Although I was nervous, class ended and it was time for lunch. I came out of the classroom feeling less excited than usual, and as I walked down the hallway, I saw three of my girlfriends walking by, so I approached them.
"Let's eat now, okay?"
"Yes, let's go on the rooftop today."
Arisu says so, so we head to the rooftop.
She then sits on a bench on the rooftop and eats the bento that Hiyori made, and it tastes so good that you can feel the love that Hiyori has used to make it.
We enjoy lunch for a while, but the conversation soon turns to the special exam.
"Still, don't you think this exam is extremely unreasonable? There are no students who have been expelled from the school because of the assignments they have prepared, so using common sense it would be impossible for them to prepare an assignment that would cause them to be expelled."
Arisu says so, but there is something that bothers me.
"So, is your father a scumbag who gives such unreasonable exams? Or does the board other than the chairman have a lot of authority?"
Well, I think it's probably the latter.
"There's a reason for this. Actually, my father was suspended from his job the other day, so he's currently on probation."
"Does that mean that the board of directors or acting president other than your father prepared this exam?"
"That's true. However, it is also possible to think of this test as a test prepared to expel someone from school..."
Arisu mutters that, but most likely it's related to Ayanokoji. I don't intend to spread the word, but from the perspective of students who have been expelled from school, it's perfect.
"Well, since you are a student, I can't go against them, so let's face the exam."
"I didn't have to face it, but as soon as I heard about the exam, I announced that Katsuragi would be expelled from school."
"This is rude."
Arisu bows her head slightly, but she probably has no intention of crushing Katsuragi.
Although Katsuragi is weaker as a leader than Arisu or Ryuen, he is intelligent and has athletic ability, so he has high value as a piece.
Eliminating unnecessary students is the main point.
It is irrational to eliminate talented pieces in an exam.
Perhaps the person Arisu eliminates is Totsuka, or a student who is secretly dissatisfied with Arisu being the leader.
"More than that, the problem is Hachiman-kun. Since it's you, I'm sure there's a plan, but there's no doubt that he's the last candidate in D-class."
"If Hachiman gets expelled, I will be too."
"Me too. I hate not being able to meet Hachiman-kun."
Masumi and Hiyori said this to Arisu's words. Personally, I wouldn't be too shocked if I were expelled along with the other four, but I like this school and have no intention of leaving.
"I have no intention of being expelled from school. So I have a favor to ask of you, Arisu."
"What?"
"I think there are students in your class who have connections with D-class students through club activities or something..."
"You don't have to say anything more than that. I'll send a message to the D-class students through my classmates that if Hikigaya Hachiman is expelled, I'll do my best to destroy D-class."
Arisu seems to understand what I'm trying to say and nods mid-sentence, but it's true.
If she does that, the D-class students will be hesitant to vote against me.
After all, Arisu was bullying the C-class until recently.
However, that alone cannot guarantee absolute safety, so other measures need to be taken.
"Thank you."
"Don't worry about it. Also, I think the 6 million points I received this morning were sent to me so that D-class wouldn't be able to take advantage of Hachiman-kun's points, but I will return them to you, a total 10 million on the day of the exam. If by any chance you are expelled from school, please use it to save yourself."
Arisu says so. I'm happy, but if I lose a test like this, I won't be able to succeed in the future, so I have to stop using remedies.
"That's helpful. Well, aside from talking about my class, what about class B? Is Ryūen the top candidate after all?"
I asked Hiyori next to me and she nodded.
"That's right. We were in class C when we first entered the school, but he's being praised to some extent for raising us to class B, but there are still a lot of negative votes."
I guess so. It's true that Ryūen has achieved results, but if he were to suddenly step down as leader after being violent, I'm sure there would be some students who would be dissatisfied.
"However, considering the future, I think Ryuen-kun should stay."
"That's right. To be honest, B class without Ryuen isn't that scary."
I agree. There are many students in Class B who are used to roughnecks, but none of them are as quick-witted as Ryuen, and none are as greedy for victory.
If Ryūen were to be expelled, B class would immediately drop to C class, and then to D class before moving up to 3rd year.
"However, it is true that there are no good ideas. Do you have any ideas?"
"No, it's impossible. Ryuen is hated by other classes as well."
It's not like Masumi doesn't have an immediate answer. However, it is not strange to think that it is impossible under normal circumstances.
for now...
"I can't say anything because I don't have enough information about Class B. First of all, I don't know the exact number of students who don't want Ryuen to be expelled."
There is no way to save Ryuen.
"I see...I'll talk to Ishizaki-kun later."
"Will Hachiman-kun help Ryuen-kun before then?"
"I don't have any grudge against Ryuen."
Most of the first-year students have animosity towards Ryuen, but I don't have any grudges because I haven't suffered any real harm.
In fact, if he returns as a leader, it wouldn't be a bad idea to offer to do business with him again.
While we were talking, the cell phone in my pocket started ringing.
When I took it out and checked it, I saw that I had received a call from Nagumo.
"It's a closed call."
While saying this, I move away from the three of them and press the call button.
"Hello?"
"Hikigaya? Do you have time after school? "
"I don't have any particular plans."
I'm planning on moving Matsushita, but I think it'll be fine if I move it at night.
"Then come to the rooftop at 3:30."
"Okay. I think this is about the supplementary exam for our grade, but do you have anything to prepare?"
"No, I have something to ask you, but it's a matter that you can't answer right away, so there's nothing in particular to prepare."
Ah, I see. Probably about the C class.
It's a test to delete unnecessary students, but given Ichinose's personality, it's likely that she'll be aiming for relief.
For that purpose, 20 million private points are required, but even if all the students in Class C collect the points, it probably won't be enough.
They paid me 5 million yen, and even if they didn't pay me, I think they'd be about 3 to 4 million yen short.
In other words, if Class C were to use the relief measures, they would need approximately 8 to 9 million yen.
If that happens, they'll have to borrow money from someone, but I think Nagumo and I are the only ones who can lend that much money.
However, I think Ichinose decided that asking me was too risky, so she asked Nagumo.
Nagumo, on the other hand, wants to make some sort of request to Ichinose, but since they have their own special exam to take, he probably won't be able to lend her 80-900,000 yen, so he might want to get a loan from me.
Well, this is just my prediction, so I can't say anything...but for now, I'll at least listen to the story.
"Okay. I'll meet you on the rooftop after HR on the way home."
"See you"
I hang up the call and head over to Hiyori and the others.
"from who?"
"President Nagumo. It looks like he has something to talk about after school, so please go home first."
When I answered that to Arisu, a look of pleasure began to appear in her eyes.
She was smart, and probably understood.
I'll come up with various strategies, but first I'll have to listen to Nagumo's story. In some cases, it may even be possible to trade.
After that, it is absolutely necessary to use Matsushita to coordinate the group that she will form.
This exam will be advantageous if you can form a large group.
I ate Hiyori's bento while making various plans in my head, and after I finished eating, I hung out with the three of them until the lunch break was over.
After school...
After finishing HR on the way home, I quickly leave the classroom and head for the rooftop. Fortunately, there is no wind today, so the wait isn't that bad.
After I was fiddling with my phone for a while, the door opened and Nagumo came in.
"It's okay. My homeroom teacher caught me and I was late."
"It's only a few minutes, so don't worry about it. So what are we talking about? Well, I think it's something to do with the supplementary exam or Ichinose."
Actually, I can't think of anything else.
"Well, just before I called you during lunch break today, Honami called me and asked me if I could lend her some points because she wanted to use the 20 million points relief measure for the additional exam."
I knew it. However, Ichinose is an idiot for trying to get relief by going into debt for an exam to delete unnecessary students.
If I were Ichinose, I would never choose relief measures.
Instead I would probably launch a riot against the school itself. But to do that, you need to have proper control of Praise votes given to the outside classes.
Even then, it has very little chances of success since it depends on the board of the directors. So, I stopped thinking about it.
"It's possible if you're Ichinose. By the way, is the shortfall around 9 million?"
I think the shortfall would have been about 4 million if I hadn't taken 5 million.
"That's about it. So the points I own are just over 10 million, and the maximum I can lend is 5 million."
Well, that's reasonable. Nagumo has a different special exam, and he should avoid giving away his private points completely.
And talking about that...
"You mean you want to borrow 4 million from me, right?"
"That's it"
Well, it's pretty much as expected.
"I understand that, but if you go out of your way to borrow points from me, are you imposing huge conditions on Ichinose?"
With Nagumo's influence, it wouldn't be impossible to borrow from all the second year students.
However, when he made plans against Tachibana-senpai, Nagumo loaned 20 million to the 3rd year B class, so he doesn't have much room for points.
So, he dared to say that he wanted to borrow it from me.
In other words, it is obvious that he is putting conditions on Ichinose that are so dangerous that she cannot let her classmates hear them.
"What, I haven't told Honami because I don't know if I can borrow points from you, but I'm just going to request that she date me when the points are ready."
Yeah, it's pretty much as expected.
This condition is extremely unreasonable to her, but if Ichinose values her classmates, there is a possibility that she will accept it.
but...
"I can't really recommend that condition. If you want to get Ichinose, it's better to remove the condition."
At least, it's a method I don't really want to take.
Nagumo looks at me with interest.
"Why do you think so?"
"There are two reasons. If Ichinose is unable to accept this condition and chooses to abandon her classmates, I think it's a big risk because she will lose her classmates'trust and the same goes for you from Ichinose's side."
"Well, that's true. But I don't think Honami would abandon her classmates."
"That's right. However, if this condition were to leak to the C class, Ichinose's yes-man would definitely not give the points necessary for relief. If that happens, I don't think it would be good for President Nagumo either."
Of course, Nagumo will keep her quiet, but there is no such thing in this world.
If something were to leak, it would be almost impossible for Nagumo to obtain Ichinose.
"There's definitely a point. So, what's the other reason?"
"It's a simple matter. If you use President Nagumo's method, it might be possible to have a relationship with Ichinose, but it's impossible to win her heart. As someone who knows sex where you love each other, but you can't have sex where you don't love each other."
When I hold Hiyori and the others, I give them all the love I have, and I'm happy to receive so much love from them, but I don't think there's anything more boring than sex without love.
And if you have sex without love, it will be impossible to have loving sex with your partner.
In reality, even if you can sleep with Ichinose, you'll be lucky if you make her feel pleasured like in an erotic game, but if she turns into a tuna, it's just a loss.
"For the above reasons, I don't recommend requesting a relationship as a condition for lending points to Ichinose. However, this is just my opinion, so feel free to dismiss it."
The decision is ultimately up to Nagumo.
If Nagumo still demands it, I will lend him the points. In fact, it's a chance for me to lend money to Nagumo.
But in my eyes, he will become a disgusting person.
"I can understand what you're saying. It's true that I may have been a little hasty. But it's true that there won't be many opportunities to make a big loan to Honami other than here, and I don't want to miss it."
"Well, I guess so. So please listen to my idea."
I take a deep breath and explain my opinion. Nagumo, who heard everything, gave a faint smile.
"I see. In that case, you have an advantage as well, and Honami won't know if I'm behind the scenes."
"That's fine. So what do you do?"
With Nagumo's method, he would definitely be able to obtain Ichinose's body, but he would not be able to obtain her heart.
On the other hand, if I do it my way, there is a possibility that he can obtain both body and mind, although it is not certain.
While we were talking, the phone in my pocket rang.
"You're welcome to answer it. I want to think about it for a bit."
When I said that, I took out my cell phone and saw that it was Hiyori, so I distanced myself from Nagumo and answered the call.
"Hello?"
"Ah, Hachiman-kun. I just did a class survey and found out who was good because I put a praise vote for Ryuen-kun. There are seven of us: me, Ishizaki-kun, Yamada-kun, Ibuki-san, Kaneda-kun, Komiya-kun, and Kondo-kun.''
There are 40 students in each class, and if you exclude Ryuen, there are 39 students. And if 7 people vote for praise, 32 people vote for criticism.
In other words, if there was no outside interference, Ryuen's score would be 7-32, which would be -25 points. And there are always people who hate each other behind their backs.
Considering that he'll probably get around -15 to 20 criticism votes. And if Hiyori and the others could persuade people to save Ryuen, then that's even better.
However, I already have a plan to help Ryuen, so I'll help him while I escape to a safe area.
If Horikita finds out, there will be a penalty and an annoying lecture, so let's make sure she doesn't find out.
"Okay. I'm sorry, but I'm talking to President Nagumo right now, so please leave the details for later."
"Okay. See you later.''
Hiyori ended the call, so I put away my phone and returned to Nagumo.
"That's right...I'll let you adopt your method."
"I understand. But President Nagumo is also a bad person."
"Hey! That's because you're a boomerang. You're the one who suggested that."
"I see...Ah, and I have an additional request, is that okay?"
"What?"
"Since we are handing over 9 million yen, I think we will draw up a contract, but at that time we will set a condition: "As for the praise votes that C class has for other classes, 20 votes each will be given to Hikigaya Hachiman and Ryuen Kakeru. Could you please add that?"
That way, Ryuen can escape to a safe area, and I will also have insurance in case my plan fails.
"I see. Well, if I, an individualist like myself, would also say don't want interesting people to be expelled like this. And Honami, who puts her classmates first, accepts the conditions, and the C class students too. Even though she may be dissatisfied with it, she won't refuse.''
I guess so.
It is no exaggeration to say that Class C is made up of Ichinose's yes-men, and even if Ichinose were presented with the current conditions, they would not refuse if they were unsatisfied.
"It's decided. Now, I'll send you the points, but just to be safe, I'll send you 4.5 million, so please return the remaining amount after drawing up the contract."
While saying this, I transferred the points to Nagumo. I deposited 6 million yen with Arisu in the morning, and now I gave 4.5 million yen to Nagumo, so I only have a little over 5.5 million yen in my account.
"Got it. Then I'll go now, but please refrain from having any contact with me until Honami signs a contract and the exam is over."
"I understand. Well then, excuse me first."
After bowing, I left the rooftop, went down the stairs, went to the entrance, and when I opened the door to the shoe closet, I found a letter inside my shoe.
I thought it was a love letter, but it was folded copy paper rather than cute stationery, so I guess it wasn't.
After confirming that no one was around, I opened the letter...
I want to have a detailed strategy for this exam, so I want to go to Hikigaya-kun's room later, so please contact me when you have time.
Matsushita
It was written like that. That's the intention here as well.
In this exam, students from stronger castes in the class, like those in Karuizawa, have an advantage.
It's safe for students who are vocal to just form a group and attack specific students.
After putting Matsushita's letter in my pocket, I took out my cell phone and texted Matsushita that I was at school and was about to go back to the dormitory, and that I would unlock the door as soon as I got back, and that she should come at a time of her choosing.
Then I went back to the dormitory.