Points Represent Evaluation

The girl in front of him knew of the White Room's existence.

At last, Yuto understood where the imposing presence she had in the anime came from.

That meant it wouldn't be surprising if she had seen him and Yuki through the glass at some point.

Although the White Room was in the past, and although, from Yuto's memories of his previous life, Sakayanagi bore no ill will toward it,

he couldn't let his guard down around someone who knew about his past. He needed to pay close attention to and carefully analyze the girl named Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Please take care of me, Sakayanagi Arisu."

"I should be the one saying that, Amasawa... Yuto." Sakayanagi Arisu smiled.

Sakayanagi Arisu was undoubtedly a beautiful girl. She had soft, slightly curled silver-white hair cut short, and her delicate features were set off by striking purple eyes that always seemed to hold the faintest hint of a smile.

She was petite and slender, with fair skin. She rested her left hand on an elegant cane and looked graceful and composed.

"Would you mind if I borrowed a little of your time at noon, Amasawa?"

Just as Amasawa Yuto was about to answer, a stern-faced, middle-aged man in a suit strode into the classroom.

"Oh, the teacher's here, the teacher's here~ Everyone, hurry up and sit down!"

Without waiting to hear his answer, Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and raised a finger to her lips, signaling that they could talk later.

"Everyone, settle down. Good morning. I'm Mashima Tomoya, the homeroom teacher for Class A, and I teach English. This school doesn't reshuffle its classes, so I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next three years, until graduation. I believe you're all outstanding students. I look forward to working with you!"

After speaking, Teacher Mashima bowed to the class. He seemed like a conscientious and responsible teacher.

"You must all turn in your personal phones. The school will then issue you special phones. Your phone and student ID are combined into one, and you can use it to access school facilities and purchase goods. It works like a credit card, but because using it consumes points, you should be careful. There's nothing within the school that you can't buy with points. Anything the school has available can be purchased.

"You can use it by tapping it against the machines in the facilities or showing it to them. It's very simple. Next, points will be deposited automatically on the first of every month. By now, each of you should have received an equal share of one hundred thousand points. Each point has the same purchasing power as one yen."

The students began whispering among themselves. Their reaction wasn't especially dramatic, but the shock was plain on their faces.

One hundred thousand points meant one hundred thousand yen. The students' points alone amounted to sixteen million yen a month. No wonder this school, a colossal institution funded by the government, was so generous.

It was no wonder they only admitted 160 students each year. This was no small expense.

As Amasawa Yuto thought this, he noticed that the white-haired girl beside him had been watching him the whole time.

Her gaze was so blatant that she wasn't even trying to hide it.

He turned his eyes and met Sakayanagi Arisu's purple gaze.

Oh, she'd noticed me staring.

Though, if I'm this obvious, I suppose it can't be called staring in secret.

Am I acting like a shy girl seeing her crush for the first time?

Just kidding. Sakayanagi Arisu didn't believe she could fall in love. This feeling was more like the mutual respect between rivals—or perhaps "a sense of destiny" was more fitting.

Geniuses and strong people like them had no need for such vulgar romance.

Amasawa-kun hadn't shown the slightest surprise at the amount of one hundred thousand yen. He'd grown up in the White Room, so he probably had no idea how much pocket money an ordinary high school student received each month.

Even Arisu herself only got twenty thousand yen a month from her father.

Perhaps this was Amasawa-kun's first experience attending school.

Sakayanagi Arisu had her principles. She prided herself on never taking advantage of someone in a vulnerable position.

Until he got used to school life, she would protect him.

She wished she could play a game of chess with him. It had been her dream ever since that day.

Even after defeating countless opponents and winning the world chess championship, Sakayanagi Arisu still couldn't forget him.

During the days when she couldn't see him, only when she picked up a chessboard did she feel as if she were with him.

Teacher Mashima surveyed the class. Seeing that no one was particularly worked up, he continued, "It seems you aren't especially surprised. That alone shows you're all outstanding students.

"As the Student Council President mentioned at the opening ceremony, this school measures students by their abilities. Since you were admitted, you must have the potential to succeed. Points represent the school's evaluation of you.

"Points can be transferred, but please don't threaten anyone. The school takes bullying very seriously."

"Teacher, I have a question." As soon as Teacher Mashima finished speaking, a bald student raised his hand.

"Katsuragi, go ahead."

Katsuragi Kohei stood up from his seat. He was a tall, unsmiling young man. "You just said that points represent the school's evaluation of us. Does that mean that if the school's evaluation of us drops, the number of points we receive will also decrease?"

Teacher Mashima gave him an approving look, and the students around them seemed to understand as his words sank in.

"That's right. We teachers were instructed to tell you that 'points represent evaluation.' That's all. If a student asks a question, I'm allowed to elaborate, but that's all I can say. Thank you for your question, Katsuragi."

The students around him looked at Katsuragi with admiration.

"Could a few people help hand out the textbooks? After that, you can go see the dorms. Remember, the club fair is at two this afternoon in the gymnasium. You can choose whichever club you like."

Once the textbooks had been handed out, Teacher Mashima left the classroom.

Katsuragi, who had already drawn everyone's attention, stood up again and faced the class.

"Everyone, listen up. If points represent our evaluation, then the school's dissatisfaction with our conduct might affect the number of points we receive next month. We'd better be careful."

The students nodded one after another. Katsuragi had already made an impression as a capable and astute person. He would surely become a central figure in the class.

"Since we're all going to be classmates, I'd like everyone to introduce themselves so we can get to know one another."

Katsuragi's suggestion immediately won some of the class over.

"Then I'll start. My name is Katsuragi Kohei, and I have a younger sister. I hope to lead everyone as we make our way through the next three years of high school. I've won first place in a math competition and an essay contest, and I served as student council president for two and a half years in middle school. I intend to join the Student Council here as well. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me."

Katsuragi got things off to a good start.

Afterward, the students introduced themselves one by one. Some spoke as confidently as Katsuragi, while others were so shy and reserved that they only gave their names. Everyone was friendly and took their introductions seriously, which at least showed they all wanted to fit into the class.