The First Chess Piece

Tenyo Yuyuki was a hedonist. After over a decade of habit, Yuyuki couldn't stand a frugal life either. With just over 10,000 Private Points left, his desires were far from satisfied.

The Next Day, after turning down invitations from Matsushita Chiaki and the others, Yuyuki went alone to the third-year area.

However, Yuyuki kept up a certain level of communication with everyone he'd exchanged contact info with, so he didn't come off as hard to get along with to Matsushita and her group.

At Sakurajima, seniority was taken very seriously—Kouhai had to use Honorifics when addressing Senpai. Yuyuki's presence also drew a lot of curious looks.

In that kind of atmosphere, Yuyuki arrived at Third Year C Class.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Who's the leader of your class?"

Without showing either respect or disdain, Yuyuki said with a smile. The other guy didn't seem to mind.

"I'm Mizuno Yasuo, the leader of C Class. What's your business?"

The guy named Mizuno Yasuo looked a bit suspicious, and his response seemed a little low-energy.

"First Year D Class, Tenyo Yuyuki."

At Sakurajima, when someone states their name, it's basic etiquette to respond. Yuyuki said with a teasing tone, "I know the third-year results. There's a gap of over 100 Class Points between C Class and A Class right now, isn't there?"

"You bastard here to pick a fight?" Mizuno Yasuo snapped back sarcastically. "Even if that's true, it's not your place, some Flawed Goods from D Class, to mock us."

"I don't have that kind of free time to come to the third-year area and Do Something pointless."

"Then what's your angle? Don't tell me you're here to help us Promote to A Class. Don't make me laugh. A guy from D Class."

Mizuno Yasuo sneered, clearly looking down on the D Class status.

"I'm here to do business with you."

Yuyuki gave the Guy a deep look and said mockingly, "You're graduating in a year, Senpai. As things stand, there's no way you'll make it to A Class. Haven't you ever thought about converting your Private Points into cash?"

"What do you mean?"

"Just transfer your Private Points to me, and when you leave school, you'll get double the amount in cash. Don't you think that's a pretty attractive proposal?"

Mizuno Yasuo's eyes went wide in disbelief, clearly stunned by Yuyuki's words. In three years at this school, he'd never run into something like this.

But Yuyuki was 100% sure the other party would agree.

Unlike Third Year A Class and B Class.

C Class and D Class, because the gap in Class Points was too big, had basically lost any chance of competing for A Class.

As for A Class and B Class.

They still had a shot at reaching A Class and realizing their dreams. This strategy only had a chance of working with C and D Classes.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Mizuno Yasuo quickly snapped out of it and scoffed. "It's definitely an attractive proposal, but do you know how many Private Points I have? How could a first-year high schooler possibly have that much money?"

"You can look up the name Tenyo Yuyuki."

Even though this school didn't allow any comments on outside forums, it didn't ban accessing information.

Otherwise, graduating after three years would mean being completely out of touch with society, and this school would lose its purpose.

Flipping through the Student ID in his hand, Mizuno Yasuo nodded thoughtfully, "I see. So there's no need to worry about you not having money."

It seemed the other party was indeed tempted, and Yuyuki waited for his reply.

Mizuno Yasuo tested the waters, "Double isn't enough. You just enrolled, so you might not know, but Private Points are extremely important at this school."

"What do you mean?"

"Hm, I can't say specifically, but trust me—in what's coming, Private Points will be your most important weapon."

"Then how much do you want?"

Yuyuki frowned.

It wasn't that he hated the guy's greed; he was just surprised that the School Rules had accounted for even this.

Private Points would indeed have a huge impact on the Special Exam, but if even a third-year couldn't explain this, then getting caught breaking the rules probably meant expulsion.

"Triple. How about that?" Mizuno Yasuo tested.

"Fine."

The two quickly exchanged contact info. Yuyuki didn't care about money either—As Long As a problem could be solved with money, it wasn't a problem.

He just Did Not Expect Mizuno Yasuo to be so timid. After all that talk, he only asked for triple.

Yuyuki raised an eyebrow, "How many points does your C Class have right now?"

"I can't tell you that." Mizuno Yasuo shook his head. "As for the points, before graduation, our C Class can give you 10,000 Private Points a month. I hope you understand."

"No problem."

Yuyuki nodded with a smile.

It seemed small, but this was probably the limit C Class could offer.

There is still one year until graduation. Although there is no chance to promote to A Class, C Class must also guard against a counterattack from D Class.

39,000 Ten Thousand Private Points.

This is the limit that C Class can offer while maintaining their quality of life without losing too much combat power due to a lack of private points.

The only opportunity to exchange large amounts of private points for cash is during the final month before graduation.

"You're really discussing an interesting topic here!"

Just then, Kouenji from First Year D Class suddenly appeared behind Yeyue, looking at Mizuno Yasuo. "Let me join in on that deal. I'll pay five times the price!"

Without any regard for those around him, Kouenji walked up to Mizuno Yasuo on his own.

"Kouenji, what do you mean by this?"

Yeyue glanced sideways at him and said with a smile.

He wasn't surprised at all that Kouenji had appeared in the third-year area.

In the Original Work, Kouenji had planned to use his identity as the heir of the Kouenji Zaibatsu to exchange for private points, but was stopped by Nagumo Miyabi from Second Year A Class.

"Only a life of luxury can match someone as perfect as me."

Kouenji pulled out an expensive hand mirror from his pocket and gazed at his own reflection with a look of utter infatuation.

Although he was causing trouble for Yeyue, Kouenji didn't seem to have any self-awareness of that.

"And."

He brushed aside the Bangs on his forehead and Glanced at Mizuno Yasuo. "My proposal should be more appealing to this Guy."

"Ten times." Yeyue spoke calmly, also glancing sideways at Mizuno Yasuo. "After this, I won't raise the price anymore. Whether you fulfill the agreement with me or choose Kouenji, think it over yourself."

Although money was just a number to Yeyue, there was no need to keep competing with Kouenji.

Even though it was only a verbal agreement, it could still bind Mizuno Yasuo's actions. It wasn't about blaming him or making him feel resentful—otherwise, word would spread, and the third-years would label him as someone who doesn't Abide by agreements.

More importantly, this matter could reveal Mizuno Yasuo's character.

His gaze wavered between Kouenji and Yeyue. Without a doubt, judging by appearance alone, Yeyue inspired more trust than Kouenji. Mizuno Yasuo hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.

"Even if you hadn't raised the price, I would still have completed this deal with you."

"Then let's go with three times the price. You shouldn't have any objections, right?" Hearing his words, Yeyue said with a hint of amusement.

"Of course Not Any."

Unexpectedly, Mizuno Yasuo didn't hesitate at all.

Seeing this, Kouenji didn't get angry either. He simply put away his mirror and left without any parting words.

He wasn't deliberately trying to annoy Yeyue.

On the contrary.

He could be certain that, given Yeyue's character, approaching upperclassmen for a deal was most likely targeting him.

The open negotiation right in front of Third Year C Class was the biggest piece of evidence.

Kouenji Also Can tell.

Although the Tenmyouin Zaibatsu and the Kouenji Zaibatsu are both among the top Zaibatsu in Sakurajima, Yeyue had displayed astonishing business talent since childhood.

At just five years old, he started serializing a manga and established his own publishing house.

Using the status of the Tenmyouin Zaibatsu, he built a group that integrated manga, light novels, animation production, and distribution, creating a third major pillar industry in Sakurajima called Nijigen.

Most importantly.

Although Yeyue only held the nominal title of Vice President on the surface, anyone with a certain level of status knew very well that the real controller behind this company was Yeyue, and it was all his private property.

Even if he was the only son of the Kouenji Zaibatsu, when it came to a true contest of wealth, he was no match for Yeyue.

The disposable funds the two could command were not on the same scale.

But that didn't matter.

Money could no longer truly determine a Zaibatsu's standing. No matter how rich an entertainment industry was, it wasn't enough to be taken seriously.

What really mattered were energy, finance, industry, and political power.

Only by truly inheriting the Tenmyouin Zaibatsu would Yeyue count among the top tier in Sakurajima.

"Let's start the transaction."

Yeyue gave Mizuno Yasuo a deep look, waiting for the other party to transfer the funds.

Although he was only in C Class, Mizuno Yasuo was unexpectedly outstanding.

He definitely had more than 39,000 Ten Thousand Private Points on hand. But he wasn't blinded by the huge cash offer and was only willing to trade this much, which showed that Mizuno Yasuo had the self-awareness of a class leader and a certain Sense of Responsibility.

Though greedy, he also knew when to stop. He stood by his choice and didn't make Yeyue feel displeased. He was even willing to give up small gains at any time.

He was probably hoping to gain something more from Yeyue—something that Kouenji couldn't offer.

Surviving three years at this school would grant even Class C tremendous growth.

[Private Points: 403263]

The transfer was quickly completed, and Mizuno Yasuo didn't ask for a contract or guarantee.

A very smart move.

After learning Yeyue's identity.

Mizuno Yasuo's attitude had clearly shifted, even if his expression didn't show it.

The two exchanged pleasantries, but just as Yeyue turned to leave, he spotted two figures approaching from a distance.

What bothered him more, though, was that guy lurking in the shadows—he'd been sensing that unpleasant gaze on and off from the very start.