Action

Unlike Shiina Hiyori, an NPC who appeared at set times in the library, there was no fixed time or place where Ichinose Honami could be found outside her dorm or classroom.

When she went out, she usually went with her classmates.

The best way to avoid drawing attention was to ask her out to discuss the deal. That way, they could choose the time and place freely, and the odds of being discovered would be low.

There were only two people on Hoshino Kanade's terminal: Kiyona and, naturally, Kushida, the most popular girl in Class D.

"Kushida, do you have Class B's Ichinose Honami's contact info?" (Read)

As expected of the most popular girl. She read messages instantly. She probably kept an eye on her terminal twenty-four hours a day. Was that the price of being popular?

"I do. Why do you want Ichinose's contact info, Hoshino?"

"A couple of days ago, Ichinose helped me at the library. I want to thank her."

Of course, he'd made up the reason. Given Kushida's persona, she wouldn't pry.

"Got it. Don't tell anyone I gave it to you, okay? Ichinose's contact info: ..."

"You're a lifesaver. Thanks."

In the end, Kushida handed over Ichinose's contact information without a fuss.

Kushida wasn't really a Little Angel, but it was enough that she was one to him.

He added Ichinose's contact information, and she approved his request soon after.

The popular kids all had a few things in common: they spent much of their time socializing, had high emotional intelligence, kept an eye on their friends' messages, and looked good.

"Hello, I'm Hoshino Kanade from Class 1-D. There's something important I'd like to discuss with you in private. Would that be all right?" (Read)

It sounded a little robotic, but it explained everything clearly. It was a good message.

"Sure."

From Hoshino Kanade's message, Ichinose knew she wouldn't get anything out of asking questions online, so she didn't ask any.

She also sensed that something was off about the school. Maybe Hoshino Kanade would bring her some answers.

With her angelic nature, Ichinose trusted that no one at school would hurt her. Of course, she wouldn't agree to meet without taking any precautions.

"Tomorrow at 8 p.m., KTV room 206."

There was no choice. If they met after school tomorrow, Kiyona might latch onto her, and then it'd be over. She'd have some time to herself only after dinner, once they'd parted ways at the elevator.

Before then, Hoshino Kanade still needed to prepare the contract.

A contract's validity depended on whether both parties could maintain a balance of their own accord, so a teacher's witness wasn't necessarily required.

But when point transfers were involved, it was safer to have a teacher witness the deal. If Ichinose wanted one, they could work things out first and then ask Hoshinomiya to witness it.

Hoshinomiya had a grudge against Chabashira Sae, so there was almost no chance she'd expose him. And with someone like him, willing to favor other classes, how could Class D fail to come last?

It was the fourth day of school, and Class D was still letting loose.

They really did deserve the zero points they'd be getting next month. Though Hoshino Kanade figured he and Kiyona had already cost the class a lot of points by skipping the Opening Ceremony on their first day.

Since they were getting zero points anyway, they might as well splurge and get more value out of it. He'd never felt so rich.

The day passed uneventfully.

"See ya~"

As usual, he said goodbye to Kiyona by the elevator on the fourth floor.

Now it was time to get moving.

He returned to his dorm, picked up the book with the contract tucked inside, and took the elevator downstairs. Since he'd already reserved a KTV room, all he had to do was wait outside, pretending to be someone else.

At 7:40, Ichinose arrived alone at the KTV, twenty minutes ahead of their agreed time.

After watching the area for a few minutes and making sure she hadn't brought a tail, Hoshino Kanade entered room 206 as well.

As expected, the room's layout was slightly different from what Hoshino Kanade remembered. Ichinose must have checked it out beforehand.

Only after making sure the door was shut did Hoshino Kanade turn around and look at the great angel.

Her honey-gold hair fell naturally over her shoulders, its strands shining with a warm luster that complemented her fair, luminous skin.

Her eyes were a clear gradient of gold and purple. Their outer corners drooped slightly. Even though she looked wary now, she still radiated an infectious warmth.

As expected of a great angel. She really was something. And the Little Angel wasn't bad either.

"Let me introduce myself properly. I'm Hoshino Kanade, Class 1-D."

"I'm Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B. Just call me Ichinose."

Seeing that he really did have something to discuss, Ichinose relaxed.

"I've heard your name come up among my classmates."

Hoshino Kanade already knew what she was going to say.

"The fastest legend among the new students: you won the heart of a pretty girl in your class in less than two days, then showed off your love everywhere and made everyone jealous."

Ichinose Honami spoke softly, a faint smile on her lips, as she recounted the school legend.

"You're amazing, Hoshino."

From the way Ichinose said it, she genuinely seemed to think Hoshino Kanade was amazing.

Hoshino Kanade really wanted to know who'd started that ridiculous rumor. His relationship with Kiyona was just that of ordinary friends... maybe a little more than friends.

"I'm not sure what's so amazing about that, but we should get down to business."

Ichinose sat up straight.

"Sign this first. Then we can continue."

Hoshino Kanade took out a contract.

"...Party B must keep Party A's identity documents strictly confidential... Violations will require Party B to pay Party A ten million points."

Ichinose took the contract. At first, she only skimmed it, but by the end she couldn't help frowning as she read the words aloud.

The contract only imposed obligations on Party B, which meant Ichinose.

"Of course, if you're worried I'll swindle you, you can record our conversation. Just keep the recording somewhere safe, where no one will find it."

If Ichinose signed the contract and Hoshino Kanade immediately took it to the school to accuse her of exposing his identity, the school probably wouldn't recognize the contract as valid.

The number of points involved was too high. There was no way the accusation would succeed.

But if she recorded their conversation and the leak later spread through the whole class, the recording could be used as evidence. That might actually be enough to make the contract enforceable.

In the end, the contract's validity depended entirely on whether the school chose to recognize it. Besides, the terms were vague, making it even harder to enforce.

Ichinose hesitated. She could see the problem, but she didn't know whether Hoshino Kanade had any valuable information, or whether the contract contained some trap she hadn't noticed.

To Hoshino Kanade, the contract's main value was that it tested whether the other party was willing to cooperate. He'd already carefully vetted his partners, so the risk of his identity being exposed was manageable.

It seemed time to add a little more fuel to the fire.

"Only Class A gets all the preferential resources the school offers when they graduate, like recommendations to top universities at home or abroad, or introductions to their dream companies."

The first half of his statement had already stunned Ichinose. She couldn't verify whether what Hoshino Kanade said was true, but she believed him anyway.

The school's conditions were too good to be true. Nothing that generous just fell into your lap.

It reminded her of how, back in middle school, she'd thought she could give her little sister the hair clip she wanted for her birthday. It had all felt like a dream.

But the price had been getting caught stealing. Even though the lowest, most abject dogeza had won her forgiveness, she still hadn't been able to give her sister the hair clip.

So what would it cost to achieve a wish worth countless times more than that one?

"I understand."

Ichinose signed her name without hesitation.