Ren Katsuragi's declaration of a "hijacking" sent shockwaves through the classroom.
"Huh???"
"Katsuragi, have you lost your mind?"
"Oh? A hijacking? I'd like to see how you pull that off."
The students erupted into noisy chatter. Some were confused, some mocked him, and others just sat back, waiting for the show.
They had thought Ren was a top student, but now it seemed he had cracked. His earlier insight into the entrance exam loophole must have been pure luck.
Honami Ichinose, however, didn't question his words. She knew the young man was proud. If he said something, he meant it. He didn't make mistakes.
Ryuji Kanzaki also remained silent. He didn't think someone with such calculated talent would make empty boasts.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, what are the criteria for earning points?" Ren ignored the class's reaction, his voice remaining calm.
"Uhh..."
How did the topic get back to me? I can't talk about that! Chie Hoshinomiya froze.
"I imagine it's based on the performance of each class, and the final evaluation decides the point total," Ren continued, answering his own question.
"Uhh..."
"In other words, this test began the moment we stepped into this classroom." He gestured to the corners of the ceiling. "The second thing I noticed were the obvious surveillance cameras."
"What are these cameras for? To monitor if students are behaving as they should."
"Tee-hee!" Chie tapped her head, stuck out her tongue, and winked. She was an expert at playing dumb and acting cute.
"So, if students behave well, the rating remains high. And conversely..."
Ren looked around the room, his gaze cold.
"If I misbehave, I can continuously tank the class's rating until there are zero points left to deduct at the end of the month."
"So, everyone... do you understand your position now?"
Ignoring Chie's antics, Ren delivered his verdict. He emphasized the word "position" to make these peaceful idiots understand the reality they were in.
I hold all the leverage, and you are at my mercy.
After Ren laid it out so plainly, even the slowest students finally understood. The room fell into a heavy silence.
Of course, one student still objected, unconvinced. "And what about you? If we don't have points, you won't either. At worst, we all go down together. It's mutual destruction."
"Tch..."
Ren actually laughed. The sound was sharp and mocking in the quiet room. How could someone still be this oblivious?
The student who objected was about to flare up, but his desk mate frantically tugged on his sleeve, signaling him to shut up.
Maybe the others didn't see it, but I saw Ren step out of a car escorted by a fleet of luxury vehicles this morning.
"Perhaps you don't know who I am yet. Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Ren Katsuragi. Heir to the Katsuragi Group," Ren said, satisfied with the shift in atmosphere.
The silence deepened.
In Japan, you might not know who the Prime Minister is, but it is impossible not to know the Katsuragi Group or the Koenji Group.
The reach of these two conglomerates is everywhere. To put it bluntly, you almost certainly have their products in your home right now.
"So, what is the price?" Honami Ichinose spoke up.
Since Ren had decided to play the villain, she had to step up as the hero. Otherwise, the pressure of the name "Katsuragi" alone would crush the class's spirit.
Ren was pleased. She hasn't forgotten what I taught her. The little girl has grown up.
"Starting next month, we will split the points each of you receives. Sixty-forty."
"Isn't sixty-forty a bit too high..." The student from before whispered, still unconvinced, not expecting his voice to carry so clearly in the dead silence.
"No problem, I can accommodate that. Let's make it seventy-thirty."
"Ah, thanks..." The student started to straighten his back, relieved that Ren was being reasonable. He had just won a ten percent benefit for everyone—
"You get thirty. I get seventy."
The student froze. Feeling the murderous glares from everyone around him, he slumped completely into his chair, wishing he could disappear.
"These points aren't just a fee; they are insurance," Ren continued, his voice projecting authority. "As a reward for your payment, I, Ren Katsuragi, heir to the Katsuragi Group, promise that even if you don't graduate from Class A, I will grant you the 100% employment rate this school boasts about."
He paused, letting the offer sink in.
"Of course, as a special incentive system: For the student who contributes the most to the class, I promise to support their entire family for life. For the one who contributes the least... I will revoke their employment guarantee."
"Also, the fee is back to the original sixty-forty split."
He couldn't just crush his classmates; Ren understood the principle of the carrot and the stick. However, equal rewards breed complacency. He needed a last-place elimination system to force competition.
If you don't compete, how can I profit?
"So... any objections?"
Silence.
No one dared to speak, not even the student whose back was practically broken from stress.
After learning that only Class A could enjoy the 100% employment rate, everyone had felt the crushing weight of reality. Only one out of four classes could reach the top. It was cruel.
But in such a cruel environment, someone had just offered them a guaranteed safety net. At this moment, anyone who dared to object would be torn apart by the mob!
"I agree!" The gentle angel, Honami Ichinose, was the first to take a side.
"I agree."
"I agree."
One by one, they fell in line.
After securing their loyalty, Ren began listing various rules and precautions for the students. They were strict—bordering on harsh. Just as expressions were starting to turn sour again, he threw out one final sweetener.
"If everyone manages to graduate as Class A students, my promise still stands. You can designate a friend or family member to come to me and redeem the employment guarantee in your place."
In an instant, the mood shifted completely.
Harsh? Who said it was harsh? Any complaints? Step forward!
Katsuragi-sama is too generous!!! Please, exploit us more, or we won't feel worthy of such a gift!
...
And what was Hoshinomiya-sensei doing?
Chie Hoshinomiya used a book to cover her face, trying to hide a smile that bordered on manic. Her body trembled slightly—a reaction to sheer, overwhelming excitement.
Little Sae, I'm sorry... but I definitely win this round.