Shimizu Akira observed the classroom dynamics with detached interest.
Kushida Kikyo operated like a flawless microcosm of Ichinose Honami.
Whether it was the aloof Hasebe Haruka, the reticent Miyake Akito, or even the introverted Yukimura Teruhiko, she effortlessly maintained a pristine relationship with all of them.
Through the interpersonal bridge Kushida so carefully constructed, Akira successfully acquired the contact information for a sizable portion of his classmates.
“Shimizu-kun, next time you really have to teach that trio of idiots a lesson!” Shinohara Satsuki lowered her voice, her eyes darting toward Ike Kanji’s desk with clear disdain.
“They spout nonsense and make lewd jokes all day long, treating the classroom like their own personal playground.” ‘The idiot trio?
That nickname is actually quite fitting…’ Akira mused.
“Hehe…
Shinohara-san, please don’t take it too much to heart.” Kushida interjected at the perfect moment, her tone soothing.
“Boys our age having some…
um…
adolescent thoughts is perfectly normal.” “Kushida-san is a true angel!
KMT!” Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji shouted in unison, their eyes practically bulging with cartoonish affection.
KMT.
Kushida Maji Tenshi.
The acronym was painfully accurate to her current persona.
‘If those two idiots ever got isekaied, they’d probably let the Bowel Hunter tear them to shreds just to protect a saint like Emilia…’ Akira thought dryly.
Through Kushida’s clever maneuvering, Akira and Yamauchi were already capable of maintaining normal daily communication on the surface.
As for Yamauchi’s true thoughts?
Akira couldn’t care less.
As long as the fool knew better than to provoke him, peace would be maintained.
In just over ten minutes of casual negotiation, Akira’s phone had logged the contact details of nearly half of Class D.
The sheer efficiency made him feel like a low-level player getting hard-carried through a high-tier dungeon by a networking MVP.
Kushida was crazily racking up social points on his behalf.
“Shimizu-kun…” Kushida suddenly tugged at his sleeve, her cheeks dusted with a faint, calculated blush.
“Um…
could I ask you for a tiny favor?” Akira paused for a moment before letting a knowing smile touch his lips.
‘As expected.
There is no such thing as a free lunch.’ He leaned in slightly, maintaining a polite but firm distance.
“What exactly do you need me to do, Kushida-san?” “Do you remember the very first thing I said to you when we started talking?” Kushida asked, folding her hands neatly in front of her chest.
“You mentioned that you had already exchanged contact information with the vast majority of the class.” Akira keenly caught the hidden implication.
“That’s right…” The girl bit her lower lip lightly, projecting a rare, delicate look of distress.
“Actually, besides you, there are two others I still haven’t been able to establish contact with.
Horikita Suzune-san and Kouenji Rokusuke-kun.” ‘So that’s it.
This is the real challenge level.’ Akira nodded thoughtfully.
“So, you want me to help bridge the gap?” “Exactly.
Honestly, just helping me get to know one of them would be more than enough.” Kushida looked up through her lashes, her eyes sparkling with manufactured anticipation.
“If it’s you, Shimizu-kun, maybe you could…” ‘On the surface, it looks like a choice between two options.
In reality, it’s a rigged game.’Akira complained inwardly.
The entire class knew he was Horikita’s deskmate.
He was the most obvious, convenient middleman to break through her icy exterior.’So that’s the trap you laid out for me.’ He studied the social butterfly before him with genuine amusement.
The nearly paranoid persistence lurking in the girl’s eyes reminded him of obsessive-compulsive gamers who refused to sleep until they achieved a perfect completion rate.
To Kushida, interpersonal relationships were a lifeline; having even a single person dislike her was as unbearable as having her carefully crafted persona shattered in public.
“I understand.” Akira’s lips curved into a meaningful smile.
“Let’s go.
I’ll introduce you to Kouenji.” “Eh…?” Kushida’s pupils dilated slightly.
For a fraction of a second, the perfect, sweet curve of her lips went completely stiff.
‘Hehe.
Didn’t expect that, did you?’ Akira deliberately adopted a confused expression.
“What’s wrong?
Kouenji and I are both guys.
It’s much easier for men to communicate with each other, right?” He asked pointedly.
“Could it be that Kushida-san…
disagrees?” He owed her a favor, yes, but that didn’t mean he was willing to be a puppet dancing on her strings.
‘Since I have to choose, I’ll obviously pick the option that ruins your script.’ Kushida’s expression management was genuinely terrifying.
After a mere half-second of losing her composure, her exquisite face smoothly transitioned back into an impeccable, gentle smile.
“You’re completely right, Shimizu-kun…
I’ll leave it in your hands.” When the two approached the back of the room, Kouenji Rokusuke was holding a small gilded hand mirror, intently examining his own flawless profile.
“Kouenji-kun…” Kushida stepped forward, deploying her signature sweet smile to initiate the conversation.
“Hmm?” Kouenji didn’t even bother to lift his head, his slender fingers delicately brushing a stray blonde hair from his temple.
“Could it be that Kushida-san is still brooding over the seat-giving incident from the bus?
Do not fret.
I, Kouenji Rokusuke, never take such trivial matters to heart.” Kushida’s smile instantly froze.
‘Interesting…’Akira thought.’It seems she was right to avoid him.
He is exactly the type of grandiose narcissist she is least equipped to handle.’ He inwardly compared the eccentric blonde to Kamuro Masumi.
Both were deeply self-centered, but while Kamuro was like a rose arming itself with defensive thorns, Kouenji was something else entirely.
“Well?
Are you moved by my boundless tolerance and generosity?” Kouenji finally deigned to lower the mirror, flashing a blindingly confident grin.
The man was like a narcissus blooming under a spotlight, radiating an aura that practically screamed ‘I am the most beautiful existence’ from the inside out.
“Oh?
Shimizu-boy is here as well?” Kouenji suddenly shifted his gaze toward Akira.
He casually slid the gilded mirror into his desk and turned elegantly to face the duo.
Before Kushida could even formulate a response, Kouenji announced in a booming, operatic tone, “Speak.
I shall grant your request.” “Eh?” Kushida’s eyes widened.
The smartphone in her hand nearly slipped from her grasp.
She subconsciously turned to Akira, only to find him wearing an equally baffled expression.
Kouenji continued at his own pace, thoroughly pleased with himself.
“After all, this gentleman not only voluntarily gave up his seat for my sake, but he also went out of his way to report those blind interviewers on my behalf, did he not?” Hearing this, Kushida looked at Akira in deep surprise.
Ultimately, she handed over her phone in silence, and the two successfully exchanged contact information.
Meanwhile, Akira felt an indescribable wave of speechlessness wash over him.
‘Who the hell told you I gave up my seat for you?
There has to be a limit to this level of delusion.’He paused, a sudden realization hitting him.’Wait…
how did he know about the report?’ [Inorin’s Note: Hey guys, hope you’re enjoying the novel!
Hate waiting for updates and cliffhangers?