Let's Shoot Some Video / So Our Own People Started That Terrible Rumor!

"This portion of the class funds will be used to handle future class matters. Also, everyone, don't worry—we'll have other ways to increase our class funds later on. So even if they don't look like much right now, little by little, they'll add up to enough to do plenty of things. Every expenditure will be recorded and explained at the next class meeting. Also, Shiina will be in charge of keeping track of the funds. Does anyone object?"

Object? Of course not. If he'd handed her control of the class funds, there might have been objections, but all she was doing was keeping track of them. No one had any reason to object.

It would've been a disaster if Hoya had said, "Why don't you keep track of them?" That would've left someone with an extra chore for no reason.

At first, Hoya had planned to put Shiina in charge of the class funds, but she hadn't been confident about it. Since it would be a substantial amount of money in the future, naturally she didn't dare handle it carelessly.

"We'll adjust the amount of the class funds based on how many points we actually receive each month. If our class earns very few points as a whole, we may choose to divide some of the funds equally among everyone so that you can deal with financial difficulties. But under normal circumstances, unless something unexpected happens, we won't allow anyone to use the class funds on their own. I hope everyone understands that. All right, on to the second matter."

After taking care of the first matter, Hoya moved on to explain the second. "Our class will be split into groups of four, for a total of ten groups. Ryuen, Ibuki, Yamada, and I will be one group. The rest of you can form your own groups and choose a group leader. Shiina must be a group leader. All right, does anyone object?"

A girl raised her hand.

"What is it?"

"Does the group leader have any authority?"

"Oh, I did forget to explain that. The group leader doesn't have any authority. On the contrary, they only have responsibilities. Normally, it makes no difference whether you're grouped up or not. But when we need to quickly gather information from the whole class, I'll ask the leaders of the other nine groups so I can get it faster. That's all. So don't think of this as either a terrible chore or a cushy position.

"You can discuss your groups among yourselves. Once four students have settled on a group, they can register with Shiina before school ends. You can make changes up until the end of the last class. If any groups are incomplete at the end, or if anyone still hasn't been placed in a group, I'll assign people at random. I hope everyone will be proactive. At least try to group up with people you know."

Once he'd finished explaining the second matter, Hoya moved on to the third. "Next, let's talk about cooperation and conflict with the other classes. For now, we've formed a long-term strategic alliance with Class B. They're a friendly, close-knit class without much of a competitive streak, so we won't be fighting them in the short term, or even the medium term. I hope you'll all keep that in mind.

"Our main target is Class A, and the class we need to watch out for is Class D. Just keep that information to yourselves; don't go spreading it around. Even if everyone already knows, it's still better to say as little as possible. As for what we're going to do, it involves private matters, so we won't discuss it here. We'll explain it only to the students involved.

"Also, if students from other classes harass you, don't start a fight. Report it to me right away, and I'll take Ryuen with me to deal with it. Whatever you do, don't try to handle it yourselves."

After finishing his explanation, Hoya clapped his hands. "Those are the only three things the class representatives have to discuss at this meeting. I hope you'll understand and support us. If you have any questions, tell us or Mr. Kazuma after class, so we can avoid unnecessary trouble."

Taking Some Footage

After Hoya had finished speaking, the rest of the time was left to Kazuma Sakagami.

Once he'd confirmed that Ryuen Shoko really didn't want to speak in front of the class, he continued with the announcements. "I have a few things to tell you as well. In two weeks, we'll have a small test. Make sure you do your best so you can see how you're doing. I need to make this clear: in any of the major exams from now on, if you get less than half the class average in even one subject, you'll be expelled. So anyone who isn't doing well should start studying."

As he spoke, he turned to Shiina. "Shiina, how's the study group coming along?"

"Don't worry, Sensei. Some of the students with good grades are helping those whose grades are average. I'm sure we'll all pass the next exams."

"Mm. Everyone, remember that if a student is expelled, the whole class will be penalized 200 points. So do your best to help your classmates—for your own sake as well. Understood?"

"Understood."

"Good. Now, a few other things."

What followed was a long list of assorted nonsense. Even Hoya found it boring to listen to.

But the school required teachers to report these things, so he had no choice but to say them. After droning on for nearly half an hour, he saw that there were only a few minutes left before class ended and told everyone to study on their own.

Hoya picked up a sheet of paper and began writing and sketching. Just as he'd told Sakayanagi Arisu, he was going to give Class A a surprise on Wednesday.

Most students had no idea that open conflict between the classes would break out the following week. With one side prepared and the other caught off guard, Hoya wasn't worried about failing to take Katsuragi—the big bald guy—by surprise.

As for whether Sakayanagi would get involved too... He hoped she wouldn't. Otherwise, who knew what kind of mess might break out?

This time, Hoya was going easy on Class A. If she made a move, things could get serious.

After class, Hoya asked Kazuma Sakagami, "Mr. Kazuma, about my earlier suggestion to record some videos..."

"Oh, it's been approved. You're allowed to film, but we'll need to review the footage. I'm sure you understand."

"I do, I do. It's all to give everyone some precious memories, after all. There's no problem with you just taking a look."

Hoya spoke with a smile, and Kazuma Sakagami nodded, gesturing for him to follow. "Come with me, then. They've already brought the camcorder over. Make sure you don't break it, or you'll have to pay for it with points."

"I understand. Thanks, Sensei."

Mr. Kazuma really was good to the students in Class C. Compared to Chabashira, he was practically an angel.

Hoya didn't want to let down a teacher who was willing to protect them, even to the point of shielding them from trouble.

After picking up the camcorder the school had lent him, Hoya looked it over.

This camcorder would become part of their routine every month. Class C was full of energetic people, so he might as well have them record more of their everyday lives. Then, when they graduated, they'd have something to look back on.

As for anything else? Well, they'd deal with that later.

Chairman Sakayanagi was much easier to talk to than Sakayanagi Arisu. Hoya had simply offered to share the footage with the school so it could make a new recruitment video, and he'd managed to borrow the camcorder without any trouble.

Now he was going to use it to set up his daughter... Well, it wasn't as if he'd set out to do that, but why did he feel a little guilty?

It was probably just his imagination.

"Oh! Isn't that the latest XX camcorder? You really know your stuff."

Hoya hadn't caught the brand the other student mentioned. He glanced at the label on the camcorder in his hands... He couldn't read it.

Well, it didn't matter.

"Who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Sotomura Hideo from Class D. Sorry, I got a little too excited when I saw this new camcorder."

"I see."

"Which store did you get it from? How many points did it cost? I want to buy one too. I was thinking of getting one next month."

Hmm... So did he not know about S-Points, or had he just not bothered to check?

Looking at him, Hoya began to remember who he was.

Sotomura Hideo, the nerdy little side character. Hoya couldn't quite remember the name, but that stereotypical pudgy-nerd look made him recognize the guy right away.

He'd once wanted to be a nerd too, but he hadn't had that kind of money. What a shame. And in this life...

He seemed to have turned into a popular guy instead...

"I didn't buy it. I borrowed it from the school. We're going to film students' everyday lives and do a few interviews... Hey, since you're here, would you be willing to let us interview you?"

As he spoke, Hoya turned on the camcorder and pointed it at Sotomura Hideo. Sotomura stepped back and waved his hands in a panic. "I'd rather not. I'm not really the kind of person you should interview, am I?"

"Come on, don't worry. First, we're interviewing all kinds of students, not just students from Class A or the good-looking ones. And second, we might not even broadcast what we film, so don't feel pressured."

For students who liked being in the spotlight, that might have sounded a little insulting. But for a nerd like him, it was reassuring.

At least he'd figure there was no chance he'd make it into the final cut.

"All right, let me ask you a few questions. You've been at this school for a week now. How do you feel about life here?"

"It's great! The school gives us 100,000 points every month to spend, and I even used 80,000 to buy a laptop. I've been really enjoying it lately."

"What do you think of the cafeteria and the supermarket?"

"The food is great. The fried chicken and sushi are both delicious. The supermarket has a wide selection, and the prices aren't higher than outside. All in all, it's really good."

"Good. And how do you feel about the teachers' classes?"

"They're very relaxed. We have a pleasant, easygoing time studying, and the teachers don't criticize or insult us."

Sotomura Hideo knew they'd edit the footage later, so he wasn't going to say anything reckless. Even though their situation in Class D made Hoya want to laugh, he was talking about how "pleasant" and "relaxed" everything was.

In a way, he wasn't wrong, huh? Being left to fend for themselves was a kind of freedom and ease, too.

"Thanks for the interview."

After shaking Sotomura Hideo's hand, Hoya said goodbye and left.

Sotomura Hideo had wanted to ask if he could try out the camcorder, but when he heard it belonged to the school, he didn't dare touch it.

If he broke it, that would be a real hassle. School property was much harder to replace than something belonging to a student.

"You got the camcorder?"

"Yeah. We'll leave it to Minami Shiroha from our class. Minami, can you handle the filming?"

"Don't worry, we've got it!"

Minami Shiroha ran her fingers over the camcorder Hoya had handed her, trembling with excitement. Only someone who knew their equipment would understand how expensive and hard to come by this thing was. She couldn't believe the school had lent it out just like that.

Only someone as clueless as Hoya would handle it so casually.

Minami Shiroha was a girl Hoya barely remembered. But that wasn't surprising. It was Class C, after all. There weren't many students who got much attention, and in the original story, the class had basically been full of side characters.

There were forty students in Class C. Maybe the author hadn't even written them all into the story. It was perfectly normal not to know some of their names.

There were a few students in Class C who liked photography, so Hoya simply let them play around with the camcorder. For people who enjoyed using cameras, just getting to handle one would make them happy. He left it to them to film the scenery, their daily lives, and interviews—whatever they wanted.

Hoya did tell them that anything went after that, but the camcorder had to be back in his hands on Wednesday morning during the long break. He had something important to take care of.

"Mm-hm, no problem. No problem at all."

Minami and the other photography enthusiasts quickly assured him that it was fine. They stared at the new camcorder with rapt expressions.

"Tch. It's just some busted camera. Why are they acting like that?"

Ryuen Shoko shook her head as she chewed on a rice ball, unable to understand what the others were so excited about.

"Strategist, here's your breakfast."

Albert handed Hoya a rice ball, and Hoya took it. "Ah, thanks. How much do I owe you? I'll transfer it to you."

"It wasn't much. Don't worry about it."

"That won't do. Business is business, and personal is personal. Besides, I'll need you to work later. I can't just let you pay for it."

As Hoya spoke, he transferred Albert the amount he remembered it costing.

Ryuen Shoko kicked him for doing that.

What was he trying to imply? Was he saying Ryuen Shoko was the kind of person who took advantage of her own underlings?

"I paid for yours too. Besides, you and I are personal."

"Pah! Shut up, you bastard."

Ryuen Shoko spat out the words. She still couldn't get over how she'd just given herself to him like that.

The more she thought about it, the angrier and more upset she got. And the problem was that she'd been the one to make the first move.

That would've been bad enough, but afterward, she'd still ended up on the receiving end. She'd never imagined she'd lose to Hoya in that department.

"All right, all right. I'll shut up."

Knowing he'd gotten away with a huge bargain, Hoya hurriedly fell silent before she got so angry she decided to castrate him.

Mm, Hoya knew himself well enough, but he still underestimated how petty Ryuen Shoko could be.

"Ow, I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Stop pressing down, I'm going to break!"

During the long break, Ryuen Shoko pinned Hoya to the desk with one leg. She sat on a chair with her leg pressing down on him, while the desk blocked the view beneath her skirt perfectly.

Well, Hoya was the only one who had a clear view from where he was. She was wearing black today.

Maybe she'd gotten tired of wearing red and decided to switch to another color? Hoya didn't think he should say anything about it.

"If it breaks, then it breaks. At least you'll stop running off to other classes all the time."

Ryuen Shoko smiled as she spoke, then pressed down harder. Hoya let out an even louder howl.

Everyone in class had long since gotten used to it. The strategist and the boss showing off their affection always managed to surprise them, to the point where it all seemed perfectly normal now.

Mm... It seemed like the two of them really were the problem.

As for students in other classes, they only whispered to one another when they heard Hoya's cries. None of them dared sneak a look.

Girls were usually the ones who gossiped, and Ryuen Shoko's intimidating presence was enough to make them a little afraid.

"Um... Ryuen, I think that's enough."

In the end, Shiina Hiyori was the one who stepped forward. Seeing how much pain Hoya was in, she tried to persuade Ryuen Shoko to stop.

"Huh? Why are you sticking up for him now?"

Looking at Shiina Hiyori, Ryuen Shoko grew even angrier.

This bastard really was a womanizer. He hadn't been at the school long, and already he'd charmed who knew how many girls!

Still displeased, she lifted her leg and slammed it down a few more times, until Hoya felt like his back was about to break.

"Do you like him?"

"No, nothing like that..."

Shiina Hiyori's face flushed at the sudden question.

She said no, but that expression made Ryuen Shoko click her tongue several times.