Class B's Current Situation, an Uninvited Guest, Sakayanagi Arisu

The next morning.

Soft sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, bringing a trace of warmth to Dormitory 501.

Kushida Kikyo rubbed her sleepy eyes and climbed out of bed. She wore nothing but Akiyama Shin's pure white cotton shirt. Its oversized hem just covered her pert peach, outlining the lovely curves of her youthful figure.

Beneath the shirt, hints of blue and white could be seen, while her straight, fair legs were exposed to the slightly cool air.

She slipped on her slippers and shuffled into the bathroom. Picking up her toothbrush, she brushed her teeth while humming a tuneless little song. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Akiyama Shin stood with his back to Kushida Kikyo, skillfully preparing breakfast.

The eggs sizzled in the frying pan, and the toaster popped out fragrant golden-brown slices of toast. Dressed in simple loungewear, Akiyama Shin stood tall and moved with crisp efficiency.

"How many points do you have left?"

Without turning around, Akiyama Shin casually asked as he plated the fried eggs. Kushida Kikyo, still brushing her teeth, sighed at the question, her tone full of obvious complaint and helplessness.

"Ugh... don't even mention it..."

"Maintaining relationships around campus... costs way too many points!"

"Just eating out, group meals, coffee, and occasionally buying new clothes to dress up... of the hundred thousand I got last month, I only have around twenty thousand points left."

She rinsed her mouth and continued muttering.

"But... if I save a little this month... I should barely be able to get through it..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter. Clearly, she had little confidence in that herself.

After all, keeping up her image as a sunny angel every day cost far more than anyone might imagine.

Akiyama Shin's hands never paused, but his other hand pulled out his Terminal from his pocket and quickly tapped at it a few times.

Kushida Kikyo was still checking her teeth in the mirror and did not notice what he was doing.

Naturally, she had no idea that a sizable sum of points had quietly entered her account.

Soon, Kushida Kikyo finished washing up and changed into her clean school uniform, returning to her fresh and adorable appearance. She sat down at the dining table just as Akiyama Shin brought over breakfast.

Perfectly toasted bread, fried eggs with crisp edges, a steaming cup of cocoa, and two generously filled sandwiches.

"Today's pretty lavish."

Kushida Kikyo casually picked up a sandwich and smiled.

"Yeah. Eat more."

Akiyama Shin sat across from her, his tone calm.

In a good mood, Kushida Kikyo picked up her Terminal out of habit, intending to see whether she had any new messages.

However, the moment she tapped open the screen and saw the transfer notification from Akiyama Shin, followed by the clear figure of 200,000, she froze.

Her eyes widened, her mouth fell slightly open, and she even forgot to bite the sandwich she had raised to her lips.

"Tw... two hundred thousand?!"

She abruptly raised her head and stared in disbelief at Akiyama Shin, who was calmly sipping hot cocoa across from her.

"Shin... wh-why did you transfer so many points to me?! Didn't I just say?"

"I still have twenty thousand points left. If I use them sparingly, I can get through this month..."

"And you saved up so many points... you'll definitely have more important uses for them later, right?"

"It can't just be for daily living, can it? Giving me this much is too wasteful."

Though she cared about her appearance and needed to spend points, she also knew that Akiyama Shin must have greater plans for his points.

Akiyama Shin set down his cup and looked at her. There was no ripple in his dark red eyes, but his tone allowed no argument.

"If I give them to you, take them."

He paused before adding,

"Don't make yourself suffer. Use them when you need to."

"Also, within reasonable limits, use these points to help classmates who are struggling or worth bringing to our side. When they truly need it, lend them a small amount and have them repay it promptly. That will better solidify your standing and favorability in the class, especially among the girls."

His gaze sharpened slightly.

"But remember, calculate the cost and return carefully. Don't become a sucker."

"More importantly, never let anyone else know exactly how many points you have. Otherwise, it'll invite unnecessary suspicion and trouble."

Listening to Akiyama Shin's calm analysis and arrangements, and looking into his deep eyes, Kushida Kikyo felt a complicated warmth rise within her. He had not only given her enough resources to overcome her immediate difficulties, but had also planned out how she could use those resources to strengthen her position. The feeling of being properly taken care of, of being placed at the center of his plans, left her both moved and slightly dazed.

She blinked, then finally nodded as if she understood, carefully tucking away her shock and gratitude.

"I-I understand."

"Thank you, Shin."

The atmosphere in Class D was clearly different from usual during lessons that day. Although some old hands like Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji found it difficult to change their habits completely, occasionally zoning out or whispering among themselves.

Still, it was plain to see that most students who had already been relatively diligent, such as Yukimura Teruhiko and Wang Meiyu, had become even more serious and focused, their notebooks packed with dense notes.

Even the ordinary students in the middle of the pack, led by Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, had begun consciously forcing themselves to obey classroom discipline and work hard to keep up with the teacher's pace.

That belief was driving this scattered group to make a difficult turn.

The last class of the afternoon was PE.

By coincidence, the only first-year classes having PE on the field that day were Class B and Class D.

The two classes occupied opposite sides of the field. After completing the required warm-up runs, stretches, and some basic physical training, there was still nearly half a period left before class ended.

The PE teacher blew his whistle and announced free activity.

The students of Class B and Class D dispersed, resting and chatting within their respective class areas or doing simple activities on their own.

Akiyama Shin and Horikita Suzune found a relatively quiet corner of the grass and sat down. Warm sunlight fell over them, carrying the scent of fresh grass. Horikita Suzune looked at the Class D students gathered in small groups in the distance, a thoughtful glint passing through her cool eyes. She turned to Akiyama Shin.

"I was thinking... should we gather everyone during free activity now? Then briefly explain the specific arrangements for the upcoming study group?"

"Things like the time, place, and group assignments. That way, after school this afternoon, we can head straight to the library and start without wasting time gathering everyone and explaining it then."

She paused and continued.

"And tomorrow is Friday. We can use the next few days to help everyone get in sync through the study group and prepare for the Midterm Exam as quickly as possible."

Akiyama Shin looked at the figures running and jumping around the field, then nodded.

"That works. It'll be more efficient."

He also felt that communicating in advance would save quite a bit of time.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Class D.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji sat together with Yamauchi Haruki, Ike Kanji, and Sudo Ken.

Yamauchi Haruki looked miserable and sighed repeatedly.

"Ugh... how am I supposed to get through this month without points... I can't go to the arcade... I can't buy the new figures either... Do I really have to eat the cafeteria's cheapest set meal every day?"

Ike Kanji looked equally worried.

"The points are the least of it... What I'm more worried about now is the Midterm Exam! What if I really fail and get expelled... then it'll all be over!"

He scratched his head, looking extremely anxious.

Sudo Ken folded his arms and, unusually, wore a thoughtful expression. He spoke gloomily.

"Hey... do you think... we really should start trying harder?"

"We can't just wait to get expelled, can we?"

Although Sudo Ken had a bad temper, he was not unreasonable. The threat of expulsion weighed on his heart like a stone.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji quietly listened to their conversation without offering an opinion.

However, his gaze drifted from time to time toward Akiyama Shin and Horikita Suzune on the distant grass, as though he were observing something.

The mood in Class B, meanwhile, was far more relaxed and superior.

Their lead in Class Points gave them ample confidence to look down on Class D, which was said to have already fallen to zero.

In the area occupied by the Katsuragi Faction, Totsuka Yahiko, a tall boy with a stern expression, spoke to Katsuragi.

"Katsuragi, look over there. That's Class D, right?"

"I never thought there'd really be a class that could zero out its Class Points in the very first month... It's practically unheard of!"

Katsuragi Kohei nodded at that. His steady gaze swept over Class D's direction, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face before quickly fading.

"It is... somewhat unexpected."

"But it also shows how harsh this school's rules are. We cannot afford to relax."

His attitude was cautious and pragmatic.

Elsewhere, Morishita Ran spotted Akiyama Shin sitting on the grass in Class D's area at a glance. Her eyes lit up, and she instinctively wanted to run over.

"Akiyama—"

Before she could finish, Kamuro Masumi grabbed her arm.

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

Kamuro Masumi lowered her voice and glared at her irritably.

"Are you idiot trying to expose our identities as spies in Class B?!"

Morishita Ran pouted in dissatisfaction after being stopped and corrected her.

"We're Observers! Not spies!"

Kamuro Masumi rolled her eyes, too lazy to argue over the title, and simply tugged harder on her arm.

"Observer or spy, it doesn't matter! We can't expose ourselves right now! Think about the consequences!"

Morishita Ran tilted her head and carefully considered Kamuro Masumi's words. They seemed to make some sense, so she finally nodded reluctantly.

"Mm... fine..."

"This Observer understands!"

"For now... we'll stay put!"

Only then did Kamuro Masumi breathe a sigh of relief and let go.

Where the Sakayanagi Faction had gathered, the atmosphere carried a touch of amusement and contempt.

Hashimoto Masayoshi, a boy with dyed golden hair braided into a ponytail and a roguishly handsome face, nudged the boy beside him with his elbow—Kito Hayato, who had long dark blue hair and a cold, almost ferocious expression.

"Hey... Kito... see that? That's the legendary Class D next door~ I heard they're the genius class that managed to blow through all their resources in their first month! Hahahaha!"

Hashimoto's tone was full of mockery.

Kito Hayato could not even be bothered to lift his eyelids. He merely spat out a few cold words.

"What the hell does that have to do with me?"

Not far away stood Shiraishi Asuka, a student with long, wavy light golden hair and delicate, doll-like features.

He was looking toward Class D, his gaze seemingly fixed on a certain black-haired, red-eyed figure as he became slightly lost in thought.

Beside him, Nishikawa Ryoko, whose long dark blue hair was braided into two plaits hanging over her chest, noticed where he was looking. She smiled and lightly bumped him with her elbow, teasing him.

"Hey, Asuka, what are you looking at? You're so absorbed."

"Don't tell me you've taken a liking to that handsome guy in Class D?"

As if she had hit the mark, Shiraishi Asuka's fair cheeks instantly flushed crimson. He hurriedly waved his hands in panicked denial.

"N-no! Ryoko, don't talk nonsense! I-I was just looking around!"

Seeing how embarrassed he was, Nishikawa Ryoko's smile turned even more mischievous.

Just then.

Sakayanagi Arisu, who had been sitting in the middle of the crowd with one hand resting on her cane, slowly rose to her feet. That single movement immediately drew the attention of the surrounding Class B students.

Whether they belonged to the Katsuragi Faction, the Sakayanagi Faction, or were neutral students, they all looked at her in confusion.

"Princess?"

Hashimoto Masayoshi looked puzzled.

Sakayanagi Arisu ignored the gazes around her, wearing her usual gentle and composed smile.

Then, leaning on her cane, she walked with elegant, steady steps straight toward Class D's area.

Her target seemed very clear.

At the same time, Akiyama Shin and Horikita Suzune had just risen, preparing to gather the Class D students and explain the study group.

However, the moment they looked up, they saw the petite figure slowly walking toward them.

Sakayanagi Arisu of Class B.

Why was she coming over?

Akiyama Shin's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, a trace of vigilance flashing through his dark red eyes.

Horikita Suzune also stopped. Her cool eyes watched the uninvited guest, filled with confusion.