"Oh, thank you very much."
Katsuragi Keima took the ga cartridge the other party handed over and then opened his door. "Co in and sit—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Kamuro Masumi walked into the room as if she owned the place.
"It really is a monotonous room... Hmm?"
At first glance, Kamuro felt Keima's room was no different from any ordinary boy's, but she soon spotted the storage shelf next to the computer desk. It was packed with all sorts of ga cartridges, piled up like a small mountain.
'Did this guy spend all his first-month points on this stuff?'
However, Kamuro didn't think too much of it and sat directly in the chair. "Is there any cocoa? I want to drink cocoa."
"No."
"...Coffee?"
"No."
"Then you must at least have tea leaves."
"Sorry, I don't have those either," Keima replied.
"Hey, hey, I went out of my way to bring your ga cartridge back! At least show a little gratitude!"
"You were the one who stole it in the first place, right?"
Keima saw a fleeting expression of shock cross Kamuro's delicate face.
During their first eting, Kamuro had stolen Keima's ga. She indeed possessed quite remarkable sleight of hand; an average person wouldn't be able to catch her movents at all.
But Keima had seen it crystal clear. Not just because Keima valued his ga cartridges above all else—to the point he could spot a single speck of dust on them—but also because years of gaming experience had given him reaction speed and observation skills far beyond the norm.
Thus, all of Kamuro's little tricks had actually been captured by Keima at the ti. However, Keima hadn't chosen to expose her then because he guessed this was likely Sakayanagi Arisu's idea. He deduced that Elsie must have done sothing back then to arouse Sakayanagi's suspicion, leading the latter to pay so much attention to him. Keima was also well aware that Kamuro had been stalking him previously.
But today, Kamuro didn't seem to be doing that—likely because of Sakura Airi.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kamuro reacted quickly, imdiately feigning ignorance and denying it.
"No need to pretend, Kamuro-san. I know exactly what you did. You've been stalking for the past two days as well."
"What are you saying? I don't understand at all."
"Every single move of yours is actually under my control. Haven't you noticed? Your stalking plan today was exceptionally difficult. If you don't believe , I have video evidence."
Keima, of course, had no video. He was just using these words to bluff her while creating an image that everything was within his grasp. This was one of the ways to raise Sakayanagi Arisu's favorability at this stage.
Sakayanagi seed to pay extra attention to people with outstanding strength; it wasn't pure affection, but closer to curiosity.
Although Sakayanagi Arisu wasn't on Keima's current conquest list, there was no harm in planting a seed early to save trouble later.
Kamuro fell into silence. She soon looked up, her gaze landing on Keima's face. "So, you found out about all of it?"
She realized clearly that Keima had known about her actions all along. That clumsy stalker during the day wasn't a coincidence either; it was all Keima's arrangent!
Kamuro reached into her pocket and touched her terminal. The screen clearly displayed:
[In Call: Sakayanagi Arisu]
Kamuro had failed to stalk Keima successfully earlier, so she could only contact Sakayanagi. Sakayanagi told her to follow through with what they discussed yesterday: take the initiative to contact Keima while keeping the call open so Sakayanagi could hear the conversation.
"Interesting." At this mont, a aningful smile appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face on the other end of the line. Katsuragi Keima was indeed a special student. Truly fascinating.
"I noticed from the start. Did you think I wouldn't know you stole my Bishoujo Love Rules?" Keima pushed up his glasses while taking out the cards he carried with him.
[Na: Kamuro Masumi] [Favorability: 0%]
[Na: Sakayanagi Arisu] [Favorability: 11%] [Favorability: 12%]
'Sakayanagi's favorability increased? Self-conquest?'
No, impossible. At least at this stage, such a thing was absolutely impossible for Sakayanagi Arisu. There was only one possibility. Sakayanagi Arisu was listening to their conversation.
Keima twitched an eyebrow and looked toward Kamuro. The soundproofing in the dorm rooms was excellent; even if Sakayanagi were outside the door, she shouldn't be able to hear them. He noticed Kamuro's hand was in her pocket—they were likely sharing information via phone.
"Then why didn't you say anything at the ti?" Kamuro asked imdiately. If Keima had noticed her theft, why hadn't he stopped her?
"Because I knew you would definitely co looking for ." Keima intentionally put on a very serious expression and pushed up his glasses.
"What?"
"You stole my ga cartridge probably just to create an excuse to see again."
Hearing Keima's words, Kamuro was montarily speechless. She never expected the guy in front of her to be this formidable.
Before coming here, Sakayanagi Arisu had anticipated this possibility and told Kamuro how to respond. Kamuro bit her lip and then nodded thoughtfully, putting on a conflicted look. "I did it because I had no choice."
"Oh?"
"You've probably noticed I'm at Sakayanagi's beck and call. That started after the entrance ceremony..."
Subsequently, Kamuro told Keima about how she was caught stealing by Sakayanagi on the first day of school. Keima twitched an eyebrow slightly. Judging from her words and expression, Kamuro didn't seem to be lying; the likelihood of this being true was very high.
However, based on Keima's observations, Kamuro didn't harbor any intense hatred toward Sakayanagi Arisu. One's feelings can be seen through small gestures. Kamuro showed no obvious signs of resistance or disgust when talking about Sakayanagi. Moreover, Keima was basically certain she was currently in communication with Sakayanagi.
'A tactic of showing one's wounds to get closer to others, huh— Did you think this kind of sche could fool a God?'
Keima didn't expose her directly. Instead, he asked with feigned depth, "Does this matter have anything to do with ?"
"Because you've already been targeted by Sakayanagi," Kamuro said imdiately. "The fact that Class D was the first to discover the S-System must be related to you."
"I suppose so."
"Sakayanagi targets people she's interested in... and then, like , they get their weaknesses caught and are ordered around..."
"I don't have any weaknesses."
"Even if you don't, Sakayanagi will surely keep her eyes on you. She is not soone to be trifled with."
"I don't believe Sakayanagi is that kind of person," Keima suddenly spoke up.
"Huh?" Kamuro looked at Keima in surprise. Sakayanagi Arisu, hearing this through the phone, was similarly stunned.
'What did this guy just say?'
"How did you reach that conclusion? Don't underestimate—"
"You don't think I'd believe Sakayanagi is a kind girl just because she has a cute appearance, a petite fra, bright clear eyes, and a crisp, gentle voice, do you?"
Keima's words caught Sakayanagi Arisu off guard.
'Is he... praising ? Praising so out of the blue?'
Even though Sakayanagi wasn't swayed by such words, she never expected Keima to say that so suddenly.
'What is with this guy?'
"Then how did you..."
"I t Sakayanagi's father yesterday and spoke with him a lot."
"Huh?" Kamuro exclaid again. Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth hung slightly open.
'Wait, wait a minute. Katsuragi Keima talked with my father yesterday?'
Through Kamuro's relaying, although Sakayanagi didn't know the specifics, she knew Keima had "taken down" a store clerk. From the reactions of various parties afterward, Sakayanagi judged that the clerk must have done sothing illegal. Kamuro said Keima and Sakura Airi were taken away by their horoom teacher...
Considering this involved school matters, it was normal for her father, the Chairman, to have contact with Keima.
'But... why would they talk about ? No, maybe it's just a smokescreen to try and get information out of Kamuro...'
"Sakayanagi's father told she likes playing chess and drinking coffee... Her father told Sakayanagi is a very cute girl."
Keima's words allowed Sakayanagi to be certain he was telling the truth! This guy really talked about her with her father!
'Father... what are you doing!'
At the thought, even Sakayanagi felt a bit embarrassed, resting a hand helplessly against her face.
"Why... why would you see Sakayanagi's father?" Kamuro asked.
"You didn't know? Sakayanagi's father is the Chairman of this school."
"I... I had no idea..."
"I talked a lot with the Chairman, so I don't believe Sakayanagi-san is a 'bad' student."
Kamuro was sowhat speechless. Keima's words had thrown her off balance, but she quickly cald down. "I promise everything I told you before is true. I have a way to prove it."
Kamuro stood up and led Keima out of the dorm building, heading toward the school supermarket. Just as they went downstairs, they happened to run into Kushida Kikyo, who was laughing and chatting with a girl beside her.
"Eh, Katsuragi-kun! What a coincidence!" Seeing Keima, a smile blood on Kikyo's face as she greeted him. Her gaze imdiately fell on Kamuro beside him.
'Is this person... a student from Class A? Why is Katsuragi Keima already in contact with Class A?'
Over the past week, Kikyo had been constantly expanding her social circle, but even now, she hadn't had much contact with Class A students.
'Why has a guy like Keima already t soone from Class A?'
Kikyo didn't voice her confusion, keeping her smile. "Hello! You look like a student from Class A!"
"Mm," Kamuro responded sowhat coldly.
"My na is Kushida Kikyo. I want to be friends with everyone. Nice to et you!"
"Kamuro Masumi. Nice to et you," Kamuro responded simply.
"Eh, are you Katsuragi-kun?" At this mont, the girl standing beside Kikyo greeted Keima enthusiastically. "My na is Ichinose Honami. Nice to et you!"
'Ichinose Honami?'
Keima's gaze fell on her. Under her peach-colored long hair was a face with a hint of baby fat, which made her look even cuter. Clear eyes, fair skin, and an exquisite mouth combined into a moving smile. Although Keima hadn't had contact with her before, he had seen her on his cards, and the Chairman had ntioned her.
'Ichinose Honami is... second place in the entrance exam... Speaking of which, I'm sorry, I didn't participate in the so-called entrance exam... though it wouldn't have mattered. In any exam, I will get full marks; only then can I play gas freely in class.'
"Nice to et you. But does Ichinose-san know ?" Keima asked.
"Mm! After all, Katsuragi-kun is already quite famous in school! I heard you have quite impressive academic ability!" Ichinose said with a laugh.
Keima was indeed quite famous now—but not just for his academics. Being willing to pay any price to play gas was unprecedented and unrepeatable in the history of this school.
"We have so things to do, so we'll head out first. Sorry." After Kamuro finished speaking, she left with Keima.
Kushida Kikyo watched Keima's retreating figure, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"Kushida-san! Do you want to go eat together in a bit?"
"Sure, sure!" The gentle and friendly smile blood on Kikyo's face once again.
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