Classroom of the Elite: I Can Issue My Master's Tasks

Ichinose Honami gave an apologetic smile. After a brief explanation, she handed Nangong Cheng a microphone.

He nodded and played along.

"Classmate Sakayanagi, Kamuro, as you can see, if you've finished eating, please forgive us for being unable to entertain you any longer."

"..."

Sakayanagi Arisu fell silent.

She glanced at Kamuro Masumi.

Eat, eat, eat. All she ever thinks about is eating!

"Then goodbye, Ichinose."

Kamuro Masumi: It Had to Be a Dirty Financial Arrangement!

In the elevator.

Sakayanagi Arisu was thinking.

She genuinely wanted to know why Ichinose Honami was willing to go so far.

As she saw it, only family members or couples would normally feed each other like that. Ordinary friends never would.

Which raised the question.

What was the relationship between Ichinose Honami and Nangong Cheng?

Mother and son?

Oh, come on... Well.

Ichinose Honami had said it was the price she paid Nangong Cheng for a Student Council spot.

But anyone could see that Nangong Cheng wasn't calling Ichinose Honami "Mom" because of some psychological need born from a lack of maternal affection. It looked more like he was trying out a very new kind of roleplay.

To put it more simply.

Nangong Cheng just thought it was fun.

After all, judging by how Nangong Cheng had sold information and then immediately made it public, the man was hardly an honest sort.

Whether his personality was nasty or not, he definitely enjoyed watching people squirm.

"Kamuro, what do you think the relationship between Nangong Cheng and Ichinose Honami actually is?"

One person's perspective was bound to have blind spots, so Sakayanagi Arisu didn't mind looking to Kamuro Masumi for inspiration.

Unfortunately, Masumi's grades in middle school hadn't been great.

Simply put, thinking things through wasn't her strong suit.

So when she heard Sakayanagi Arisu's question, a troubled look crossed Kamuro Masumi's world-weary face.

"They're not exactly ordinary friends, but they don't seem like a couple either. And they definitely aren't mother and son."

"If I had to say..."

Kamuro Masumi frowned and racked her brain for a long while. At last, her eyes lit up, as if she had found the perfect answer.

"It's like the kind of relationship between a man and a woman that only exists because money changes hands."

"Hmm... A relationship based on mutual benefit?"

Sakayanagi Arisu nodded thoughtfully.

That explanation did make sense, but it still had holes if she looked closely.

Why would Ichinose Honami agree to that kind of relationship?

All for a Student Council spot she could get next month anyway, she was willing to pay such a price?

Even if the arrangement had an end date and would last only a few months...

It was still hard to understand.

As for the possibility that Ichinose Honami had fallen for Nangong Cheng at first sight...

That was a stretch too.

Sakayanagi Arisu considered it from every angle, but it never occurred to her to connect it to the system.

After all, the fact that she alone had one was strange enough. If someone else had one too...

She couldn't imagine it.

"Forget it. I accomplished several things I came for, so the trip wasn't wasted."

Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head and let the matter go.

Her main reason for coming had been to see whether she could trigger a task. Since she had, the trip had already been worthwhile.

On top of that, she had learned more about Nangong Cheng and Ichinose Honami. All in all, it had been quite a productive visit.

As for the Student Council spot...

It wasn't that her standards were too high. There simply weren't many people in Class A who could make full use of it.

Even now, Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't decided whom to give the spot to.

Use it herself?

With her current health, she couldn't handle the Student Council's daily workload. That would clearly be a waste.

Give it to Kamuro Masumi?

Then who would help her get around each day?

"Kamuro, have you noticed any students in our class worth bringing onto our team?"

"Preferably a girl."

Kamuro Masumi frowned again.

Please, stop making things difficult for me.

Jobs that required thinking just weren't for her!

"Do you have any specific criteria?"

Ding—

The elevator arrived at their floor just then.

Sakayanagi Arisu stepped out, stroking her chin.

"First, she needs to be good at something."

After all, the girl would need to help with her work.

"Second, she needs to be about as honest and obedient as you, Kamuro. Half as much would do, if necessary."

Someone rebellious was out of the question.

She didn't want a ticking time bomb. Dealing with one would be troublesome and thankless.

"Finally, she can't be too unattractive. I'm so cute, and you're a tall beauty, Kamuro. We can't let anyone drag down the group's overall appeal."

That last requirement... was mainly influenced by the idea of Fated Partners.

Sakayanagi Arisu hadn't entirely dismissed Ichinose Honami's view of "fate." With something so intangible, one could never really say.

Besides, because of her damned congenital heart condition, the only man she had had much contact with growing up was her father.

Books and chess were two of her few "friends."

She had read romantic fairy tales, and when she was younger and still innocent, she had even dreamed of a love like that.

It was only after accompanying her father and seeing a bit of the so-called wider world that Sakayanagi Arisu had gradually changed her mind. She began to see everything she could use as a chess piece that could act in her place.

But now...

"Start by looking for someone who meets those three requirements. When you find her, tell her my name and mention the Student Council spot."

"If you really can't find anyone suitable, I'll use the spot to do Katsuragi a favor."

Kamuro Masumi nodded.

With clear criteria, the job felt much more manageable.

And if someone else joined them, perhaps Sakayanagi Arisu wouldn't order her around for every little thing anymore.

She had to search seriously!

"I'm tired. Take me back to my room."

"...Let's go."

She would start contacting people tonight!

Meanwhile.

Nangong Cheng finished his dinner.

Being fed by a beautiful girl was as delightful as ever. No wonder ancient emperors had been said to skip morning court.

"Thanks for the meal, Mom Ichinose."

"..."

Ichinose Honami rolled her eyes.

Nangong Cheng had certainly enjoyed himself, but she feared Sakayanagi Arisu's and Kamuro Masumi's opinions of her had shifted in a rather awkward direction.

She didn't care that much about such things, but given the choice, who wouldn't want a better reputation?

At least the Points made up for it.

[Task complete]

[Task reward: Host receives 1,000 Points]

"Are you full, Nangong?"

"If not, I can make some snacks."

Nangong Cheng nodded, then shook his head. He stood and gently patted her shoulder.

He gathered the plates and utensils from the table and headed toward the kitchen with his back to Ichinose Honami. He left only a soft, puzzling sigh and a few words lingering in her ears.

"Before you ask whether I've eaten enough, Ichinose, have you realized that you've only had one small bite yourself?"

"Kindness is a virtue, but—"

"When you remember to be kind to others, I hope you won't forget to be kind to yourself too."

[Task issued: Make yourself a hearty dinner, then get a good night's sleep]

[Task reward: 100 Points]

[Penalty for failure: Forced completion of the task]

Ichinose Honami: The Temptation of Going Home

Nangong Cheng left.

Ichinose Honami sat there in silence for a while longer. Then she got up, went to the kitchen, and made another dinner.

A dinner just for herself.

She ate, then washed the dishes.

Ichinose Honami went to her bedroom for a change of clothes, took a shower, then turned off the lights and went straight to bed.

But she couldn't sleep.

Her mind replayed everything from the moment she met Nangong Cheng until now, finally settling on what he had said just before leaving.

"Be kind to myself..."