Chapter 70: If the Study Group Disappears, the World Will End
"..."
Ryuen Kakeru lightly toyed with his chin, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. This was a name he had heard quite a few times recently. Now that the entirety of Class C was under his control, he had already begun making plans to extend his reach into the other classes.
"The ones who discovered the S-system first were Class D, right? I wonder who it could be..." Ryuen looked at the post on his phone, his smile widening. He looked like a predator that had just discovered delicious prey.
"What do you guys think?" Ryuen's gaze shifted to the three people in front of him.
"I don't know," was the first response, coming from a tall Black man wearing sunglasses—Albert Yamada. "I haven't heard that name."
The other was a boy named Ishizaki Daichi. Several band-aids were plastered on his face, and the bruising around his eyes was painfully obvious. "I've heard of it."
Standing in the corner was a girl. She had a sharp, short haircut that added a touch of heroism to her otherwise cute face. Her obsidian-like eyes cast a piercing gaze that landed on Ryuen's face. Ibuki Mio.
Unlike Albert and Ishizaki, Ibuki hadn't been conquered by Ryuen through violent means. On the contrary, she detested Ryuen's methods, yet she had to acknowledge his capability. Perhaps, under Ryuen's leadership, Class C could truly move forward.
"I overheard something by chance earlier. There's a special student in Class D who is obsessed with games. He plays them even during class and is even willing to spend points on them." Ibuki knit her brows and shook her head. "A guy like that... no matter how you look at it, he doesn't seem like someone with real strength, right?"
"No. Often, the more powerful a person is, the more they hide themselves. Perhaps that's just a facade Katsuragi Keima has constructed," Ryuen said.
"Even so, that's just your speculation."
"Exactly. It's merely speculation. Which is why we need to go verify it next." Ryuen stood up, his smile deepening, his eyes filled with a flicker of anticipation. "Class D... you better bring me some entertainment~"
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On the other side, his handheld console was nearly out of battery, so Keima prepared to leave the library.
"Hiyori, I'm heading back."
"Is Keima-kun going back already?" Shiina Hiyori shifted her focused gaze from her book to Keima. "Will Keima-kun come to the library tomorrow?"
"Not necessarily. But if I have time, I definitely will."
"Okay." Hiyori nodded, her tone carrying a hint of expectation. Although the two of them had just been doing their own things in the library, she found the atmosphere very comfortable.
After bidding her farewell, Keima left the library. On his way back to the dorms, he took out his terminal. He had muted it while in the library and only now saw several messages.
[Sakayanagi Arisu]: A very interesting match. I look forward to another satisfying duel with Katsuragi-kun next time.
[Sakayanagi Arisu]: See you Monday.
[Sakakura Airi]: Um... who is Keima-kun's favorite game character?
[Sakakura Airi]: I'm just asking!
[Sakakura Airi]: Is it very expensive to make cosplay outfits...?
[Sakakura Airi]: I don't mean I'm going to cosplay as a character Keima-kun likes!
[Sakakura Airi]: I'm just a bit curious about these things... ...
[Horikita Suzune]: Are you free tonight? I have something to talk to you about.
[Katsuragi Keima]: Not free.
After replying to the messages, Keima put the terminal back in his pocket. He could already imagine Horikita Suzune grinding her teeth upon seeing his reply. She likely wanted to talk about the study group; it wasn't that important, so leaving her hanging until tomorrow was fine.
Speaking of which... Keima took out his cards again.
Aside from Sakayanagi Arisu, his favorability with Shiina Hiyori had also increased significantly just now. As for the others, they could be put on the back burner until the timing was right for a conquest.
However, there was one person Keima was slightly concerned about. He hadn't even interacted with her, yet her favorability had already reached 8%. On the card illustration was a girl with long white hair; her red eyes were soul-stirring yet carried a sense of cynical detachment. Her exquisite face wore a confident smile.
In a way... that smile was somewhat similar to Koenji Rokusuke's. Keima focused on her name.
Kiryuin Fuuka.
Yesterday, Keima had noticed that her favorability wasn't "0." This meant they must have met somewhere before. Just judging by her looks, he could feel she was a troublesome individual. If she truly had a free-spirited personality like Koenji, it would be a bit of a headache. The likes and dislikes of such people were always unpredictable.
Well, take it one step at a time. No matter who it is, they will be successfully conquered. Because I am a God!
Keima soon returned to his routine, playing his handheld while walking back to the dorm. He saved his game at his door just as the battery was almost drained. However, the moment he pushed the door open, a tentacle wrapped around his waist.
???
"Kami-nii-sama! Hurry and taste my cooking from today!" Elsie's eager voice reached his ears.
"Noooooo!"
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Meanwhile, in the school cafeteria.
Several girls from Class D were gathered, gossiping over their meal. At the center of them was a girl named Karuizawa Kei. With amber hair and an oval face set with delicate features, she was considered a top-tier beauty even in this school.
"Hey, hey, which boy in our class do you think is best for a romantic partner?"
"It's gotta be Hirata!"
"True. Hirata-kun has a bright personality and speaks so gently. He's become the core figure of the class before we even realized it!"
"Feels like there aren't many handsome guys in class."
"Actually, I noticed another boy who looks pretty good!" Sato Maya wore a meaningful expression.
"Eh? Who?"
"That otaku with the glasses!" Sato said with a laugh.
"Katsuragi-kun? For real? Since school started, I haven't even seen his face properly. That guy is staring at his game console from start to finish, isn't he?"
"It's true. Once when he looked up to talk to someone, I happened to get a good look at him. Even with the glasses, he's actually very handsome." Sato shrugged. "Too bad that personality
isn't my type. I still like sunny, outgoing guys. Do you think someone will successfully land Hirata within a week of school starting?"
"Maybe!" Karuizawa Kei wore a playful smile.
Shortly after school began, Kei had actually "set her sights" on Hirata Yousuke. Not as a romantic interest, however—but as a host for her "parasitism."
In the past, Kei was a bright student with excellent grades. But in middle school, her looks and grades earned her the jealousy and bullying of other girls. This forced her into long-term absence, making her timid and indifferent to her studies, causing her grades to plummet. Bullying had left an indelible scar on Kei's heart, leaving her extremely insecure.
Upon entering high school, Kei used a tough "gal" image to disguise herself so that no one would bully her again. But that wasn't enough. She needed a protective umbrella to satisfy her need for security. Hirata Yousuke was the first target she thought of. A class leader figure would definitely prevent bullying from happening to her.
"Speaking of which, have you guys seen the school forums?" At this moment, a girl named Matsushita Chiaki asked curiously.
"The forums? What's up?"
"Just last night, it seems there was a violent incident at school! I heard a clerk from the electronics section of the supermarket is a criminal!"
"Eh! I know! Is it that creepy-looking guy? He didn't look like a good person at all! I heard the school security was out too!"
"But the most important part is that I heard a student took him down and caught him!"
"Who? That's amazing!"
"It was Katsuragi-kun." Matsushita Chiaki showed the thread on her terminal to the others. Several comments said the one who dealt with the criminal was Katsuragi Keima.
"What?!" Karuizawa Kei widened her eyes in disbelief. "For real? That guy looks like the fragile type, doesn't he?"
"You can't say that. Did you forget? During swimming class that day, Keima-kun was swimming while playing a game. That's already high difficulty. And in the first half, I felt like his speed wasn't slower than Hirata or Sudo! Maybe Katsuragi-kun is actually really strong!" Sato Maya said, seemingly remembering something. "And it seems several girls in class are on good terms with him. He's unexpectedly popular? He even started a study group."
"I saw Horikita started one recently too. They aren't together? If I had to choose... I'd go with Katsuragi's side. Horikita-san seems hard to get along with no matter how you look at it."
"Yikes... Speaking of which, are you guys confident about the upcoming exams? If we fail, we get expelled... I'm not 100% sure I'll pass." Sato Maya looked worried. "Should we consider going to the study group? Kei?"
Sato nudged Kei's arm, snapping her back to reality. "Kei, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, just got lost in thought for a second! A study group doesn't seem that necessary! If we join, we won't have much time to go out and play!" Kei said immediately.
"That's true! Let's wait until after the midterms!"
The girls continued to gossip, treating the matter of Katsuragi Keima as mere casual talk. Only Karuizawa Kei's gaze gradually became profound.
'Katsuragi Keima?'
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Monday morning.
"Airi, good morning."
"G-G-Good morning! Keima-kun!"
Hearing the greetings nearby, Horikita Suzune, who had arrived earlier, knit her brows.
'When did these two start using first names?'
After greeting Airi, Keima turned toward Horikita.
"Good morning—"
"Good morning. But if you try to call me by my first name, I won't let you off." Horikita spoke while already picking up her compass.
"I have zero intention of doing that, okay?"
"What were you doing last night?"
"Playing games in my room."
"And when I had something to ask you, you said you weren't free?!"
"Exactly. Because I was playing games, I wasn't free. Is there anything in this world more important than playing games?" Keima asked with complete sincerity.
Horikita let out a helpless sigh. Facing Keima, she really had no way to argue.
"So, what did you want to ask me yesterday?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted to ask about the study group." Horikita shook her head. Last night, she had wanted to ask Keima if he had any tricks for running a study group. Last week, she had finally succeeded in starting one at the last minute, showing much more patience than her former self. However, the efficiency was still not optimistic. It felt like those students couldn't understand human speech at all. It made Horikita feel somewhat helpless.
"Just do your own thing. If they fail, it's not your responsibility. You've already done your best by hosting the group; whether they study seriously is their own business. Don't overthink it." Keima pulled out his handheld and started playing.
"You say that so easily. Didn't you have an agreement with Chabashira-sensei? If a student is expelled, you'll have to take responsibility too."
"Oh, that agreement is void now."
"What?" Horikita looked at Keima in surprise. "What did you do?"
"It's a long story. Anyway, the agreement is void, but I can still play games freely in class without worrying about class points being deducted."
"Then your study group..."
"I'm still holding it."
"That's unlike you. I thought you'd choose to cancel it to avoid trouble."
"I have no choice. After all..." Keima shook his head. "If the study group disappears, the world will end."
"What are you talking about?"
Announcement!
Hello everyone, I'm VarieTL 😊
I'm happy to announce that I have posted 2 new Fanfiction!
You can find them in my second account VarieTL02(an account can only have a max of 20 fanfiction it seems)
Hikigaya and the Witches' Romantic Comedy
Hikigaya Hachiman, a high school student and staunch believer in celibacy, lives by the motto "Loneliness is freedom."
That's how it should be.
However, on his first day of high school, this motto is shattered.
A gyaru who transferred for him, an incredibly cute pink-haired girl sitting next to him who's always secretly watching him, a perfect superhero with long, straight black hair and an overflowing sense of justice, a childhood friend who always smiles and approaches him in a kimono, and that lone wolf with no boundaries…
Hikigaya Hachiman's daily life is completely disrupted.
Even more absurdly, all these girls are witches.
Crossover Oregairu/Manosoba (Magical Girl Witch Trials)
The Trash Returned from Warhammer
Shinji Ikari awakens in Neo Tokyo-2 with his memories and iron will as a Space Marine Librarian who served the Imperium for a century.
When a letter arrives from his estranged father, Gendo Ikari, summoning him to Neo Tokyo-3, Shinji ignores his past traumas. Instead, he interprets the summons as a holy mission from the God-Emperor. The former Astartes sets out to defend humanity once more, treating the events of Evangelion as his next theater of war.
Read ahead (60 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting