Chaos in Classroom of the Elite: Class 1-C

Seeing the expectant expression on Karuizawa's face, Yukio would never let down someone on his side. He had learned the importance of rewards and punishments.

Considering Karuizawa's preference for shopping and girly hobbies, Yukio took out the phone he had just put away. "How about some private points?"

"Huh?" Karuizawa was slightly taken aback. Private points? She liked them, sure, but... Her previously blooming and cheerful expression started to wither a bit, as if affected by uncertainty. "Okay."

Idiot, such an idiot. It was so obvious, did he really need her to say it out loud?

Her tone, which had been upbeat, immediately lowered. It was as if a talented musician, playing a grand sonata one moment, switched to a plaintive violin the next.

Yukio wasn't blind; he could clearly see the sudden drop in Karuizawa's mood and knew exactly why. But Karuizawa was not Kushida; he couldn't just treat her any way he liked.

It was better to be sincere. Seeing Karuizawa's current state, Yukio realized he couldn't keep pretending. He didn't suffer from any "nice guy syndrome."

He put his phone back into his pocket, took a step forward, almost closing the distance between them, causing Karuizawa to feel a bit flustered.

"I have a girlfriend."

This sentence made Karuizawa even more flustered, unsure of what to do with her hands. The ponytail she had been playing with in her hands fell back.

Yes, she should have expected this. Such an excellent guy, how could he be single?

"It's, it's Shiina, right?" Karuizawa lowered her head, her golden bangs slightly covering her eyes and eyebrows, making it difficult for Yukio to clearly see her expression.

"Yes," Yukio admitted immediately. There was no need to hide this.

Even though Shiina, quite unusually, tolerated his behavior, and he knew he wasn't a good person, he couldn't both deceive and pursue Karuizawa.

Actually, what he admitted was no secret; it was the gossip that had been circulating throughout the entire grade.

Yukio and Shiina had been seen together often, sticking close to each other, with Shiina frequently preparing lunch for Yukio.

There was endless evidence to prove they were a couple, and countless students discussed this gossip. However, those familiar with Yukio in his own class knew it was true, not just a rumor, but they didn't dare gossip about their relationship due to Yukio's imposing presence.

Students from other classes were even more cautious; who wasn't afraid of Yukio? Who would casually bring up such a topic with him?

Thus, the rumor persisted without being confirmed or denied by the parties involved, and eventually, people got tired of talking about it.

But while the gossip's popularity faded, that didn't mean Karuizawa was unaware. Many times, late at night, she would look at Yukio's profile picture lost in thought.

She had thought about jokingly asking Yukio about his relationship with Shiina, to confirm if it was true or just a rumor.

But every time she typed out the question, she blushed and deleted it, unable to bring herself to ask!

What if it was true? That would be devastating. What if it was false? Then Yukio would know her feelings, which would be too embarrassing! So she kept putting it off.

Until now, receiving Yukio's confirmation made her feel as if a piece of her heart was missing, an inexplicable sense of loss.

Seeing Karuizawa's expression, Yukio felt a deep sense of compassion. In the quiet safety of the corridor, their shadows had long intertwined, but in reality, despite their close proximity, there was still a subtle distance between them.

Not wanting to let go, Yukio quietly gazed at this strong-willed, playful, and adorable girl, gently pulling her into his embrace. "Telling you this isn't to reject you," he said softly. "It's just that the reward you want, if I were to give it to you, I needed you to know this first."

"Eh?" Karuizawa blinked her sapphire blue eyes in confusion. Wait, what kind of twist was this? She had thought she was being rejected, feeling lost and heartbroken, but suddenly, she found herself in his embrace?

Yukio, usually mischievous, appeared particularly gentlemanly at this moment. Beyond the embrace, he made no further moves. "Now the choice is yours, Karuizawa."

"If you still want this reward, I'm happy to give it to you. But if it bothers you, I'll slowly help you get over it."

"?"

Karuizawa tried to lift her head from Yukio's chest. You call this being a gentleman for three seconds? The first sentence says the choice is hers, but the next implies that if it bothers her, he'll find a way to make her not care anymore? What kind of choice is that? Whether she cares or not, it all leads to the same outcome!

This was Yukio, after all. He wouldn't give up on something he wanted because of some inexplicable sentimentality.

Faced with this seemingly choice-less choice, Karuizawa found herself truly impressed by this domineering guy. "If... if I really mind, really really mind Shiina?"

"What... what will you do to make me not mind?"

Yukio smiled as he looked down into her sapphire blue eyes. "You, with your full-on girlish heart, are indeed adorable, but young girls often have all kinds of worries, anxieties, uncertainties, and sadness."

"When you have these negative emotions, I'll be there to go through them with you, and then, you'll find yourself slowly unable to leave me."

"Pfft." Faced with Yukio's nearly roguish words, Karuizawa couldn't help but laugh, a laughter full of joy and radiance. "You really are a big bad guy."

Resting her hands against his chest, she faced him, her eyes closing contentedly. As her vision fell into darkness, her cheeks turned pink, and she murmured softly, "I... never really had a choice."

"Why would I need you to be with me during my worries, anxieties, uncertainties, and sadness?"

"Ever since you helped me get revenge on those who bullied me in middle school and gave me a new life, I've been unable to leave you, this big bad guy."

What a little enchantress. Yukio gazed down at the girl shyly closing her eyes, seeking a kiss, his heart stirred violently, as if a winged enchantress gently glided over the lake's surface, creating ripples that could not be calmed.

In the silent emergency exit, only the slightly outdated incandescent light witnessed the first embrace and kiss between the young boy and girl.

Karuizawa felt dizzy and light-headed, her mind in a haze. She didn't want to think about anything; she just wanted to hide shyly in Yukio's embrace, nestled in the warmth she had longed for.

Yukio, while savoring the moment, secretly felt relieved that the awkward situation of "why are you so skilled at this?" hadn't arisen. Otherwise, he wouldn't know how to console her…