The sun was rising, casting a golden glow over the Bangladesh Metropolitan Political and Science Academy as students streamed into their new classrooms. Class C, Section 3, was no different. The room was bustling with energy, filled with fresh faces, each one curious and eager to start their journey.
Inside, Maria Nina, the Russian girl with sharp features, stood up and suggested to the class, "Before Miss Matsuba arrives, let's introduce ourselves and get to know each other. It might take a while for her to get here anyway."
The class murmured in agreement, appreciating the initiative. One by one, students began introducing themselves.
"Hi, I'm Maria Nina. I transferred from Russia, and I hope we can all work hard together." She smiled, her confidence apparent.
Next, Haruka Haruto stood up, his expression more relaxed. "I'm Haruka Haruto. I'm interested in programming and science. Let's aim for the top, Class C!"
Students continued, each giving their introductions. Finally, all eyes turned to the corner where Waskuruni sat quietly by the window, his usual poker face firmly in place. He had been observing everyone, taking mental notes on their personalities.
After a brief pause, Waskuruni stood up, feeling the pressure of everyone's attention. His voice was steady but soft.
"My name is Mohammad Waskuruni. I like reading books." He sat down immediately after, his face expressionless, leaving the class curious. A few students whispered to each other, already labeling him as the "shy" or "quiet" type. But Waskuruni's mind was far from shy. He was analyzing the room, as he always did.
---
Just as the chatter began to build up, the door slid open, and Miss Ai Matsuba, their class teacher, walked in with her usual authoritative air. The room immediately fell silent.
"Good morning, everyone," she began. "Let me give you the first crucial information about this school. Points determine everything here." She turned to the board and began writing the numbers down.
Class A: 508 points
Class B: 378 points
Class C: 50 points
The class gasped at the significant difference between them and the other classes. Miss Matsuba continued, "Every month, your class will receive 270,000 points. How you use these points will determine your success here. Use them wisely."
Waskuruni's mind was already racing. "Why would they give students this many points?" he thought. There had to be a deeper reason behind the point system.
---
As the class ended, students left with excitement, eager to explore how they could spend their points. Waskuruni, on the other hand, headed to the school store, where students could buy almost anything with their points. He wandered the aisles, checking prices and items, when suddenly, he spotted Sayuri Matsui at the counter.
She was holding an item worth 500 taka, but she seemed hesitant. Waskuruni approached her casually and said, "Why not buy something more expensive?"
Sayuri looked at him and replied, "I don't want to waste my points. They aren't going to give us free points forever."
Waskuruni nodded slightly. "She's smart," he thought. "No school would hand out this many points without a catch." But he didn't say anything more. He just watched as Sayuri made her purchase and left.
---
A few days passed, and the students were learning how to use their points. One day, the entire class gathered in frustration. Class C had spent nearly all of their points, leaving them with only 40,000 points for the month.
Miss Matsuba stood in front of them with a stern expression. "I've never seen a class burn through their points so quickly," she said. "From now on, you'll have to earn points based on your behavior and performance. You can't rely on monthly allowances anymore."
The class buzzed with confusion and panic. Haruka stood up, frustrated. "But you never told us how to earn more points! How can we improve our situation?"
Miss Matsuba sighed. "It's up to you to figure that out. Your choices, behavior, and achievements will determine how many points you receive from now on."
---
The students left the classroom with heavy thoughts, but there was a slight distraction: their personal rooms. Each student had been given their own private room in a building that was located 1 kilometer from the school. It was a tall structure, divided into floors, and each student had their own fully furnished space.
Waskuruni's room was on the 8th floor, giving him a nice view of the surrounding area. The room was simple but comfortable—a bed, a desk, and a shelf full of books. He looked around the room, appreciating the solitude it offered.
He sat on his bed, thinking about how strange this school was. The points system, the luxurious accommodations, and the hidden challenges. There had to be a bigger plan behind it all.
---
Later that day, as Waskuruni sat at his desk in his room, thinking about how challenging this school was becoming, Sayuri knocked on his door.
"Waskuruni," she began, "our class needs help. If we don't start performing better, some of us might get expelled."
She paused, looking worried. "I know you don't like to get involved, but... you helped me before, and I need your help again. We need to form a group to support our classmates."
Waskuruni thought for a moment. "Why should I help?"
Sayuri smirked, "Because you already helped me once. I bought that item because of your suggestion. You owe me this, at least."
Waskuruni sighed. In his mind, he thought, "What have I gotten myself into?"
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The chapter ends with the formation of a group within Class C, tasked with finding ways to survive in the school's harsh point system. Waskuruni, Sayuri, Haruka, and Maria Nina are determined to lift their class from the bottom, but they'll need to manipulate the system—and each other—to succeed..