I Want to Drop Out of Real School

"Everything you're saying is just your opinion. Give me something concrete. You say he talks badly, but he's actually helpful?

I don't believe it. What happened in the classroom yesterday was probably just a coincidence. He just wanted to vent his frustrations, show off, and accidentally let slip some information that I 'unintentionally' learned.

So, this information was obtained through our own 'abilities' and by paying a price.

If you're so capable, give me another example of him helping someone!"

19. Sudo's Assist, Cleared Name, But Reputation Damaged

The person speaking was a guy with slanted bangs.

Although Class D hadn't gone through the self-introduction process yet, he was somewhat of a "celebrity" in the class. Therefore, many people in the class knew his name—Ike Kanji.

However, despite his fame, it wasn't for good reasons.

He was the main instigator, along with his cronies, of yesterday's group chat incident, where he shamelessly commented on the female classmates' figures without regard for their presence, eventually leading to an argument with the "spicy girls" who couldn't stand it anymore.

If not for Bai Lan's "sudden appearance," Ike Kanji and his group of lackeys would have been the most hated and reviled group in the class.

Ike Kanji and his small clique were the ones who least wanted Bai Lan's standing in the class to rise.

After all, if Bai Lan became prominent, they would be left with no one below them.

In fact, Bai Lan might even become a second Hirata.

Ike didn't want another Hirata in the class.

Because he hated Hirata.

To be precise, he hated every guy who was more popular with girls than him.

Therefore, he hated any guy who had even a little charm and was liked by girls.

Furthermore, he was also a severe "discipline problem."

Whether it was to suppress Hirata and Bai Lan to make himself stand out, or to avoid strict disciplinary oversight, he had to reject Hirata's claims.

After hearing Ike's question.

Hirata opened his mouth but couldn't say anything.

Honestly, the question was too difficult.

After all, they had only been at school for less than 24 hours. This time yesterday, they were all still on the road!

When would they have had time to do so many good deeds?

Besides, Hirata had only interacted with Bai Lan for half of the entrance guidance session. Even if Bai Lan had done something, Hirata wouldn't have known!

Hirata showed a troubled expression: "Classmate Ike, your question..."

However, at that moment, someone unexpected spoke up:

"He did."

Everyone turned to look.

They saw a tall guy with a buzz cut.

"Sudo? You... which side are you on?" Ike jumped up, somewhat agitated.

Sudo, Sudo Ken.

This was the person Bai Lan had helped pay for at the convenience store yesterday when he forgot his student ID, an act that almost made Sudo want to punch him.

Actually, Sudo hadn't thought much about it. He just suddenly realized he seemed to have a piece of "knowledge" that others didn't, and he couldn't resist the urge to show off. He spoke before he could stop himself.

Seeing the reproachful look from his friend, Sudo was about to explain.

At this moment, Hirata spoke first: "Classmate Sudo, could you tell us?"

Sudo noticed the curious and expectant gazes from those around him, making him feel like a superstar at that moment.

Ignoring his friend's resentful glare, Sudo replied as if "showing off": "At the convenience store, I forgot my student ID, and Bai Lan used his student ID to pay the points for me.

After paying the points, I saw him pull out his personal interface on his phone and ask me to scan him.

I was wondering if I should be generous and forgive him.

Then, he asked me to add his account and transfer the money to him via phone, asking me to pay him back!

If it wasn't for the crowd at the time and not wanting to lose points for the class, I would have wanted to beat him up."

Under everyone's gaze, Sudo, feeling ecstatic, poured out his experience like a waterfall.

After listening, Hirata smiled: "See? Classmate Bai is very enthusiastic, he just doesn't know how to express himself. He helped others but made them angry. Moreover, borrowing and repaying money should be normal, there's no need to be angry..."

With this real-life example, everyone suddenly felt that Hirata's words had become much more credible.

"In that case, Classmate Bai did indeed help Sudo."

"And he helped Sudo of all people!"

"Yeah! He's willing to help even Sudo."

Sudo: !!!

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Sudo couldn't help but yell at the people who had just spoken: "Do you have a problem with me?"

"Isn't that right?" a girl stood up and said. "You have such a fierce face, a terrible temper, and you don't speak any better than Bai Lan. You're like a thug. Normal people would want to avoid you, afraid of getting into trouble. Who would interact with you, let alone offer to pay for you?"

"That's right, that's right! Now that you mention it, isn't Bai Lan actually a really good person? And he doesn't bully the weak or fear the strong. Even though he speaks harshly, he's actually very kind, and handsome too."

"Yeah, he's so handsome~ I thought he was scary before, but looking at him now, isn't he just a tsundere? An outwardly cold but inwardly warm tsundere. That's an interesting character trope."

"Whether he's handsome or not doesn't matter, I mainly like someone with noble character who's willing to help. A harsh mouth is fine too, it's part of his charm."

"You don't mean..."

"Can't I even think about it?"

In an instant, the girls' favorability towards Bai Lan skyrocketed.

As for the boys.

Some boys expressed respect for Bai Lan's actions, but more were... jealous.

"Damn it! It hasn't even been 24 hours since school started, and he hasn't put in as much effort as Hirata, yet he's already gained so much favor from the girls. Damn it!"

"Wait! I just remembered something... Hahaha, you girls can forget about it! I think I saw Bai Lan walking out of the convenience store with a girl yesterday, and they were flirting the whole way! That girl looked like Horikita from our class."

"Huh?"

"Horikita?"

Everyone turned their heads towards the back row of the classroom, to the seat next to the empty one Bai Lan had left due to his absence.

At that moment, Horikita Suzune was flipping through her textbook, starting her course preview.

Hearing her name, Horikita subconsciously looked up, and as usual, pushed the black hair that had fallen onto her face behind her ear, revealing a beautiful face that, even with her cold expression, couldn't hide her alluring charm.

Many of the boys were stunned. When they snapped back to reality, they gritted their teeth: That brat Bai Lan, so infuriating!

Seeing everyone staring at her, Horikita didn't back down. She glared back, then frowned and said coldly, "Your atmosphere is polluting me. Honestly, it's a bit disgusting."

In an instant, the boys stopped envying Bai Lan and instead thought he was amazing.

"Bai Lan can actually flirt with a girl like Horikita? No way, right?"

"Aren't you afraid she'll verbally destroy you?"

"It must be fake. Bai Lan is also sharp-tongued. I suspect they're just verbally sparring with each other, right?"

"Or maybe Bai Lan is a hidden masochist? He's into that kind of thing. He does all these hateful things because he wants people to scold him, and the more he's scolded, the more excited he gets?"

"Huh—???"

Bai Lan's reputation took a hit.

"Ah, right!" Hirata spoke up again. "I hope everyone will keep Bai Lan's intentions a secret for now and don't let him know that we've figured them out.

After all, his plan relies on us not knowing to be effective.

If we expose him, Bai Lan will surely feel like his efforts were in vain and be very disappointed.

It's my fault. I couldn't bear to see everyone at odds and Bai Lan being ostracized, so I couldn't help but say something.

Compared to points and rankings, I value class unity and harmony more.

Please don't expose Bai Lan; just don't be hostile towards him.

Of course, if you can perform well and achieve good points and rankings, it would be an even bigger surprise for Bai Lan, and you'll all get more living expenses."

Everyone agreed.

Chazhu observed all of this.

Chazhu didn't believe that any of this was Bai Lan's true intention.

But she knew that, for the class, it was indeed the most acceptable "truth" at the moment.

Besides, Chazhu felt that these "truths" didn't seem like something Hirata could have analyzed on his own...

Could it be that Bai Lan secretly coordinated with Hirata, playing good cop and bad cop?

Or was there someone else involved?

Soon.

The first class ended.

And not long after, the second class also concluded.

Before the bell for the third class rang.

Bai Lan arrived at the entrance of the Class D classroom precisely on time.

20. Is Class D full of love-struck fools? The outwardly tough but inwardly innocent beauty.

Bai Lan arrived at the entrance of the Class D classroom precisely on time.

He had prepared himself to face the malicious gazes of the entire class.

However, as he walked into the classroom, he found that something was amiss