Chapter 54: You're blushing, let me see
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Like Rin, Horikita Suzune was suspicious of the school's promise to transfer 100,000 personal points to students every month, so she was very careful with how she spent her points.
Unlike many other students who spent recklessly upon hearing that the school would provide 100,000 points each month, Horikita Suzune remained frugal.
Horikita turned her head and looked at Rin Matsuoka. "Rin, you should save your personal points as well."
"Uh-huh."
Rin, who had just spent 340,000 personal points not too long ago, nodded repeatedly.
Seeing his nonchalant response, Horikita's tone turned serious. "Remember what I just said!"
"I just saw a cart over there with daily necessities, and it had a sign that read, 'Free, but you can only choose up to three per month.'"
"I think those free daily necessities are part of the school's relief measures for students who have spent all their personal points."
Horikita's serious words reminded Rin of the wild vegetable set meal offered in the student cafeteria. That was free too.
Asahina Nazuna had once commented on the 'mountain vegetable set meal,' saying she'd rather starve than eat it.
"Actually, Horikita, the school doesn't remit 100,000 personal points to us every month. Those free items are meant for students who run out of points," Rin explained.
Horikita narrowed her eyes at Rin. "Rin, where did you get this information?"
She didn't doubt the accuracy of Rin's claim; what mattered to her was the source of his information.
"I got it while gathering intel at the student cafeteria. A helpful senior told me all about it, and that's how I confirmed the school won't transfer 100,000 points to us every month," Rin replied with a smile.
"…"
Horikita stared at Rin's handsome face for a moment and finally muttered, "You're really something. You just got the information like that."
"Heh."
Horikita cast a glance at Rin, who was smiling cheerfully, and said, "Rin, tell me the details of what you found out."
"Well, before I do, let me ask you, Horikita—do you have any plans of becoming class president and managing the entire class?" Rin asked.
"None at all," Horikita answered without hesitation.
She was a solitary person who preferred being alone, avoided socializing, and kept people at a distance. The thought of managing the whole class as president wasn't appealing to her in the slightest.
"If that's the case, I won't tell you what I've learned. It'll just become more of a burden for you."
Horikita remained silent, staring at Rin.
"…Looks like you really want to know."
"Explain."
"Alright." Rin shrugged and leaned in closer to Horikita.
Horikita's eyes suddenly widened in alarm as Rin's face moved closer. Her usual cold demeanor shattered, and she took a quick step back in panic.
"Rin, what do you think you're doing?!"
"I'm giving you the information. This is really important, and no one else can hear it."
When Rin noticed Horikita glaring at him, he said, somewhat annoyed, "Do you want to hear it or not? If you do, come closer."
"…" Horikita bit her lower lip gently, clenched her fists, and, after a brief hesitation, took a step forward, returning to her original position.
Rin Matsuoka's approach made Horikita Suzune catch a whiff of a familiar grassy scent, causing her heart to race.
Thump, thump!
The soft whispers from Rin carried a gentle warmth, brushing against the fine hairs by Horikita's ears, giving her a strange, ticklish sensation like a feather grazing her cheek.
She felt a tingling in her ears, and her soft body instinctively tensed up. Her usually pale cheeks now displayed a delicate blush.
She was shy.
Although Horikita Suzune was usually awkward and a bit of a tsundere, she was still a girl. And all girls, no matter how stoic, feel shy at moments like this.
Her breathing quickened slightly, but she forced herself to focus on Rin's words, pushing down the growing fluster within her.
Luckily, Horikita was determined and quickly overcame her inner embarrassment. She truly lived up to her strong-willed reputation!
"This is all the information I got from that senior," Rin finally finished.
As soon as he did, Horikita stepped aside quickly, putting some distance between them. She raised her hands to rub her slightly warm ears, trying to compose herself.
"Ah... um... I see. I didn't expect personal points to be connected to that thing called class..."
"Don't say those words."
"…Oh."
Rin gave Horikita a curious look. When did she become so compliant? Normally, her awkward personality would have had her glaring at him coldly.
Still covering her ears, Horikita took a few deep breaths. After finally calming down, she turned to Rin and asked, "So that's why you asked if I could control the whole class?"
"Yes, since class points get deducted if students break the rules." Rin nodded.
Asahina Nazuna had told him that when new students enter the school, each class is given 1,000 class points. These points get deducted based on disciplinary violations.
If a class wanted to keep as many class points as possible, someone had to manage the students and ensure they followed the rules.
"I know my limits. I can only look after myself, not others," Horikita said, her fox-like eyes shimmering beautifully as she looked at Rin. But all he could show was a look of disgust.
"Horikita, don't tell me you want me to take care of them?"
"Yes." Horikita admitted without hesitation.
"But I'm worse than you! You can take care of yourself; I can't even manage that!"
"Rin, you're so useless."
"If you're that capable, why don't you go take care of the whole class?"
"…I can't do that."
"Then what use are you?"
Horikita glared at Rin, who was now complaining about her. He then grabbed a fancy-looking facial cleanser from the shelf.
"Even though personal points aren't a guaranteed 100,000 per month, and we should spend wisely, you still shouldn't skimp on facial cleansers."
"Horikita, this cleanser is good. It foams up well, rinses off easily, and is great for your skin."
"...Rin how do you know so much?"
"Well, I came across this brand during one of my part-time jobs, so I know quite a bit about it," Rin replied with a smile.
"…"
Horikita remained silent, then glanced at the price of the facial cleanser she had picked.
Six hundred personal points.
She looked at the price of the one Rin was holding.
Five thousand personal points.
—The difference was almost eight times!