Houtarou Oreki Classroom of the Elite

Watching Masumi's retreating figure, Houtarou stuck to his original plan.

First, he would celebrate finally improving his weakness with girls.

However, he needed to reflect. That moment when his hand pressed against Kikyō had excited him.

But what kind of person was that little girl?

Though she appeared angelic, her true nature was quite extraordinary. Most people would be afraid if they knew her real self.

Yet whether she was in her angelic state or dark Kikyō state, Houtarou found... he was fine with both.

So was he the type... who could accept any kind of girl?

Wouldn't that make him too easy to win over?

He had discovered an even more troublesome weakness, which made his meal less appetizing.

Meanwhile, Masumi completed her mission and quickly reported back.

She had followed Sae to the Chairman's office. After about ten minutes, Sae emerged, appearing somewhat relieved.

But Masumi shared another detail — Sae wasn't alone. A stern-looking man who seemed high-ranking also left the office.

The man appeared angry, yet the principal was escorting him to the school gates with utmost respect, even using honorific language.

He addressed him as "Ayanokōji-san".

Worried about being discovered, Masumi didn't continue following, though even this level of intelligence was impressive.

After all, despite being just a student, she had dared to spy when the principal was using such respectful language with Ayanokōji-san.

She had proven herself an excellent operative.

This information, however, gave Houtarou pause.

Ayanokōji-san...

Kikyō had previously mentioned some unusual students in Class D, including someone named Ayanokōji.

That student was Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.

According to her assessment, he seemed to lack common sense.

Such social disconnection could stem from being a shut-in or from other circumstances that limited outside contact.

Given how Sae had attempted to manipulate Suzune into leading Class D toward Class B, Houtarou reasoned that this ambitious teacher must have another ace up her sleeve — beyond just using the lone girl.

If she didn't even consider Suzune's connection to the Student Council President worth exploiting, her true trump card must be exceptionally powerful or significant.

Now, Ayanokōji-san had gained entry to a school where ordinary parents couldn't — clear evidence of his high status.

If Kiyotaka was connected to this Ayanokōji-san, he was likely Sae's hidden advantage.

Yet this important visitor had stormed out angrily, his goals clearly thwarted.

Though the principal showed utmost courtesy, Chairman Narumori hadn't appeared — suggesting he had firmly rejected whatever improper proposal was made.

But could Narumori truly handle someone of this caliber? Such powerful figures rarely accepted defeat so easily.

And if the Chairman faced trouble, what would become of Arisu's position at the school?

Lost in these thoughts, Houtarou wandered away from the cafeteria.

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Room 605.

Arisu was playing chess alone.

Though Masumi was completely talentless at chess, Arisu didn't mind playing alone. During her past illness, she had spent countless hours reading and playing chess at home, so solitary games were second nature to her.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed with a message.

| Houtarou Oreki — Class A Classmate |

| Would the school principal grovel before your father? |

"..."

What a strange message. She double-checked the sender.

Houtarou Oreki. Yes, it was from him.

Beep—

Arisu reached to make a call, but paused as more messages appeared.

| Houtarou Oreki — Class A Classmate |

| Kamuro followed Chabashira-sensei and found a high-ranking man called Ayanokōji-san storming out of the Chairman's office. |

| The atmosphere wasn't good. |

| Also, the principal was groveling before this Ayanokōji-san. |

Ah. Now she understood.

Houtarou was implying that if the principal would bow and scrape before Ayanokōji-san but not her father, this man must hold an exceptionally high position.

And he had left the Chairman's office in anger.

Could this spell trouble for her father? After a moment's thought, Arisu decided to visit his office.

She knew her father's nature well — typically lenient, but inflexible on certain matters.

For instance, regarding this exam, he had firmly declared she was not to leave school under any circumstances.

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Concerned about the situation with Arisu's father, Houtarou broke from his usual routine. Instead of returning to his dorm and leaving his phone behind before teleporting home, he decided to stay at school. He sat in his unchanged dorm room, waiting.

At nine in the evening, Arisu finally messaged him.

| Arisu Sakayanagi — Little Girl |

| The matter is resolved. I owe you one. |

| Oreki-kun, you're really my lucky star. ❥(^_-) |

Oh.

Ignoring her playful second message, Houtarou noted that he had successfully earned a favor from Arisu.

The white-stockinged girl was both aggressive and perceptive—she had immediately noticed his attempt to shift responsibility to her. Getting her to properly lead the class would not be simple.

He wondered if this favor would be valuable enough to convince her.

With a yawn, Houtarou left his phone in the dorm.

〖 Do you want to use Teleportation to go home? 〗

Yes!

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The next day.

"Good morning, Oreki-kun."

Sitting in his seat, Houtarou saw Arisu again.

She greeted him as usual, her face showing no signs of anything unusual. He supposed the matter was settled.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he noticed their classmate Kōhei's furrowed brow.

Like Masumi, Kōhei had learned through his own channels that this month's special exam would be worth substantial Class Points.

For a steady, methodical player like him, this was pure torture — simply too much to bear.

Yet regardless of his stress, the school's special exam had arrived.

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Traditionally, the school announced special exam rules on the first of each month. However, this month's announcement was delayed until June 12th.

The school revealed they would treat students to a two-week luxury cruise ship field trip. They promised all shipboard expenses and meals would be complimentary.

It seemed like quite a generous reward.

But who could really believe this was just a reward? What school would charter a luxury cruise ship for 14 days just for its students?

Still, the first-year students were excited, especially since all four classes received the same announcement.

"Amazing! We get to use everything on the cruise ship for free — and all our meals too!"

When Class D's homeroom teacher Sae made the announcement, her class burst into celebration.

Their situation had been difficult — starting with 0 Class Points in the first month, only rising to 80 in the second month thanks to Suzune's point purchase.

Most Class D students were struggling financially. Even though the school provided some basic necessities to students without points, daily life remained challenging.

The Mountain Vegetable Set exemplified their hardship. This free cafeteria meal was not only unpalatable and served cold, but it came completely unseasoned.

Students had to bring their own salt from the convenience store, enduring the contemptuous stares of their peers who viewed them as failures.

The situation was deeply uncomfortable.

What made them particularly envious was seeing someone like Rokusuke with plenty of Points.

He was splurging on 2,000-point meals, and upperclassmen were even treating him to additional free meals!

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As for Class C.

"A 14-day field trip?"

After homeroom teacher Kazuma Sakagami made the announcement, Kakeru immediately took control.

He stood at the podium.

"My minions, this is Class C's chance to rise up! You must all cooperate with me! Anyone who doesn't cooperate and causes us to lose these hundreds of points will be the one expelled in the next expulsion exam!"

He spoke with confidence, having obtained information beforehand.

While they couldn't get specific exam details from the upperclassmen — that was strictly forbidden — they had confirmed that last year's students also took a luxury cruise ship trip in their third month, followed by a high-stakes exam.

Just like last year, Miyabi's Class B had gained an advantage in this exam.

This was their opportunity. With such high Point values at stake, victory was within reach!

He would emerge victorious! First, he'd take down Class B, then Class A!

Houtarou Oreki — time to settle both old grudges and new!

Class C's tyrant radiated confidence.

As for Class D? Let them worry about saving up 500 Class Points first.

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Then there was Class B.

"A field trip for 14 days..."

"And it's a luxury cruise ship—doesn't it feel like we're being treated too well?"

"The school is so extravagant—"

Class B students were truly angels.

When homeroom teacher Chie announced the 14-day field trip, her students accepted it without question. They never doubted she might be withholding information, nor would they consider that a teacher might lie.

This was truly a precious quality.

After Chie finished her announcement, she looked toward Honami. Upon hearing about the luxury cruise field trip, Honami's brow furrowed slightly. She had already begun analyzing the situation.

Chie recalled Honami's profile.

Her academic ability was exceptional. She had achieved the highest score on the entrance exam's written portion, with outstanding evaluations in judgment and intelligence. If not for an extended absence during middle school, she would have been placed in Class A.

She was, without doubt, Class A material.

Chie believed Honami possessed leadership abilities equal to Class A's representative, Kōhei Katsuragi.

So Honami, what will you do this time?

Chie wondered expectantly.

In truth, she was quite depressed. Her best friend Sae had grown withdrawn lately, refusing to discuss what troubled her.

She used to think Class D was merely unmotivated, but now they seemed even more disengaged.

So... let them sink further.

Whatever Sae's thoughts might be, it would be better if they never rose up — if their Class Points returned to 0 again.

Thus, while maintaining her big-sister-like smile, Class B's homeroom teacher Chie harbored dangerous thoughts.

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