Nothing Beats a Twist of the Knife

The second month since enrollment.

May 1st.

The morning wind was especially boisterous today, but this kind of weather was perfect for pushing the body to its limits. Just imagining lying on the grass and enjoying the cool breeze after a good workout...

That feeling was like rain after a long drought. Incredibly refreshing.

Today, only Kamigami Haruo was here. Ichinose had probably eaten something bad last night and lacked the energy to work out this morning, so she sent a message asking for leave.

It was only shortly before class that he returned to the dormitory for a quick shower, changed into his uniform, and entered the classroom just seconds before the bell rang.

Not long after he took his seat, before he could even hear his classmates discussing the missing points, Chabashira Sae entered the classroom with a stern expression and a rolled-up poster in hand, her high heels clicking rhythmically.

"Teacher, don't tell me your period hasn't come?"

What sort of answer would someone get by asking a girl that?

Answer: a red face belonging to the owner of the question, complete with five fingers.

"We'll now begin the homeroom meeting. But before that, do any of you have questions? If there's anything bothering you, it would be best to ask now."

Ignoring Ike Kanji's sexual harassment as though she had not seen it, she waited for the students' questions after saying that.

Several classmates had already raised their hands, and Chabashira Sae did not disappoint, choosing one of the most absurd options: Hondo Ryotaro.

Hondo Ryotaro could not even afford juice this morning, and he was frantic over it. So he asked when the points would be deposited.

When Chabashira Sae truthfully told him that the points had already been transferred, the class fell temporarily silent. Hondo, Yamauchi Haruki, and the others stared at one another.

The classroom did not remain quiet for long before a voice rang out, neither joyful nor sorrowful, as though it had been suppressed for a long time and could erupt at any moment.

"...You really are a group of stupid students."

They really were stupid. Even after being mocked, Hondo asked, "Stupid?"

After glaring at him and ordering him to sit down, Chabashira Sae explained again, yet Hondo still refused to believe the facts.

In the end, Koenji broke the oppressive atmosphere in the classroom.

"Hahaha, so that's how it is, Teacher. I understand this riddle now."

After saying that, he laughed without a care for anyone else, propped both feet on his desk, and arrogantly pointed at Hondo as he explained.

"It's very simple. It means that Class D was not given even a single point."

"Huh? Why? Didn't they say we'd receive one hundred thousand points every month...?"

"I don't recall ever hearing that, do you?"

Koenji sneered as he brazenly pointed a finger at Chabashira Sae.

Chabashira Sae first pointed out that Koenji's attitude was problematic, then said she had given them plenty of hints. However, only a handful of people had discovered the problem on their own, which she found pathetic.

The sudden turn of events and announcement were like stuffing oneself with intensely spicy food on an empty stomach the night before, causing the classroom to erupt into diarrhea-like chaos.

Right? The three from last night—especially Prison Sister in the back row, who had put her mask back on.

Thinking this, Kamigami Haruo looked toward the back row, only to be met with a glare from a pair of beautiful eyes.

Then, the selfless Hirata Yosuke was the first to raise his hand.

He asked why Class D had not been given any points, saying he could not accept it otherwise.

Judging by his attitude, he was not fighting for his own points, but raising the question on behalf of the uneasy students in the class. He truly was a leader and knew how to look after others.

"Tardiness and absences: one hundred and one cases in total. Private conversations during class, or use of mobile phones: four hundred and thirteen cases. In one month, you did all of this..."

Kamigami Haruo did not hear the rest of Chabashira Sae's words, because he could already feel the nearly murderous gaze behind him. It made him feel like he was sitting on pins and needles as he wondered how to avoid being punished later.

Ayanokōji's perspective.

Horikita had put her mask on again today. He always felt that she was at her most difficult to deal with when she wore it.

And the class discussion revolved entirely around the points issue. The atmosphere felt a little oppressive.

As for the points, he had checked the balance on the app this morning, and he had a bad feeling about it.

Hopefully it was not what he thought. If it was, he would have to bid farewell to his peaceful life.

No, that would go against the reason he came to this school in the first place. He felt a little pressed for time.

Forget it. He would wait for the teacher's explanation.

After a while, so it really was like this. Was he going to say goodbye to his peaceful life for good?

The sound of a pencil scratching across paper came from beside him. Horikita seemed to be trying to grasp the situation, recording the numbers of late arrivals, absences, and private conversations, but she gave off the impression of gritting her teeth.

Whoa. Those eyes made her look like a murderer ready to snap at any moment. She seemed to be staring at Kamigami. Had he done something to make her angry?

How terrifying. It was impressive that he could endure it. May the Amaterasu Buddha Emperor bless you.

At the same time, Kamigami Haruo felt that he needed to ease her anger, so he composed a message and sent it to her.

"Look harder for loopholes and hints in Chabashira-sensei's words, so please forgive me, onegai."

The message vanished like a needle falling into the sea, unable to stir even the slightest ripple.

Still, the spine-chilling feeling behind him lessened considerably. Safe.

While he was messaging, the bell rang. Homeroom was over, and it was about time to get to the main point.

Announcing the end of chit-chat time, Chabashira Sae unrolled the poster she had been carrying since before entering the classroom, pinned it to the blackboard with magnets, and the contents drew the attention of the confused students.

First Year Class Points Overview

Class A 940cp

Class B 650cp

Class C 490cp

Class D 0cp

Kamigami Haruo looked at the glaring 0cp, and even though he had known the result already, the corner of his mouth still twitched.

This was the strength of Class D. What could the other classes possibly compare with them? He had completely forgotten that he himself was also a pest in Class D.

After Chabashira Sae's explanation, the poor fools who had finally faced reality all began to wail. Perhaps someone should treat them to some cherry blossoms.

"You idiots, look carefully. Points have been deposited into every class except Class D, and it's more than enough to live on for a month."

At the same time, Hirata Yosuke voiced his own question: why were the class points arranged so neatly? Just like Classes A through D, the points also went from highest to lowest.

Naturally, the teacher responded with another round of ridicule, describing them as a gathering place for defective products. It was considerate and fitting.

What a brutal twist of the knife. Even Horikita Suzune, who had been mentally prepared, darkened in expression.

Kamigami Haruo deliberately turned around to look at her, earning himself another glare.

After mocking them once more, Chabashira Sae clapped her hands again as if driving the knife in deeper.