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

Amikura Mako looked confused. "Am I causing you trouble, Honami? I..."

"No."

Ichinose Honami put a hand on her friend's shoulder and said earnestly, "This is a private deal between Nangong Cheng and me. There was no need to involve you, Mako."

"You've seen what I've been doing these past few days. I just cook, clean, and do laundry for Nangong Cheng... ordinary household chores, that's all."

"And you need to have your own school life. Don't waste your time on my account."

Amikura Mako shook her head.

She was just as earnest. "But that's only because I'm there, isn't it? What if I leave and... that happens?"

"You're always like this, Honami. You try to carry everything alone. Joining the Student Council is important for our class too, so why shut us out? I don't want you to wear yourself out."

"So I'm not leaving!"

"Oh..."

Ichinose Honami sighed.

Her worries just kept piling up.

She had planned to take the deal Nangong Cheng had proposed and gradually grow closer to him. Once they were together, she would bring him home and come clean to her mother. After that, the final step would follow naturally...

But who could have expected Amikura Mako to stumble upon it? Now Mako followed her in and out of Nangong Cheng's room every day, leaving them no time alone.

If this kept up...

What a mess!

It was time to make up her mind and go home for a serious talk with her mother.

"Mom, I'm hungry!"

"Ah! It'll be ready soon!"

Ichinose Honami answered out of habit, then quickly nudged Amikura Mako to stop wasting time.

Mako pouted and washed the vegetables faster.

But in her head—

Honami seems to be in too deep...

And just like Hoshinomiya-sensei said, she's making excuses to get me to leave...

But that suggestion... What am I supposed to do?

Pretty Cure Sakayanagi Arisu

"Sorry for the wait, Nangong."

"No problem."

Nangong Cheng watched Ichinose Honami and Amikura Mako carry breakfast out of the kitchen. Their movements showed how practiced they had become, as though they had settled into this life.

Especially Mako.

She had been awkward about it at first, but after Nangong Cheng assigned Ichinose Honami a few tasks to show Mako the ropes, she settled down.

At this point, Amikura Mako looked less like someone watching to make sure he kept his hands off Ichinose Honami and more like a maid who accompanied a bride to her new home in the old days.

Chie Hoshinomiya, you did good.

Teaching really isn't your calling. If it doesn't work out, become a matchmaker. There's no shame in it.

"By the way, you two come here every day. Hasn't anyone in your class noticed?"

Ichinose Honami shook her head.

"We get up early, prepare lunch in advance, and say we want to rest alone in the evening."

"What happened with Mako was an accident. Normally, no one would find out."

I wouldn't be so sure.

They might all be students, but a few people at this school were very good at tailing others.

Nangong Cheng had only asked in passing, though.

Even if word got out, it would not matter much. His reputation would take another hit, at worst.

"Amikura, you're a little too straightforward. Even if you're thinking of the class, you can't keep believing one side of a story."

"...I know."

Amikura Mako ate in a huff.

How was she supposed to know her own homeroom teacher would set up one of her students? If she had known, she definitely would have...

All right, that was hard to say.

After all, judging by Honami-chan's behavior just now, Hoshinomiya-sensei might not have been entirely wrong.

If Nangong Cheng had no interest in Honami-chan, why would he propose a deal that involved calling her Mom?

No matter how she looked at it, something was fishy.

He was probably playing the long game.

Hmph. As Honami-chan's protector, I'll be watching you, Nangong Cheng!

"April's almost over. Class B can't afford to stay relaxed."

"Things have been too peaceful lately. Unless something unexpected happens, someone's bound to make a move next month."

Nangong Cheng had no idea what Amikura Mako had been thinking, but he would not have cared if he did.

In the end, they would all...

Ahem.

"Nangong, do you mean Class A or Class C is about to start something?"

"I'm saying it's likely. Either way, it never hurts to stay alert."

Nangong Cheng answered Amikura Mako, but his eyes were on Ichinose Honami.

Her cheeks reddened slightly. "Don't worry, Nangong. We can handle ordinary problems ourselves. But if it's something we can't solve..."

"We'll pay you extra!"

Amikura Mako hesitated, then decided to support Ichinose Honami.

Whatever Nangong Cheng was like as a person, his abilities were undeniable. Having his help would give them another safeguard.

Nangong Cheng waved a hand. "Given our relationship, talking money would only hurt our feelings."

"But I trust you'll offer me something I'm happy with, Ichinose Mom. If you run into a problem you can't solve, come to me."

With Nangong Cheng's promise secured, Ichinose Honami and Amikura Mako both smiled happily.

Breakfast ended on a pleasant note for everyone.

Soon after, Nangong Cheng arrived at the classroom.

There would be a placement test this week to prepare for the midterms. It would also give them some idea of how much their tutoring over the past two weeks had helped.

He planned to hand in a blank paper, though.

The Gene-Enhancement Potion improved him in every way, so he could study and catch up on his own. But he certainly would not waste an opportunity to spend time with Horikita Suzune.

If Horikita Suzune had not already been busy every waking moment, Nangong Cheng would have assigned her a third Daily Task long ago.

"You've been too lazy lately."

"The capable should do more. It just isn't time for me to act yet."

Horikita Suzune did not comment.

She had already spoken to Sae Chabashira to learn how the girls had done academically in middle school.

While she was at it, she had also asked about Nangong Cheng's grades.

They were indeed poor, just as he had said.

But given the insight and judgment he had shown, she could not rule out the possibility that he had been pretending from the start.

"Everything's going smoothly with the girls."

"Except for Sakura, who needs to start with elementary-school material, the others only need to fill a few gaps in their middle-school knowledge."

Horikita Suzune continued her report. "Also, things are fairly stable with Shiina Hiyori as a fellow book lover, but I think Ryuuen has noticed."

Nangong Cheng nodded.

"Take Airi and the others to Chabashira-sensei and buy voice recorders to keep in your pockets. Recording on your phones isn't very convenient."

"Is Ryuuen about to make a move?"

"It would be stranger if he didn't."

Nangong Cheng took out his phone and sent Ichinose Honami a warning. She soon replied with an OK-hand sticker.

As for Karuizawa Kei...

Through the mosquito-sized camera, he already knew she had exchanged points for the Basic Combat skill and something to remove her scars.

She had been mining much more often to afford them.

A Daily Task only required one session a day, but she was doing three.

If she kept that up until graduation, she would be more than a diamond miner.

As for Kikyo Kushida...

He did not need to worry about her at all. In the original story, she had even worked with Ryuuen to betray her class. She had plenty of little tricks up her sleeve.

Click, click, click—

The sound of high heels suddenly rang out.

Sae Chabashira opened the door and walked in.

"Get ready. The placement test starts soon."

Inside Class A's classroom.

After the day-long placement test ended, most students stayed to discuss the questions rather than leaving right away.

The atmosphere for studying was certainly good.

But Kamuro Masumi was not in a good mood.

"Maa-chan, how did you do?"

Sakayanagi Arisu already had a good idea, but that did not stop her from teasing her guileless little follower.

"I should pass..."

"So you won't."

"Tch..."

Kamuro Masumi pouted.

She hated how often her thoughts were read, especially by someone like Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Don't worry. I'll tutor you."

Sakayanagi Arisu had no intention of losing such a useful follower. Besides, if Kamuro Masumi were expelled, it would reflect badly on her.

She might have seemed frivolous, but tutoring Kamuro Masumi was already high on her list of priorities.

"Also, about the extra help..."

"Is there a problem with Yamamura?"

Kamuro Masumi glanced at the near-invisible girl in the corner of the classroom and the oddball beside her.

She had thought the people she found would help share her duties and ease the pressure. Instead, they only handled work outside the classroom, while she still had to follow Sakayanagi Arisu around every day.