Growing Unease and Panic

Katsuragi turned off the computer projection upon seeing this, and the atmosphere in Class A grew slightly silent.

"What kind of messy rules are these?"

Bai Yuze looked toward the person complaining and recognized him at a glance.

It was Totsuka Yahiko, the lackey of Katsuragi Kohei from Class A.

Most of the students in the class wore expressions of confusion, while a small number had hands that were trembling.

At this moment, Sakayanagi Arisu, who sat in front of Bai Yuze, turned around and flashed a smile at him.

"Does Classmate Bai Yu know something?"

"Huh? What?"

Bai Yuze wanted to play dumb and brush it off again, but his questioning of Mashima earlier had undoubtedly exposed the truth.

As a result, Bai Yuze had the misfortune of receiving an eye-roll from Sakayanagi Arisu.

"Classmate Bai Yu, shouldn't classmates help and share with one another?"

Sakayanagi Arisu maintained the smile on her face, a smile that seemed to suggest she had Bai Yuze exactly where she wanted him.

Bai Yuze was just about to refuse when he suddenly recalled the rules projected on the computer screen earlier.

[No matter where you are, you must have a heart that enjoys helping others; provide assistance to the weak.]

Damn it! I've been played by this girl!

Bai Yuze had every right to suspect that Sakayanagi Arisu had learned the school's secrets through her father's influence; after all, this composed, effortless demeanor of hers didn't look faked.

One could only say that the word "help" was far too broad; answering someone's question could also be considered a form of help.

Bai Yuze felt a bit unwilling and wanted to split hairs.

"Ahem, Classmate Sakayanagi is so smart, so you shouldn't count as someone 'weak,' right?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's smile grew increasingly mysterious.

"Hehe, Classmate Bai Yu, I have a new question now. May I ask how you knew my surname?"

It's over!

Bai Yuze felt a sudden jolt in his heart. He had wanted to brush it off earlier, but in his carelessness, he had blurted out Sakayanagi Arisu's surname!

One had to realize that from Sakayanagi Arisu's perspective, she hadn't introduced herself at all, so how did Bai Yuze know her surname?

"Of course I asked Teacher Mashima!"

"Oh? And why would you ask the teacher about it privately?"

"Ahem, because I like loli-type girls!"

Bai Yuze began to spout nonsense. Fortunately, Mashima had just said, "I remember you seem to be called Bai Yuze." Although he didn't know why Mashima could recognize him, there was no time to think about that now.

Sure enough, the line was highly effective. Sakayanagi Arisu's smile stiffened, her eyes revealing a look one might give to trash, and she simultaneously leaned backward...

"Classmate Bai Yu is truly fond of joking. So, would Classmate Bai Yu consider telling that matter to the weak little me?"

Sakayanagi Arisu adjusted her smile and continued to ask about the previous question, not forgetting to point at the cane in her hand as she finished.

This is a trap!

Bai Yuze complained in his heart.

I was wondering why this petite loli looked like she had me cornered; so 'the weak' also includes physical condition!

Sakayanagi Arisu had essentially laid a trap in plain sight for Bai Yuze. Either he spoke, or he violated the rules—and both outcomes would bring huge intelligence benefits to Sakayanagi Arisu.

"I give up, I'll tell you!"

Bai Yuze ultimately conceded. After all, these rules were far too bizarre, and with the precedent on the bus, he didn't want to risk his life.

"A very clear-headed decision~"

Bai Yuze beckoned, signaling Sakayanagi Arisu to lean in. To hear the intelligence clearly and prevent others from eavesdropping, Sakayanagi Arisu leaned her body over as well.

The rest of Class A was busy discussing, and no one noticed them.

Bai Yuze told Sakayanagi Arisu about what happened on the bus. Of course, help should be within one's capabilities, so he didn't reveal everything; he withheld the news about the vermilion sphere.

Upon hearing the sequence of events, Sakayanagi Arisu fell into deep thought, her brows furrowing from time to time.

"I say... didn't Chairman Sakayanagi tell you about this?"

Sakayanagi Arisu and Sakayanagi Narimori had the same hair color and shared the same surname; anyone could guess the relationship between the two.

"He told me... but the process was different from what you experienced..."

Sakayanagi Arisu's brows were tightly knit, and her small face wore a serious expression that was quite amusing.

"Then, could you inform me?"

"I can, but there are too many people here. Let's add each other as friends."

The two exchanged friend requests. At this moment, Sakayanagi Arisu began to act mischievously again.

"Classmate Bai Yu~ my first time has been taken by you~ you have to take responsibility for it, okay~"

The corners of Bai Yuze's mouth twitched slightly at Sakayanagi Arisu's outrageous remark. Why did this Sakayanagi Arisu act like such a brat?

"Alright, I'll be sure to reply to every single message with the utmost seriousness!"

Bai Yuze put on a sincere expression, but seeing that he wasn't taking the bait, Sakayanagi Arisu immediately grew bored and turned away.

Having seen all four of the school's bullies, Bai Yuze wanted to drop a snarky comment, but out of respect for her father's position, he forced himself to swallow the words.

"Everyone, please quiet down."

Seeing the discussions in the classroom growing louder, Katsuragi Kohei stepped up to maintain order.

"Mashima-sensei just said that we can use our points to trade for information. Since we can't reach a conclusion here, we should go find the upperclassmen and trade for intel."

"Good! I agree with Katsuragi-kun's point of view!"

Totsuka Yahiko was the first to applaud, and seeing someone else clapping, the others couldn't help but join in.

"It looks like Katsuragi is going to take control of the class very soon!"

Bai Yuze appeared to be talking to himself, but in reality, he was posing a question to Sakayanagi Arisu.

The other side is already recruiting troops, aren't you going to build your walls?

"Indeed~ Katsuragi-kun is quite talented~"

Sakayanagi Arisu remained as smiling as ever, as if she were completely indifferent to the matter.

"Are you really content with taking orders from someone else?"

Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly turned around, reached out, and cupped Bai Yuze's face to examine him closely.

"Bai Yu-kun~ Why do I get the feeling that you seem to know me particularly well?"

Bai Yuze was startled by Sakayanagi Arisu. He glanced around and, seeing that everyone else's attention was fixed on Katsuragi, he let out a sigh of relief.

Bai Yuze swatted away Sakayanagi Arisu's hands and rubbed his face with feigned disgust, though in reality, he was just trying to catch his breath after that epic scare!

"I just think that someone as high and mighty as you wouldn't be capable of bowing your head to others."

"Hehehe~ Bai Yu-kun is quite the judge of character, but that's what makes this interesting, isn't it?"

"So... why did I have to go and open my big mouth!"

Bai Yuze felt like crying, wishing he could slap himself twice.

Back in the classroom, Katsuragi Kohei had called on the students to go out and trade for information, but things hadn't gone smoothly.

The class had suddenly split into three factions: one belonging to Katsuragi, another to Sakayanagi—Bai Yuze was also confused as to when Sakayanagi Arisu had started a faction—and of course, a third faction consisting of those like Bai Yuze who were unaffiliated, though both the Sakayanagi and Katsuragi factions had already marked these unaffiliated students as future members.

And in the midst of all that, Bai Yuze had offered a polite gesture.

"I'm heading to the shopping mall now. Do you... is there anything you need me to pick up for you?"

Originally, Bai Yuze had wanted to ask if Sakayanagi Arisu wanted to go to the mall with him, but considering her physical condition, he immediately changed his phrasing.

And so... it ended up like this...

Bai Yuze looked at the dense list of items on the sheet and felt like weeping.

Soon, Bai Yuze arrived at Keyaki Mall. There was a white sheet of paper posted at the main entrance, and to save time, Bai Yuze simply took out his phone and snapped a picture of the contents.

Bai Yuze walked into the mall, browsing the text on the photo as he went.

[Welcome to Keyaki Mall. We wish you a pleasant shopping experience here.]

[For your own mood and shopping experience, please be sure to follow the rules below.]

[1. Keyaki Mall opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 11:30 PM.]

[2. Please note that sometimes the opening time may vary slightly, we apologize for the inconvenience.] Written in a delicate font (The closing time is always accurate.)

[3. Please interact with the staff in a friendly manner. They have been working all day, so it is inevitable that they may experience some mental impulses or illnesses.]

[4. Every store is equipped with an alarm button. If a staff member suffers a sudden illness and exhibits aggressive behavior, please press the alarm button immediately and leave the store.]

[5. Every store is equipped with surveillance. Although the facilities are a bit aged, theft is intolerable! My friend, life is precious.]

[6. If someone is caught stealing merchandise by a staff member, that person has two choices: pay 10 times the value of the item or work as a part-time staff member until they have earned the original price of the stolen item.] Written in a very neat, dignified font (The minimum duration for part-time work is one day; for serious offenses, one must work the late-night shift.)

[7. The mall closes at 11:30 PM. Please do not play pranks or hide inside the mall after hours. Violators will bear the consequences themselves.]

What Bai Yuze found strange was that there was plenty of space left below, yet there wasn't a single character written there.

"Maybe that's all there is to it," Bai Yuze said to himself, but the growing sense of unease in his heart became more and more pronounced...