Rising to Fame and Being Fed and Kept

"What did you say?!"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not targeting you specifically. I'm saying that everyone here... is trash."

Miyano Makoto said provocatively. Naturally, he had to handle the Karate Club differently than he handled the Chess Club.

Thirty minutes later...

"Is there anyone else who wants to come up?"

Miyano Makoto had his hands in his pockets, his expression somewhat helpless.

What happened to the national-level competitors he was promised? Where were they? He couldn't see them anywhere.

"A bet is a bet. It's just a few points, take them."

Another 2 million private points hit his account, bringing Miyano Makoto's personal savings to 5.2 million.

"Are there any clubs you guys aren't on good terms with? I'll go pay them a visit."

Miyano Makoto felt it was time to let his upperclassmen vent some of their frustration, lest they hold a grudge against him later and try to sabotage him.

Besides, it was still early, and there was plenty of time before dinner.

"The Judo Club, I suppose. I hope to hear good news from you."

Miyano Makoto went, though it was a pity he only managed to secure 1 million private points this time.

The reason was that word had already spread among the upperclassmen who were close to each other.

They said that a Great Demon King had appeared among the first-year freshmen, and he wasn't just a master at board games; he was also an expert in sports.

Because of this, the members of the Judo Club refused to continue halfway through.

Why would they keep playing just to hand their money over to him?

Miyano Makoto left the scene dejectedly, clutching his 6.2 million private points.

"Where are you now, Honami? I'm free."

Miyano Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to his only friend.

"I'm at Makoto's dorm, and everyone else is here too."

Ichinose Honami replied quickly. Miyano Makoto always felt like she had been waiting for his message.

"Alright, I'll be there soon."

That was a lie.

Miyano Makoto didn't really want to go back once he realized there were other people in his dorm besides Ichinose Honami.

However, he eventually arrived at the door of Room 301 and knocked.

That's what happens when you don't have the key to your own dorm room.

"It's me."

Miyano Makoto spoke up so the people inside would know it was him.

The door opened, and Ichinose Honami pulled Miyano Makoto inside before closing it again.

"What's wrong?"

"It would be troublesome if someone saw us, right?"

Ichinose Honami explained; she didn't want to cause too much trouble for Miyano Makoto.

"I think there's already plenty of trouble inside the room compared to that."

Miyano Makoto sighed softly. If she thought it was troublesome, she shouldn't have brought people into his dorm, hey!

Is this even a boys' dorm anymore?

"Sorry, everyone was just curious about the difference between the boys' and girls' dorms, but it looks like there's no difference at all."

Ichinose Honami laughed, not looking the least bit embarrassed.

"Do whatever you want, but are you really comfortable letting others come to my dorm, Honami?"

"Of course I'm not! From now on, only I will come to bother you."

Ichinose Honami held Miyano Makoto's hand.

"Everyone, this is my childhood friend, Miyano Makoto. Now you've all officially met!"

"Alright, alright! Didn't we already see him at noon? We'll head back to our own dorms now and stop interrupting you two lovebirds."

The girls giggled as they left.

"...Don't you have anything to say to me, Makoto?"

After a period of silence, Ichinose Honami spoke up.

"How about I transfer 1 million private points to you, Honami?"

"1 million private points? Did you rob the school this afternoon?"

Ichinose Honami's small mouth opened slightly, her tone filled with disbelief.

"You could say that. It's a one-time deal; no one else will be able to pull it off after this."

Makoto Miyano handed his mobile terminal to Honami Ichinose, allowing her to see the 6.2 million private points clearly—not a single point more or less.

"After transferring 1 million private points to Honami, exactly 5.2 million are left."

Makoto Miyano said this as if it were unintentional.

"Yeah, is there something special about 5.2 million private points?"

Honami Ichinose recovered from her shock and tilted her head, wondering if 5.2 million held some special meaning.

"Uh... never mind."

520 only held a special meaning in the Dragon Kingdom, and since they were in the Sakura Country, it was perfectly normal for Honami Ichinose not to understand.

"Miyano-kun is being naughty! Tell me the truth!"

Honami Ichinose pouted in dissatisfaction, her face exerting several times the usual lethality on Makoto Miyano.

"Why don't you try searching for it online, Honami?"

Makoto Miyano decided to preserve his dignity.

"Fine."

Honami Ichinose took out her phone and began to search.

"5, 2, 0..."

"..."

"This is your key card. I'm heading back now. Let's have dinner together later; we'll stay in touch on our phones."

Speaking at a rapid-fire pace, Honami Ichinose set down the key card and walked away, her face flushed red.

Makoto Miyano rubbed the back of his head. She must like him, right?

Let's see...

Time passed quickly, and it was soon 5:30 PM.

For a student, this was already quite a late time for dinner.

During this time, Makoto Miyano had tidied up his room and enjoyed a comfortable shower.

He hadn't moved much during the board game activities in the afternoon, but he had certainly worked up a sweat at the Karate Club and Judo Club.

After his shower, Makoto Miyano lay quietly on his bed, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.

He didn't really feel like going out.

"Honami, could you bring me some food? I don't really want to go out after my shower."

Makoto Miyano figured that rather than torturing himself, he might as well trouble someone else.

"No problem! What does Miyano-kun want to eat?"

Honami Ichinose replied in seconds.

"Anything you bring is fine."

Makoto Miyano typed and sent the message.

If only she could understand his feelings.

Though, the environment didn't seem to permit it.

As everyone knows, no matter how you look at it, a normal first-year high school student wouldn't be over 18 years old.

A while later, the sound of a card swiping came from outside the door.

"Excuse the intrusion."

Honami Ichinose walked into the dorm carrying two large plastic bags.

"How about you have my homemade cooking for dinner, Miyano-kun?"

"I said it on the phone—if it's you, Honami, anything is fine. In fact, I insist."

Makoto Miyano stood up, ready to help Honami Ichinose set out the various seasonings and kitchen utensils.

"I owe this all to you, Miyano-kun. It cost me quite a few points; I wouldn't have dared to spend like this before."

Honami Ichinose methodically placed the vegetables and meat into the refrigerator, while Makoto Miyano organized the kitchenware and various seasonings.

"Let me help too. I'd feel bad just lying on the bed."

"Mm, let's do it together."

While they called it cooking, it was mostly just simple vegetables paired with a bit of shredded meat, plus various semi-prepared ingredients like shrimp.

In any case, it was very convenient.

"Come to think of it, is there no rice?"

Makoto Miyano realized the biggest problem—where was the staple food?

"I brought bread."

Honami Ichinose pointed to the plastic bag that still had some items left in it.

So that was how she solved it?

"I get the feeling that Honami is going to end up living here in the future."