『』『』『』『』『』
"If we don't get any more points, what am I gonna do?"
"Damn it, what am I supposed to eat from now on?"
During the break, the classroom erupted into an uproar... or rather, chaos. Kumagawa was long gone, possibly meeting with the student council president. Frankly, Ayanokouji didn't want to know what kind of trouble he was causing this time, but that didn't mean he wasn't curious.
Horikita sat in complete silence, watching the scene unfold. Whether she was deep in thought or still refusing to acknowledge reality, Ayanokouji couldn't tell.
"Forget about points—what the hell is this class? Why was I put into Class D!?" Yukimura cried out resentfully, his voice tinged with frustration. A thin layer of sweat covered his forehead.
"Plus, that bastard Kumagawa—why didn't he tell us from the beginning!? If he had just said something, maybe not all of us would've acted up in class, and maybe we could've saved some class points in the end!"
Ayanokouji glanced at Yukimura, who was venting his anger at everyone except himself. Even after Kumagawa's twisted but valid argument, some of the class still refused to acknowledge reality. Instead of taking responsibility, they wasted their time blaming Kumagawa or anyone else they could find.
"I understand that you're all confused right now, but everyone needs to calm down."
Seeing how the class was spiraling into chaos, Hirata stood up, his voice steady but firm. He tried to bring reason to the room, but his words barely reached anyone.
"How are we supposed to calm down!? Aren't you frustrated that she called us a bunch of failures!?"
Yukimura snapped.
The argument quickly escalated. Hirata, attempting to maintain order, and Yukimura, too caught up in his frustration to think rationally, were at odds. Neither was making the situation any better.
Shortly after, Kushida slipped between the two, placing herself gently between them. Without force, she reached for Yukimura's clenched fist, holding it lightly. As expected, Yukimura didn't try to hurt her. Reflexively, he hesitated, taking half a step back. His frustration was clear, but faced with Kushida's calm presence, the anger lost some of its edge.
"I'm sorry, I lost my cool..." Yukimura said.
"It's all right. I should have chosen my words a little more carefully too."
Having somewhat calmed the situation down, Ayanokouji pulled out his phone and discreetly snapped a picture of the current class points displayed on the board. But Horikita, who sat beside him, immediately caught on and gave him a puzzled look.
"What are you doing?"
"I haven't figured out how the points are calculated yet, you've been taking notes too, haven't you?"
During Chabashira's explanation, Horikita had been rigorously jotting things down, likely trying to piece together a pattern in the deductions.
"Wouldn't it be difficult to figure out those details at this stage? Besides, I don't think this is something that can be solved by simply investigating. Everyone in this class has been acting recklessly—arriving late, skipping class, doing whatever they please. Especially that best friend of yours."
"He's not my best friend,"
He had no doubt that that best friend referred to none other than Kumagawa. Horikita's last sentence carried a certain venom, but that wasn't surprising. She found Kumagawa unbearable—that much was clear. Still, she wasn't wrong. It would be difficult to calculate anything purely from the displayed class points and the limited information they had.
Discontent wasn't exclusive to Class D. Students from Class C and B were likely grumbling about their own situations as well. After all, this school treated everyone like leftovers—unless they were in Class A.
Ayanokouji glanced at his phone, checking his points once again.
[82,469 Points]
For him, this wasn't much of an issue. He rarely spent points in the first place. But for most of the class, this was a nightmare. Yamauchi, who had been ranting and raving at his desk moments ago, looked like he had just been handed a death sentence. Ike, who had spent all of his points within the first few weeks, had an equally pale expression.
"While unfortunate, they've simply reaped what they've sown," Horikita said.
It was true. Blowing through 100,000 points in a single month was reckless, but the class had been baited. They had taken the initial points for granted, never once considering that they could be lost. The moment they fell into that mindset, it was already too late.
"Attention, everyone. Before class begins, I need you all to listen seriously for a moment. Especially you, Sudō -kun."
The class, still in a state of chaos, gradually quieted down. Hirata stood at the teacher's podium, his usual warm expression replaced by something more serious.
"Tch. What is it?"
"We didn't receive any points this month. This is a serious problem—one that will have an enormous impact on our daily lives moving forward. It's impossible for us to make it to graduation with zero points, right?"
"You're absolutely right!" One of the female students shouted in despair.
Hirata nodded gently, acknowledging her concern.
"That's why we have to make sure we earn points next month, and in order to do that, we need to cooperate. Just like what Kumagawa-kun said earlier, the school evaluates us based on our behavior and performance. So, from now on, take care not to be late, don't talk during lectures, and remember that using cell phones in class is prohibited."
Ayanokouji observed as the class absorbed Hirata's words. The logic was simple. Behave well, get rewarded. Act out, get punished. Thanks to Kumagawa's earlier explanation, most of the students understood this to some extent. But that didn't mean they were ready to accept it—nor did it mean they had forgiven him.
"Huh? And why do you get to tell us what to do? Besides, why are you talking like we owe Kumagawa an apology? Supposing our points do increase—what if they don't change at all? Then it's all useless."
Murmurs of agreement spread through the room.
Blaming Kumagawa seemed to be the easiest option. Maybe it was because of the way he had spoken earlier, twisting logic in a way that made it impossible to refute. Maybe it was because he had outright said it wasn't his fault while indirectly telling the rest of the class that it was theirs. Either way, their frustration needed an outlet, and Kumagawa had painted a bright red target on his own back.
Ayanokouji, however, wasn't convinced. It was true that Kumagawa had likely contributed to the class losing points. But even without him, the outcome wouldn't have changed much.
"I understand why you're upset, but blaming Kumagawa-kun for everything isn't fair. Yes, some of the things he said may have been harsh, and yes, his attitude might have rubbed people the wrong way. But the fact remains—our points didn't drop just because of him."
Hirata's gaze swept across the room, addressing the entire class.
"We came to class late, we used our phones, we didn't take things seriously. If we had followed the rules from the beginning, do you really think we'd be in this situation?"
Silence. A few students shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
"Tch, so what? He still didn't say anything," one of the boys muttered. "If he knew all this, why didn't he just tell us from the start?"
"Would you have listened?" Hirata asked, cutting straight to the point. "If Kumagawa-kun had warned everyone a month ago, would you have believed him? Or would you have ignored him like you did today?"
That shut them up. Even if they didn't want to admit it, Hirata was right.
Most of the boys, however, remained stubborn. Their resentment toward Kumagawa wasn't going to disappear just because of logic. Their pride wouldn't allow it. They scoffed, muttered under their breath, and avoided the conversation altogether.
The girls, on the other hand, although visibly uncomfortable, were more willing to acknowledge Hirata's reasoning. They weren't necessarily siding with Kumagawa, but they weren't outright against him either.
Kushida, took the opportunity to reinforce Hirata's words.
"I know it's frustrating, but arguing won't change anything, What's important now is figuring out what we can do. We have a chance to fix this next month, right? So let's work together instead of fighting."
Her words eased some of the tension, but not all of it. The frustration still lingered in the air, unwilling to fully disappear.
In the end, it wasn't a matter of logic or reason. It was emotion. No one liked being told they were in the wrong. And unfortunately for Kumagawa, he was the easiest person to blame.
"Do whatever you want. It doesn't matter. Just don't involve me in it. Understand?"
Sudou snapped, his irritation clear. As if just being in the room made him uncomfortable, he turned and left immediately, not waiting for anyone's response.
A brief silence followed before someone scoffed.
"Sudō-kun really can't read the room. He was the one who came late to class the most."
"Yeah, and he's always picking fights. Can we even earn points if he keeps acting like that?"
"He's the worst. Why is he even in our class?"
Until now, everyone had been enjoying their luxurious school life to the fullest. No one had ever complained about Sudō before this. But just as quickly as they had turned on Kumagawa, they had now found a new scapegoat.
This class really loved blaming others for the consequences of their own actions.
After stepping down from the podium, Hirata walked over and stopped in front of Ayanokouji's desk.
"Horikita-san, Ayanokouji-kun, do you have a moment? I want to talk about how we can increase our points. I'd like you to join me."
"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in something meaningless."
Horikita's response was immediate and cold.
"This is the first trial we face as a united Class D. So then—"
"I refuse. I won't participate." Her words were stern yet calm, leaving no room for argument. She clearly understood Hirata's position but had no intention of supporting him.
"I... I see. I'm sorry. If you change your mind, I'd love for you to join us."
Hirata hesitated before offering a small, reluctant smile. Horikita had already stopped looking at him by the time he withdrew dejectedly.
"What about you, Ayanokouji-kun?"
Ayanokouji thought about it for a moment. Honestly, he did want to participate. Since half of the class was involved, it might give him more chances to talk with others. However, if Horikita was the only one absent, she might be treated the same way as Kumagawa and Sudō.
That would be troublesome.
"Ah... I'll pass. I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry for bothering you. If you change your mind, please let me know."
Hirata nodded and turned to leave, heading back to the others to discuss their next steps.
As he walked away, Ayanokouji decided to offer something. "Kumagawa might seem unreliable, but he's a highly perceptive person."
Hirata stopped briefly, seeming to consider Ayanokouji's words, before nodding and continuing on his way.
Watching him go, Ayanokouji muttered, "Hirata's a great guy. He's able to take action just like that. People can get easily depressed in situations like this."
"That's one way to look at it. If you're good at solving problems with discussions, there won't be any difficulties. However, if an unintelligent student tries to lead the discussion, the group will fall further into chaos—to the point where there's no hope of salvaging anything. Besides, I can't meekly accept my current situation."
"You can't accept what now? What do you mean?"
Horikita didn't answer his question. She fell into complete silence.
As the discussion ended, everyone began preparing for the next class. Reality had finally hit them, and their attitudes shifted. Even Sudou, despite his earlier outburst, returned just in time before the lecture started. It seemed he was at least somewhat paying attention.
However, there was one problem.
Ayanokouji could feel the occasional glance from his classmates. No, not at him. Their gazes were directed toward the empty seat in front of him.
Even though class was starting, Kumagawa still hadn't returned.
Then, suddenly—
Click.
The door swung open without a hint of urgency, and Kumagawa strolled in as if nothing had happened.
『Oh, it seems I was late. I'm sorry, I was busy trying to negotiate with my life or death at stake. 』
"..."
Not a single person knew how to respond to that. Some students blinked in confusion, while others looked like they wanted to say something but held back.
『』『』『』『』『』
— Earlier —
Knock knock.
"You can come—"
Before the voice could even finish, Kumagawa had already let himself in.
Inside the student council office, sitting behind a neatly arranged desk, was Horikita Manabu. His sharp gaze met Kumagawa's the moment he entered. There was no surprise in his expression, only quiet observation.
『Ahh, my bad, my bad. I guess I was too excited to meet the student council president. Must be my bad habit. 』
He strolled in casually, hands in his pockets, as if he owned the place.
『So? Did you like what you see.... President? 』
Manabu took a closer look at Kumagawa, before he let out a sigh.
"I did hear from Chabasira-sensei about how you managed to figure out the whole system on day one, and it appears that to be true."
Kumagawa tilted his head, feigning innocence.
『Ehh? You make it sound like it's a big deal. If even an idiot like me can figure out the system, then this school really does have a low standard for its students. 』
Manabu didn't respond immediately. He simply observed Kumagawa with an unreadable expression before speaking.
"You noticed it, yet you didn't inform your classmates."
『Now, now, President. If you're trying to say that was irresponsible of me, then that would hurt my feelings.』 Kumagawa placed a hand over his chest, pretending to be wounded. 『Besides, even if I had told them, would they have believed me? 』
Manabu didn't argue. Instead, he simply nodded slightly, as if acknowledging a point he had already considered.
But that's hardly the point. Many students in the past had figured it out, but not this fast. Most took at least a few weeks to catch on, even those with high intellect. Sakayanagi from Class A had also uncovered the truth, but even she hadn't done so on the first day.
"I did ask you to prove your worth, but you've truly outdone yourself, Kumagawa."
Kumagawa smiled.
『Oh? Was that a compliment? Coming from the almighty student council president, no less? I might just cry.』
Manabu ignored the sarcasm and continued speaking.
"Your ability to analyze and deduce is impressive. However, your lack of initiative in guiding your class is concerning."
『B-but they started it first. They ignored me, ostracized me, spread rumors about me. They never invited me to study groups, they never asked for my opinion, and they never even considered me an option. It's not my fault, right? So why should I go out of my way to help them?』
Kumagawa apperance right now was someone who is truly hurt after being treated like that by his classmates. Even from Manabu perspective....
"Is that the real reason? Just because you hold a grudge? Isn't that kind of petty? In the end, you sabotage even yourself."
Kumagawa's eyes widened slightly, as if he hadn't considered that.
『Oh, wow. That's a really good point, President. But no, I lied. 』
Manabu frowned slightly. "Then what's the real reason?"
Kumagawa tapped the side of his head.
『I just forgot. 』
"You forgot?" Manabu narrowed his eyes.
『Yeah. You see, the human brain is a funny thing. It prioritizes information based on emotional significance, repetition, and necessity. Like when you walk into a room and forget why you went there. Or when you put something down, and it just disappears from your memory forever. That's what happened. 』
Kumagawa smilled.
『By the time I remembered, well... it was too late. Whoops.』
For the first time in a while, Manabu found himself at a loss.
This was the first time he had ever dealt with a student like this. Someone who could see through the system but had absolutely no drive to use that knowledge. Someone who fluctuated between intelligence and absurdity so seamlessly that it was impossible to tell if he was telling the truth or outright lying.
"Fine... Let's talk about you joining the student council."
Even though his personality was like that, Manabu couldn't disregard Kumagawa's intelligence. When he first heard that Kumagawa had managed to figure out the entire system in just one day, he thought it was just a bluff. But now, standing before him, he couldn't deny it.
Now, he just needed to confirm one thing.
"What exactly is your vision for this school?"
Kumagawa blinked, as if the question had caught him off guard. Then, he gave a small chuckle.
『Vision, huh? That makes me sound important. But, let's see...』 He tapped his chin, pretending to think deeply.
『Manabu-senpai, I believe a school should be a place of absolute fairness. A place where every student has an equal chance to prove themselves, where talent doesn't dictate success, and where effort truly matters.』
Manabu raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
『Many schools claim to be fair, but they still favor the gifted and discard the weak. I want to create a system where no one is unfairly left behind, where everyone—no matter how unfortunate—can find a place to belong. Wouldn't that align with the vision of an elite institution? 』
Manabu studied him carefully.
"Is that the truth?"
Kumagawa's smile didn't waver.
『Manabu-senpai... do I look like someone who's lying? In fact, I hate liars. A lot. They should be burning in hell.』
That was the problem.
Manabu remained silent, watching Kumagawa carefully. The words he spoke sounded idealistic, even noble. But he couldn't tell if Kumagawa was being truthful or not.
Manabu could recognize talent when he saw it, but talent wasted was no different from talent nonexistent. If this were anyone else, Manabu would have dismissed them immediately. But Kumagawa wasn't just another student. He had already proven himself capable of seeing through the school's system at an alarming speed.
But if what he saying is the truth....
"Fine Kumagawa, I'll accept you into the student council."
『Eh? That's not what I want though? 』
Manabu narrowed his eyes slightly. Kumagawa's reaction was unexpected, but at this point, he should have known better than to expect anything conventional from him.
"You don't want to join the student council?"
『What do you mean? Of course I do.』
"....."
Now Manabu was truly confused.
"Kumagawa..."
『Manabu-senpai, there's a difference between wanting something and needing something. 』
Ah. So that's it. He wanted to join the student council, but what he needed right now was something else. If that was the case, then Kumagawa was sure he could prove himself in some other way.
『I want a reward. 』
Manabu remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
『This school rewards achievement, right? That's the whole point of this system. The strong rise, the weak fall. Hard work is recognized. Talent is cultivated. A proper meritocracy. So, wouldn't it be unfair if I didn't get anything for cracking the system before anyone else?』
It was a ridiculous argument. Yet, at the same time, there was logic in it.
Manabu wasn't opposed to rewarding achievements. That was the foundation of this school. But Kumagawa's "achievement" was... difficult to quantify. Yes, he had seen through the system immediately, but what had he actually done with that knowledge? Nothing.
"State your request."
Kumagawa's smile widened, as if he had been waiting for those words.
『Points. I want to keep my 100,000 points. If that cannot be granted by the school, then use your own pocket, please. 』
Manabu's expression remained unreadable, but internally, he was reevaluating Kumagawa yet again.
He wasn't asking for a position of power. He wasn't asking for recognition. He wasn't even asking for an unfair advantage. He just wanted to keep his points. The very thing that had already been stripped from the rest of Class D.
A test.
That's what this was.
Kumagawa was gauging how far the school's so-called meritocracy would bend for an individual who had outperformed expectations.
If the school refused, then it would be admitting that achievements weren't truly rewarded, that everything was just a predetermined game where only certain students were ever meant to succeed. If they agreed, then they would be acknowledging Kumagawa's ability—setting a precedent that intelligence and foresight alone were worth rewarding.
While Manabu was overthinking Kumagawa's motives, analyzing every hidden intent, the truth couldn't be any simpler.
Kumagawa just wanted points to buy more Shounen Jump.
He practically didn't care about the school system at all.
"...I cannot make that decision alone," Manabu finally said.
『Ah, I see. 』 Kumagawa clapped his hands together lightly. 『So even the almighty student council president isn't all-powerful. How disappointing. 』
Manabu ignored the provocation.
"The school will not arbitrarily change the rules for one student. However..." He met Kumagawa's gaze. "If you prove your worth to the student council, we may reconsider."
Kumagawa tilted his head.
『Prove my worth? But I already did, didn't I? Or did I imagine cracking the school's system on day one? Maybe it was all a dream? I should start writing a diary so I don't forget what's real.』
Manabu didn't respond to the sarcasm.
"Figuring out the system is one thing. Utilizing that knowledge to your advantage is another."
『Ahh, so you want results. 』
Kumagawa sighed dramatically.
『I get it, I get it. Fine. I'll play along. But I won't make any promises. After all... I am a liar, aren't I? 』
Manabu didn't take the bait.
"...I'll speak with the school administration about your request. However, I make no guarantees."
『Oh, take your time. I'm in no rush.』
Kumagawa turned on his heel, casually making his way to the door. He didn't seem disappointed, nor particularly excited. It was as if the entire conversation had been nothing more than idle chatter to him.
But just before he stepped out, he glanced back over his shoulder.
『Oh, and Manabu-senpai? 』
Manabu looked up.
『You shouldn't think too hard about things. It's not good for your health. 』
Manabu sat in silence for a moment, staring at the door. That guy was trouble, more than he initially thought.
『』『』『』『』『』
As Kumagawa made his way back to the classroom, he strolled through the halls with his usual lack of urgency. Hands in his pockets, steps light and aimless, as if he had all the time in the world.
Then, just as he rounded a corner—
"You're done with the student council?"
Chabashira-sensei stood there, arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on him.
Kumagawa stopped, tilting his head slightly.
『Sensei~ What a coincidence. Were you waiting for me? 』
"I wasn't. I just happened to pass by."
『Ohh, just happened to pass by the student council room, huh? How convenient. 』 Kumagawa smiled.
. "So? How did it go?" Chabashira exhaled, clearly unamused.
『Hmm, let's see... I had a little chat with Manabu-senpai. He offered me a position in the student council. I refused. Then I accepted. Then I asked for money. Then he said no. Then I said okay. Then he said maybe. Then I said take your time. Then I left.』
"...That tells me absolutely nothing."
『That's because there's nothing to tell. In the end, nothing really changed. I just wasted a bit of time and walked away with nothing. Oh, except for the satisfaction of knowing that I made Manabu-senpai overthink for at least a few minutes. 』
Chabashira studied him carefully. Unlike his classmates, she didn't immediately dismiss his words as nonsense. She knew how perceptive he was sometimes. If not for his personality, maybe he would've been placed in Class A instead—just for his insight alone.
Academic ability, however, was another matter entirely.
"What do you intend to do with the class competition?"
『Isn't it obvious? Nothing.』
"Nothing?" Chabashira frowned
『Yup. Absolutely nothing. I'll just sit back, relax, and watch my dear classmates struggle to claw their way up the ranks. Ah, but if someone actually asks for my help, I might consider it. Probably. Maybe. Who knows?』
"That's a lie."
『Ehh, Sensei, you say that like you can read my mind. But really, there's nothing for me to do. Class D is already at rock bottom, and as you might've noticed, I'm pretty comfortable down there.』
It was the truth.
『But maybe if you let me grab your boobs, I mayyybe have a sudden inspiration and surge of motivation in helping the class. 』
Or not.
Chabashira's expression immediately shifted to pure disgust. For a moment, she looked like she was actually considering physical violence. She didn't know if he was being serious or just messing with her, but that was exactly the problem.
Kumagawa's face remained completely unchanged. She could pull out a gun, press it against his forehead, and she had the distinct feeling he'd still be smiling like that.
"...Kill yourself."
『Ah, Sensei, that's workplace harassment, you know? 』
Chabashira exhaled sharply through her nose, forcing herself to calm down. This is the first time she encounter a student like this. She had seen many kinds of students over the years—arrogant ones, desperate ones, even hopeless ones. But Kumagawa was a different breed entirely.
"If you have no interest in winning, then don't drag the others down with you."
『Sensei, please. I wouldn't do something so cruel. Is there even something lower for those idiots?』
That statement alone made Chabashira pause. He said it so casually. So naturally. With that same relaxed smile, as if the thought itself was completely normal. If the entire class had been present to hear that, she wasn't sure what would've happened.
Resentment? Despair? Or maybe physical violence?
"You really have a way with words, don't you?"
『Thank you, Sensei. I do my best.』
Ignoring his nonsense, she turned to leave—only for Kumagawa to suddenly speak up again.
『By the way, how much for my right? 』
"...Right?" Chabashira turned back, confused.
『Yeah. My right. I'm just wondering, how much does it cost? 』
The entire conversation had taken a sudden turn, and she had no idea where he was going with this.
"What right are you talking about?"
『The right to change clothes. 』
"That's not something you buy. It's a basic necessity." Chabashira frowned.
『Ehh, is that so? But Sensei, this school is all about privileges, isn't it? Everything has a price. A seat in Class A, a high-test score, a clean reputation... It's all just a matter of points. So, I figured, if I wanted the right to wear something else, I should at least know the price. 』
"...You're not serious."
『Oh, but I am. These uniforms are ugly, they're uncomfortable, and I feel like I'm wearing a cheap cosplay from a knockoff brand. Don't you think that's unfair to the students, Sensei? 』
"I don't have time for this."
『I'm being completely serious here. If this school really operates on a merit-based system, then surely a trivial thing like a dress code should be negotiable with enough points, right? 』
He was messing with her. She knew he was. But at the same time, there was just enough logic in his nonsense that it irritated her. It was no surprise to her that Kumagawa already knew the ins and outs of the system.
From the moment he set foot in this school, he had seen through it. While most students spent weeks—or even months—blindly following the rules, he had understood everything within a single day.
If points dictated privileges, then logically, there should be a way to bypass something as trivial as a dress code. And if there wasn't a way, then that would mean the system wasn't as flexible as it claimed to be. That it wasn't a true meritocracy.
And if that was the case, Kumagawa would be the first to call it out.
"If you're so interested in testing the limits of the system, why not focus on something more important than your uniform?"
『Sensei, please. Priorities. If I can't even wear what I want, how can I focus on anything else?』
"...Even if there was a price, I doubt you could afford it."
『That's fine. I'll just put it on credit.』
She should've ignored him. She really should've. Instead, she let out a tired sigh and walked away.
『I'll take that as a 'to be discussed later,' Sensei! 』 Kumagawa called after her.
Chabashira didn't turn around. She just raised a hand in a halfhearted wave, pretending she hadn't heard him.
『』『』『』『』『』
When Kumagawa entered the classroom, it was no surprise that most of the students glanced his way. Not just because he had arrived late, but because he was Kumagawa.
After the disaster that was their first month, Class D's points had hit an all-time low. There was no going below zero, at least, so that was a small victory. A miserable, pathetic victory.
He ignored the stares frustration from his classmates. Without so much as a word, he made his way to his seat and plopped down right in front of Ayanokōji.
And just fifteen minutes later, the class was over. Which meant Kumagawa had practically missed the entire lecture.
At this point, everybody in the class probably wanted to chew him alive. Their points were at rock bottom, and yet here he was—acting like none of it had anything to do with him.
Before anyone could say anything, Hirata suddenly stood up from his seat and walked toward Kumagawa.
His expression was calm, but the slight hesitation in his steps gave him away.
"Kumagawa-kun...can we talk for a moment?" Hirata called out with a friendly smile.
『Oh? Sure, sure. But if this is going to be a lecture about responsibility, then I'll have to warn you—I wasn't paying attention in class, so I might not understand anything you say. 』
A few students bristled at his words. Someone clicked their tongue. Hirata, to his credit, didn't react. Instead, he simply kept his smile and spoke evenly.
"I'm not here to lecture you. I just want to understand. You clearly figured out the system before anyone else, didn't you? Kumagawa-kun, why didn't you say anything? If you had told us earlier, we might have been able to avoid losing all our points."
『Hmm, I dunno. I just forgot, I guess.』
A small murmur rippled through the classroom. Some students visibly tensed, while others looked outright angry.
"So, what? That's your excuse?" One of the students, Sudō, finally snapped. He stood up from his seat, his hands clenched into fists. "You knew, and you just sat there watching us fail? You're seriously messed up."
Hirata immediately stepped between Kumagawa and Sudō, raising a hand to de-escalate the situation.
"Sudō-kun, getting angry won't change anything. Let's not make this into a fight."
"But this guy started it first!"
『This guy...? 』
Kumagawa repeated, placing a hand on his chest with a mock-offended expression.
『Sudō-kun, are you perhaps...bullying me? 』
"Shut up, man!" Sudō barked.
Hirata exhaled, turning back to Kumagawa. "Kumagawa-kun, I understand that you might not have felt like it was your responsibility, but we're all in the same class. If we don't work together, we'll never improve our situation."
『Sure! Isn't that what a classmate is for? To help each other? 』
"...Then, you'll help us?" he asked carefully.
『Help? Ah, well, it depends. If it's interesting, maybe I will. If it's boring, then I'd rather not. But hey, if someone reeeeally needs me, they just have to ask nicely. 』
The vague answer only made things worse.
"This isn't about what's interesting or not, Kumagawa-kun. This is about the entire class." Hirata forced a smile, trying to remain patient.
『I see, I see. So, if I don't help, I'm the bad guy? 』
"That's not what I meant—"
『Then sure. I'll help. 』
"...."
Hirata should have felt relieved. He got the answer he wanted—Kumagawa had agreed to help. And yet, for some reason, it felt wrong.
"I-is that so..."
『Of course. I will do anything to help my friends』
"...Thanks, Kumagawa-kun." Hirata forced the words out and turned away, deciding not to dwell on it any longer.
The class had been watching, but their attention quickly shifted back to their own problems. Right now, everyone had their own issues to deal with.
That's when a loud voice cut through the chatter.
Yamauchi suddenly appear in front of ayanakoji. His expression deathlike.
"Ayanokōji!"
Yamauchi appeared in front of Ayanokōji's desk, looking desperate.
"Hey, buy this from me for 20,000 points. I can't buy anything." His voice cracked slightly as he shoved a game console onto Ayanokōji's desk.
"I don't want it."
Yamauchi's face twisted in frustration before he turned his attention elsewhere.
"Kumagawa! You, then! Buy it from me for 22,000 points!"
Kumagawa blinked lazily, as if it took him a second to process what was even happening. Then he gave an amused smile.
『Ehh? What's this, a charity sale? Ah, but if it comes with a heartfelt letter of apology for being stupid, I might consider it.』
"Quit screwing around!"
『But I'm serious. If I buy it, that means I'm helping you out, right? And if I'm helping you, then I'd like something in return. It's only fair. 』
"Like hell I'd do that!"
『Then I guess it's a no.』Kumagawa shrugged. 『Too bad, huh? 』
Yamauchi clicked his tongue in annoyance but didn't argue further. Instead, he moved to another student.
"Professor! Your best buddy has a favor to ask! Buy this game for 25,000 points!"
And just like that, the price went up.
But it wasn't just him. The entire class seemed to be engaged in some kind of frantic trade. Some were desperately trying to borrow money in the name of friendship, others were selling off the things they had impulsively bought, and a few were outright begging for points.
Chaos.
Class D had officially hit rock bottom.
With no points in their accounts, they couldn't buy food, drinks, or even basic necessities. The reality of an entire month without spending money was starting to sink in.
"Things must be really tough for the people who used up their points," Kushida remarked as she watched Yamauchi flail around, trying his best to scam someone into buying his console.
Coincidentally, she was standing near Ayanokōji and Kumagawa when she spoke.
"What about you, Kushida? Do you have enough points? Girls have a lot of necessities, after all."
"That's not a nice thing to say to a girl, you know, Ayanokōji-kun."
"I'm sorry."
『That's right, Ayanokōji-kun, you should be more considerate. Girls are sensitive, fragile creatures. They don't like to be reminded of harsh realities like money problems, aging, or the inevitable heat death of the universe. 』
"Shut up."
"Hehe, you two are really close, aren't you?"
"No, we're not."
Kushida giggled but didn't push further. "But I'm okay for now. I've used up half of my points. I kind of lost control in the first month and overspent, so it'll be difficult to hold myself back. It would've been better if we knew this kind of stuff would be happening beforehand."
Ayanokōji turned his head slightly, his gaze shifting to Kumagawa, who was still smiling as usual. Kushida followed his line of sight and suddenly realized what she had just said.
"Ah! Kumagawa-kun! It's not—I didn't mean it like that. I believe that the entrie class also share the same mistake, so i dont mean to blame it to you."
『It's okay, Kushida-san. You're not wrong. It is my fault. Or rather, it's everyone else's fault for being too stupid to notice the obvious. So, it's not my fault, right?』
"..."
Which is it?
Both Ayanokōji and Kushida thought the same thing.
"Of course—"
Before she could finish, the loudspeaker cut through the classroom with its familiar robotic tone.
—Ayanokōji-kun from first-year Class D. Please come see Chabashira-sensei in the faculty office. I repeat. Ayanokōji-kun from first-year Class D. Please come see Chabashira-sensei in the faculty office.
"Looks like the teacher wants to see you," Kushida commented.
『Could it be? Ayanokōji-kun, have you been causing trouble? That's not very good, you know. 』
"I haven't done anything. Besides, coming from you, that doesn't mean anything."
Ayanokōji felt mildly irritated. It was like being told not to kill by a mass murderer. It wasn't a fair comparison—for the murderer—but that's exactly how Kumagawa sounded right now.
"Sorry, Kushida. Gotta go." Ayanokōji ignored Kumagawa's nonsense and stood up.
『Ah, the tragic fate of a troublemaker. Be careful, Ayanokōji-kun. If you disappear, I'll be forced to hold a tearful memorial in your honor.』
"Please don't."
With that, Ayanokōji left, leaving behind a still-smiling Kumagawa and a somewhat unsettled Kushida.
For a brief moment, there was silence between them. Then, Kushida turned to Kumagawa with a hesitant smile.
"You really like teasing people, don't you, Kumagawa-kun?"
『Ayanokōji-kun is too stiff, so I just wanted to help him loosen up a little. 』
"Still, it's impressive how relaxed you are. Most people would be more worried about our situation."
『Oh, but I am worried. I mean, if things keep going this way, Class D will be nothing but a pitiful pile of losers, unable to buy food or supplies. What a tragic sight that would be. It almost makes me want to cry. 』
His words were lighthearted, but somehow, they didn't sound like a joke.
"...Well, if we work hard, I'm sure we'll recover," Kushida said, pushing down whatever unease she felt. "Anyway, I should get going too."
『Take care, Kushida-san. And don't worry—I believe in Class D.』
Even though his words were encouraging, for some reason, Kushida felt no reassurance at all.
『END』
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