Classroom of the Mediocre Supremacist

"If only the seats next to their table would open up, then we could sit right there, eavesdrop on their conversation, and find a natural way to join in."

Shiranami Chihiro came up with a less-than-straightforward plan.

She was confident: as long as the initial conversation got going, then the other party would absolutely be conquered by Honami-sama. ∏>￡＃

No one could refuse such a gentle, soft great angel.

But eavesdropping... no matter how you looked at it, it wasn't a good thing. Yet if the other person really didn't remember Honami-chan, it was a necessary step to insert herself into the topic.

Such a dilemma.

Huh? Wait!

Another unexpected development on the scene interrupted Shiranami Chihiro's thoughts.

Under her and Ichinose Honami's watch, the girls sitting at the four-seat table next to Hoshino En's table glanced at their phones, then started packing up their things.

After boxing up the desserts they'd just been served, they simply left.

"Chihiro-chan, you're amazing—your words came true."

No, no, they'd only just gotten their food and were leaving now. Clearly someone had messaged them to clear out and free up the seats.

But this worked out fine...

"Honami-chan, quick, now—let's sit over there."

Since she'd confirmed that Honami-chan had no other intentions toward that boy, Shiranami Chihiro was naturally happy to help her out.

The timing was perfect.

"Huh? Are we really going to eavesdrop? Isn't that a bit wrong?"

As expected, Honami-chan was too kind—she couldn't bring herself to do anything improper.

But if she didn't, Honami-chan knew nothing about him. How was she supposed to repay him?

"Ah, some people have already sat down over there."

In the brief moment Ichinose Honami hesitated, a girl with deep blue twin-tails and another with brown shoulder-length hair and a great figure took those seats. They chatted animatedly with each other, but their gazes kept drifting toward Hoshino En.

Shiranami Chihiro remembered them. The one whose figure was only slightly inferior to Honami-chan's was Kushida Kikyo. They'd run into her at lunch in the cafeteria. She'd said she wanted to be friends with everyone. Those girls sitting there earlier had probably left after getting her message.

Was she deliberately sitting there now to make friends with that boy and his girlfriend?

No, no, now wasn't the time to analyze her motives.

"Honami-chan, there are still two seats over there. Let's hurry—we might still catch something."

"But..."

Ichinose Honami was still hesitating. She couldn't immediately accept this kind of behavior, which felt like prying into someone's privacy.

And while she hesitated a second time, another girl with a golden ponytail sat down at that table, leaving only one seat left.

"There's only one seat left now, Honami-chan. Hurry—hesitation leads to defeat. I'll wait here for your good news."

Shiranami Chihiro didn't understand why the usually cheerful and decisive Honami-chan was being so timid now, but she didn't want her to regret it later.

She gave Ichinose Honami a push and flashed her a cheer sign.

Ichinose Honami: "..."

Her [little sister] had cheered her on, so she had to go.

And so, she walked toward the table next to Hoshino En, without looking back.

"Good afternoon, Kushida-san, and Wang-san."

Sitting down beside Kushida Kikyo, she smiled naturally and greeted them.

Thanks to the new friend she'd made in Class D at lunch, she wouldn't be at a loss for words coming alone.

"And you are..."

"I'm Karuizawa Kei from Class 1-D."

Mm, she'd made another new friend from Class D.

Ichinose Honami's move from her original seat to this one was conspicuous, and all three girls present understood her intent.

[She's here to get a front-row seat to the drama. Didn't expect Class B's Ichinose to have this kind of curiosity.] ×

[Another fox after Hoshino-kun!]

But they understood each other's positions, so they didn't shut her out as a [fellow kind].

The four quickly fell into easy conversation, but their attention remained fixed on Hoshino En at the next table.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 10: Round One, Clash

"Hoshino-kun really is quite charming."

After ordering from the nearby waiter, Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Hoshino En sitting across from her, smiling.

"In no time at all, you've attracted three scheming little kittens and one harmless little white rabbit. Boyfriend-kun is truly a sinful man."

Although her gaze remained fixed on Hoshino En, the three sitting nearby who truly had ulterior motives felt as if they were being seen through by some strange stare.

Kushida Kikyo, who wanted to make friends: "..."

Looks like I'll have to find another chance to talk with Hoshino-kun alone later. Having this silver-haired loli here right now is too dangerous.

I've got this weird feeling of being seen through... is it my imagination?

Karuizawa Kei, who came to stop Kushida Kikyo: "..."

Looks like Hoshino-kun doesn't need help after all. Then... I'll just stay here and watch him properly.

Ah~ it's been a while, he seems to have grown about two centimeters taller, but his face looks a bit tired. Did he not rest well last night?

Ichinose Honami, eavesdropping: "..."

What a sharp kid. But since she didn't call it out directly, does that mean she doesn't mind?

Then I'll keep listening.

Wang Meiyu, the true little white rabbit: "..."

What does she mean by that? What little cat, little white rabbit? Are there pets in this café?

On the surface, they kept up a natural conversation, but the four of them each had their own thoughts churning inside.

"Don't say things that could be misunderstood. I don't know much about animals anyway. Maybe she's here for you."

To be honest, aside from the names of three classmates, Hoshino En really had no impression of them. As for the remaining one, he could only confirm she was the leader of Class 1-B—nothing else.

"But as soon as homeroom ended today, Arisu has been with Boyfriend-kun. They should know very well whether Boyfriend-kun and Arisu are acquainted, right?"

Karuizawa Kei: ...!!

Homeroom ended around eleven in the morning, and now it's past four in the afternoon... That's nearly five hours?

No wonder Hoshino-kun looks so worn out.

She touched her own abdomen, her cheeks flushing.

I wonder if I could handle it...

Looks like I need to get in shape. Hoshino-kun mentioned in his self-introduction that he exercises regularly, right? Should I ask him for help?

"Don't use such misleading wording. I was just accompanying you on a walk around the school building."

Noticing the others clearly jumping to the wrong conclusion, Hoshino En tried to rein her in to save face.

"Besides, the act is about done here. You've vented enough by now, haven't you?"

Eavesdropping quartet: ...??

An act? What's going on?

Ichinose Honami: Could it be that they're not actually a couple?

The sharp-witted girl had already caught on to the truth.

"Mm, it's quite satisfying, especially seeing you admit defeat. That made it even more enjoyable."

Having been outdone by Hoshino En in their earlier verbal sparring, Sakayanagi Arisu would have struck back long ago if not for the points she was after. Why wait until now?

Seeing his pleading attitude, she finally let a refreshing smile spread across her face.

When her desserts and coffee arrived, she pushed one portion over to Hoshino En.

"You've had a tiring afternoon, haven't you? I'm not heartless, so this is a reward."

Eavesdropping quartet: Just walking around the school building—why would that be [tiring]?

Karuizawa Kei: ...!!

Could it be... campus... exposure...? Does Hoshino-kun like that?

Ugh, it's hard to accept all at once, but if Hoshino-kun likes it...

"I'm the one footing the bill in the end. If you were really considerate, you'd pay the points for me."

"A man who's too nitpicky won't win a girl's favor, Hoshino-kun."

Hoshino En and Sakayanagi Arisu traded barbs back and forth, leaving the four beside them completely baffled.

Eavesdropping quartet: "..."

It sounds like just normal banter between friends, with absolutely no romantic gossip involved.

It seems... they really are just ordinary classmates and friends?

After Hoshino En finished his dessert and took a sip of coffee that had cooled a bit, he finally brought up the main topic.

"So, about the promised deduction... are you sure you don't want to change locations?"

The sweets had lifted his spirits somewhat, but he felt even more strongly that this place wasn't suitable for discussion.

The faint [hidden] gazes constantly drifting over from around them aside, there were four people sitting nearby who could catch every word of their conversation if they listened closely. This environment was hardly ideal for talking about important matters.

"Of course. In fact, I'm looking forward to it."

Sakayanagi Arisu picked up the cane leaning against the table and placed it across her lap.

"After learning the true nature of this school, I've found it utterly boring, without a shred of motivation—after all, being placed in the best and most superior Class A, with classmates who all choose a steady strategy of maintaining their advantage, I have no desire to continue."

"Challenging the Chess Club was just a casual move to pass the time. But fortunately, I took that step and met you, someone who could suppress me at our first meeting."

"I'm thrilled. A genius who can match me—you've reignited my competitive spirit. I want to defeat you and then thoroughly mold you into the shape I desire..."

"Hey! Are you a sadist!? And it seems I've gotten myself involved with a really troublesome person!"

Hoshino En was startled by Sakayanagi Arisu's declaration. He felt he might have made a wrong decision earlier, thinking he could use her as material for desensitization therapy—wasn't he just asking for trouble?

"Um, Classmate Sakayanagi, can I back out now?"

"Da~me!"

Sakayanagi Arisu rejected Hoshino En's retraction.

"Girls hate a petty, calculating man, but they despise a liar even more. Classmate Hoshino, are you willing to lose your dating prospects for all three years of high school?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze swept over to the next table, where Kushida Kikyo and Ichinose Honami sat, separated from Hoshino En by just an aisle.

"These two—Classmate Kushida Kikyo and Classmate Ichinose Honami—are both incredibly skilled socialites. If you run now, I guarantee rumors about you will spread across the entire grade by tomorrow."

"No, no, I would never do something like that. Classmate Sakayanagi, don't say such things."

"Exactly, exactly. We wouldn't do anything as awful as spreading rumors."

Seeing the battlefield suddenly erupt and threatening to spread to them, Kushida Kikyo and Ichinose Honami set aside their superficial conversation and quickly waved their hands in denial.

Wang Meiyu, sitting closest to Sakayanagi Arisu, was startled by her words, while Karuizawa Kei glared at Sakayanagi Arisu from across Wang Meiyu, but neither of their reactions fazed Sakayanagi Arisu.

Hoshino En: "..."

Though he regretted it a bit, he hadn't truly intended to back out. After all, if his deductions were correct, as long as he remained in this school, he couldn't escape her harassment.

But by deliberately saying that, it seemed he had managed to extract quite a bit of information.

"Your people have been following us."

He looked at the smiling Sakayanagi Arisu and pointed out what he had already noticed.