Complicated

Hoshino Kanade's personal terminal. Its screen emitted a bright, piercing, cold blue light in the dim surroundings, clearly displaying the points he possessed.

Hoshino Kanade casually flipped it over and held it out to Matsushita Chiaki, the light instantly occupying a corner of her vision.

Matsushita Chiaki's gaze was drawn to the bright light, focusing on the most prominent information in the center.

The next moment, her pupils contracted sharply—on the cold screen, the clear number following the "Point Balance" line, with a burning sensation, was reflected in her widened blue irises, a result of her shock.

3,021,300

That seven-digit number hovered before her eyes like a brand.

Three million points!

The intense visual impact, a combination of the overwhelmingly large number and the terminal's bright light, made her mind buzz and go blank.

For a moment, she thought she was experiencing some kind of visual distortion, that the number before her was merely an illusion created by the light.

But the outline of the number reflected in her eyes was so clear, the digits so distinct, it felt like it was crushing her existing perception.

At a time when Class D's points were zero and everyone was meticulously budgeting, this astronomical figure exploded in her mind like a bomb! How did he do it? What was behind it?

She suddenly looked up at Hoshino Kanade, her eyes filled with incredulous shock.

Those beautiful blue eyes were wide open, clearly reflecting the terrifying number and his calm, unruffled face.

Three million points! What did that mean? It meant absolute freedom. It meant that in this closed world where "points" measured everything, he possessed resources and operational space unimaginable to ordinary people!

He was fully capable of changing many situations in an instant!

Yet, he chose to stay in Class D, like an ordinary student—apart from his strange interactions with Kiyona, and now sitting opposite her, looking at her with terrifyingly calm eyes.

The immense impact made her mouth open slightly, her elegant pretense completely torn away, revealing her true astonishment.

"Why... How did you..." Her voice trembled uncontrollably. The shyness and wild thoughts from before were completely swept away by the shock of being utterly crushed by pure strength.

Faced with the tip of this man's colossal iceberg, those girlish thoughts seemed so insignificant.

Hoshino Kanade calmly took back his terminal.

"How I obtained it is not important," he said lightly, clearly not intending to answer the question, his tone carrying the composure of someone superior.

"What's important is that this number proves two things: First, I have the ability to fulfill my promise and provide you with substantial support in the murky waters of Class D;

Second, I have no interest in the superficial glory of Class A. I am staying here for my own purpose."

He looked at Matsushita Chiaki's still-recovering face and added, his gaze penetrating, "This purpose is not relevant to you for now. What you need to concern yourself with is whether the 'mutually beneficial' relationship we just established can hold."

Matsushita Chiaki's mind raced.

The impact of the enormous sum of points was immense; it completely overturned her perception of Hoshino Kanade.

He possessed unfathomable power, yet he was lurking in Class D.

His "transaction" conditions did not excessively harm her core interests and might even provide her with a powerful hidden backer.

The risk of her disguise being exposed was huge, but refusing Hoshino Kanade? Her intuition told her that might mean greater unknown dangers.

More importantly, his words, "Being in limbo makes one most vulnerable to being torn apart," struck a chord deep within her fear.

The feeling of precariousness had never disappeared after Class D's points hit zero.

Hoshino Kanade offered a path, a path to safety earned through her own abilities, and this path, paved by such a hidden powerhouse, seemed... exceptionally reliable?

Matsushita Chiaki took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the last trace of awkwardness stemming from her previous thoughts.

At this moment, in the face of absolute strength and a clear analysis of pros and cons, those emotions had to give way.

She looked at Hoshino Kanade, the panic in her eyes fading, replaced by a light mixed with decisiveness, weighing, and a hint of the possibility of finding reliance.

That light made her blue eyes bright and deep, like the sea after a storm, shimmering with intelligence and realization.

She nodded solemnly, her movements elegant and firm, her confidence in regaining control reaching its peak at this moment:

"I understand. What do you need me to see? And where do you need my hands... to reach?" Her voice no longer trembled, carrying the clarity of executing a mission and the prudence of accepting cooperation.

Her proactive offer to acknowledge the role of her "hands" signaled her acceptance of the transaction and confirmed her role in the new partnership.

Hoshino Kanade looked at the focus and cooperative posture in her eyes and gave a barely perceptible nod.

Objective achieved.

Using both benevolence and authority, he showed her the situation, made her recognize his value, and offered protection and independent space.

When she feared her "disguise" being revealed, he pointed out a new path that would preserve it while providing security.

Matsushita Chiaki was a clear-headed and intelligent person. Once she weighed the pros and cons, she would understand this was the optimal solution.

Willingly? Complete loyalty might not be there yet, but it was at least a rational choice.

Her observation and analytical skills would become a reliable pair of eyes for him in the complex ecosystem of Class D.

Hoshino Kanade didn't need her admiration or affection, only her efficiency and obedience.

Deep within those deep eyes, a hint of satisfaction from a plan coming to fruition flickered.

The maiden before him, displaying a unique beauty that blended elegance, intelligence, resilience, and situational awareness, was undoubtedly more valuable than mere prettiness.