The afternoon sunlight slanted into the Class B classroom, coating the tidy desks in a warm golden hue. The lingering sound of the dismissal bell still echoed in the air. Most students were leisurely packing their bags, discussing what to eat for dinner, or where to relax that evening. The relaxed and pleasant atmosphere was no different from usual.
However, Ichinose Honami's heart felt tightly pulled by an invisible string, preventing her from joining the leisurely atmosphere. She took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision, her fingertips slightly white from the force. Instead of immediately joining the girls' chatter as usual, she picked up her school bag and walked straight toward the classroom door.
"Honami, are you coming to karaoke with us later?" a girl called out enthusiastically.
Ichinose stopped and offered a slightly apologetic smile. The sunlight spilled onto her pink-gold long hair, creating a soft halo. "Sorry, I have something I need to talk to Teacher Hoshinomiya about. You guys go on ahead."
Her smile was still warm, but a careful observer might have noticed the trace of seriousness hidden behind it. She quickly left the classroom, the sound of her heels clicking on the floor echoing in the hallway with an undeniable urgency.
Standing at the door of the Teachers' Office, Ichinose took another deep breath, calmed her somewhat accelerated heartbeat, and then gently knocked on the door.
"Come in~" Teacher Hoshinomiya Chie's distinctive voice, slightly lazy and sweet, came from inside.
Ichinose pushed the door open and entered. Teacher Hoshinomiya was sitting behind her desk, holding a steaming cup of black tea. Seeing her, she showed a playful smile: "Oh my, it's Ichinose-san. What a rare visitor. What's wrong? Are you having some trouble? I'd be happy to be your confidante, dear~"
Ichinose walked up to the desk, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, but her tone was unusually firm: "Teacher Hoshinomiya, I want to confirm something with you. Does a mechanism for... 'expulsion' truly exist at this school? And are the private points we receive each month not fixed, and might they even... reset to zero?"
Teacher Hoshinomiya's hand, holding the teacup, paused. Her smile didn't change, but a hint of imperceptible delight flashed in the depths of her eyes. She gently blew on the hot tea, and instead of answering directly, she countered, "Why do you ask that, Ichinose-san? Did you hear some interesting rumors?"
"Please answer me directly, Teacher." Ichinose's gaze did not flinch; her azure eyes were full of determination. "This concerns the future of all the students in Class B. Also, I want to know how many private points I would need to pay if I wanted to obtain information about the school's operating rules, or rather, the 'truth'?"
Teacher Hoshinomiya stared at Ichinose for a few seconds, as if assessing her resolve. After a moment, she put down her teacup, leaned forward slightly, and whispered in her distinctive, secret-telling tone: "That's quite impressive, Ichinose. It's only been a week since school started, and you've already touched upon the core issue. However, I can't disclose anything." She held up two fingers and wiggled them in front of Ichinose. "As for the price of the 'truth'... the official price is two million private points. No tricks."
"Teacher, you... didn't deny it..."
Although she had prepared herself mentally, hearing the 'confirmation' directly from the Class teacher and the astronomical figure of "two million" caused Ichinose's heart to sink sharply. She felt a chill rise from her feet, instantly spreading throughout her body. It wasn't speculation or scaremongering; it was cold, harsh reality.
"...I understand. Thank you very much, Teacher Hoshinomiya." Ichinose's voice was slightly dry, but she managed to maintain her composure. After bowing, she left the office.
The door closed behind her, cutting off Teacher Hoshinomiya's meaningful gaze. Ichinose leaned against the cold wall and slowly exhaled. She raised her hand and looked at her slightly trembling fingertips. What flashed in her mind was the seemingly casual yet resolute face of Natsukawa Sosuke.
"He actually... got everything right. And the price really is only half..."
A complex mix of emotions surged within her—shock at the cruel rules, worry for the future, but more than that, intense curiosity about that mysterious boy and a hint of indescribable trust. How did he perceive and discover this? Why did he want to help her? Who exactly was he?
The next morning, Class B classroom.
There was still some time before morning classes, and most students had arrived. Unlike the usual vibrant morning scene, the atmosphere in the classroom today seemed somewhat subdued. Ichinose Honami stood on the podium, gripping the edge with both hands, her gaze sweeping over every familiar face below. The brilliant smile that usually melted ice and snow was gone, replaced by a rare, calm, and serious expression.
"Everyone, please quiet down. I have something very important I need to tell you all." Her voice clearly reached every corner of the classroom. The low murmurs immediately ceased, and all eyes focused on her.
Ichinose clearly and calmly narrated her suspicions about the school's facade of a "paradise," along with the information she had 'confirmed' yesterday from Teacher Hoshinomiya. She did not mention Natsukawa's name, substituting it instead with "Friend A."
"...In summary," Ichinose's voice trembled slightly, "the school's so-called 'meritocracy' is real. Poor performance will not only result in the loss of private points but might even... lead to 'expulsion'."
"Whoa—!"
As if a heavy bomb had been dropped into a calm lake, the entire Class B classroom instantly erupted!
"Ex... Expulsion?!"
"Ichinose-san, is this true? Did Teacher Hoshinomiya say it herself?"
"Were we tricked?"
Panic, disbelief, anger... various emotions intertwined on the students' faces. They exchanged frantic glances, as if the foundation they relied on had suddenly collapsed. Having just started school a week ago, most were only beginning to indulge in the joy of their privileged environment. This sudden news was like being slapped twice right after falling into a deep sleep, instantly jolting them awake.
However, after the initial chaos, another emotion began to brew—shock regarding "Friend A."
"What kind of person... can see through all of this in such a short time?" a boy muttered, his face full of disbelief.
"It's only been a week since school started! We're still figuring out which cafeteria line has the best food, and this person is already selling the school's secrets!"
"Is this guy... even human? How did he do it? Did he get the script before enrolling?"
The classroom buzzed with discussion. Everyone was alarmed by this "expert" hidden in the fog. This ability to observe minute details, bordering on foresight, instilled a sense of awe alongside their panic. Compared to him, they felt like infants asleep in a cozy haven.
Watching the frantic students below the stage, Ichinose's heart was also filled with admiration for Natsukawa. She raised her hand, signaling for everyone to quiet down.
"Please don't panic!" Her voice carried a strange calming power that slightly quelled the commotion. "Yes, we face a crisis. But the person who gave us this information also gave us a choice."
She paused, her gaze firmly meeting all the doubtful and uneasy eyes: "He promised that if we pay one million private points, he will fully inform us of everything he knows about this school's'secrets' and rules. Furthermore, he guaranteed that this 'one million' would absolutely be worth more than its value. And I confirmed with Teacher Hoshinomiya that if we wanted to buy this information, it would cost two million."
"O-One million?!"
"That's half the price Teacher Hoshinomiya mentioned!"
"But one million is still a huge sum! Should we really trust someone whose background we don't know?"
The classroom erupted in noise again, the shock this time greater than before! Not only did this person perceive the crisis, but they also held a "survival guide" worth a million points? This went beyond the scope of an ordinary freshman; he was more like a strategist, a chess player who had seen dozens of moves ahead while everyone else was still getting familiar with the board.
"I understand everyone's hesitation and uneasiness." Ichinose's voice was slightly raised, filled with sincerity and strength. "I cannot force you to believe him. But I am willing to trust him. Because he warned us while all of us were still immersed in false tranquility. Moreover, the price he offered proves his sincerity—he could have asked for the high price of two million, just like the school."
She looked around at everyone, her gaze gentle yet resolute: "I will give you all one day to consider. If we decide to purchase this information, the required one million points will be equally shared among all members of Class B. This is not just about obtaining information; it's about all of us facing future challenges together, without leaving anyone behind, and moving toward the future we desire!"
She didn't use any flowery language, but the heartfelt conviction to protect everyone, and her unreserved trust and sense of responsibility, held more power than any words. Many students looked at her, the panic in their eyes gradually replaced by a sense of determination.
In the afternoon, at dismissal time.
As Ichinose was preparing to leave the classroom, a calm voice called out to her.
"Ichinose."