Chapter 65: Conquest Progress, 100%!
"Oh? Why is that?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka inquired.
"The specifics are none of your concern. Regardless, the agreement between me and Katsuragi has been terminated. I can no longer guarantee that he will work toward the class's promotion in the future." Chabashira Sae let out a sigh.
Everything that had happened yesterday was completely outside her expectations.
"I heard something happened at school yesterday and security was dispatched. Is that true?" Ayanokouji asked, simultaneously taking out his terminal and opening the school forum to show several posts to Chabashira Sae.
"It has nothing to do with you. As a student, do not interfere too much in matters that don't concern you."
"Being promoted to Class A has nothing to do with me either, right?" Ayanokouji replied.
However, from Chabashira Sae's reaction, he could basically confirm that the incident yesterday was related to Katsuragi Keima. He had utilized that event to terminate his agreement with Chabashira Sae.
'In that case...
Could it be that from the very beginning, Katsuragi Keima intended for this?'
He never planned to fulfill the agreement. But why would Katsuragi Keima do this? Was it truly just to play games?
'No, impossible.'
Ayanokouji immediately dismissed that hypothesis in his mind. After the previous verification, Ayanokouji had roughly deduced that Katsuragi Keima wasn't after him. This actually made Ayanokouji more curious about the other's objective. In his education at the White Room, he had never seen a case like Katsuragi Keima.
Koenji Rokusuke was, like Katsuragi Keima, a person who acted entirely on his own whims, making his actions impossible to predict; however, just as he said, he hadn't established any connections with the rest of the class.
Yet, Katsuragi Keima had unknowingly constructed a network of relationships with many classmates and was drawing closer to them at a speed beyond imagination, even causing them to change. Techniques for manipulating the human heart existed in the White Room as well, but they were fundamentally different from Katsuragi Keima's mode of operation.
Ayanokouji's curiosity toward Katsuragi Keima grew.
'If it's him...
Could he prove that the philosophy of the White Room is wrong?'
The thought flashed through Ayanokouji's mind, but only for an instant.
"You are a student of Class D; this matter was already relevant to you. Do you want to aim for Class A or be expelled? Pick the one you prefer." Chabashira Sae's breathing gradually became rapid, as if she were anxious for Ayanokouji to give an answer.
"You might regret this—the fact that you want to use me."
"Don't worry, my life is already full of regrets."
"I understand. Then for the time being, I will act with the goal of leading Class D to Class A. However, I have one question, Chabashira-sensei—"
Ayanokouji looked at Chabashira Sae. There was no emotion in those eyes; they were like an endless darkness.
"If, on this path, my strategy conflicts with Katsuragi's, what should be done?"
"Whatever the method, as long as you can lead the class to Class A."
"I understand."
Ayanokouji nodded and walked out of the counseling room. He looked down at his terminal; posts regarding last night's incident were appearing one after another.
Who was posting them? It was as if someone were deliberately guiding others to notice this event.
However, this had nothing to do with him for now. At this moment, Ayanokouji wanted to understand Katsuragi Keima a bit better. He possessed knowledge that the White Room did not.
"Points are still quite abundant. I'll go buy a handheld console." Ayanokouji muttered to himself.
.
.
.
On the other side, the slightly awkward meeting between Katsuragi Keima and the others finally ended.
Sakura Airi and Shiina Hiyori were both the type of people who were poor at socializing. One couldn't say a single word for half the day. The other didn't like to speak either, but once she did, nine out of ten sentences were related to novels. This made the gathering quite awkward. Usually in the library, they spoke primarily about coursework, but this setting was completely different.
Fortunately, Elsie was able to talk incessantly, preventing the scene from becoming even more awkward.
This was the day Katsuragi Keima missed Hasabe Haruka the most. But speaking of which, it was all Elsie's fault.
"It's getting late, so I'll be going now. I still need to stop by the library later!" Shiina Hiyori stood up and pressed her hands together. "If I encounter more interesting novels in the future, I will definitely introduce them to Keima-kun."
"Mm."
Katsuragi Keima nodded and then turned to look at Elsie beside him. "We should head back too, Elsie. You mentioned you had to buy things at the supermarket, right?"
"I have to buy things?" Elsie looked at Katsuragi Keima with a face full of surprise, only reacting after a second. "Oh, oh! I have to buy things! I'll go first, Nii-sama! Hiyori-chan, let's go together!"
Subsequently, Elsie left the cafe with Shiina Hiyori.
"I'm planning to return to the dorms now. Do you want to come along, Airi?"
"Mm!"
After the other two left, Katsuragi Keima and Sakura Airi walked together on the path back to the dorms.
"Um... Katsuragi-kun."
"What is it?"
"Um... you and Hiyori-san are very close, aren't you?" Airi inquired in a voice that could only be heard because they were close together.
"We're okay. Since she recently started trying games, we've been talking a lot about related topics," Katsuragi Keima said.
He had deliberately sent Elsie away just now to create an opportunity to be alone with Sakura Airi. He had raised Shiina Hiyori's favorability significantly today, but because of Elsie, Sakura Airi had been forced into the situation. If he didn't communicate with Sakura Airi afterward, her favorability might drop.
"Um... what were you and Hiyori-san talking about all day today?" Airi was incredibly concerned. On the way today, she had seen the two of them chatting very warmly.
"Hiyori recently started playing games, so we've been talking about game-related things the whole time."
"I see..." Airi nodded thoughtfully and then continued to ask, "But um... did Hiyori-san try to give Katsuragi-kun anything?"
This was what she was most concerned about.
"Give me something? Why do you say that?"
"I, I... I was just saying!" Airi shook her head hurriedly.
The fact that she had been peeping the entire time absolutely could not be revealed!
"Speaking of which, Hiyori recommended a few novels to me earlier and wanted me to read them, but I didn't accept them."
"Eh? Wh-Why didn't you accept them?"
"Because I had already read those books; I borrowed them from the library and haven't returned them yet."
"..."
Airi lowered her head.
'Hiyori and Keima-kun have so many common topics... while I can't even get a few words out...'
Wait.
Just then, Airi thought of something and looked up again. Her eyes, clear as the sea, projected a fervent gaze that landed on Katsuragi Keima's face.
"Um, Katsuragi-kun, I... I want to try games..."
"Oh? Are you serious?"
"Mm!"
Airi nodded very forcefully. She wanted to know more about Katsuragi Keima. She wanted to have many common topics with him, just like Shiina Hiyori. And playing games was the first step.
"I-I am very serious!" Airi immediately added. "I... I really am interested in this... and... I, I saw some bloggers who seem to dress up as game characters to take photos."
"Cosplay?"
Katsuragi Keima held a neutral stance on cosplay.
After all, those female characters in games were not something that people in real life could imitate; even if the shell was a perfect restoration, the core aura and personality were impossible to replicate. Keima could tell at a glance that they were "fakes." However, at the end of the day, cosplay was related to games, and it might even serve a role in promoting some obscure masterpieces, so Keima didn't reject it.
"It seems so, so, so, I also want to understand—"
"That's great. Then I'll recommend a few games to you." Katsuragi Keima then listed the names of several games for Sakura Airi.
However, this made Airi feel a bit confused.
"Eh... Katsuragi-kun, it seems the games you recommended to Hiyori-san are different from mine."
"Because Hiyori prefers puzzle-solving more, while I feel that Sakura-san should prefer the type with beautiful illustrations and delicate plots."
Airi nodded. In her heart, she increasingly felt that Katsuragi Keima was a very gentle person. He had seriously considered her preferences before recommending different games to her. At the thought of this, Airi's face turned even redder.
"Um... Katsuragi-kun."
Airi's hand rested lightly on her chest; she seemed hesitant, but after deep consideration, she finally spoke again. "Katsuragi-kun, I have a question I want to ask you..."
"Oh?"
"Katsuragi-kun... how do you see Hiyori-san?"
"Shiina-san is a very special student. Although she is the 'literary girl' type, there are quite a few differences compared to those in games."
"Literary girl...?" Airi softly repeated the term she hadn't heard before.
"Although she appears lazy and isn't good at socializing, she is actually a very gentle and kind person."
"That's true... Hiyori-san really is a good person." Airi lowered her head.
In every aspect, Shiina Hiyori was likely more excellent than her. Although not the same type, even Airi had to admit her appearance was beautiful. Even if she wasn't good at socializing, she didn't cause trouble for those around her when interacting. Shiina Hiyori was basically a high-spec version of herself.
A feeling of inferiority slowly rose in Airi's heart.
'Hiyori-san really is better than me in every way...'
But at that moment, Katsuragi Keima suddenly stopped walking.
"Katsuragi-kun?"
"In my heart, Airi, you and Hiyori are completely different."
"Eh, I, I, I..."
"In my heart, Airi, you are a unique existence."
"Wh-What do you mean...?"
"Airi, you are shy, even more unskilled at socializing than Hiyori, but it is exactly these various characteristics that constitute the unique you."
"..." Airi felt the tips of her ears starting to burn.
"Airi, you don't need to compare yourself to anyone. You just need to be yourself." Katsuragi Keima's expression became very serious.
[Name: Sakura Airi] [Favorability: 95%] [Favorability: 96%] [Favorability: 99%] [Favorability: 100%!]
At this moment, Sakura Airi felt her brain spin; she could barely stay standing. Her heart was beating so rapidly it felt like it might explode. She was worried Katsuragi Keima could hear her heartbeat.
When noticed by others, Airi would usually have this reaction, and she would feel uncomfortable. But being with Katsuragi Keima, she didn't have that feeling. Her heart was beating with immense joy and even happiness.
"I'm sorry, Katsuragi-kun. I kept asking these kinds of questions; I must have caused you trouble."
"No, I don't feel that way at all. On the contrary, I am very happy that you can talk to me about these things, Airi."
Airi's gaze met Katsuragi Keima's.
'I'm about... I'm about to lose my composure.'
"Katsuragi-kun... I, I, I..." Some words were on the tip of Airi's tongue, but she couldn't say them for the longest time. She didn't have the courage to say those words yet.
However, she couldn't just shrink back here.
"I, from now on, will observe Katsuragi-kun properly!" After saying this, Airi even secretly made a victory sign to herself.
"I'll be in your care," Katsuragi Keima responded with a smile.
However, in his ears, Airi's words were actually somewhat terrifying, especially combined with her actions today.
'Is she going to stalk me constantly from now on?!'
-
-
-
After walking Sakura Airi—who wore a victorious expression—back to her dorm, Katsuragi Keima returned to his own floor. However, just as he was about to push the door open and enter his room, he heard a voice from behind.
"I've been waiting for you a long time, Katsuragi-kun."
Katsuragi Keima turned to look. A long-haired girl was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, seemingly waiting for him to return.
Kamuro Masumi.
"Kamuro-san, is there something you need me for?"
"You left a game cartridge behind last time. I went out of my way to find your room to return it to you." Kamuro Masumi lightly shook the cartridge in her hand and spoke to Katsuragi Keima with a smile.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting