I'll Make Good Use of You

"As you can see, the S System is unique to this school. Every month, the school will transfer points to the student terminals in your hands. Points can be used to purchase any item on campus, and one point is worth one yen."

"The 100,000 points for this month should already have been transferred into your accounts."

"Seriously?"

"This is insane!"

"Look, there really is a number saying one hundred thousand on the home screen..."

For a moment, everyone looked astonished as they turned incredulous eyes toward the impassive female teacher at the podium.

"Are you surprised by that amount? This school evaluates students based on ability. Since you have been admitted, it means you possess that value."

The female teacher spoke flatly, glancing at the students below with an expression that seemed almost amused.

Perhaps they had been given an explanation they could readily accept, because their doubts and caution were swiftly washed away. Most of them gradually accepted this reward for getting into high school as something they deserved.

The slightly oppressive atmosphere from the earlier interruption vanished at once, replaced by cheerful excitement and the feeling that they had indeed chosen the right school.

"Great! I've wanted to buy the latest generation of handheld console forever!"

"Me too! I've been wanting to get the light novels and manga I've been following."

"Let's go browse the shopping center after school. I've got my eye on a few pretty necklaces..."

The female teacher remained expressionless. Once the bubbling chatter and excited remarks had eased somewhat, she added one final point.

"The school will place no restrictions on your spending. You are free to do as you please. However, once you have used up your monthly points, you can only wait until the following month's distribution. You cannot submit an additional request."

"In short, plan how you use your points yourselves. No one will interfere. For the rest, enjoy your high school lives."

That didn't sound like a blessing at all.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka watched his homeroom teacher's utterly unconcerned demeanor and grumbled inwardly.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone rushing after her and blocking the homeroom teacher at the classroom door just as she was about to clock out... Uh, what terrifying initiative.

"Chabashira-sensei, I would like to ask about forming a club."

Bai Yu appeared before Chabashira Sae in a single step, shifting his smile into the honest, dependable sort of expression elders liked.

"Oh? You want to start a club on the very first day?"

Chabashira Sae gave the boy blocking her path a brief once-over. Other than his face, he seemed utterly ordinary.

After a slight pause, she stated, "The school does not prohibit first-year students from forming clubs. However, to submit an application, you need at least five prospective members. You must also submit the application during the first month of school, and the club can only be established after it has been reviewed and approved by the student council."

"I see." Bai Yu reached up to pinch his chin, looking somewhat troubled.

"Oh. Are you worried you won't find enough members right after school starts? That is indeed difficult for freshmen, which is why there has never been a precedent for first-years applying to establish a club as soon as school begins."

The female teacher spoke in an even tone, though it sounded very much like she was making sarcastic remarks.

"Everyone around you is a stranger when school has only just started. For people with more introverted personalities, even making friends can be difficult, let alone finding five like-minded club members within a month."

"I understand your desire for a vibrant campus life, but I advise you to give up on that idea. It would be better to spend the first month quietly and make plans afterward."

After saying that, Chabashira Sae lowered her head to observe the boy's reaction. When she saw him remain silent, she could not help feeling slightly disappointed.

She continued, "That is all. If you still insist on applying, I will not stop you. Once you have made up your mind, come to the office to collect an application form."

Having fulfilled her duty to explain, she withdrew her gaze from the boy and slowly headed toward the office.

After thinking it over, Bai Yu raised his head and discovered that Chabashira Sae had already shut the office door with a squeak. He could not help complaining where he stood.

"What kind of homeroom teacher is that? She ran off before her student even finished speaking. Is she really that eager to spend work hours drinking tea and chatting in the office?"

Huh? That actually didn't sound too bad. But how many people had she said were needed at minimum to form a club?

The number of people was not the problem. The procedure was.

A club with a suspicious name, a scattered purpose, activities that had yet to be defined, and perhaps even frequent changes in the future would probably have a hard time passing the student council's review.

Bai Yu stood there, pondering leisurely, occasionally noticing a figure approaching from the back door as though she had been waiting for some time.

After briefly gathering his thoughts and setting aside the matters that needed solving, Bai Yu turned to face his visitor.

"Hello, um... Bai, do you remember me?" Her voice was gentle and sweet.

Bai Yu responded politely, "I remember. You're Kushida, right? Your self-introduction earlier was very courageous. It left a deep impression on me."

The girl named Kushida seemed to want to smile but held it back, and a hint of regret seeped into her voice. "I meant on the bus to school. I was the girl who called on everyone to give up their seats for the elderly lady."

"Oh—" Bai Yu drew out the sound, then extended one hand in an exceedingly formal manner. "I've heard much about you. A pleasure to meet you."

"Heh, hehe, likewise."

Kikyo Kushida's eyebrows twitched.

It was obvious at a glance that he had not remembered at all, yet this slippery way of responding made it impossible to be harsh with him.

What a baffling person.

But she had not come here to fuss over such trivial matters.

"Bai, can we be friends?"

"It would be my honor," Bai Yu said gladly.

"Really? That's wonderful."

Kikyo Kushida happily stepped closer, and the proper social distance between them was filled to almost nothing by something very real.

"This brings me one step closer to my goal. Thank you, Bai!"

Bai Yu lifted his gaze from the anomaly. A moment ago, he had clearly still been able to see her legs at a glance.

He immediately broke into a brilliant smile. "There's no need to thank me. How about you do me a favor instead?"

"Huh? Did I hear that right?"

"You did."

If he had not seen wrong, her smile just now had definitely skipped a frame.

It wasn't easy.

Whether they were actors on a stage or in life, everyone's enemy was this damned life, and the compromises they had to make for some purpose.

Bai Yu's gaze gradually became sympathetic.

Kikyo Kushida barely maintained her smile. "Does Bai have something troubling you?"

"I do." Bai Yu said without ceremony, "Kushida probably has no plans to join a club yet, right?"

"School has only just started, and I don't know much about it yet, so I haven't had that thought for now."

"Then why not join my club? I'll make good use of you."

"..."

Kikyo Kushida ultimately took a step back.

"Sorry, let me put that another way. I will help you realize your value and fulfill your dreams."

"Come, join the noble Service Club!"

On the first day of school, outside the Class D classroom.

Someone seemed to see a devil preaching.