Though nearing the end of January, snowflakes continued to flutter down these past few days, much like the heated discussions on the school forum where Kaoru's name had become ubiquitous.
Many were anticipating a legendary showdown, with certain senior girls gathering around Ichinose, subtly probing her thoughts about Kaoru's alleged infidelity.
Yet, contrary to expectations, there was no sign of any dramatic confrontation or love triangle.
When encountering Sakayanagi or Kushida on campus, Honami would greet them with a radiant smile, as if they were the best of friends—and they'd often return equally genuine smiles, showing no trace of jealousy.
Asahina Nazuna's behavior was even more shocking.
Witnesses reported seeing her shopping with Honami, frequently leaning close in intimate gestures resembling best friends.
Only Tachibana Akane somewhat matched public expectations.
Whenever Kaoru's name came up, she'd bristle, warning everyone never to mention it in her presence.
But rather than jealousy or hostility, her reactions seemed more like inexpressible embarrassment—childish sulking, waiting for someone to give her an out.
Some began doubting the rumors' accuracy, while others insisted they were true, theorizing Kaoru must be using some hypnotic app on Honami and the others.
Without Kaoru lifting a finger, the narrative had already skewed.
Most refused to believe any girl would tolerate her boyfriend's infidelity.
Regardless of public opinion, with Nagumo Miyabi absent, Kaoru took over student council duties.
He and Honami frequently worked together across campus, resolving student disputes.
Beyond this, Hasebe Haruka would occasionally summon him, bringing along two little animals—their former Study Group had effectively become a gossip circle.
Kushida sometimes forcefully joined too. Her social standing in Class 1-D far exceeded Haruka and Airi's, allowing Kaoru to watch as she cheerfully led them through various games.
He'd considered discussing Haruki Yamauchi with Airi, but seeing her gradually open up to friends made him reconsider the urgency.
He could handle it himself.
Time flowed quietly until Friday.
After school, Kaoru caught up with Morishita Ai as she headed to the dorms.
"Are you going to confess to me?"
Her words cut off Kaoru's prepared script.
Staring at the girl's delicate, pretty nose bridge and the wariness in her eyes directed at him, Kaoru fell silent for a long moment.
"So Morishita-san wants me to confess to you right now?"
Similarly, his words left Ai Morishita speechless. The two stared at each other wide-eyed.
"Seems I misunderstood. I thought you were finally making your move on me."
Ai didn't seem embarrassed at all. "You've been trending on the forums lately. Someone listed my name too, claiming I'm involved."
He did have that intention, just lacked the opportunity, Kaoru thought to himself.
"This isn't the place to talk. Would you come to the café with me for a while?"
Ai studied him.
Being seen with him would likely damage her reputation, but since it was already ruined, it shouldn't matter.
Thus, she followed Kaoru to the café, still bustling with students spending their after-school hours with friends.
"Did you have something to tell me?"
Ai reasoned he wouldn't seek her out without cause. If not a confession, then what?
Thinking back, he'd seemed to target her from the start—forcing her into the treasurer position, frequently stealing glances at her in class.
Ai knew she was cute, but that wasn't license for constant staring.
She'd just found it troublesome to confront him.
Fortunately, Kaoru only looked without acting, so Ai assumed they had no real connection.
She wanted to end this pointless chat quickly and leave.
"How many Personal Points are under your management?"
Ai turned her phone screen toward Kaoru, revealing an astonishing figure: 26,920,000.
Anyone would be shocked by that balance. Undoubtedly, this girl might be wealthier than Nagumo.
Though these Points were entrusted to her by everyone's collective trust.
"Can you transfer them to me?" Kaoru's tone suggested not embezzlement, but a loan.
Yet even as a loan request, Ai found it bizarre—seeking her out just for Points?
"Give me a reason, Kaoru."
The girl was serious.
As custodian of these Points, she bore responsibility. "I can't transfer them privately. You'd need everyone's consensus."
Usually spacey, now she was sharp-eyed.
Kaoru felt relieved, speaking gently. "Don't worry, i got no ill intent. I just need to borrow them briefly—maybe just minutes."
"No. You must specify why. Not even for minutes."
Ai was firm, simultaneously puzzling over Kaoru's purpose for the Points.
Over 20 million Points could only suggest class transfer fees, but she knew it went beyond that. What could utilize Points' full potential?
With no special exams now, was this against Nagumo?
"Morishita-san can operate it yourself."
Kaoru handed her his phone. "Transfer 26,920,000 to me now, then I'll return them immediately."
Morishita Ai was stunned for a moment.
Under the table, her legs pressed together tightly, the thick black pantyhose slightly squeezing her plump thighs.
She instinctively straightened her posture, thinking he was teasing her, but his expression didn't carry the smugness or mockery of someone playing games—it almost seemed like he was serious.
"Let me handle it?"
"Yes, you do it yourself. I'll just watch."
"W-wait…"
Before Ai could resist, the man naturally scooted closer, his shoulder crossing that subtle boundary until it lightly brushed against hers.
Then, he placed his phone in her hand.
Their fingertips barely touched, and he subtly grazed her smooth, jade-like hand.
Ai froze for a second, her mind racing with thoughts as she numbly allowed him to lean against her.
"You're acting strange today," the girl suddenly said. "Pretending to get close, taking advantage—but this won't distract me. What are you trying to do?"
Seems the plan failed.
Kaoru had no choice but to admit, "I need a screenshot to prove I'm rich."
Ai pondered for a moment. "I see. You want to trick the upperclassmen into thinking you actually have tens of millions in Personal Points, making it easier to deal with Nagumo Miyabi, right?"
Kaoru nodded. "I have to say, you're really sharp, Morishita. It's like you see right through me."
"You're just too easy to read."
Ai smiled faintly. "I don't mind helping, but next time, find someone who'll obey you to hold your points."
With that, she handed the phone back to him.
Kaoru watched as she tapped a few times, and then a notification popped up on his screen.
[Corresponding transaction detected. Confirm deposit?]
[Current rejections: 3/3]
Faced with the prompt from the [Cup of Greed], Kaoru chose to accept—after all, he had deliberately rejected Shiho Manabe's transfer earlier.
Thus, Ai remained completely unaware that something peculiar had happened when her transfer reached Kaoru's account.
8,076,000.
The effect of the [Cup of Greed] was that each rejection doubled the gains. Having rejected three times, the amount had tripled.
Not only that, the moment the points arrived, Kaoru activated another tool—[Unrestricted Voucher], a reward he had drawn months ago.
Its effect allowed him to use something without any restrictions; until the effect ended, no one would question or doubt it.
Kaoru wasn't naive about the school's surveillance.
An account suddenly gaining over 80 million would definitely raise alarms.
So, he had to protect these points, ensuring the school wouldn't suspect a thing.
Using both the [Cup of Greed] and [Unrestricted Voucher] here felt like a waste—he had originally planned to save them for later.
But with Sakayanagi Narumori gone and a new chairman arriving soon, he figured it wasn't a bad idea to use them now.
"Is this enough?" Ai stared at Kaoru, noticing a strange shift in his expression—almost like relief?
Kaoru openly showed her his phone, and the balance displayed made the girl's eyes widen.
"No way?"
Morishita Ai couldn't help feeling angry. "You have so many points, why did you need to borrow from me?"
She'd been tricked.
This guy was probably just playing with her, and she'd obediently fallen for it.
Seeing her expression, Kaoru felt reassured.
Her first reaction wasn't to question the source of the points—perfect.
"Congratulations, Morishita-san, you've passed the test. I've decided to invite you to join the student council. You can have either the treasurer or secretary position."
"I refuse. Believing your lies was my mistake. In any case, hurry up and return my points."
"Aren't you the one who dislikes this duty, Morishita-san?"
"I'm just not interested. Though watching the points accumulate does give me a strange sense of satisfaction."
"I see. But don't move—you'll knock over the coffee."
Perhaps out of anger, Morishita Ai tried to snatch the phone from him, but Kaoru anticipated her move and caught her wrist.
"Bullying a girl is really low, Kaoru."
Even though it was Morishita who had been restrained, her expression and tone made it seem as if she were the one pinning him down.
"Give it up. I won't join the student council."
"Why not?"
Kaoru said, "You can still sleep in at the student council—the sofa and air conditioning are more comfortable, plus there are snacks. And when dealing with disputes outside, you can put your reasoning skills to use and help us analyze situations. We really need you, Morishita-san."
Morishita Ai remained unfazed, replying coolly, "How can you prove you won't lay a hand on me?"
Kaoru realized—he was still holding the girl's delicate hand. His body had grown accustomed to taking liberties.
"Truthfully, I wouldn't lay a finger on anyone. If I break that promise, I'll kneel and kiss your feet—or let you trample me to death."
Seeing the seriousness in his expression, Morishita Ai decided he wasn't lying and promptly pulled her hand free.
"You already tricked me once."
Kaoru blinked, testing the waters. "Should I apologize to you now?"
"An apology isn't necessary. Just return my points."
Morishita Ai didn't dwell on it—his proposal was far too self-deprecating anyway.
Kaoru transferred the original 26.92 million back.
As long as his Personal Points weren't fully depleted, the effect of the [Free Use Voucher] would remain.
"Are the rumors about you and them true?" Morishita Ai suddenly asked.
The forum was flooded with fragmented gossip, making it hard for her to discern what was real.
"The relationships are real. The details, not necessarily." Kaoru didn't hide it from her.
"Why?"
Morishita Ai was curious. "Does Ichinose allow your philandering? Do they all know?"
"Of course." Kaoru said, "Otherwise, I'd already be dead."
"But you don't seem all that proud of it."
Morishita Ai studied his expression closely. "If anything, you look a little melancholic. What's troubling you?"
Kaoru thought for a moment before asking, "Do you think I'm despicable?"
Morishita Ai gave him a deep look, then suddenly smiled—like a fleeting ray of sunlight breaking through the clouds, bright and captivating.
"People who think they're despicable are the most despicable of all."