The Trade Begins

Ichinose turned back to see a boy from her class named Kanzaki Ryuji. He wore his usual serious expression, but his eyes revealed a sense of support.

"I've talked to everyone in the class," Kanzaki said concisely. "No one wants to be left behind; everyone wants to move toward the future together with all of Class B. Therefore, we agree to pool one million points to purchase that information."

A look of relief instantly blossomed into a bright smile on Ichinose's face, as if sunlight had pierced through dark clouds. "That's great! Thank you, Kanzaki-kun!"

"However," Kanzaki shifted his tone, becoming cautious, "we cannot fully rest easy letting you go alone to conduct such an important transaction with the other party. Their identity is unknown, and their motives need to be confirmed. I propose that I accompany you when the transaction officially takes place."

Ichinose was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Kanzaki's concerns. This was out of a sense of responsibility to the class, as well as a desire to protect her.

"I understand, Kanzaki-kun. Your worries are very reasonable." She nodded. "However, I need to ask for the other party's opinion first. If he doesn't agree to a third party being present, I will try my best to persuade him, or... I will relay the entire process of the transaction to you truthfully."

Kanzaki looked into Ichinose's clear and determined eyes, knowing she had already made up her mind. He nodded. "Fine, I'll wait for your news."

Watching Kanzaki's departing back, Ichinose gripped her phone tightly. The screen lit up, displaying the email interface with "Natsukawa Sosuke". Next, she needed to convey Class B's decision and Kanzaki's request to that mysterious "Friend A".

Ichinose Honami's email arrived faster than Natsukawa had anticipated. On the very night she spoke with Kanzaki Ryuji, Natsukawa's personal terminal received her inquiry.

"Natsukawa-kun, the students of Class B have agreed to the transaction. However, to ensure safety, we hope that I can complete the transaction together with Kanzaki Ryuji from my class. I wonder what you think about this?"

Concise, direct, and providing a reason—it fit Ichinose's consistently open style.

Natsukawa looked at the screen, the corners of his mouth curling up imperceptibly. He wasn't surprised by Kanzaki's involvement; this second-in-command of Class B was known for his rigor and sense of responsibility, so this proposal was perfectly normal. He replied quickly:

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

He didn't set a more private location; the public areas of the school building were bustling with people during lunch, which could actually serve as a "hiding in plain sight" effect. Overly secluded corners were more likely to arouse suspicion.

The next day, at noon.

The sunlight was just right, casting bright spots on the floor through the corridor windows. Natsukawa Sosuke arrived at the agreed location five minutes early, leaning against the window and looking calmly at the bustling students downstairs. He carried a plain canvas bag on his shoulder, containing the decisive items.

Footsteps approached from afar, and Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji appeared on time. There was a hint of nervousness on Ichinose's face, but more of a determination that she had made up her mind. Kanzaki, standing beside her, had a cold expression, his sharp eyes sweeping over Natsukawa as if assessing the risk level of a precision instrument.

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

"Hello." Natsukawa nodded in greeting without any unnecessary small talk. "Before the transaction begins, we need a notary."

"A notary?" Kanzaki frowned slightly, clearly not having anticipated this step.

"That's right," Natsukawa explained. "In this school, verbal promises lack binding power. But if both parties sign a contract and have a homeroom teacher—who represents the school's will—act as a notary, then this contract gains mandatory force. The school will guarantee the execution of the contract. Of course, this is me showing my sincerity for now; in the future, Ichinose, you must remember this, otherwise, you could be sold out and have no one to appeal to."

He paused and added, "I've chosen Class A's homeroom teacher, Mashima-sensei."

"Class A?" Ichinose blushed at Natsukawa's words and felt a bit confused when she heard Mashima-sensei's name.

"For the sake of fairness," Natsukawa said concisely. "Mashima-sensei has no direct conflict of interest with Class D or Class B, which can ensure the neutrality of the notarization to the greatest extent."

Of course, he wouldn't say that the deeper reason was to avoid the two female homeroom teachers, Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya, who were too "concerned" about student dynamics, to prevent exposing his existence too early. Mashima-sensei had a more superficially rigid and serious personality and handled things strictly by the book, making him the ideal choice for a notary.

Ichinose and Kanzaki exchanged a glance, both seeing approval in each other's eyes. This arrangement did indeed seem more secure and professional.

Natsukawa led the two to Mashima-sensei's office. After explaining their intent, a flash of surprise crossed Mashima-sensei's serious face. He pushed up his glasses and scrutinized the three students before him. "Private transactions between students, and requesting a teacher to notarize... that's rare these days." He didn't ask further questions, and after confirming that both parties were voluntary and the contract content did not violate school rules, he nodded in agreement and picked up the seal representing the school's authority.

The four arrived at an empty small conference room. Closing the door, the outside noise was cut off, and the atmosphere suddenly became formal and heavy.

Natsukawa took two prepared contracts out of a document bag; the paper was flat and the terms were clear. He handed them to Ichinose and Kanzaki.

"Please take a look."

The content of the contract was clear:

Party A (Natsukawa Sosuke) shall provide Party B (Ichinose Honami and the Class B she represents) with the core truth regarding the operating rules of "Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School" and provide relevant information and advice worth no less than 1 million personal points.

Party B shall pay 1 million personal points to Party A in a lump sum after the contract takes effect.

The content of the contract and the existence of Party A must be kept strictly confidential by Party B (including but not limited to Ichinose Honami, Kanzaki Ryuji, and all informed Class B members) without Party A's consent, and shall not be disclosed to anyone outside the contracting parties in any form.

Anyone who violates the confidentiality clause in Article 3 must pay a penalty of 20 million personal points to Party A. If they cannot pay in full, they shall accept expulsion.

This contract is witnessed by the school (Notary Mashima Tomoya) and has mandatory enforcement power.

The terms were clear, and the punitive measures were chilling. The 20 million points and the threat of expulsion hung over their heads like the Sword of Damocles, ensuring the secret would not be easily leaked.

Ichinose and Kanzaki read it word for word carefully, and after confirming there were no errors, they nodded at each other.

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

The two picked up their pens and solemnly signed their names in the space for Party B. Mashima-sensei stepped forward and stamped the red seal representing the school's authority on the notary section of the contract.

"The contract is established," Mashima-sensei said in a deep voice, while taking a long look at Natsukawa. The sophistication and thoroughness of this Class D student far exceeded his expectations.

Natsukawa hadn't expected Ichinose and the others to sign so decisively. He had originally prepared several counter-arguments to debate with them, and had even prepared versions of the contract for 600,000, 700,000, and 800,000 points. He hadn't expected them to sign immediately, rendering his prepared rhetoric useless and leaving his speech a bit disjointed.

After the contract was signed, Ichinose immediately operated her terminal, transferring the 1 million points that Class B had worked so hard to pool into Natsukawa's account. Watching the massive number on the terminal flow in, the heavy stone in Natsukawa's heart finally settled. His first pot of gold had been acquired.

"Then, according to the contract, I will begin my explanation." Natsukawa put away his copy of the contract, his voice steady, as if the amount that had just been credited was merely a string of numbers. "The core of this school is a comprehensive evaluation system called the 'S-System'."