The Unseen First Clash

He had only gone to another school's Drama Club for an exchange today, but unexpectedly, he happened to witness a student jumping off a building. With his purple talent [Physician] Kitagawa Ryo quickly performed first aid on the spot, and as a result, the student survived.

"Meow."

Firefly, lying at my feet, let out a lazy meow.

Overall, I'm in a pretty good mood.

Kitagawa Ryo watched the snowflakes fluttering outside the window as he put a spoonful of soup into his mouth.

To his relief, Suzune finally stopped putting cilantro in her portion.

Congratulations! Congratulations!

"These are 5,000 Private Points given to you by Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School. One point is equivalent to one yen. You can use these to make purchases at the Cultural Festival. Since they won't be exchanged for cash after the festival, try to use them all."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka held his phone, recalling the words of the school staff when he entered the area.

He turned on his phone screen, and sure enough, the mechanical-looking page displayed the number [5000] in the center.

"A marshmallow."

He spoke to a nearby stall owner, who, completely ignoring Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's indifferent expression, excitedly took a pre-made cotton candy from a nearby pole and handed him the card reader.

With a "ding" sound, the number 5000 in the center of the phone screen changed to 4820.

Points do indeed have purchasing power at this school.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka pondered as he ate his cotton candy.

Furthermore, based on what we just saw, the students at this school seem quite familiar with using points to pay for things, meaning they probably use points for transactions on campus all the time.

After all, buildings resembling shopping malls and convenience stores were also discovered.

If points are equivalent to money in the outside world, then where do points come from?

If it's a school, the first thing that comes to mind is academic performance. I've also read stories in books about monetary rewards based on class ranking.

Setting that idea aside for the time being, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued to gather intelligence.

"The location we rented with so many Private Points really paid off; all the kids are coming over."

"Yes, if all goes well, getting those 100 Class Points shouldn't be a problem."

I overheard a conversation between two students next to me.

The key phrase "[Class Points]" was identified from this.

It sounds like something that corresponds to the [Private Points] mentioned earlier.

Moreover, it seems quite important; judging from the joyful tone of the two, Class Points of [one hundred] does not seem to be a small number.

If Class Points and Private Points had the same monetary value, then the conversion rate wouldn't be 1:1.

One to ten, or one to one hundred, or one thousand?

After finishing the cotton candy in his hand, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka decided to walk through the street again. He had just glanced at the entrance of the special building, which was full of shops, far less conducive to gathering intelligence than the open-air stalls outside.

When he circled back to the vicinity of the school gate, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka contracted slightly. He took two steps back and hid behind the surrounding trees.

He had seen the other person's photo in the documents.

Kitagawa Ryo.

"Suzune's Cultural Festival Speedrun, Begin!"

"Our suggestion is to leave the dialogue exactly as it is, to ensure authenticity."

Kitagawa Ryo stood beside Horikita Suzune, his right hand twirling the end of his hair, his voice deep and serious:

Even I have things I want to choose for myself.

"I really like who I am right now."

Horikita Suzune tilted her head, her eyes peeking out from under her bangs with a murderous glint, but it quickly deflated.

"Stop fooling around, it's cold."

"All right."

Kitagawa Ryo clapped his hands and returned to his normal expression.

"Actually, there's no need to be too nervous, because that guy is essentially a nasty siscon, and this time he'll need your help."

"Actually, I think Ryo is also a siscon."

Horikita Suzune sighed, but the banter had eased her tension considerably.

The girl walked steadily towards the goldfish scooping stall.

At this moment, the stall owner had no idea what was going to happen next. He smiled and counted out the paper nets for Horikita Suzune.

Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river!

I'm going to speedrun today...

Smack

The water splashed from the goldfish's tail hit Horikita Suzune's face.

Chapter Thirty-Four: The First Unseen Encounter

"I think some things can't be forced."

Kitagawa Ryo took a tissue out of his pocket and handed it to Horikita Suzune, but he really didn't expect her to have such a terrible record in catching goldfish.

Although Horikita Suzune was still mumbling something about how she had never gone out to participate in festivals before and had hardly ever caught goldfish, in the end, she only managed to catch one after using a full thirty paper nets.

Ten of them were generously sponsored by Kitagawa Ryo.

The older students at the stall seemed to be hesitating about whether to offer two goldfish as a reward to their loyal customer, but Horikita Suzune shook her head and refused gracefully. Judging from her carefree back and the stall owner's relieved attitude, anyone who didn't know better would think that some master had left after accomplishing their task.

Actually, the goldfish scooping stall owner was just worried that Horikita Suzune's inability to catch fish would make other guests think there was something wrong with his net.

After following the two for a while, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka discovered that Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune seemed to be just ordinary visitors to the Cultural Festival, strolling between the various stalls and not being stingy with their points.

Feeling that continuing to follow them would risk exposure, and also believing that there was no intelligence value, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka entered the special building ahead of the other two. The facilities set up for the two classes on the first floor were a haunted house and a maze. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka accepted the leaflets distributed but did not intend to go in.

The two shops didn't fit his vision, and the owners seemed to be third-year students, a full five years older than him. It was unlikely they would listen to the advice of such Kito. After weighing his options, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka headed straight for the second floor.

The second floor had a much wider variety of shops than the first floor. Dessert shops, idol concert venues, maid cafes, and butler cafes filled Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's view all at once. After taking a flyer from all the shops, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka went into one of the maid cafes.

"Welcome, Master."

As soon as Ayanokoji Kiyotaka entered the store, a staff member dressed in a maid outfit immediately came forward. Most of the customers here were men in their forties or fifties and teenagers, so Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not stand out among them. He was quickly and respectfully invited to a seat to the side.

"Excuse me, may I ask you something?"

"Would you like to order food, Master?"

"I'd like to meet with the person in charge here; I have a way to help him earn Class Points in this Cultural Festival."

Unsure whether the "one hundred" Class Points he had just heard were a truly attractive number, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka cleverly omitted the specific amount while observing the maid clerk's expression.

Sure enough, upon hearing the term "Class Points," the other person's expression visibly changed. Perhaps they hadn't expected a guest to use such a key term that only Student Council within the school would understand. After a moment of surprise, the shop assistant didn't dare to be negligent.

"Okay, please wait a moment."

While the staff was away, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took the opportunity to scan the entire shop. The flyer for this maid café featured photos and personal information of the maids, and based on their ages, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka deduced that the shop was run by a First Year.

Compared to second and third graders, dealing with First Year and gathering information is the best option, both in terms of age and the time they entered the school.

The shop manager quickly approached Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. He was a rather burly young man who gave Ayanokoji Kiyotaka a suspicious look, but still extended his hand in a friendly manner.

"Hello, I'm Ninomiya from Class 1-C."

"Hello, I am Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka did not choose to use a pseudonym. According to the White Room, he would be enrolling in a little over a year, and the person in charge of Class 1-C should still be at the school by then. Perhaps he could be of use in the future, so it was better to leave an impression on the other party from the beginning by using his real name.

On the other hand, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wasn't trying to harm the other party this time, so there was no need for him to hide anything.

"I heard you have a way to help our Class 1-C win this Cultural Festival."

Ninomiya sat opposite Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, peering at his expression as she tentatively asked a question.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's expression remained calm and composed, and his voice was equally indifferent.

"The final competition for this year's Cultural Festival will be based on each class's sales revenue. While the maid cafe is a very appealing idea, it doesn't guarantee that you'll win and receive the final Class Points reward."

Extract the most valuable information from what you already know and combine it into sentences to create an illusion of atmosphere for the other party.

At the same time, by reading the other party's eyes, expressions, actions, and language, new information can be continuously analyzed to extend the topic further.

"Does Ayanokoji have any good suggestions?"

"I can pay you Private Points..."

Realizing that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wasn't even a student at this school, Ninomiya awkwardly stopped talking.

In this school, Private Points were indeed used as currency among students.

Having confirmed one of his earlier guesses, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued:

"I came on behalf of a senior student at the school, but I cannot disclose his information at this time."

"So that's how it is."

Ninomiya nodded in sudden realization. He was also somewhat puzzled as to why outsiders would suddenly approach him, but it would make sense if it were instigated by upperclassmen. Recalling the rising popularity of Horikita Manabu from Class 1-A, whose influence within the Student Council was steadily increasing, and the rumors that the current student council president valued him and wanted him to become vice-president, Ninomiya lowered his voice even further.

"Is this targeting Horikita from Class 1-A?"

Although he didn't know who Horikita from Class 1-A was, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded in a perfunctory manner.

"That's why I want your Class C to outperform their class in this Cultural Festival."

Seeing that his suspicions had been confirmed, Ninomiya rubbed his hands together and said:

"Actually, Class D have already started working together against Class A, but if there's any better idea..."

"Lowering the competition is indeed one method, but it must be combined with improving oneself; only then can the gap be narrowed in one fell swoop."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka continued speaking, subtly probing for information as he went along with the other person's words.

"It's a pity that the four classes in the bottom tier of the Cultural Festival rankings won't have their Class Points deducted, so even if our class gets first place, we'll only catch up by 100 points."

Ninomiya said somewhat dejectedly.

[Catch up].

Are there differences in academic level among the four classes?

Feeling he had gathered enough information, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka told Ninomiya his hastily devised plan and then quickly left the scene.

"Creating a non-existent conflict as a gimmick to attract attention... that's a pretty good idea."

Ninomiya remained where he was, muttered to himself as he walked toward Class 1-D.

"Suzune, I'll be waiting for you outside the main gate in a year and a half."

I'm really looking forward to that time.

"I came here, not to catch up with my brother, but to show a better version of myself."

Kitagawa Ryo watched the siblings' rebroadcast segment and lazily yawned.

However, Horikita Suzune was indeed quite excited. After all, she only feels at ease when everything is certain. Just like someone who watches a movie many times and is still moved, Horikita Suzune must feel excited no matter how many times she has reconciled with her brother.

It could also be said that only after Horikita Suzune Horikita Manabu was she truly "reborn," completely shedding the shadows of the past.

Based on my observations in Karuizawa Kei's second simulation, Horikita Suzune, without external interference, was unable to achieve this by the end of the first semester of her First Year high school.

Immediately afterward, as if it were a premonition, an unexpected incident occurred. Tachibana Akane hurriedly reported the incident involving Class 1-A to Horikita Manabu.

The lead actor and Pianist have gone missing, and some stage props have been Malice damaged.

"Can't get through by phone either? Then contact the class advisor first and ask him to check the nearby surveillance footage. As for props, see if you can temporarily buy a similar replacement. Repair what can be repaired, and have the lighting technician pay attention to concealing it."

Horikita Manabu was giving instructions methodically in the simulation. Just as Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune were about to offer their help, Tachibana Akane hurriedly ran back:

"Class C, Class C and Class D..."