Akira noticed that Kushida Kikyo in his class was like a miniature version of Ichinose Honami.
Whether it was the proud and aloof Hasebe Haruka, the quiet Miyake Akito, or even the introverted Yukimura Teruhiko, they all maintained good relationships with her.
Using the social connections Kushida had built, Akira successfully obtained contact information from several classmates.
"Shimizu-san, next time you have to teach those three idiots a good lesson!" Shinohara Satsuki whispered, her eyes unconsciously glancing toward Ike Kanji. "They're always spouting vulgar nonsense, treating the classroom like it's their own hangout."
'The three idiots? That nickname fits them perfectly...'
"Hehe... Shinohara-san, don't mind them too much~" Kushida interjected at just the right moment. "Boys at this age, well... it's normal for them to have some immature thoughts."
"Kushida-san is an angel!" Yamauchi Haruki and Ike shouted in unison, hearts practically bursting from their eyes.
'If these two guys got transported to another world, they'd probably risk being torn apart by the Bowel Hunter just to protect some saintess like Emilia...'
It was worth noting that, thanks to Kushida's skillful mediation, Akira and Yamauchi were now able to have normal daily conversations on the surface.
As for what Yamauchi truly thought? Akira didn't care.
As long as the guy was smart enough not to provoke him.
In just over ten minutes of interaction, Akira's contact list had already grown to include nearly half his classmates.
This efficiency felt like being carried through a dungeon by a social expert. It gave him a 'free win' sensation—as if Kushida, the 'Social MVP,' was boosting him up the ranks in class relationships at lightning speed.
"Shimizu-kun..." Kushida suddenly tugged lightly at his sleeve, her cheeks flushing faintly. "Um... could I ask you for a small favor?"
Akira was momentarily surprised, then showed a knowing smile.
'Sure enough, there's no such thing as a free lunch...'
This reminded him of the 'small requests' from those guys in his dorm back in his previous life—bringing meals, buying drinks, requests that never stopped.
However, the request from this social expert standing before him probably wouldn't be so simple.
He leaned in slightly, maintaining a perfectly appropriate polite distance. "What do you need me to do, Kushida-san?"
"Shimizu-kun, do you remember the first thing I said when we talked?" Kushida clasped her hands in front of her.
"You said you'd exchanged contact information with most of the class." Akira keenly caught the hint in her words.
"That's right..." The girl bit her lower lip lightly, showing a rare troubled expression. "Actually, besides Shimizu-kun, there are two other people I haven't been able to connect with—Horikita Suzune-san and Koenji Rokusuke-san."
'I see, this is the real challenge...'
Akira nodded thoughtfully. "So, you want me to help connect you?"
"Exactly. Actually, just helping me get to know one person would be enough." Kushida looked up, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "If it's Shimizu-kun, maybe you can..."
'On the surface, it's a choice between two, but in reality, there's no choice at all...'
Akira thought to himself. After all, everyone in the class knew that as Horikita's desk partner, he was indeed the most suitable middleman.
'So this is where she was waiting for me...'
He looked at the social expert before him with interest. The almost obsessive persistence in the girl's eyes reminded him of completionist players who had to fill every entry in their collection logs.
'Is she really that desperate to be "friends" with everyone?'
This personality trait—treating interpersonal relationships as a lifeline—was like treating follower counts on social media as life's performance indicators.
For Kushida, even one person disliking her would probably feel as unbearable as having her carefully maintained image exposed in public.
"I understand." Akira suddenly flashed a meaningful smile. "Let's go. I'll take you to meet Koenji-san."
"Eh...?" Kushida's pupils widened slightly, and the perfect arc of her smile froze for a moment.
'Hehe, didn't expect that, did you?'
Akira deliberately put on a puzzled expression. "What's wrong? Koenji-san and I are both boys. Isn't it easier for guys to communicate?" He asked pointedly, "Could it be that Kushida-san... doesn't think so?"
It was true that he owed her a favor, but that didn't mean he was willing to be a puppet for her to manipulate.
'If I have to choose, I'll definitely pick the one that surprises you the most—'
Kushida's expression management was flawless. After a mere half-second of losing composure, her delicate face once again wore an impeccable gentle smile. "You are right... Then I'll trouble you."
As the two approached, Koenji was meticulously examining his perfect profile in a small gilded mirror.
"Koenji-kun..." Kushida approached him with her signature sweet smile.
"Hm?" Koenji didn't even lift his head, his slender fingers gently brushing his hair. "Could it be that Kushida-san is still bothered by the seat incident from before? Don't worry, Koenji Rokusuke never takes such trivial matters to heart."
Kushida's smile instantly froze on her face.
'Interesting... It seems Kushida was right. He really is the narcissistic type she's least equipped to deal with.'
Akira secretly compared the differences between this narcissist and Kamuro Masumi.
Both were self-centered, but Kamuro was like a rose armed with thorns, while Koenji—
"How about it? Are you moved by my magnanimity?" Koenji finally deigned to put down the mirror, revealing an extremely confident smile.
This classmate was more like a narcissus flower growing under a spotlight, radiating 'I am the most beautiful' from the inside out.
"Oh? Shimizu-kun is here too?" Koenji suddenly turned his gaze to Akira, who was standing to the side.
He casually placed the small mirror back into his desk and elegantly turned to face them both.
Before Kushida could react, she heard Koenji announce in an operatic tone, "Speak your requests, and I shall grant them."
"Eh?" Kushida's eyes widened, and her phone nearly slipped from her hand.
She instinctively looked at Akira, only to find him wearing an equally puzzled expression.
Koenji continued, unconcerned. "After all—this gentleman not only willingly gave up his seat for me but also reported those short-sighted interviewers on my behalf, didn't he?"
Upon hearing this, Kushida glanced at Akira in surprise but ultimately remained silent. She handed over her phone, and the two exchanged contact information.
Akira's mind was churning with an inexpressible sense of exasperation.
'Who told you I gave up my seat for you? There's a limit to narcissism, you know.'
'Wait, how did he know about the report?'