Classroom of Meritocracy Backed by Black Technology

Unfortunately, quite a few idiots didn't listen to him. They still did whatever they pleased without the slightest bit of decorum, and some even deliberately opposed Hirata, as though every one of them were some big shot.

Thinking back on yesterday's events, Shuichi Kanda felt that Class D might already have had several dozen Class Points deducted. If this continued, forget a month—even in half a month, their Class Points would probably be docked down to nothing.

As the saying went, one rat dropping spoiled an entire pot of porridge. And in Class D's pot of soup called moral standards, there was far more than just one rat dropping.

After putting down his phone, Shuichi Kanda noticed a gaze drifting vaguely in his direction. When he looked up, his eyes met the other person's head-on.

Well, if it wasn't Kushida Kikyo.

I still haven't settled the score with you for selling my address to Kamuro, yet you're the one keeping tabs on me first.

However, Kushida Kikyo didn't seem embarrassed in the slightest. When their gazes met, she even gave him a sweet smile.

So cute. Completely different from someone like Kamuro.

But Kanda wasn't the only person in her line of sight, so quite a few people thought Kushida was smiling at them.

For a moment, the chatter around Kanda quieted down noticeably. Everyone had sunk into their own fantasies.

For most of Class D's students, who weren't particularly outstanding to begin with, the number of times they had spoken to a pretty girl before high school was basically zero.

Yet Kushida Kikyo was willing to treat them so gently now. If Shuichi Kanda were in their shoes, he wouldn't be able to withstand it either.

But unfortunately, who told me I was different from the rest?

The morning classes ended quickly. The instant the dismissal bell rang, Chabashira-sensei stopped her lecture.

"Today's class ends here."

As their homeroom teacher, Chabashira-sensei also served as an instructor. Just as she had said at the beginning, she was responsible for Japanese History.

And through this lesson, Shuichi Kanda finally understood where the Kanda surname came from.

Although class was over, until Chabashira-sensei left the classroom, everyone maintained an obedient façade. In reality, they could hardly wait for her to leave so they could go eat.

But Chabashira-sensei seemed a little different today. Rather than leaving directly through the front door, she deliberately stepped down from the podium, walked through the aisle, passed by Shuichi Kanda, and left through the back door.

If you're leaving, then leave. What was the point of specifically looking at me?

Shuichi Kanda was somewhat speechless. Although Chabashira Sae's movement had been very subtle, he still noticed it sharply.

Was she blaming me for not making a move yet?

Wasn't that obvious?

Of course I wasn't going to make a move. I said all that back then just to swindle 2 million Private Points out of you. If you're dissatisfied, I can give them back to you. Anyway, those points are with Hirata now.

Recently, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji seemed to have started hanging out with Ike and the others too.

Rather than recently, it had really only started today.

Perhaps something had happened between them during yesterday's Club Introduction Pamphlet event.

After having lunch with Miyake and returning, there weren't many people in the classroom. Most students didn't choose to return immediately after eating. Instead, they would spend some time moving around on the open-air field in front of the school building to help digest their food.

"Um, Kanda-kun, could I borrow a little of your time?"

Before Shuichi Kanda could even sit down, Kushida Kikyo approached him head-on. Judging by her manner, she seemed to want to tell him something in private.

Seeing the atmosphere, Miyake silently greeted Kanda before returning to the classroom, leaving Shuichi Kanda alone at the doorway.

He didn't know if it was just his imagination, but lately, he seemed to keep getting blocked at the door.

Looking at Kushida like this, Kanda knew he probably couldn't avoid the matter. No choice—he would settle this quickly.

The two of them walked together to the end of the corridor. People generally didn't come here, so at least they wouldn't have to worry about anyone eavesdropping on their conversation.

"Um, yesterday, Kamuro Masumi from Class A asked me about you, Kanda-kun. Did that cause you any trouble?"

The first thing Kushida Kikyo mentioned was what Kamuro had said yesterday.

So it really was you. You didn't even warn me beforehand, and I got caught off guard and dealt with twice. Twice!

But seeing Kushida Kikyo's pitiful expression, Shuichi Kanda couldn't bring himself to blame her too harshly. Even if you hadn't told her, that girl could have found out anyway.

"Ah, that? It's fine." Shuichi Kanda gave a light cough. "But next time you sell me out again, I hope you can tell me in advance. Thanks to you, Kamuro gave me a thorough beating."

"Ah... I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I thought Kamuro-san was interested in you romantically, Kanda-kun, and... and I didn't have your contact information." Kushida Kikyo repeatedly bowed her head in apology.

Oh, so she didn't have my contact information.

But there was one thing I had to make clear. With the way Kamuro looked at everyone like they were trash, how could she possibly have romantic feelings for someone of the opposite sex?

Were we talking about the same Kamuro?

Chapter 25: Damn, Blocked at the Door Again

Seeing Kushida Kikyo hurriedly apologizing, Shuichi Kanda found it difficult to say much more.

A beautiful girl was apologizing to you so humbly, looking at you with those watery eyes like she was about to cry. What more could you possibly want?

"It's fine. I didn't take it to heart."

"Then, Kanda-kun, could you give me your contact information?"

Considering that he might need help from Kushida Kikyo, the social butterfly of their year, in the future, Kanda readily exchanged contact information with her this time.

"Then that makes us friends. Please take care of me, Kanda-kun~"

Kushida Kikyo held her phone to her chest with one hand as though it were some precious treasure, while extending the other toward Shuichi Kanda for a handshake.

Any ordinary student would probably fall for her on the spot after seeing how much she valued your contact information. This girl really understood boys their age, full of youthful vigor, and she knew exactly how to make use of her own advantages.

Still, setting a contact exchange as the standard for friendship made friends seem a little too cheap.

Even so, Shuichi Kanda took Kushida Kikyo's hand.

"Likewise."

Yeah, very soft. Completely different from his own bony paws.

"By the way, Kanda-kun, can you talk to Horikita-san?"

"Horikita? Horikita Suzune? I'm not close with her." Shuichi Kanda released Kushida Kikyo's hand and immediately shook his head in denial.

"But yesterday at Gymnasium 1, I saw you interacting with Horikita-san."

Interacting? When?

Oh~ You mean when she turned around and glared at me?

That counted as interaction? What kind of interaction was that?

"She just glared at me, that's all. Besides, we didn't even go to the same middle school. With her personality, how could anyone possibly get a word out of her?"

The moment he said that, Kushida Kikyo's entire body trembled. From her calves all the way to her head, she visibly shuddered once, leaving Kanda deeply suspicious.

Hey, you didn't bring something you shouldn't have, did you?

Even if Japan is this open, you can't play like that, can you?

Besides, I didn't hear any weird noises.

"Kanda-kun, were you thinking something rude just now?" Kushida Kikyo's faint voice reached him, snapping Shuichi Kanda back to his senses.

"No. I was just thinking that you should probably try asking Ayanokoji-kun. He seems to get along quite well with Horikita."

Good, I fooled her!

Damn it, he fooled me!

"I see. Then thank you very much, Kanda-kun."

Kushida Kikyo once again showed the same sweet smile as before.

Sure enough, she was smiling at me this morning, wasn't she?

After school, Kanda and Miyake packed up their things and headed toward the edge of campus, where the Archery Club grounds were located.

It was Shuichi Kanda's first time taking part in a club activity, and he was full of anticipation.

However, after returning from his very first day, he immediately regretted joining the Archery Club—or rather, regretted becoming support staff.

Why were all the Archery Club's support staff girls?

And nearly every one of those girls had the strength to pull up mountains. On his first day in the club, Shuichi Kanda had already confirmed his place at the bottom of the food chain.

Of course, he wasn't bullied. He just couldn't handle being constantly teased by those female hooligans.

That said, although they looked like they had no seriousness whatsoever, their professional knowledge was extremely extensive. When it came to archery, they knew everything inside out.

It could be said that the Archery Club's ability to make it into the National Tournament, and even the finals, was inseparable from their hard work behind the scenes.

So even though he was still a little uncomfortable, Kanda worked hard to learn the support side of things from scratch—for instance, what kind of wood to use when making a bow, and what type of string to choose.

On top of that, those girls had even made crossbows themselves.

Hey, hey, you can't use those in competitions, right?

And they're dangerous!

Damn you, Akito. You were actually standing there laughing at me. I'll remember this!

After being put through the wringer for what felt like ages, Shuichi Kanda decided not to cook today. He didn't have the energy—not only had his body been tortured, but his mind had been thoroughly worn down as well.

After having dinner in the cafeteria with Miyake, Shuichi Kanda returned to his dorm and took a hot shower.

Refreshing. So refreshing.

He changed into a clean set of clothes, but before he could even dry his hair, a series of knocks rang out from his door.

At that sound, Shuichi Kanda immediately remembered how Kamuro had blocked his door and invaded his room yesterday.

But it was too late to pretend nobody was home. The noise from the hair dryer had definitely been heard outside just now. Should he pretend he hadn't heard the knocking?

Honestly, he didn't want to face Kamuro right now. Otherwise, she would probably give him another beating.

Damn it, when will the great Shuichi Kanda finally rise up?!

He switched off the hair dryer, let his half-dried hair fall, walked to the entrance, and peered outside through the peephole.

Good. Kamuro wasn't there.

But why was this person here?

Wasn't this Sakayanagi Arisu, the girl he had happened to see once during club activities? That was her name, right?

Seeing how slight she was, she was probably even weaker than him. Hmm, letting her in should be fine.

Still, just in case, he needed to prepare beforehand.

After giving it some thought, Shuichi Kanda opened the door.

A petite white-haired girl in a black beret stood quietly outside his room, leaning on a cane. And... her thigh-high stockings were rather suggestive.

Shuichi Kanda had no other comments on that. He merely felt that her presence seemed somewhat unusual.

"I don't recall us being close enough to visit each other, do you?"

Honestly, Shuichi Kanda did not think Sakayanagi Arisu, who was also in Class A, was someone to be trifled with. He was still having some trouble dealing with that not-too-bright-looking Kamuro Masumi, and now there was another white-haired girl who looked incredibly frail.

However, a girl was standing outside Shuichi Kanda's door at this hour. If those idiots from Class D saw it, some strange rumors would definitely start spreading.

He was not afraid of rumors, but he hated trouble.

So, after thinking it over, he opened the door. It would be best if he could send her away directly. If that did not work, then considering her build, letting her into the room did not seem like it would cause any problems.

"If it weren't for something she absolutely had to do, what girl would visit the dorm room of a strange boy on the second day of school?"

A helpless expression appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face, though to Shuichi Kanda, it looked fake no matter how he looked at it.

This girl was going to be troublesome.

The moment Sakayanagi Arisu spoke, Shuichi Kanda understood. She had come because of Kamuro Masumi.

Kamuro, you actually told your classmates about what you did? Are you some kind of self-destructing truck? Was that something you could just casually tell people?

But Kamuro, this is the backup you called in?

A weakling even weaker than me?