The silence on the school bus had been a brief overture, but it was shattered completely as the new students entered their classroom. Class D was filled with an atmosphere of anticipation, tension, and curiosity. The students searched for their seats by the name tags on the desks, eyeing one another cautiously.
Fūki Ran quickly found the seat with his name on it—a spot near the back by the window. From there, he could see most of the classroom. His gaze calmly swept over his future "classmates." Kushida Kikyo, with her short orange hair and bright smile, was already striking up a conversation with the girl beside her. Ken Sudō, tall and wearing a surly expression, sat with his arms crossed, looking impatient. Yukimura Teruhiko, who wore glasses, kept his head down as if trying to make himself invisible.
His gaze finally came to rest on the aloof figure seated diagonally in front of him—Horikita Suzune. She sat alone in the front row, her nameplate confirming her identity. Her long black hair fell like a waterfall, and she sat ramrod straight, completely at odds with the faint commotion around her, as if an invisible wall surrounded her.
The arrival of their homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, quieted the classroom somewhat. The long-haired woman wore a professional suit, and her eyes held a trace of languor and indifference.
"I'm your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae." Her voice was flat, without much inflection. "Before we begin homeroom, there's something you need to know."
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the students as their attention gradually focused on her.
"Starting today, each of you will receive 100,000 'Private Points' from the school every month."
"One hundred thousand?!"
After a brief silence, the classroom erupted in disbelieving cries and whispers. Many students wore unrestrained delight on their faces. One hundred thousand yen was undoubtedly a fortune to a high school student.
Chabashira Sae watched the students' reactions, the corner of her mouth seeming to curl into the faintest smile.
"These points can be used at almost every facility in the school, including shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues," she continued. "You can explore how they work on your own. Now, let's begin homeroom."
She said nothing about any connection between class rank and changes to their points. She had simply dangled an enticing bait.
The students burst into even livelier discussion, and almost no one paid attention to the usual explanations of school rules. Yamauchi Haruki and Kanji Ike, seated diagonally in front of Fūki, were already excitedly planning how to spend their points. Ken Sudō also looked interested. Even Yukimura Teruhiko, though he pushed up his glasses as if trying to stay calm, had a flicker of excitement in his eyes.
Only Horikita Suzune listened without changing expression, though her faintly furrowed brow betrayed a hint of doubt. Clearly, she wasn't as easily swept up in this sudden "gift" as everyone else.
Fūki took it all in, understanding perfectly. Teacher Chabashira had deliberately concealed key information. The 100,000 points were both a sweetener and a trap. Most of the Class D students couldn't wait to jump right in. Horikita's wariness made her stand out.
After homeroom ended, the classroom grew even livelier. Kushida Kikyo moved eagerly through the crowd, smiling brightly as she suggested they exchange contact information and set up a class group chat. "We're all classmates now, so let's get along!"
Quite a few students answered her call, especially the boys, who were particularly enthusiastic about the lively, adorable girl.
Fūki didn't join in. He tidied his books, and his gaze once again happened to pass over Horikita Suzune's seat. She had already packed up and stood without hesitation, leaving the classroom alone. She ignored Kushida Kikyo's invitation behind her: "Horikita, why don't you come with us?"
Fūki followed at an unhurried pace.
The connecting corridor leading to the Dormitory Building was relatively quiet. Fūki quickened his steps and appeared beside Horikita Suzune just as she was about to turn into another hallway.
"Ten thousand points sounds tempting, doesn't it, Horikita?" Fūki's calm voice gave no hint whether he was musing aloud or testing her.
Horikita Suzune stopped short and turned sharply, her Purple Eyes fixing on Fūki with clear wariness and a trace of annoyance at being interrupted. She glanced at the name tag still pinned to his chest. "Fūki. What resources the school provides have nothing to do with me. I only need an environment where I can study and the guarantee of further education."
"True. For someone determined to rely on their own abilities, external conditions are secondary." Fūki nodded, his tone still even. "Still, a school that so generously provides a huge sum of money while being vague about how it's obtained and what rules might be involved is bound to make people curious about how it works. Aren't you curious, Horikita?"
Horikita's expression shifted slightly, but then grew even colder. "How the school operates isn't something I need to concern myself with. I only need to do what I'm supposed to do. If you want to discuss baseless speculation, then I'll have to decline."
Her words were decisive, raising that solid wall once more.
"I just think that, in a school that seems ordinary, there may be things we should be watching out for together." Fūki wasn't discouraged. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice with a subtle note of persuasion. "Sometimes, walking alone can mean missing important signs along the way."
Horikita Suzune knitted her brows, clearly displeased with Fūki's almost preachy attitude. "I decide my own path. I don't need anyone telling me what to do. Please stop following me."
With that, she gave Fūki no further chance. She turned decisively and quickened her pace, her black hair tracing a cool arc through the air, shutting out both Fūki and everything he had left unsaid.
Fūki stood where he was, watching her disappear at the end of the corridor. Rather than looking annoyed at being rejected, he wore the faintest smile.
Her rejection had been expected. But the anomaly of the "100,000 points" had quietly planted a seed of doubt in her proud heart. When she moved forward alone and encountered an obstacle she couldn't understand, that seed would naturally sprout.
No need to rush.
Fūki turned and headed toward the Boys' Dormitory. Conquering this aloof iceberg would take patience and impeccable timing. He had plenty of patience, and he was good at creating opportunities.
This was only the first round in his game with Horikita Suzune. The real game had only just begun.
Before you continue