi Sakura.

"I-I-I..."

Airi Sakura's face turned bright red in an instant, and she hurriedly lowered her head, trying to avoid eye contact.

After all, it was better not to let it be known that she had been following the two of them the whole way.

But she quickly realized that might seem impolite, so she could only nod awkwardly:

"I, I just happened to want to come here for a cup of coffee..."

"I see. Why don't you join us?"

Hiyori Shiina had already put her books away and said with a smile to Elsie and Airi Sakura.

"Sure! Airi-san—oh, Po-chan said to use nicknames, so it's Airi-chan, right! Let's go together!"

"Mm... mm..."

Airi Sakura knew she had no way to refuse now, so she could only follow Elsie and bite the bullet as she walked over to Keima Katsuragi's table.

Elsie glanced at the seating arrangement; Keima Katsuragi and Hiyori Shiina were sitting opposite each other, and a meaningful smile immediately appeared on her face.

The God of Conquest must want to speed up the efficiency of his conquest, which is why he thought of having Airi Sakura join them!

Then I must help the God of Conquest!

I have grown now, and I won't be a burden to the God of Conquest anymore!

Thinking this to herself, Elsie sat down next to Hiyori Shiina.

Seeing all of this, Airi Sakura's brain instantly crashed.

W-wait a second!

Did Elsie sit down next to Hiyori?

Then, then...

Doesn't that mean I have no choice but to sit, sit next to Keima-kun?

Although she usually sat next to Keima-kun during student council meetings and was his desk-mate at school, this was... this was different, as there was usually a gap between them.

In a moment... I'm going to be sitting on the same sofa as Keima-kun.

The distance between the two of us is super close.

I-I-I'm so nervous!

At the thought of this, Airi Sakura's face turned beet red, and her heart began to pound wildly.

"Airi-chan, you look a bit pale. Are you feeling unwell?"

Hiyori Shiina asked with an incredibly worried tone.

"N-no! It's just, just a little, a little hot..."

As Airi Sakura said this, she sat down next to Keima Katsuragi.

She could almost feel the warmth radiating from Keima Katsuragi.

I, I, I'm so, so close to Keima-kun!

"It's, it's so hot... haha..."

Airi Sakura answered awkwardly, and to ensure she didn't give herself away, she had no choice but to take off her outer jacket.

Just like Hiyori Shiina, Airi Sakura was wearing casual clothes today, and furthermore, she had been wearing a jacket—

In her mind, this was already part of her disguise.

Beneath her coat was a rather form-fitting shirt, which completely revealed the impressive figure of Airi Sakura.

"Airi, you look different today than you usually do."

Shiina Hiyori observed Airi Sakura; if not for Elsie calling out the other girl's name and that signature red hair, she would have found it hard to believe at first glance that the girl in front of her was Airi Sakura.

Now that I think about it, Airi is truly beautiful.

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

Airi Sakura was at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond to her.

The fact that she had intentionally changed her image to investigate matters concerning Keima Katsuragi was something she absolutely could not say out loud!

How, how should I answer...

"After all, it's the weekend, so there are no dress codes. Everyone shows a side of themselves that they don't usually show at school."

Keima Katsuragi, standing to the side, immediately smiled and explained on behalf of Airi Sakura.

Yet, deep down, he was wishing he could tear Elsie to shreds.

What is going on!?

Didn't I tell you to go help distract Airi Sakura?

Not only did you fail to do that, but you actually brought her directly in front of Shiina Hiyori.

Have you gone crazy!?

I'm no longer thinking about how to increase her affection level; I'm thinking about how not to lower it!

"This is the first time I've seen Airi like this today; she really is so beautiful..."

A smile appeared on Shiina Hiyori's face.

"I, I..."

Airi Sakura lowered her head in embarrassment, and after several seconds had passed, she finally spoke again: