Trading Begins

Ichinose turned around. A boy in her class named Kanzaki Ryuji stood there. His expression was as serious as ever, but his eyes showed his support.

"I've talked it over with everyone in class," Kanzaki said succinctly. "No one wants to be left behind. We all want to move forward together with everyone in Class B. So we've agreed to pool one million points and buy the information."

A radiant smile of relief instantly bloomed across Ichinose's face, as though sunlight had broken through the clouds. "That's wonderful! Kanzaki, thank you!"

"But," Kanzaki continued, his tone turning cautious, "we can't feel completely at ease letting you handle such an important transaction alone. We don't know who the other party is, and we need to confirm their motives. I suggest that I go with you when the deal is finalized."

Ichinose froze for a moment, then understood Kanzaki's concerns. It came from his sense of responsibility toward the class, and from wanting to protect her.

"I understand, Kanzaki. You have a good point." She nodded. "But I need to ask the other party first. If they don't agree to having someone else present, I'll do my best to persuade them, or... I'll relay every detail of the transaction to you honestly."

Looking into Ichinose's clear, resolute eyes, Kanzaki knew she had made up her mind. He nodded. "All right. I'll wait to hear from you."

As she watched Kanzaki walk away, Ichinose gripped her phone. The screen showed her email exchange with "Natsukawa Sosuke." Now she needed to convey Class B's decision and Kanzaki's request to that mysterious "Friend A."

Ichinose Honami's email arrived sooner than Natsukawa had expected. That very evening, after she had spoken with Kanzaki Ryuji, his Personal Terminal received her inquiry.

"Natsukawa, my classmates in Class B have agreed to the deal. For security, however, we'd like Kanzaki Ryuji, one of my classmates, to accompany me. What do you think?"

It was concise and direct, with the reason clearly stated—a message in keeping with Ichinose's usual forthrightness.

Natsukawa looked at the screen, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. He wasn't surprised that Kanzaki would be involved. As Class B's second-in-command, Kanzaki was known for his rigor and sense of responsibility. It was only natural that he'd suggest this. Natsukawa quickly replied:

"Agreed. Tomorrow at noon, in the corridor outside the second-floor physics prep room on the west side of the school building. Remember to have the points ready."

He hadn't picked a more secluded location. The public areas of the school building were crowded during lunch, which would actually make them an ideal place to hide in plain sight. A spot that was too isolated would only invite suspicion.

The next day, at noon.

The sun was bright, casting patches of light across the floor through the corridor windows. Natsukawa Sosuke arrived at the agreed location five minutes early and stood by the window, calmly watching the students milling around below. He had an ordinary canvas bag slung over his shoulder, carrying the thing that would decide everything.

Footsteps approached, and Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji arrived right on time. A hint of nervousness showed on Ichinose's face, but determination outweighed it. Beside her, Kanzaki's expression was stern, and his sharp eyes swept over Natsukawa as if assessing the risk posed by a precision instrument.

"Natsukawa, this is Kanzaki Ryuji," Ichinose introduced.

"Hello." Natsukawa nodded, skipping the small talk. "Before we begin the deal, we need a notary."

"A notary?" Kanzaki's brow furrowed. He clearly hadn't expected this step.

"Exactly," Natsukawa explained. "In this school, a verbal promise has no binding force. But if both sides sign a contract and have a homeroom teacher—a representative of the school's authority—witness it, then the contract becomes enforceable. The school will ensure it's carried out. Of course, I'm only doing this now to show my sincerity. Ichinose, you'd better remember this for next time, or someone could sell you out and you wouldn't even know where to turn for justice."

He paused, then added, "I've asked Class A's homeroom teacher, Mashima."

"Class A?" Ichinose blushed at Natsukawa's words, then looked puzzled when he mentioned Mashima.

"To ensure fairness," Natsukawa said succinctly. "Mashima has no direct stake in Class D or Class B, so he can ensure the notarization is as neutral as possible."

Of course, he didn't mention the deeper reason: to avoid Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie, the two female homeroom teachers who were all too "interested" in their students' affairs, and keep his presence from being exposed too soon. Mashima had a more outwardly stern, by-the-book personality and was ideal for the role.

Ichinose and Kanzaki exchanged a glance, each seeing the other's approval. The arrangement did seem more reliable and professional.

Natsukawa led them to Mashima's office. After hearing why they had come, a flicker of surprise crossed Mashima's stern face. He pushed up his glasses and studied the three students before him. "A private transaction between students, with a teacher asked to witness it... That's unusual at a time like this." He didn't ask any further questions. After confirming that both parties were acting voluntarily and that the contract didn't violate school rules, he agreed and picked up the seal representing the school's authority.

The four of them went to a small, empty conference room. Once the door closed, shutting out the sounds from outside, the atmosphere turned formal and tense.

Natsukawa took two prepared contracts from his document folder. The pages were neat, and the terms were clearly laid out. He handed them to Ichinose and Kanzaki.

"Please read them over."

The contract stated:

Party A (Natsukawa Sosuke) shall provide Party B (Ichinose Honami and the Class B she represents) with the core truth about the operating rules of "Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School," as well as related information and advice worth no less than one million personal points.

Party B shall pay Party A one million personal points in a single transfer after the contract takes effect.

Without Party A's consent, Party B—including but not limited to Ichinose Honami, Kanzaki Ryuji, and all Class B students aware of the contract—must strictly keep the contract's contents and Party A's existence confidential and must not reveal them in any form to anyone outside the parties to the contract.

Anyone who violates the confidentiality clause in Article 3 must pay Party A a penalty of twenty million personal points. If they cannot pay the full amount, they will be expelled.

This contract is witnessed by the school (notary Mashima Tomoya) and is legally enforceable.

The terms were clear, and the penalties were severe enough to make one's heart pound. Twenty million points and expulsion hung over them like the Sword of Damocles, ensuring the secret wouldn't be easily leaked.

Ichinose and Kanzaki read every line carefully. Once they had confirmed everything was in order, they exchanged a nod.

"We have no objections," Ichinose said on behalf of Class B.

They picked up their pens and solemnly signed their names in the space for Party B. Mashima stepped forward and stamped the red seal representing the school's authority in the space for the notary.

"The contract is now in effect," Mashima said gravely, then gave Natsukawa a long look. The D-Class student's meticulous, seasoned approach far exceeded his expectations.

Natsukawa hadn't expected Ichinose and the others to sign so decisively. He'd prepared several arguments for sparring with them, along with contract versions for six hundred thousand, seven hundred thousand, and eight hundred thousand points. He hadn't expected them to sign right away, leaving him no chance to use any of his prepared lines. He was so thrown off that even his words came out jumbled.

After the contract was signed, Ichinose immediately used her terminal to transfer the one million points Class B had struggled to gather into Natsukawa's account. As he watched the enormous sum appear on his terminal, the weight that had been hanging over his heart finally lifted. His first windfall was in hand.

"Now, as agreed, I'll explain." Natsukawa put away his copy of the contract, his voice steady, as though the money that had just come in were nothing more than a string of numbers. "At the heart of this school is a comprehensive evaluation system called the 'S-System.'"