Each Class's Situation / The Value of Information

After hearing her reminder, the students in Class B finally came to their senses.

That was right. They had all agreed to the most important part of the plan: handing over half their Private Points to Ichinose as a safety fund in case anyone was expelled.

"Classmate Ichinose, when are you collecting the points? I've already got mine ready," one student offered readily.

"Yeah, we all agreed when we came up with the plan. And we've even made it to Class A. That's thanks to Classmate Hashiba and Classmate Ichinose. Besides, we've got more than fifty thousand points now, don't we?"

"Haha, that's true. Maybe we'll have even more next month."

After a month together, the students in Class B already had absolute faith in Ichinose Honami as their class leader and Hashiba Hikaru as the heart of the group. Seeing their Class Evaluation Points surpass those of Class A, which had started in first place, only strengthened that belief.

They all had just one thought: if they kept following Classmate Hashiba and Classmate Ichinose, then all the plans they'd made at the beginning would surely succeed!

"Thank you for trusting me. We can collect the points during the break. Don't we have class now?"

The girl stood up and smiled warmly at her classmates. "Our class has made a huge leap forward today. It's the result of everyone's hard work. Let's give one another a round of applause."

"Clap, clap, clap!"

A burst of enthusiastic applause filled the classroom. Everyone was bubbling with joy. Even if they hadn't opened up a gap between themselves and Class A, they had still become the top class in their year at this school.

At the podium, Chie Hoshinomiya watched the pink-haired girl stand and clap along with everyone. She couldn't help thinking how lucky she was: both of the class's central figures were remarkably capable.

Ichinose Honami and Hashiba Hikaru.

One united the class and maintained its atmosphere as its public leader, while the other came up with unique plans to strengthen their position. They had both fully demonstrated their abilities and earned the trust and support of everyone. There was no longer any resistance to carrying out their plans.

More importantly, they got along extremely well and trusted each other. That was rare.

Hoshinomiya couldn't help thinking of Class 1-A. She'd heard that two students took turns leading the class, and that they had long been at each other's throats. The students had split into two factions, and relations between them were tense.

"How childish. In this school, division is the stupidest thing you can do..."

As a graduate of the school, Chie Hoshinomiya understood it deeply. In the end, the class that would win was always the one that stood united. If its leader couldn't keep everyone in check, the consequences would be disastrous.

The Situation in Each Class

While the students in Class B were immersed in the joy of climbing the rankings, the atmosphere in neighboring Class A was much more somber.

Their homeroom teacher was a short-haired man in a crisply tailored black suit and an immaculate tie. He looked like a very serious person.

After writing the newly released Class Evaluation Points on the blackboard, he watched Class A erupt into a brief commotion. Katsuragi and Sakayanagi quickly put a stop to it.

As they studied the numbers on the board, the same person came to both their minds.

After all, the Special Exam hadn't even begun, yet Class B's Class Evaluation Points were already over 1,000. There had to be more to it, and the secret was surely connected to Hashiba, the student who had come to sell them the rules on the very first day.

"Teacher Mashima, may I ask why Class B's Class Evaluation Points are over 1,000? Did something happen?" Katsuragi was deeply concerned and immediately asked.

"I can't tell you the answer right now. You'll have to investigate the details yourselves. I won't provide you with intelligence about the competition between classes."

As he spoke, Mashima Tomoya looked toward the class's two leading figures. He knew they were currently fighting for control of the class, but that wasn't something he needed to manage. The school's educational policy was to let the students take the initiative.

"Sakayanagi, Katsuragi, I'll leave future class competition to the two of you. We may have dropped to Class B, but the gap in Class Evaluation Points isn't all that large. So I expect you to take this more seriously."

"I understand, Teacher Mashima." Katsuragi's expression was grave.

"Understood. I'll take it seriously."

The silver-haired girl answered calmly. She had already guessed the answer, and couldn't help thinking of Hashiba, who had come to Class A to sell them the hidden rules, and Ichinose Honami, his classmate.

"Impressive. You've already surpassed us?"

"Classmate Hashiba, you're becoming more and more intriguing."

Sakayanagi murmured, her beautiful eyes gleaming with thought as if she were devising some kind of plan.

Class 1-C. Their homeroom teacher was a middle-aged man with glasses. After writing the Class Evaluation Points on the blackboard, he began observing the atmosphere in the room.

First, Ibuki, who was currently the class leader, stood up. She was so shocked that her expression had turned ugly.

Ibuki Mio asked the teacher, "Why did our class lose so many points? Was there a mistake?"

"I'm sure it has something to do with those three."

Sakagami Kazuma pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Aside from Ryuen, the other two suspended students had returned to the classroom. As Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo felt the cold stares of their classmates, they shifted uneasily in their seats.

"Suspension is a serious offense. It costs a lot of Class Evaluation Points," the man said, looking at Ibuki Mio with a hint of displeasure. "I heard you even bought some hidden rules. Did you not realize that?"

"This..."

"And I heard you were involved in Ryuen's suspension, Classmate Ibuki. Is that true?"

"I was involved, yes. I expected that," Ibuki Mio replied, her tone still firm. "His vicious behavior—beating people up—had already cost our class plenty of Class Evaluation Points. I was protecting our classmates."

"Regardless, the gap between our class and the others has widened. I hope you'll think carefully about our future strategy and help Class..."

He paused, then continued, "Since you're the leader of Class D, I hope you'll do your best."

"I will, Teacher Sakagami."

After saying this, Ibuki sat back down. She understood that the teacher before her prioritized the class's interests. He didn't care who had hit whom, or whether anyone had been bullied. All that mattered to him was whether the class could climb the rankings.

"Don't worry, Classmate Ibuki. We'll all support you." Shiina Hiyori looked at the girl's ashen face and offered comfort. "Classmate Ryuen will be back soon. Then we'll need you to keep his behavior in check."

"Yeah, that guy..."

Today was May 1. Ryuen still had three days left in his suspension.

Even though he wasn't in the classroom, ever since Ishizaki Daichi and Komiya Yogo had returned early, the man had started using them to gather information, as if he were planning something.

"I won't let him do whatever he wants. This is our class, not his personal playground!"

"Mm-hm. I believe in you, Classmate Ibuki."

Shiina Hiyori nodded gently, but her gaze drifted to the Class Evaluation Points on the blackboard.

Class B, 1,010 cp

Had Classmate Hashiba's class really surpassed the initial 1,000 points? It was certainly intriguing.

What had he done?

Meanwhile, in the Class D classroom, Chabashira Sae briskly wrote the updated Class Evaluation Points for each class on the blackboard. Then she looked at the students.

"Looks like you all worked hard this month. Congratulations on your rise in the rankings. You're now Class C."

"Great!"

Hirata looked thrilled. He hadn't expected to lead the class to a higher ranking in its very first month, and excitement shone in his eyes.

"I knew there was nothing wrong with trusting Classmate Hirata's strategy. Everyone's worked hard lately, and this is the result of all our efforts," Kushida Kikyo said with a smile to the rest of the class.

"Even though we lost quite a few Class Evaluation Points, making it up to Class C is already a great achievement. This victory belongs to everyone here."

"Yeah, it's all thanks to Hirata and Little Kushida. We're not at the bottom anymore. That's great!" Yamauchi Haruki looked at the numbers on the blackboard. They'd lost quite a few points, but still had 53,000 Private Points this month—enough to last them a while.

"That's right! Shouldn't we throw a party to celebrate? We climbed the rankings in our very first month. Maybe we really can make it to Class A!"

Kanji Ike immediately joined in with the cheerful mood and made a bold claim. It was a little unrealistic, but it still made everyone laugh.

At that moment, Kushida Kikyo and Horikita Suzune both noticed the key information on the blackboard.

Class B, 1,010 cp

They had surpassed the initial 1,000 points, turned things around, and risen straight to Class A. That was an even more astonishing achievement than Class D's promotion.

"Does this have something to do with Hashiba?"

Horikita Suzune had a suspicion. After all, he was a man her older brother approved of, so it wasn't surprising that he had this kind of ability.

Kushida Kikyo, staring at the blackboard, had far more complicated thoughts.

Had that guy really led his class all the way to Class A?

And their Class Evaluation Points were over 1,000. He must have accomplished something important behind the scenes.

Thinking of her conversation with Hashiba Hikaru yesterday, Kushida felt she needed to turn up the heat a little more. She had to make him work even harder to help her come up with plans.

So the girl picked up her phone and sent him a message.

The Value of Information

After the class rankings changed, students in all four classes were still processing the news. Whether they were happy or upset, the new rankings were a fact, and everyone would have to get used to them.

Class B's classroom remained lively. They were all good kids and wouldn't go around showing off, but they still wanted to enjoy their victory among their own classmates.

As Hashiba Hikaru smiled and lowered his head to organize his class notes, a new message suddenly appeared on his phone. It was from Kushida Kikyo.

Chat window.

Kushida Kikyo: Classmate Hashiba, congratulations on your class's promotion to Class A!

Hashiba Hikaru: Haha, congratulations to your Class D too. Looks like our classes were the winners of the first month.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, if Classmate Hashiba hadn't come to our class to sell us the hidden rules, maybe we would've lost even more points.

Hashiba Hikaru: Well, the rules were only one part of it. More importantly, it was thanks to the hard work of you and Classmate Hirata. I probably only played a tiny role.

Kushida Kikyo: You're so modest, Classmate Hashiba. But that's okay. I've already thought of a way to thank you.

Hashiba Hikaru: Thank me?

Kushida Kikyo: Our successful promotion to Class C was partly thanks to you, Classmate Hashiba. And I've also gotten closer to Classmate Horikita lately—that was thanks to you too.

Kushida Kikyo: So I want to thank you properly. It's important to repay a kindness, so don't refuse, Classmate Hashiba.

Hashiba Hikaru: All right... What are you planning to do, Classmate Kushida?

Kushida Kikyo: I'd like to visit your dorm this afternoon, Classmate Hashiba. I bought you a gift and want to give it to you today.

"?"

A gift?

Why not just bring it over? Why did she need to come to my dorm?

Hashiba Hikaru held his phone, unsure what to say. The sudden turn of events had caught him completely off guard.

When he didn't reply right away, another message came through.

Kushida Kikyo: What's wrong, Classmate Hashiba? Do you not want me to come to your dorm?

Hashiba Hikaru: Of course not. I'd be happy to have you visit, Classmate Kushida.

Kushida Kikyo: Hehe, then look forward to it! What's your dorm room number?

Hashiba Hikaru: 301. Don't go to the wrong room, Classmate Kushida.

Kushida Kikyo: Mm-hm. See you this afternoon!

After leaving the chat, the boy glanced at Ichinose Honami, who was surrounded by classmates beside him. She was a regular visitor to his dorm now. If Kushida was coming over, he needed to let Ichinose know in advance.

Otherwise, they might have an awkward encounter.

So Hashiba Hikaru turned to Ichinose and asked, "Do you have any plans this afternoon, Classmate Ichinose?"

"No, I'm free. Is something up, Classmate Hashiba?"

"I'm meeting a friend this afternoon, so I won't be able to work on our cooking together today, Classmate Ichinose."

At that, the smile on Ichinose Honami's face froze. She often went to the boy's dorm in the afternoon. They called it working on their cooking, but really, they just had dinner together. She cooked, and Hashiba Hikaru ate.

Ichinose was very happy with that routine, so Hashiba Hikaru's sudden announcement surprised her.

"Mm, I understand."

The pink-haired girl nodded slightly. She was a little curious, but knew that she and Hashiba Hikaru hadn't reached the point of becoming a couple. She had no right to ask who he was meeting.

When the dismissal bell rang, Hashiba Hikaru left the classroom with his schoolbag. Since Kushida was coming over later, it would be better to prepare in advance.

Around four thirty, someone knocked on Room 301's door.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba!"

The short-haired girl stood at his dorm-room door in her burgundy uniform, holding a neatly wrapped gift bag and smiling.

"Good afternoon. Come on in, Classmate Kushida." The boy's face immediately lit up with a welcoming smile.