Chapter 103: The Oppression of the Study God, Collaborator: The Dress-Up Doll
Monday morning, Sobu High.
"Good morning, Touma-san."
"Good morning, Yoru-san."
After the two big shots in the back row greeted each other, Kazusa stole a glance at Yoru's profile and spoke in her usual calm tone.
"Actually, I hope you can change the way you address me."
"Change to what, Ai-hi (Beloved Concubine)?"
"You are asking for death."
Kazusa blushed rarely and gritted her silver teeth resentfully.
"Don't call me randomly; it's easy to cause misunderstandings."
Yoru didn't care at all.
"Let them misunderstand; it's not shameful."
Kazusa narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone seeming a bit heavy.
"Is being associated with me not shameful enough?"
Yoru scoffed at this.
"Give me a break; you overestimate yourself too much."
"Not bragging to you, bro, but with your reputation, you can't compete with my reputation in school at all. We are not in the same weight class; don't force a comparison."
Kazusa looked speechless.
Seeing his arrogant and confident appearance, one would think they were comparing something good.
However, to be fair.
There was nothing wrong with Yoru's words.
Kazusa was at most a weird woman who was antisocial and cold.
But Yoru's image in school was too rich.
Violent maniac, delinquent, suspected of having intimate relationships beyond friendship with multiple girls.
Former national idol actress Sakurajima Mai's gigolo, scumbag who PUA-ed (manipulated) the good girl Yui Yuigahama, and even the homeroom teacher Hiratsuka Shizuka granted him multiple privileges, suspected of having a teacher-student romance tendency.
Good grief, you kid, even daring to make a move on the teacher?
Simply the Number One Villain of Sobu High.
And today.
Yoru was about to get another negative BUFF.
"Hey, you."
A beautiful girl with light blue long hair tied in a high ponytail, looking like she had an aura keeping strangers away, walked straight to Yoru after entering the classroom.
"Come out with me; I have something to say to you."
Kawasaki Saki didn't deliberately lower her voice.
All students who had arrived in the classroom heard her words.
Instantly, the classroom fell silent.
Everyone looked at each other, showing curiosity.
Confession, right?
This starting move must be a confession, right?
So Kawasaki-san likes Yoru's type?
But indeed.
Although both have bad reputations, their looks are top-notch. It's normal to attract each other.
Others were curious.
As the person involved, Yoru could roughly guess that Kawasaki Saki wanted to talk to him on the first day of school because he bumped into her working in a bar that night.
Just as he was about to get up, Kazusa beside him suddenly said coldly.
"I am talking to him; haven't finished yet."
Kawasaki Saki frowned, replying equally toughly and impatiently.
"Can't you talk to him after I finish? Mine is urgent."
Kazusa didn't show weakness, stood up, looked straight into Kawasaki Saki's eyes, and said coldly.
"Mine is also urgent."
Most students in the classroom watched with the attitude of "it's not a big deal to watch the excitement."
Touma Kazusa VS Kawasaki Saki.
Is this the legendary Battle of the Century?
Just at this tense moment, someone outside the classroom suddenly shouted.
"The grade list is out!"
Hearing this, the students who were sitting peacefully immediately got up and ran out.
The reason so many people came to school early today was to see their exam results before the first class.
Kawasaki Saki frowned, hesitated, and finally said to Yoru.
"Find you at noon."
Immediately after, she left the classroom.
Not that Kawasaki Saki loved studying so much.
It was just that she had been working part-time and had no time to study seriously.
If exam results didn't reach the passing line, she had to attend remedial classes.
If that happened, her work time would decrease, and her income would decrease.
A few seconds later, only Yoru and Kazusa were left in Class A.
"Aren't you going to check the results?"
Facing Yoru's inquiry, Kazusa replied very calmly.
"I already know; no need to check."
After speaking, she added.
"What about you?"
"I also know, so no need to check."
"Oh, is that so."
Kazusa looked incredibly calm on the surface, but secretly delighted inside.
Seems the opponent is like me, having very poor grades.
That's great.
Kazusa always had a sense of inferiority.
Now finally finding a common shortcoming with Yoru, she felt very gratified.
....
Meanwhile, in the corridor.
"Sigh, really, why drag me here? Too many people."
Hearing Rio's complaint, Yui showed a silly smile, clasping her hands together and pleading.
"I'll be nervous looking alone. Besides, aren't you curious about your grades?"
"Not curious."
After Rio answered, Miko beside her gave a precise complaint.
"Only a passing-line warrior like you, Yui, would be so eager to see the results, right?"
"Hehe."
"Hehe what? Study more when you have time, lest you have to take remedial classes and affect club activities."
"I know, I know, will work hard next time. Hope God blesses me this time."
"God's merit box was kicked, and you had a part in it too. Can't bless you."
While chatting, the three walked to the wall where the grade list was posted.
The ranking that entered their eyes stunned Miko and Yui.
At the top of the list was a name they were extremely familiar with.
Science Comprehensive:
1st Place: Yoru (Class 1-A)
2nd Place: Futaba Rio (Class 1-D), Ogata Rizu (Class 1-F)
3rd Place: Yukinoshita Yukino (Class 1-A)
Liberal Arts Comprehensive:
1st Place: Yoru (Class 1-A)
2nd Place: Furuhashi Fumino (Class 1-B)
3rd Place: Yukinoshita Yukino (Class 1-A)
English:
1st Place: Yoru (Class 1-A)
....
Miko and Yui looked at each other and rubbed their eyes simultaneously.
Didn't see wrong, right?
Liberal Arts, Science, English—Yoru is first in the grade for all three?
"Doesn't this guy... usually not listen in class?"
Rio's reaction was very calm.
"Oh right, you don't know yet."
"Know what?"
"Yoru is the Number One in the Joint Exam of Sakura Prefecture for our batch."
"Hah!?"
Rio turned around, looked at the astonished Miko and Yui, and pushed her glasses.
"Why are you so surprised? Compared to his abilities in other aspects, good academic grades should be the least worth mentioning, right?"
Miko and Yui thought that makes sense.
But spiritual ability, evil spirits, Soul Manifestation—these were extracurricular activities after all.
Their main job was still being high school students.
Plus, Yoru usually looked lazy and never mentioned studying. Who would have thought this guy was a genius who could rank first in the entire Sakura Prefecture?
It was indeed a bit shocking.
"However..."
After confirming her grades reached the passing line, Yui finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Yukinoshita-san is also amazing. Third in both Arts and Science, and top five in English."
Miko nodded and agreed.
"And Rio, actually ranked second in Science. Truly a genius."
"It's nothing."
Rio had no pride, just said faintly.
"I was always first in junior high. Didn't expect to only get a tie for second this time."
Miko and Yui looked at each other and sighed helplessly at the same time.
Is this the Versailles (humblebrag) of a genius?
Separating from Rio and returning to Class A, the two girls saw that almost all classmates had arrived.
Just after spring break, many people still looked sleepy.
And the focus of everyone's attention was basically on Yoru in the corner of the classroom, whispering and discussing.
"Did you see the grade list just now?"
"Didn't see. Did you fail?"
"No, you really didn't see? Yoru, that Yoru, ranked first in the whole grade for Arts, Science, and English!"
"Really? Bullshit."
"Of course it's true; the list is posted."
"Thought he was slacking off, turns out he doesn't need to listen carefully at all."
"Sigh, envious. I worked my ass off and didn't even make top 100."
...
Originally, Yukinoshita Yukino, who also ranked at the top of the grade, should have been the object of discussion.
But she usually looked like an honor student. Classmates were obviously more interested in Yoru, who slept in class every day but could still rank first in three subjects.
Of course, not just discussion about Yoru.
A small number of students were pointing at Kazusa, making mocking comments.
"Last in the grade."
"I saw it, zero in every subject. Even guessing all multiple-choice questions wouldn't result in this, right?"
"With such grades and attitude, it's unjustifiable not to give a suspension or expulsion, right?"
...
Regarding those classmates' discussions, Kazusa showed no emotion of caring or dissatisfaction at all.
Because she had fallen asleep.
Logically speaking, Yoru should start sleeping around this time too.
But today, he had something else to do.
Under the gaze of classmates, Yoru stood up and walked straight to a girl with blonde long hair dyed light pink at the ends, sequins on her nails, wearing a very fashionable black choker, dressed in a Gal style similar to Yui.
Seeing him walk over, the other party wasn't nervous, just smiled sweetly.
"Yoru-san, looking for me?"
Yoru returned a polite smile.
"Kitagawa-san, I want to ask you about Cosplay."
"Eh?"
Kitagawa Marin froze for a moment, then looked excited. Her hands clasped together involuntarily, very enthusiastic.
"Yoru-san, are you interested in Cosplay?"
Excitement flashed in Marin's eyes as she looked Yoru up and down.
Of course, she wasn't a pervert.
Marin was just pondering.
Since the first day of school, she had an idea.
Yoru-san has such a good figure; he should look good in any clothes, right?
Born to play Cosplay!
But Marin felt that with his personality, he might not be interested in Cosplay.
Besides.
Yoru went to the club room every recess and lunch break and left immediately after school, seeming very busy, so she didn't disturb him rashly.
Unexpectedly, now the opponent actively asked about Cosplay.
It simply made Marin Waku Waku (excited).
"Not just me."
Yoru smiled and pointed to Miko and Yui not far away.
"They are also interested in Cosplay!"
"Eh, really!?"
Facing Marin's surprised inquiry, Miko and Yui could only smile awkwardly and nod.
"Yes... yes, we are interested, interested."
They knew the so-called Cosplay was just an excuse.
Because last time, Rio encountered two big problems when changing clothes for the operation, so they needed knowledge in this area.
However, just understanding it wasn't impossible.
They weren't familiar with Marin but could speak a few words usually. They knew her personality was very cheerful and lively, and her reputation in class was also good.
Although usually dressed as a Gal, her face was very cute...
Wait a minute.
Miko realized something was wrong.
Kitagawa Marin is so beautiful and has such a good personality...
Letting her teach Cosplay, isn't that giving her a reason to get along with Yoru?
Inviting a wolf into the room, this is completely inviting a wolf into the room!
But on second thought.
They really didn't know anyone else in the grade who played Cosplay.
And there was a key problem.
The person teaching the Super-Quant Club members to change clothes (and bind chests) must be female, preferably someone they already knew.
Under so many conditions, it seemed only classmate Kitagawa Marin remained.
Miko frowned, thinking it shouldn't go that far, right?
Yoru is handsome, yes.
But Kitagawa Marin is also a very eye-catching beauty. Heard there are many boys in the grade who like her.
Just teaching Cosplay, she wouldn't fall for Yoru, right?
He's not an incubus; surely not falling just by contact?
Unlikely, unlikely.
Hearing this, Marin smiled even happier and said enthusiastically.
"Then I'll explain to you in detail during lunch break."
"Sure (Chi Chu), no problem."
....
After solving the problem of disguise skills, Yoru returned to his seat.
As soon as he sat down, Hiratsuka Shizuka walked in.
Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, then stayed on Kazusa, who was sleeping on the desk with a small pillow, for a while.
Just as the classmates thought this female teacher, who didn't have a very good temper and always spoke bluntly, was going to severely criticize Kazusa, the last in the grade who handed in blank papers for all subjects, Hiratsuka Shizuka said calmly.
"Class begins."
Seeing Hiratsuka Shizuka had absolutely no intention of criticizing Kazusa, the students were surprised.
No, really not mentioning it at all?
If she tried and got last place, that's an ability issue, fine not to criticize.
Kazusa sleeps in class every day and hands in blank papers during exams, deliberately slacking off.
Result: Hiratsuka-sensei didn't mention a word?
This backdoor is opened a bit too blatantly, right!?
Yoru could already guess things would develop like this.
No way, as the saying goes:
Inequality is the cause of trouble, not scarcity.
There was no problem with the Sobu High authorities giving Kazusa privileges.
After all, her mother Touma Youko was a world-class pianist, a big shot representing the face of Sakura Prefecture and even the entire Kyushu (Japan).
Yukinoshita Construction Company, Chiba Prefectural Assembly member, daughter of a diplomat.
In front of Kazusa's family background, they weren't enough to look at.
With Touma Youko's global fame, even the Shinomiya Group had to be polite to her.
With such a background, plus Kazusa's own talent in piano, giving a privileged status wasn't excessive at all.
But the human heart is uncontrollable.
You can enjoy privileges, but other students will inevitably have opinions.
Yoru used to have similar treatment.
However, in front of the oppression of the Study God who achieved first place in the whole grade in all subjects, no one would criticize his privileged status anymore.
....
Soon, it was lunch break.
As usual, the group came to the club room.
Mai was already sitting inside and had placed four bento boxes on the table.
Seeing Yoru and the others come in, she smiled and said.
"All here? Let's eat first."
Mai, the number one chef of the Super-Quant Club and the only one who could cook, actively took on the task of providing lunch for members daily.
A strange look flashed in Rio's eyes behind the lenses. Looking at Mai with a sweet smile and generous demeanor, she thought to herself.
Truly a difficult opponent.
What is this called?
This is called occupying the dominant position.
Mai was still an ordinary person at this stage.
In school, she was an isolated existence discussed by everyone but ignored by everyone.
Ambassador position couldn't be taken.
Besides, Yui already took this position.
Mai actively taking on the members' lunch bentos was partly to demonstrate her value of existence.
On the other hand, eating someone's food makes one soft-mouthed.
How to compete in the future?
And the most important point.
Yoru eats the food cooked by Mai every noon.
How to compete?
Yui-g-ahama (Group - Tuan), Ginko (Silver - Yin), Ichigo (Strawberry - Mei), Eri (Pear - Li).
Just as Mai crossed her legs, looking like the main wife holding the winning ticket and despising everything, the club door was suddenly pulled open gently.
What entered her eyes was a girl dressed very fashionably, with a face exquisite and cute enough not to lose to her at all.
"Excuse me, is Yoru-san here?"
Mai frowned.
Another challenger?