Shimizu Akira observed that Kushida Kikyō was like a condensed version of Ichinose Honami within their class. Whether it was the aloof Hasebe Haruka, the silent Miyake Akito, or even the introverted Yukimura Teruhiko, all maintained good relations with her.
Thanks to Kushida's social bridge-building, Shimizu smoothly obtained contact information from a portion of their classmates.
"Shimizu-kun, you must properly teach those three idiots a lesson next time!" Shinohara Satsuki whispered, her gaze involuntarily darting toward Ike Kanji. "They spout vulgar nonsense all day, acting like they own the classroom."
(The "Three Idiots"? Quite an apt nickname...)
"Hehe... Shinohara-san, don't take it too seriously~" Kushida interjected smoothly. "Boys at this age... well... it's normal for them to have certain... ahem... youthful thoughts."
"Kushida-chan is truly an angel! KMT!" Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji shouted in unison, hearts practically glowing in their eyes.
(Kikyou Kushida... KMT... that abbreviation actually fits.)
(If these two were isekai'd, they'd gladly let themselves be disemboweled by Elsa to protect someone like Emilia, wouldn't they...?)
Notably, through Kushida's deft mediation, Shimizu and Yamauchi could now engage in superficially normal interactions.
As for Yamauchi's true feelings? Shimizu couldn't care less. As long as the guy knew better than to provoke him, that was enough.
In just over ten minutes of this "social dungeon run," Shimizu's contacts had nearly half the class added—an efficiency that gave him the surreal sensation of being "carried" by Kushida, the undisputed "Social MVP," through the ranks of class relationships.
"Shimizu-kun..." Kushida suddenly tugged his sleeve lightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Um... could I ask a small favor?"
Shimizu blinked, then smiled knowingly.
(As expected—no free lunches in this world.)
It reminded him of his past life's dorm mates, whose "small requests" for meal deliveries never ended.
But this social expert's request likely wouldn't be so simple.
He leaned in slightly, maintaining a polite distance. "What does Kushida-san need me to do?"
"Do you remember the first thing I said when we spoke earlier?" Kushida clasped her hands together.
"You'd already exchanged contacts with most of the class." Shimizu caught her implication instantly.
"Yes..." She bit her lip, showing rare hesitation. "Actually, besides you, there are two people I still haven't connected with—Horikita Suzune and Kōenji Rokusuke."
(Ah, so this is the real challenge level.)
Shimizu nodded thoughtfully. "So you want me to mediate?"
"Exactly! Actually, just helping me with one would be enough." Kushida looked up, eyes shining with hope. "If it's Shimizu-kun, maybe you could..."
(A two-choice question with only one real option, huh?)
He mused internally. Everyone knew that as Horikita's desk neighbor, he was the most suitable intermediary.
(So this was the trap all along...)
He studied the "social expert" with interest. The near-obsessive determination in her eyes reminded him of completionist gamers who had to 100% their collections.
(Is being "friends" with everyone that important to you?)
This personality that treated social connections as lifelines—it was like treating follower counts as life's KPI. To Kushida Kikyō, even one person disliking her probably felt like having her carefully crafted persona publicly dismantled.
"Understood." Shimizu suddenly smiled meaningfully. "Come on, I'll introduce you to Kōenji."
"Eh...?" Kushida's pupils dilated slightly, her perfect smile freezing for 0.5 seconds.
(Heh. Didn't see that coming, did you?)
Shimizu feigned confusion. "What's wrong? Kōenji and I are both guys—it's easier for men to communicate, no?" He tilted his head. "Unless... Kushida-san had someone else in mind?"
He did owe her a favor, but that didn't mean he'd be her puppet.
(If I have to choose, I'll pick the one that surprises you most—)
Kushida's expression management was flawless. After that 0.5-second slip, her face regained its impeccable gentle smile. "Shimizu-kun is right... then I'll trouble you."
When they approached, Kōenji Rokusuke was admiring his flawless profile in a gilded hand mirror.
"Kōenji-kun..." Kushida approached with her signature sweet smile.
"Hmm?" Kōenji didn't look up, his slender fingers brushing his temple. "Could it be Kushida-san still resents the seating incident? Fret not—I, Kōenji Rokusuke, never dwell on such trifles."
Kushida's smile stiffened.
(Interesting... So narcissists really are her weak point, just as she said.)
He mentally compared this narcissist to Kamuro Masumi. Both were self-centered, but while Kamuro was a rose armored in thorns, Kōenji—
"Well? Overwhelmed by my magnanimity?" Kōenji finally set down his mirror, flashing a supremely confident grin.
—was more like a narcissus blooming under spotlights, every fiber screaming "I AM BEAUTIFUL."
"Oh? Shimizu-kun graces us too?" Kōenji's gaze shifted abruptly. He pocketed his mirror with a graceful flourish. "Speak. I grant your request."
"Eh?" Kushida's phone nearly slipped from her hands.
She glanced at Shimizu, only to find him equally baffled.
Kōenji continued grandly, "After all—this gentleman not only yielded his seat for me but also exposed those blind interviewers on my behalf, no?"
At this, Kushida shot Shimizu a stunned look before silently offering her phone. The contact exchange proceeded smoothly.
Shimizu's mind churned with indescribable exasperation.
—Who said I yielded my seat for you?! There are limits to narcissism!
(Wait—how does he know I reported the examiners?)