Chapter 345: The Bedtime Photo Was Good / Shimizu Akira's Lackey—Ayanokouji Kiyotaka
Hasabe Haruka: Akira-kun, thank you for protecting me and Airi in this special exam.
Hasabe Haruka: I really love you and Kikyo.
Shimizu Akira looked at the two lines on his screen and smiled involuntarily. Being told he was loved felt nice—she was his girlfriend, after all.
However, being confessed to alongside Kikyo was still something he wasn't quite used to.
He had noticed during their last date that Kikyo held a significant place in their hearts. Still, their feelings for him were romantic, while their feelings for Kikyo were platonic, so he had nothing to worry about.
Then, a message from Sakura Airi popped up:
Sakura Airi: Akira-kun, thank you for everything you've done for Haruka and me.
Sakura Airi: These are some photos I took secretly before. You seemed to really like them last time, so I'm sending them to you.
Protecting his own girlfriends was a matter of course, wasn't it? But when Akira opened the swimsuit photos Airi sent, he couldn't help but stare. Airi's figure was, as always, "illegal." Truly top-tier. Ever since he had replied "not bad" to a previous photo, she would occasionally send new ones—likely from her backlog.
Shimizu Akira: Thank you, Airi.
Since they were "benefits" sent by his girlfriend, there was no need to be coy.
He looked through them and expressed his thanks. Before exiting, he saved them to a private album. He didn't want to accidentally swipe onto them in class.
He noticed he now had forty or fifty photos in there: mostly Airi, some of Hasabe Haruka's poolside shots (Haruka was even bolder, once posing with her back to the camera), one swimsuit shot Kikyo sent as a thank-you, and about a dozen photos of Karuizawa Kei.
All of Kei's were pajama shots.
Since he started tutoring her in the second semester, Kei had made it a habit to send a post-bath pajama photo every Tuesday night. Initially, her angles were stiff, but lately, she had become quite skilled at it.
He opened the one she sent last week. Kei was wearing a silk pajama set, the collar ties hanging loose, revealing a glimpse of her white collarbone. Her hair was damp and draped over her shoulders. She was leaning against her headboard, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.
Akira realized his "manager" was actually very beautiful.
Unlike Kikyo's sweetness or Suzune's cold elegance, Kei had a mix of both with a dash of spirited energy. Her chest wasn't particularly large, but her waist was exceptionally thin. This slender waist gave her a very refined, "bony" aesthetic.
'Her waist is her most "illegal" feature' Akira thought. The bedtime photo really highlighted her sexiest traits perfectly.
However, after waiting for ten minutes...
'Wait, today is Tuesday, but no pajama photo?'
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Akira woke up to the class group chat blowing up with 99+ messages. He didn't bother checking; it was just more arguing about the exam. Instead, he saw a private message from Sakayanagi Arisu.
Sakayanagi Arisu: Tsukishiro Tokinari wants me to expel one person.
Shimizu Akira: Who?!
Sakayanagi Arisu: Either Ayanokouji Kiyotaka or you.
'An "either-or" list? They really put me on the hit list' Akira thought.
Sakayanagi Arisu: But don't worry, I don't intend to do anything to either of you. Do you think I'd obediently listen to the man who stole my father's position?!
Indeed. Tsukishiro was an outsider who had usurped her father's seat; it was delusional to expect her to cooperate.
Shimizu Akira: Regardless, thank you for telling me.
Sakayanagi Arisu: I thought you'd hold a grudge against me because of Ichinose.
Shimizu Akira: I wouldn't call it a grudge, but I do think you're a nuisance.
Akira had figured out most of her moves regarding Ichinose, though he didn't know what deal she'd made with Nagumo. Understanding her motive didn't make it okay. If Honami hadn't pulled through, she might have spiraled into depression.
Even if Sakayanagi knew he could control the outcome, being used as a pawn left a bad taste in his mouth.
Shimizu Akira: I won't pursue the Ichinose matter, but that doesn't mean I approve. Some lines shouldn't be crossed.
He waited. Sakayanagi's "typing" bubble flickered for three minutes.
Sakayanagi Arisu: I understand. But Akira-kun, no one stays completely pure in this school until the end. You and I are the same. Besides, without my nudge, your relationship with Honami wouldn't have progressed so fast, would it?
She was right. Without that incident, Honami might have kept overextending herself as the "perfect student."
Shimizu Akira: The means and the results are different things. With your IQ, you could have chosen a safer way.
Sakayanagi Arisu: It's fine. I never needed anyone's approval. Though your words are a bit hurtful. Let's leave Tsukishiro at that. I don't hate how much you care about those close to you. However, this time, you probably won't interfere in Class D's little "show," right?
'Class D's show? What is she planning now?'
Before he could reply, a hand patted his shoulder. Asahina Nazuna was standing behind him, smiling.
"Morning, Shimizu-kouhai! Playing on your phone while walking is dangerous!"
"Good morning, Asahina-senpai." Akira pocketed his phone.
"Did you finish the chocolate I gave you? I made it myself. Even Miyabi (Nagumo) didn't get any."
'Nagumo didn't get handmade chocolate? Only me? Poor childhood friend' Akira thought.
"Yes, I ate it."
"Good! How was the taste?" Akira's expression turned complex.
"I could clearly feel your... heart in it." Asahina laughed.
"That's a vague answer. Does that mean it tasted bad?"
The texture had been a bit weird—overly sweet with a strange mint-herb filling—but the effort was obvious.
"It wasn't bad. Just a bit sweet for me. Thank you for the effort."
"Sweet, huh... I'll use less sugar next time," she mused.
"But I'm glad you ate it. Miyabi used to complain about everything I made, so I stopped making things for him. You're an exception, you know?"
Akira nodded. 'What's wrong with Nagumo? Complaining about free food.' He then asked, "By the way, is there any problem with Kushida and Horikita joining the Student Council?"
"Horikita is the former president's sister, so most members are happy to have her. Kushida is as bright as Honami and even brought gifts on her first day—she'll be voted in easily."
She then turned serious. "But about your exam... you have to expel someone, right? Have you decided on a plan?"
"We're torn between buying someone out with points or just voting someone out."
"If it were Miyabi," Asahina said, looking at the track field, "he'd vote someone out without hesitation. He believes one sacrifice for the sake of the rules is the most efficient. I don't like it. It turns people into numbers. If you have the points, I recommend buying them out. Sometimes losing money earns you trust and hearts—the hardest things to control in this school."
Akira agreed. Class C had expelled Yamauchi, but that was because he was a traitor. Sacrificing an innocent member would destroy class cohesion.
"Honami's Class B definitely won't let anyone get expelled," Asahina warned.
"Nagumo might use that as an opportunity to cause trouble. You two are close, so keep an eye on her."
"Honami should be fine now," Akira said confidently. "Her biggest issue has been solved. She can handle Nagumo on her own."
Asahina was surprised.
'Such absolute trust?'
"I see. Well, I'll make the next batch of chocolate more to your taste. Special treatment shouldn't be a one-time thing!" She waved and disappeared down the hall.
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Back in the classroom, Akira checked his daily intelligence report:
Wang Mei-yu of Class C plans to confess to Hirata Yosuke. On February 8th, Manabe Shiho (Class D) was taken out and comforted by Hashimoto Masayoshi (Class A). Class B has decided to give the Protection Point to Ichinose Honami.
'Wang Mei-yu is confessing?'
He suspected as much in the elevator, but he doubted Hirata would accept.
'Manabe was comforted by Hashimoto on the day Sakayanagi spread the rumors?'
That smelled like a setup.
'Class B giving the point to Honami?' Entirely expected.
Students began forming small groups. One classmate asked Kushida for her stance, but she remained neutral. They turned to Akira and Horikita.
"I'll just follow Akira's lead," Akira said.
"I haven't decided yet," Horikita added.
"You guys are usually so decisive!" The classmate left, confused.
"You really haven't decided?" Horikita asked.
"If I pick a side now, it influences those still hesitating. Kushida is doing the same," Akira analyzed.
"I'm not being that deep," Suzune rolled her eyes. "I just actually haven't decided."
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During lunch, Ike, Sudo, Ayanokouji, and Akira ate together.
"Should we form a group for the vote?" Ike asked nervously.
"If we four agree not to vote for each other and give each other praise votes, we'll be safer."
Ike was in last place for the finals. If the class voted someone out, he was the prime target. "Sure," Akira nodded. "I'm in," Ayanokouji agreed.
Ike sighed in relief. "I thought you'd refuse, Akira, since you didn't take a side in class."
"We're friends. Helping each other is natural," Akira said.
"I'm in favor of the 20 million point plan," Ike said.
"What about you guys?"
"Either way is fine," Ayanokouji said vaguely.
"I say we vote someone out," Sudo chimed in.
"Remember Koenji in the VIP exam? He's a wild card and doesn't follow orders. He's strong, but getting rid of him might be better for the class long-term."
Ike sighed. "I was in his group for the pairing exam. He's strong, but he's contributed to the class too. Even if we vote, would the class really pick him over me?"
Suddenly, Ike's phone buzzed. He smiled.
"Satsuki (Shinohara) messaged me! She says the girls prefer the 20 million plan. She's getting the girls she knows not to vote for me."
"You guys are together?!" Akira noted the use of her first name.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you! On Valentine's, her gift was Honmei chocolate. I confessed to her that night."
"You didn't even wait for White Day?" Akira laughed. Ike really liked her.
"Anyway," Ike got serious, "I told Satsuki that if it comes to voting, she should tell her friends not to vote for you three. It might be redundant for Akira, but you two..." He looked at Sudo and Ayanokouji.
"Your popularity is kind of... average."
Sudo scratched his head, and Ayanokouji nodded. Sudo had his history of violence, and Ayanokouji had almost no friends. In the class's eyes, Ayanokouji was either a member of the Idiot Trio or just "Shimizu Akira's Lackey."
Ayanokouji himself found the latter title perfectly acceptable.
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