The Secretary Takes Care of It

Since it's practically summer vacation after the Final Exam, the school hasn't scheduled any extra classes. However, almost all the students are still staying in the classrooms, gathering in small groups with their friends to discuss their goals, and Ryuen Kakeru is no exception.

After all, this Summer Special Exam is clearly conducted on an individual basis, and it is very likely that students in the same class will be working at companies located hundreds of kilometers apart on opposite sides of the metropolis of Tokyo during the exam period. Therefore, there is no need to dwell on the class as a whole; each person just needs to do their part well.

However, Ryuen Kakeru did not completely give up on this idea. After browsing through the extensive and incredibly detailed company charts provided by ANHS School, which broke down every industry, he still took the initiative to make a suggestion to Kitagawa Ryo:

"Could we set up a self-media studio and then use that channel to bring together the students in the class?"

"There's no need for that. Ryuen, your thinking is still focused on how to benefit from this Special Exam, but the school's intention is very clear: this Special Exam is meant to separate individuals from each other. Moreover, even if you win in this way, most students will actually gain nothing and grow as a whole, since not everyone is interested in this field."

Kitagawa Ryo shook his head and rejected Ryuen Kakeru's proposal. If it were the Ryuen class he led in the simulation, he would probably have approved or even proposed such a plan himself, but now that times have changed, there is no need to implement such an exam strategy.

"I see... Then I'll have to think carefully about what I should do."

Ryuen Kakeru didn't seem surprised by Kitagawa Ryo's answer. He casually clicked his tongue and then looked down at the documents in his hand again.

"Damn it, even I can't imagine myself wearing a tie and suit, carrying a briefcase, going to Matoba at some company. How about setting up a stall on the street?"

"If you still want to use those street scams, whether the school finds out is one thing, but if a passerby exposes you and reports you for fraud, you're finished."

Having understood Ryuen Kakeru's unspoken meaning, Kitagawa Ryo quickly tried to stop him.

"Hmm... what if I try a different approach?"

Ryuen Kakeru stroked the stubble on his chin, then reached up and brushed aside his long, flamboyant hair from his forehead:

"It's not that I actively use that method to deceive people, but rather that I use my understanding of that scam to deceive those scammers?"

"Goodness, even thieves have their code of honor, huh? Ryuen, if you really want to develop in this direction, why don't you hold up your phone and livestream it? 'Family, Brother Ryuen is leading you on another street exposé today.' Maybe it'll even generate some buzz."

"That sounds alright, let's add it to my backup plan."

After nodding quite seriously, Ryuen Kakeru plopped down on Kitagawa Ryo's desk, crossed his legs, and gestured with his chin:

"But I've already figured out the general direction. For this Summer Special Exam, I'll stick to the same approach as last year's Uninhabited Island project: I'll choose something that will allow me to travel around easily... um, I should call it freelancing?"

"Tokyo is much bigger than Uninhabited Island."

"But there are more ways to get around, after all, if possible, I'd still like to be a link between various information sources, or even a fire chief or firefighter. Sometimes, money-making opportunities are hidden in information gaps. There are at least twenty or thirty classmates in our class who have entered various industries, and there must be some overlapping or conflicting business areas. I feel like there's potential there."

"I just hope Ryuen doesn't starve to death on the streets of Tokyo. But maybe we can open up another live-streaming channel then. Brothers, Ryuen is getting food again today."

"Nothing's harder than a genuine Uninhabited Island. Anyway, that's my decision. What about you?"

Ryuen Kakeru casually waved his hand, then curiously asked Kitagawa Ryo:

"Go back to being a theatrical Actor? After all, if you went back to your old profession, you probably wouldn't find a student in the entire ANHS who earns more than you. Oh, your little idol girlfriend in Class B should be an exception."

"Liang will not go back to being a stage Actor."

Perhaps because the topic had shifted to Kitagawa Ryo, or perhaps because she had overheard something about a girlfriend, Shiina Hiyori, who had been talking to Ibuki Mio, quickly turned around and spoke up to explain for Kitagawa Ryo:

"He told me that he didn't actually like theater that much."

Looking at Shiina Hiyori, who was grinning as if to boast, "See, you didn't know this, did you?" Ryuen Kakeru chuckled. What was this? Just because he was invincible in Class D, he considered him his imaginary rival?

It can only be said that the friendship between men is far more than this kind of vulgar romantic relationship.

"Actually, my thoughts are similar to yours, Ryuen, but it's not for the freedom of being a freelancer; I really want to try and build up an account."

Kitagawa Ryo spoke very frankly about his thoughts.

It's no exaggeration to say that he could single-handedly run a complete self-media studio at this stage. After all, he is a ready-made Actor, and he also gained the ability to 'write scripts' due to the talent he acquired from the last automatic simulation. The photographer also ensures the photography aspect. He is truly a one-man army.

Are you alone?

"For now, yes. If you really become famous, Ryuen, I'll try to ride your coattails. But I have a feeling the school won't condone a streamer like you who tarnishes ANHS's reputation..."

A month is neither a long nor a short time.

Within the scope of Special Exam, this was indeed the longest Special Exam in the history of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.

However, if this were in Tokyo, it would generally take graduates three to six months to complete the entire process from submitting resumes to officially starting a job, as Horikita Suzune had mentioned a couple of days earlier.

As for Kitagawa Ryo, he wasn't as interested in the super-large companies on the list that most students had only seen on TV and product packaging before. After all, his only way out after graduation was to work for his family's company and wait to take over the business. He had already gone through this process in the last mock exam. That's why he thought he should take advantage of this Summer Special Exam to do more of what he wanted to do.

Where Shiina?

After asking Kitagawa Ryo, Ryuen Kakeru turned to Shiina Hiyori and asked:

"Freelance writer?"

"... You sound like you're even more likely to starve to death than I am."

Ryuen Kakeru mercilessly shattered Shiina Hiyori's fantasy:

"Even if you submit your application for this field, the school will likely still assign you a job as a copywriter or intern editor, and have you write articles for public accounts such as 'The 100 Must-Read Mystery Novels of the 21st Century,' 'Shocking! This Mystery Novel from 100 Years Ago Was So Ahead of Its Time,' and 'A Video Guide to Agatha's Classic Mystery Novel 'And Then There Were None'...' etc."

Seeing that Shiina Hiyori had mirrored the same deadpan look in the Shiina Hiyori of a certain upperclassman from last month because of Ryuen Kakeru's words, Kitagawa Ryo could only reach out and pat her head to comfort her:

"Do Hiyori. The school should have specific arrangements for students with this kind of career planning, such as encouraging you to submit your work to specialized magazines or competitions. Our Drama Club has participated in many themed performances, such as those Edogawa Ranpo's birth."

Although he felt very sorry for his future father-in-law, Kitagawa Ryo still brought him up and continued to persuade him:

"After all, even 'Jikeming Zhui' has already published several books..."

"Really!"

Upon hearing her father's pen name and recalling his experiences, Shiina Hiyori immediately perked up. After all, she felt that her writing skills and plot design were still better than her father's. She was determined to make the industry tremble with her 'XX Deduction' series of stories created under Shiina Hiyori's exclusive detective rules.

As for why it's called "XX Mystery," it's because she hasn't decided on a name yet. After all, it doesn't seem to fit into either "orthodox mystery" or "social mystery." However, these are questions she'll need to consider when she finally gets a successful publication and writes a preface. For now, she should focus on creating.

After asking Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori, Ryuen Kakeru couldn't stay idle any longer and went to collect the intentions of the other students in the class.

Although second-year students have the freedom to choose between part-time jobs and internships, most students choose the latter. After all, although these high school students haven't personally experienced working in restaurants, convenience stores, and other similar places, they have been exposed to such things in elementary and middle school. Internships at various large and small companies are obviously more exciting, and they also include room and board.

Of course, this doesn't mean that everyone chose to intern at companies in industries they were interested in. After all, some students genuinely wanted to pass this Special Exam, which was significantly different from previous ones, without any major problems. While part-time jobs may have a very low ceiling, they also have a very low floor, meaning they are unlikely to cause any major trouble.

In a sense, this can be considered a form of self-awareness. After all, while big companies and enterprises are desirable, several students in Class D who know their own level won't deliberately try to squeeze into them. If they cause trouble, even ANHS might not be able to protect them. Moreover, it's not uncommon for companies to use interns to cover up work mistakes, so it's best to be cautious.

However, compared to most students who are willing to take risks, only a minority of second-year students choose to work part-time.

However, in the third year, where there were also two major options, the situation was somewhat subtly reversed, especially within Class 3-A.

"... I was shocked when the results came out."

Following advice readily, this time she really did just randomly pick a vending machine on the street and even bought Kitagawa Ryo a can of cocoa Asahina Nazuna, the senior student, tossed the can at him while opening her own bottle of fruit drink, gulping down two big mouthfuls before starting to complain to him:

"Three-quarters of the students in our class actually chose the so-called 'advanced education,' which means going to prestigious universities like the University of Tokyo or Kyoto University to audit classes."

"Preparing for future higher education seems understandable?"

"There aren't that many students who want to go on to higher education. During the tripartite talks this year, almost the entire class aspired to work for big companies. After all, going to a good university essentially means better employment, so it's better to just announce the benefits of graduating from Class A as a guaranteed job from the start."

Asahina Nazuna took another gulp of her drink, leaning against the vending machine and appearing even taller. Compared to the past when the two of them would chat and drink in a coffee shop, this Matoba now looked more like something that would happen in a normal high school. Kitagawa Ryo finished his cocoa in a few gulps and then accurately put the empty can into the nearby trash can.

"They're only choosing to continue their studies now to prepare for this Special Exam, because just like you think working is a more secure path than an internship, many third-year students also feel that auditing classes at university is a more secure option than an internship."

"Essentially, it's just about avoiding employment. Even though I'll officially graduate and start working next April, at this point in time, I'm still thinking about having as many days as possible to relax."

"After all, if you take advantage of this Special Exam to get an internship at your desired company in advance, even if you do well, it won't change your job prospects next year. Students in Class A don't need so-called pre-arranged offers or recommendation letters as rewards. But if something goes wrong, you might be targeted as soon as you start working after graduation next year. The benefits and risks are completely disproportionate."

"Because many students in Class A agree with this explanation, the result is what it is now."

"What about you, senior? Did you choose to pursue further studies or enter the workforce?"

"I initially chose to pursue further education, since I had told Ryo that I hadn't decided what to do with my future. But I guess I suddenly became a bit rebellious because of the atmosphere in the class... so I ended up choosing employment."

Asahina Nazuna swallowed the last sip of her drink with a slightly bitter expression, but instead of making a stylish three-pointer like Kitagawa Ryo, she walked over and carefully placed the empty can into the trash can.

"Because I feel that the school's expectation is definitely that we third-year students should actually do some internships at companies for a period of time, rather than all of us rushing into higher-level institutions for so-called advanced studies... Everyone knows that we definitely can't keep up with the university courses and knowledge scope right now, but they insist on using the excuse of experiencing the atmosphere of excellent universities in advance to audit classes, sigh."

"Relax, senior. This Special Exam doesn't require you, as the grade Leader, to oversee every detail. Since they chose it themselves, let them choose."

After offering some words of comfort and encouragement to her senior, Kitagawa Ryo asked again:

"By the way, which major did you choose, senior?"

"I'll submit a fashion design for now. I was actually quite interested in that when I was a kid. If it doesn't work out, I'll still have another chance to change it."

"I see."

Kitagawa Ryo quickly recalled the addresses of the companies corresponding to the icons provided by the school, and then, relying on his Eidetic Memory, easily locked onto the target he was looking for:

"I remember that most of the companies related to this are located in the Omotesando, Harajuku, Shibuya, and Daikanyama area."

"I think that's how it is... Is there a problem? These areas are where Tokyo's unique street fashion shops are located. I used to go shopping in these areas a lot with my friends when I was in junior high school."

Asahina Nazuna raised her eyes and tried to recall for a moment, but she naturally didn't have Kitagawa Ryo's good memory. She only vaguely remembered that the companies provided by the school seemed to be gathered in the places he mentioned.

"No problem, it's just that if my senior really does go there for an internship, it should be more convenient for me to go and visit her?"

"Hmm? Looking for me?"

"Yeah, then we'll find a convenience store near the vending machine by the back door, sit down, have a couple of canned drinks, and chat, just like we are now."

"So that's all it was for--"

Asahina Nazuna exaggeratedly dragged out the last syllable, then bared her perfectly aligned white teeth at Kitagawa Ryo, as if she were about to bite him:

"I guessed it all. Liang definitely wants to see me, this senior who was forced into a new job after going from further studies to employment, embarrass myself because of the grievances I suffered at work, and then cry in front of you in a very pathetic way."

"That's as if you've never cried in front of me before."

Asahina Nazuna knew that Kitagawa Ryo was referring to the Matoba earlier this year during the Mixed Training Camp Special Exam, when she hugged him and cried in front of the cafeteria in front of all the students from ANHS, but she still stubbornly argued:

"Tokyo is different."

"That's true."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded again in agreement:

"After all, students can cry in front of their classmates and teachers on campus. In elementary school, it's convenient to complain to the teacher. In middle and high school, it's just a matter of losing face. But once you start working, it's really difficult to shed tears in front of everyone in such a situation."

As he spoke, he looked earnestly into Asahina Nazuna's eyes and made a promise to her:

"However, it's never good to swallow your grievances and tears alone, especially in a big city like Tokyo. So if you ever feel like venting or crying during your internship, think about what I'm telling you now, and hold it in until we meet again after you start working."

"At that time, it doesn't matter what you say or how you cry, I will definitely listen carefully to every word you say. I will help you bear and resolve any negative emotions caused by your own reasons, and I will help you seek justice for any genuine grievances caused by others."

Asahina Nazuna nodded subconsciously. In fact, her mind was almost blank, and all she could feel was the boy's warm and clean smile, like sunlight shining into his eyes.

Having just one or two certainties or feelings seems enough to withstand the unpredictability of the world in the future.

P. S.: Thank you for reading and subscribing.

Touching the day at the beginning of the month

I had a long day at the hospital for a follow-up appointment and check-up, so I'm going to rest now.

This book still has one last major plot point, but after it ends, the story of the subsequent world lines will be supplemented through epilogues. It should still be written in the same character-focused format as the book about Tuizi. By the way, the book about Tuizi is currently on sale. Interested readers can click on the author's avatar to jump to it. It should be the only million-word completed pure Tuizi fanfiction on the market.

I wish all readers and their families good health. Thank you for your continued reading and support.

Chapter Sixty-Eight: When Something Happens, the Secretary Does It

Perhaps because they knew they would have to grit their teeth and endure a tough month ahead, there were an unusually large number of students at the Keyaki Mall today, with many indulging in large meals and shopping sprees. However, since the school only allowed students to bring necessary personal clothing and daily necessities during this Special Exam, the students didn't seem to be making any special purchases for the Special Exam; they were basically just indulging in a retaliatory shopping spree.

Ichinose Honami also received an invitation from a friend, but she declined it today and stayed in her dorm room, staring blankly at her account balance on her phone.

The current Private Points balance displayed on the interface is 2,136,500 points. In the entire Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School, this should be considered one of the highest among students. After all, most students at ANHS High School do not have more than one million Private Points. Some have hundreds of thousands, while others have tens of thousands. If someone has a particularly extravagant spending habit and is used to living paycheck to paycheck, it is not impossible for them to only have a few thousand points.

Ichinose Honami isn't actually a student who overspends on Private Points. Her biggest daily expense since enrolling last year was probably the souvenirs she bought for her younger sister during the Club Special Exam two months ago. In addition, she has been enjoying club benefits in the Drama Club, so she has accumulated quite a few Private Points over the past year.

It was only because she stubbornly wanted to be in the same class as Kitagawa Ryo that she managed to accumulate 20 million Private Points through her own means and spent them lavishly. Otherwise, theoretically, she would have more than 20 million Private Points now, second only to Miyabi Nagumo, who sucked the blood of an entire grade back then.

However, Ichinose Honami has never regretted her decision. Although having a clear mind is always a very mysterious thing, and revenge spending on childhood can sometimes just be self-deception and an excuse to give up, for Ichinose Honami herself, it was indeed something she had to do.

Because Private Points are sometimes equivalent to Japanese yen, and sometimes they are not.

Although Kitagawa Ryo's often-quoted statement may sound a bit convoluted at first glance, in fact, everyone's understanding of it is different. For example, Ichinose Honami only recognizes them as equivalent money when she spends them, and does not take it for granted that she would have the same understanding when she earns them.

The former serves as a reminder not to develop the bad habit of consumerism, while the latter serves as a warning against arrogance and complacency.

Even if she could deliberately show it as money in front of her mother and sister, that was just one of Ichinose Honami's methods in dealing with her family. In her own heart, this yardstick must not be wrong, because if it deviates even a step in any extreme direction, it could directly push her into some abyss.

That's why, even though Ichinose Honami passed several Special Exam in the second semester of last year and secretly obtained Twenty Million Personal Points for transferring classes without anyone knowing, she never felt that she really had the ability to make 20 million yen so easily, because it was all based on the special environment of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School.

In fact, the former Student Council Miyabi Nagumo, developed an omnipotent, emperor-like mentality because she had too many such favorable situations. She firmly believed this until the moment Tsukishiro's harsh reality hit, causing her mental state to collapse instantly.

However, unlike Miyabi Nagumo, Ichinose Honami neither indulges in her achievements at ANHS nor completely denies all her talents and growth. Otherwise, she would only experience a sudden shift from arrogance to inferiority, just like Nagumo. Her self-awareness must always be in a just-right middle ground.

Returning to the topic of Private Points and money, Ichinose Honami did consider making the most of the unique environment of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School to pave the way for her future. When she was young, she even followed a bizarre news story about a high school student who gave up his studies and all club activities during his three years of high school and saved up several million yen by working part-time.

However, after the Koenji Rokusuke incident, the school deliberately added a rule to the school regulations prohibiting students from using their Private Points for real-world monetary transactions. As a result, the only remaining way to convert Private Points into yen was through the school's recycling policy upon graduation.