Announcement of Class Points

"Alright, everyone, eyes up front~. I really have to commend you all this time!"

Hoshinomiya said as she pulled a thick sheet of white paper from the poster tube in her hand, unfolding it and taping it to the blackboard.

On it were the names of Class A through Class D, with numbers up to three digits marked beside them.

First-Year Class A: 960

First-Year Class B: 900

First-Year Class C: 650

First-Year Class D: 10

"Everyone in Class B, you really are excellent students. Over the past month, not a single person has been late or absent, and the number of times anyone has failed to pay attention in class can be counted on one hand. Because of this, we are now only sixty points behind Class A~. This is quite an impressive achievement compared to previous years. Though, the most 'impressive' of all time has to be this year's Class D." At this, Hoshinomiya glanced over toward Ying.

Ying: Actually, I didn't do anything.

"Although everyone in the class probably already knows, I still need to reiterate it. Class points aren't just linked to the amount deposited every month; this point value directly reflects the class ranking. So, if our class points surpass Class A next month, then we will be Class A next month. Oh, right, right. In this school, only by promoting to Class A can you achieve higher education and a 100% employment rate. However, the teacher believes in you all; you can definitely do it, so please work hard to reach Class A. Finally, I want to tell everyone that the midterm exams are in three weeks. In this school, if you fail a formal exam, you will be expelled, but for everyone in Class B, there is absolutely no problem, so don't be too nervous. Just review well. Let's all work hard together!"

After finishing, Hoshinomiya waved to the class and left the room.

"I really didn't expect class points to fluctuate so drastically and easily. It's fortunate that everyone in Class B is fulfilling their duties as students, so we won't end up in a situation where even daily life becomes difficult," Kanzaki sighed.

"Yeah, but there's one class that isn't like that," Hamaguchi said, casting his gaze toward the blackboard:

First-Year Class D: 10

"Ayanokoji~~~" Yamauchi poked his head out from under his desk with a dying expression.

"Wha... what's wrong?"

"Please, buy this for 50,000—no, 20,000 points~. I'm out of points~."

Sitting on the desk was the game console Ying had lent him.

"Isn't this Baiye Ying's game console? It's not even yours. Even if it were, who would I play with if I bought it?"

"Ayanokoji~~~! You're the only one I can rely on~!"

"I'm afraid I can't help you there."

"Doctor! As my most important partner, I have a favor to ask. Please buy this game console for 50,000 points."

Seeing that Ayanokoji didn't want to buy it, Yamauchi immediately shifted his target.

But this is Baiye's game console. Sorry, Baiye. If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for lending the console to Yamauchi, Ayanokoji thought to himself.

Meanwhile, the members of Class B were holding a discussion about the future.

"So, everyone, for the upcoming midterm exams and to ensure the whole class achieves good results, I propose forming study groups to help those who aren't very confident in their studies improve their academic performance," Ichinose said, standing at the podium to explain her idea.

Seeing that the whole class agreed, Ichinose began grouping the study sessions based on the monthly exam scores.

"Um, Baiye-kun, what do you estimate your rank was on the monthly exam?" Because our brother Ying forgot to attach his barcode during the exam, resulting in a score of zero in all subjects, Ichinose didn't know his grades and asked him.

"Ichinose, you've asked a very interesting question. I can only tell you this: 100 points is the limit of the test paper, not my limit," Ying said, head held high.

"Is that so? Then I'll just assume Baiye-kun's grades are very good." After saying that, Ichinose went back to grouping.

"Everyone, let's dismiss for today. I'll announce the group results tomorrow. From now on, let's study together in the library," Ichinose announced, and the students of Class B left, pushing and shoving.

Ying was called out just as he stepped out of the classroom.

"Ying-kun, let's talk in the counseling room~." Hoshinomiya seemed to have been waiting for him at the door.

"Okay..."

Inside the counseling room, Hoshinomiya smiled and patted Ying on the shoulder, saying, "Although I don't know how you did it, I'm very satisfied. You actually made Sae's class achieve such a high score of ten points. Just thinking about Sae's expression now makes me unable to stop laughing, hahaha!"

Ying gave a forced smile and said, "Not at all, it's all thanks to your teaching."

"I never taught you these things... Never mind, Ying-kun, tell me what you want. I'm in a good mood right now, so I'll agree to anything~."

Upon hearing this, Ying's eyes seemed to sprout "$" symbols. He wiped away the drool threatening to spill out and said, "Then... 1 million?"

"Deal!"

Ying: WTF, that was so easy! I should have asked for more.

After transferring the points, Hoshinomiya continued, "Ying-kun, you're really amazing. Are you interested in continuing to help me? If you can keep Sae's class pinned down at Class D from now on, I'll give you points every month."

Ying: ! Giving me 1 million every month—isn't that a bit much for a teacher...

"1 million is indeed too much, but I can manage 300,000 personal points every month. Just... drink a little less alcohol... Let's have one last indulgence for old times' sake today!"

"My liege, from this day forth, I, Baiye Ying, shall follow your every command!"

"The study group results are out. I'm in the first group. Baiye, which group are you in?" Kanzaki asked, looking at the results Ichinose had posted in the class group chat.

Ying checked his terminal and said, "I'm in the Baiye group."

Kanzaki: ...

Inside the library, Ying, as the leader of his group, was responsible for tutoring four classmates.

Ichinose had divided the entire class into eight groups of five people each. The top eight students in the class served as the leaders for these eight groups. At this point, someone might ask: didn't Ying get a zero? Did you ever ask if the eighth-place student agreed to that? But the eighth-place student was Kanzaki...

"Alright, let's start with roll call: Amikura Mako, Chihiro Shiranami, Beppu Ryota, Shibata Sou, Byakuya..."

"Ying, don't waste your time. We're all in the same class, do you really not recognize us?" Shibata interrupted Ying's roll call, speechless.

Ying: ...You don't say, you really don't say...

"Ahem... well then, Amikura Mako, is your math not very good?" Ying's gaze shifted toward the two girls simultaneously.

"Y-yes, it is."

So Amikura Mako was that petite and cute purple-haired girl, and the one with short brown hair next to her must be Chihiro Shiranami. Ying thought to himself.

"Then let's start by reviewing some math. First, look at this problem..." Following that, Ying began to explain the final, most difficult math problem from the monthly exam to the four of them.

When it came time to study English, Chihiro asked: "Byakuya, how do you usually study English?"

Ying pulled out an MP3 player, clicked on an English listening track, and said: "I usually take it out and listen to it whenever I have some free time."

After arranging their respective tasks, Ying said: "You guys start working on the problems, I'm going to do a set of English listening practice first."

He then took out his earphones, plugged them into the MP3 player, and hit play.

"Chu! Kawakute gomen (Chu! Sorry for being so cute) Kono jidai ikite gomen (Sorry for living in this era) Chu! Medattete gomen (Chu! Sorry for standing out so much) Ishiki shichau yo ne? Gomen (Are you thinking about me? Sorry about that)..."

Everyone: The earphones aren't plugged in, someone please remind him!