COTE: Popularity System

In the VIP Exam, both he and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka were members of the Rabbit Group.

He, who was originally secretly causing trouble, was brought into the open.

If he were to obtain the list of all VIPs and personally communicate with the leaders of each class, then there would be a high probability that the anime staff would not help conceal it, and the viewers who watched from beginning to end would not be shocked by the success of the plan.

So, he thought of using the power of others to actively initiate a covert operation.

In the open, he was confronting the protagonist, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. But covertly, he was collaborating with a student from another class to gain the greatest benefit from this exam.

The plot of his discussion and cooperation with Kōenji Rokusuke was defined as a Special Plot by the system, meaning it wouldn't be seen by the audience immediately, but would be broadcast later through flashbacks.

His plan succeeded!

When the VIP Exam ends, just when the audience thinks Kōenji Rokusuke made a killing, they will discover Takada Hikaru's presence behind the scenes and will surely be surprised by this twist.

After all, in the plot they originally saw, Takada Hikaru was busy competing with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and had no time to deal with other matters.

While competing with the protagonist, he still had the leisure to earn a large number of private points?

Isn't that awesome?

Buzz...

Just then, Takada Hikaru's terminal vibrated.

Opening it, he saw that it was a message from Kushida Kikyo, wanting to ask him out for lunch tomorrow.

It seemed she had been guided by Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and had unknowingly become his pawn.

Takada Hikaru typed his reply, "Kikyo, I have no problem with that. However, I've encountered a slight difficulty here and need your help."

— — —

[This protagonist's idea... it's a bit dangerous.]

A random anime viewer, Rentaro, narrowed his eyes, following the hottest anime, Classroom of the Elite.

Because the theme of class competition is too rare in the anime industry, coupled with the fact that various female characters are well-developed in terms of both looks and personality, most people watched, curious whether the worst Class D could be revived under the protagonist's manipulation and become Class A.

In the Deserted Island Exam, Class D took first place, earning 220 points. If they achieved such good results again in the VIP Exam, Class D would be able to surpass Class C in class points and become the third-ranked class among the first-years.

And now, the protagonist, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, in order to gain more pawns, was preparing to make a move on Karuizawa Kei from his own class and the girls from Class C.

Using the existing conflict between Karuizawa Kei and the delinquent girls from Class C, he would lead both parties into a gray area without surveillance cameras. Then, he would induce the delinquent girls to bully Karuizawa Kei.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, as the protagonist, would hide in the dark and secretly record.

Once the video was recorded, Karuizawa Kei wouldn't want her bullying to be exposed, and Manabe Shiho and the other delinquent girls would also be afraid of being expelled if the video was released. They would only be able to obey his commands and become his pawns.

When Rentaro saw Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's inner thoughts in the anime, he couldn't help but frown, feeling quite uncomfortable.

[He really can't be judged by his appearance. He looks harmless, but he does all sorts of cruel things.]

[When he plotted for Horikita to catch a cold on the deserted island, I could already tell this male lead was a bit dark. I didn't expect him to orchestrate bullying during the VIP Exam.]

[Holy crap, if this works out, this anime will become a masterpiece!]

[This protagonist hasn't won from beginning to end. Can we get a different protagonist?]

[Indeed, with that emotionless face, I thought he was a big shot, but now he's almost a clown, even thinking about bullying girls.]

Rentaro also expressed his thoughts through the comments, then continued watching the story.

After deciding to use this method to make Karuizawa Kei and others his pawns, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka quickly thought of a way to invite the girls out.

Then, when he unexpectedly encountered Kushida Kikyo, he overheard her mentioning an appointment with Takada Hikaru. So he used words to induce Kushida Kikyo to have lunch with Takada Hikaru tomorrow.

As long as Takada Hikaru was entangled by others, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wouldn't have to worry about being followed and could confidently carry out his plan.

However, on the day the plan was to be implemented, an unexpected event occurred.

"Karuizawa-san, may I bother you for a moment?" Kushida Kikyo appeared before Karuizawa Kei.

"Kushida-san?"

Karuizawa Kei was slightly startled, her face showing some confusion. "Is there something you need me for?"

Karuizawa Kei and Kushida Kikyo were the leaders of Class D's two major female factions. Karuizawa Kei represented the 'Gyaru' faction, while Kushida Kikyo represented the 'Moe Girl' faction.

Although they belonged to different factions, thanks to Kushida Kikyo's efforts, their relationship was actually quite good.

Moreover, Karuizawa Kei and the other gyarus owed Kushida Kikyo and her group something.

That was points they borrowed.

In the first month of school, Karuizawa Kei and the others had almost spent all of the 100,000 points issued by the school, leaving very few points on their terminals.

To avoid eating tasteless meals every day, they borrowed from all the Moe Girl faction members, including Kushida Kikyo.

Whether it was Kushida Kikyo, or her good friends Wang Meiyu, Inogashira Kokoro, and others, she borrowed points from all of them. And she hadn't paid them back yet. So, she still had to give Kushida Kikyo some respect.

Kushida Kikyo clasped her fingers together, showing a sweet smile. "Actually, I heard that you have a conflict with Manabe-san and the others from Class C, so I thought I'd help mediate. You are all my precious friends, and I can't bear to see you continue to argue."

"So, I thought since we don't have a special exam today, I'd let you reconcile with Manabe-san and the others."

Kushida Kikyo widened her eyes, her gaze flickering slightly, making her exceptionally endearing. "Karuizawa-san, is that okay?"

"Uh..."

Seeing her cute expression, Karuizawa Kei choked a bit.

She didn't doubt Kushida Kikyo's actions. After all, in her impression, Kushida Kikyo was a gentle and kind person, often doing these thankless tasks. Knowing that she had a conflict with the girls from Class C, it was indeed in her character to come and help.

Karuizawa Kei held up her hand sideways, making an apologetic gesture. "Kushida-san, I'm sorry. I still have an appointment with Hirata-kun, so I might not have time."

She and Hirata Yosuke from the same class were in a relationship, and whenever she encountered a lot of trouble, she could push him out as a shield. However, Hirata Yosuke did have something to discuss with her now.