I'll Thank You in Advance for the Twenty Million

"... You're still here?" Asakusa Toru finally turned around. He looked at Miyabi Nagumo's face and couldn't help but frown slightly.

But soon, his brows relaxed again.

Because he suddenly thought of something.

This guy must have a lot of Private Points, right?

"Well, since you're still here, that's perfect." Asakusa Toru turned around and spread his hands. "As you can see, I'm planning to sign up for all the programs."

"That being said, judging from your surprised reactions... aren't you being a little thoughtless?"

He was somewhat speechless.

"There are only four optional events, right?" Asakusa Toru raised his hand and tapped his head. "Borrowing objects competition, four-way tug-of-war, three-legged race for boys and girls, and a relay race for the whole grade."

"Everyone participates in all the other projects; it's just four more projects. What's so surprising about that?"

Upon hearing this, the student who had just expressed shock immediately showed a hint of embarrassment on his face, his toes rubbing the soles of his shoes nervously, his gaze fixed on the floor, not daring to look up.

He wasn't unaware of this; he simply hadn't thought of it because the words were so startling.

"..." Miyabi Nagumo was momentarily speechless, then turned his head and glared at the student who had first started the commotion and swayed his thinking. He then turned back to the student, pretending to be nonchalant. "Yeah, I know, of course I know."

"Because that's exactly what I intend to do—participate in all the projects."

Asakusa Toru waved his hand, interrupting his attempt to cover up his explanation.

"Enough, enough. I don't care how many projects you plan to participate in." He raised an eyebrow and cut to the chase. "Interested in something special?"

"The school was too stingy this time; they didn't even plan to follow the normal Special Exam procedure."

Even if you get first place in everything, you'll only get around 100,000 Private Points, and the entire grade will lose 300 Class Points because of the red and white groups and the ranking order.

He paused, then continued:

"It's getting a bit boring."

Numbers don't inspire excitement; they only lead to disappointment.

He really wouldn't want to play this if it weren't mandatory.

"So, let's add a little something extra to this Sports Festival, privately, on our own." After much build-up, Asakusa Toru finally revealed his true colors. "The blond-haired kid who's never lost and has had a smooth life."

He used the same term again, which sounded almost provocative.

This is a complete and utter provocation.

When the conversation reached this point, even if Miyabi Nagumo was slow to understand, he would clearly understand Asakusa Toru's attitude and thoughts.

Careless, casual, sudden inspiration.

These are all illusions.

From the very beginning, he was laying the groundwork for this statement.

Even if he didn't take the initiative to approach Ichinose Honami, this guy would probably provoke him instead.

A contemptuous attitude, provocative words, and Ryuen Kakeru's seemingly pre-arranged pace of joining the group.

Gradually, little by little, provoke your anger and stir up your emotions.

The purpose was to let his blood boil and make him choose to accept the other party's provocation without hesitation.

What a clever provocation!

Its application is masterful.

Miyabi Nagumo put away his slight disdain for Asakusa Toru, or rather, he had never underestimated him from the very beginning when he learned of Asakusa Tetsu's achievement of 1,000 points.

Now, however, that attitude has become a little more serious.

Did they think I'd fall into a trap?

Oh.

Miyabi Nagumo chuckled inwardly, a sense of satisfaction rising within him at the result he had deduced in an instant.

That's how it is; it's this level of competition that allows him to clearly feel that his talent is genuine.

I am a genius; I was born with talent.

I was number one from start to finish.

This talent was not acquired through good luck, nor was it achieved because of the lack of formidable opponents.

So.

Miyabi Nagumo possesses unparalleled confidence.

"A greenhorn, ignorant of his place, and disrespectful to his seniors—a first-year student." Grinning, she picked out the appropriate adjectives in response, and Miyabi Nagumo smiled, "Since you're so confident..."

"Then tell me, what kind of 'brilliant idea' do you have?"

When it comes to prizes, it's nothing more than competitions and betting.

Given the context of the Sports Festival, there are obviously only these thirteen events that can be competed in.

Miyabi Nagumo has absolute confidence in this.

He won't make mistakes; he won't lose.

No matter who you're facing.

"Let's talk about the stakes first," Asakusa Toru smiled and raised two fingers.

Is it two million? That's a pretty good omen, too.

"Twenty million."

Just as Miyabi Nagumo was pondering the weight represented by those two fingers, Asakusa Toru smiled and softly uttered a weighty number.

Miyabi Nagumo: "... Huh?"

Miyabi Nagumo was dumbfounded.

Chapter 265: Thank you in advance for the 20 million.

Miyabi Nagumo originally thought her imagination was already quite vivid.

It's important to understand that two million is by no means a small sum; in the early days, it was more than enough to settle a stalker's case as hush money.

Even for a current Class 1-A, it would take ten months of saving without eating or drinking to earn two million.

Even if Asakusa Toru is the class leader, even if Miyabi Nagumo is the ruler of the grade.

To come up with two million is already considered quite a reckless move.

But you're telling me it's twenty million?

Are you kidding me!

Who could accept, who could allow, that the class leader would use such a large sum of money—money that could be put to great use—just as a 'small prize' for the Sports Festival?

... but they seem to actually allow it.

Looking around, Miyabi Nagumo noticed that neither of the first-year classes seemed to have any intention of questioning Asakusa Toru's words.

On the contrary, the second-year students, with their extremely worried expressions and winks, clearly conveyed their attitude, except for directly advising him not to agree.

There seems to be a considerable difference in the level of control between them.

... Shouldn't I be the one ruling the entire grade?

Seeing the distinct attitudes of her classmates, Miyabi Nagumo felt a strange sense of absurdity rising within her.

This is too bizarre.

But he couldn't appear too shocked, too helpless, or act as if things were out of his control.

Miyabi Nagumo is always at ease.

His control over the grade level is fundamentally based on his ability to maintain control.

"... I'll say it again, first graders." Taking a deep breath, Miyabi Nagumo said, "Don't try to put on a show."

"Don't think that just because you've quoted an astronomical figure, I should back down and admit defeat."

"The depth of knowledge and experience gained in the second year is beyond your imagination."

As she spoke, Miyabi Nagumo finally began to feel as if she had regained control of the situation.

This guy's speech is a bit illogical; it always throws me off track.

But it's okay, I'll eventually get back to my rhythm.

Asakusa Toru: "?"

He immediately chuckled and snapped his fingers, "Honami."

There's no need for further explanation; what you need to do in this situation is simply to demonstrate your financial strength.

The school has already deposited the fees for the VIP Exam into the student's account since the start of the school year in September, in addition to the Private Points at the beginning of the month.

The amount of money lying in Ichinose Honami's account exceeds 20 million.

This money hasn't been transferred to Sakura Airi yet, so it just happens to come in handy at this time.

Obediently following Asakusa Toru's instructions, without needing any further instructions, Ichinose Honami proactively took out her Personal Terminal and briefly demonstrated her financial resources.

"I have enough money, but what about you?" After Ichinose Honami put away her Personal Terminal, Asakusa Toru looked at Miyabi Nagumo and spread his hands again. "So-called 'second-year background,' you can't even come up with 20 million yen, can you?"

Provocation, yet another provocation.

A meticulous, logical, and meticulously planned provocation tactic designed solely to steer him toward a response.

Miyabi Nagumo really wanted to refuse.

But he found himself somewhat unable to refuse.

It's practically a calculated scheme.

Rejection is not an option, nor is acceptance.

If he refuses, his dignity will be trampled underfoot by this first-year student the very first moment, and he will lose all face and prestige.

If he doesn't refuse, he might actually have to put up a real 20 million to gamble with him.

Such risky behavior will seriously affect his classmates' opinions of him and reduce his control over the grade level.

After all, many people are counting on using his Private Points to advance to the next rank.

... unless, by winning.

As long as he wins, all his calculations will be in vain, and the entire open conspiracy will turn into a welfare activity where Asakusa Toru gives him money.

So...

Let's do it!

However, the one who always holds the initiative is Miyabi Nagumo!

"Very well, your first-year students have more potential and drive than I imagined." With a sneer, Miyabi Nagumo spread her hands and said, "The wealth that the class has accumulated over an entire semester can be used as chips for betting in the leader's mouth in the simplest way possible."

"Capable and knows how to have fun."

He was clearly praising her, but the essence of his words was subtly pointing out the true nature of Asakusa Toru's behavior, which was harming the common interests of the class.

What Miyabi Nagumo wanted was to see her classmates waver and try to persuade the other party.

Unfortunately, he was going to be disappointed.

No one in Class 1-A questioned this.

Because in their eyes, Asakusa Toru's victory was beyond doubt.

Anyone who has experienced that Uninhabited Island Special Exam, or witnessed that all-out patrol of the outpost, will feel relieved and at peace with it.

Sports Festival?

Competitive events?

All participants?

Bet?

Let's gamble, let's gamble. We're bound to win in the end anyway, so it doesn't matter what the stakes are.