Classroom of the Elite: Crazed Lust System

7. Different Sides of a Coin

Kuroshio tilted his head slightly, confused. "Why, of course. Everyone can be a listener, and I can give you a response you prefer if you want."

The two of them possessed a secret self, which was far from what many people expected of them. Kushida surely realized that from the beginning.

Kuroshio was certain that that fact alone had put them at a decent distance.

Kushida approached him. He was prepared for any potential of her trying to charge at him, like she did to Ayanokouji, but it never happened.

Stopping a few centimeters away from him, she met Kuroshio's eyes and asked. "If so, can you expel Horikita for me?"

He widened his eyes. "That came out of nowhere."

Kushida looked aside in disgust. "Yeah, but knowing you, I'm sure it'll come out sooner or later anyway."

Um, how? He couldn't understand immediately. "Any reason why her?"

She shrugged. "She knows, too. It's as simple as that."

"And you don't want to be with someone who knows, huh..."

She snorted. "So? Can you or can't you?"

Kuroshio put on a smile. Seeing that, Kushida couldn't help but feel weird. She didn't feel uncomfortable, or vice versa. It was a difficult feeling to stomach.

"I don't know about that, unfortunately. But if you intend to seek a protector, I'm pretty sure I can become one, the best one you could ask for."

Kuroshio rated Kushida highly, whether from her skills or her looks alone. He meant it when he said it.

Kushida herself picked up a faint feeling, believing that Kuroshio was indeed capable. ...He's strange, though.

She didn't know why he would want to know everyone's secrets, to begin with.

No, that wasn't right. She actually knew, although not consciously.

Kushida's observation of Kuroshio so far was that he was a cheerful, positive, and pleasant student to be around. In Kushida's opinion, Kuroshio could easily match her in establishing many connections if fully focused on it. But he didn't.

Although it wasn't that obvious, Kushida noticed how Kuroshio was subtly, and slyly avoiding individuals that Kushida wouldn't let alone for her own comfort. Basically, he wasn't trying to break through the hardest obstacles, as Kushida did. He wasn't as committed, unlike her, who reached for all hands.

He intends to use me to cover up that shortcoming, Kushida concluded. I guess I'm the best fit in the class...

Kushida made up her mind. "Of course, I can accept. Why not?"

"That's great to hear."

She looked him sharply in the eye. "Don't betray me."

His smile shifted ever so slightly. "I won't. We'll just work to our own benefits, no feelings involved."

Kushida narrowed her eyes.

Just like her, Kuroshio Renka had never trusted anyone.

***

"How can this Tamagoyaki be so good?!"

Hasebe's scream was muffled by the shouts of the other students in the cafeteria. Kuroshio chuckled heartily. "You underestimate me too much, Hasebe! What, you can't cook?"

She gritted her teeth, signaling that he was right.

Matsushita watched their conversation with interest.