A Deal with Hoshinomiya Chie

I decisively rejected Hoshinomiya's demand.

It conflicted with my deal with Chabashira Sae. Unless this person in front of me offered more than Chabashira—enough to make up for the 8 million I'd lose—I wouldn't agree.

"Sorry, Teacher Hoshinomiya. I'm from Class D. In life, I'm Class D's dog; in death, I'm Class D's ghost. I'll never betray my class."

Seeing me refuse, Hoshinomiya didn't seem particularly surprised. She held up three little fingers and waved them.

"2.1 million Personal Points. What do you say?"

A moment ago, Akasaka had looked so righteous, swearing he'd never betray his class. Now he hesitated...

Akasaka pushed up the nonexistent glasses on his face. "Well... I suppose we can talk about it."

Hoshinomiya Chie...

"You really are obsessed with money, aren't you?"

"You're not exactly in a position to say that, Teacher. Since you can offer me the sky-high price of 2.1 million, you must have been eavesdropping outside the door when Teacher Chabashira offered me 2 million, right? How else could you have come up with such a similar number?"

Though I phrased it as a question, I was already almost certain this teacher had been listening in.

Hoshinomiya readily admitted it.

"Wow! You're quite something, aren't you? If only you were in Class B. How about switching over? You're always welcome in my class~"

Faced with the teacher's invitation, I decisively turned her down.

"Sorry. In life, I'm Class D's dog; in death, I'm Class D's ghost. I'll never betray my class."

Teacher Hoshinomiya tilted her head cutely. "But you were obviously tempted when I offered you 2.1 million just now, weren't you?"

"Ahem! Nonsense! I wasn't!"

"You think you can buy me off with a mere 2.1 million? You'd need at least 9 million to make up for the 8 million I'm about to get—and for my loss."

Hoshinomiya Chie gave me a mischievous grin.

"You might not get that 8 million, you know."

"Don't underestimate Class A and Class B, Little Akasaka."

"Even if you're exceptionally capable, you're still just one person. You can't topple an entire class."

"In This School, one person's power is always limited."

"It'd be much easier and more worthwhile to work with me and bring down your class—the one everyone already calls the worst."

I knew Teacher Hoshinomiya had a point, but I didn't want to hear it. There was nothing in it for me.

I looked at Teacher Hoshinomiya in front of me, then thought of my deal with Chabashira Sae. I couldn't help feeling a headache coming on.

I wanted to take both payments, but their requests conflicted. What was I supposed to do?

I had to think of a way to get the money from both sides...

After a moment's thought, Akasaka Ryunosuke asked Hoshinomiya, "How much would I have to do to get the 2.1 million from you?"

At my question, Hoshinomiya's lips curled into a strange smile as she slowly explained.

"I want you to stir up trouble in your own class and make its Personal Points drop below 100 next month. If you can do that, I'll give you 2.1 million Personal Points~"

Hoshinomiya playfully waggled her fingers, but I didn't pay attention to that. I looked at her sternly instead.

"That's too high a price. It'd make me a disgrace to my class. Do you think I'd agree to that?"

Seeing my reaction, Hoshinomiya nodded in understanding. "That's true. You'd end up on the opposite side of your class. If you won't agree, there's nothing I can do."

Akasaka hurriedly raised a hand to stop her. "No! That's not what I mean."

"What I mean is... you'll have to pay more."

Hoshinomiya Chie...

In the end, the two of us reached an agreement and signed a Duplicate Contract, each keeping a copy.

It clearly stated that if Class D's Personal Points dropped below 100 next month, I'd receive 2.1 million Personal Points.

Akasaka had wanted an advance, but she wasn't as easy to fool as Chabashira Sae. She insisted on paying only after I'd done the job. There wasn't much I could do, so I had to agree.

After all, the contract was signed. More importantly, I wanted that 2.1 million. As for my contract with Teacher Chabashira, I'd have to come up with another plan. There was still a loophole I could exploit to get paid by both sides without the deals conflicting.

I hurried to the Student Council and knocked softly on the door. Senpai Tachibana's sweet voice sounded from inside again.

"Coming!"

Tachibana Akane opened the door and ushered me in, complaining as she did. "What took you so long? You're late on your first day in the Student Council?!"

Tachibana stood with her hands on her hips, leaning her petite body forward as she glared at me in annoyance. But I thought Senpai Tachibana looked even cuter like that.

I quickly explained myself.

"Our class's homeroom teacher called me to the office, so it took a little while. Besides, I wasn't that late. It was only half an hour, and I'd already let the President know."

I looked at Horikita Manabu, who was still working. He stopped what he was doing and nodded, acknowledging my explanation without saying a word, then went back to work.

Horikita Manabu and I had already exchanged contact information. When the teacher called me over just now, I'd already explained the situation to him.

Tachibana realized she'd jumped to conclusions and hurriedly bowed her head in apology.

"Sorry, I didn't know you'd already told the President. I'm really sorry."

Faced with the petite senpai's apology, I told her it was fine, then sat back down and prepared to work.

It was my first day on the job, so I couldn't slack off. Though 100,000 points wasn't much to me anymore, every little bit counted. If I spent it carefully, those 100,000 points would cover half a year's living expenses...

Akasaka picked up a pen and some documents and got to work.

Having been used to working like a wage slave in my previous life, I found this workload effortless. It didn't put the slightest pressure on me.

Seeing how quickly I got into the swing of things, Tachibana nodded in satisfaction, then turned back to her secretary work.

At Kōtō Ikusei Gakuen, classes ran from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Student Council work began sometime between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. and ended at 5:30.

Of course, sometimes there was overtime. For example, during the Student Festival and Campus Festival, the Student Council was at its busiest, so we might not get off work at 5:30 as usual.

[Akasaka Ryunosuke, remaining points: 1 million.]

[Time: third day of school.]