Kushida's Contact Information / Class D Couldn't See Its Future

"How can that be!?"

"So the more Class Evaluation Points our class has, the more money we'll get each month? That's incredible."

Yamauchi Haruki's face lit up with longing. If they could get more than a hundred thousand points a month in the future, his quality of life would definitely improve.

"I see."

Hirata, standing beside him, was also somewhat pleased. As the class leader, he naturally knew that his classmates had performed very poorly in class during their first week. But he couldn't manage them strictly, since this wasn't an isolated case—it was the norm for most of them.

Now that he knew how to raise their Class Evaluation Points, he could use this rule to rein in everyone's behavior. After all, nobody would turn down points they could get their hands on.

As for whether it would work, they could try it first and see.

"Classmate Hashiba, please continue explaining the rules. We understand this part now." Kushida's pretty face was once again bright with a smile.

"Sure. Next is the most important rule: how the school assigns students to classes."

Hashiba Hikaru knew he was about to get to the heart of the matter. He couldn't help feeling a little eager to watch everyone's reaction. This rule had shocked everyone in Class B for a long time.

"The classes at this school aren't assigned randomly. There's an important principle behind them."

"What principle?"

Horikita Suzune suddenly spoke up. This was what she had been waiting for. She was very curious why those two people had called Class D garbage earlier.

"The school assigns students in descending order, following the letters A, B, C, and D. The students are placed in classes from the highest to the lowest."

Hashiba Hikaru wrote the four letters on the blackboard. His expression was calm, but inside, he was already laughing.

"Class A is where the best students go. Then the school sorts everyone into the classes below it, and the worst students end up in Class D. That's the answer."

"!"

"What!"

"That's impossible!!!"

As soon as he said that, someone immediately stood up. It was Horikita Suzune.

Her beautiful face was filled with disbelief, anger, and confusion.

The other students in Class D also erupted when they heard this. Nobody wanted to be called the worst. Wasn't he basically saying they were garbage that had been discarded?

"You're not lying, are you? How could we possibly be the worst class!" Yamauchi Haruki shouted.

"No. This is exactly what the hidden rule says. Before entering this school, you all took a Written Exam and an interview, right?" Facing the suddenly noisy Class D, Hashiba Hikaru's inner amusement turned to scorn, but he patiently explained anyway. "The school doesn't just look at grades. It also evaluates everyone's overall qualities and past experiences, then sorts them into four levels."

"That's the answer you wanted. I haven't lied. You can ask anyone to confirm it."

After saying this, Hashiba Hikaru paused. He still had one more bombshell to drop. Were they already unable to take it?

Class D really was hopeless.

Chapter 47: Kushida's Contact Information

After Hashiba Hikaru finished explaining the school's class assignment rules, the Class D classroom remained in an uproar. Everyone found it impossible to accept that the school had placed them in the worst class. Some students with good grades were especially vocal, insisting they should have been placed in Class A.

"Everyone, please calm down and let's hear Classmate Hashiba out. He must have more to add."

Although Hirata had been deeply shocked to learn that Class D was the worst class, he still had to step in and take control as the class leader.

At his loud request, the Class D students grudgingly quieted down. Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo, standing beside him, looked distinctly uneasy after learning about the rule.

Hashiba Hikaru knew what she was thinking. He had deliberately pointed out that the school would look into everyone's past. The information shown by the Stock Analyzer said that Kushida Kikyo had another side to her that nobody knew about, and that was very likely why she had been assigned to Class D.

"Right, don't rush. There's another very important rule I have to explain."

The boy smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the students in the classroom. Before speaking, he took a deliberate look at Horikita Suzune, whose face was still angry, then continued.

"Class rankings aren't set in stone. Do you remember what I said earlier about Class Evaluation Points? They're the most important factor in determining the class rankings."

"At the end of each month, the school will rank the four classes according to their Class Evaluation Points. If a lower-ranked class earns more Class Evaluation Points than a class above it, the rankings will change."

"For example, if Class D's Class Evaluation Points exceed Class C's, then after the points are tallied next month, you'll become the new Class C. Does that make sense?"

"...Is that how it works?"

"So the school wants everyone to compete with each other, aiming for a higher class ranking."

The rule was easy enough to understand. After hearing it, Hirata began wondering why the school had set things up this way. If it was simply to make the classes compete against each other, why was this hidden rule worth three million points?

"Of course, this brings us to the most important rule at this school."

Hashiba Hikaru's expression grew more serious as he explained the most important rule. It mattered just as much to him and his classmates in Class B.

"Why make the classes compete? It's simple: to guarantee a one hundred percent rate of advancement to further education and employment."

"You should have heard this before coming to the school, right? It's the most important part of their advertising. Once students graduate from here, their futures are completely guaranteed."

"But..." He paused, his tone tinged with amusement. "Not every class can graduate from here. Only Class A qualifies for graduation and for recommendations and guaranteed admission. Students in the other classes don't get that."

"That's the main purpose behind the school's S System and the competition. Does everyone understand now?"

"Huh?"

"What does that mean? Are we not allowed to graduate from here?"

"No way. Only Class A can graduate? That's way too unfair!"

When the most important rule was revealed, everyone in Class D was stunned. They had never imagined the school would operate like this. What did that make the students in the other classes—just extras to help Class A graduate?

"That's the rule. You can only accept it. There's nothing I can do about it."

The boy glanced at Kushida Kikyo beside him and spoke to her. "Kushida, what do you think now that you know the rules?"

"This is astonishing. I can't believe the school is so underhanded."

The short-haired girl with brown hair wore a strained smile. The rules had indeed taken her by surprise. The school was so ruthless, practically forcing every class to climb higher—or get eliminated.

"Yeah, we were shocked when we learned the rules, too. But now that we know them, we'll have to keep working hard."

Hashiba Hikaru looked back at the girl beside him. Ichinose Honami met his gaze, and the two exchanged a knowing look, both smiling gently.

Ichinose Honami had been just as worried as the students in Class D when she first learned the rules. Fortunately, Hashiba Hikaru was there for her. He supported her as she led the class and kept coming up with strategies, all so that everyone in Class B could graduate without trouble.

The boy, meanwhile, thought it was pretty good that he had been assigned to Class B. The students might not be as outstanding as those in Class A, but after spending some time with them, he had come to understand Class B's strengths.

Everyone could quickly unite and trust one another unconditionally. That was the most important foundation for accomplishing great things.

"Classmate Hashiba, are there any more hidden rules?"

At that moment, Horikita Suzune stopped writing and looked up at the boy standing at the front of the classroom.

"There's just a little more, about how points can be used."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded and explained the special rule about points that Hoshinomiya-sensei had mentioned earlier.

"Private Points can be used for things at school, but there are other special uses for them too. For example, you can use points to buy the chance to change classes."

"Change classes?"

Kushida's expression changed. She hurriedly looked at Hashiba Hikaru. "Do you mean that if you pay enough points, you can move to another class?"

"Exactly. But it's very expensive." The boy held up two fingers and smiled at Kushida Kikyo. "Once a student has twenty million points, they can freely choose which class they want to join."

"What!"

"That many?"

This rule shocked everyone again. After learning that the way Private Points were deposited would change, they had all understood that they would need to be more careful when spending points. Still, they hadn't expected this kind of use.

"Right. The school won't force anyone to do anything; it's all up to the individual. If you can save up that many points, naturally you'll have more options."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled faintly and summed up his explanation. "That's everything about the hidden rules."

"I'll be going now. Please remember the contract and don't break it. Otherwise, you'll be expelled."

After saying this, the boy glanced at Ichinose Honami beside him, planning to go have dinner with her.

Horikita Suzune, still sitting at her desk, looked utterly solemn. At last, all the pieces of her thoughts fell into place.

The observer she had discovered that day had made her realize that Hashiba had probably known the school's hidden rules for a long time. He had people monitor the students in Class D so he could collect their points today.

Now that she knew about the twenty-million-point plan, Horikita Suzune guessed that his ultimate goal was to change classes. If he saved up that many points and transferred to Class A before graduation, he could guarantee that he would graduate.

"What a... complicated guy."

The black-haired girl silently added a new impression of Hashiba Hikaru to her mind.

Just as Hashiba Hikaru and Ichinose Honami were about to leave, they suddenly heard Kushida Kikyo call out behind them.

"Classmate Hashiba, could you wait a moment?"

"Oh, what is it, Kushida?"

Hashiba had been waiting for Kushida Kikyo to speak. Hearing her voice now, he couldn't help feeling pleased.

Had she taken the bait?

"Um, could I exchange contact information with you? You told our class so much important information today. I was wondering if I could invite you to dinner sometime."

"?"

But before Hashiba Hikaru could react, Ichinose Honami, standing beside him, immediately changed expression. A sharp gaze fixed on the short-haired girl in front of them.

What did she mean? Was there something she couldn't talk to me about?

What was she trying to do???

Chapter 48: Class D Couldn't See Its Future

When Kushida Kikyo said she wanted to exchange contact information with Hashiba, the boy clearly sensed Ichinose's presence shift beside him. Her expression also seemed a little off.

So he didn't hesitate and immediately started making polite excuses.

"I don't mind, but I haven't had much free time lately. How about you wait a bit, Kushida? Once I'm free, we can go have dinner together."

"Sure. I'm free anytime."

Kushida was delighted to hear Hashiba Hikaru agree. After the exchange about the rules today, she had fully realized that the boy in front of her was an exceptionally capable person. He might be useful to her in the future, so naturally she wanted to build a good relationship with him.

"I'd like to exchange contact information with Classmate Hashiba, too. Is that okay?"

Just as the two were exchanging phone numbers, Hirata suddenly came over and said he also wanted to get Hashiba's number.

Hirata Yosuke thought it was important. After learning the rules today, he had realized that this student from Class B was definitely aiming for Class A. Staying in contact with him might benefit Class D in the future.

"Of course. After all, Hirata and Kushida are both working for their class, just like we are."

Hashiba Hikaru readily agreed to Hirata's request. He secretly glanced at Ichinose Honami behind him. The girl's gloomy expression eased a little when she saw Hirata come over to exchange contact information as well.

Kushida's words really had stirred up strange feelings inside Ichinose Honami, though she hadn't even realized why herself.

After exchanging phone numbers with the two of them, it was time to let Class D digest the information on its own. Hashiba Hikaru didn't intend to stick around. Of all the Class D students, the only one he was concerned about right now was Kushida Kikyo. After all, he had just spent fifty thousand of the system's funds on her. He needed to earn that back many times over.

"Then we'll get going."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and said goodbye to them, then left the Class D classroom alongside Ichinose Honami without a backward glance.

After the two had left, Hirata turned to look at the rest of the class. Everyone had just learned the school's Deep Rules, and their expressions were complicated.

"Please listen, everyone. The situation isn't exactly in our favor right now, but now that we know the rules, we still have a chance to catch up."

Hirata wanted to rally everyone to work together, but his encouragement got little response. The Class D students were confused and didn't know what the future held.

Many students had been assigned to Class D because of their poor grades. If they had to face intense class competition in the future, could they really pass every Special Exam? They weren't even confident about ordinary exams.

They were currently the worst class. If they wanted to graduate, they would have to beat the three classes above them. That would be no easy task.

"Come on, everyone. We know the rules ahead of time now, so we can definitely move up."

Kushida Kikyo's pretty face showed her eagerness. She knew this was the perfect chance to make a good impression and improve her standing in Class D.

"If we stay united, we'll have a chance to move up in the future. Don't forget, the class competition revolves around Class Evaluation Points, and those are linked to everyone's Private Points. We absolutely can't give up!"

"Kushida's right. We can't give up."

The one who said this was Yamauchi Haruki, who had just been very uncooperative. He wanted to show off in front of everyone, but his classmates didn't think much of him, so no one echoed his words.

"If Hirata has a plan, then tell us. We're all waiting for you," another student suggested.

As soon as he said that, everyone agreed. In a way, this was the shared understanding among the students of Class D: if someone was willing to step up, then everything would be left to them.

Whether they led everyone or not was another matter, but at least they could shift the blame.