Complicated

That was Hoshino Kanade's own terminal. Its screen cast a bright, piercing blue-white glow in the somewhat dim surroundings, clearly displaying the points he had.

Hoshino Kanade casually turned it around and held it in front of Matsushita Chiaki. The light instantly filled a corner of her vision.

Matsushita Chiaki's gaze was drawn to the glow, focusing on the most prominent information at the center.

The next instant, her pupils contracted sharply. The number beside "Point Balance" on the cold screen was reflected with startling clarity, almost as if it burned, in the blue irises widened by shock.

3,021,300

The seven-digit figure seemed branded into the depths of her eyes.

Three million points!

The overwhelming number, combined with the terminal's harsh light, hit her with such force that her mind buzzed and went blank.

For a brief moment, she thought her vision had somehow warped, that the number before her was merely an illusion created by the light.

But its outline was so clear in her eyes, each digit so distinct. It stood there, cold and solid, as if crushing everything she had believed until now.

With Class D's points at zero, everyone was scrimping and saving over a few dozen points just to get by. This astronomical sum exploded over the tranquil lake of her thoughts like a massive bomb! How had he possibly managed this? Or... did he have unimaginable resources behind him?

She snapped her head up to look at Hoshino Kanade, her eyes filled with disbelief and shock. Her beautiful blue eyes were wide, and the terrifying figure and Hoshino Kanade's calm, unreadable face were reflected clearly in them.

Three million points! What did that mean? Absolute freedom. In this sealed-off world where everything was measured in "points," he had resources and room to maneuver beyond the imagination of ordinary people!

He had the power to change countless situations in an instant!

And yet he had chosen to hole up in Class D, like an ordinary student—aside from his strange interactions with Kiyona, and the fact that he was now sitting across from her, watching her with a frighteningly calm gaze.

The overwhelming shock left her mouth slightly agape. In that moment, her elegant façade was torn away completely, revealing her most genuine astonishment and confusion.

"Why... how did you..." Her voice trembled despite her efforts to control it. The embarrassment and wild imaginings from earlier were swept away by the sheer shock of the power he had revealed.

Faced with the tip of the immense iceberg this man had shown her, her girlish thoughts seemed utterly insignificant.

Hoshino Kanade calmly put away his terminal, as if he had merely taken out some ordinary object.

"How I got it doesn't matter," he said mildly, clearly with no intention of answering her question. His tone held the composure of someone in a position of power. "What matters is that this figure proves two things. First, I can keep my promise and give you real support in the murky waters of Class D. Second, I have no interest in Class A's superficial glory. I'm staying here for my own reasons." He looked at Matsushita Chiaki's still-stunned face and added, his gaze penetrating, "Those reasons have nothing to do with you—for now. What you need to care about is whether the 'mutually beneficial' arrangement we just agreed on can work."

Matsushita Chiaki's mind raced.

The shock of such an enormous number of points was immense, completely overturning her understanding of Hoshino Kanade.

He had power—power she couldn't fathom—yet he had quietly lain low in Class D.

The terms of his "deal" did not seriously threaten her core interests. On the contrary, they might give her a powerful, unseen backer.

The risk of her façade being exposed was enormous, but what about refusing Hoshino Kanade? Her instincts told her that could mean facing an even greater, unknown danger.

More importantly, his words—"It's easiest to be torn apart when you're stuck in the middle"—had struck like a needle at her deepest fear.

Ever since Class D's points had hit zero, the sense that disaster could strike at any moment had never truly gone away.

Hoshino Kanade had offered her a way forward: a path where she could use her own abilities to secure her safety. And since it had been laid out by someone as powerful and discreet as him, it seemed... especially reliable.

Matsushita Chiaki took a deep breath, forcing down the last traces of awkwardness stirred by her earlier assumptions.

Now, faced with overwhelming power and a clear assessment of the pros and cons, her emotions had to take a back seat.

She looked at Hoshino Kanade. The alarm in her eyes gradually faded, replaced by a complicated light that mixed resolve and submission with a hint of having found someone to rely on.

The light made her blue eyes seem especially bright and deep, like a calm sea after a storm, shimmering with wisdom and understanding.

She nodded solemnly, her movement graceful yet firm. After a brief moment of confusion, the confidence that came from regaining control of the situation—the distinctive charm that belonged to her—reached its peak.

"I understand. What do you need me to see? And where do you need my hands... to reach?" Her voice no longer trembled. It was clear and businesslike, with a trace of deference that was difficult to notice.

By affirming the "hands" part herself, she showed that she had not only accepted the deal but was also beginning to adapt psychologically to this new, more proactive role.

Hoshino Kanade watched as focus and obedience began to gather in her eyes, and gave an almost imperceptible nod.

He had achieved his aim.

He had balanced power with persuasion: showing her his overwhelming strength so Matsushita Chiaki would understand the futility and risks of resisting, while recognizing her value and offering her protection and a relatively independent space to cooperate.

More importantly, when she was most afraid of her core secret—her "disguise"—being exposed, he had shown her a new path: one that would let her keep up the façade while using it to secure her safety.

Matsushita Chiaki was a clear-eyed, intelligent girl. Once she had weighed the pros and cons, she would understand this was the best choice.

Was she willing? Perhaps she wasn't fully loyal yet, but at least she had made the rational choice.

Her powers of observation and analysis would make her a reliable pair of eyes for him in Class D's complex ecosystem.

Hoshino Kanade didn't need her admiration or affection. He only needed her efficiency and obedience.

Deep in those calm, unreadable eyes, a hint of satisfaction appeared. His plan had gone as intended.

The girl before Hoshino Kanade now presented an appearance that blended elegance, intelligence, resilience, and the unique beauty of someone who had been tamed. She was undoubtedly worth more than mere prettiness.