Chapter 051 A Guessing Game from Sakayanagi Arisu
"That person is the leader of Class C, Ryuen Kakeru, Shimizu-kun." Sakayanagi Arisu gracefully withdrew her gaze, a meaningful smile playing on her lips as she explained to her companion sitting across from her.
Shimizu Akira finally snapped out of his thoughts, his gaze pensively following the figure that had already disappeared. So that aggressive boy was the rumored helmsman of Class C.
"Do you think... he is qualified to be our opponent?" Sakayanagi Arisu used a silver fork to lightly pick up an emerald-green leaf, frowning slightly as she put it in her mouth, her movements carrying an innate nobility.
"That's your way of thinking. I've never considered anyone an opponent."
"I see. So you view everyone else as trash? You truly are high and mighty, Shimizu-kun."
"Cough—" Shimizu Akira choked on those words, nearly spraying his noodles out. He looked up helplessly at the girl across from him. How exactly did this Sakayanagi-san's mind twist his original meaning so much? He was clearly just stating a fact, yet it was interpreted as such an arrogant statement.
"Hehe... just a joke." Sakayanagi Arisu covered her mouth and giggled, a sound like silver bells. "I understand your original intent, of course."
Shimizu Akira didn't respond; he simply continued to focus on enjoying his lunch. On Wednesday morning, the three pieces of information that refreshed were all useless "trash intel," so he had decided to come to the cafeteria to try his luck.
Unexpectedly, he ran into Sakayanagi Arisu dining alone. This brain of Class A was actually eating a free set meal. He had intended to take the chance to ask her about her methods for obtaining S-System information, but he had ended up witnessing a well-orchestrated show by Class C instead.
"Speaking of which," Shimizu Akira put down his chopsticks, "through what special channel did Sakayanagi-san obtain those key pieces of information?"
"On the first day of school, a very kind person told me everything," Sakayanagi Arisu said with a mysterious smile. "Shimizu-kun, you only have three chances to ask questions. My answers will only be 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Irrelevant'."
Shimizu Akira frowned slightly. These smart people were always addicted to these guessing games. Things that could be explained straightforwardly had to be packaged as obscure riddles. However, he decided to play along; after all, the information itself possessed that much value.
After a brief thought, he posed the first key question: "Did the act of the other party disclosing information violate current school rules?"
"No." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled slightly, as if admiring his deductive process.
This answer immediately narrowed the scope down to four major possibilities: a newly enrolled first-year, a graduated alumnus, a former faculty member, or a dropout who failed to finish their studies. These four types of people, even if they revealed information, would strictly speaking not be violating school rules.
Shimizu Akira pondered for a moment, his sharp gaze locking onto her expression: "Did this person... successfully graduate from this school?"
Sakayanagi Arisu paused for a rare moment before slowly nodding: "...Yes."
This single answer eliminated three possibilities at once.
"I see." Shimizu Akira's eyes suddenly cleared. "On the opening day, you ran into a graduated senpai who returned for an event, and you obtained the complete internal information system from them?"
"Perfectly correct." Sakayanagi Arisu clapped her hands happily, her voice crisp as a bell. "Because they are an alumnus who has already graduated, they are neither bound by current school rules nor are they faculty. More importantly—they successfully completed their studies." She leaned forward slightly and added: "These senpais often understand the school's... 'hidden rules' better than the current teachers."
"Utilizing the information channels of graduates... that angle is indeed unexpected." Shimizu Akira couldn't help but show a look of admiration. As expected of Sakayanagi Arisu. He truly hadn't considered that angle for information gathering.
"Hehe... you didn't expect that, did you?" Sakayanagi Arisu keenly captured the fleeting admiration in his eyes. Two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks, her tone carrying an unconcealed pride. "So, through what means did Shimizu-kun obtain his information?"
"Me?" Shimizu Akira shrugged. "I just bought it with points from a certain senpai in the second year."
"It seems my methods were superior this time." Sakayanagi Arisu gracefully sipped her miso soup. "Shimizu-kun has completely lost to me this time."
"Who's even competing with you..." Shimizu Akira glanced at her and lowered his head to continue eating his noodles. "Fine, if you think you won, then you won."
"But..." Shimizu Akira suddenly looked up. "I'm curious. Why would that senpai be willing to disclose such important information? What did you use as an exchange? They are already a prospective university student; they wouldn't just give it to you for free!"
The fingers holding Sakayanagi Arisu's spoon paused imperceptibly. This subtle change did not escape Shimizu Akira's sharp observation.
—It seemed he had touched upon a sensitive topic. Was it a monetary transaction? Or was it...
But Shimizu Akira did not press further, continuing to enjoy the food in front of him as if nothing had happened.
Sakayanagi Arisu asked as if casually: "Speaking of which, Shimizu-kun seems to be quite close with Kamuro-san from our class."
"Yeah," Shimizu Akira replied without looking up, "She's easy to get along with. Her personality is quite to my taste."
"Oh?" Sakayanagi Arisu raised an eyebrow slightly. "Kamuro-san always has such a cold demeanor. Furthermore..." Her voice dropped a few notches, "We both witnessed that side of her at the convenience store. Shimizu-kun's standards for choosing friends are truly... unique."
As the last bite of noodles went down, Shimizu Akira stood up to leave. "It's just right for me. No one is perfect; everyone has a few flaws."
Sakayanagi Arisu watched his departing back in silence, her thoughts involuntarily drifting back to the afternoon of the first day of school—
"Why should I tell you anything? What's in it for me? Points? Hah... I'm not a student here anymore! That stuff only works inside the school! In society, it's no different from just a number." That senpai had waved his hand impatiently, a valuable watch peeking from his suit cuff. "Money? Save it, little girl. I graduated from Class A, my family is wealthy, and I'm headed to the University of Tokyo...
However... you say you're the Chairman's daughter? Chairman Sakayanagi indeed tilted all resources toward Class A. Fine! For your father's sake, I'll tell you everything I know!"
"This tastes awful..." She looked at the significant amount of free ingredients left on her plate and pursed her lips.
If she hadn't seen Shimizu Akira's figure this noon, she wouldn't have deliberately ordered this vegetable set meal to gain sympathy. From the look of it, it hadn't been useful at all.
Chapter 052 Karuizawa Kei: I Won't Pay the Class Fee! I'm Giving My Tribute to Shimizu Akira.
Ryuen Kakeru exuded an aura of hostility unique to those from the "underworld"; he didn't feel like a high school student at all, and the farce in the cafeteria just now was the best proof of that.
Although Shimizu couldn't hear the specific content of the conversation, the crude action of grabbing the collar and the undisguised verbal abuse were textbook delinquent behaviors. The whole performance felt like a meticulously designed "double act"—one playing the bad cop, the other playing the good cop. He speculated that Ryuen might have been trying to squeeze key intelligence out of senpais from other classes, but judging by how the senpai fled in embarrassment, he had clearly hit a wall.
"It's time to make a move..."
He decided to sell the S-System information to Class C. But to be safe, he decided to test the waters with an alt account first. The most urgent task was to get Ryuen's contact information. Fortunately, on the second day of school, he had met Ichinose Honami, whose interpersonal skills were maxed out.
Shimizu Akira's fingers tapped quickly on his phone screen as he sent a carefully designed friend request from a fake account named "Yue".
The other party accepted the friend request almost instantly—that was Ichinose Honami for you.
[Yue]: I am a student from another class. I'd like to purchase some information from you.
[Ichinose Honami]: Eh? Who are you, classmate? Though I might not have much valuable information on hand... you can tell me directly what you want to ask, okay?
Shimizu Akira couldn't help but chuckle; Ichinose Honami was as gentle and kind as ever. He deliberately paused for a few seconds before continuing to type:
[Yue]: I need Ryuen Kakeru's contact information from Class C. Can you help introduce us?
[Ichinose Honami]: Ryuen-kun... although I don't have his direct contact info, I know some classmates in Class C! Wait a moment~
In less than five minutes, a contact recommendation popped up. The efficiency was so high it even surprised Shimizu Akira.
[Ichinose Honami]: This is Ryuen-kun! But... is there a reason you're looking for him?
[Yue]: Thanks. I've transferred 2,000 points to you as a thank-you gift.
[Ichinose Honami]: Ah! There's no need to be so polite! It was just a small favor...
Shimizu Akira ignored her polite refusal and threw out the real bait:
[Yue]: By the way! Is Ichinose-san interested in the truth behind the S-System and class placements? You must have noticed the school is deliberately hiding something these past few days, right?
[Ichinose Honami]: ...What do you mean? What are you trying to say?
[Yue]: I have the complete intelligence. It's enough to change your class's situation. The price is 1 million points.
After sending this message, Shimizu tossed his phone aside, completely unconcerned with how she would react. He then added Ryuen Kakeru as a friend and forwarded the entire conversation with Ichinose Honami to him.
The chat interface fell into a brief silence; the two messages were like stones sinking into the ocean. However, Shimizu Akira was in no hurry. He was always at his best in a game that required patient waiting.
Just as he was about to put his phone down, the screen lit up repeatedly. Messages from his homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, jumped out one by one, stacking up like a small mountain on the lock screen.
[Chabashira Sae]: Following your suggestion, I called those two to the office at noon.
[Chabashira Sae]: The collection of class fees is proceeding as planned. The choice for this month's class leader will be decided by which of the two gathers more participants.
Shimizu Akira raised an eyebrow, his finger hovering over the screen for a moment. He hadn't expected this homeroom teacher to execute a plan he had mentioned in passing so meticulously—though he didn't recall ever asking for such a detailed report.
He thought for a moment and typed two lines in the dialogue box:
[Shimizu Akira]: Chabashira-sensei can handle it according to her own judgment.
[Shimizu Akira]: No need to specifically inform me of daily matters like this.
[Shimizu Akira]: After all, you are the homeroom teacher, aren't you? I'm just a student.
After sending this, Shimizu directly turned his phone to silent and flipped it face down on the table.
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The bell for the end of school had just rung when Kushida Kikyo skipped up to the podium, pressing her hands together with her signature sweet smile.
"Everyone~" Her voice was crisp and pleasant. "Please consider this class fee collection as a little bit of support for me and Hirata-kun! Of course—" She blinked playfully, "it's okay if you don't vote for me, as long as everyone can participate happily!"
Friendly cheers came from the back of the classroom, and Kushida bowed slightly. Meanwhile, Hirata Yosuke was leaning against the door frame. Once Kushida finished, he naturally took over.
"Just as Kushida-san said, this is just a regular class activity." He smiled and spread his hands. "No matter who you support, please act according to your own thoughts. After all—no matter who becomes the class leader this month..."
He paused. "What we hope for most is for Class D to become a collective where everyone feels comfortable."
The air in the classroom seemed to split into two currents. After a whole night of careful consideration, coupled with the influence of Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo—the two core figures of the class—and their persuasive explanation from yesterday, the vast majority of students had already accepted the proposal to collect class fees.
After all, it was only a one-fourth deduction from their personal points, and it was a one-time thing, not a monthly requirement. Most students had already pulled out their phones, tapping away at their screens. The notification sounds of transfers rang out one after another—25,000 points was not a small sum for an average student, but at this moment, it felt like an invisible ticket to secure a place within the collective.
Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji were currently surrounding Kushida Kikyo, faces plastered with flattering smiles as they obediently handed over their 25,000 points. Shimizu Akira figured the reason these two had opposed so fiercely yesterday was simply because they didn't like the look of Hirata Yosuke.
However, not everyone was buying it.
Koenji Rokusuke hummed an unknown tune, his long fingers elegantly spinning a keychain as he strolled out of the classroom as if the class meeting had nothing to do with him. Sudo Ken followed behind him, leaving the class without a backward glance.
Karuizawa Kei's "gyaru" clique was the same. She was heatedly discussing tonight's karaoke plans with Matsushita Chiaki and Mori Nene, occasionally bursting into fits of bell-like laughter, clearly not giving a damn about the class fee.
Under Shimizu Akira's thoughtful gaze, Karuizawa Kei suddenly noticed his eyes on her. Her slender fingers trembled slightly, and she grabbed her phone in a minor panic, tapping the screen rapidly.
Ding—
Shimizu Akira's phone promptly chimed. He looked down and saw two consecutive messages pop up:
[Karuizawa Kei]: I will absolutely not compromise on the class fee! Don't get any ideas, Shimizu-kun!
Immediately, another message chased after it:
[Karuizawa Kei]: ...I will transfer the monthly points to you on time! You can be completely at ease about that!
The words were thick with a panic she was trying to hide, and that exclamation mark at the end was used with extra force, as if she were trying to emphasize her determination through the screen.
Chapter 053 If I Don't Have Shimizu Akira's Protection...
In fact, upon learning that next month's personal points would be transferred at a ratio of 100 times the class points, Karuizawa Kei was likely the most panicked person in the entire class.
'What! So it wasn't a fixed income of 100,000 points every month!'
Just last Friday, she had reached that secret protection agreement with Shimizu Akira: paying 80,000 points a month in exchange for his shelter within the class. It should have been a perfect deal, but who could have guessed that after only a few days, she would feel like she could no longer afford to employ him.
'It's all the fault of that new limited-edition makeup set! And that high-end restaurant meal over the weekend...'
She stole a glance at her phone balance; the glaring "2,500" caused a sharp pang in her stomach. Right now, forget 25,000—she couldn't even scrape together 3,000 points.
"Kei, what's wrong? You look a bit pale." Matsushita Chiaki leaned in with concern.
"I-It's nothing~" She forced her signature sweet smile, though her fingertips made the phone case creak.
This was the price of being a top-tier gyaru—maintaining a glamorous persona without showing weakness, while having to put up a front even when financially destitute. However, what truly made her feel frantic now wasn't just her wallet.
'... if I don't have Shimizu Akira's protection...'
Karuizawa Kei was diametrically opposed to the solitary Horikita Suzune. She knew better than anyone that she was like a vine clinging to a host—a parasite. Without someone else's protection, she wouldn't even be able to sleep peacefully in this school.
'80,000 points... I need at least 80,000...'
Her fingertips unconsciously rubbed the ugly scar on her abdomen as she repeatedly calculated in her heart. Although the class started with 100,000 points, she had used her phone in class no less than dozens of times over these two weeks. Not to mention idiots like Yamauchi and Ike Kanji; their truancy records alone must have docked a significant amount of class points.
'I'll thank the heavens if we can keep 600 points... Ugh, let's be conservative, half is enough! I'm not greedy at all!'
Five hundred. That meant at most 50,000 personal points at the end of the month—a full 30,000 short of the agreed 80,000. This figure caused her stomach to cramp, making even her old wound throb faintly.
"Your face is so white..."
"It's fine~ I probably just stayed up too late watching dramas." She forced a smile for Matsushita.
When her peripheral vision caught Shimizu Akira's probing gaze, she grabbed her phone as a reflex. Only after sending the message did she realize how much her reaction screamed of "trying to hide something."
'I'm doomed... he definitely saw through it...Without points, he surely won't abandon me next month, right?'
Cold sweat slid down her back. This ordeal of treading on thin ice made her temples throb, and even breathing became difficult.
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'She's probably out of money but still putting up a front!
She doesn't want me to know her points have hit rock bottom...'
Shimizu Akira scanned her inconspicuously and then looked away. Of the 100,000 points distributed on the first day of school, she had transferred 80,000 to him. Coupled with her extravagant spending these past few days... her balance was likely meager.
However, Shimizu Akira had no intention of interfering. His friendship with that girl hadn't reached the level where he needed to meddle in her business. After all, it wasn't like his seatmate relationship with Horikita Suzune.
While Horikita Suzune's personality was indeed awkward, she was unexpectedly trustworthy regarding business dealings. For every bit of point-related value he gave, she delivered the corresponding return as promised. It was true for the 80,000 points from the last trade, and it was true for the Japanese tutoring in exchange for the 16,000 points.
"...Friday after school at 5:30, meet at the library. I'll tutor you in... Japanese."
Speak of the devil; Horikita Suzune suddenly turned around, her voice sounding slightly raspy. Shimizu Akira couldn't help but take a good look at her. The girl had heavy dark circles under her eyes; she clearly hadn't slept well last night. Even so, she hadn't forgotten to fulfill their agreement.
"Let's put the tutoring aside for a moment..." Shimizu paused, throwing out a familiar but vital question. "Regarding being assigned to Class D, what do you think about it this time?"
Horikita Suzune's gaze turned sharp instantly. After a long silence, she said slowly: "...Though I am unwilling to accept it, as it stands, the school's placement system is indeed fair and reasonable."
The images of her tossing and turning last night resurfaced. Shimizu Akira's words, "Your brother isn't alone either," had pierced her long-standing stubbornness like a sharp sword. She had even done something unprecedented by sending a message to Horikita Manabu to verify it.
Her brother's brief reply still flickered on her phone screen: [Tachibana Akane is indeed an indispensable assistant to me in the Student Council.]
She knew that whether it was her brother or the boy in front of her, they only ever spoke the truth. After a night of struggling, Horikita Suzune had finally realized three things:
First: She had to admit that her placement in Class D was a matter of course. Her teamwork ability was near zero, and her social skills were miserable. Like the eccentric Koenji Rokusuke, although she had outstanding abilities, she was deliberately shunned by the vast majority of her classmates. She wasn't deaf to the rumors in class about the two of them. Horikita Suzune was no fool; she felt the rejection and dislike in those gazes more clearly than anyone.
'If this continues...'
Not only would her brother completely disown her, but perhaps even Shimizu Akira would—this thought made her bite her lip. However, she would rather take such thoughts to her grave than disclose them to Shimizu Akira.
This was her own stubborn secret.
Second: She would take Class D as a starting point and personally push this class to the heights of Class A. Since fate had placed her in the lowest class, she could only lead this motley crew to accumulate class points and climb step by step. This was a promise to her brother, and her self-esteem wouldn't allow her to be bottom-tier trash—not to mention, Class A meant more generous personal points; staying in Class D would make even ordinary life difficult.
No matter what, reaching Class A had become her most important goal.
Third: She needed to find a trustworthy helper. Even her brother understood the value of using others' strength; there was no need for her to insist on being alone. What her brother did, she would do too! Those naive ideas of "never relying on anyone" were completely cast aside.
When the sun rose, she would forget yesterday. Horikita Suzune welcomed the first day of her transformation.
Chapter 054 You Truly Have a Mind Full of Transactions!
"Shimizu-kun..."
Horikita Suzune suddenly extended her slender hand, which trembled slightly as it hung in mid-air.
Shimizu Akira stared at the hand that had appeared out of nowhere, stunned for a moment before realizing—was she offering a handshake?
'Coming out with this all of a sudden... is she apologizing for last night?'
Since a girl had taken the initiative to reach out, he naturally had no reason to refuse. As he gently took her hand, he noticed her fingertips were icy, and her palm was a full size smaller than his. His palm easily enveloped all four of her fingers.
"Horikita-san, there's no need for this. I stopped caring about last night long ago," Shimizu Akira said, lightly shaking her small hand.
"...Who is apologizing to you!" Horikita Suzune abruptly yanked her hand back, glaring at him with reddening ears.
"I am simply inviting you to be my sole collaborator! A handshake is the way we two form a contract. Do you accept or not?"
She hadn't expected Shimizu Akira to take her hand so decisively. Ordinarily, when a boy is faced with such sudden physical contact, he should at least hesitate a bit.
'As expected of a boy in the middle of puberty... he won't miss any chance for physical contact with a girl.'
This realization made her inexplicably irritable. What bothered her even more was why this guy would mistake her actions for an apology.
"...Collaborate with you on what?" Shimizu Akira slowly withdrew his hand. He faintly smelled the scent of trouble and only hoped his intuition was wrong.
"With me." Horikita Suzune looked him straight in the eye and said word by word: "Bring Class D up to the position of Class A."
Since her brother had Tachibana Akane by his side, she had no reason to continue fighting a lone battle. Looking around the entire classroom, the only person who met her standards for both ability and character was Shimizu Akira.
—Furthermore, her brother had personally told her to learn the ways of the world from this man. Therefore, this invitation was perfect.
"I refuse."
Shimizu Akira interrupted her flatly, not even waiting for Horikita Suzune to finish speaking. Seeing her expression darken instantly, he let out a sigh and explained:
"How many times do I have to say it? I have no interest in doing something so thankless. Class A holds zero attraction for me."
His goal couldn't be clearer—as long as he could successfully graduate from this school, that was enough. As for which class he graduated from, it was completely irrelevant.
'As long as I have enough points...'
He only wanted to enjoy these three years of school life in peace and stability. Why look for trouble for the sake of some illusory class honor?
"...What a pragmatic way of thinking," Horikita Suzune couldn't help but remark.
Shimizu Akira gave her a meaningful look: "You aren't much different from me, are you? Don't tell me you want to rise to Class A out of a sincere desire to benefit all your classmates, rather than to prove something to your brother?"
This time, it was Horikita Suzune's turn to be speechless. She usually prided herself on her sharp tongue, but in front of this man, she was like a green recruit on a battlefield—entirely too naive. Every word he spoke was like a precise scalpel, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
"However—" Shimizu Akira's tone suddenly shifted, his lips curling into an arc, "As I said before, from now on, as long as it's a transaction with Horikita-san... I can make an exception and give you a 20% discount."
He did appreciate Horikita Suzune—both her stubborn personality and her exquisite face. But appreciation was one thing...
Business was business.
Not a single point owed should be missing; at most, he'd offer a discount for the sake of their relationship. This was Shimizu Akira's consistent way of dealing with the world.
"...You truly have a mind full of transactions!" Horikita Suzune's fingertips trembled with rage, her fists instinctively clenching. She had even held his hand, yet she didn't expect the other party to refuse so categorically.
But when her peripheral vision caught the solid lines of Shimizu Akira's arm muscles, she forcibly suppressed the urge to strike.
'I can't beat him; getting physical will only result in my own suffering...'
In the end, she could only turn her head away with a cold face, squeezing a cold snort from between her teeth. She couldn't win the argument, and she had no chance in a fight. Facing a Shimizu Akira like this, she once again experienced a sense of helpless frustration.
'Transactions? What do I have to trade with him?'
Horikita Suzune grit her teeth inwardly. Her account had less than 30,000 points left, which would soon be handed over as a class fee—and ultimately flow into Shimizu Akira's pocket! Though she never thought of evading the payment. After all, 25,000 points per person for such heavyweight information was indeed quite a bargain.
"...Friday at 5:30," she emphasized coldly, "If you dare to be late, the tutoring is off!"
"Understood, I'll be there on time," Shimizu Akira nodded in agreement. He was worrying about his Japanese grades, and since someone had offered a helping hand, he had no reason to refuse.
"Sigh..."
Just then, a barely audible sigh came from the side. Shimizu Akira looked over and saw Sakura Airi clutching a notebook, her eyes flickering as she stole a glance at him before quickly looking down.
"What is it, Sakura-san?" he asked casually.
"N-Nothing!" Sakura Airi shook her head frantically, her chin almost touching her chest, and her ears turned red at a speed visible to the naked eye.
'Peeking at me again...'
Shimizu Akira moved his gaze away inconspicuously. He wasn't the type to be conceited, but his seatmate's frequent peeking lately was far too obvious. That cautious gaze was like a startled small animal, wanting to get close but ready to flee at any moment. Especially when the other person peeked at him once or twice every single class, it was hard not to notice.
Shimizu Akira's gaze fell on the notebook Sakura Airi was clutching tightly. With his sharpness, he naturally guessed a thing or two.
"Could it be... that notebook against your chest is meant for me to see?" he asked tentatively.
"Y-Yes!" Sakura Airi shuddered as if her mind had been read, then nodded vigorously and handed the notebook over.
Opening the title page, Shimizu Akira couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Starting from the very first lesson of the semester, all the key points of the Japanese classes were neatly listed inside. The notes were indeed detailed, but it felt like the other person had simply copied everything from the blackboard.
'Could it be that her grades aren't very good...! This content doesn't really suit me.'
Compared to these notes, he needed the targeted tutoring that Horikita Suzune offered. However, he wasn't so socially inept as to point that out to her face.
"This is a big help; I'll use it as a reference," he closed the notebook and nodded politely. He accepted the gesture; the favor from when he helped her out of a jam last time could now be considered settled.
Sure enough, after seeing Shimizu Akira accept the notebook, her expression relaxed significantly.
Chapter 055 I Feel Like These Three in Class D Are Not Below Me
Shimizu Akira then placed the notebook on his desk and stood up, preparing to head to the restroom. However, the moment he rose, his gaze inadvertently swept over his seatmate's glasses.
'Hmm? The image isn't distorted?
Could they be decorative glasses...'
The difference between decorative glasses and prescription ones is quite obvious. If someone with normal vision puts on nearsighted glasses, the lenses make the field of vision blurry, making it impossible to see the image behind the frames clearly. Yet, his view was completely unobstructed—those glasses were likely just for show.
'Don't tell me... they're glasses that seal away her beauty?!'
Countless works he had read in his previous life flashed through Shimizu Akira's mind. There were too many examples to even bother listing them.
In school-themed stories, a girl wearing plain decorative glasses is almost certainly a standard setting for someone hiding her true looks or a special identity behind the frames.
'Like taking them off and turning into a beautiful girl, or having a dual personality, or being the eldest daughter of some conglomerate...
Class D really is a place of crouching tigers and hidden dragons... too many people playing the pig to eat the tiger.'
He couldn't help but compile a list in his mind:
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka: Needless to say, that guy's talent for playing dumb is practically god-tier. Sometimes he acts so much like a "clown" it's uncanny. Sakura Airi: Wearing decorative glasses, a hidden big shot. Matsushita Chiaki: Even she in Karuizawa Kei's gyaru group is suspicious. On the surface, she's just a follower going with the flow, but her level of seriousness in taking notes during class is no less than that of a top student.
More bizarrely, he had recently caught her secretly observing him and Ayanokouji on the side... he had no idea what she was actually thinking.
'Especially this Matsushita Chiaki-san... she wouldn't happen to be suppressing her true strength, would she?'
Shimizu Akira rubbed his chin, lost in thought. That detached way of observing, along with the occasional sharp gaze she let slip, suggested her abilities might not be below those of Ayanokouji or Koenji.
'As expected, the waters in Class D are way too deep...'
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When Shimizu Akira returned from the restroom, his phone suddenly vibrated. He swiped the screen to find that his homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, had already transferred 25,000 personal points to him. The transaction note contained only a few short words: [Class Fee].
'That was fast...'
With a tap of his finger, he accepted the transfer without hesitation. After all, this was a condition they had already negotiated—the class fee this time should naturally be borne by her.
'Looks like the campaigning phase is coming to an end...'
After walking back to his seat, Shimizu Akira noticed that the crowd originally surrounding Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo had mostly dispersed. He scanned the room inconspicuously—the two small circles that had gathered over a dozen people just moments ago were now reduced to a few loyal fans talking fervently.
Hirata's side was mostly female, with a few girls blushing as they asked him for advice. Kushida's circle was mostly male, with some even eagerly holding her notebook for her. The popularity of the two was evenly matched, which fit his memory perfectly.
At that moment, Kushida Kikyo, wearing her signature sweet smile, walked over. "~May I bother you for a moment?"
She blinked her watery eyes, pleading, "Shimizu-kun, Horikita-san, I'm counting on you! Could you transfer the class fee to me? Your two votes are very important support for me as well."
"No problem," Shimizu Akira nodded bluntly, before changing the subject. "But a question suddenly occurred to me; I wonder if Kushida-san could answer it?"
"Mm! Of course!" Kushida Kikyo clasped her hands in front of her, tilting her head slightly with an expectant expression. "What do you want to ask?"
"What specific rights does a vice-representative have in class? Or rather... did Chabashira-sensei promise any special treatment once you two are elected as class officials?"
This question had been circling in his mind for a while. Why were these two so proactive about collecting class fees? Especially since they wouldn't get a single point for themselves in the end.
Kushida Kikyo's smile seemed to freeze for a split second, but it quickly returned to normal.
"Well..." She tapped her chin with her index finger, looking thoughtful. "Actually, Sensei didn't give any special benefits. It's just that I feel since Sensei chose me to be the vice-representative, I should do my best to serve everyone~"
Shimizu Akira's eyes narrowed slightly.
'Forget it! I shouldn't have even asked her!
But judging by her tone, it doesn't sound like she's lying.
She's willing to work this hard just because they gave her the title of vice-representative? What a perfect beast of burden!'
Following that, he transferred the 25,000 points in full. To him, it didn't matter who he transferred the points to, and it didn't matter who became the class leader. These were just the points Chabashira Sae had sent him anyway. After all, the truly important one million points were already safely in his pocket.
"Thank you so much, Shimizu-kun! I definitely won't let your expectations down and will lead Class D well!" Kushida Kikyo took out her phone, looking at the transfer from Shimizu, and couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Then, she turned her gaze toward Horikita Suzune.
"I don't plan on voting for you."
Horikita's answer was short and sharp, exactly as Shimizu Akira had expected.
In fact, since the first day of school, Horikita Suzune's dislike for Kushida Kikyo had been obvious.
More accurately, this solitary girl maintained an equal level of distance from everyone in class. Kushida's repeated attempts to strike up a conversation only made Horikita's distaste grow—like a vampire forced to accept sunlight, only making her crave the shelter of darkness more.
However, this time Horikita Suzune glanced at Shimizu Akira. When she spoke again, although her tone was still stiff, her manner was much calmer: "...I plan to vote for Hirata Yosuke. He is more suited for the position of class leader than you."
Although Horikita Suzune's words were still blunt to the point of being harsh, at least—this was the first time she had frankly expressed her opinion to a classmate.
Shimizu Akira raised an eyebrow inconspicuously.
'It seems yesterday's scolding had some effect...'
Kushida Kikyo nodded with a smile.
"I completely respect Horikita-san's choice, of course! Hirata-kun is indeed very outstanding too~"
Her gaze drifted between the two of them, finally landing on Horikita Suzune's slightly tense face. "But, if you change your mind in the future, you can come find me anytime!"
Her words were flawless, showing both tolerance and leaving a way out for herself.
"You could learn a thing or two about emotional intelligence from Kushida-san in the future," Shimizu remarked.
"...That level of fake smiling is something I'll never be able to learn in this lifetime."
Chapter 056 Going to the Student Council to Seek Cooperation with the President
Shimizu Akira was pulled into a chat group.
Everyone gathered in this group had voted for Kushida Kikyo. Among them were girls close to her, like Inogashira Kokoro, as well as a few boys who were frequent "regulars," such as Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka was also in the group.
What surprised him, however, was that Wang Mei-Yu was not included. In his memory, Inogashira Kokoro and Wang Mei-Yu were inseparable friends.
Kushida usually took the initiative to chat with them, and the three seemed to get along quite harmoniously.
'Friendships between girls really are more subtle than imagined.'
At that moment, Kushida Kikyo sent two messages to the group:
"I'm really grateful for everyone's votes~
By the way, I'm planning to go to karaoke after school today. If you're free, come join the fun!"
Simultaneously, Kushida's crisp voice echoed from the other side of the classroom: "Everyone must come, okay!" She was waving cheerfully to several classmates.
'Our Class D is visibly getting better; they've already started forming cliques.'
Shimizu Akira mentally rolled his eyes. Class D currently had two leaders, so it was inevitable that the two would have their respective small circles.
Another group message popped up. Ike Kanji was already impatiently clamoring to pick songs, while Yamauchi Haruki was egging Kushida on to sing the latest popular love songs.
"I won't—"
Before Shimizu could finish typing his refusal, he suddenly smelled a faint scent of jasmine. He turned his head abruptly to find Kushida standing behind him.
"Shimizu-kun, come along too~ The more the merrier." She tilted her head slightly.
"Sorry, I have plans tonight!" Shimizu Akira shook his head in refusal.
He didn't have time to accompany her to karaoke. Classes B and C hadn't reached out yet; talking "big business" with the other classes was the priority.
"...Is that so?" Kushida's smile stiffened for a second. "That's a pity then."
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Shimizu Akira wasn't making excuses; he truly had important business. He planned to pay a visit to the Student Council.
This idea first stemmed from a hint dropped by Sato, the captain of the Boxing Club—"Drop by the Student Council more often." As a senior from 3rd Year Class A, Sato's words often held hidden meanings; his "point-and-stop" reminders were worth pondering.
Walking down the hallway, Shimizu couldn't help but recall the special status of Japanese student councils. Unlike what one might imagine, the Student Council here held real power. They handled various disputes among students and even had a say that exceeded that of homeroom teachers in certain matters. For example, if students got into a fight or caused trouble, the responsibility was handed entirely to the Student Council. Homeroom teachers could only stay by their students' side and say a few words on their behalf.
Based on last night's impression, Horikita Manabu seemed to be the rigid, disciplined type, which made him a bit worried about whether the man would agree to his request.
When he arrived at the Student Council office, he found a few people already waiting at the door.
Standing ahead of him was a blue-haired girl—the aura she exuded reminded Shimizu of a sharp cold weapon. Before he could think further, the line moved forward quickly.
It was soon the blue-haired girl's turn.
Standing by the door, Shimizu could faintly hear heated dialogue from inside—"Violence!" "Does it only count if the surveillance catches it?" "So many people are already injured!" "You're not going to do anything? Is this even a normal school?"
Only a few minutes later, the office door was slammed open. The blue-haired girl strode out with a dark face, shutting the door behind her with a heavy thud that made the bulletin board on the wall vibrate.
"Next!"
A dignified male voice came from inside. Shimizu withdrew his gaze from the girl in the hallway, straightened his collar, and gently pushed open the door to the Student Council.
Several council members were busy at their respective posts. Seated in the chairman's spot at the far end of the room was a steady man wearing silver-rimmed glasses. It was the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, whom he had met briefly the night before.
He scanned every corner of the room but failed to spot the Vice President. According to rumors, Vice President Nagumo had blond hair.
'Looks like he's not in today.'
"Please close the door."
Shimizu's attention was drawn to the voice. A purple-haired girl with a fluffy bun stood beside the President, looking at him somewhat coldly.
"Alright."
The lock made a faint click. Shimizu recognized her the moment he turned around—this must be the rumored Student Council Secretary, Tachibana Akane.
"Hello," Tachibana closed the file in her hand. "What brings you to the Student Council today?"
"I hope the Student Council can act as a third-party guarantor to ensure the security of transactions between myself and students from other classes." Shimizu looked directly at Horikita Manabu, his tone crisp and direct.
This unexpected request made Tachibana noticeably stun for a moment. She widened her eyes slightly: "A... guarantor?"
Horikita Manabu maintained his signature composure.
"Let's go to the conference room to talk in detail, Shimizu-kun."
After saying this, the President turned and walked toward the Student Council's private meeting room.
Tachibana's steps suddenly faltered. She turned back.
"Shimizu-kun... did you know the President beforehand?"
Shimizu Akira sensed her probing. After a brief thought, he met her gaze frankly: "In a way. I'm seatmates with his sister, Horikita Suzune. We've met once."
"Is that so..." Tachibana murmured softly, falling into a brief moment of thought.
"The President actually has a sister..."
A moment later, she regained her usual cold expression.
"Sorry for taking up your time. Please follow me."
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Shimizu Akira stepped slowly into the conference room and sat down comfortably in the chair opposite Horikita Manabu. The room fell into a brief silence, punctuated only by the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock.
"I'm curious," Horikita Manabu suddenly broke the silence. "Why did you seek out the Student Council?"
Shimizu Akira looked up slightly. "I plan to sell information and equipment rental rights to other classes. Because the transaction amounts are large, I need to ensure that the contracts are properly fulfilled by both parties. Simply put—I need a guarantor that makes everyone afraid to breach the contract."
"So, you plan to strike a deal with Ryuen Kakeru of 1st Year Class C, but you're worried he'll renege on the deal using violence or refusing to pay, which is why you've come to the Student Council for help?" Horikita Manabu's gaze swept across his face; his tone sounded more like a statement than a question.
"Strictly speaking, I'm only worried about him playing foul and not paying," Shimizu Akira paused.
"As for the violence... personally, I don't mind it much. President, can you accept my request? After all, in this school, points should be able to buy anything."
"I can." Horikita Manabu tapped his finger on the desk. "The Student Council can help hide your identity and provide you with standardized contracts and performance guarantees. To ensure the transaction proceeds normally, the condition is that a 5% commission in personal points will be deducted from your earnings—this portion will be handed over to the school, similar to a tax in the real world."
Shimizu Akira did not hesitate and nodded directly. "That's acceptable."
Chapter 057 In Fact, the Weakest Class Is Class C; Ryuen Kakeru Is a Competent Leader.
The President only charging a 5% fee, all of which would be handed over to the school, made Shimizu Akira feel that he was being given exceptionally favorable treatment. Although this was a high school that emphasized cultivating students' independence, compared to the real-world standard of 20% commission or higher, the President's approach was practically generous.
'By charging like this, can the President really accumulate any personal points?'
Shimizu Akira couldn't help but feel skeptical.
Although the President's ability was beyond doubt, he seemed indifferent to points. Compared to that Student Vice President, Nagumo Miyabi, the two were polar opposites—Nagumo apparently charged a fixed percentage of points from all four classes. When it came to "self-interest," Shimizu felt the President was far less shrewd than Nagumo. He even secretly speculated that Horikita Manabu's personal point reserves might not be as substantial as Nagumo's.
However, in terms of prestige and popularity, Nagumo Miyabi paled in comparison to Horikita Manabu—after all, the latter was the most renowned Student Council President since the school's founding.
Thinking of this, Shimizu Akira took the opportunity to ask: "President, what is your opinion of Vice President Nagumo Miyabi?"
"...You're actually concerned about the second-year affairs?" Horikita Manabu glanced at him with slight surprise, then answered after a moment of deliberation: "He was personally selected by me; his ability is unquestionable. It's just..." The President's voice paused, "Our ideologies have drifted apart. His eyes are currently on the third years. As a first-year student, you don't need to pay excessive attention to this for now; I will handle the relevant matters."
"I see." Shimizu Akira nodded slightly. The President's implication was exactly the same as Chabashira Sae's. It seemed that the Vice President truly lacked interest in first-year business. Since even Horikita Manabu stated as much, he could finally put his mind at ease.
At that moment, Tachibana Akane arrived with two cups of black tea. Shimizu Akira politely rose to thank her and took a small sip of the amber liquid.
"What you plan to sell is the hidden information, isn't it?"
"I guess I can't hide it from you."
Horikita Manabu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued: "So, after learning these inside details, what is your view on the school's class system?"
Shimizu Akira thought for a moment: "I think the concept of this class division is quite novel and very fair." He paused and added, "This is the first time I've seen a school that doesn't use
academic grades as the sole criterion for judgment. The competition mechanism between the four classes is also very profound."
"However—" Horikita Manabu keenly captured his hesitation, watching him with eyes as sharp as torches.
Shimizu Akira decided to be blunt: "The judging criteria are too vague. In our Class D, there are several students who, in my opinion, are not inferior to Class A at all, yet were assigned to the very bottom." He frowned slightly, "Is the weight the school places on 'dark history' too high? By that standard, Class C should actually be the weakest class in terms of comprehensive strength."
He had held these words in for a long time. Ever since enrollment, he had struggled to find a suitable confidant; now, facing this trustworthy Student Council President, he finally spoke his mind.
'Hirata Yōsuke's leadership, Kushida Kikyō's social skills, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's unfathomable nature... these people are undoubtedly top-tier talents.'
He truly couldn't understand why such students were assigned to Class D.
'In the end, the one who should really be worried isn't Class D, but Class C.'
Looking at it this way, Class D was definitely not the weakest, but rather the most "unbalanced"—a gathering of students who were exceptionally outstanding in specific fields but possessed obvious shortcomings. Conversely, Class C's apparent comprehensive strength might actually be the most mediocre.
Yet, strangely, in the first month of school, Class C had actually secured 490 class points. That was hardly the performance of the weakest class. Shimizu Akira recalled the scene from the opening ceremony—there were even foreign exchange students in that class.
'If I were in Class C...'
Just the thought of it gave him a headache. So, how exactly did Ryuen Kakeru do it?
One had to admit that the person using physical intimidation against seniors in the cafeteria did have some real skill. Setting his methods aside for a moment, he was indeed a competent leader. In this meritocratic environment, a good method is one that effectively solves the problem.
A flicker of surprise flashed in Horikita Manabu's eyes. He remained silent for a moment before showing a rare expression of admiration: "...A decent insight."
The Student Council President revealed a hint of rare puzzlement: "Actually, even I haven't completely grasped the essence of this class placement mechanism." He acknowledged: "Regarding your analysis of Class D and Class C's strength, your viewpoint is accurate. From a certain perspective, Class C is indeed the weakest class in terms of overall average capability."
Shifting his tone back to his steady self, Horikita Manabu continued: "But the placement system remains reasonable in most cases. Although Class D's individual quality is superior to Class C's, they are difficult to unify because they have too many problem students, making it a double-edged sword." He paused meaningfully, "However, in terms of comprehensive strength, Class D is still the weakest, yet they are the class with the highest potential to overthrow those above them."
Hearing this, Shimizu Akira found it quite interesting. What was this? "Not making a sound, but once they do, it's a blockbuster"? After all, "unbalanced" students can indeed shine brilliantly in their own fields—forget Class B, even Class A might not be their match. But the problem was that such students were usually rebels who refused to follow orders and did as they pleased. Just like his classmate Koenji Rokusuke.
Although the President's words sounded inspiring, Shimizu Akira felt no internal stirring. He felt the President was inadvertently trying to give him a "pep talk."
"...President, you really don't need to look at me like that. Class D is just right for me. No one pays us special attention, and the other classes focus their attention on each other. It's more convenient this way." Shimizu Akira waved his hand nonchalantly.
"Biding your time?... A wise choice indeed." Horikita Manabu nodded thoughtfully.
"You're overthinking it again." Shimizu Akira couldn't help but laugh. Smart people were like this; a casual sentence from you, and they could interpret five layers of deep meaning.
"Speaking of which..." Horikita Manabu pushed up his glasses, "Has Class D already grasped that hidden information?"
Shimizu Akira thought for a moment and answered frankly: "Yes."
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses: "No need to worry, our conversation will not be leaked. As the Student Council President, this is part of my basic professionalism." He then shifted the topic: "However, haven't you noticed your own oversight? How do you ensure that others in your class won't accidentally leak this information? If they do, you won't earn a single cent."
Horikita Manabu didn't believe the seemingly shrewd youth before him would make such a low-level mistake—coming here rashly just to sell information.
"Well..." Shimizu Akira spread his hands, "The President is worrying too much. Who said I'm only selling hidden information? The risk of leakage does exist, so I'll sell it as much as I can while it's fresh. The first time is always the most valuable; information is inherently uncertain. That's why I've specially selected a 'guaranteed' bargaining chip that the four classes will find even harder to refuse..."
Chapter 058 Welcome to the Classroom of the Surveillance-Supremacist
Horikita Manabu failed to understand momentarily what the other party meant by a "guaranteed bargaining chip that the four classes cannot refuse." At the very least, he could be certain it wasn't a simple information trade. As the other had said, information as a commodity can often only be sold once. By the time one attempts a second sale, it has likely already been leaked through other channels.
However, Shimizu Akira was no riddler; he revealed the answer directly: "I plan to buy the surveillance equipment of the four first-year classes from the school—specifically, purchasing the monitoring rights for all eight cameras across the four classes."
"Surveillance equipment..." Horikita Manabu was slightly stunned, falling into a brief contemplation. A few seconds later, a light of realization flashed in his eyes.
As the leader of Class A, he deciphered Shimizu's plan almost instantly:
Point Deductions: The school implements class point deductions at the end of each month based on surveillance records. Major deduction items include tardiness, truancy, and unauthorized phone use. Upon closer inspection, the vast majority of these deductions stem from the records of those eight cameras. Theoretically, if a class's surveillance records were "accidentally" missing, that class could achieve a perfect score of 1000 points in the first month. Intelligence Source: These devices would become an excellent source of intelligence. Since the four classes are in competition, mastering their daily movements is equivalent to seizing the strategic initiative. Resale/Auction: Assuming he successfully buys the monitoring rights, he could sell them back to the original class or transfer them via auction to a higher-bidding competitor—highest bidder wins. Psychological Pressure: The feeling of being under constant surveillance is unpleasant. No one likes feeling like a criminal. This invisible mental pressure would gradually erode the psychological state and learning efficiency of students in other classes.
It was evident that once Shimizu Akira successfully purchased the surveillance system, no matter how harsh his conditions, each class would be forced to accept them. One could say he had completely monopolized the high ground of the intelligence war in just the second week of school.
Horikita Manabu encountered a freshman with such an ingenious concept for the first time, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.
"...Truly a stroke of genius." He paused slightly, his gaze behind the lenses carrying a probing depth. "How did you think of this?"
"I noticed it on the second day of school," Shimizu Akira shrugged casually. "Then, in the second week, I accidentally learned that points would be deducted at the end of the month based on surveillance, so I've had this plan ever since. Now that I've happened to save up over a million points, it's time to implement it."
Thinking carefully, this school was almost entirely covered by cameras with virtually no blind spots. In other words, whoever controlled the surveillance controlled the source of information—especially those two key cameras in each classroom.
"The concept is indeed sophisticated." Horikita Manabu pushed up his glasses, his tone calm. "But to my knowledge, no student has ever conducted such a transaction with the school. Strictly speaking, you are exploiting the school's resources." He unceremoniously threw a bucket of cold water on the idea.
"That is exactly why I came to see the President. I hope the President can speak on my behalf." Shimizu Akira looked him in the eye, his tone frank.
"Since this school advertises that 'points can buy anything,' there is no reason for the school to refuse this transaction."
"...Heh." Horikita Manabu gave a light chuckle, the light reflecting off his glasses. "I see. So that is your true purpose for coming to the Student Council—you want to use my influence to pressure the school?"
"Once it succeeds, I will pay you an additional 30% of the profit share." Shimizu Akira nonchalantly threw out his final chip.
This sentence hit Horikita Manabu's weak point. As the Student Council President, his personal point reserves were indeed meager compared to Nagumo Miyabi's; this extra income was undoubtedly a difficult temptation to resist.
"Good, very good. You've done well... you've managed to make almost every step perfect." Horikita Manabu looked at him deeply, unable to hide his admiration. This freshman planned every move; every sentence hit the mark precisely, throwing out conditions that were impossible to refuse. Such staggering initiative, combined with superior IQ, EQ, and strategy—forget Class A, even if this school had a Class S, this person would likely sit firmly at the front.
Thinking of this, Horikita Manabu couldn't help but think of his own sister. While someone else was trying to break the ten-million-point mark via surveillance in the second week, his sister was still stuck in place. She probably didn't even have 10,000 points left. The contrast was truly sigh-inducing.
Horikita Manabu pushed his glasses again, a sharp glint reflecting off the lenses. "Even without my intervention, the school would likely accept your proposal—after all, the school's tenet is to stimulate students' potential."
His tone suddenly shifted: "However, your desire to buy out the surveillance rights directly is probably unrealistic. Never mind that your million points aren't enough; even if you held a
hundred million points, the school would never agree. Such a transaction would completely destroy the competitive balance of the four classes.
You want to profit by leasing the surveillance rights? Wouldn't that mean extra income every month?" Horikita Manabu shook his head slightly.
"That would mean your class is in an invincible position from the very start. The school will not allow such a monopoly to emerge.
The most likely outcome," Horikita Manabu watched Shimizu Akira, "is that the school will pay you a substantial sum of personal points as a 'creativity reward' and then immediately issue a new regulation—completely banning students from purchasing usage rights for school equipment."
"Of course," Horikita Manabu leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping a few notches, "there exists another possibility: the school might make an exception and agree to a short-term lease. However..." He held up a slender finger, "it won't exceed one week at most. This is both a final concession and a disguised warning. Afterward, a ban on surveillance-type equipment will inevitably follow."
Shimizu Akira nodded thoughtfully; this judgment aligned with his own.
"So..." Shimizu Akira naturally looked at him, "this is exactly when I need you, President, to mediate. If we can secure a lease permit, the revenue will far exceed that small symbolic reward from the school—after all, the points other classes can provide will always be more generous than the school's."
"Greedy enough, though I don't dislike your way of thinking." Horikita Manabu hummed, yet he had to acknowledge the other's courage and vision. "I will try to negotiate, but don't expect to win too much time—I estimate a one-month lease period at most, along with various troublesome incidental clauses. That is the limit."
"One month is enough." The corners of Shimizu Akira's mouth curled upward. "Enough for me to earn my first bucket of gold." He quickly calculated in his head—at the most conservative estimate, this transaction would bring in at least 8 million points.
"However, I will not accept that 30% cut." Horikita Manabu suddenly spoke sternly.
"The Student Council will not profit in this manner. This is the fundamental difference between me and Nagumo Miyabi." He revealed a rare, meaningful smile: "Shimizu Akira, you think I can't see through your calculations? What you owe me this time isn't a favor that can be easily repaid with points."
"It seems the President is still the superior player." Shimizu Akira gave a low laugh and slowly extended his right hand.
The two palms met in mid-air, and a silent transaction was thus concluded.
Chapter 059 Ichinose Honami Already Knows the Hidden Rules
Shimizu Akira walked briskly through the corridor leading to the dormitories. The night breeze poured in through the open windows, carrying the characteristic warmth of early summer.
"Horikita Manabu certainly lives up to his title as Student Council President."
The image of those reflective lenses in the Student Council room surfaced in his mind again. Horikita Manabu had sat upright behind his massive desk, his gaze behind the glass so sharp it felt as if it could pierce through a person's soul.
That sense of pressure didn't just come from his authority as president, but rather from a calm demeanor identical to that of Gendo Ikari. He was even secretly relieved that Manabu hadn't struck that iconic pose with his hands clasped over his chin; otherwise, he might have actually been tempted to turn and run.
The negotiation had gone unexpectedly smoothly. Horikita Manabu was like a mind reader; often, before Shimizu could finish half a sentence, the other had already grasped the entire intent. A conversation he expected to take an hour resulted in an agreement in less than twenty minutes.
What surprised Shimizu most were the terms of the deal. He had expected to pay a massive sum of personal points, but Manabu simply pushed up his glasses and said he owed him a favor. His eyes narrowed slightly behind his lenses, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.
"A debt of gratitude feels like it won't be simple..." Shimizu stopped walking, staring at the lights at the end of the dorm corridor. Given what he knew of Horikita Manabu's character, he likely wouldn't make an unreasonable request. He just hoped it wouldn't be anything too troublesome.
The night wind carried the shouts of the sports clubs from the distant athletic field. Shimizu suddenly thought of Horikita Suzune's "stay away" attitude and couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.
Despite being siblings, one was transparent and sophisticated while the other was incredibly awkward; the gap was simply too large.
His phone suddenly buzzed with a new notification—an email from Horikita Manabu. They had successfully exchanged contact information after their talk.
[Regarding today's conversation, I will give you an answer before school ends on Thursday.]
[Shimizu, I think highly of you. Don't let me down.]
[If you perform well, the position of Vice President will be yours before I leave.]
He stared at the screen for a long time. Looking at the first line, he nodded unconsciously. As expected of the President; his efficiency was high. Being the Student Council President, giving an answer by Thursday afternoon was considered very fast.
But as he read the next two lines, his brow furrowed. When did Shimizu Akira ever say he wanted to join the Student Council?
[Shimizu Akira]: President, I have no interest in the Student Council. Boxing is fine for me.
The message was instantly marked as "Read," but there was no reply. A classic "Read and Ignored." It seemed the other party didn't take his answer seriously at all.
"Looking at it this way, this President is quite stubborn. Is he the type who finds it hard to listen to other people's opinions?" Shimizu muttered.
He took back his previous thought—in a way, both of these siblings were quite troublesome. After thinking for a moment, he sent a text to Horikita Suzune.
[Shimizu Akira]: You really are siblings.
[Horikita Suzune]: ? Why are you suddenly praising me?
"Uh... she actually thinks I'm praising her?"
However, before he could finish complaining to himself, his phone vibrated again. It was a message on his alt account. The sender was Ichinose Honami. The content of the message caught him off guard:
[I'm sorry, classmate. We have already discovered the rules that the school has been intentionally hiding, so we cannot trade with you for one million points.]
This was outside his expectations. Within a single day, they had cracked the hidden rules. After all, they weren't NPCs in a game; they were living people—the sharp-minded honor students of Class B. Furthermore, that "classmate" possessed social talents that Shimizu could only dream of.
If Class A could find the hidden rules and Class D could sense something was wrong, why shouldn't Class B be able to do it?
"This is getting more and more interesting..." Shimizu whispered to himself. He suddenly felt that this school was much more intriguing than he had imagined—it seemed all four classes hid strengths that couldn't be underestimated.
Sakayanagi Arisu, who loved playing intellectual games. Ichinose Honami, the social genius. Ryuen Kakeru of Class C, who prioritized violence. Except for Class D, it seemed none of them were easy to deal with.
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When Shimizu Akira arrived at his room door, he found the room next door—Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's—quite lively. Through the not-so-thin walls, he could faintly hear several boys and girls talking. As for the specifics, he couldn't hear clearly.
Shimizu raised an eyebrow, feeling slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the usually taciturn Ayanokouji Kiyotaka to be so popular in private. He checked his phone; it was already 8:00 PM.
The school manual clearly stated: "Boys are prohibited from staying on female floors past 8:30 PM." However, regarding whether girls could stay in the boys' dormitory for a long time, the manual said nothing. Judging by the voices, there was more than one person—it was likely friends hanging out. Probably Yamauchi Haruki, Ike Kanji, and that lot.
Just as Shimizu was about to pull his room card out of his pocket, the neighboring door suddenly opened.
"Shimizu-kun, we've been waiting for you for so long!"
A familiar voice called out. He turned to see Kushida Kikyo standing at the door. She wore her usual fake smile, but her eyes held a hint of something that wouldn't take "no" for an answer.
"I heard you had things to do after school, so after we finished dinner and karaoke, we specifically came to Ayanokouji-kun's place to wait for you." She tilted her head slightly, her tone light. "After all, I asked Ayanokouji-kun, and he said you live right next door."
Shimizu was silent for a moment. Before he could respond, Kushida took a step forward. Her smile remained unchanged, but she exuded a faint sense of pressure.
"Sorry, I know this might seem a bit persistent..." she lowered her voice slightly, looking him straight in the eye. "But no matter what, Shimizu-kun is indispensable to me."
Shimizu hadn't expected Kushida Kikyo to be this tenacious. He had only politely declined an invitation once, and she had literally blocked him at his dorm door. And it was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka who revealed his whereabouts?
'I misjudged him this time. Usually he looks like he doesn't care about the world, but he's quite quick to sell out a teammate. I was wrong about you, Ayanokouji.'
"...Fine."
After a moment of silence, Shimizu finally relented. After all, having returned from the Student Council, he really didn't have any plans for tonight. Continuing to refuse would only make things seem awkward.
"Great! I knew Shimizu-kun didn't reject me on purpose! How could you ever refuse me! Hehehe~"
Kushida Kikyo patted her chest as if a heavy weight had been lifted, a brilliant smile blooming on her face. But in her slightly narrowed eyes, Shimizu clearly caught a glimpse of "just as I thought" smugness.
Chapter 060 Ayanokouji Kiyotaka: So I Am Not Friends With Them
"Some of our classmates have already secured spots at the cafe next door; it's time for us to head out too." Kushida Kikyo clapped her hands lightly and turned to call out to the room.
"Finally back!"
"We've been waiting for over an hour."
Following her lead, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, Yamauchi Haruki, and Ike Kanji filed out of the room, followed by several female classmates chatting and laughing.
'She actually brought over a dozen people to wait at the dorm for me for over an hour...'
Looking at this group, Shimizu Akira's feelings became strangely complex. Kushida Kikyo's persistence far exceeded his imagination—not only did she personally intercept him at his door, but she also mobilized so many classmates to accompany her. This kind of grand display was less of an invitation and more like a form of gentle coercion.
He noticed a few girls secretly rubbing their legs, which were sore from standing.
'Going to this length... should I call it incredible willpower, or just terrifying?'
"Shimizu-kun, let's go together!" Kushida Kikyo leaned in closer, her delicate hand lightly tugging at his sleeve.
Shimizu Akira inconspicuously surveyed his surroundings, catching the envious gazes of Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji. Their burning stares almost bored two holes into his back.
'Tugging my clothes? Could there be some kind of trouble coming my way...'
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Aside from the 24-hour convenience store, most facilities on campus closed uniformly at 9:00 PM. Notably, the dormitory cafeteria's operating hours also extended until 9:00 PM.
By the time Shimizu's group arrived at the cafe, the shop was still brightly lit. Spotting Inogashira Kokoro from a distance, Kushida Kikyo immediately waved enthusiastically and led the crowd over.
Due to the four-person limit per table, the dozen or so students had to opt for the sofa area along the wall. These seats were arranged side-by-side; they occupied four connected tables, barely managing to maintain a collective conversation.
Kushida Kikyo unhesitatingly claimed the central "seat of honor," and the others followed suit. Yamauchi and Ike originally wanted to share a table with Kushida, but finding the spots already taken by girls, they grumpily moved to the seats on the right.
Shimizu Akira deliberately chose an empty spot on the left where no one had sat yet. Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, the last to choose, looked around and found all other seats occupied, leaving him no choice but to sit across from Shimizu.
Once everyone was seated, they took out their phones to scan the QR codes and order. Taking advantage of the lull, Shimizu Akira turned to Ayanokouji, speaking as if casually:
"Ayanokouji-kun, was it you who told Kushida-san that I live right next door to you?"
"That... it was indeed me... I accidentally let it slip." Ayanokouji shrank back slightly, a look of trepidation appearing on his face.
Shimizu stared at him in silence, his eyes full of wordless exasperation.
'—That act is way too fake.'
Who was this cowering act for? Did he really think Shimizu would start a fight right here? Given Ayanokouji's build, if they actually came to blows, the outcome would be anyone's guess. In terms of acting, compared to Kushida Kikyo sitting nearby, he was leagues behind.
Meanwhile, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka felt a flicker of confusion.
'Why is Shimizu looking at me with such an "at a loss for words" gaze?'
He secretly recalled how other students in class interacted with Shimizu: both Yamauchi and Ike instinctively showed a degree of fear when facing this classmate. To perfectly integrate into his role as an "ordinary high school student who avoids trouble," he had specifically observed and imitated Yamauchi's words and behavior.
'Why isn't it working at all?'
Shimizu Akira narrowed his eyes slightly.
"How surprising, Ayanokouji-kun. I thought you were the type who hated trouble most, yet you actively gave up your dorm room for this."
Ayanokouji lowered his gaze, his voice flat yet carrying a hint of helplessness: "...It wasn't active. Kushida-san insisted on hosting you tonight no matter what." He then added, "Besides, I get the feeling that Kushida-san's real purpose for gathering everyone—her primary target—is you."
Shimizu was taken aback.
'The target is me?'
He instinctively believed this judgment. After all, it was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka speaking—the man who seemed low-key but could always see through to the essence of things. The other had no reason to lie to him.
"I see. Thanks for the heads up, Ayanokouji-kun."
"...Don't worry about it. It was just a casual remark."
Shimizu suddenly thought of something and shifted the topic: "By the way, why did you join Kushida's side, Ayanokouji-kun?"
Ayanokouji's expression remained as calm as still water: "...Yamauchi and Ike dragged me here." He paused, then added: "They blocked my dorm door."
Shimizu nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. Forced here by friends, then."
His gaze drifted thoughtfully over Ayanokouji's calm profile. Come to think of it, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki were indeed among the few social contacts of this mysterious youth. In the hallways or the cafeteria, one could always see the four of them gathered together.
This combination was truly puzzling. The person in front of him clearly possessed abilities far beyond the ordinary; why did he choose to maintain close ties with those two—especially someone with such questionable character as Yamauchi? Ike was at least relatively frank and sincere, but Yamauchi... he couldn't even be bothered to evaluate him.
"Friends?" Ayanokouji spoke suddenly, his voice tinged with a rare confusion.
"To what extent... does one have to go to be called a true friend?"
Shimizu instinctively thought he was hearing the other being "accidentally humble" again, but when he saw the genuine bewilderment in the boy's eyes, he was stunned. He wanted to pull out a textbook definition of friendship but felt that would be too perfunctory.
After some thought, Shimizu summarized: "I think, when you feel natural and comfortable being with someone... that's probably what a friend is."
Upon hearing this, Ayanokouji replied almost as a reflex: "...It seems Yamauchi, Ike, and I are not friends yet."
"..." Shimizu was momentarily speechless.
"If you want to make friends, you'd better stop saying things like that in the future."
He grumbled inwardly; it seemed the other was well aware that spending time with those two wasn't "comfortable." However, what surprised him even more was Ayanokouji's sharp tongue. This hurtful evaluation was blurted out without a second's hesitation. Shimizu couldn't help but wonder how Ike Kanji would feel if he heard this blunt judgment.
"Right!" Shimizu suddenly clapped his hands as if remembering something.
"Let me treat you to the coffee this time. Think of it as thanks for your advice just now."
Ayanokouji's eyes widened slightly, clearly surprised by this sudden invitation.