"No, I'm just stating a fact. Isn't it simply the inevitable result?"
"Not at all. I have plenty of ways to drop out, and I'll definitely be able to leave. To get back at you, I'll completely destroy Class D before I go."
"If all else fails, how about treating it as a deal?"
Hirata seemed to have found a way to communicate with Bai Lan. He said tentatively, "Starting next month, as long as you're still at school, I'll give you 80,000 points every month. And if you need anything, I'll do everything I can to help you. As long as it doesn't violate my principles, even if you get expelled for breaking the rules, I'll help you. That's the deal!"
Hirata pleaded with him.
"A deal?" Bai Lan thought it over.
Because of the misunderstanding over the past two days, most of Class D would feel favorably toward him for a short while.
As the saying went, one didn't hit someone who was smiling.
Under these circumstances, Bai Lan felt a little embarrassed about doing anything to them. He had already been thinking of abandoning the "battlefield" within the class and shifting the fight outside it.
As long as Hirata didn't take a "threatening" attitude, Bai Lan didn't mind going along with the flow.
Thinking this, Bai Lan shrugged. "Fine. I'll try not to 'actively' destroy Class D's nonexistent unity. But if any of them provokes me first, I'll 'passively' fight back."
"No problem. After all, I can't make you suffer or force you to swallow your anger. I only hope you'll hold back a little."
"As for living expenses, forget it. 80,000 a month starting next month? I probably won't still be here by then.
"Don't forget, whenever I need your help, you have to assist me. That's the deal!"
Hirata nodded. "Understood. It's a deal! No feelings involved!"
50. I Desperately Need a Human Shield
And so, Bai Lan and Hirata reached a "deal."
Afterward, Bai Lan couldn't help complaining, "You seem much more decisive now. Is it because you accepted my suggestion and tried to 'balance out' the two extremes?"
"No. Mainly because chatting with you costs too much, so I don't have time to hesitate."
"Then, for the sake of efficiency, let's charge for all our conversations from now on."
"Don't!"
"All right, the extra ten thousand has already been exceeded. The total for this session is 60,000. Pay up."
The next day.
Bai Lan looked at the extra pink envelopes in his shoe locker.
Before shifting his focus to the other classes, he felt he still had to deal with Class D's "battlefield" a little first.
He had to quickly find a suitable female (girl) (friend) (shield)!
Bai Lan searched through the pink envelopes, trying to find something like a challenge letter.
It had been two days since he had "bullied the class flower," and rumors had even spread. Surely those simps should have reacted by now, right?
But there was nothing at all.
Unwilling to give up, he opened the pink envelopes to inspect them, trying to find a challenge letter disguised as a love letter.
Still, he couldn't find anything resembling one.
Was Horikita really completely useless?!
After confirming there were no challenge letters, Bai Lan began dealing with the love letters.
After thinking it over, he quickly took out the class contact list Kushida had given him.
Whenever a love letter had a name on it, he would send a single message: "You're a good person." And with that, he ended these... these mistaken romances born from misunderstandings.
As for the ones without names, he left them alone.
As Bai Lan walked toward the classroom, he pondered how to obtain a qualified fake girlfriend.
Bai Lan had actually considered Kushida too.
After all, Kushida had already revealed the darkness beneath her sweet and innocent disguise. Clearly, she wasn't incapable of fighting off romantic rivals.
Besides, because of the misunderstanding, she was now extremely respectful and fearful of Bai Lan. Their relationship probably wouldn't develop into romance, unless she was a masochist.
Finally, Bai Lan had leverage over her, and she needed something from him as well, so her loyalty was guaranteed.
However, Kushida's goal was to become a "school idol" loved by everyone, and idols generally couldn't have public relationships.
Without even thinking, Bai Lan knew Kushida would never agree, so he stopped considering her.
In fact, Bai Lan had already chosen someone long ago.
The moment he entered the classroom, Bai Lan was met with gazes several times more feverish than yesterday's.
After learning that these kind gazes were only because of a misunderstanding, Bai Lan felt a little... guilty for some reason.
Bai Lan looked toward one of the seats.
Soon, he saw a pair of extremely domineering, aggressive eyes.
Seeing this, Bai Lan immediately relaxed.
Thank goodness. You haven't changed.
Classmate Karuizawa.
That was right.
The gyaru leader—Kei Karuizawa—was Bai Lan's new target!
Bai Lan stared at Karuizawa for several seconds.
He tried to find something resembling shyness in her eyes.
On Karuizawa's side.
Karuizawa was a little flustered.
No, she was extremely flustered.
"Why does Bai always look at me like that? His gaze is like a knife, as if he's trying to cut me open. Did he figure something out?"
"No! I can't look guilty. I acted so domineering at first. If I suddenly soften, people will definitely become suspicious, and they'll start trying to bully me again!"
"Kei! Don't be afraid. Glare back. Bai is a good person anyway, so he won't bully me."
"Wait! A lot of people in class seem to like Bai. If I keep confronting him like this, will they bully me to curry favor with him? Maybe I should give in for now. It's normal to give in to Bai, right?"
"No, no, no. I can't soften. Keep acting tough..."
"Ahhh! Quite a few people noticed me staring at Bai. I'm doomed!"
"Ahhh! What should I do? Bai, please stop looking at me! I'm scared!"
Just as Karuizawa was about to cry again,
Bai Lan noticed that Karuizawa not only hadn't backed down in the slightest, but was glaring even harder, with her killing power continuing to rise.
Bai Lan nodded in satisfaction inwardly, then was the first to look away.
"Not bad. As expected of the human shield I chose. I hope you can be this domineering with the other 'romantic rivals' too."
The human shield had passed inspection.
Now, the only thing left to consider was the matter of the "price."
What is the "cost" of your "loyalty"?
When Karuizawa saw Bai Lan yield first, she immediately relaxed.
Once again, she had successfully maintained her image as a "tough gyaru."
After returning to his seat, Bai Lan took out his phone, opened his contacts, and sent Kushida a message:
"Before school ends today, I want all the information on Kei Karuizawa."
It was great having a useful tool around!
After sending the message,
the next moment,
Ding-dong~
An electronic chime sounded beside Bai Lan.
Bai Lan turned his head.
It was Kushida.
At some point, Kushida had come to the side of the desk next to Bai Lan's.
In other words, beside Horikita's seat.
When Kushida saw Bai Lan looking at her, she first gave him her trademark smile—a gentle, approachable little angel's smile—then opened her phone and read the message Bai Lan had just sent right in front of him.
After reading it, the smile on Kushida's face turned into a question mark.
Kushida cast Bai Lan a very subtle, puzzled look.
You want Karuizawa's information for what?
Bai Lan turned his head to look out the window, conveying with his actions: What's it to you?
Seeing this, Kushida withdrew her gaze without revealing anything and stopped asking. At the same time, her fingers quickly composed a reply.
Three hundred million. Four hundred million to save you.
Soon, Bai Lan's phone received a message.
"Got it. Also, Bai, I'm going in!"
Going in?
Going in where?
Bai Lan soon realized what she meant.
Before you continue