"Do you have other ideas? Continue," Horikita Manabu said flatly, clearly not believing that Shimizu Akira only had that one thought.
"Of course I do." Shimizu Akira nodded.
"Since the rules for the exam papers are so strict, can I use points to buy scores for the midterm exam?"
"You cannot buy scores for other classes," Horikita Manabu denied imdiately, then added, "But you can buy scores for your own class—100,000 points per point."
"That certainly isn't cheap," Shimizu Akira clicked his tongue.
Horikita Manabu did not respond, simply waiting for him to continue.
"Then conversely, can I spend 100,000 points to reduce another student's score by one point?" Shimizu Akira followed up with a new question.
Horikita Manabu raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. "You surely don't harbor that much hostility toward Class D, do you? Or is there soone in the class you find particularly disagreeable?"
"I'm mainly afraid of others making a move against ," Shimizu Akira said calmly.
Horikita Manabu tilted his head, sowhat surprised.
"With your caution, you still need to worry about that?"
He paused briefly, his tone becoming certain.
"However, I can tell you clearly: there is no such possibility. The rules only allow for adding points, purely out of rcy for those failing students who are just one or two points short. After all, the school ultimately promotes cooperation—the class is a single entity. Otherwise, why do you think you were notified on the first day that your class and horoom teacher wouldn't change for three years?"
Shimizu Akira finally let out a sigh of relief, the tension between his brows dissipating. It wasn't that he truly wished for a classmate to be expelled; he was simply worried about soone tripping him up behind his back—who could say for sure in this school? It was just a question.
Seeing his look of relief followed by lingering doubt, Horikita Manabu suddenly realized: this person had probably been bottling up a week's worth of questions. But on second thought, considering the boy had looked after his sister on many occasions and was now a candidate for Student Council Vice President, he didn't mind. He gave a slight wave of his hand, signaling for him to continue the questions.
"President, how much authority does a horoom teacher actually have?"
"Not as much as you think. This school has always promoted students discovering and solving problems autonomously. On the surface, the school strictly forbids teachers from interfering in student affairs; they aren't even allowed to establish positions like Class Rep—any violation results in not just fines, but disciplinary marks. The authority of the Student Council is far greater than that of the teachers."
He added as if suddenly rembering sothing: "Speaking of which, sothing like this happened in your First-Year Class D during the first month. Chabashira Sae-sensei appointed two 'Vice-Class Reps,' right? I heard about this; she had a significant portion of her salary deducted because of it."
Hearing this, Shimizu Akira found it quite interesting.
So even Vice-Class Reps weren't allowed to be established? In that case, Chabashira Sae-sensei had actually done quite a few out-of-line things behind the scenes for Class D.
"You shouldn't have any more questions, right?"
Horikita Manabu felt his throat go dry and took a sip of tea.
Shimizu Akira's questions today were indeed nurous; he estimated the boy had no more doubts. Overall, he was satisfied with the performance. The fact that the boy even thought of modifying the papers had exceeded his expectations. After all, the senpai who thought of that thod in the previous year successfully graduated from Class A.
Shimizu Akira gave a slightly embarrassed smile. After the other party put down the teacup, he spoke cautiously: "Actually, I have a few more questions to ask. The second and third years should also have special exams, right?"
"They do exist," Horikita Manabu nodded slightly.
"However, the third-year papers are currently unobtainable, as there is no higher grade to trade with."
"But if I think about it, theoretically, at this ti last year, it should have been possible to buy midterm papers from the then-third-year students, right?" Shimizu Akira pressed.
"The third-years did not buy them," Horikita Manabu answered frankly, his tone calm.
"Not everyone is as far-sighted as you. For us back then, the third-year exams felt too distant to be worth the effort. The gap between Class A and Class B points was also very large. So... you haven't already collected the first-year and second-year papers, have you?"
Since the third-year midterms hadn't happened yet, it was naturally impossible for Shimizu Akira to have their papers. At most, he could have obtained the first- and second-year midterm papers from the current third-year students.
"Well! Actually, I only have the first-year papers," Shimizu Akira waved his hand with slight embarrassnt. "I just suddenly thought of the possibility; I didn't necessarily think that far ahead."
Shimizu Akira rubbed his chin and tossed out another question. "Then, President, do you know if the third-year senpais have ever sold the first-year or second-year papers?"
Horikita Manabu was visibly stunned, a flicker of surprise crossing his gaze behind his glasses. "You..." Why ask that all of a sudden? After a brief silence, he picked up his phone. "Wait while I confirm."
Notification sounds chid repeatedly. Horikita Manabu scanned the screen, his expression gradually becoming subtle. "Not currently..." He stopped suddenly and looked up at Shimizu Akira.
"However, Sato from our class says—he has already given the first-year papers to you."
Shimizu Akira naturally picked up the conversation.
"About that... I am indeed aware. Since that is the case, President, I feel it is ti to repay your favor."
"You say you are here to repay a favor?" Horikita Manabu looked at him with surprise.
"I rember I did help you last month. However, that favor is not sothing so easily repaid."
The total transaction last ti was as high as 12 million points; a 30% cut would be 3.6 million points. Horikita Manabu suddenly leaned forward. "Are you saying you intend to transfer 3.6 million points to directly?"
Shimizu Akira shook his head gently.
"Of course not through a thod as simple as points. I am referring to a proposal—an opportunity for the President to easily earn over five million points."
Horikita Manabu's eyes flashed. "Oh? Only I can do it? You can't do it yourself?"
Shimizu Akira t his gaze squarely and nodded slowly. "Yes, this matter must be handled by the President. For anyone else—including myself—it would be impossible to succeed. I hope the President will sell the second-year midterm papers to Nagumo Miyabi for at least five million points."
"Five million?" Horikita Manabu's brow quirked, but he didn't imdiately reject it. He gestured for him to continue.
"Tell your plan."
"Nagumo Miyabi has already taken control of all four classes in the second year," Shimizu Akira said.
"They are also facing a special exam now, but unlike the first-years, they can only buy papers from the third-years. When I happened to encounter them at the dessert shop, I overheard key intel—to save points, Nagumo Miyabi forbade other classes from buying papers; they can only be purchased by him personally."
Horikita Manabu tapped his finger on the desk.
"So you an..."
"As long as the President can persuade all third-year students to stick to a unified stance and jointly block the sale of papers to the second-years," Shimizu Akira looked directly at him, "it will force Nagumo Miyabi to buy them at a high price."
Horikita Manabu suddenly chuckled. "Interesting. But why do you think I can achieve that?"
"Because," Shimizu Akira said word by word, "you are the most outstanding Student Council President since this school was founded. Furthermore, Senpai Sato personally said—the entire third year, all four classes, are still under your leadership, holding the line against Nagumo Miyabi."
Horikita Manabu narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Even so, I am curious: why must Nagumo buy them? The second-years have already experienced one special exam; they should have a decent academic foundation by now."
Shimizu Akira held up three fingers as if prepared.
"Three reasons.
First, since the first-year papers have already shown questions clearly beyond the syllabus, following this trend, the second-year papers will inevitably have similar situations. More importantly, the average score of this exam directly affects class points. If I were Nagumo Miyabi, I would definitely buy the papers to raise the overall second-year class points and the total amount of 'tribute' points.
Second, Nagumo Miyabi has already made a promise to the four classes that he would be fully responsible for purchasing the papers. If he breaks his word, with his proud personality, he probably wouldn't be able to tolerate losing face in public.
Third, if he chooses to forgo the purchase, he will also face the risk of his prestige being swept away, and the four classes will no longer be so obedient. This would not only give the third-years breathing room but also create an opportunity for internal unrest from other factions—such as the internal opposition within the second year. This is likely the outco Nagumo Miyabi wants to see least."
Shimizu Akira looked directly into Horikita Manabu's eyes, his tone decisive: "So this isn't a multiple-choice question; it's a mandatory one. Nagumo Miyabi must buy; he has no choice. With the points in his hands, five million shouldn't be difficult for him. Of course, it is up to you
to decide, President. Whether you don't sell to him or you sell to him, it is an action that is purely beneficial and harmless for you."
"I have one question." Horikita Manabu's gaze deepened.
"How do you know Nagumo Miyabi has a large amount of points?"
Shimizu Akira was montarily startled but quickly regained his composure.
"I naturally have my own sources of information."
Horikita Manabu rested his chin on his hands, his fingertips lightly touching his brow as he pondered for a mont.
Interesting. Truly interesting.
He hadn't expected Shimizu Akira's visit today to be for the purpose of helping him weaken Nagumo Miyabi's influence. The boy's suggestion to monopolize the third-year paper market to strike at Nagumo—upon careful thought, the logic held up.
He understood Nagumo Miyabi better than anyone. Though the man had character flaws, he usually followed through on what he promised; otherwise, he wouldn't have been allowed to join the Student Council as Vice President. It could only be said that their ideologies were ultimately different.
Nagumo Miyabi must buy the papers; this was his Achilles' heel.
He had always led the four classes through overwhelming intelligence and force, dangling the three other classes with the carrot of a "random lottery to promote to Class A." But if one day those followers found that their "leader" couldn't even obtain a single exam paper, would they still listen obediently? The four classes didn't have much respect for Nagumo to begin with; the mont he failed to deliver, they would seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
Even if Nagumo Miyabi wanted to flip the table and report the papers, he couldn't—that would be no different from admitting defeat, and all second-year classes, especially Class C and D, would be resentful. After all, if a class could gain over 90 points through old papers, what right did he have to strip them of that? Even Class A might not answer everything correctly when facing out-of-syllabus questions, let alone the other classes.
However... Horikita Manabu suddenly looked up at Shimizu Akira.
"Have you considered another possibility? Perhaps the second-years didn't buy papers from the third-years, but maybe soone back in their first year already obtained the second-year midterm papers from graduated senpais?"
Shimizu Akira was stunned for a mont, then shook his head.
"If you didn't think of it, President, then I naturally didn't either. But I think the probability is high that no one in the second year thought of that level. Since the entire second year is
dominated by Nagumo Miyabi and even he didn't buy them in advance, it stands to reason that others wouldn't have the idea either."
"Correct, your deduction is perfectly accurate." The corner of Horikita Manabu's mouth curled into a faint arc.
"I can tell you clearly: indeed, no one in the second year thought of that. Nagumo Miyabi was the only one who found out about the old papers, and at the ti, he bought the first-year midterm papers from . I only began to pay attention to him because Class B's average score exceeded 90 points."
Shimizu Akira's expression shifted slightly.
"Nagumo Miyabi... started in Class B? That is unexpected."
Horikita Manabu picked up his tea, the rising steam blurring his gaze behind his glasses. "Why? Did you think he was an elite of Class A from the start?"
"I did think so," Shimizu Akira admitted frankly. "Given his current style..."
"It was precisely that arrogance that hard him." Horikita Manabu took a sip of tea.
"During the entrance exam, his condescending personality was fully exposed. Just like now—he dares to talk loudly in public about things as shady as forbidding other classes from buying papers.
So this ti, you've caught his greatest weakness." He showed a rare look of approval. "Shimizu, this 'gift' of yours is indeed a pleasant surprise."
Horikita Manabu had to admit—for the third year as a whole, this was undoubtedly a magnificent thing. He indeed felt Nagumo Miyabi's influence growing stronger, already reaching toward Third-Year Class D.
Thus, as long as he ordered the third-years to ban sales to the second-years, he could weaken the opposition whether he forced Nagumo to pay a sky-high price or simply let him fend for himself by not selling at all.
After all, he knew better than anyone that papers could only be bought from students, not teachers.
"You are the first person since the school's founding to think of using a monopoly on papers to earn a vast amount of points. I must say, more than your logic, I am surprised that as a first-year freshman, you aren't just looking at the first-years; you are even involved in the dynamics of the second and third years. I am truly coming to appreciate you more and more."
To be frank, students from previous years likely wouldn't have thought of this thod. It wasn't that they weren't smart; it was just that this specific year was too unique. They had Nagumo Miyabi ruling the four classes of the second year, and Manabu himself leading the
four classes of the third year. Without those prerequisites, selling a "sky-high price" paper would be impossible.
"One last question: why do you think I would agree to your proposal?" Horikita Manabu smiled faintly, clearly intending to continue testing him.
"I clearly said the Student Council would not use such ans to make a profit."
"The Student Council is a neutral faction and indeed shouldn't use such thods to obtain points. However, maintaining the balance between year levels is surely one of the Student Council's important responsibilities. There is clearly a problem with the second year."
Shimizu Akira responded neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"If you truly do not want these points, President, you can turn them over to the school or quietly distribute them to other second-year students. The most pressing matter right now is to teach Nagumo Miyabi a lesson—after all, since the beginning of the term, the Student Council hasn't recruited a single freshman. Isn't it because of Nagumo Miyabi that you have been shelving this matter? Most importantly, Nagumo Miyabi seems to have his eye on your sister. As her brother, do you intend to remain indifferent?"
"...Suzune?!" Horikita Manabu looked up sharply, his voice filled with unbelievable shock. His face darkened instantly.
"Are you saying Nagumo Miyabi wants to make a move on Suzune?"
"He likely wants to provoke you on purpose."
Looking at his suddenly tense expression, Shimizu Akira noted that this was the first ti he had seen the Student Council President lose his composure like this. Being blood-related siblings, it seed this usually cold President actually held his sister in very high regard.
Horikita Manabu's fingers tapped the desk, the rhythm half a beat faster than before. He was silent for a mont, his Adam's apple bobbing once before he spoke slowly: "I agree to cooperate with you."
Shimizu Akira stood quietly opposite him, not interrupting. He knew his words had hit the mark—Horikita Manabu might tolerate Nagumo Miyabi ssing around in the arena of power or using points to win people over, but he would never allow anyone to target Horikita Suzune.
That was the weakness hidden beneath the President's cold shell, his most untouchable "reverse scale."
Horikita Manabu's gaze fell back on Shimizu Akira, the previous turbulence completely gone, leaving only his usual indifference.
"But you were wrong about one thing. Five million? Too little. The points in Nagumo Miyabi's hands are far more than that."
"What do you an, President?"
"Sell them for at least ten million points."
"You're quite greedy," Shimizu Akira quipped imdiately.
Horikita Manabu was slightly taken aback; the words sounded familiar—thinking back, he had said sothing similar to him last month.
"After the matter is done, I will transfer three million personal points from my private account to you as a reward. As for the large amount of points obtained from Nagumo Miyabi, I will discuss with the school how to handle them legitimately. Rest assured, even if this transaction ultimately fails, I will still give you points."
"Wait? I don't want points; I ca to repay a favor!"
"Wishful thinking. You want to clear a favor for just three million points!"
"So, what exactly do you want to do? Just say it directly."
"It is not yet the ti."
"Huh?..."
Shimizu Akira turned to leave. When he reached the door, he heard Horikita Manabu's voice from behind.
"You were right just now." The Student Council President's tone returned to its usual flatness. "The Student Council indeed needs to recruit so freshn. Keep an eye out for the upcoming recruitnt announcent; I have specifically relaxed the conditions. Even those who have joined clubs can join the Student Council.
One more thing—it is a personal request. I hope you... look after Suzune for ."
Shimizu Akira's footsteps paused. When he turned back, he t Horikita Manabu's gaze. There was no scrutiny in those eyes anymore; instead, there was a hint of a request.
"I understand. Since it's the President's request, I will put my heart into doing it."
After answering, he gently closed the office door.
By the ti Shimizu Akira left the Student Council, it was already 6:30 PM.
Overall, this trip to the Student Council was as satisfying as the last, especially the "business deal" finalized at the end. He had originally intended to use this matter to clear the favor he owed Horikita Manabu from last month, but he hadn't expected the other party to insist on giving him a three-million-point cut.
'The President's kindness is truly bottomless.'
Even more unexpected was that when he checked his phone, there was an additional 500,000 points transferred by the President. The mo read: "Fee for looking after Horikita Suzune."
This was likely what one would call a "nanny fee."
'Nagumo Miyabi is probably going to have a rough ti now.'
From the beginning, Shimizu Akira didn't believe Nagumo Miyabi could be a match for Horikita Manabu. A bit of thought made it obvious: back in the day, Horikita Manabu had entered the school as a freshman and fairly defeated all the senpais in the second and third years to seize the position of Student Council President.
He was the "strongest senpai" whom even the teachers praised incessantly; no matter how impressive Nagumo Miyabi was, could he really compare?
Furthermore, Nagumo Miyabi was soone Horikita Manabu had personally brought into the Student Council. One could only say that Manabu likely couldn't be bothered to deal with him before and didn't take him seriously at all. Otherwise, with the authority of the Student Council President, there were plenty of ways to handle Nagumo.
Just like this ti—he could sense that the President seed a bit angry. This ti, the President was likely going to make a real move.
Shimizu wasn't actually targeting Nagumo on purpose; he had only cooked up this sche purely to repay the favor.
'I recall the intel said Nagumo Miyabi would co to buy the papers at 7:00 PM tonight, right?'
Shimizu Akira glanced at the third item of his Daily Intel again to confirm he hadn't misrembered. Just now, Horikita Manabu had used his phone in front of him to notify all the third-year classes. With the President's order, it was unlikely anyone in the third year would dare sell the papers to anyone in the second year now.
On one hand, it was because Horikita Manabu was so outstanding as President that his authority was deeply rooted. On the other hand, it was likely because Nagumo Miyabi's reputation was truly terrible—he had heard from Chabashira Sae last month that Nagumo actually wanted to interfere with the third year and control a class there just as he dominated the second year.
Against such a person, it was perfectly reasonable for Class A to refuse to sell him the papers.
'Actually, whether Nagumo Miyabi can buy the papers or not doesn't have much to do with anymore. I've already said everything I needed to say.'
Strictly speaking, Shimizu Akira had already provided the thod to Horikita Manabu. Whether the third-years eventually sold them to Nagumo at a high price, refused to sell them entirely, or if so student "accidentally" leaked the papers was no longer his concern.
For Horikita Manabu, this was a textbook case of killing two birds with one stone: selling the papers would bring in a massive amount of points easily; not selling them would severely damage Nagumo Miyabi's prestige in the second year.
For Shimizu Akira, it was killing three birds with one stone: if they sold, he'd get a substantial commission; if they didn't, it served to repay last month's favor; and even if the intel was leaked, Horikita Manabu had already said he would compensate him with 3 million points regardless.
In summary, neither Shimizu nor Horikita would lose; the only one potentially getting hurt was Nagumo Miyabi—he would either bleed points or have his reputation thoroughly ruined.
'Hasn't he always wanted to force the President to use his real skills and fight him fair and square? In a way, I'm granting him his wish.'
Shimizu Akira even felt that even if his intentions were exposed, Nagumo Miyabi—given his personality—might actually "reward" him instead. After all, according to that senpai with the sunflower hairpin, the man's head was filled with nothing but the desire for a direct confrontation with Horikita Manabu. And now, the President's counterattack was coming; it remained to be seen if Nagumo could handle it.
'Wait? Weren't those two dating?'
He only just realized—that senpai girl who looked decent had just let Nagumo Miyabi go off to hit on Horikita Suzune the mont they entered the office. It seed they weren't dating. But then, what exactly was her relationship with Nagumo? That was a question for another ti.
A light evening breeze blew past, and Shimizu Akira decided to stop thinking about Student Council problems. Anyway, Horikita Manabu would notify him if there was any news.
"Speaking of which, I have one more person to thank."
Thinking of this, Shimizu logged into his anonymous account and sent a word of thanks to Sakayanagi Arisu.
Yue: Thanks for the intel.
Thinking carefully, he couldn't have pushed his plan forward so smoothly without her ntion that "students can only buy papers from students." If students could buy them from teachers, his entire argunt with Horikita Manabu would have fallen apart.
Deep down, Princess Sakayanagi was actually quite kind. She gave him 100,000 points on the first day and created the opportunity for him to et Kamuro Masumi.
In the second month, she let Kamuro deliver "benefits" to his door and even indirectly pushed forward the plan against Nagumo—of course, she didn't do that last part on purpose.
Shimizu Akira suddenly worried: if she ever realized all this... would she get so angry she'd end up in the infirmary? After all, the young lady's health wasn't great.
Yue: Little Princess, rember to exercise more often, and drink less coffee in the future.
Sakayanagi Arisu frowned at her phone screen, the words "Little Princess" appearing exceptionally piercing.
?
Sitting by the window in the cafe, she couldn't fathom the other party's thoughts at all. Why send such a bizarre reminder out of nowhere? Had he lost his mind? She was the one who had stepped in to stop him from reselling the papers, yet he sent a "thank you"—the logic was absurd.
Sakayanagi picked up her coffee and took a sip, trying to suppress the irritation in her heart. The warm liquid slid down her throat, but her heart skipped a beat at an inopportune mont. It must be because of that nonsensical ssage.
As she grumbled inwardly, her gaze inadvertently swept across the distance, only to see a student with eye-catching blond hair walking straight toward her with a flippant smile on his face.
"Excuse , kouhai, would you be interested in getting to know each other?" The person stopped at her table and introduced himself confidently.
"I am Nagumo Miyabi from Second-Year Class A, the current Student Council Vice President."
Sakayanagi Arisu looked up, a polite but distant smile curling on her lips. "I'm sorry, I have no interest in you."
With that, she picked up her cane from the table and turned to leave without a hint of hesitation.
Student Council Vice President? So he was just a deputy; and supposedly, the Student Council had several vice presidents. If he were the President, she might have felt a tiny bit of interest. As for a "vice," forget it.
Her head was currently full of thoughts about that mysterious person; she had no ti to entertain a subordinate.
Nagumo Miyabi withdrew his gaze awkwardly, feeling that his luck lately had been absolutely abysmal.
Earlier at the Student Council, he had been fuming after being snapped at by Horikita Suzune, but because she was the President's sister, he had to force himself to endure it. But who was this silver-haired girl just now? How dare she ignore him like that?
'She's just soone leaning on a cane, looking physically weak... I won't touch a woman like that.'
It was a fact that Nagumo Miyabi had a preference for beautiful girls, but he had his own bottom line—at the very least, he would never make a move on a woman who appeared to be in poor health. His main concern was avoiding trouble; if the school caught wind of it and disciplined him, the loss would outweigh the gain. He was, after all, the Student Council Vice President. Once Horikita Manabu graduated, the President's seat would eventually be his. There was no need to leave a stain on his record over a girl with a cane.
The phone in his pocket vibrated incessantly, making his already irritable mood even worse. Nagumo impatiently pulled it out. The screen displayed a ssage from the Class Rep of Second-Year Class C:
Class Rep, 2nd-Year Class C: Vice President, how is the matter with the exam papers coming along?
Class Rep, 2nd-Year Class C: Um, I'm not trying to rush you, but it's always safer to get them in hand early.
Not just Class C—other classes, including Class A, were sending roundabout ssages, all essentially reminding him to hurry up and buy the papers. Nagumo's temper flared instantly.
Nagumo Miyabi: What's the rush? Do you think the papers are going to grow legs and run away?
Nagumo Miyabi: Do you people still want to promote to Class A in the future or not?
Nagumo was already in a bad mood, and with the embarrassnt of his failed flirtation just now, he had nowhere to vent his pent-up rage. He poured it all onto these people. Sure enough, the person ssaging him went silent imdiately.
After all, Nagumo Miyabi had long ago promised these classes that as long as they were obedient, they would all have a chance to promote to Class A—even if they hadn't saved enough points to buy a "ticket," there was a tiny probability of promoting via "lottery." As for how high that lottery probability actually was or what the criteria were? Was it truly random, or was he manipulating things behind the scenes? The answer would only be revealed when all second-years entered their third year.
But for Nagumo, it was enough that he could keep these people obedient. At least this way, during these months of the second year, he would have a steady stream of "tributes" to collect—that was the key.
His purpose for coming to the cafe was actually to find any random third-year student and buy the papers from them. However, it was one thing for him to plan to do it, and quite another for others to pressure him into doing it.
'These people really have no patience. I'd better get the papers and hand them over as soon as possible.'
Thinking this, Nagumo glanced at his phone—exactly 7:00 PM. He carelessly scanned the other seats in the cafe, and his gaze suddenly froze: a senpai girl in a third-year uniform was sitting alone, her figure looking sowhat solitary.
'Hmm? She's actually quite good-looking.
Perfect, I'll just buy the papers from her. While I'm at it, I'll ask for her contact info; maybe there will be a chance to ask her out later.'
Nagumo straightened his collar, put on his usual flippant smile, and walked toward the third-year senpai's table. He deliberately lightened his steps, paused briefly by her side, and then spoke: "Are you alone, Senpai? You don't mind if I sit here, do you? My na is Nagumo Miyabi, and my position is Student Council Vice President."
The senpai looked up, revealing a face that wasn't stunning but was very clean and elegant. Her eyes held a hint of wariness. "Is sothing the matter?"
"Nothing major." Nagumo pulled out the chair and sat down, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "Senpai, do you have the second-year midterm papers? I'll offer 20,000 points to buy them. How about it?"
20,000 points was the standard price for exam papers. He figured that for an unremarkable-looking senpai like her, a bribe would be the most effective thod.
"I'm sorry, Vice President," the senpai's tone was as calm as still water. "I cannot sell the papers to you."
"What do you an?! Is it because my price is too low?" Nagumo was stunned and asked back.
"It's not a matter of price." The senpai looked up at him, her tone devoid of emotion.
"I am from Third-Year Class A."
"...So that's how it is." Nagumo pondered for a mont, and the confusion on his face vanished. Since she was from Class A, she naturally didn't lack points. He assud it was the pride of an honor student, disdaining private transactions. It seed he would have to target those who were short on points.
Shifting the conversation, he put on another smile: "...Senpai, would you like to exchange contact information? If you're free on a day off, shall we go out together?"
"Are you paying in points?" the senpai suddenly looked up and asked, her tone unreadable.
"Naturally!" Nagumo replied imdiately, rejoicing inwardly—as expected, points always worked.
"Points, huh..." The senpai trailed off slightly, then shook her head.
"Actually, I don't really lack them. My apologies."
"By the way, could you leave this table?" the senpai said suddenly, her tone carrying a coldness that brooked no refusal.
"I've arranged to et a male student."
Before Nagumo could react, a figure had already walked up to him. Like him, the newcor had eye-catching blond hair, but the lazy yet noble aura he carried was diatrically opposite to Nagumo's.
"Koenji-kun, you're finally here." The senpai, who had been indifferent just a mont ago, suddenly broke into a brilliant smile the mont she saw him, standing up proactively to greet him.
"I ran into a few friendly senpais on the way who insisted on asking for my contact info! Being popular is truly a burden!" Koenji's voice was much more refreshing than Nagumo had anticipated.
"So, who are you? And why are you sitting in my seat? You don't look like you simply took a wrong turn." Koenji's gaze landed on the blond man, his lips curling into a playful arc. "Interesting. So, are you here to hit on my date?"
"Don't mind him," the senpai said, reaching out to press Koenji's arm and lightheartedly changing the subject.
"He's just the school's Student Council Vice President. What use are more points or greater authority? Speaking of which, after I graduate from university, can I join your Koenji Corporation?"
"Senpai, you are quite adorably blunt!" Koenji laughed loudly. "But have you forgotten? This school doesn't seem to allow contact with the outside world."
"When I leave the school, wouldn't it be fine if I have your personal signature! Your family will surely arrange a job for . I'm counting on you! I'll do anything, Kouhai." The senpai looked up at him, her tone intentionally fawning.
Nagumo Miyabi stood up silently and left the seat with a humiliated expression.
So he was a rich young master? No wonder the third-year senpai was so warm toward him. His own points and status were indeed of no use to a third-year senpai who was about to graduate.
'What is wrong with these people?! Why does every single one of them seem completely unafraid of ?'
Nagumo later approached several more third-year senpais, but he was rejected one after another. The reasons were identical to the first senpai—they didn't lack points either, and no matter how much he raised the price, they said they weren't interested. Even Nagumo himself began to sense that sothing was wrong.
Right at that mont, he received a long-awaited phone call. It was actually the President calling him proactively. He answered without hesitation. But the content on the other end left him completely stunned.
"Nagumo, I have already notified all third-year students that they are forbidden from selling exam papers to you." Horikita Manabu's voice sounded more like a mundane announcent. "If you want the midterm papers, then bring ten million points to to buy them."
.
.
.
Saturday and Sunday were, to Shimizu Akira, proper rest days. Even though his status was rely that of a student, he was essentially receiving a "salary" from this school—paid out in private points, of course.
With over ten million points currently in his possession, as long as he didn't consider the massive cost of transferring classes, he could live quite luxuriously for the next three years and still have plenty to spare.
After all, this school didn't seem to have many facilities that were particularly point-heavy.
At 6:20 AM, the mont Shimizu Akira pushed open his door, the neighboring door opened simultaneously, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's figure ca into view. He was carrying an empty trash bin; looking at the situation, he had likely just returned from taking out the trash.
Akira rembered that he owed the guy one from last ti—it was Ayanokouji's hint that had allowed him to perceive Kushida Kikyo's intentions early and start his phone recording in ti. Though he had treated him to coffee afterward as a thank-you, the debt felt lingering.
"Ayanokouji-kun, want to go for a run together?" Shimizu Akira offered a tentative invitation, his eyes landing on the other's calm face.
"Why invite ?" Ayanokouji paused slightly, his voice devoid of much emotion.
"I always feel like several pairs of eyes are staring at when I run—it feels like no fewer than five people," Shimizu Akira said seriously, not joking.
"With you by my side, I'll probably feel more at ease. As a thank-you, I'll buy breakfast today."
"…Fine." After a brief silence, Ayanokouji actually agreed directly.
Shimizu Akira was actually stunned for a second. He had prepared himself to be rejected; after all, this classmate always carried an air of detachnt. He hadn't expected him to be so straightforward.
.
.
.
The two walked side-by-side toward the track. Morning dew dampened the grass along the path, and the air was filled with the faint, fresh scent of greenery. Shimizu glanced sideways at Ayanokouji, who wore simple sportswear. His pace was neither fast nor slow, yet his expression remained blank.
"By the way, Ayanokouji-kun, do you usually run at this ti?" Shimizu broke the silence.
"Occasionally," Ayanokouji replied succinctly, his gaze fixed on the track stretching ahead as if he were asuring sothing.
The synthetic track glowed with a dark red luster under the morning light, with a few scattered early-rising students jogging. The mont Ayanokouji stepped onto the track, he subconsciously scanned the surroundings.
"What's wrong?" Noticing his pause, Shimizu stopped and turned back to look at him.
"Nothing." Ayanokouji collected himself and shook his head.
Shimizu picked up his pace. "Let's go. Let's see who finishes ten laps first."
The wind rushed past their ears, carrying the morning chill. Ayanokouji's running form wasn't textbook, but it was exceptionally stable. His breathing was as steady as a trono; regardless of whether Akira sped up or slowed down, Ayanokouji maintained a distance of exactly half a step.
By the third lap, Shimizu intentionally sprinted to widen the gap, but looking back, Ayanokouji was still trailing at the sa distance, his face showing no ripple of exertion. He even had the presence of mind to keep observing the surroundings.
The two maintained a parallel rhythm and finished the entire distance at a steady pace. They sat down to rest on a bench by the track. While Shimizu was pulling at his collar to vent the heat, Ayanokouji panted softly for a few breaths and suddenly spoke:
"There are at least five girls from the first-year side staring at you while you run. The Chairman's office too. And the Student Council. There are at least seven people in total."
"Huh?" Shimizu was taken aback, only then realizing Ayanokouji was talking about the people monitoring him.
"That's why you were looking around? Wait... you were looking all over the place while running just to check that?"
Ayanokouji looked down at his hands folded on his knees. "Yeah..."
"How did you reach that conclusion?" Shimizu asked curiously.
Ayanokouji looked toward the school building. "In the high-rise dorm area where the first-year girls live, five windows had their curtains drawn at the sa ti while you were running. The Chairman's office and the Student Council were the sa; soone specifically pushed the windows open. Of course, I can't rule out a certain degree of coincidence. You can keep an eye out tomorrow."
Shimizu followed his gaze. The windows of the high-rise area were arranged densely; most were currently tightly shut, with only a few scattered ones open.
So! Kamuro Masumi and those girls really have nothing better to do than get up in the morning to watch his "live-stread" run?!
"Shimizu-kun," Ayanokouji's gaze fell on his face, "You seem to know exactly who is monitoring you. Otherwise, you wouldn't look so... unsurprised."
Shimizu twitched his lips. "I guess." His voice carried a hint of helplessness.
"A few people already 'greeted' about it. But even knowing it's them, being stared at for the whole run still feels uncomfortable. Though, hearing you say it, the head count doesn't match—there are a few extra people."
He knew the usual suspects: Horikita Suzune, Kushida Kikyo, Kamuro Masumi, plus the Chairman. But he never expected soone in the Student Council was watching too. He could rule out the President—Shimizu didn't think Horikita Manabu was the type for such trivialities.
His gaze swept toward the Student Council office. He wondered which bored fellow was sitting in there. Could it be Nagumo Miyabi?
"Anyway, Ayanokouji-kun, thanks for the analysis, even though that wasn't my original intention at all." Shimizu stood up from the bench.
"?" Ayanokouji looked at him with so surprise. "Didn't you invite to run just so I could help you deal with the surveillance?"
"Uh... you're overthinking it!" Shimizu looked at him, speechless.
"What normal person stares at the school building windows while running? Who else but you would analyze all that? I just invited you for a run! At most, I wanted soone to help block their line of sight."
"But last ti Yamauchi invited out for a stroll, he treated to a drink after we went out and then asked to create a chance for him to have a 'coincidental' encounter with Kushida-san," Ayanokouji said matter-of-factly.
"?! You agreed? You let yourself be bought for just one drink?"
"No, I refused, because I'm not very close with Kushida-san."
Shimizu felt like there was a hidden aning in those words.
Ayanokouji actually compared him to Yamauchi! This guy was too good at indirect insults! Who are you calling Yamauchi?!
"I'm nothing like Yamauchi; you just have poor judgnt in people! If Yamauchi acted like a decent person and treated you as a friend, he wouldn't try to dismiss you with a single drink."
Watching Ayanokouji's pensive expression, Shimizu Akira couldn't quite guess what was going on in his head.
Normally, when soone asks for a wingman, who would dismiss them with just a single bottle of soda? At the very least, you'd treat them to a proper al. Besides, Ayanokouji was clearly highly capable in all aspects; if he agreed to do sothing, there was an extrely high probability it would get done.
Shimizu Akira couldn't help but speak up: "You're being used like a tool! You're way too easy to satisfy. The price for getting you to take action is far too low."
"...A tool?" Ayanokouji glanced at Shimizu Akira strangely, a look containing so indescribable emotion.
Shimizu couldn't tell if he truly didn't understand or was just pretending, but regardless, the guy had genuinely helped him this morning—he wasn't going to be like Yamauchi and brush him off with a few hundred points.
"I'll transfer ten thousand points to you as a thank-you," Shimizu Akira said without hesitation. "This matter has been bothering for several days, after all. At least you helped clarify exactly how many people were staring at ."
"Ten thousand points?"
If Ayanokouji rembered correctly, the minimum allowance everyone received this month was only eight thousand points. This ant the person in front of him, just like himself, had barely touched his points last month aside from necessary expenses. Even so, ten thousand points was by no ans a small sum.
It was enough to show that the other party was sincerely grateful for the reminder just now. The drink Yamauchi said he'd treat him to was only two hundred points; this amount was exactly fifty tis what Yamauchi offered. Later, Yamauchi had even forced him to treat him back because he hadn't fulfilled the "agreent."
'Shimizu Akira is actually a very decent person.'
Ayanokouji silently reached a conclusion in his mind.
He treated him to coffee last ti, invited him for a run this ti, warned him not to be soone else's tool, and was now willing to give ten thousand points as a reward.
He was different from Hirata, the recognized "good guy" of the class. Shimizu's kindness seed to be directed only toward people he was interested in.
Just like how he treated Horikita Suzune.
In Ayanokouji's eyes, Shimizu Akira's various abilities were extrely prominent; he should have been a seed player for Class A. If he were willing to step up and lead Class D, there was a
strong possibility they could go toe-to-toe with Class A. Yet, much like Ayanokouji himself, he seed to have no interest in the rise or fall of the class. In a sense, the two of them were quite alike.
"Let's go, change clothes and get breakfast. This al is on as thanks for accompanying on the run."
"Okay."
The two returned to their respective dorms to change before heading to the cafeteria together. During breakfast, Shimizu casually complained that Ayanokouji's marks of intentional point-docking were too obvious, suggesting he should use "random" point-docking next ti. After hearing this, Ayanokouji seed to snap back to reality and gave a slight nod. Whether that nod ant he actually took it to heart or was just being perfunctory, Shimizu couldn't say for sure.
The noise of the cafeteria mixed with the clatter of cutlery gave this disjointed conversation a bit of a nonchalant air. Since there were no classes today, Shimizu Akira went straight back to his dorm after eating.
As soon as 8:00 AM hit, three new pieces of intel refreshed on schedule:
[1. First-Year Class D's Karuizawa Kei will be officially dismissed by the Boxing Club President next Monday due to frequent absences.]
[2. Ayanokouji Atsuomi manages a secret educational institution called the "White Room."]
[3. At 6:00 PM today, the household goods section of the school supermarket will offer a 20% discount.]
Shimizu Akira's brow furrowed. The amount of information in the first piece of intel caught him off guard.
'Huh? She clearly only asked for one day off, right?'
He tapped on his phone to find the chat logs—it was just a few days ago. She said she was tired and only asked for one day off.
'Does this an she hasn't gone to the Boxing Club at all these past few days?'
Shimizu's mouth twitched.
Asking for one day off was understandable. But asking for several days in a row? What was that about?
He rembered clearly that when he joined the Boxing Club, the President made the rules very clear: you can ask for leave, but you must explain the situation.
Unless it's an exceptional circumstance, you absolutely cannot take more than three days off at once, otherwise, it counts as dismissal.
After all, there were only a few managers for a lot of club mbers; if one person went missing, the remaining managers had to shoulder double the workload, which was unsustainable.
As for the second piece of intel, Shimizu Akira looked at it feeling completely baffled.
'What is the "White Room"?
And who is Ayanokouji Atsuomi?'
Judging by the na, the man was likely related to Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. This intel felt unusually heavy; he didn't dare ask Ayanokouji about it on a whim, so he decided to set it aside for now.
The last one! This was the most practical intel of the day.
"So the supermarket is 20% off tonight. Perfect ti to stock up," Shimizu muttered. Even though he had plenty of points, it felt like a waste to miss a discount, so he resolved to go shopping in the evening.
After reviewing the intel, since there were no classes on the weekend, it was ti to relax. The laptop the President gave him was still on the desk. Shimizu suddenly rembered a conversation with Sotomura Hideo where he ntioned that It's MyGO! had a second season out.
"Better catch up quickly."
While thinking, he opened the laptop, searched for It's MyGO! resources on a video site, and used his points to buy a mbership. He decided to start rewatching from episode one—it had been a while since he last followed the show, and it would be more enjoyable to refresh his mory from the start.
However, by the ti he reached the third episode, dormant mories suddenly flooded back, and the trajectory of the entire plot beca clear in his mind. He recalled that episode eight featured an especially explosive scene.
"I wasn't here for the band stuff anyway!"
When he watched MyGO!, was it to see a bunch of band girls singing seriously? On the contrary, the ssy, tangled drama between them and those "band-breaking" iconic scenes were the real reasons he enjoyed it so much. After all, there are plenty of band-thed ani; if he really wanted to listen to music and watch performances, he might as well re-watch K-On! or Bocchi the Rock! several tis.
The image of the girls arguing while holding their instrunts flashed across the screen, and Shimizu Akira nodded unconsciously. He suddenly felt that the tension in this plot was much more interesting than a simple performance.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. On the computer, a questioning cry rang out: "Why are you playing Haruhikage?!"
Shimizu Akira froze, his eyes shifting away from Soyo's suddenly breaking expression on the screen.
'Who is it? Coming to the door on a weekend? And right at the climax of the plot...'
He didn't close the MyGO! player—he'd already seen it once anyway, so he wasn't afraid of missing anything. Thinking he would just quickly deal with whoever was at the door, he stood up in his slippers.
"Who is it?"
From outside the door ca a clear, slightly hurried voice: "It's , Karuizawa Kei."
Karuizawa Kei?
Shimizu Akira fell into a brief recollection, rembering that she was the one who proactively sought him out last ti as well. This ti, however, she had clearly learned her lesson and obediently announced her na. It seed she was actually capable of listening to what he said.
He didn't overthink it and pulled the door open.
"Shimizu-kun!" Upon seeing him, Karuizawa Kei's eyes flickered with a strange nervousness. "Um... can I co into your room to talk? I have sothing very important to tell you."
"...Mhm." Shimizu Akira nodded.
She responded by slipping off her shoes and walking quickly into the room. After a mont's thought, she chose not to sit on the bed and instead stood in the center of the room.
"...Shimizu-kun, you still rember our agreent from last month, right?"
"Yes, I rember. You pay 80,000 points, I get you into the Boxing Club, and I'm responsible for protecting you."
"...Is that so?!" Karuizawa Kei let out a visible sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping with the release of tension.
"The thing is... I actually ran into so trouble yesterday." Karuizawa's voice dropped a bit lower.
"What trouble? Tell about it." Shimizu thought to himself: Is she being bullied by people from another class?
"During the study group last night, Yukimura Teruhiko suddenly lashed out at Matsushita Chiaki. He said she always looks like she's buried in her books, but her test scores are diocre. It was so grating to listen to that I couldn't help but start an argunt with him. Then Hasebe Haruka and Miyake Akito suddenly chid in and started backing Yukimura up right away."
"...And then?"
"What do you an 'and then'?" Karuizawa blinked, not understanding what he was getting at.
"Who got hit? Or what happened?" Shimizu followed up bluntly.
"No one!" She waved her hands frantically. "Those three wouldn't resort to physical violence no matter what, but their words were so aggressive! They said Chiaki simply isn't cut out for studying and that she's just wasting her effort!"
"Uh..." Shimizu's eyes narrowed slightly.
This sounded like a primary school tiff. Had he sohow beco a teacher diating a playground dispute? Though, co to think of it, was Karuizawa Kei's action a way of standing up for Matsushita Chiaki?
"You couldn't win the argunt? Aren't you a gyaru?" Shimizu raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Logically, a gyaru should be a sharp-tongued presence in the class; how could she lose a verbal spat to soone else?
"Hasebe and Miyake have such venomous tongues! Even with Maya and combined, we couldn't win against one of them!" ntioning this, Karuizawa couldn't help but snort coldly, her tone full of defiance.
"They aim right for the sore spots, making everything about our grades, and they even tried to force us to morize the exam papers, saying we shouldn't drag the class down."
Shimizu Akira nodded upon hearing this. He had an impression of Hasebe Haruka, Yukimura Teruhiko, and Miyake Akito; he often saw them huddled together studying, so they were likely close friends.
As for Hasebe and Miyake speaking harshly? He could guess why. Those two had similar personalities—usually quiet, but once they started on a topic of interest, they beca talkative and were always piercingly honest. It was likely this bluntness, bordering on sarcasm, that had set Karuizawa off.
As for Yukimura Teruhiko, he was a typical honor student who couldn't stand poor-performing students. It wasn't surprising that he would question Matsushita Chiaki's effort.
However, Shimizu knew Matsushita Chiaki all too well. It wasn't that she didn't work hard; she was just like Ayanokouji Kiyotaka, deliberately suppressing her scores. In that sense, this entire conflict was one big misunderstanding.
Looking at Karuizawa's puffed-up, angry face, he found it a bit amusing. This classmate of his probably still had no idea that the person she was protecting was actually hiding her true strength.
"So what do you want to say? You don't want to teach them a lesson, do you?" Shimizu didn't know what Karuizawa was actually thinking, so he tested her on purpose.
If she asked him to physically retaliate, then he wouldn't bother signing any protection agreent with her in the future. This kind of petty drama didn't warrant getting physical.
"..." Karuizawa was stunned; she hadn't actually thought that far ahead.
It was just that during breakfast this morning, Hasebe Haruka had given her a cold glance, and she had pathetically looked away. Feeling like she had lost face and fearing she wouldn't be able to hold her head high in class, the idea of having Shimizu help her reclaim her dignity had suddenly popped into her head. As for how big a "lesson" it should be, she didn't think it needed to be extre.
"First, help badmouth those three a bit!" Karuizawa suddenly muttered with her head down, her voice carrying a stubborn awkwardness.
"Huh?" Shimizu hadn't expected her to make such a request.
"Just a few insults!" She looked up, her eyes showing a mix of pleading and defiance.
"I'll feel better after hearing it! It won't be too late to think of sothing else after that!"
"No." Shimizu refused without a second thought.
"Why not!" Karuizawa's eyes widened, her previous grievance now mixed with frustration.
"I don't like talking behind people's backs, and those three haven't provoked ," Shimizu answered as a matter of course.
Karuizawa glared at him, her lips moving as if she wanted to say sothing, but the frustration remained bottled in her throat. She had paid points for this! But fearing she might actually annoy him and lead him to ignore her completely, she had to swallow her words.
Looking at her like this—venting her anger silently while pretending to be submissive—Shimizu really did want to laugh.
"Then it's fine if you just listen to insult them, right!" Karuizawa blurted out, as if finally finding a vent after holding it in for so long.
"That's fine." Shimizu waved his hand, gesturing for her to proceed.
"Karuizawa-san, go ahead."
"What is that Hasebe Haruka woman's deal anyway! Does she really think she's all that just because she has a good figure? Speaking so sarcastically, acting like everyone is beneath her!" Karuizawa started with fire in her voice, her brow furrowed into a tight knot.
"And Miyake Akito, acting all cool at the Archery Club all day, but the things he says are colder than ice! Don't even get started on Yukimura; all he cares about is grades—does he have anything else in his head besides scores?"
The more she spoke, the more energized she beca. Her words ca out like rapid fire, and the grievance she had been holding back seed to leak out through her speech. Her cheeks flushed a faint red from the excitent.
Shimizu Akira leaned against the table and listened quietly, not saying a word. After a few minutes, Karuizawa finally finished her rant. Having spoken for so long, her throat was tight and dry.
"Shimizu, get a bottle of water." She said with the arrogance of soone who had just finished venting.
"Go buy it at the supermarket yourself." Shimizu glanced at her and threw her an obvious eyeroll.
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