An Interesting Woman

"PS: The illustration shows Kamuro Masumi."

D Class.

Although the process of Horikita sharing information yesterday had been unpleasant, the D Class students had somewhat restrained their attitudes during class.

The more proactive classmates had probably already verified things with Chabashira-sensei.

Everything Horikita had said was the truth!

Too bad.

They hadn't even made it through two classes before Sudo from the Basketball Club started squinting and dozing off—probably exhausted from club activities and in need of rest.

A few other students had propped up their textbooks as shields in front of them, forcing themselves not to fall asleep, but it was clear they wouldn't last much longer either.

Yuyuki frowned as he watched all this.

The main criterion for judging whether a student was excellent was whether they could self-discipline and whether they would be influenced by their surroundings.

Without a doubt.

As Flawed Goods, D Class—aside from a handful of people—most couldn't even manage basic self-discipline.

Even Ayanokoji, who seemed to be trying to act more like an ordinary High School Student, looked a bit drowsy.

Reality wasn't staring them in the face.

Most people clung to some Wishful Thinking.

'What if it works out?' 'Maybe there'll be some kind of safety net.' 'We might still have some Private Points left, enough to get by!'

From the faces of Yamauchi and others, these kinds of thoughts were clearly visible.

Horikita's information had indeed had some effect, but weighed down by so many deadweights, it seemed largely meaningless.

Getting deducted a thousand points was no different from getting deducted ten thousand points!

He had originally planned to start with a high score, but now it seemed D Class needed to be Beat Up by reality first.

"Too bad, Suzune. Looks like you went to all that trouble for nothing."

After School, Yuyuki took the initiative to approach Horikita Suzune and teased her.

Because of yesterday's bullying and spanking, Horikita Suzune's tone was unfriendly, but she didn't refuse contact either.

"So what?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to know what you plan to do next."

"Why do you care about that, Tenyo? Aren't you not interested in Promoting to A Class?"

"I'm just wondering if you'll get discouraged. I was thinking of comforting you."

"Is that so."

Even with someone showing concern, Horikita Suzune's attitude remained unchanged.

"Tenyo, when it comes to physical strength, I admit I'm no match for you. But I hope you don't underestimate me. I'm not as weak as you imagine."

"I suppose I was overthinking it."

Tenyo Yuyuki nodded in agreement.

Even without him, even without Ayanokoji, Horikita Suzune was someone who could stand on her own. She possessed the talent to become a leader.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

Leaving that one sentence behind, Horikita Suzune turned and walked away.

Yuyuki had no reason to continue either. He had only come to test Horikita's attitude.

Even after what happened yesterday, Horikita Suzune's attitude toward him hadn't changed at all—no sudden shyness or awkwardness, nor any excessive distance.

Her tolerance for intimate contact was high!

Of course, that was also due to Yuyuki's strength.

If he had no strength and a bad personality, Horikita Suzune's character would never let her get close, let alone remain so polite after being bullied.

Keyaki Mall.

Thanks to the 50,000 Private Points Horikita had sent, Yuyuki's Private Points had climbed back above sixty thousand.

He planned to buy a camera.

After all, he had already declared in class that he was a man skilled in photography. Since he had set up that persona, he had to follow through.

Photography was also a very practical skill among the Girls.

And it was a personal hobby of Yuyuki's.

As a result.

His Private Points instantly dropped back down to just 13,000.

After handling dinner outside, the sky gradually darkened.

On the way back to the dormitory building, Yeyue suddenly spotted a slender figure.

Wine-red hair cascading to her waist, a short white pleated skirt—just this silhouette alone was enough to keep one entertained for a year.

Class A—Kamuro Masumi.

Yeyue recognized her instantly.

Seeing Kamuro turn her head, he quickly lowered his own, fiddling with the camera he'd just acquired, and walked past her without a second glance, without hesitation.

Rounding the corner and putting away the camera, Yeyue cast a casual, probing glance in Kamuro's direction.

Kamuro's eyes were also darting around uneasily. After a moment, she stepped into a convenience store.

Knowing Kamuro's true nature, Yeyue pulled out his camera and stealthily followed.

Stepping into the convenience store.

He spotted her.

Kamuro wandered aimlessly through the store, browsing items, her eyes furtively scanning her surroundings.

After waiting a long while.

As if confirming no one was around, Kamuro Masumi quickly slipped a bottle of beer into her schoolbag.

Yeyue captured it all with his camera.

On Sakurajima, secretly photographing girls is a serious crime, punishable by a year in prison.

But.

If the other party is committing a crime, that's a different story.

Having just completed a crime, Kamuro Masumi's expression betrayed nothing. She casually bought a pack of candy and left the convenience store.

Yeyue studied Kamuro Masumi's retreating figure.

This was a perfect opportunity to get into Class A.

After some thought.

Yeyue put away his camera and followed.

He trailed Kamuro as she wandered around, and only when night fell and she returned to the dormitory building did Yeyue call out to stop her.