Chapter 49

Amikura Mako wore a puzzled expression and pursued the question, "Did I cause trouble for Honami? I..."

"No, you didn't."

Ichinose Honami pressed a hand onto her friend's shoulder and said earnestly, "After all, this is a private arrangement between Nangong-kun and me. There was really no need to drag you into it, Mako."

"You've seen how things are these days. I'm just normally cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry for Nangong Cheng... just some very ordinary household chores."

"Besides, you need your own campus life too. Don't waste your time on my account."

Amikura Mako, however, shook her head.

She said with equal earnestness, "But that's only because I'm here, isn't it? What if... that kind of thing happens after I leave?"

"Honami, you're always like this, always taking everything upon yourself. Clearly, joining the Student Council is a very important matter for the class too, so why do you keep us shut out? I don't want you to live such an exhausting life."

"That's why I'm not leaving!"

"Sigh..."

Ichinose Honami sighed.

Her worries were piling up.

Originally, she had planned to just go along with this arrangement proposed by Nangong Cheng, step-by-step cultivating their feelings, and then, after cementing their relationship, bringing Nangong Cheng home to have a showdown with her mother, leading naturally to the final step...

Who could have expected Amikura Mako to barge in, and then end up following her in and out of Nangong Cheng's room every day until there was not a shred of private space left?

If she let things develop like this...

Sigh, what a mess!

Indeed, it was time to resolve to go home and have a heart-to-heart talk with her mother.

"Mom~ I'm hungry~"

"Ah! Coming right up~"

Ichinose Honami instinctively called back, then hurriedly patted Amikura Mako to signal her not to waste any more time.

The latter pounced her lips and quickened her pace at washing the vegetables.

What she was thinking inside, however, was—

(Honami seems to have fallen a bit too deep...)

(And it really turned out exactly like Hoshinomiya-sensei said, making up reasons to try and get me to leave...)

(But that suggestion... sigh, what on earth should I do?)

"Nangong-kun, sorry to keep you waiting."

"Not at all."

Nangong Cheng watched as Ichinose Honami and Amikura Mako brought breakfast out from the kitchen. Their movements showed that they had already become quite accustomed to, and even adapted to, this kind of life.

Especially the latter.

At first, she had been a bit awkward, but after Nangong Cheng issued a few [experienced-leads-novice] tasks to Ichinose Honami, she behaved herself.

Now, rather than saying Amikura Mako came to monitor whether Nangong Cheng was getting handsy with Ichinose Honami, it looked more like an accompanying maid for a bride in ancient times.

Chie Hoshinomiya, you really did a stellar job.

You certainly can't cut it as a teacher, so if all else fails, you might as well reclass into a matchmaker; it's nothing to be ashamed of.

"Speaking of which, the two of you run over to my place every day. Haven't any of your classmates noticed?"

Ichinose Honami shook her head.

"We get up early in the day, prepare bento in advance at noon, and in the evening rest period, we just say we want to rest properly by ourselves."

"A situation like Mako's can only be considered an accident. Normally, no one would find out."

I wouldn't be so sure.

Though everyone was a student, there were still a few people in this school who were quite skilled at tailing others.

Nangong Cheng only asked out of casual curiosity, however.

Even if this kind of thing were exposed, it wouldn't have much impact—at worst, his reputation would take another hit.

"Amikura-san's temperament is indeed a bit too straightforward. Even if it's for the sake of the class, you shouldn't blindly listen to other people's one-sided accounts in the future."

"I... I know."

Amikura Mako ate her meal with puffed cheeks.

She hadn't known that her own class advisor would actually scheme against her own students. If she had known, she definitely would have...

Well, it was hard to say for sure.

After all, judging by Honami-chan's behavior just now, what Hoshinomiya-sensei said wasn't necessarily all wrong.

If Nangong Cheng really had zero interest or thoughts regarding Honami-chan, how could he have inexplicably brought up a transaction condition like calling him Mom?

No matter how she thought about it or looked at it, there was something fishy going on.

He was probably casting a long line to catch a big fish.

Hmph, as Honami-chan's guardian knight, she would definitely keep a close eye on him, Nangong Cheng!

"April is about to end, and your Class B can't afford to keep relaxing either."

"Besides, this period has been far too peaceful, so barring any accidents, someone is bound to lose their patience next month."

Nangong Cheng had no idea Amikura Mako was having so many sudden inspirations, but even if he did, he wouldn't care.

In the end, it would all come down to...

Cough cough.

"Nangong-kun, do you mean that Class A or Class C is going to start making moves?"

"I can only say the possibility is very high, but maintaining a certain level of vigilance is never a bad thing."

Though Nangong Cheng was answering Amikura Mako's question, his eyes were fixed on Ichinose Honami.

The latter's cheeks flushed slightly as she said, "Don't worry, Nangong-kun. We can handle ordinary minor issues ourselves, but if it's a problem we find difficult to resolve..."

"We'll pay extra compensation!"

Amikura Mako wanted to say something, but ultimately held back and supported Ichinose Honami's decision.

Putting aside what kind of person Nangong Cheng was for a moment, his capabilities were truly beyond reproach; an extra force meant an extra layer of security.

Nangong Cheng waved his hand. "Given our current relationship, talking about money would really hurt our feelings."

"However, I also believe that Ichinose Mom will come up with compensation that satisfies me, so if a problem really does arise that you can't solve, you can come find me."

Having obtained Nangong Cheng's promise, Ichinose Honami and Amikura Mako both wore happy smiles.

The breakfast was enjoyed to the satisfaction of both host and guests.

Soon.

Nangong Cheng arrived at the classroom.

There would be a preliminary mock exam this week, serving as groundwork for the midterms and barely testing the tutoring results of the past half-month.

He, however, intended to turn in a blank paper.

Although the effect of the Gene-Enhancement Potion was all-encompassing—meaning he could study and test well purely through self-study if he wanted—he certainly wouldn't waste an opportunity to create time to spend with Horikita Suzune.

If Horikita Suzune weren't already so busy running herself ragged every day, Nangong Cheng would have assigned her a third daily task long ago.

"You've been a bit too lazy lately."

"The capable do more work; it's simply not time for me to take action yet."

Horikita Suzune was noncommittal about this.

To understand these girls' academic foundations from junior high, she had previously consulted Sae Chabashira.

She had incidentally learned about Nangong Cheng's grades as well.

It was indeed not very ideal, just as he had claimed.

However, based on the insight and judgment Nangong Cheng had displayed previously, the possibility that he had been feigning ignorance from the very start couldn't entirely be ruled out.

"Things are going smoothly on the girls' side."

"Aside from Sakura, who needs tutoring starting from elementary school, the others just need to fill in the knowledge gaps from junior high."

Horikita Suzune began reporting on the recent situation. "In addition, my book-friend relationship with Shiina Hiyori is currently quite stable, but it has probably already drawn Ryuuen's attention."

Nangong Cheng nodded.

"Take Airi and the others to buy a voice recorder from Chabashira-sensei and tuck it into your pocket. Using a smartphone for recording is still rather inconvenient."

"Ryuuen is going to make a move?"

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

Nangong Cheng pulled out his phone to remind Ichinose Honami, and the latter quickly replied with an OK gesture sticker.

As for Karuizawa Kei...

Under the surveillance of the Mosquito-Fly Camera, he already knew that the girl had exchanged for the [Basic Combat] skill and scar-removal items during this period.

Because of this, her mining frequency had increased significantly.

Originally, the daily task only required once a day, but she was now doing it three times a day.

If she kept this up all the way to graduation, she would probably put diamond miners to shame.

As for Kikyo Kushida...

He didn't need to worry about this person at all. In the original work, she could even cooperate with Ryuuen to betray the class; she had plenty of little tricks up her sleeve.

"Tap tap tap—"

The sound of high heels suddenly rang out.

Sae Chabashira pushed the door open and entered.

"Get ready, mock exams starting immediately."

Inside the Class A classroom.

After a day of consecutive mock exams, most students didn't leave the classroom right away, instead staying behind to discuss the test content.

The studying atmosphere here was indeed quite good.

Kamuro Masumi's mood, however, wasn't very pleasant.

"Maa-chan, how did the exam go?"

Sakayanagi Arisu actually already had a pretty good idea, but that didn't stop her from teasing her obedient little follower.

"I should be able to pass..."

"Which means you won't."

"Tch..."

Kamuro Masumi curled her lip.

She simply hated how her thoughts were so easily seen through, especially when the person seeing through her was someone like Sakayanagi Arisu.

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

Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't bear to part with such a useful little follower; besides, if she let her follower get expelled, it would be a slap to her own face.

So while she might have seemed unserious, tutoring Kamuro Masumi actually held a fairly high priority in her mind.

"Also, regarding the matter of manpower..."

"Is there a problem with Yamamura-san?"

Kamuro Masumi glanced at a certain transparent presence in the corner of the classroom and the freak sitting next to her.

She had thought she was finding a good partner to share her responsibilities and pressure with, but she hadn't expected them to only do fieldwork while she still had to follow Sakayanagi Arisu around every single day.