"What did you say?!"
"Don't get me wrong. I'm not picking on you. I'm saying everyone here... is trash."
Miyano Makoto said provocatively. The way he dealt with the karate club obviously had to be different from how he dealt with the chess club.
Thirty minutes later...
"Anyone else want to come?"
Miyano Makoto stood with his hands in his pockets, looking somewhat helpless.
Where were all those national-level players they'd promised? He couldn't see a single one.
"A bet's a bet. It's only a few points. Here, take them."
Another 2 million Personal Points came in, bringing Miyano Makoto's balance to 5.2 million.
"Are there any clubs you don't usually get along with? I'll go pay them a visit."
Miyano Makoto figured it was time to let his upperclassmen vent a little, so they wouldn't hold a grudge against him later and make things difficult for him.
It was still early, after all, with plenty of time before dinner.
"The judo club. Hope you get some good news."
Miyano Makoto went, but unfortunately, he only got 1 million Personal Points this time.
The reason was that word had already spread among the upperclassmen who were friends with one another.
Apparently, a great demon king had appeared among the first-year students. He wasn't just good at chess—he was also a force to be reckoned with in sports.
So halfway through the match, the judo club members refused to continue.
Were they supposed to keep fighting and pay him even more?
Miyano Makoto left dejectedly with 6.2 million Personal Points.
"Where are you, Honami? I'm free now."
Miyano Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to his only friend.
"I'm in your dorm, Makoto. Everyone else is here too."
Ichinose Honami replied quickly. Miyano Makoto had a feeling she'd been waiting for his message.
"Okay, I'll be right there."
That was a lie.
As soon as Miyano Makoto saw that people other than Ichinose Honami were in his dorm, he no longer felt like going back.
In the end, though, he went to the door of Room 301 and knocked.
That was what happened when he didn't have a key to his own room.
"It's me."
Miyano Makoto called out so the people inside would know he'd arrived.
The door opened. Ichinose Honami pulled Miyano Makoto inside, then shut it again.
"What's going on?"
"Wouldn't it be troublesome if someone saw us?"
Ichinose Honami explained. She didn't want to cause Miyano Makoto too much trouble.
"I think the trouble in this room is already bad enough."
Miyano Makoto sighed. If she thought it was such a hassle, why bring everyone to his dorm in the first place?
Was this even still a boys' dorm?
"Sorry! Everyone was just curious about the differences between boys' and girls' dorm rooms. But it looks like there aren't any."
Ichinose Honami smiled, not the least bit embarrassed.
"Do whatever you want. But Honami, are you really okay with letting other people come to my room?"
"Of course I'm not! From now on, I'll be the only one bothering you."
Ichinose Honami took Miyano Makoto's hand.
"Everyone, this is my childhood friend, Miyano Makoto. Now you've all met him!"
"All right, all right! We just saw him at lunch. We'll head back to our own rooms and leave you two lovebirds to your privacy."
The girls left, giggling.
"...Is there nothing you want to tell me, Makoto?"
After a moment of silence, Ichinose Honami spoke.
"How about I transfer 1 million Personal Points to you, Honami?"
"1 million Personal Points? Did you rob the school this afternoon?"
Ichinose Honami's mouth fell open slightly, her voice full of disbelief.
"Sort of. It was a one-time deal. Nobody else will be able to do it afterward."
Miyano Makoto handed Ichinose Honami his phone, letting her see the 6.2 million Personal Points on the screen. Not a point more or less.
"After transferring 1 million to Honami, I'll have exactly 5.2 million left."
Miyano Makoto said it as if it were nothing.
"Right, 5.2 million Personal Points. What about it?"
Ichinose Honami had recovered from her shock. She tilted her head and asked. Was there anything special about 5.2 million?
"Uh... never mind."
520 only had a special meaning in the Dragon Kingdom. This was Sakura Country, so it was only natural that Ichinose Honami wouldn't understand.
"Makoto, don't be naughty. Tell me the truth!"
Ichinose Honami pouted in displeasure, making her face several times more devastating to Miyano Makoto.
"Why don't you look it up online, Honami?"
Miyano Makoto decided to let himself save face.
"All right."
Ichinose Honami took out her phone and started searching.
"Five, two, zero..."
"..."
"This is your key card. I'll head back first. Let's have dinner together later. Text me."
After saying all that at top speed, Ichinose Honami set down the key card and left, her face red.
Miyano Makoto scratched his head. She did like him, right?
He'd have to wait and see...
Time passed quickly, and soon it was half past five.
For students, that was already a fairly late time for dinner.
During that time, Miyano Makoto had tidied up his room a little and then enjoyed a nice, comfortable shower.
He hadn't gotten much exercise during the chess club activities that afternoon, but he'd worked up a serious sweat at the karate and judo clubs.
After his shower, Miyano Makoto lay quietly on the bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.
He didn't really feel like going out anymore.
"Could you bring me some food, Honami? I don't really feel like going out after my shower."
Miyano Makoto figured that, rather than put himself through the trouble, he might as well trouble someone else.
"Sure. What do you want to eat, Makoto?"
Ichinose Honami replied instantly again.
"Anything you bring will be fine, Honami."
Miyano Makoto typed and sent the message.
If only she could understand how he felt.
Though the circumstances probably wouldn't allow it.
As everyone knew, no normal high school freshman could be over eighteen.
A little while later, he heard a key card being swiped outside the door.
"Sorry to intrude."
Ichinose Honami walked into the dorm carrying two fairly large plastic bags.
"How about I make dinner for you myself, Makoto?"
"I already told you over text—anything you make is fine, Honami. In fact, I'd really love it if you did."
Miyano Makoto got up to help Ichinose Honami put away the various seasonings and kitchen utensils.
"I have you to thank for all this. I spent quite a lot of points on it. Before, I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to spend so much."
Ichinose Honami methodically put the vegetables and meat in the fridge, while Miyano Makoto put away the kitchen utensils and seasonings.
"I'll help too. I'd feel bad if I just kept lying on the bed."
"Okay, let's do it together."
What they called cooking was really just some seasonal vegetables with a little shredded meat, along with various semi-prepared ingredients, like shrimp.
All in all, it was pretty convenient.
"By the way, don't we have any rice?"
Miyano Makoto realized there was one big problem: what were they having for a staple food?
"I brought bread."
Ichinose Honami pointed to the plastic bag that still had some things in it.
So that was how she'd solved the problem?
"I feel like Honami's going to end up living here."
Before you continue