The Dispute Begins

Just like that.

Shi Cheng's dull life gained a few splashes of color with Shiina Hiyori's arrival.

His previously unchanging routine now had one more place to visit.

Shi Cheng did not lose himself in tenderness.

Instead, he quietly gathered strength.

Because he had noticed something.

The way Sakura Airi had been looking at him lately was becoming increasingly strange.

She was clearly nearing her breaking point.

Shi Cheng saw it all, but chose not to make the first move.

In this mutual pursuit, whoever lost their composure first would be at an absolute disadvantage.

That was why he had left Sakura Airi alone all this time.

Now, it seemed—

His goal would soon be achieved.

Thinking of the surprise that was about to arrive,

Shi Cheng devoted himself completely, body and mind, to enjoying his time with Shiina Hiyori.

Though the two were practically never on the same wavelength,

they were both happy.

It was just that this happiness—

when May arrived, seemed to require a question mark.

Looking at the points on his phone, which still had not changed,

Shi Cheng frowned slightly.

There was no reason for this.

He had always attended class seriously and had never made any major mistakes.

How could all of his living expenses have been deducted?

Compared to Shi Cheng, who had been mentally prepared,

the others did not take it nearly as well.

However, they had just taken a test a few days ago.

Chabashira Sae had even specifically emphasized

that grades would not have any effect.

That had completely put them at ease.

A school that covered everything,

and would not even hold students back.

This place was practically paradise.

Coming here had truly been the right choice.

It was precisely because they held that belief

that although the class was somewhat restless, things remained under control.

After all, it was still early.

Perhaps there was a problem with the school's system.

That was why their living expenses had not been issued yet.

Amid the low murmur of voices, the figure everyone had been waiting for finally appeared at the doorway.

Chabashira Sae was still dressed in the same professional outfit she had worn at their first meeting.

Only this time,

its appeal had greatly diminished.

After all, they had been looking at it for an entire month. They were already tired of it.

More importantly—

their living expenses, their living expenses.

That was what truly mattered!

Looking at the confused students below,

Chabashira Sae did not wear her usual icy expression. Instead, she had a warm smile on her face.

At that moment, her approachability rose sharply.

Yet for some reason,

Shi Cheng felt that her smile carried a hint of gloating.

This woman—

could she have deliberately left something out? I hate people who speak in riddles!

"If you have any questions, ask them now. I won't answer afterward."

After admiring their bewildered faces long enough, Chabashira Sae mercifully opened the floor.

"Sensei, why haven't our living expenses come in yet?" Yamauchi Haruki, who had long been unable to hold back, hurriedly asked in a boisterous tone.

Chabashira Sae smiled faintly. "They've already been issued. No class was overlooked."

With her arms crossed, Chabashira Sae looked as though she were watching a group of clowns.

"But we really didn't receive anything," Yamauchi Haruki said, still utterly confused.

If such a considerable amount of living expenses had truly been issued, there was no way he would have failed to notice.

So Chabashira Sae had to be joking with them.

Ike Kanji nodded repeatedly as well. "Exactly, Sae-chan. That joke isn't funny at all."

"Hehehe."

Having long since had enough of these idiots who showed no respect for their teacher, Chabashira Sae finally stopped holding back.

She lowered her head, letting the bangs over her forehead hide her eyes, and let out a chilling laugh.

"W-what's wrong?" Ike Kanji shrank back.

"You really are a group of fools." Chabashira Sae suddenly raised her head, not even bothering to spare Ike Kanji another glance.

"Next are some items concerning point deductions. Those who understand, understand. Those who don't, can leave it at that. We won't pad the word count here."

After reporting last month's splendid results, Chabashira Sae clapped her hands in admiration.

"I truly admire you. Throughout the school's history, you are the only class—the first class—to use up all of your points in your first month."

"Be proud of yourselves." The mocking smile at the corners of Chabashira Sae's lips would not stop rising.

"How could this happen?!" Yamauchi Haruki, whose points had long been exhausted, clenched his fists as the light left his eyes.

Without living expenses, how was he supposed to keep living the good life?

It was not as though he could not survive.

But after experiencing such a luxurious life, who could endure such a drastic fall?

Seeing the situation in the class worsen by the moment,

Hirata Yosuke hurriedly stood up to take charge. But the situation was already beyond saving, so he could only try to obtain useful information.

"Please tell us about the penalties for point deductions, Sensei."

Chabashira Sae gave a derisive laugh.

She had thought those few were already more than enough to deal with, but unexpectedly, there was another expert.

And it was Hirata Yosuke, whom she had believed would be useful in this class.

Considering that he might still be useful later, Chabashira Sae did not crush him outright. Her attitude became slightly friendlier, though her evaluation of him dropped considerably.

"No one in society will explain the rules to you. Only during kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school will teachers emphasize the rules."

"But judging from things now, it seems none of you took them to heart at all."

Chabashira Sae belittled them to her heart's content. Even kindergarten children understood such simple principles, yet they still had the nerve to question her.

Hirata Yosuke bit his lip, deeply unwilling to accept it.

Weren't they still children too?

Why could she not tell them the truth?

This class really had been treated rather unfairly.

Compared to the other three classes,

Chabashira Sae was the most irresponsible teacher.

Though even if she had told them, it probably would not have helped.

After all, this was the class with the most idiots.

There did not seem to be much to feel disappointed about.

"Will our living expenses remain at zero forever?" Shi Cheng raised his hand like a well-behaved student. After receiving Chabashira Sae's signal, he hurriedly asked.

No matter what, she was still a teacher.

That natural authority meant he was automatically at a disadvantage.

There was no reason to make trouble for himself.

"At least there's still someone smart." Chabashira Sae offered a compliment, though it was impossible to tell whether she meant it.

She took out the poster on the podium and pasted it onto the blackboard.

"These are your current class points. The gap is obvious at a glance."

Standing to the side, Chabashira Sae continued smiling from ear to ear.

"What a neat ranking. Why is it like this?"

Someone said that.

"That's right. This school has divided you into ranks. Class A consists of geniuses worth looking forward to, Class B consists of talented students who can be cultivated, Class C is barely passable, and Class D..."

Chabashira Sae stopped abruptly, maliciously dragging out the suspense.

"Is nothing but a bunch of hopeless trash."

There was truly no way to refute that.

Shi Cheng raised his eyes.

The numbers above were exceptionally glaring.

A: 940

B: 650

C: 490

D: 0

The corner of Shi Cheng's eye twitched. The gap was truly despairing.

What surprised him even more was that

points were deducted on a class-wide basis.

But on second thought, it seemed normal.

After all, they were in the same class.

It was impossible to distinguish everything so clearly.

"What kind of joke is this? How are we supposed to live like this?!" Yamauchi Haruki slammed his fist on the desk and let out a shattered roar.