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

Kikyo Kushida silently cursed her out, then continued along the same lines. "That's true, but hearing you say something like that is a little... surprising, Horikita."

"Sorry, it's just that you seem like a completely different person from before..."

Horikita Suzune nodded. "I simply came to understand a few things all of a sudden. Besides, people change, don't they?"

"You've probably experienced something similar, haven't you, Kushida? Suddenly understanding something or learning a lesson overnight."

"Ahaha... yes, I have."

Kikyo Kushida recalled something unpleasant.

She decided to change the subject. "So what would you like to know, Horikita? I won't answer anything too personal, okay?"

Horikita Suzune hesitated.

In truth, she had no idea how to get to know someone. She had never done anything like this before.

Still, she understood the basics.

"When you mentioned feeling stressed about your studies earlier, my tone might have been a little harsh. I'd like to apologize for that first."

"And about that... Stress-relief method Nangong told you and Karuizawa Kei about, have you tried it? How did it feel afterward? Could you tell me?"

"Uh..."

Of all the things Kikyo Kushida had anticipated, an apology from Horikita Suzune hadn't been one of them... It might not have sounded particularly heartfelt, but she had actually said the words.

What the hell?

Nangong Cheng, what kind of spell did you put on Horikita Suzune? Is this really that cold, unapproachable ice queen?

As for the question about stress relief...

"Why do you want to know about that, Horikita? Do you often feel so stressed that you need an outlet too?"

Horikita Suzune nodded. "Everyone experiences stress, don't they? Besides, I've read some books on psychology, and they mentioned a particular condition called 'smiling depression.'"

"Put simply, someone might generally appear to be smiling or happy on the outside, while continually experiencing feelings of repression and depression inside."

"So I was worried about you, Kushida... If I've gotten the wrong idea, I apologize."

The corner of Kikyo Kushida's mouth twitched.

She nearly failed to keep her smile in place.

Although she didn't think she had depression, her situation did overlap considerably with that description.

The bad news: Horikita had stumbled onto the truth.

The good news: she could now claim to have depression.

Thanks for handing me that get-out-of-jail-free card, Horikita Suzune~

"I see, but I don't have depression, you know?" Kikyo Kushida composed herself, making sure her voice wouldn't betray her emotions.

"Still, thank you for your concern. And with you helping tutor me, I think I'll feel much less stressed."

Horikita Suzune nodded.

As for whether she believed Kikyo Kushida's explanation... that remained to be seen.

"So did you actually try Nangong's stress-relief method, Kushida?"

Seriously, are you that curious?

Haven't you heard that curiosity killed the cat?

After silently venting, Kikyo Kushida replied, "Well... you might not know what kind of stress-relief method Nangong was talking about..."

"I do."

"Huh?"

Kikyo Kushida froze.

Then Horikita Suzune explained with a perfectly straight face, "I asked Karuizawa about it that very day, and Nangong happened to send her a video."

"Ahaha... I see..."

So you already fucking know what Nangong Cheng's stress-relief method is?!

If you want to know how it feels, go finger yourself!

For fuck's sake!

"Sorry, that really was too personal. Let's talk about something more ordinary," Horikita Suzune suddenly apologized again.

"It's fine, really..."

Relieved that Horikita Suzune had finally stopped harping on the subject, Kikyo Kushida waved it off.

But who could have guessed there was a second round waiting?

"Kushida, do you like Nangong?"

Karuizawa Kei's confession

Girl, seriously?

Do you even hear yourself?

Me, Kikyo Kushida, liking Nangong Cheng?

Don't make me laugh.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Horikita?"

"Look at the stage—Karuizawa is practically glued to Nangong. Surely she's the one you should be asking that question?"

Horikita Suzune followed Kikyo Kushida's pointing finger toward the stage, then nodded. "Karuizawa certainly seems quite fond of Nangong."

"But I've noticed that you sneak glances at him at least ten times a day on average. On one particular day, you were even looking his way once every ten minutes."

"Huh?"

Kikyo Kushida nearly lost her composure again.

Wait, you...

What's wrong with you?

Seeing Kikyo Kushida's stunned expression, Horikita Suzune assumed she was embarrassed at being found out and raised a hand to pat her shoulder.

"Sorry, I wasn't deliberately watching you, Kushida. But as you know, Nangong and I sit next to each other, and we're both in the back row. I can't exactly miss it when you look our way."

"And... as far as I know, when a girl pays that much attention to a boy, there's a strong chance she's attracted to him, or even has a crush on him..."

Kikyo Kushida's smile stiffened.

How ridiculous is that?

Me, liking Nangong Cheng?

What a joke!

I want him expelled right along with you!

"Horikita, I wouldn't say your interpretation is wrong, but it's definitely very one-sided."

Thankfully, the singing was loud enough, and everyone else was talking too. If anyone had overheard, she would have become a laughingstock.

Kikyo Kushida hurried to explain and change the subject. "At the very least, I definitely don't have a crush on Nangong. I was only sneaking glances at him because I wanted a chance to discuss the competition between classes with him."

"What about you, though, Horikita? Everyone knows you were the first girl to get to know Nangong. You were there when he sold that information too. People are curious about what exactly your relationship is."

Horikita Suzune nodded thoughtfully.

Then she answered the new question Kikyo Kushida had brought up. "Don't worry. There's absolutely no chance of me falling for Nangong. Our relationship will only ever be that of an observer and her subject, a learner and the person she learns from."

"Although that inevitably involves a certain exchange of benefits, I guarantee I won't interfere with your romantic relationship."

"Ahaha..."

I'm done. Let it all burn.

Kikyo Kushida couldn't be bothered to explain anymore.

She dearly wanted to suggest they go back to discussing tutoring, but there was still one question she wanted to ask—

"You don't seem like the type to be interested in romance, Horikita. Why are you talking to me about this?"

Horikita Suzune explained, "You saw what happened during the day. I'm concerned that if one of you starts dating Nangong, emotional issues or other problems might affect future special exams."

Realization dawned on Kikyo Kushida.

So that's what this is all about?

Even if Nangong has changed you a little, your head is still full of nothing but the class, exams, and yourself, Horikita Suzune.

"Don't worry~ I can't speak for anyone else, but I definitely won't be dating Nangong."

"If something like that really does happen, I'll do my best to help too!"

"All right."

Horikita Suzune nodded, then chatted with Kikyo Kushida about some genuinely ordinary topics.

Nangong Cheng had also finished his duet with Karuizawa Kei. Seeing that Kikyo Kushida and Horikita Suzune were actually getting along quite well, he decided not to interrupt and chatted back and forth with Karuizawa Kei instead.

The evening quietly slipped by amid singing and laughter.

Since they had classes the next day, they didn't stay out too late. Things wrapped up around nine, and everyone gradually left in groups.

Having already issued all his tasks for the day, Nangong Cheng planned to head straight back too.

But—

"Nangong, I... there's something I'd like to talk to you about in private. Do you... have time?"

Karuizawa Kei gritted her teeth and finally worked up her courage, deciding to make her move while things were going well tonight.

Horikita Suzune and Kikyo Kushida, who were also about to leave, both turned to look when they heard her.

"I'm leaving. You two talk."

Horikita Suzune had no interest in Nangong Cheng's private life to begin with, so she simply pushed the door open and left.

Kikyo Kushida gave a polite but awkward smile. "Good luck, Karuizawa~"

Then she hurried away too.

Watching Karuizawa Kei fidget with her fingers, her head lowered, Nangong Cheng asked, "Did you want to talk here, Karuizawa... or somewhere else?"

"C-could we go to my room?"

"Sure. Let's go." With that, Nangong Cheng pushed the door open and walked out.

There was no need to guess what was happening.

Karuizawa Kei wanted to follow Kikyo Kushida's example and leave her handprint... no, to lay her cards on the table.

As he walked, Nangong Cheng considered how to handle the situation.

Before long, they returned to the student dormitory building.

"What floor is your room on?"

"The twelfth floor. Room 1202."

The student dormitory at Advanced Nurturing could technically be considered coed, but strictly speaking, rooms were actually assigned by class.

So if Karuizawa Kei lived on the twelfth floor, the other Class D girls' rooms were probably spread across either floors eleven through thirteen or ten through twelve.

The elevator moved quickly.

"Ding~"

Karuizawa Kei, who had stayed silent the entire way, stepped out almost the instant the elevator arrived.

Nangong Cheng followed quietly.

"Click—"

"Thud."

The room's door closed.