What can you create by combining a blond and a handsome young man?

“Ding, ding, ding—”

The bell signaling the end of the school day at noon rang out.

The moment the teacher stepped out of the classroom, the students immediately clustered together, forming social groups of varying sizes.

There was the group of boys always talking sports, their athletic prowess shining; the group of girls with impeccable makeup, discussing cosmetics, fashion, and the latest gossip; the reclusive gamers who preferred to stay home, speaking only of games and little else; the class officers gathered around the class president, engrossed in discussions about class affairs.

And then there was that other group of boys, known colloquially as the “couple of over-energetic idiots every class has.”

No sooner had the bell rung than these idiots began their horseplay in the classroom and hallways—someone would inevitably trip, crash into a desk, and the ensuing clatter would hush the room in an instant.

Kiyomizu Matsudaira tidied up his desk, stood, and headed out.

The girls caught up in animated conversations and the boys engaged in roughhousing all glanced at him, almost reflexively, but none dared to approach.

In their minds, he was the kind of person no one could hope to reach—a solitary figure standing firmly at the apex of the school’s social hierarchy.

Suzune Sakura had spent the entire morning holding back, unable to find a chance to speak with him. At last, school was out. She saw him leave and was about to follow, only for a boy to beat her to it and whisk him away.

“Kiyomizu, let’s go eat,” called his close friend, Nagasawa Murakami, running up to him.

“Let’s go.” Kiyomizu nodded.

Just as he turned and stepped out of the classroom, a system notification appeared.

[Feeling slighted and angry, Suzune Sakura’s affection for you has decreased.]

He checked the affection status out of habit.

[Name: Suzune Sakura]

[Status: Never been treated this way by a boy before, holding in her frustration, wanting to turn the tables…]

[Affection: 30]

Seeing her indignant attitude, Kiyomizu felt reassured.

With the [Leader] tag equipped, which gave a +2 intelligence bonus, and his base intelligence already at 7, he now operated at 9 intelligence, bolstered further by the affection prompt. This allowed him to analyze Suzune Sakura’s mindset with clarity, making it easy to handle her.

All that was left was to draw out her most cunning, coquettish side…

He closed the system window, crossed the elevated corridor, and headed for the cafeteria on the second floor of the comprehensive building.

The midday sunlight was bright enough. Walking through the gleaming glass corridor, the shifting scenery outside and his own reflection in the glass alternated in a dance of light and shadow—artful and striking.

Clear eyes, a prominent nose, lips slightly thin—his entire being exuded the aura of a strikingly handsome youth.

He was still young, with a hint of immaturity lingering in his features—otherwise, his charm would have rated even higher… Kiyomizu evaluated himself inwardly.

Even without any tags, he was attractive enough. With them, he refused to believe he couldn’t find a girlfriend!

Just you wait, Eighth—prepare to taste defeat!

“Kiyomizu, let me tell you, don’t get hung up on Sakura…” Nagasawa Murakami nagged all the way, talking repeatedly about how well-built the soccer club manager was, how the new librarian and club advisor was a tall, voluptuous ice queen, how the student council president exuded the dominance of a queenly older sister…

His purpose was clear: to keep his best friend from falling for a sly flirt.

Kiyomizu nodded occasionally, sometimes replying with a word or two.

Apart from being a bit of a lecher, Nagasawa had no major flaws—a truly solid friend.

Once at the cafeteria, they both ordered pork cutlet sets; Nagasawa also bought two lemonades.

“Kiyomizu, I still think you should be cautious…” he said as they walked toward the dining area, continuing his tirade against “coquettish girls”: “I heard that yesterday afternoon in the wind ensemble club, she was using her connection with you as conversation fodder, talking as if you were some lovesick puppy of hers. Sure, a bit of bragging isn’t a big deal—young people are vain. But you’re her first open pursuer, right? What if the other guys in her ‘pond’ get jealous and come after you…”

“What’s there to be afraid of?”

“It’s not about fear—it’s just a hassle… Hey, Kiyomizu, look out!” Nagasawa suddenly shouted.

Kiyomizu had barely processed this when it felt as though a wall had slammed into his left shoulder, sending him staggering and spilling much of his miso soup.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going!” The newcomer barked aggressively.

Kiyomizu frowned, glancing to the side.

The speaker was a tall boy, flanked by two companions, all three regarding him with clear hostility.

“Is there a problem?” Kiyomizu’s expression was unreadable.

“No problem, just wanted to see what Kiyomizu Matsudaira is like in person…” The one who’d bumped him smirked mockingly as he spoke.

Meeting that unfriendly gaze, Kiyomizu remained composed. “Stop beating around the bush. If you’ve got something to say, say it.”

“You’re pretty cocky, aren’t you?” The boy sneered, rolling his wrists.

This minor confrontation caught the attention of other students in the cafeteria—their gazes converged on the scene.

Kiyomizu disliked being the center of attention and was about to equip his [Leader] tag to make the trio back off.

But Nagasawa stepped forward first, raising his voice, “Hey, who told you three to come over here?”

The three glanced at him, then turned and left without another word.

“You know them?” Kiyomizu asked as he set his tray down by a window.

“They’re from the kendo club—hard not to know them.” Nagasawa sat across from him, handing him a lemonade. “Didn’t I tell you? My sister’s the kendo club captain, and I often go there as a sparring partner. Those three are all from kendo. Got a grudge with them?”

“I don’t even know them.” Kiyomizu took a bite of pork cutlet.

It was a little burnt—not great.

“Hmm, let me think! The kendo club’s vice captain is chasing after that sly flirt…” Nagasawa suddenly remembered, eyeing his friend’s slender build with some concern.

He’s no match for them…

Kiyomizu kept eating, his expression asking, “What are you getting at?”

“Never mind, I’ll talk to my sister about this…” Nagasawa said, wolfing down his pork cutlet.

“Thanks.” Kiyomizu smiled.

He didn’t need the help, but the gesture meant something all the same.

After lunch and a brief rest, it was time for the dull afternoon classes.

Just two periods.

At three-thirty, the end of the day arrived.

Kiyomizu packed his things, slung his bag over his shoulder, and prepared to check in with the cultural club.

At that moment, a boy near the back door of the classroom turned and called, “Matsudaira, someone’s looking for you.”

Kiyomizu glanced toward the back door.

It was the same three from noon.

And right then, the system popped up a message:

[Because of your outstanding looks and qualities, you’ve become a target of jealousy among the ‘fish’ in the pond. At times like this, you have several ways to resolve the issue. However, to hone your adaptability and courage, it’s best to handle this yourself…]

[Mission: Steal the girl in front of Suzune Sakura’s pursuers]

[Reward: Common Tag—Blond Delinquent]

[Equipping this tag slightly increases your chance of a successful romantic ‘coup.’]

[Note: The Blond Delinquent tag can be fused with the Pretty Boy tag to create a new tag.]

So these two tags could be fused?

Fighting over a sly flirt was beneath Kiyomizu’s dignity, but curiosity about what would result from fusing “Blond Delinquent” and “Pretty Boy” was too much to ignore…

All right, he’d go and see what happened!