"P.S.: The picture is of Kamuro Masumi."
Class D.
Although the process of Horikita sharing the information yesterday hadn't been pleasant, the Class D students had been a little more attentive in class.
Some of the more proactive students might already have asked Chabashira-sensei to confirm it.
Everything Horikita had said was true!
Unfortunately.
They hadn't even made it through two classes before Sudo from the Basketball Club began nodding off, probably needing a rest after the club's strenuous physical training.
A few other students had propped up their books to hide their faces and were fighting to stay awake, but it didn't look like they'd last much longer.
Yeyue frowned as he watched it all.
The main measure of whether a student was outstanding was whether he could discipline himself and resist being influenced by his surroundings.
There was no doubt about it.
With the exception of a few people, most of the defective students in Class D couldn't even manage basic self-discipline.
Even Ayanokoji seemed a little drowsy, as if he were trying to act more like an ordinary high school student.
Until reality hit them in the face.
Most people would cling to a little wishful thinking.
What if? Maybe there'll be some kind of emergency measure. Maybe we'll still have some Private Points left. As long as they're enough!
Those thoughts were plain to see on Yamauchi and the others' faces.
Horikita's information had certainly had some effect, but with so many deadweights around, it didn't seem to matter much.
There was no difference between losing a thousand points and losing ten thousand!
He'd originally planned for them to start off with a high score, but now it seemed Class D would have to take a hard beating from reality.
"What a shame, Suzune. Looks like all your efforts were for nothing."
After school, Yeyue went out of his way to tease Horikita Suzune.
Although she'd been bullied and had her bottom slapped yesterday, Horikita Suzune didn't refuse to talk to him, even if her tone was unfriendly.
"So what?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to know what you're planning to do next."
"Why do you care about that, Tenyo? Aren't you uninterested in promoting to A Class?"
"I'm just wondering if you'll get discouraged. I was thinking of cheering you up."
"Is that so?"
Even when someone showed concern for her, Horikita Suzune's attitude didn't change.
"Tenyo, when it comes to physical strength, I'm certainly no match for you. But I hope you won't underestimate me. I'm not as weak as you think."
"You're right. I was butting in where I wasn't needed."
Tenyo Yuyuki nodded in agreement.
Even without him or Ayanokoji, Horikita Suzune was capable of standing on her own. She had the makings of a leader.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Leaving him with those words, Horikita Suzune turned and walked away.
Yeyue had no reason to keep the conversation going. He'd only wanted to gauge Horikita's attitude.
Even after what had happened yesterday, Horikita Suzune's attitude toward him hadn't changed at all. She wasn't suddenly shy or awkward, nor was she keeping her distance.
She had a high tolerance for close contact!
Of course, that was probably because Yeyue was strong.
If he weren't strong and also had a bad personality, someone like Horikita Suzune would never have gotten close to him, let alone remained so polite after being bullied.
Keyaki Mall.
Thanks to the fifty thousand Private Points Horikita had given him, Yeyue's balance had climbed back above sixty thousand.
He decided to buy a camera.
After all, he'd already told the class he was good at photography. Since he'd established that image, he might as well live up to it.
Photography was also a very useful skill when hanging out with girls.
It was one of Yeyue's personal interests, too.
As a result.
His Private Points were instantly reduced to just thirteen thousand.
After having dinner outside, the sky gradually darkened.
On the way back to the dormitory,
Yeyue suddenly spotted a graceful figure.
Her wine-red hair fell to her waist, and her white pleated skirt was very short. Just looking at her from behind could keep someone entertained for a whole year.
Class A—Kamuro Masumi.
Yeyue recognized her at once.
When he saw Kamuro turn around, he quickly lowered his head and fiddled with his newly purchased camera. Without hesitation, he walked right past her without so much as a glance.
After turning the corner, he put away his camera and casually glanced in Kamuro's direction.
Kamuro was also darting her eyes around restlessly. A moment later, she walked into a convenience store.
Knowing what Kamuro was like, Yeyue took out his camera and quietly followed her inside.
He stepped into the convenience store.
And saw.
Kamuro was wandering aimlessly through the store, browsing the goods while furtively watching her surroundings.
After waiting for a while.
Apparently sure that no one was nearby, Kamuro Masumi quickly slipped a bottle of beer into her schoolbag.
Yeyue took a picture of it all.
In Sakurajima, secretly photographing girls was a serious crime, punishable by a year in prison.
But.
If the other person was committing a crime, that was another matter.
Having just committed a crime, Kamuro Masumi showed no change in her expression. She casually bought a bag of candy and left the convenience store.
Watching Kamuro Masumi's back as she walked away.
This was a perfect opportunity to get into A Class.
After thinking it over.
Yeyue put away his camera and followed her.
He followed Kamuro as she wandered around, and only called out to her when she was nearing the dormitory building late that night..
Before you continue