"How, how much?!" One of the boys couldn't contain his shock and stood up in disbelief.
It wasn't just him. Even I was astonished by the figure.
"You heard me right. Each of your accounts has been credited with 100,000 points. To clarify, one point is equivalent to one yen."
"Our accounts have... have... 100,000 yen!"
"On the first of every month, the school will deposit points into your accounts. There are no restrictions on how you can use them, so feel free to spend them as you please."
"We'll get 100,000 points every month, and there are no spending restrictions..."
After hearing Teacher Hoshinomiya's explanation, the whole class erupted. People who hadn't spoken a word to each other before began chatting.
I glanced around the classroom. Forty students in one class, 160 students in a year, and 480 students across all three years. At 100,000 points a month, that meant an annual expenditure of 576 million yen, not even counting the money flowing through the shopping district...
What could I say? This school really did have the backing of the state.
"That's an enormous amount of money." Ichinose seemed to have read my thoughts and echoed my inner monologue.
"Do you think this is really possible, Raku? For us to get 100,000 yen every month for nothing?"
"...I'm not sure either."
"Right. Teacher Hoshinomiya didn't say anything about there being a catch."
That was true. Even with the state backing the school, this was still an outrageous amount. There had to be something they weren't telling us.
"Okay, okay, settle down~"
"I know everyone's surprised, but this is what our school is capable of. What's more, we judge students by their abilities. So these 100,000 points are a reflection of the value you're all supposed to have."
Abilities as the standard... Value...
"Also, these points will be reclaimed after graduation. They can't be converted into money to use in the outside world, so please don't hesitate to spend them! And don't worry about there being any kind of catch, because there isn't."
There were no spending restrictions, which meant the school couldn't force students to spend the points in their accounts before reclaiming them at graduation.
So were there really no costs involved in giving us such a large number of points? Or were there conditions?
I was still considering the potential risks, while the students grew more and more excited.
"Hold on, hold on. Don't get so excited, everyone! Please check whether the number of points in your account is correct." Teacher Hoshinomiya did her best to rein in the students' enthusiasm. We eagerly logged in to our accounts.
Following the instructions, I opened my student account:
Student Name: Luomu
Academic Ability: C- Intelligence: C
Judgment: C+ Physical Ability: B-
Cooperation: C
Birthday: 11/28
Points Held: 100000
Ah, the most mediocre stats imaginable. I didn't have a single outstanding quality. Wasn't that just pathetic?!
I blinked hard, trying to find another way to open my data panel, but I failed, both mentally and in reality.
After confirming the number of points, I started checking the data of the people around me, hoping to find something that would cheer me up.
And then—
Student Name: Ichinose Honami
Academic Ability: B+ Intelligence: A
Judgment: B Physical Ability: C
Cooperation: A-
Birthday: 7/20
Points Held: 100000
Damn it, as a guy, the only thing I could beat Ichinose at was physical ability—and even then, only by a little. What a disgrace to men everywhere.
A little disgruntled, I rested my head on the desk.
"Has everyone checked? Any problems?"
"No."
"I really have 100,000 yen!!!"
"This is—amazing!"
Teacher Hoshinomiya smiled professionally and nodded at us with satisfaction. "Since everyone's checked and everything's in order, let's move on to the next part."
"Oh, right. I should give you all a reminder. Make sure you remember this: as long as what you want to buy is within the school's regulations, you can buy it, whatever it is."
"Haha, isn't that obvious?"
"Maybe she wants to get along with us, so she's just joking around." The students didn't pay much attention to Teacher Hoshinomiya's comment and laughed it off.
I quietly filed that information away in my mind.
I didn't know what it really meant, but if she'd gone out of her way to tell us, there had to be a reason.
Teacher Hoshinomiya straightened the remaining papers in her hands, then hugged them to her chest, looking ready to leave.
"There's still a little time before the entrance ceremony. In principle, you're free to do whatever you like until then. But if you can, I hope you'll get to know your classmates. You'll all be together for the next three years, after all."
"I have some meetings to attend, so I won't keep you any longer. I'll come back tomorrow so we can get to know each other properly." With that, Teacher Hoshinomiya gave us a sweet smile and left.
The class fell silent. It seemed like no one knew how to start talking.
"Everyone, could I have a moment of your attention?"
Ichinose, who was sitting in front of me, suddenly stood up, radiating the presence of a host.
Even the students who'd been flustered by the huge sum of money settled down.
Was this the kind of crowd-control ability a class representative had?
Impressive.
"Since we're going to be in the same class from now on, how about we introduce ourselves, like our teacher suggested? If we can become friends, I'm sure the next few years will go more smoothly."
Ah, that relentlessly energetic speech.
One by one, the students nodded in agreement. The way they bobbed their heads in unison reminded me of a flock of chicks pecking at food. It gave the whole class a warm, harmonious feel.
"Then I'll start. My name is Ichinose Honami. I hope I can get along with everyone and that we can all work hard together. And if you're ever having trouble, please feel free to ask me for help. I may not be very capable, but I'll do everything I can to help."
As Ichinose spoke, a gentle atmosphere enveloped the whole class, spreading a comforting sense of calm. But perhaps the mood was too soothing, because after she looked around, no one responded.
Then her gaze landed on me.
"..."
You didn't have to look at me with that 'please, I'm counting on you' expression. I was going to be the second to speak anyway.
Sigh, women really were dangerous.
I slowly stood up. There was no need to give it my all; I'd put my energy-saving philosophy into practice.
"My name is Luomu, and I believe in energy conservation. My hobbies are tea ceremony and calligraphy, though I haven't accomplished much in either. I look forward to getting along with you."
When I finished, Ichinose smiled and nodded at me. Then I sat back down.
"Great. Who's next?"
"I'll go." The purple-haired student sitting beside me stood up. "My name is Kanzaki Ryuji. I don't have much to talk about, but I think I'm good at sports and studying. My hobbies are a little boring, so I'll leave them out. I look forward to getting along with you."
"I'm next. My name is Shibata Sou. I was really into soccer in middle school, and I won first place in a school tournament. I'm definitely going to play soccer at this school, too. I look forward to getting along with you."
With Ichinose guiding them, the class introductions went smoothly. For some reason, everyone soon started getting along.
Only then did I realize that a person like Ichinose didn't necessarily have to end up as a failure. From what I could see, she was an exceptionally capable person.
"If you're willing, could we exchange contact information? I'd like to make a class group chat. That way, we should all get to know each other faster."
The sunlight poured down on Ichinose, a radiance I didn't want to gaze at, even with my eyes narrowed.
I Could Be Mistaken for a Pervert
"Raku, aren't you leaving? The entrance ceremony's about to start."
Time always seemed to fly when I was lost in thought. Just as I was still meticulously counting the leaves on the tall trees outside the window, Ichinose suddenly whispered in my ear.
"Ah, sorry. I was spacing out."
"Mm, even with everyone in the class getting along so well, you still didn't feel like joining in... Oh, right, Raku, you haven't added me as a contact yet, have you? I'm right next to you, and you still haven't come over to talk to me?"
"I don't think I have the ability to make it through the enemy lines seven times and back..."
I knew Ichinose would be popular, but I'd never seen anything this terrifying before. It was almost on par with the fanatical followers of that all-powerful religion I'd run into once.
In terms of fanaticism, at least.
"Then let's do it now. I'm about to make the class group chat." Ichinose smiled and handed me her phone. I went ahead and added her without hesitation.
"Also, thanks so much for helping me get the class talking."
Helping you get the class talking? She probably meant that I'd been brave enough to introduce myself.
"I only did what you asked, Ichinose. It wasn't a big deal," I said dismissively.
"Mm, but it was still your choice. No one in the class dared to speak up then. I'm glad you were there."
"Even without me, things would've gotten moving on their own."
Even if you thanked me, it wouldn't make me happy.
"By the way, what's that energy-saving philosophy about?"
"I've heard of egoism, hedonism, materialism, and even escapism, but I've never heard of energy-saving philosophy. Is it some kind of new literary movement?"
"It's not that dramatic. Basically, it just means I don't like dealing with hassles."
"So you don't like doing unnecessary things because they waste your energy. Is that right?"
Impressive!
"I'm surprised you understood so quickly, Ichinose."
"Eh? But that's not quite the impression I got of you."
"Since it's the first day of school, there's no avoiding troublesome things. After that, you might get to see what I'm really like."
"Can I ask you something?" Ichinose looked at me curiously. A series of ominous alarms went off in my head.
"As long as it's not too personal, I don't see a problem."
"Then I'll ask you. Um, if you believe in energy-saving philosophy, would you think it was a hassle if I came over to talk to you?"
"..."
That was a good question.
"I'd say it falls somewhere in between. At the very least, I think talking to other people is necessary."
"Phew, that's a relief." Ichinose let out a long breath.
No, it wasn't a relief at all. Please don't make that 'thank goodness, there's still hope' face. I just don't like dealing with hassles.
"But if you ever run into trouble, Raku, you can ask me for help, if you don't mind."
"If I need it." I nodded in reply.
"Then let's go. The entrance ceremony is about to start." Ichinose held out her hand, inviting me along.
If I hadn't met Ichinose on the public bus, things wouldn't have turned out this way. There had been two girls by the classroom door. If I remembered correctly, they were Shiranami Chihiro and Kobashi Yume. I'd realized they were going to invite Ichinose somewhere, but once they noticed I was there, they gave up.
Had I somehow acquired some kind of weird label without even realizing it?
It gave me a bit of a headache. I'd been trying not to attract attention, but after getting involved with Ichinose, that seemed hard to manage. Still, there was nothing I could do but deal with things as they came.
I sighed heavily and followed Ichinose as she walked away.
Before you continue