…Wasn't it you who made Ichinose face the entire Class D alone?
Ryūji Kanzaki wanted to say that.
But after glancing at Honami Ichinose, who had already entered negotiation mode, he swallowed the words.
Whatever.
Ichinose didn't seem to have any complaints anyway.
"Pair of fours."
"Pass."
"…Asakusa-kun, Shiranami-san is the opponent, you know?"
Watching Tōru Asakusa once again let Chihiro Shiranami slip by with a small card, Hayato Shibata finally couldn't help reminding him.
"I'm your teammate."
"Oh, is that so?"
Asakusa showed a look of sudden realization and nodded.
"Pass."
"…Huh?"
The card game continued.
But from the beginning, Asakusa's attention hadn't been on the cards.
"Mm, mm. This arrangement is good for everyone. Still, it would be better if the entire class signed together, right? Not that I don't trust Hirata-kun, but this is a contract after all."
Ichinose smiled gently.
"Though honestly, the terms are already quite generous."
"…I understand."
Yōsuke Hirata took a deep breath and nodded.
After signing his own name first, he added:
"Most classmates will agree. But… regarding Rokusuke Kōenji, even I can't make him sign."
"So I'm sorry. But I'll do my best to restrain him."
"Mm-hmm. That's fine."
Ichinose exhaled softly.
They had reached a deal everyone could accept.
In simplified terms, the contract looked like this:
Party A: Class A
Party B: Class D
Party A will provide Party B with a loan of 1.2 million personal points, used to cover the point deficit of students facing expulsion.
Party B promises that the loan will only be used for the stated purpose and not for other uses.
Party B shall not initiate attacks, traps, or malicious targeting against Party A students during special exams or other occasions (including but not limited to verbal provocation, physical conflict, or targeted strategies).
In future special exams, Party B must prioritize cooperation with Party A.
Except for Koenji Rokusuke, all students of Party B must sign this agreement and share responsibility.
Party A will attempt to assist Party B in future special exams to improve Party B's class points.
The loan is equivalent to purchasing 150 future class points from Party B.
That is, when Party B's monthly class points exceed 300, 150 points will be transferred to Party A.
If Party B violates the agreement (refusal to cooperate, attacking Class A, etc.), Hirata Yōsuke will take full responsibility and voluntarily withdraw from school.
This agreement is made in two copies, with each party holding one.
Unimportant clauses were removed.
And the bold phrase "Class D must never defy Class A"—which Asakusa had written at the top of the draft earlier—had also been deleted.
The final result was roughly like this.
Since Class D had no chance of repaying the loan soon—and even if their class points increased, they still needed money for daily life—Ichinose didn't demand repayment in personal points.
Instead, she created this system.
150 class points.
If things went well, it would only take two months to repay the 1.2 million.
Anything more would have been excessive.
Kind-hearted angel Ichinose wasn't that ruthless.
Besides, Class D probably wouldn't even reach 300 class points anytime soon.
But that didn't matter.
Even if the 1.2 million disappeared without a return, Ichinose honestly wouldn't care much.
What mattered was helping each other.
Right?
"…."
Although some Class D students had minor complaints, seeing Hirata's clenched fists—and their classmates signing one after another—they gave up resisting and signed their names as well.
After all, the contract didn't look that harsh.
Even if something went wrong, it would only mean Hirata dropping out.
As for the 150 class points clause—
Reaching 300 class points was probably a distant dream anyway.
If they suddenly had to repay everything immediately, they couldn't afford it.
The rescued failing students signed their names without hesitation.
Kikyō Kushida signed as well, casting a subtle glance at Ichinose.
Suzune Horikita hesitated briefly.
But after seeing Kushida sign, she sighed and signed too.
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji signed very quickly.
If everyone was signing, he obviously couldn't refuse.
Soon, the contract was filled with names.
Ichinose organized the papers into two copies.
One was pushed toward Hirata.
The other was handed to Kanzaki.
Just when everyone thought she would transfer the points—
Ichinose took two recording pens out of her pocket.
Click.
Recording stopped.
"Here, Hirata-kun. These should also come in two copies."
Smiling, she placed the recording pens on top of the contract.
Hirata blinked.
He looked at the recording pen.
Then at Ichinose.
"…Alright."
He accepted it.
Taking a deep breath, Hirata stood up and bowed deeply.
"—Thank you very much!"
After that, he turned toward Saé Chabashira, who had been silently observing the negotiation with her chin resting on one hand.
"Chabashira-sensei."
"Please sell me the missing points for those students."
"Bzz—"
The phone in Asakusa's pocket vibrated.
He didn't even need to check.
He already knew which woman—now sitting at her desk and typing rapidly—was messaging him.
"Honestly, that was tense."
"Yeah, especially with the teacher watching. I can't believe she let us sit there playing cards."
"But the result turned out well."
"Class D is pretty impressive too—four failing students. Didn't they feel nervous? Failing means expulsion."
Walking back toward their classroom, Shiranami and the others chatted casually.
"I'll reply to a message."
Asakusa pulled out his terminal.
As expected, the first message was from Mommy Kikyo.
[You need to reimburse me for the points taken in that contract.]
[Next time you bring people over, tell me in advance.]
[Also, I'm coming over tonight.]
[Prepare yourself.]
The girl didn't care about whatever schemes Asakusa was plotting.
But she definitely had an opinion about him bringing Ichinose Honami along.
So—
She planned to take that frustration out directly on him.
Enjoyed these chapters? Access advanced chapters and exclusive content by visiting my Patreon. https://patreon.com/WillOFD129?