Classroom of the Mediocre Supremacist

Sakayanagi Arisu didn't respond, but the flush on her face deepened.

"Hoshino-kun, you idiot."

She muttered softly, then turned her head away, no longer letting Hoshino En see her reddened face.

He could always guess her intentions, and after their encounters, she could glean a bit of his thoughts too—when they understood each other so well, why did Hoshino-kun think their relationship was bad?

Compared to that blunt and clumsy Kamuro-san, the two of them were clearly on the same side!

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 39 — Chapter 037: Encounter with Ichinose, and Class B's "Little Angels"

"Hoshino-kun, what did you do to Sakayanagi-san this time?"

Just then, a familiar voice came from the side. Besides the "muscle-weak" Sakayanagi Arisu, Kamuro Masumi standing guard behind her, Hoshino En sitting across from Sakayanagi Arisu, and Shiina Hiyori, who sat on the inner side of Hoshino En, seemingly reading but actually paying close attention to the commotion—all of them looked over.

It was Ichinose Honami, along with her close friend Shiranami Chihiro.

Beyond them, there were other students present, seemingly a group of close friends from Class B: the other girls stood behind Ichinose Honami and Shiranami Chihiro, while the boys were led by a handsome purple-haired extra.

But regardless of who they were, they all stared curiously at Hoshino En, who was being "scolded" by Ichinose Honami.

"You need to be more mindful of boundaries!!"

Familiar person, familiar setting, and familiar scolding—Hoshino En felt a sense of déjà vu rising.

"Ah, Ichinose, what are you..."

"Ichinose-san, are you trying to be a third wheel again?"

As a result, Sakayanagi Arisu, who had been limp on the table moments ago, immediately perked up. She sat upright, elegantly placing both hands on the table, her eyes blazing as she stared at Ichinose Honami.

She even cut off Hoshino En's attempt at a "cooling-off" greeting.

He stared blankly at the aggressive Sakayanagi Arisu across from him.

Hey, hey, sis, weren't you just too tired to move? Why are you fine all of a sudden?

I don't remember those fruit candies I bought being some kind of Senzu Bean or SCP-500?!

However, before Sakayanagi Arisu's words could be refuted by Ichinose Honami herself, and before Shiranami Chihiro could speak up, having learned from the previous incident, the rest of Class B exploded first.

Hearing her insult toward Ichinose Honami, the gentle Class B students glared angrily at this flat-chested, pseudo-loli girl, and some of the more hot-tempered ones couldn't help but start cursing.

Of course, there were also clever ones who thought Sakayanagi Arisu might be deliberately provoking them to test Class B, so they deliberately kept quiet.

"Am I wrong?"

Seeing that Class B's "good little lambs" seemed displeased, Sakayanagi Arisu decided to speak with "facts."

"The first time was at the café, when you butted in while I was getting close to Hoshino-kun, ruining such a good atmosphere. The second time was in the cafeteria—I could have enjoyed Hoshino-kun patting my head more, but you came over to cause trouble again, using that indecent body of yours to tempt Hoshino-kun."

"That's not true! That time it was that guy himself who got lost staring, how can you blame it on Honami-chan!"

Shiranami Chihiro couldn't help but interject, glaring fiercely at Hoshino En.

With her outburst, the anger of Class B's crowd instantly shifted to Hoshino En, the "beneficiary" of the situation.

Sakayanagi Arisu's behavior could be explained as "vigilance toward girls surrounding her boyfriend," and Ichinose Honami indeed had reasons to be wary of her, so she could still be "whitewashed" by Class B's kind little angels. But Hoshino En was different—he was a scumbag who, despite having a cute "girlfriend," still wanted to mess with their "great angel."

Such a scumbag was beyond redemption!!

But their anger couldn't stop Sakayanagi Arisu's accusations.

"This is the third time, isn't it? When Hoshino-kun and I were having a perfect moment, why did you have to interrupt again?"

"I was just..."

Ichinose Honami tried to explain. She had only spoken up because she saw Sakayanagi Arisu looking uncomfortable and Hoshino En wearing a "gloating" expression as he watched her—she hadn't thought about anything else.

She was genuinely worried that Hoshino En, the good person who had once selflessly helped her, might "go astray" during his adolescence.

But she dared not reveal the real reason in front of Hoshino En, afraid he would hate her.

Seeing her hesitate, Sakayanagi Arisu flashed a triumphant smile, while Class B's members behind her wore panicked expressions.

Could it be that Ichinose-san/Honami-chan really has fallen for that openly cheating scumbag?

But if there was another reason, their rash advice might only trouble Ichinose-san/Honami-chan, so they dared not speak up either.

Those confident in their victory had no need to speak; those trembling inside kept their mouths shut.

And Ichinose Honami herself, the one who had tied this "knot," was still thinking of an excuse to justify her actions, so she too remained silent.

The scene fell into silence.

Finally, the one who stepped up to save the "world" was the wrongly accused male lead himself.

"Enough, Sakayanagi. If your body's still weak, don't go teasing them. They've got numbers, and your little dog can't protect you."

"Hey! Who are you calling..."

Kamuro Masumi tried to defend herself but was ignored by Hoshino En.

Sakayanagi Arisu, scolded by Hoshino En, pouted and turned her head with a huff.

After dealing with her, Hoshino En looked toward the other side.

"And Ichinose, I've told you before—at your level, you can't outplay Sakayanagi. And now you're actually letting yourself drift along with her train of thought... Do you need to smash your head against the wall before you turn back? Or do you need the whip on your skin before you feel the pain? A whole month has passed, and you haven't made a single bit of progress."

"Yes, yes, sorry!"

The scolded Ichinose Honami immediately seized the offered lifeline, bowing in apology.

Seeing this, Class B's "little angels" finally caught on: it seemed they'd all been fooled by that cute, petite girl, and had wronged this classmate and Ichinose-san/Honami-chan.

"Since you know you were wrong... then tell me, what were you doing with Class B's students in the library? A team-building event?"

A certain purple-haired male bystander immediately grew alert: wasn't this guy no different from that girl just now? Both were fishing for information!!!

And this one was even more blatant, asking outright—completely shameless.

"Oh. Because some of our classmates are falling behind the teacher's lessons, so we're helping them catch up on their studies."

"...As expected of Class B."

Hoshino En offered a genuine compliment.

With Class C violently consolidating and Class A split in opposition, Class D—glued together by Hirata and Kushida like two pieces of "super glue"—actually resembled Class B the most in terms of "class sentiment," which was unified by "solidarity."

But now Class B's students were already preparing for future exams, while Class D...

To be honest, aside from that initial period when Class D's students studied properly, for the last three weeks they'd been like birds set free, doing whatever they pleased, completely ignoring the surveillance camera in the corner of the classroom. Even Hirata and Kushida had stopped caring about it.

Ah~ the future looks bleak!

"So are you done studying now? Heading to dinner?"

"Yes. We plan to call everyone else who's still in club activities and hold a celebration party. Hoshino-kun, would you like to come?"

The kind great angel extended an invitation to the other class's Hoshino En.

"Me? What would I do at your Class B celebration? Bring bad luck? Better not."

"Besides, I'm pretty busy myself, having to look after this young lady."

Hoshino En tilted his head, lightly jerking his chin toward Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Alright, then... we'll take our leave?"

"Mm, see you~"

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 40, Section 038: You Deserve to Be a Loser!!!

After Ichinose Honami left with her followers, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke to Hoshino En with a sour tone: "Oh my~ finally sent your little lover off?"

"If she's my little lover, then what are you?"

"I'm obviously the 'legitimate wife'!"

Sakayanagi Arisu struck a smug pose.

Her natural reply left Hoshino En speechless.

"Legitimate what? Keep saying that and you'll really never find a boyfriend, at least not for these three years of high school."

"Then Arisu will just have to be with Hoshino-kun~"

"No thanks, I don't want to get beaten to death by the Chairman."

As they chatted, they both turned to look at Kamuro Masumi, standing off to the side.

Being stared at by Sakayanagi Arisu alone was bad enough, but now another "weirdo" had joined in. Kamuro Masumi couldn't help but shiver, immediately starting to reflect on what she might have done wrong.

But they only glanced at her, saying nothing about her...

Wait, no, they did!

"Sakayanagi, I didn't expect you to slip up on that front."

"Can't be helped—Kamuro-san is too slow. I've never played chess with her; in my room, I always play against myself, and I don't put the board away unless I have to."

"Today's set was custom-made just for this occasion. Its first use was with you, Hoshino-kun!"

"Hey, don't say it so ambiguously!"

Laughing, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Kamuro Masumi again.

"Kamuro-san, could you trouble yourself to put the chessboard away?"

Though her words were a request, her tone brooked no refusal.

So scary, so scary! And so crazy!!

Kamuro Masumi grumbled inwardly as she packed up the board.

If she wanted it put away, just say so! Throwing a look and expecting her to figure it out herself—what was that? She wasn't a mind reader!!

Once Kamuro Masumi had finished packing the board, Sakayanagi Arisu turned back to Hoshino En.

"As for the bet, we'll discuss it over dinner."

Then she looked at Shiina Hiyori, who had been forgotten on the sidelines.

"Of course, if Shiina-san wants to join, I wouldn't mind either."

"After all, I'm no 'jealous wife.' If the master of the house wanted to keep a beautiful concubine, I'd still agree."

Just the way you were targeting Ichinose Honami earlier already makes you a proper 'jealous wife.'

Kamuro Masumi continued her silent commentary.

But seeing that Sakayanagi Arisu's friendliness toward Shiina Hiyori seemed genuine, Kamuro Masumi suddenly realized her true intent.

As expected, it's that! This is a realm that sadistic pseudo-loli Sakayanagi could never reach—she's been broken by the inferiority she feels toward Ichinose Honami.

"Eh? O-okay..."

Shiina Hiyori responded to Sakayanagi Arisu's invitation in a daze.

This girl, whose heart once held only books and now held a good friend as well, hadn't been listening closely to their conversation.

Even when Ichinose Honami barged in earlier, her only thought had been: Hoshino-kun knows so many pretty girls.

Then came a touch of anxiety, because her only friend had more friends than just her, leaving her feeling hollow.

But now—jealous wife? Concubine? Wait!

In that instant, countless famous novels about [forbidden love] flashed through her mind.

Then, she turned to look at Hoshino En, who was sighing, and glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu, who was looking at her kindly from across the way, and suddenly realized something.

"I-I'm not in that kind of relationship with Hoshino-kun, Sakayanagi-san, you've misunderstood!"

She quickly clarified in a fluster, a hint of barely perceptible disappointment coloring her face.

"Calm down... Shiina, calm down. Sakayanagi's just teasing you!"

Hoshino En's large hand once again rested atop the girl's lovely head, gently soothing her—after the first time, his hand had developed a mind of its own.

"Don't mind what she says. Just think of it as coming to eat with me. We have dinner together often, don't we? Today, let this be my apology for promising to read with you but failing to follow through, alright?"

"Oh... Mm, okay."