After school, Horinata and Konoe arrived at the Teacher's Office.
"...So why did you come along?" Konoe asked Horikita before knocking.
Horikita looked puzzled. "What's wrong? I have something to discuss with Chabashira-sensei too. Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. Then wait here by the door." Konoe entered the Teacher's Office after knocking, but as he started to close the door, Horikita forced her way inside.
"You..."
"You're here, Konoe. And Horikita, too?"
Konoe asked helplessly, "Chabashira-sensei, what did you want to see me about?"
"Shouldn't you know?" Chabashira started to take out her phone.
Just as Konoe had expected. But this wasn't a good time.
"Wait! Isn't this a bad place for that?" Konoe hinted.
"...You're right. I'm the only one in the office for now, but you should still come with me to the Guidance Room."
"Did you hear that? Horikita, stay here and wait." Konoe thought Chabashira had understood his hint and spoke happily.
"No, Horikita should come too."
Konoe's smile froze. "...There's no need for that, is there?"
"What do you mean, no need? If you don't want to, you can stay here. After all, you..."
"Let's go." Konoe understood what Chabashira meant and had no choice but to follow her, steeling himself.
Horikita followed the two of them curiously to the student Guidance Room.
"Would you like some tea?"
"...I'd prefer juice. Chabashira-sensei, could you ask Horikita to buy some?"
Chabashira ignored Konoe. "Then tea it is."
Chabashira went to the break room and returned with three cups of iced tea. "For now, congratulations. Though it was a simple matter to begin with."
"Sometimes, what seems simple can become harder or easier depending on the circumstances." Konoe took out his phone.
"Heh. Why the rush? Don't worry, I won't renege." Chabashira took out her phone too and tapped away for a while.
Before long, Konoe received 120,000 Points. Rounded to the nearest ten thousand, his total was now 240,000.
"What are you two doing?" Horikita watched their strange actions in confusion.
"Oh, Horikita, you didn't know? I thought you came with Konoe because you were in on it." Chabashira feigned surprise.
"I only came because I was curious why Chabashira-sensei had specifically asked to speak with Konoe alone. I didn't come to accompany him."
"Is that so? Then I'll..." Chabashira deliberately drew out her words, as if waiting for someone to speak.
"If you want to tell her, just tell her. Why put on a show?" Konoe said scornfully. He'd hinted several times on the way over; there was no way Chabashira hadn't caught on.
Chabashira then explained the entire deal involving the 100,000 Points to Horikita. Horikita stared at Konoe in shock.
Horikita suddenly slapped the table and turned to Konoe angrily. "Konoe! You're unbelievable!"
"...What did I do?" Konoe was startled, but still answered defiantly.
Horikita almost stumbled over her words. "Never mind that you're in Class D and should be contributing to the class... Phew. And I thought you agreed to help me because... Phew. Forget that for now. The worst part is that you had Kushida buy the test questions, and then expected me to reimburse you?"
Konoe could tell that Horikita was furious. She'd stopped to steady her breathing several times as she spoke.
"Hahahaha! Konoe, you're too funny..." Chabashira laughed, clearly pleased with herself.
Konoe's voice softened. "...How much did the questions cost?"
"And the week before the Midterm Exam—that is, last week—you said you were going to help Hirata, so you were too busy. After that, you never came to my Study Group again. Later, I asked Hirata about it. Guess what he said?"
"...I'll pay you back for the questions. Isn't that enough?" As Horikita verbally tore into him, Konoe realized he might have been a little out of line.
Horikita took a deep breath to compose herself, then gave a cold laugh. "Heh. Give me 60,000 Points, or I'll tell the whole class."
Konoe was taken aback. "What? The questions cost that much? What were Ayanokoji and Kushida doing?"
"No, buying the questions only cost 15,000."
"What kind of nonsense are you talking? I'll give you 20,000 at most."
"I've spent 20,000 Points on you alone!" Horikita glared fiercely at Konoe. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to strangle him.
"Fine, 30,000. Is 30,000 enough?" Seeing Horikita's expression, Konoe grew more and more uneasy.
"Then I'll tell everyone."
"...Go ahead. I won't do anything for the class from now on anyway."
"Even if I spend more Points to make another deal with you?" Chabashira asked curiously.
"I never asked you to keep it secret, Chabashira-sensei, but you're being pretty underhanded. If you want me to act again, you'll have to show me you're sincere."
"That's what he said, Horikita."
"Even without relying on that scoundrel, I'll make it to Class A."
"Hey... Calling me a scoundrel is a bit much. I wasn't planning to do anything from the start. Someone just paid me for my labor, that's all."
Hearing that, Horikita, who was already angry, could no longer hold back. She jabbed a finger into Konoe's side.
"Ow, ow! That hurts!" The pain made Konoe grab Horikita's hand and try to pull it away. It didn't work at all; instead, it only made him hurt more.
"Fine, I'll help next time. Let go!"
"...You'd better mean that!" Horikita released him, satisfied. "And give me 30,000 Points!"
"...Fine." Konoe reluctantly took out his phone and sent Horikita 30,000 Points.
Konoe had agreed to help, of course, not because he'd been cowed by Horikita's violence, but because he felt a little ashamed of the truth in what she'd said. Still, even though he'd promised to help next time, whether he'd just lend a hand or give it his all would depend on the circumstances.
"Heh, Konoe, looks like I won't need to spend any more Points next time. Did you enjoy the lesson, courtesy of your teacher?" Chabashira said with a smug smile.
"I'd expected you to renege, but I really didn't think you'd pull a stunt like this."
Chabashira picked up on the odd remark. "You expected me to renege?"
"...No, never mind. If there's nothing else, I'm leaving." Konoe immediately stood up and walked out. Horikita, who'd been sitting beside him, followed.
Out in the hallway, the two walked one behind the other.
Konoe suddenly stopped and turned around. "Let's get one thing straight. I'll do my best next time, so once it's over, we're even."
Horikita replied with a slight laugh, "Don't worry. I'll keep your despicable behavior secret for now."
"What despicable behavior...? I meant what happened last time!"
"Last time? You've done so many things. Could you give me a hint?" Horikita pretended to think.
Konoe stammered, unable to explain himself. "It's that... Last time, when I accidentally... made you cry..."
"What? I didn't cry! What are you making up?" Her cold voice suddenly rose several degrees.
"...Fine, I was wrong. I meant when I accidentally offended you last time. Is that better?"
"Hmph. I'll decide based on how you do from now on."
"Don't be ridiculous. After the next exam, I'm never lifting a finger again. Do whatever you want!"
With that, Konoe turned and walked away, but Horikita continued to follow him silently.
A few minutes later, Konoe suddenly realized he was headed in the wrong direction and stopped at once.
Since it was Monday, he was supposed to go to the Student Council Room. But with that tagalong following him, he stopped and turned around.
"Why are you still following me?"
"What makes you think I am? This just happens to be the way I'm going, too."
"Fine. You walk in front!"
"Heh. What are you in such a hurry for? How funny." Horikita laughed at Konoe, then walked past him. Konoe silently watched her go.
Phew... Calm down... But the thought that I still have to go see his brother next is just ridiculous... Konoe took a deep breath to steady himself and headed toward the Student Council Room.
Before you continue