Akasaka was afraid he'd be at a disadvantage if he went to meet Ryuen Kakeru alone, so he wanted to bring along two people who could fight to act as his bodyguards.
The first person Akasaka approached was Horikita, who was studying in the library.
And Kato Megumi, who was studying beside her.
By now, Kato and Horikita had formed a relationship in which they were practically inseparable.
It was a subtle relationship—almost like friendship, but not quite.
Horikita simply couldn't bring herself to turn away someone as good-natured as Kato Megumi, so she let her stay by her side.
And Kato Megumi had clung stubbornly to Horikita, one of the top students, so she could get help with her studies.
Horikita had no idea how to deal with her. Kato was practically her kryptonite.
It was just like Yukinoshita and Yuihama.
Their relationship was just as subtle.
The only difference was that Kato Megumi was more skilled at getting her way. She had Horikita wrapped around her finger, and even found it amusing.
When the two saw Akasaka arrive, they greeted him.
"Akasaka, are you here to study too?"
Kato asked curiously.
Horikita only glanced at him without saying anything, but there was a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
Akasaka pulled out a chair and sat across from them, looking a little helpless.
"I came to ask Horikita for help."
Horikita raised an eyebrow, set down her textbook, and folded her arms.
"Oh? Let's hear it."
Looking at her reaction, so much like President Horikita Manabu's, Akasaka couldn't help thinking that siblings really were alike in some ways.
Then he explained what he wanted.
"I'm planning to meet with Class C's leader, Ryuen Kakeru, to discuss something. But I don't dare go alone, so I need a bodyguard who can fight."
Horikita understood what I was asking for. She rested a hand against her chin and thought it over.
"What do you need to see him about?"
"We just finished debating Class C, and we're not exactly on friendly terms."
"Going to see him at a time like this isn't a good idea."
Come to think of it, Akasaka still didn't know how the debate had turned out. Curious, he asked, "How did things go today?"
Horikita knew I'd left halfway through and hadn't heard what happened, so she explained.
"Chabashira spent 5,000,000 Personal Points to save Yamauchi."
"Class B did the same. Katsuragi Kohei led the way, and they raised 5,000,000 from the students to save Totzuka Yahiko."
"Both classes have taken a serious hit because of this."
"Class B in particular has nearly spent all its Personal Points."
"By the way, this month's points have been distributed. Take a look."
At Horikita's reminder, I pulled out my phone and checked the points issued this month.
Class A's Ichinose had 915 points last month. She earned 60 points from the individual exam this month, bringing her total to 975.
Class B's Katsuragi Kohei had 855 points last month. He earned 70 points from the individual exam this month, bringing his total to 925.
Class C's Ryuen Kakeru had 490 points last month. He earned 80 points from the individual exam this month, bringing his total to 570.
Class D's Hirata Yosuke had zero points last month. He earned 87 points from the individual exam this month, bringing his total to 87.
This month, I'd received 8,700 Personal Points.
Akasaka put his phone away. There was no need to keep looking; knowing the results was enough.
Then he looked at Horikita Suzune and asked again, "Suzune, can you fight?"
"Don't call me Suzune! We're not that close."
Horikita retorted, then continued, "I've trained in karate and grappling. I can handle a normal one-on-one fight. Three or four people would be my limit."
Akasaka clapped his hands.
"Impressive! Would you come with me and act as my bodyguard?"
Horikita had wanted to refuse. She didn't want to get mixed up in something so troublesome. But then she remembered that she owed Akasaka a favor, and figured she could repay him by helping this time.
That was what Horikita thought, and that was what she did.
She stood up, tossed her hair, and said with an air of pride, "I'll go with you this time. Consider it repayment for helping me buy that test paper."
"After this, we'll be even."
Akasaka said that was fine.
Kato Megumi wanted to come along too, but Akasaka turned her down.
He said it was too dangerous and that a girl shouldn't have to go.
Horikita raised an eyebrow at that.
"So you mean I'm not a girl?"
Akasaka hurried to explain before Horikita could hit him.
"You're different. You're a girl who can fight and protect herself. Kato can't."
Horikita reluctantly accepted his explanation, then turned to Kato and suggested she stay behind too.
Kato Megumi said expressionlessly, "Do you think they'd even notice me, with how little presence I have?"
Akasaka and Horikita fell silent.
She had a point. With Kato Megumi's lack of presence, they might forget she was there even while talking to her.
In the end, they couldn't talk Kato out of it, so they decided to bring her along.
But even with this lineup, it still didn't feel safe.
Akasaka decided to call in another favor. He pulled out his phone and contacted someone.
"So? You called me over in the middle of the night just for this?"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka looked expressionlessly at his only sworn friend—and only real nuisance—with helpless resignation.
He really didn't want to get involved in this sort of thing. But he was Akasaka's only friend at this school, at least as far as everyone knew, and also the most useful tool he had. He really didn't want anything to happen to him.
Of course, Akasaka wasn't expecting him to work for free. He promised everyone 100,000 points as a reward once the job was done.
But Horikita flatly refused.
She said she was only helping to repay her previous favor, and after this they wouldn't owe each other anything.
Akasaka was happy with that too. It meant he'd save 100,000 points.
Once everyone had gathered, and the time seemed right, Akasaka pulled out his phone and contacted Shiina from Class C, asking her to arrange a meeting with Ryuen Kakeru.
Would Ryuen Kakeru agree to come?
Akasaka was sure he would...
He'd already sent Shiina part of a video showing Ryuen threatening Yamauchi.
He'd happened to capture it by chance, and it had turned out to be a real windfall.
He'd been planning to do this ever since he got the recording. That was why he hadn't done anything during the debate.
He'd wanted to let Ryuen fatten up before taking him down.
Once Ryuen had gotten 10,000,000 Personal Points from the two classes, Akasaka would extort the 10,000,000 Personal Points right back from him. It was perfect.
Meanwhile, Ryuen Kakeru was treating all his classmates to a feast at karaoke, celebrating their big victory.
But for some reason, Ryuen's eyebrow kept twitching uncontrollably.
"Strange. Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
Soon, his hunch came true.
Shiina approached him with a troubled expression and handed him her phone.
The message on it was from Akasaka.
It read:
[Hey, Miss Ryuen Shoko! I've got a lovely little treat for you. Want to see it?]
The note attached read: Sinful Money.
Below was a video sent by Sinful Money.
[Video]
After watching the video, Ryuen Kakeru's brow twitched, a vein bulging at his temple.
He wanted to smash the phone on the spot.
But it was Shiina's phone, so he managed to restrain himself.
He stood up from the sofa, furious.
How could he possibly feel like celebrating now? His deeds had been exposed, and the other side had a video. This was bad...
It was 7 p.m. now.
Before you continue