16 Million Personal Points, Class D's Situation

People were beings with weaknesses all over.

The students in Class D could be even more troublesome.

"Hope we can pull it off."

"This school really makes things difficult."

"What class unity? What group competition? Can't they give us something normal for once?"

Kageya Shinjitsu had already forgotten that he wasn't normal himself.

Katsuragi Kohei went straight back to his class.

He explained the situation.

Class A.

Katsuragi Kohei gathered several of the usual team representatives.

He explained what had happened.

Six million points, advance knowledge of the class competition, and the benefit of reducing Class D by one later on.

"Um, what's his goal? He must have a reason for wanting so many points."

"Since everyone's competing to reach Class A, I suspect he wants enough points to transfer there. The teacher hinted before that points could buy anything."

"He already knows about the class evaluations, so he probably knows something about the points, too. Otherwise, he wouldn't be collecting personal points so frantically."

Class A's students had some theories about what points could be used for.

After all, their previous homeroom teacher had already told them about it.

"Once we know what he's after, we can consider it."

"I'm a little worried about his character, but now that he's in Class A, he probably won't betray us for no reason."

"There shouldn't be anywhere better than Class A in this school."

After discussing it, the Class A students around Katsuragi Kohei felt it was worth a try.

Six million points would only require them to cut back for the next two months.

They were confident they could keep getting high scores if no one else interfered.

They might even keep earning 100,000 points—or more—each month, with half deducted.

By that calculation, they'd be trading their 100,000-point enrollment allowance and the next two months' points for Class D to come last, plus a new classmate with some ability.

That seemed fine.

"Once we know what he's after, we could even offer him a loan. Before he transfers classes, he could help us trip up the other classes again. I'm sure he'd be happy to."

The Class A students weren't bookworms who only cared about studying. They pragmatically suggested ways to solve the problem, including how to make use of Kageya Shinjitsu and how to deal with him.

As one Class A student after another offered suggestions, Katsuragi Kohei was persuaded.

"Then I'll leave it to you to explain the situation to everyone."

If everyone agreed, they'd go ahead with it.

They needed everyone to contribute points, and even Katsuragi Kohei, as their temporary leader, couldn't make them hand over their points.

The Class A students were gathered and told to keep the matter confidential. They learned what was going on, along with the full analysis of the pros and cons.

Some raised the possibility that they might be deceived.

But Katsuragi Kohei assured them that they'd have their homeroom teacher witness the contract.

The first month's payment would be held by their teacher. If things really turned out as promised the following month, they'd make another payment.

They'd continue until the total reached six million.

Some weren't entirely convinced, but in the end, the minority went along with the majority.

Those who disagreed still paid their share.

This was a class matter, so everyone cooperated.

They successfully collected points from all forty students.

If they'd been in Class D, plenty of people probably wouldn't have cared and would have refused to pay.

Class A reached an agreement without a hitch.

They were also told not to spread the news—especially not to let it reach Class D.

At least, they couldn't let the secret slip yet.

! ### Chapter 26: 16 Million Personal Points, Class D's Situation

"We've reached an agreement."

With all his classmates' support, Katsuragi Kohei had gained some confidence.

When he returned, Kageya Shinjitsu already knew the answer.

"Then congratulations, Katsuragi Kohei. You've done something good for your class."

Kageya Shinjitsu smiled, pleased with the response.

Sixteen million personal points. It would take two or three months to get them, but that was acceptable.

It was already more personal points than an ordinary student could earn in three years.

"Let's go see the homeroom teacher first."

Katsuragi Kohei and several Class A representatives went to find their homeroom teacher.

Kageya Shinjitsu naturally tagged along.

Mashima Tomoya was a mature, middle-aged man with a powerful build, like a wrestler.

He was a little surprised to see Kageya Shinjitsu arriving with his students.

This was the guy who'd been hanging around their class and refusing to leave.

What was he here for?

"Teacher..."

Katsuragi Kohei went straight into what they'd discussed.

They'd explained it many times that day.

Seeing that their teacher had no objections, Katsuragi Kohei understood what he meant.

"No problem."

Mashima Tomoya didn't refuse their request for him to witness the agreement.

He didn't think buying Class D's downfall was particularly necessary, but it was the students' decision, and he had no intention of stopping them.

With Mashima Tomoya as their witness, the contract was finalized.

Both sides made their commitments.

The Class A students were ruthless, too.

They handed Mashima Tomoya three million points on the spot.

In other words, as long as Class D's score was confirmed next month, he'd get those three million.

"If that's all, I'll be off. Looking forward to it."

Kageya Shinjitsu waved and made to leave.

Now that everything was settled, there was no reason to stick around.

"Hold on, Kageya."

"Let's exchange contact information."

"Also, tell me—are you after so many points because you want to transfer into Class A?"

"Do you already know how many points it takes to transfer classes?"

Katsuragi Kohei stopped him.

Kageya Shinjitsu didn't refuse.

He had more and more contacts now: Ryuen Kakeru, Ichinose Honami, Kanzaki Ryuji, and now Katsuragi Kohei.

He also had Hirata, the outrageously busty girl, the Student Council President, and the Student Council secretary.

That made eight contacts.

After exchanging contact information, Kageya Shinjitsu answered the question directly.

"I have considered it. Transferring classes costs twenty million points."

"What about you? Are you thinking of transferring, too?"

Kageya Shinjitsu smiled at Katsuragi Kohei.

"Don't joke around. How could we?"

Why would Class A transfer to another class?

They'd have to be crazy.

"If you're planning to join Class A, we might be able to help later."

Katsuragi Kohei offered an olive branch.

That was what his classmates thought, too.

If Kageya Shinjitsu really was useful, they didn't mind making some sacrifices to bring him over and have him contribute to their class.

Their class would gain, and another class would lose. That was a good deal.

Of course, the amount mattered.

If it were twenty million, they'd have to think it over.

But Kageya Shinjitsu had surely already gathered quite a few points.

They could help him make up the rest without too much trouble.

"If I need anything, I'll contact you."

"Then I'll be counting on all of you."

With a friendly smile, he didn't linger. He waved and left.

"Thank you for your help, teacher. We'll head back now."

Katsuragi Kohei and the other Class A students didn't stay long either.

They returned to explain everything to their classmates.

This had gone very smoothly, and Kageya Shinjitsu was quite satisfied.

Nothing major happened over the next few days.

Although he'd sold out his class, Kageya Shinjitsu was still a well-behaved student.

Every day, he attended class obediently, learned about his class's situation, checked how the other classes were doing, and confirmed that Class D would come last. Then he waited for Class D to descend into the so-called hell.

The students in the other classes were cooperative, too. At least, no one let the news slip over the next few days.

Kageya Shinjitsu remained a background character in Class D.

He was merely the pitiful, pitiful guy picked on by the golden-haired beauty and the boisterous popular guy.

To the girls, he was a gloomy boy. To the boys, he was a loner.