Points of the Second and Third Years

Yamamura Miki gripped her phone, which had Amasawa Yuto as its only contact, feeling a wave of warmth in her heart.

"Ah... okay. I'm so sorry for taking up your time, Amasawa-kun, especially with someone like me..."

"It's alright, Yamamura. Aren't we friends?"

Friends?! Yamamura Miki had never imagined that one day she would be someone who could use that word.

"Thank you... Amasawa-kun..."

"But you really shouldn't be wandering around this late anymore. It's not safe for a girl to be out alone."

Yamamura Miki nodded vigorously.

"Alright, you should head back now."

"See you tomorrow, Amasawa-kun!"

And just like that, the chance encounter with her classmate, Yamamura Miki, came to an end.

"You seem a bit distracted today, Yuto-kun. Did you not sleep well last night?"

During lunch break the next day, Arisu Sakayanagi asked him.

"I stayed up a little late yesterday."

"You must remember to get enough sleep, Yuto-kun. Could you join me for a game of chess this afternoon?"

"No problem."

"That way, if I win while your focus is lacking, it would make me seem like a bad girl."

"You can say that once you actually beat me, Sakayanagi."

With that, Amasawa Yuto stood up and prepared to leave the classroom.

He hadn't walked far down the hallway when a voice came from behind him: "Where are you going, Amasawa Yuto?"

Morishita Ran, do you spawn next to me right on schedule? Come to think of it, I seem to have seen a similar scene yesterday.

"Why are you following me, Morishita?"

"I noticed the direction you're heading isn't the cafeteria. Are you trying to go to the upperclassmen's area?"

Morishita Ran stood on the steps, looking down at Amasawa Yuto from above.

However, that didn't make her look any more imposing.

"You'd better be careful, Morishita. At this height, there's still a risk of a wardrobe malfunction."

Although she was wearing tights under her short skirt, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

"You really are a pervert, Amasawa Yuto. I have to follow you to make sure you don't go around harassing girls from other classes."

"That attitude doesn't exactly scream 'I'm talking to a pervert,' you eccentric girl, Morishita."

"That's because you aren't actually a pervert."

"I appreciate your trust. In that case, feel free to tag along, Morishita. It might actually be a bit awkward if I go alone."

"So you really are heading to the upperclassmen's area?" Morishita Ran caught up and walked side-by-side with Amasawa Yuto.

The classrooms for the three grade levels were in different buildings.

It was a bit suspicious—was it really necessary to have three separate buildings for a total of twelve classes?

However, each building contained various club rooms, activity rooms, and functional rooms, so it wasn't exactly a waste of space.

Amasawa Yuto headed to the third-year classrooms first.

Since it was lunch break, there weren't many people lingering around.

A few upperclassmen eyed them suspiciously.

"If anyone asks, I can lower myself to pretend to be your girlfriend," Morishita Ran whispered into his ear.

"No need to lower yourself, Morishita."

"You jerk, you don't appreciate my kindness. Any way you look at it, this is a deal where you come out on top!" Morishita Ran shot him a disdainful glance and turned her head away.

Amasawa Yuto stopped at the end of the hallway, looking at the May class points for the third years.

When he and Yuki had come to check during the first month, those class point placards hadn't been there. They must have been removed intentionally so the first years wouldn't notice the class point situation.

They probably also issued a gag order to the upperclassmen.

Something along the lines of being expelled if they spoke about it.

Regardless, Amasawa Yuto looked at their current class points.

Class 3-A: 1250 points

Class 3-B: 960 points

Class 3-C: 412 points

Class 3-D: 205 points

As expected of that man, firmly holding onto the throne of class 3-a.

Morishita Ran leaned in as well. "Look at the gap between their A and B classes, then look at ours."

"I've been contributing to the class, too."

"By the way, what did the student council president discuss with you yesterday? Did you guys talk more after I left?"

"I haven't even met with him yet. Besides, Morishita, you should be able to rest easy by now. I really am taking action for the sake of the class."

"I find that hard to believe. Who knows which childhood friend you're favoring in your heart, you two-timing Amasawa Yuto."

"Don't I have a few too many titles now..."

Amasawa Yuto walked past the classrooms of various grades, observing the inside through the windows.

Some students were studying, some were slumped over their desks sleeping, and others were eating bento in the classroom.

"Let's go to the second-year classrooms."

Upon arriving at the second-year floor, the first thing Amasawa Yuto looked at was, naturally, the class points.

"Eh?" Morishita Ran was somewhat surprised, her lazy eyes widening slightly.

Class 2-a: 1420 points
Class 2-b: 422 points
Class 2-c: 256 points
Class 2-d: 208 points

Class 2-a was undoubtedly crushing the others; even the combined points of the other three classes barely exceeded half of class 2-a's total.

"What... is going on here?" Morishita Ran asked, looking puzzled.

Before Amasawa Yuto could answer, a sudden arrival from the second year interrupted their conversation.

"Yo, what brings you underclassmen to the second-year floor? It's not time for club activities yet, is it?"

A tall, blonde male student walked down the corridor and greeted them.

"I am Nagumo Miyabi from class 2-a, the student council vice president."

He wore a smile on his lips and appeared polite, but there was an undisguised arrogance in his tone.

It was as if he were the emperor of the second years.

"Does the student council or the school have a rule against underclassmen visiting the upperclassmen's building?" Morishita Ran retorted without hesitation.

"No, no, it's just that since you suddenly ran into my territory, I felt obligated to play the host and come over to look after you."

Although Nagumo Miyabi was answering Morishita Ran, his gaze remained fixed on Amasawa Yuto.

"I know you, Amasawa Yuto."

"I don't recall the student council printing out my profile in a pamphlet and circulating it internally."

Why does everyone in the student council seem to know who I am?

Nagumo Miyabi froze for a moment, then burst into laughter. "You really are interesting, Amasawa."

"Nagumo-senpai is the one who's truly impressive, being able to lead Class 2-A to such heights."

"Spare me the flattery. What's the matter? Are you two my admirers, here on a pilgrimage to pay your respects?"

The second-year girls passing by were clearly in awe of Nagumo; he practically shone on the second-year floor.

Despite what he said, it seemed to Amasawa Yuto that Nagumo Miyabi actually enjoyed the flattery quite a bit.

"You're the one who suddenly came to bother us, who's here to pay respects!" Morishita Ran interjected, grabbing Amasawa Yuto's hand. "Let's go, Amasawa Yuto!"

"Leaving already?" Nagumo Miyabi still wore that uncomfortable smile. "Safe travels."

"Wait a second, Morishita. You're walking too fast, I can't see inside the classroom—"