Sakayanagi Arisu's Probing

Kazehara Tetsu hadn't gone far, walking through the teaching building corridor where there were still few people.

He didn't choose to head straight to the gymnasium but instead circled to the other side of the building, stopping by a window-facing vending machine.

The spot was ideal—it let him avoid the main flow of students exiting the classrooms while keeping an eye on the only path leading to the gymnasium.

He didn't buy any drinks, just leaned lazily against the wall, hands in his pockets, gaze cast toward the campus scenery outside the window.

Time ticked by, second after second, and the corridor remained quiet.

Kazehara Tetsu showed no sign of impatience; his patience was as good as ever, as if he was waiting for something.

Finally, a highly rhythmic "tap, tap" sound came from around the corner of the corridor.

The sound was unhurried, carrying a unique cadence.

Kazehara Tetsu didn't turn around, didn't even change his posture, still staring out the window as if oblivious to what was behind him.

The crisp tapping grew closer and eventually stopped not far behind him.

"It seems Classmate Kazehara has a rather unique taste in scenery appreciation."

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice carried a hint of subtle scrutiny.

She stood there, her silver-white hair catching a faint halo from the light streaming in through the window, the tip of her cane lightly tapping the ground, her whole figure like a still classical painting.

"No matter how beautiful the scenery, looking at it too long gets tiresome. Occasionally changing perspectives, or waiting for some more interesting special scenery to appear, can be a nice diversion."

Kazehara Tetsu finally turned around, back against the wall, meeting Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze without flinching.

"Oh? Special scenery?"

A faint, elegant curve lifted the corner of Sakayanagi Arisu's mouth. "I thought Classmate Kazehara was in a hurry to leave and watch the entrance ceremony?"

"The entrance ceremony is still a ways off; no rush. As for you, Classmate Sakayanagi..."

His gaze lingered for a moment on her excessively frail body before returning to her face. "I care more about you."

"Care about me? Classmate Kazehara, your words are always hard to pin down. What about me is worth your care?"

"You're being dense, Classmate Sakayanagi. Or has no one dared to say this to you before... After all, this is a cute girl!"

In response to Kazehara Tetsu's almost flippant assertion, Sakayanagi Arisu's reaction defied ordinary expectations.

She showed no trace of shyness or irritation; the smile on her face remained unchanged in its curve.

"Cute? That's quite an interesting evaluation."

"Classmate Kazehara, generally speaking, when male creatures use that word, it often points to the target's harmlessness, submissiveness, or some fragile trait that stirs a protective instinct. Which of those do you think I fit?"

"No, Classmate Sakayanagi, you're wrong on all counts."

Kazehara Tetsu shook his head, slowly pushing off the wall and stepping closer to her.

"The 'cuteness' I'm talking about has nothing to do with words like harmlessness, submissiveness, or fragility."

"It's you—pretending to be a quiet puppet who needs others' care, while secretly craving a thrilling 'bloodbath' in the shadows."

"That's what I find most 'cute' about you."

With each word, he took a step forward.

By the time he finished, he stood right in front of Sakayanagi Arisu, close enough to clearly catch the faint, elegant fragrance from her hair tips.

At that distance, it was aggressive for anyone, let alone for a girl with physical limitations who valued her personal space immensely.

It was a blatant provocation, a form of pressure on the physical layer.

Yet Sakayanagi Arisu didn't step back.

She remained still in her original place, looking up, forced into an angle of looking up at the much taller Kazehara Tetsu.

Her heartbeat did quicken for a moment.

But it wasn't from fear or emotion—it was the thrill of facing a rival, the unexpected delight of encountering a surprise.

Who was this man?

On the first day of school, an unknown Class A student with such terrifying insight.

A breeze swept through the corridor window, lifting a few strands of her silver hair, which lightly brushed against the back of Kazehara Tetsu's hand.

"Classmate Kazehara... you truly are a delightful surprise."

She took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in her inner heart, her smile still intact. "It seems I'll need to reassess your 'value.'"

"My value is far higher than you can imagine."

"Alright, the appetizer ends here."

Kazehara Tetsu glanced toward the end of the corridor, where a few students had already started heading toward the gymnasium.

He extended his hand in a "please" gesture, the cynical smile returning to the corner of his mouth.

"If you don't mind, Classmate Sakayanagi, how about we go to the entrance ceremony together? After all, listening to those boring speeches with a 'cute' companion by your side might make this waste of time a little more interesting."

Sakayanagi Arisu stared at him silently for a few seconds.

"Since Classmate Kazehara so kindly invites me, I have no reason to refuse."

She gave a slight nod of assent. "However, I walk rather slowly. I might hold you back."

"That's fine. I'm very patient."

Kazehara Tetsu smiled as he stepped forward to walk beside her, deliberately slowing his pace to match hers. "Perfect timing. I actually have quite a few questions I'd like to ask you along the way."

"By the way..." Sakayanagi Arisu, as if suddenly remembering something, asked casually, "What do you think about that S System and the monthly hundred thousand points, Classmate Kagihara?"

The question seemed offhand, but it was another heavy probe she had thrown out.

Kazehara Tetsu glanced at her, his eyes carrying a hint of assessment. "Oh? Isn't Classmate Sakayanagi the principal's child? You should be very clear on the ins and outs of this. Why ask me?"

Sakayanagi Arisu responded quickly, clearly wanting to know if Kazehara Tetsu could see the problems with the S System. "I'd rather hear your opinion."

"Those hundred thousand points—rather than a benefit, they're a test. An initial filter to separate the 'fools' from the 'clever ones.'"

"It's like throwing a pack of wolves starved for days into a warehouse piled high with food, without telling them that once the food runs out, there won't be any more. Those who recklessly squander their points will soon find themselves unable to maintain even the most basic survival. This School has been conducting a brutal elimination from the very start."

Kazehara Tetsu's reply confirmed to Sakayanagi Arisu that he already understood the essence of the S System, raising her estimation of him another notch.

A trace of genuine recognition crept into Sakayanagi's voice. "Then, what do you think is the core of this system?"

"Exchange." Kazehara Tetsu spat out the word without hesitation.

"Exchange?"

"Yes, exchange."

Kazehara Tetsu's footsteps didn't stop, his gaze passing through the bustling crowd ahead. "Points for goods—that's the most basic exchange. But what This School truly wants us to learn is a higher level of exchange. Information, favors, loyalty, betrayal... even class rankings. I suspect there must be some kind of convertible relationship between class evaluation and Personal Points."

Leveraging his advantage of knowing the plot, Kazehara Tetsu directly stated the function of the S System and its impact on future classes with a tone of certainty.

Sakayanagi Arisu fell completely silent.

She leaned on her cane, walking quietly, but her mind was racing.

This man... just what does he know?