This situation was very unusual.
With the evidence so clear-cut, there were only two options.
Either Yamauchi would be expelled, and the class would lose 300 Class Points.
Or they could pay 5 million Personal Points to settle the matter privately.
It was obvious that paying 5 million was the better deal.
But Class D didn't have that kind of money.
Chabashira was determined to help the class advance, so she even paid the 5 million out of her own pocket to save Yamauchi.
How foolish.
Akasaka watched it all coldly, having completely lost faith in Chabashira Sagi.
What an idiot. So what if the class lost points?
After this month's exams and trials, Class D wouldn't have even 100 points in total.
Why spend money to avoid such a small loss? It simply wasn't worth it.
Things weren't going smoothly in Class B, either.
Five million Personal Points was no small sum. It hadn't even been two months since the school year began, and even if they pinched every penny, they'd only have around 7 million.
Paying 5 million would nearly empty Class B's coffers, and the students were bound to object.
Katsuragi Kohei was doing everything he could to save Totzuka Yahiko.
But only about half the class supported him. The other half belonged to the Sakayanagi Faction.
Sakayanagi's lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Katsuragi, spending 5 million Personal Points to save Totzuka would be a terrible deal. I'm afraid I have to reject this unwise proposal."
Katsuragi immediately retorted.
"This isn't about whether it's worth it."
"If Totzuka is expelled, our Class Points will also be reduced by 300."
"After that, catching up to Class A will be even harder."
"Please consider the bigger picture, Sakayanagi."
Leaning lightly on her cane, Sakayanagi made her way over to Katsuragi, taking one step at a time.
Her sharp gaze fixed on him like a hungry wolf's.
It was a striking contrast to her frail frame, as if she were about to devour him whole.
Her lips curved slightly as she spoke to Katsuragi.
"Katsuragi, have you ever heard the saying 'One must destroy the old to build the new'?"
"It means that unless you tear down the old, you can't establish a new order."
"Sometimes, you have to sacrifice a limb to save your life."
"Which matters more: a mere 300 Class Points or 5 million Personal Points?"
"I'm sure you understand without me having to spell it out."
Katsuragi was momentarily at a loss for words. How could he not understand such a simple principle?
He just didn't want to admit it.
When Katsuragi fell silent, Sakayanagi stopped pressing him.
"Let's go, Kamuro, Morishita. Let's give Katsuragi some time to think."
Sakayanagi turned to leave, then realized someone was missing.
"Hmm?"
She looked to her left at Kamuro. "Where's Morishita?"
Kamuro pointed in a direction without changing her expression.
Sakayanagi turned and saw Morishita Ai acting like a lunatic.
"Yo, my best friend, Gagami~"
Morishita Ai came over to Akasaka and gave him a big hug.
Akasaka returned it just as enthusiastically.
"How have you been, AIBO?"
Morishita Ai's eyes lit up when she realized she'd hit on something he liked. She immediately pulled out the Three Egyptian Gods cards and showed them off to Akasaka.
Akasaka stared at them, stunned.
"No way!"
"Osiris Sky Dragon."
"Obelisk the Tormentor."
"The Winged Dragon of Ra."
Akasaka staggered backward in shock, his face full of disbelief.
"You've got all Three Egyptian Gods! How did you manage that?"
Morishita Ai wore a triumphant smile and waved the Three Egyptian Gods cards in her hand.
"Want to play with them? I can lend them to you for a few days. I've even got Yugi Mutou's Dark Magician."
"I've even got the rarest one, Magical Girl."
Akasaka's gaze sharpened.
"Do you have the Creator God of Light, Holactie?"
Morishita Ai's expression fell.
"No..."
"That card's too rare. I couldn't get my hands on it."
"Besides, there's only one in the whole world. It sold for the astronomical price of 38 million."
"Even the limited-edition Blue-Eyes White Dragon only costs 30 million. I can't afford it with my allowance..."
Akasaka nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
What did she mean, she couldn't afford it with her allowance? She was a little rich girl herself, for crying out loud.
Sakayanagi approached, leaning on her cane and smiling.
"You certainly have a way with people. You've got my assistant completely wrapped around your finger."
"She's even abandoned her rightful master and left me all alone."
Morishita Ai and Akasaka both looked at Sakayanagi, their eyes unfriendly.
"You don't understand the pure friendship between us. ×2"
Sakayanagi's mouth twitched slightly.
"I really don't understand the friendship between you Chuunibyou types. After all, I'm not one of you."
Sakayanagi came over to Akasaka.
"Aren't you going to step in this time?"
Sakayanagi asked pointedly.
Akasaka's lips curled into a handsome smile.
"I'll make my move, but not yet."
"Oh?"
Sakayanagi's interest was instantly piqued.
She idly fiddled with her cane, looking completely at ease. "Then I'll just have to see... how Classmate Akasaka intends to resolve this crisis..."
"Don't worry. My methods won't disappoint you."
Sakayanagi and Akasaka met each other's gaze, both smiling.
They chatted and laughed like old friends who hadn't seen each other in ages.
People around them whispered among themselves. Katsuragi from Class B and the students from Class D were especially focused on them.
Facing everyone's stares, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't care in the slightest.
She gently raised her smooth, delicate hand and asked Akasaka, "My legs aren't very steady. Would you be willing to walk me back to the school dormitory?"
Akasaka glanced at the two bodyguards beside her, Kamuro and Morishita, and understood that she wanted to speak with him alone.
He nodded and reached out to take Sakayanagi's hand.
"I'd be delighted, Miss Sakayanagi."
Right there in front of everyone, Akasaka took her hand and openly left the scene with her.
Yamato Haruki pursed his lips in discontent.
"Why is this guy always the one who gets the pretty girls? I'm not having it."
"I'm ten thousand times more handsome than him! How is this fair?"
After leaving the scene, Sakayanagi and Akasaka found a café nearby, sat down, and began talking at length.
Sakayanagi called over a server and ordered a cappuccino, then looked across at Akasaka.
"What would you like? It's my treat."
Akasaka didn't hold back and ordered the most expensive item.
"Could I get your most expensive flat white, please?"
Akasaka handed the menu back to the server.
Sakayanagi rolled her eyes prettily.
"You really don't hold back, do you? You ordered the most expensive thing."
Akasaka spread his hands, shamelessly.
"You told me not to hold back, didn't you?"
"Besides, you're paying, so of course I'm going to order the most expensive thing."
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