The Classroom of Power Supremacy Backed by Black Technology Chapter 27

You haven't left yet, Shiina-san.

"Ah, being able to sacrifice yourself for others—I can hardly imagine it. At least, I wouldn't do that."

Humans are selfish. For Shuichi Kanda, at least for now, there's no person or thing worth sacrificing himself for. When it comes to friends, he'll lend a hand if he can, but if it means giving up his life, please forgive his refusal! And he'd also avoid letting things reach that point. Of course, since he lacks the resolve to die for a friend, he won't demand that others die for him. Still, in this school, there probably won't be anything life-threatening.

"But I think Ishigami is very gentle."

What kind of gentleness is that? Miss, isn't your perspective a bit off? If it were Kanda, having been neighbors for so long and liking each other, he'd definitely have done some investigating, known about the other's troubles, and resolved things before a murder case happened. Love needs to be spoken! If you don't say it, how will they understand?

"Uh, let's not talk about that. Your Class C seems to have been unified recently."

"Ah, you mean Ryuen-kun. He really is an impressive person. As soon as he heard about the midterm failing people, he immediately organized study sessions."

Ryuen... who's that? But being able to unify Class C and react quickly in a crisis—this guy has some skill. Thanks to his ability, Class C still has 490 Class Points, far better off than Class D.

"Speaking of which, your class's Hirata-kun was also quick. He made a plan the very day the news came."

"Ah, oh, Hirata-kun really is impressive."

While answering Shiina, Shuichi Kanda pulled up Kushida Kikyo's contact info and asked if she knew about Class C's Ryuen. Kushida Kikyo, living up to expectations, immediately sent over Ryuen's basic info, including a photo. When he opened the message and saw the photo, Shuichi Kanda froze. Wasn't this the guy from the club welcome party? Just looking at his face felt ominous—if something happened, he'd definitely solve it with violence, right? And what was with the black guy behind him? If it came to a fight, Miyake definitely couldn't win. Was this really a meritocracy classroom? It was a brawn-over-brains classroom! In just a few minutes, Shuichi Kanda's face was covered in question marks. Ah, forget it. Brawn is also a form of strength—no reason to forbid its use. But that thing is a double-edged sword, hurting both user and target. Used well, it might even become Shuichi Kanda's weapon. Damn it, can the system give me something to boost combat power? Super gloves or a Superman ring, maybe?

After chatting with Hiyori Shiina a bit more about book reviews, Shuichi Kanda stood up to leave.

It was Saturday. Because of the study sessions all week, he hadn't cooked, and his meat craving had long since flared up. While waiting for the stew to simmer, Shuichi Kanda picked up something he'd bought while shopping for ingredients.

Hyouka

This was a mystery novel that had won the Kadokawa School Novel Grand Prize, written by Honobu Yonezawa, a work of youth mystery literature.

Just as Shuichi Kanda was about to open the first chapter, his door went thump thump thump.

Hearing the knock, Shuichi Kanda flinched, and the book in his hand dropped to the floor. Even though the two previous visitors hadn't gotten the better of him, he still felt a panic at being cornered at his door. Picking up the book, he didn't answer immediately but first walked to the door and checked the peephole.

What, it's Kiyotaka Ayanokoji. Scared me for nothing.

Wait?

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji?

I remember this guy seemed pretty strong.

He pulled out his phone, opened the contacts, and found Miyake.

[Akito, come eat. I made braised pork today.]

[OK, let me change clothes. Be right there.]

Seeing Miyake's reply, Shuichi Kanda breathed a slight sigh of relief. If possible, he'd still avoid being alone with Ayanokoji for now. Even though their interaction had been fine when Chabashira-sensei called them out, Shuichi Kanda hadn't forgotten that this guy was a monster inside.

Less than a minute later, Kanda got another message.

[Um, are you not in your room? I wanted to discuss something with you.] by Kiyotaka Ayanokoji.

[Sorry, in the bathroom. Please wait a moment.]

With that, Shuichi Kanda ran to the bathroom, pressed the flush button, and as the toilet's sound rang out, he quickly flipped a few pages of the book, deliberately making some subtle marks. Then he waited another few dozen seconds, estimating that Miyake was almost there, before stepping out of the bathroom and opening the door, finding Miyake standing there alongside Ayanokoji.

"You called me to the bathroom to eat?"

Miyake's expression was utterly speechless.

Shuichi Kanda was equally speechless. What could I do? That Kiyotaka Ayanokoji guy usually looks harmless, but if he suddenly flips out, I wouldn't be able to handle him.

"Ahem, let's not sweat the details. Did Ayanokoji have something to talk to me about?"

Ayanokoji, watching the exchange between Miyake and Kanda, wore a look of envy. So this is what friends are like.

"Actually, it's about Horikita."

Ayanokoji's words made Miyake freeze for a moment, then he shot Kanda a suspicious glare.

You actually had time behind my back to go chasing girls?

Kanda's eyebrow twitched slightly, then he stepped aside from the entrance to let them in.

Good thing I made extra food, but this was all supposed to be my lunch bento for tomorrow. Damn it, you two better pay me!

Chapter 47: Sunday at the Library, Part 1

Since the matter about Horikita clearly couldn't be explained in a few words, Shuichi Kanda had no choice but to invite Kiyotaka Ayanokoji into his room.

"Ayanokoji, want to join me for dinner?"

"Then, I'll gratefully accept."

You could at least pretend to be polite.

Dinner was braised pork belly with braised eggs, plus scrambled eggs with green peppers, served with rice. It ensured plenty of protein and carbs, along with some essential vitamins.

"Kanda, do you like Chinese food? This is delicious." Ayanokoji brought up the topic during the meal.

"Huh? This is Chinese food?"

MD, you've eaten this so many times and you still don't know it's not Japanese?

Compared to Akito Miyake, Shuichi Kanda was even more speechless. So you just remember the eating part, huh.

"Miyake, are you even Japanese?"

Watching Kanda and Miyake's back-and-forth, Ayanokoji thought: How nice, friends who call each other by name. I wish I could join in.

After the meal, Kanda sent Miyake off to wash the dishes, while he and Ayanokoji sat on the tatami to discuss the Horikita matter.

"So, what exactly about Horikita do we need to talk about?"

"She asked me to bring Sudo to the study group she's organizing."

"Oh, good luck with that."

"You think it's impossible too, right? I'm not that close with Sudo, and if he wanted to join a study group, why would he skip Hirata's paid one to come to Horikita's?"

"Wait!" Kanda suddenly looked wary. "Don't tell me you want me to recruit Sudo? No way, absolutely not!

What if that guy suddenly flips out and attacks? Are you trying to get me killed? You've got bad intentions!"

Before Ayanokoji could finish, Kanda shot him down flat.

"Uh, actually, I already asked Kushida, and she managed to invite him."

"Then why are you here? Don't tell me you want me to join the study group? My grades are fine." Kanda waved a hand, signaling no need to worry about him.

"Well, Horikita's worried about your social studies score, so she specifically told me to bring you along." Ayanokoji scratched his head.

"No way, she wouldn't worry about me. Stop joking." Kanda scoffed at that. "Besides, I've got club activities tomorrow, so I can't make the study group."

"Didn't you tell Club President Sato you were taking two weeks off from the club?"

Shut up!

Miyake, you bastard, how dare you call me out like that!

And facing Horikita's sour face, Kanda would rather face Kamuro's sour face.

Come to think of it, he hadn't contacted Kamuro in a while. He wondered if she missed him.

"Anyway, I'm not going to Horikita's study group." Kanda grabbed the Hyouka he'd bought earlier. "Tomorrow I'm going to the library to read. I already made plans with someone."

With it put that bluntly, Ayanokoji had no choice but to drop it.

Horikita, I did my best, but he refused. Nothing I can do.

After Ayanokoji left, Miyake finally sat across from Kanda.

"It's not really a bad idea, is it? Isn't your social studies weak?"

I can't answer that. I can't exactly tell you I cheated and memorized the whole textbook.

"It's fine. I think I can at least pass."

"As long as you're sure. I'll head back now."

"See ya."

The next day, Shuichi Kanda did exactly as he'd said. Even though no one had made plans with him, he still went to the library, bringing along the new book he'd bought yesterday, Hyouka.

Because he was worried that if he started reading, he wouldn't be able to stop and would end up forced to stay up all night, he hadn't turned a single page, waiting all the way until this morning.

Perhaps that was the charm of mystery novels.

Rounding a corner, Shuichi Kanda arrived at his usual spot, only to immediately find someone already sitting there—and it was an acquaintance he wasn't exactly familiar with.

High-energy warning ahead, please dodge!

"Stop right there!"

Just as Kanda turned to leave, Kamuro Masumi spoke up.

Shuichi Kanda, in danger!

But Shuichi Kanda pretended not to see her and quickened his pace forward. However, the moment he turned, Kamuro stood up and walked toward him.

Seeing that he was about to be caught, Shuichi Kanda let out a desperate cry in his heart! Ah, damn library, why wouldn't it let people run?

No, if he could run, he'd probably be caught even faster.

Sure enough, before Kanda could take two steps, Kamuro Masumi rushed in front of him.

"Why did you pretend not to see me?"

"Actually, I've been a bit nearsighted lately."

"Then when I called you, why did you walk even faster?"

"Because I remembered I had something important to do."

Come to think of it, why was she here? Wasn't she always with that Sakayanagi?

And this place was so remote, even the surveillance cameras couldn't clearly see what was happening here—why did he run into her here?

Was she deliberately waiting to ambush him?

"Less talk, sit down."