Natsukawa observed Ichinose. Although she still maintained a calm expression, her teeth were lightly biting her lip, and her right index finger was unconsciously rubbing the edge of the plate, showing that her inner turmoil was not as placid as her exterior suggested.
"Ichinose, how about you arrange your classmates behind you first? As someone with social anxiety, facing so many staring eyes is quite overwhelming."
Ichinose suddenly turned around as if remembering something. What she saw was the girls from Class B initially wearing surprised expressions, which quickly shifted to looks of intense curiosity. When they saw Ichinose looking, they didn't wait for instructions. They quickly found seats with many empty spots nearby, sat down, ate, and chatted seamlessly, appearing harmonious, but every single one of their ears was pricked up toward this direction.
Seeing how things had developed, Ichinose couldn't help but blush slightly, and the urgency in her heart dissipated somewhat. Then, as if throwing caution to the wind, she sat down directly next to Natsukawa. "Natsukawa-kun, can you tell me now?"
"This is just my personal conjecture," Natsukawa said, carefully choosing his words. "But all signs indicate that this school is not as simple as it appears on the surface. The allocation of private points shouldn't be constant; it should be linked to the school's so-called 'ability'."
Ichinose frowned slightly. "I also felt that some things were off, but I didn't think about it this deeply. If what you say is true, what should we do now?"
"Not only that, but I estimate that the school's 100% graduation rate is not meant for everyone. It's a special privilege only a portion of students can enjoy. Everyone else is disposable to the school! If your displayed 'ability' doesn't satisfy the school administration, you might not even receive a single point monthly, and in severe cases, you could be expelled mid-term!!"
Natsukawa knew Ichinose always valued her classmates, so he deliberately made the situation sound severe. Although what he said was true, most people in Class B wouldn't encounter other issues besides failing to achieve the 100% graduation rate.
"Are these things true?!"
Ichinose was clearly shaken. This was the first time she had encountered such a wonderful, free school, and she had met such great classmates, with whom she had promised to strive for mutual improvement. Two happy things overlapping should have resulted in immense happiness, but why... why was it like this...? She suddenly realized that the beautiful future they envisioned was not as easily attainable as they had imagined.
"Actually, I can help you—help you realize the ideals of everyone in Class B."
Natsukawa whispered softly beside Ichinose's ear, as if he had seen right through her thoughts.
If Ichinose had been given enough time to think, she definitely would have been able to break through the difficulties and lead her Class B classmates to face the school's trials with stronger conviction. But Natsukawa deliberately gave Ichinose no time to think. After revealing the cruel future, he handed Ichinose a ladder to protect everyone, forcing her to follow his line of reasoning.
"Is... is this true?!"
Ichinose looked straight at Natsukawa as if grasping a life raft.
"Of course. Ichinose is the first friend I've made at this school. If I can help Ichinose, I will definitely give it my all. I can tell you the true nature of this school and the crises hidden beneath your feet. However, this information wasn't free for me to obtain. Could I ask Ichinose-san to reimburse me for a portion of the cost?"
"That is truly wonderful, Natsukawa-kun. I really don't know how to thank you. If we can truly protect everyone in Class B, any price is worth paying."
"No need to thank me, Ichinose-san. This is a fair transaction."
"No, even so, I still have to thank you, Natsukawa-kun. If we were enjoying school life without knowing anything, and then suddenly one day we were notified that a classmate was going to be expelled—that is something I don't want to imagine."
"Alright, but thanking me won't get you a discount. I don't need many points, just 1,000,000 (whispered)."
The final number was whispered close to Ichinose's ear, to avoid giving Sakura across the table a minor shock in this real-life classroom.
Ichinose first felt a bit shy because the airflow from his whispering tickled her ear, and then she couldn't help but be surprised when she heard such a large amount.
"That much? That's not an amount one person can afford, is it?"
"Since this concerns the entire class, of course, everyone in the class will bear the cost. Don't worry, Ichinose. The price I quoted is absolutely not expensive. You can check with your Class teacher, Teacher Hoshinomiya. If you were to buy it from the Class teacher, it would cost 2,000,000 private points. Consider this piece of information my free gift to you, showing my sincerity."
"I see. Does the ability to buy anything with points, as Teacher Hoshinomiya said, include this kind of information as well? Thank you, Natsukawa-kun. I will discuss this thoroughly with my classmates. Natsukawa-kun, your observation is very sharp. If possible, I hope we can exchange ideas on this topic more often in the future. Although Class B and Class D are different classes, I think we can help each other."
"Of course." Natsukawa nodded. "I also greatly admire Ichinose-san."
Ichinose smiled happily, her expression returning to its usual sunny warmth. She sat for a while longer, exchanged contact information with Natsukawa, and felt much more relaxed. Then she turned to Sakura. "And this classmate is?"
"Sakura Airi, my classmate," Natsukawa introduced.
"Hello, I am Ichinose Honami." Ichinose smiled and greeted Sakura, but Sakura just lowered her head and replied with a nearly inaudible "Hello," nervously pinching the corner of her clothes.
Ichinose didn't mind, and instead said to Natsukawa in a teasing tone, "Eating together after just one week of school—are you two dating?"
"No, no. Sakura and I just happened to run into each other at the cafeteria. By the way, could I ask a favor of Ichinose? Sakura-san has social anxiety. Could I ask you to befriend Sakura-san?"
"No problem, Natsukawa-kun. Sakura-san, please take care of me from now on."
After Ichinose said this, she extended her hand toward Sakura. Sakura also extended her hand, and after they shook hands, the three began chatting casually. Only when Natsukawa and Sakura were nearly finished eating did the two excuse themselves and leave, and Ichinose returned to the Class B girls.
"She's so nice..." Sakura murmured quietly after Ichinose left.
"She is, after all, the Great Angel of Class B." Natsukawa smiled. "But please keep what we just discussed confidential for now."
Sakura nodded seriously. "I—I won't tell anyone."
After leaving the cafeteria, Natsukawa and Sakura walked together on the way back to the classroom. When they were almost at the school building, Sakura suddenly mustered her courage and said, "Classmate Natsukawa, thank you... You helped me twice, and you helped me make a friend. If... if you don't mind... can we be friends?"
As she spoke, her cheeks were tinged with a cherry blossom pink, her fingers unconsciously curled the corner of her clothes, and although her eyes were still darting away, a hint of expectation flickered within them.
Natsukawa smiled and nodded. "Of course, we are already friends. And thank you for not minding my presumptuousness in trying to find you a friend. You head back to the classroom first; I'm going to buy a drink to rinse my mouth."
Watching Sakura's happy retreating back, a trace of warmth rose in Natsukawa's heart. In this world where ability is everything, Sakura's sincerity is one of the rarest treasures.
At the same time, he knew that peaceful days would not last long. The system's debt, the school's secrets, and the impending special examination would all follow one after another.
He needed sufficient strength to face the future trials.