Chapter Summaries

Hoshino Kanade rode to Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School beside a mysterious girl and watched a dispute over an elderly passenger’s seat unfold. After they arrived, Kanade followed the girl and learned her name was Ayanokoji Kina.

• Hoshino Kanade recalled her past life and the financial hardship that led her to enroll at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School.
• Kouenji Rokosuke refused to give his Priority Seat to an unwell elderly woman and argued with an office worker and a short-haired girl who urged him to help.
• The short-haired girl asked the bus passengers for a seat, and a woman gave up hers so the elderly woman could sit.
• Hoshino Kanade noticed her seatmate watching her, then followed the girl after they got off the bus at school.
• Ayanokoji Kina told Hoshino Kanade she had avoided giving up her seat because she did not want to attract attention, then introduced herself.

Hoshino Kanade befriended Ayanokoji Kina and argued with Horikita Suzune before Class D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, explained the school's point system. Kanade decided not to try to save Class D from losing its points and instead planned to profit from sharing information with other classes.

• Hoshino Kanade introduced herself to Ayanokoji Kina, and they discovered they were both in Class D and agreed to be lifelong friends.
• Kanade and Kina found their seats together, where Kanade teased Kina about fate and Horikita Suzune told them to keep quiet.
• Kanade argued with Horikita about who was making the most noise, but their dispute ended when Chabashira Sae arrived.
• Chabashira explained that students had received 100,000 points each, with each point worth one yen, and introduced the school's rules.
• Kanade anticipated that Class D would lose its Class Points and decided to trade information with other classes for Personal Points instead of trying to reform the class.

Hoshino Kanade left his new class’s self-introductions with Ayanokoji Kina and skipped the Opening Ceremony to explore the school and buy necessities. After noticing clues that the school’s points and surveillance concealed something, he parted from Kina and settled into his dorm room.

• Hirata Yosuke proposed a round of self-introductions, and the students began introducing themselves.
• Hoshino Kanade slipped out of the classroom, and Horikita Suzune left soon after; Ayanokoji Kina followed Kanade and agreed to exchange first names with him.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kina skipped the Opening Ceremony and visited the school Convenience Store to buy necessities.
• Hoshino Kanade pointed out that the monthly points might be affected by evaluations and that the school’s many cameras seemed suspicious.
• Hoshino Kanade exchanged contact information with Kina, collected his key to room 404, and entered his dorm room.

Hoshino Kanade weighed how to earn points and protect herself in Class D while considering Ayanokoji Kina as a potential ally. In her dorm, Kina embraced her newfound freedom and accepted Sou’s invitation to eat.

• Hoshino Kanade considered selling information to other classes, but decided to observe first and avoid risking her place in Class D.
• Hoshino Kanade identified possible informants in Class D, including Matsushita Chiaki, but postponed approaching anyone.
• Hoshino Kanade messaged Ayanokoji Kina to invite her to eat.
• Ayanokoji Kina enjoyed her independence at the school and reflected on Sou’s behavior and their friendship.
• Ayanokoji Kina accepted Sou’s invitation to eat.

Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona ate Mapo Tofu in the cafeteria, where Kanade noticed third-years looking down on students who ate the Free Meal Set. Later, Kanade went to the library with Kiyona and found Shiina Hiyori, whom she admired again.

• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona chose Mapo Tofu after deciding against the Free Meal Set.
• Kiyona struggled with the spicy food, and Hoshino Kanade wiped sweat from her face.
• Hoshino Kanade noticed third-years treating regular Free Meal Set diners with contempt, but neither she nor Kiyona knew why.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona went to the library, where Kanade planned to study and eventually seek cooperation with Class C.
• Hoshino Kanade found Shiina Hiyori reading in the library and was captivated by her again.

Hoshino Kanade spent the first two days at school reading and getting closer to Kiyona while Shiina Hiyori watched them from the library and planned how to befriend them. When Kiyona asked Kanade to attend the club orientation, Kanade agreed, drawing the attention of their classmates.

• Shiina Hiyori watched Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona browse mystery novels in the library but decided not to approach them, planning a chance encounter instead.
• Hoshino Kanade spent her free time reading books Shiina Hiyori might like, then read her own preferred genres and other books she thought Hiyori might enjoy.
• Kushida added Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona to the class group chat after asking for their contact information and explaining that she had worried when they missed the Opening Ceremony.
• Kiyona asked Hoshino Kanade to accompany her to the club orientation, and Kanade agreed after Kiyona playfully pretended to cry.
• Kiyona pressed Kanade's hand against her head, and their classmates watched them while some boys howled in distress.

Hoshino Kanade accompanied Kiyona to the club fair, where Kiyona made a remark that sounded like a confession and drew the crowd’s attention. Kiyona explained that she had copied the line from a Galgame, and they went to eat together.

• Hoshino Kanade studied through the afternoon classes and waited for the club fair with Kiyona.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona went to the gym, where Kiyona showed little interest in the clubs.
• Kiyona told Hoshino Kanade that no club had meaning without her, prompting Hoshino Kanade to lead her out of the gym to escape the gathering crowd.
• Hoshino Kanade told Kiyona that her remark sounded like a confession, and Kiyona said she had learned the line from a Galgame.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona agreed to go eat.

Hoshino Kanade arranged a private meeting with Ichinose Honami to discuss the school’s hidden conditions and presented her with a confidentiality contract. After he claimed that only Class A would receive the school’s best graduation opportunities, Ichinose signed the contract, and the chapter ended with her accepting the deal.

• Hoshino Kanade got Ichinose Honami’s contact information from Kushida and arranged to meet her privately at a KTV room.
• Hoshino prepared a contract requiring Ichinose to keep his identity documents confidential and met her at the KTV after checking that she had arrived alone.
• Ichinose questioned the contract’s one-sided terms, while Hoshino offered to let her record their conversation as protection.
• Hoshino told Ichinose that only Class A would receive the school’s preferential resources after graduation.
• Ichinose believed him and signed the contract.

Hoshino Kanade struck a flexible information-sharing deal with Ichinose, then returned to ordinary school life with Kiyona. Their lunch at the cafeteria ended in disappointment, and Kiyona went back to the dorm after school, leaving Kanade to visit the library alone.

• Hoshino Kanade explained the class rankings and Class A's guarantees to Ichinose, then signed a contract offering the first exam's contents for 2 million points, payable a month later at her discretion.
• Hoshino Kanade reflected that he would need to reconsider his terms with Class C and put off approaching Class A.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona passed notes during class and discussed what to eat for lunch.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona tried the cafeteria's Jimo Double Fresh Rice Bowl and found its sour, fishy flavors unpleasant.
• Kiyona's teeth were stained by the squid ink, so she said she would return to the dorm after school, leaving Hoshino Kanade to go to the library alone.

Shiina Hiyori abandoned her elaborate plans to approach Hoshino Kanade and accepted Hoshino’s invitation to read together in the library. They bonded over mystery novels, exchanged books, and agreed to discuss more mysteries another time.

• Shiina Hiyori discovered that Hoshino Kanade rarely sat alone and gave up on her plans to engineer a chance encounter.
• Shiina Hiyori arrived at the library and watched Hoshino Kanade reading alone, but hesitated to interrupt her.
• Hoshino Kanade noticed Shiina Hiyori watching and invited her to read together.
• Shiina Hiyori and Hoshino Kanade discussed the hidden clues in Ryusei no Kizuna.
• Shiina Hiyori offered Hoshino a first edition of Ellery Queen, and Hoshino agreed to discuss another mystery with her later.

Hoshino Kanade introduced Shiina Hiyori to Ayanokoji Kiyona, and the two girls became friends through their shared love of mystery novels. Kanade then entrusted Shiina with information about Class A’s first exam and asked her to negotiate a one-million-point deal with Ryuen Kakeru, while Kiyona watched and prepared to ask Kanade about her plans.

• Hoshino Kanade introduced Shiina Hiyori to Ayanokoji Kiyona, and Kiyona eased Shiina’s nerves by recommending a John Dickson Carr mystery.
• Shiina Hiyori and Kiyona became friends with Kanade through their shared interest in books, while Shiina continued reading to avoid arousing Kiyona’s suspicions.
• Hoshino Kanade asked Shiina Hiyori to take information about Class A’s first exam to Ryuen Kakeru and negotiate a deal.
• Hoshino Kanade and Shiina Hiyori agreed on a price of one million points, delayed payment until next month, and secrecy about Kanade’s involvement.
• Ayanokoji Kiyona observed the deal and resolved to ask Hoshino Kanade questions about her plans.

Hoshino Kanade and Shiina Hiyori agreed to prioritize their shared life over competing for Class A, while Hiyori helped Kanade earn information worth one million points. At the start of May, Chabashira Sae revealed that Class D had earned no points because of its students’ behavior and posted the class rankings.

• Hoshino Kanade trusted Kiyona enough to say she was not interested in the Class Game and cared more about earning points for their daily lives.
• Shiina Hiyori agreed with Kanade and Ayanokoji’s priorities, and the three officially joined forces.
• The next day, Hiyori told Kanade that useful information would earn her one million points early the following month.
• On May 1, Chabashira Sae told the class that its points had been deposited, while Hondo insisted his account still showed zero.
• Koenji announced that Class D had received no points, and Chabashira explained that the class’s lateness, absences, and disruptions had cost them their allowance.
• Chabashira posted the rankings: Class A had 950 points, Class B had 940, Class C had 750, and Class D had zero.

Class D learned that its zero Class Points would leave the students without monthly income and that the school ranked them as defective students. Meanwhile, the former Class A struggled with its demotion to Class B as Sakayanagi Arisu warned Katsuragi Kouhei about his follower’s behavior.

• Chabashira Sae told Class D that its zero Class Points would remain unchanged until graduation and explained that the school assigned classes according to merit.
• Horikita Suzune challenged the class assignment system, but Chabashira Sae told her to prove herself by moving up to Class A.
• Chabashira Sae revealed that seven Class D students would have failed and been expelled if the quiz had been a formal exam.
• A Class C student taunted the former Class A students over their demotion, and Katsuragi Kouhei stopped Totsuka Yahiko from chasing him.
• Sakayanagi Arisu warned Katsuragi Kouhei that Totsuka Yahiko’s reckless behavior could cost their class its place in Class B.

After the first month's aptitude assessment reshuffled the class rankings, Class A celebrated while Class D struggled with zero points and growing conflict. Hoshino Kanade reflected on how the changed rankings had weakened his advantage, then he and Ayanokoji were summoned to the teachers' office.

• Ichinose praised Class A for earning promotion, while Kanzaki worried about preparing for future challenges.
• Ryuen watched Class C students begin to appreciate his strict discipline after their class received 750 points.
• Yukimura confronted Hirata over Class D's placement, and Kushida calmed him before Sudo stormed out during Hirata's appeal for cooperation.
• Hirata called an after-school meeting as Yamauchi tried to sell his game console and Karuizawa borrowed points from classmates.
• Hoshino Kanade reflected on Class D's collapse and his dwindling advantage before an announcement summoned him and Ayanokoji to Chabashira's office.

Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona went to meet Chabashira, who secretly locked them in a kitchenette and ordered them to remain silent. As footsteps approached outside, the two stayed close together in the darkness.

• Hoshino Kanade suggested that Chabashira might have discovered Kiyona's disguise, then admitted he had only been teasing her.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona found Hoshinomiya Chie waiting in the office, where she flirted with Hoshino Kanade until Chabashira returned and scolded her.
• Chabashira led Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona to the Guidance Room, then locked them inside its kitchenette and warned them to stay silent or risk expulsion.
• In the dark kitchenette, Kiyona teased Hoshino Kanade as they wondered what Chabashira was planning.
• Hoshino Kanade heard approaching footsteps, and Kiyona instinctively moved into his arms as he put his arms around her.

Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona hid together in a cramped space, where their close embrace turned into their first kisses. They remained pressed together, trying to keep quiet and avoid being expelled.

• Hoshino Kanade warned Kiyona not to make a sound while they hid from Chabashira Sae.
• Kiyona realized Hoshino Kanade wanted to be intimate with her and worried that they would be expelled.
• Kiyona covered Hoshino Kanade's mouth when he groaned, then kissed him to keep him quiet.
• Hoshino Kanade deepened the kiss, and Kiyona asked him to continue.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona held each other as they tried to calm their growing desire.

Horikita Suzune questioned Chabashira Sae about being placed in Class D and learned that her entrance exam score was flawless. Chabashira then summoned Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona from the break room, where their suspiciously flushed appearance left her uncertain about what they had been doing.

• Horikita Suzune asked Chabashira why she had been assigned to Class D, and Chabashira showed her a copy of her answer sheet.
• Chabashira confirmed that Horikita's written score was flawless while noises from the break room interrupted their conversation.
• Chabashira ordered Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona to leave the break room, threatening them with expulsion if they stayed hidden.
• Kiyona and Hoshino Kanade emerged flushed and offered excuses for their appearance and behavior.
• Chabashira asked whether they had overheard her conversation with Horikita, and they denied hearing anything, leaving her doubtful of her suspicions.

Chabashira Sae questioned Ayanokoji Kina about her precisely uniform exam scores and Hoshino Kanade about her poor cooperation and indifference to class points. The conversation ended with Chabashira Sae considering how to lead Class D toward Class A as the three students left the office.

• Chabashira Sae showed Ayanokoji Kina her exam results, all exactly fifty, and asked whether she had controlled her scores on purpose.
• Ayanokoji Kina admitted she had taken the test that way because it was fun, following Hoshino Kanade's prepared advice.
• Chabashira Sae questioned Hoshino Kanade about her poor interview evaluation and lack of interest in fitting in or earning Class Points.
• Hoshino Kanade said she did not care which class she was in, disliked forming personal bonds, and could manage with the Free Meal Set.
• Chabashira Sae considered how to get Ayanokoji Kina, Hoshino Kanade, and Horikita Suzune to lead Class D to Class A, then dismissed them for a staff meeting.
• Horikita Suzune left first without looking back at Chabashira Sae, Ayanokoji Kina, or Hoshino Kanade.

After leaving Chabashira Sae’s office, Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona grew closer as they walked together. Horikita Suzune asked them to help raise the class to Class A, but they rejected her, leaving her determined to lead the class on her own.

• Kiyona and Hoshino Kanade left Chabashira Sae’s office and walked arm in arm along Cherry Blossom Path.
• Horikita Suzune confronted them and asked them to use their abilities to help the class reach Class A.
• Hoshino Kanade told Horikita that Class A was her goal, not theirs, and Kiyona agreed that they were not interested.
• Hoshino Kanade and Kiyona left together, while Horikita resolved to raise Class D to Class A by relying on herself.

After kissing Hoshino Kanade, Kiyona grew more intimate with him and discovered that being close to him brought her enjoyment, happiness, and calm. She questioned whether she wanted him or merely the comfort he gave her, but decided she only wanted to stay by his side.

• Kiyona reflected on her isolated upbringing in the White House and how her experiences at school had begun to awaken emotions she thought she had lost.
• Kiyona realized that kissing Hoshino Kanade felt good and brought back feelings of enjoyment, dependence, and happiness.
• Hoshino Kanade accepted Kiyona's increasingly intimate gestures, though he wondered whether she wanted romance or simply its outward rituals.
• Kiyona and Hoshino Kanade grew closer in their daily routine, walking arm in arm, sharing food at lunch, and reading together at the library.
• Kiyona wondered whether she longed for Hoshino Kanade himself or for the comfort of his presence, then concluded that she wanted to remain by his side.