Arisu Sakayanagi's Date Invitation

One hour after I started shopping with Shiina, I sat in a corner seat at the food court, drinking water.

It felt like a waste to buy a drink when there were water fountains available.

Perhaps because we had just been talking about the freebies, Shiina was also drinking the free water.

Although we had bought quite a few things, it was still meaningful in its own way.

Occasionally, there were some interesting little trinkets among the free items.

However, when Shiina suddenly asked to exchange contact information halfway through, I truly panicked.

Without a clear reason to refuse, and with several classmates looking our way, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and exchange it.

Back to the point—

"So? Why do you think there will be point fluctuations on the first day of school? I just find it suspicious that we get 100,000 points for free every month."

Shiina asked while sipping her water.

Since people were constantly coming in and out of the convenience store earlier, I had decided to wait until we finished shopping to discuss this topic.

"I don't mind talking about it, but it's just my guess, so don't take it too seriously."

Seeing Shiina nod slightly, I continued: "The total number of students in our school is over four hundred, right? Assuming four hundred people, with each person getting 100,000 points a month, how much does the school have to spend?"

"400 times... 40 million yen. If it's a year..."

"480 million. Even with government subsidies, nearly 500 million a year is too exaggerated."

What's more, it was even more reasonable to think that there might be students among us who were judged as "not worth 100,000 points a month."

"I see. So you speculate that there is a mechanism for point fluctuations?"

"Exactly. If I were the director, I would give more points to talented students with good grades, and fewer to those with poor conduct." For example, "Your attitude in class this month was terrible, so you only get 30,000," or "You got full marks on every quiz, so you get 150,000 this month."

"Plus the free items I mentioned earlier, it's possible there are students who can barely get any points at all."

Since the free items were so popular, it wouldn't be strange if there were students with zero income.

"That makes sense... but there's a limit to what we can do right now, isn't there?"

Shiina was right.

As a freshman, all I could do was "attend class seriously" and "not buy unnecessary things."

This was the best strategy for now.

"Indeed. Then let's just do what we can... That's my guess regarding the point fluctuations. If you think it's nonsense, just pretend I never said it."

Just as I finished speaking—

"No, that is a truly insightful observation. It is certainly not nonsense."

A voice suddenly came from behind me.

I turned around to find a silver-haired girl sitting at the adjacent table with her back to us.

"Excuse me. I did not intend to eavesdrop, but the content was truly interesting."

She leaned on her cane and turned around gracefully to bow, and my internal alarm bells rang instantly.

She had silver hair like Shiina, but hers was short.

She likely used a cane due to a congenital illness that made it difficult for her to walk.

But that wasn't the problem—this girl felt like a bottomless pool of water; words like "smart" or "beautiful" were simply insufficient to describe her.

Despite her petite frame, her presence was overwhelmingly expansive.

"A late introduction. I am Arisu Sakayanagi from Class A. I use a cane due to a congenital illness, and my hobby is enjoying coffee at cafes."

"I am Hiyori Shiina from Class C."

"Hayama Hayato from Class D."

I blurted out a fake name.

My intuition told me that if this woman remembered my real name, I would be in big trouble.

Just as Shiina glanced at me in confusion, Arisu nodded and said, "Nice to meet you, Shiina-san and Hikigaya-kun."

My heart skipped a beat.

As I wondered how she knew, she smiled slightly and pointed to my right hand—my real name was clearly marked on the envelope containing the brochures.

I had been seen through in an instant...

"I must be going. By the way, would you two mind exchanging contact information with me?"

"Sure, here is Hikigaya-kun's address."

Shiina, you sold me out?!

"Thank you. Now, Hikigaya-kun, I have sent you my contact information."

Arisu's smile was like a cat playing with a mouse.

Along with Arisu's words, my phone rang.

I had no choice but to reluctantly register my contact information.

Ah, I can feel my peaceful life gradually crumbling away.

Although part of this is my own doing, if I had known it would turn out like this, I should have just waited until I got back to the dorms to contact Shiina by phone.

"Thank you for letting me hear such an interesting perspective. Well then, see you next time."

While I was regretting my actions in my heart, Arisu Sakayanagi said this as a parting remark, glanced at me, and walked away with a composed gait.

Even though I used a fake name to avoid getting involved, there is no doubt that I have already been targeted.

"Hikigaya-kun, why did you use a fake name?"

"...Don't ask. There are various reasons."

I could only give such a perfunctory reply.

A peaceful life is no longer possible; at the very least, I hope to live without being disturbed by malice...

"Hehe..."

After parting ways with Hachiman and Hiyori, Arisu Sakayanagi had a smile playing on her lips.

In her mind, she replayed Hachiman's attitude toward her, his insights regarding [points], and the lie he told.

Although she herself understood the general concept of points, she had not expected a student from Class D to be able to provide such a logically clear explanation on the very first day of school.

What intrigued her most was the lie he told.

At the time, Arisu had happened to notice the name written on the envelope Hachiman was holding after he lied, but if not for that envelope, she certainly would have assumed he was Hayama Hayato.

Arisu had dealt with heirs of various dignitaries and elites in the political world, and she had long since honed the ability to see through lies.

She could judge the truth by the rhythm of one's breathing, eye movements, and blinking frequency.

However, Hachiman's behavior was natural throughout, without a single flaw; it was impossible to tell he was lying at all.

Upon re-examining him, she found him increasingly interesting.

Although he appeared to be a man with no motivation, there were certain aspects that showed he was special.

At the same time, it stirred up a sense of rivalry.

This time it was just an introduction, but if she were to be deceived once in a negotiation, it could mean a reversal of the situation.

For someone who hates losing, that would be nothing short of a disgrace.

"I never thought I would take an interest in a Class D student... But seeing how he is clearly avoiding me, should I ask him to lunch tomorrow?"

Although she had spoken with Hachiman for less than five minutes, she could easily imagine the look of annoyance he would surely wear if asked to lunch.

Thinking of this, Arisu found it amusing and returned to the dormitory with a light chuckle.

After two in the afternoon, Shiina and I arrived at the dormitory.

We picked up our dormitory manuals and room keys at the first-floor reception desk, and I was surprised to find that the building was co-ed when we stepped into the elevator.

I had assumed the dorms would be separated by gender.

While I was thinking about this, the elevator reached the fourth floor.

After the doors opened, I said goodbye to Shiina.

"See you tomorrow, then."

"Yes. Thank you for keeping me company today. The library should be open tomorrow, so if there's a chance..."

Before she could finish her sentence, the elevator doors closed. I walked to room 412 and unlocked the door.

It was a single room about eight tatami mats in size, which was more than enough for living alone.

I threw myself onto the bed to check the manual and was relieved to find that water, electricity, and gas were all free of charge, covered by the school.

I flipped through the other regulations, which were mostly common sense.

The most peculiar clause was the prohibition of high school students engaging in romantic relationships inappropriate for their status.

Then again, it would be absurd for the school to promote such things.

Thinking about this, I tossed the manual onto the table and sprawled out on the bed.

Looking at the blue sky outside the window, I thought about how I would be living here for the next three years.

Although the business with Shiina and Sakayanagi made the prospect of a peaceful life look slim, the fact that I was isolated from the outside world was enough for me.

Or rather, that was my original motivation for applying.

Just then, my phone rang. I took it out and looked...

"I am very sorry for eavesdropping on your conversation today. As an apology, I would like to invite you to lunch; would tomorrow be convenient for you?"

A text from Sakayanagi.

I replied immediately:

"It's completely inconvenient, go eat with your classmates. No apology needed."

I had barely sent the refusal when a reply arrived:

"That won't do. I will come to your classroom to pick you up tomorrow."

Are you kidding me! If I get asked out by Shiina today and then pestered by Sakanayanagi tomorrow, my already slim chances of a peaceful life will be completely ruined!

I immediately operated my phone to send a second message:

"Don't push yourself if you're frail. I accept your apology, don't come to the classroom."

A reply came back quickly:

"Understood, I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

Damn it... I really shouldn't have had such a loose tongue about the points with Shiina...

On the first day of school, I let out a sigh for the umpteenth time.