Classroom of the Elite, I Can Add Points Infinitely Chapter 9

Aragaki Shun wore a thoughtful expression. If there was profit to be made, trading with other classes was certainly an option, so he asked out of curiosity:

"Tell me your reasoning first."

"Didn't we all eat the free set meal at noon? The taste was truly awful. The seniors in Class C and D of the second and third years have to eat that most of the time; it seems they are having a very difficult time. So, I was wondering if we could let the students in Class C and D of the first year keep more of their class points..."

As she reached the end of her sentence, Ichinose simply lowered her head, hiding her face entirely, looking extremely embarrassed.

"I-I'm sorry, but even if we are competing, we can still be friends, right?"

Aragaki Shun: "..."

He rubbed his forehead, feeling somewhat speechless. He had wondered what the girl's reasoning could be, but it turned out to be a consideration from this perspective.

The most crucial part was that, no matter how he looked at it, she truly thought this way from the bottom of her heart; there wasn't a hint of falsehood in it.

"This proposal is rejected!"

Seeing that others were inexplicably moved and seemed about to stand up to agree with Ichinose Honami, Aragaki Shun decisively waved his hand to signal that it was not allowed.

The pink-haired girl opened her mouth, looking somewhat dejected, but she didn't persist, merely wearing a helpless expression.

She had probably expected this result all along.

Aragaki Shun was not swayed by that pitiful posture, merely emphasizing once again:

"I'll say it again: I don't care if you make friends with students from other classes, but please do not harm the overall interests of our class!"

"Ichinose, if you are worried about your friends living in hardship, you can lend them points privately. Even giving them supplies for free is fine, but don't make the entire class pay for your kindness!"

The boy's voice was cold and resolute, showing no mercy to the angel of the class.

"Only by graduating as Class A can everyone reach the future they desire. Once a mistake is made, Ichinose, can you take responsibility for it?"

15. Aragaki Shun's Promise to Everyone in Class B

Can you take responsibility for it, Ichinose!

The boy's questioning from the podium instantly shattered the pink-haired girl's excessive kindness.

Ichinose Honami's face still wore a pleasant smile, but her delicate eyelids had already fallen into shadow. In a trance, she felt as if she had been imprisoned once again in those days when she had dropped out of school and stayed home.

Nothing had changed; she could never escape it in this lifetime. Floating before her eyes was still that dusk when she had knelt with her mother to atone for her theft.

Could she bear the responsibility for the future of thirty-nine classmates whose prospects were dimmed because of her?

If the price of stealing a hair clip was to kneel in public, then how could she ever atone for the sin of stealing the future of thirty-nine people?

The pink-haired girl lowered her gaze, looking haggard. Thinking of how she had just righteously declared she would provide free help to Class C and D, she found it difficult to breathe, unable to face the classmates who trusted her.

Ichinose Honami, you really are a despicable woman. You only know how to be generous with others' resources, always letting those around you get hurt!

"Little Honami..."

Watching Ichinose Honami sink into a depression, those who were close to her in the class, both boys and girls, looked at her with concerned eyes.

Shiranami Chihiro, whose seat was closer to her, glared angrily at Aragaki Shun above before leaning over to comfort the pink-haired girl with worry.

Feeling the gazes of her friends, Ichinose Honami finally realized her loss of composure and hurriedly adjusted her expression, not wanting her emotions to affect the mood of the entire class.

"I'm sorry, I just felt ashamed. Everyone is clearly working hard for the future of the whole class, yet I was spouting big words and shamelessly trying to drag everyone down with me."

"Aragaki-kun is right. What we need to do now is ensure that Class B receives the school's recommendation in three years. Thinking about helping Class C and D students before we have even promoted to Class A—I was too self-righteous!"

Seeing Ichinose Honami blaming herself so much, the classmates also spoke up to comfort her, saying it wasn't a big problem.

"It's nothing, Little Honami is just too kind."

"Honami just didn't want to see her friends in other classes suffer."

"Aragaki-kun just doesn't agree with us harming the class's interests. We can still be friends with students from other classes; if our friends run into trouble, we can just treat them to a meal together then."

Under the comfort of her friends, the girl swallowed all the sorrow in her heart. Even if only for the sake of these classmates who cared for her, she could not continue to be depressed.

"Thank you everyone, I'm fine, really, I'm fine."

Seeing the usual smile return to Ichinose's face, the classmates breathed a sigh of relief.

The sudden disagreement between the two core figures of the class had dropped the atmosphere in Class B to freezing point, and they hadn't known what to do.

"I'm sorry, Aragaki-kun, I was too naive!"

Aragaki Shun had been watching the class's movements with a cold eye. Only after Ichinose Honami pulled herself together and bowed to state her position did he continue in a voice so rational it bordered on indifference:

"It seems you've thought it through, Ichinose. That's good. There are so many students in this class; if anyone has different thoughts, just say them directly. As long as it is for the sake of Class B, I believe everyone will understand."

The implication was: if it isn't for the sake of Class B, don't bring up such nonsense in this setting.

If you are so kind-hearted, wouldn't it be better to care more about the difficulties of your own classmates?

"I hope that in three years, we can all graduate from Class A together, without a single person missing!"

Scanning the Class B students who were listening quietly, Aragaki Shun's voice was calm, yet it carried an unshakable determination that made people feel compelled to believe him.

"Last night, I checked the number of students in each of the twelve classes across the second and third years, and I've sent that list to the class group."

"You should have all seen it, right? Aside from Class A of the third year, can you find a single class that is still at full capacity?"

"In this school, the result of failing to compete is actual expulsion. Do you really think the school is joking?"

Aragaki Shun swept his sharp gaze across the classroom. Whether male or female, everyone in the class held their breath, none daring to meet his eyes.

Whether it was an illusion or not, Ichinose Honami felt that Aragaki Shun had looked at her with extra emphasis, and the pink-haired girl lowered her head, her face full of guilt.

"Tell me, you all came to Kodo Ikusei Senior High School from all corners of the country, dreaming of entering the schools or companies you desire after three years. Are you really willing to leave with nothing? Or would you rather be expelled halfway through, leaving nothing but a special mark on your life resume?"

"Absolutely not!"

"I want to graduate from Class A with everyone."

"There are forty people in this class, and there should be forty people graduating together!"

"With Aragaki-kun and Honami-chan here, we can definitely defeat the other classes!"

The entire classroom became lively once again, with everyone actively demonstrating their resolve.

Undoubtedly, as high school students of the same age, no one would admit to being inferior to students in other classes.

And in this society with solidified class structures, the condition promised by Kodo Ikusei Senior High School—that students can choose any prestigious school or job—is almost the only chance for most students in Class B to cross class lines and realize their dreams.

If they were to miss this precious opportunity, they wouldn't know how to face their parents and families when they returned home three years later.

Aragaki Shun raised his hand to signal for silence, and only after the classroom fell quiet again did he continue:

"Don't put so much pressure on yourselves. First of all, we are Class B, which is already the closest to Class A."

"Furthermore, we have already obtained the answers to this Behavioral Standards Exam."

"Regardless of what the school's criteria for class placement actually are, at the very least, we are currently at the same starting line as Class A, so surpassing them shouldn't be that difficult!"

"Of course, temporary leads or setbacks don't mean much. We will spend a total of three years at Kodo Ikusei, and only those who can graduate from Class A at the end are the winners!"

Having said this, Aragaki Shun once again made eye contact with everyone in the class one by one, committing their current appearances and expressions to memory.

"I previously asked Ichinose Honami if she could take responsibility if something went wrong."

Stabbed once again, the smile on the pink-haired girl's face inevitably became strained.

She had thought she would be singled out for criticism again, but she hadn't expected that the young man had no intention of hounding her, choosing instead to take everything upon himself.

"At the same time, this is also a question I must face myself: can I bear the trust of everyone in Class B of the first year?"

"My answer is: I can!"

"Here, I guarantee to everyone with the Aragaki surname: if everyone in Class B works together and follows instructions, yet we still cannot graduate from Class A, then the responsibility is mine alone!"

"At that time, I will provide you with generous jobs and support you in continuing to chase your dreams!"

16. The sudden passion of the Class B students

Power and responsibility are equal!

Aragaki Shun wanted to collect Source Power at Kodo Ikusei, so he chose to bring Class B of the first year under his control; therefore, he should be responsible for the class competition of the Class B students over these three years.

One could use power freely while letting others shoulder the responsibility—this is certainly possible, and in society, it is even the mainstream tendency.

However, the young man didn't consider himself a good person, but he still possessed basic integrity.

The benefits after graduating from Class A were not worth mentioning to Aragaki Shun.

But for most students at Kodo Ikusei, that was the most critical turning point in their lives. Once missed, they might never encounter a better opportunity to cross their current class in this lifetime.

It could be said that he was only gambling with three years of game time, while what the students of Class B were entrusting to him was their entire life.

In such a situation, how cold-blooded and ruthless must one be to trample upon and discard such trust when the whole class has entrusted their faith and followed one's every command!

"You should have heard about my identity from Kanzaki."

"This is a promise I have made to everyone in Class B in public. There is Kodo Ikusei Senior High School's surveillance on the ceiling to record it, and the heir to Kanzaki Heavy Industries below to guarantee it. You don't need to worry at all that I will break my word if there is an accident three years from now."

"Compared to the thirty-nine generous jobs that this promise might cost, it is clear that the reputation of me, the heir of the Aragaki Family, is of greater value. Do you have any doubts about this?"

Seemingly stunned by Aragaki Shun's guarantee, everyone subconsciously shook their heads to indicate there were no problems after hearing the young man's question.

Just kidding—although few of the high school students present paid special attention to politics, perhaps large companies known for their wealth, like Kanzaki Heavy Industries and the Koenji Conglomerate, were more famous than the Aragaki Family.

But as long as they checked online, everyone could easily understand just how high the gold content of the young man's guarantee was.

In any case, they didn't think Aragaki Shun needed to deceive them in this regard.

Or rather, if they could really force the heir of the Aragaki Family to sacrifice his own reputation for them, wouldn't that be a kind of honor in a way?

While the classroom was silent, the first to break the stillness was Kanzaki Ryuji, who suddenly stood up.

For some reason, he, who was always calm and detached, gave off a feeling of surging passion at this moment.

"Since Aragaki has already made such a promise, then I will add a layer of security as well."

"Just like Aragaki, if Class B fails the competition in three years and cannot obtain the employment and further education benefits promised by the school, then all students interested in Kanzaki Heavy Industries can come to me for a decent job."

At this, not only were the students in the class dumbfounded, but even Chie Hoshinomiya, the teacher who had walked to the classroom door at some point and had been silently observing this class meeting, was clicking her tongue in secret.

What is going on with this year's freshmen?

Are the school's top brass crazy? Assigning these two big sharks to Class B—do they think the pressure on this year's Class A is too small?

Wait, isn't Chairman Sakayanagi's daughter in Class A?

Then it's fine...

"I'm sorry, I have to interrupt," Ichinose Honami took a deep breath, her eyes wavering intensely, yet she looked at Aragaki Shun with an inexplicable sense of resolve. "Rising to Class A should be a collective struggle for everyone in Class B. Ho, how could we just push that burden onto you?"

"Besides, the hidden rules of the school were intelligence gathered by Aragaki, Kanzaki, and Shibata together. You have already contributed more than enough."

"I am willing to follow Aragaki's lead and believe that he will definitely be able to guide everyone in the class to Class A. Whether we succeed or fail, this is a choice I made of my own free will. Please don't shoulder all the responsibility by yourself. If the worst should happen, please let me share the burden with you!"

Ichinose Honami stared straight at Aragaki Shun with her beautiful eyes, her expression incredibly earnest.

Hearing her declaration, the other students in the class seemed to wake from a dream, one after another shouting out the burning passion in their hearts as if their brains had caught fire.

"Honami is right. The future of Class B should be fought for by everyone together. How could we let Aragaki and Kanzaki bear the cost alone!"

"That's too much. Aragaki is one thing, but Kanzaki, why are you trying to look so cool too?"

"Let's all rise to Class A together! Even if we fail, we can just rely on ourselves to get into college. Three years of free tuition and living expenses—we'd have made a fortune by then anyway!"

"Aragaki is the coolest, Honami is the best, and being in Class B is the greatest!!"

"Ahhh~ I'm fired up!!!"

Roars and enthusiasm filled the entire Class B at this moment. Even though Chie Hoshinomiya had closed the door when she saw things getting out of hand, the neighboring classrooms could probably hear them; it was quite possible that people were already wondering what kind of madness had suddenly gripped everyone in Class B.

Aragaki Shun looked at these suddenly passionate classmates with a bit of trouble, feeling the youthful spirit that belonged to their age for the first time in a long while.

He could only say that, having lived a second life, he truly carried too much utilitarianism that didn't belong to this age.

But for these high school students who hadn't yet rolled into the great dyeing vat of society, things like future salaries, jobs, and social classes—while perhaps important—certainly couldn't compare to what they valued most at this stage: youth, passion, face, and friendship.

In reality, after the successive promises made by Aragaki Shun and Kanzaki Ryuji, what the boys and girls in the class were most focused on wasn't their status, but rather how they could be so cool!!!

To shoulder the future of the entire Class B on one's own shoulders—wasn't that incredibly cool?

It felt amazing, didn't it!

When would I ever get the chance to pull a stunt like that in front of everyone?!

As for actually considering the jobs the two had promised... at least for now, not many people in Class B were taking it to heart.

Not to mention that after Aragaki Shun provided the information on the Behavioral Standards Exam, no one had a real sense of the difficulty of the class competition, and they all felt that rising to Class A would be a breeze.