Revelry Before Nightfall

"Enough! There's no need to keep testing me, is there?"

Chabashira Sae was starting to get impatient.

"That's rather strange. Wasn't that question of yours another test? Either way, we'll find out tomorrow whether I'm a mule or a horse, so what difference does it make if I know or not?"

"When did you figure it out?"

Shintō Katsuya pretended to think it over. "Who knows? Maybe the first day of school, or the second. The third is possible, too."

No matter how you looked at it, he'd figured out the school's hidden rules within the first week, hadn't he?!

Chabashira Sae nearly spat blood in anger.

"You mean you knew all along? And yet you still chose not to tell your classmates?!"

"You're asking another strange question. Why would I tell them?"

Even if they accepted the truth—which wasn't a given—could the students in this class really manage to study hard and improve themselves, given how little self-control they had?

At his retort, Chabashira Sae's mind stalled for a moment.

"Don't you want more personal points?"

"Of course I do. Who doesn't like money? Especially money that's worth so much... Don't you agree?"

The rules said that points could buy anything.

Hearing the pointed question, Chabashira Sae's mood brightened again. She'd thought it would be enough if someone figured out that personal points changed over time, but Shintō Katsuya had even discovered how to make the most of them.

Th-this... Could it be that heaven had finally opened its eyes and given her hope of turning things around?!

"If that's the case, then you should all the more—"

"People can't learn just because someone tells them to. If they don't experience despair for themselves, how could they learn to treasure personal points that are so hard to come by?"

That explanation seemed perfectly reasonable. After all, the students in Class D had some fundamental flaws, and getting them to be as self-disciplined as Classes A and B would probably be harder than asking them to give up their lives.

Chabashira Sae gave a slight nod, seeming to accept Shintō Katsuya's answer.

"Shintō, you're quite impressive."

?????

Caught off guard by the sudden praise, Shintō wasn't sure what to make of it. What did he care whether the students in Class D lived or died?

He simply didn't want to take on any extra responsibility. The less he said, the better. That way, trouble wouldn't come looking for him.

Besides, you couldn't save your way to a fortune.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."

Chabashira Sae didn't reply. She watched him leave, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. This might be the best start she'd had in years.

"If it's him, and that secret weapon... This year's Class D might really be able to..."

However, Chabashira Sae had overlooked an important point: in Class D, the more capable a student was, the bigger their problems tended to be.

After returning home, Shintō Katsuya was just about to take a hot shower and then lie in bed, quietly reading a novel, when he suddenly received a call from Karuizawa.

"Hello, this is Shintō Katsuya."

"Shintō-kun, it's Kushida. Hey, Shintō-kun, want to go sing karaoke?"

Someone had suggested going to karaoke after school to celebrate the end of the pop quiz and welcome the prosperous life that awaited them.

The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic response. Except for Sakura and Kōenji, who couldn't be reached, almost everyone was going.

Even Horikita, who wanted to go home and study, was dragged along by Ayanokōji, who seemed rather interested.

"Karaoke... I'd really like to go, but Chabashira-sensei asked me to help her move some documents, so I'm sorry."

That was a lie. Shintō Katsuya simply didn't want to ruin his lovely plans.

"Oh, I see. That's too bad. I'd be so happy if you could come, Shintō-kun!"

Who in the world could turn down a cute, gentle, and delicate beauty with a great figure?

Shintō Katsuya could!

"I... Maybe I should still go? Compared to getting caught by Chabashira-sensei and getting scolded, I think I'd feel worse if Kushida-san were sad."

"Is it really that bad? Well, in that case, you should help Chabashira-sensei first. I'll be fine. We can go another time, but you can't turn me down next time, okay?"

Kushida Kikyo activated her signature ability: thoughtfulness.

"Definitely! Definitely!"

After that, Shintō Katsuya turned off his phone and tossed it onto the bedside table. Plan complete. √

Meanwhile, at the karaoke place, inside Class D's private room

"Tonight's bill is on us guys!!!"

It wasn't clear whether it was Ike or Yamauchi. One had egged everyone on, and the other had agreed. With the girls all caught up in the excitement, the other boys had no choice but to go along with it.

"We'll get our points tomorrow anyway, so don't be so stingy! Waiter, bring us two more crates of freshly squeezed juice!"

Students weren't allowed to drink alcohol, but the drinks here weren't cheap. Add in countless fruit platters and snacks, and even after the boys split the bill, it was still a huge sum.

Ike and Yamauchi's balances had dropped to a shocking one point and fourteen points, respectively.

There was hardly any difference between that and having spent it all.

Next door to Class D's private room was the largest room in the karaoke place.

A boy with his shirt off and purple hair parted down the middle was enjoying a wonderfully relaxing full-body massage.

Behind him stood a two-meter-tall Black man built like a fortress wall, waiting motionless like a bodyguard.

A little while later, another boy with a thug-like air rushed in from outside.

"Big Brother Ryuen, I found out. The room next door belongs to Class D."

Ryuen gave a contemptuous snort. "I was wondering who it was. Turns out it's Class D. Guess they're going on a spending spree tonight because they'll get their points back tomorrow? Heh, they really are a bunch of useless idiots."

"Exactly, Big Brother Ryuen. I think they're useless, too. Especially that Sudō guy. He's the most useless of them all!"

"Sudō?"

"Ah, you don't know, Big Brother. I know Sudō from the sports clubs. He's pretty good at basketball, but he's got a pea-sized brain. In your words, he's a complete dumbass."

A glint of amusement flashed in Ryuen's eyes.

"Class D may be a bunch of good-for-nothing losers, but before I take on those two classes properly, a little appetizer wouldn't hurt..."

"You mean..."

"Not yet. I've got some things to take care of first. There are still some voices in the class making trouble. I need to shut them up for good!"