In a practical education, scheming against people? I can also do a little.

"What else could it be?"

"Then I'm very happy to hear that. Since you've said as much, Class A is going to be in trouble."

"How so? Are you planning to make a move?"

"Of course."

Sakayanagi Arisu looked at Hoya Chukai with curiosity; she truly hadn't expected him to plan on making a move so quickly.

In this school, instances of conflict starting in the very first month were few and far between. In most cases, it wasn't until after the first month that everyone gradually began to understand the concept of S-Points.

Yet, Hoya Chukai had been able to deduce the existence of S-Points from the smallest details, which was quite interesting.

After all, if it weren't for the sake of S-Points, why would he bother taking action? There had even been a grade where all four classes relied entirely on exams to earn points.

"So, what kind of trouble are we in for?"

"If you don't make a move... and if everything goes without a hitch, how about one expulsion plus a collective deduction of two hundred points?"

"Oh? You even know about that?"

"Indeed. Once you know about S-Points, isn't everything else easy to figure out? If you want me to join Class A, it's not impossible, but first, you'll have to consider the 20 million points required for a class transfer~"

"Heh, if it's just a matter of that many points, I actually find it quite easy. You must have additional conditions, right?"

"Of course. But if you consider 20 million points to be 'just that much'... you're quite confident."

As they chatted and ate, Kamuro and Shiina, who were watching the scene from the sidelines, felt they couldn't get a word in. The air between these two was thick with gunpowder.

"Otherwise? Are you trying to say that no student has ever reached 20 million so far? Just because no one has done it doesn't mean it's impossible."

"I'm just curious as to why you're doing this. 20 million for one 'me'—is it really worth it?"

"Of course. Talent is worth more than gold. And as long as I can bring you over, won't I earn back those 20 million? After all, you are 'Hoya Chukai'."

When saying the name Hoya Chukai, Sakayanagi Arisu specifically used the Chinese pronunciation.

In Japan, the surname Hoya and the given name Chukai are both common, but when put together, they carry an additional meaning in Chinese.

A job like a real estate agent (Hoya Chukai), if done well, can bring in quite a lot of money.

"Ha, you flatter me too much. Being the object of your attention actually makes me a bit worried."

"Rest assured, I won't make a move until Katsuragi falls."

"Is that so? Then I'll have to adjust my strategy. I can't let Katsuragi step down, after all."

If what Sakayanagi Arisu said was true, then the threat to Class A would be drastically reduced. A Class A in the midst of internal strife and a united Class A were two completely different levels of combat power.

I have gathered Class B and Class C, while the enemy, Class A, is still in internal conflict—the advantage is mine!

"Heh, then I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do. It's rare; you are the second person in this academy I've taken an interest in. I can give you a reward."

"A reward? Let's hear it."

"Before Katsuragi steps down, you can use her however you like. How about that?"

"Eh?"

Kamuro Masumi hadn't expected to be brought up while just eating on the side. Sakayanagi Arisu was pointing at her, telling Hoya Chukai that he could use her as he pleased.

Wait... had she just been sold out by her own master?

"Use her however I like? Can you really bring yourself to do that?"

"Of course. Besides her, I have others I can use. And as for her... she isn't loyal enough to me, is she?"

"Young mistress..."

"Enough. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking? Don't think you're so lucky, either. When Chukai-kun isn't using you, you'll still have to serve me~"

Hold on, when did we get so close? Why are you calling me Chukai-kun too?

"You... forget it."

Hoya Chukai couldn't help but sigh. He looked at Kamuro Masumi, whose expression was gradually souring: "But I don't really have a use for her in my daily life. At most, I might need some information."

"No problem, give it, I'll give you whatever you want. Whatever catches your eye, just take it."

"You treat me like a bandit, just taking whatever I want."

With Sakayanagi Arisu saying this, Hoya Chukai was quite pleased. Having a temporary mole was not bad at all.

His plans had always been looking toward the long term. If he had a mole like this, it could help a great deal.

He was planning to pull off something big during the final exams.

Right now? That was all just light drizzle, just playing around for fun. If he really wanted to go for the throat, he would definitely save it for that time.

He could budget to ruthlessly swindle Class A out of several hundred points at that moment.

"However, with your guarantee, I feel much more at ease. I hope you can keep your promise."

"I'm not one to say one thing to your face and another behind your back, so you won't either, right?"

"Ah, of course. Rest assured, before you take the stage, I won't play Class A to death."

"What do you mean by 'play to death'?"

"For instance, by turning Class A into Class D."

"Hahaha, Chukai-kun, that's not a very funny joke."

Hmm, despite saying it wasn't a funny joke, Sakayanagi seemed to be enjoying herself quite a bit.

After all, he must think highly of Class D to say something like that; considering those guys hadn't even fully realized the nature of S-Points yet, how many class points would they even have left by the end of the month?

No, that's not quite right—some had realized it, but unfortunately, not many people believed them.

She had a great many informants. They were in every class.

Yes, even in Class C, though it was clear her informants were being watched quite openly. Otherwise, how could Hoya Chukai have taken Kamuro Masumi out to karaoke?

Her informants had already been exposed.

"I can push Class A down, and I can just as easily pull Class D up."

"And would you?"

"Of course not. Why on earth would I help them?"

"Don't you have quite a few close female friends in Class D?"

"Cough, cough, cough—what close female friends? What are you rambling about!"

Choking on his food, Hoya Chukai was nearly silenced by her words.

Could she not bring up such gossip while he was trying to eat?

"Oh? Is that so? Then how do you explain Kushida, Karuizawa, and Ayanokoji? I remember saying it before, didn't I? Ayanokoji is mine."

"I'm not competing with you for your opponents, so stop talking nonsense. Don't tell me you want her to become your subordinate?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"Well, my relationship with Kamuro is decent enough, isn't it? Isn't she your subordinate?"

"Hmm..."

Sakayanagi Arisu couldn't help but look at Kamuro Masumi, a gaze that made Kamuro Masumi open her mouth in surprise.

No, Milady, what are you trying to do now?

Chapter 66: I'm Telling You to Put Some Effort Into It

"Alright, I'm finished. You two take your time; we'll be heading off first."

Because Sakayanagi and Kamuro had joined halfway through, Hoya Chukai and Shiina Hiyori finished their meal quickly.

Shiina had actually finished long ago; she had simply been waiting silently for Hoya Chukai. Seeing that Hoya Chukai and Sakayanagi had said about all there was to say, she followed him as he left.

"Chukai-kun, how do you have so many friends?"

Shiina truly envied that; it seemed like Hoya Chukai was surrounded by many friends.

Compared to him, she didn't have many people around her.

Shiina wanted friends too, especially the kind she could swap book recommendations with.

"Friends? Sakayanagi doesn't count as a friend. She's far too cunning."

"No, I meant the classmates that Classmate Sakayanagi mentioned. You seem to have a very good relationship with the students in Class D."

"You could have one too, you just haven't put in the effort to manage those relationships. But if you want a friend to trade books with, I can recommend someone. Aside from having a bit of an odd personality, everything else is fine."

"Really? Then I'll look forward to it?"

The person Hoya Chukai was talking about was none other than Ayanokoji.

Although her personality was strange, she definitely read a lot of books. That air of being well-read and sensible wasn't something one could just imagine; it could only be achieved through genuine, dedicated reading.

After the meal, the two walked all the way to the dorms before parting ways, each returning to their own rooms.

Meanwhile, after Hoya Chukai left, Sakayanagi began to eat her meal at a leisurely pace.

"Milady, does Classmate Hoya really make you that concerned?"

"If you want to call him Chukai-kun, you don't need to mind me. Being so deliberately distant will only make him sad."

No, he wouldn't be sad; he hadn't even noticed the feelings of those girls.

In the karaoke room, as a bystander, she could tell that quite a few girls had a very ambiguous attitude toward him, yet he just ignored it all.

Perhaps it was for the best that he ignored it, lest he start indulging in romantic distractions—after all, those girls were quite stunning.

Hmm, she subconsciously excluded herself.

"And I was very dissatisfied with your concealment of information at the time. Don't look at me with that expression; did you think I only had one informant?"

Sakayanagi Arisu continued to eat slowly, completely unbothered by the shocked gaze of Kamuro Masumi sitting across from her.

She was the only one who hadn't finished her meal yet. Eating while chatting naturally made things slower, especially when the two were constantly taking jabs at each other—it would be a miracle if they were actually enjoying themselves.

Both were actively exposing bits of information while fishing for more; this time, both Hoya Chukai and she had gained a fair amount of intel on the other's class.

"I'm actually quite looking forward to him. If he truly makes good use of you, he could obtain quite a bit of information about him. Unfortunately, he won't."

There was a sense of 'oh, you poor, useless child' in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes, which left Kamuro Masumi with a subtle expression, completely at a loss for what to say.

"Alright, I've had enough to eat, we should probably get going."

Empty plates don't need to be taken to a designated area for disposal; in this school, there are naturally people who will come to help take care of such matters.

After finishing her meal, she still had more things to do, as it was only seven o'clock, after all.

Yes, seven o'clock.

Sitting in her room, Shiina Hiyori felt a bit lost at the moment; she didn't know what she should be doing.

Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't even go to the cafeteria to eat, opting to satisfy her hunger with bread in the evening. After the library closed at nine, she would go for a run to exercise before returning to her dorm to wash up and sleep. Today, however, not only did she skip her exercise, but she hadn't spent much time reading either.

It was only seven o'clock, nearly three hours earlier than she usually returned to her dorm.

"What should I do..."

Taking a few of her favorite books out of her bag, Shiina couldn't help but recall the agreement she had made with Hoya Chukai. He had said he would pick out a good mystery novel for her to read.

Hmm, the next book she recommends to him must be a really good one. Yes, that's decided; she would review these books again and pick out the absolute best one to recommend to him.

With her mind made up, she picked up a book and sat in her chair to read, but she couldn't focus; her thoughts kept drifting back to Hoya Chukai.

Why do I keep thinking about Chukai-kun...

Shiina couldn't help but cover her face, feeling shy. She couldn't understand at all why she kept thinking about Hoya Chukai against her own will.

Could it be... that she likes him?

No, no, no, he's just the first friend she's met since coming to this school with whom she can exchange book recommendations.

#Shiina Hiyori is currently deceiving herself.

So, what is Hoya Chukai doing?

He is waiting on Ryuen Shoko.

"So, you and Shiina were out playing until now?"

"Cough, cough, how can you call it playing? It was studying. Besides, we also ran into Sakayanagi."