Revelry Before the Night

"Enough! There's no need to keep probing, is there?"

Sae Chabashira looked somewhat impatient.

"That's quite strange, aren't you doing the exact same thing by saying that? Either way, the truth will come out tomorrow, so what difference does it make whether I know or not?"

"When did you find out?"

Katsuya Shinjo pretended to think for a moment: "Who knows? Maybe the first day after school started, or perhaps the second or third."

But regardless, you were the one who discovered the school's hidden rules within the first week, weren't you?!

Sae Chabashira was so angry she nearly coughed up blood:

"Are you saying you knew about this all along? And yet, you still chose not to tell your classmates?!"

"You've asked another strange question. Why would I tell them?"

Setting aside whether anyone would even accept the truth, even if they did, given the self-control of the students in this class, could they really manage to study hard and improve themselves?

Hearing the counter-question, Sae Chabashira's brain stalled for a moment.

"Don't you want more private points?"

"Of course I do. Who would turn their back on money? Especially money that's this valuable... wouldn't you agree?"

Points can buy anything; that's what the rules say.

Hearing the pointed question, Sae Chabashira's mood brightened once again. She had thought it would be good enough if someone just realized that private points changed over time, but she hadn't expected Katsuya Shinjo to have discovered the clever uses of points as well.

This, this, this... could it be that the heavens have finally opened their eyes and granted her a hope for a comeback?!

"Since that's the case, then you should even more..."

"People can't be taught by words alone. If they don't experience despair for themselves, how could they possibly cherish the private points they've earned with such difficulty?"

This explanation seemed quite reasonable. After all, the students in Class D were inherently flawed; getting them to be as self-disciplined as those in Class A or Class B was probably harder than taking their lives.

Sae Chabashira nodded slightly, seemingly accepting Katsuya Shinjo's answer.

"Shinjo, you are quite impressive."

?????

Suddenly receiving a compliment, Katsuya felt confused but didn't dare ask why. In truth, what did it matter to him whether the students of Class D lived or died?

He simply didn't want to shoulder any extra responsibility. He spoke only when necessary and kept his words to a minimum so that trouble wouldn't come looking for him.

Besides, you can't save your way to great wealth.

"If you don't have anything else, I'll be going now."

Sae Chabashira didn't respond, silently watching his departing back. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly; this was perhaps the best start she had encountered in all these years.

"If it's him, combined with that secret weapon... this year's Class D might actually be able to..."

However, Sae Chabashira overlooked a very important problem: in Class D, the more capable a student was, the greater the problems they carried.

Back home, Katsuya Shinjo had just prepared to take a hot shower and lie on his bed to read a novel in peace when he suddenly received a call from Karuizawa.

"Hello, this is Katsuya Shinjo."

"Shinjo-kun, this is Kushida. Hey, Shinjo-kun, do you want to come out for karaoke?"

Someone had publicly suggested going to karaoke after school to celebrate the recently finished pop quiz and to welcome the upcoming life of luxury.

Such a suggestion was naturally met with an enthusiastic response. Except for Sakura and Koenji, whom they couldn't reach, almost everyone was participating.

Even Horikita, who wanted to go back and review, had been dragged along by Ayanokoji, who seemed somewhat interested.

"Karaoke... I'd really like to go, but Teacher Chabashira asked me to help her move some documents, so I'm very sorry."

This was a lie; Katsuya Shinjo simply didn't want to disrupt his pleasant plans.

"Ah, is that so? That's a real shame. After all, I would be very happy if Shinjo-kun could come!"

Who in this world could refuse a cute, gentle, pitiful, and well-proportioned beautiful girl?

Katsuya Shinjo could!

"I... should I go anyway? Compared to being caught and scolded by Teacher Chabashira, I think I'd hate to see Kushida-san feeling sad even more."

"Is it that serious? Well, if that's the case, you should help Teacher Chabashira first. Don't worry about me; we can plan for next time. You aren't allowed to decline next time, okay!"

Kikyo Kushida activated her innate skill: Consideration.

"Definitely! Definitely!"

With that, Katsuya Shinjo turned off his phone and tossed it onto the bedside table. Plan successful.

Meanwhile, at the karaoke parlor, inside the Class D room.

"Tonight's expenses are all on us guys!!!"

I don't know if it was Ike or Yamauchi, but with one egging the other on and the girls cheering them on, the rest of the boys had no choice but to agree to the decision.

"We're getting our points tomorrow anyway, so don't be so stingy! Waiter, two more crates of fresh-squeezed juice!"

Although students weren't allowed to drink alcohol, the beverages here weren't cheap either. When combined with the countless fruit platters and snacks, the bill for tonight, even when split among the few boys, still amounted to a staggering sum.

The balances for Ike and Yamauchi, in particular, had plummeted to a shocking 1 point and 14 points respectively.

It was practically the same as having nothing left.

Next door to the Class D private room was the largest suite in the karaoke parlor.

A boy with a purple center-parted hairstyle and his upper body bare was enjoying a very comfortable full-body massage.

Behind him, a two-meter-tall black man with a build like a fortress wall stood motionless, acting like a bodyguard.

After a while, another boy with a ruffian-like expression ran in from outside:

"Ryuen-san, I found out. It's Class D next door."

Ryuen let out a contemptuous scoff: "I wondered who it was. So it's Class D. I guess they're spending like crazy tonight because they know they'll get their points back tomorrow? Heh, a bunch of losers, as expected."

"Yeah, you're right, Ryuen-san. I think they're losers too. Especially that guy named Sudo—a loser among losers!"

"Sudo?"

"Ah, you might not know yet, Boss. I met that Sudo in the sports club. Even though he's decent at basketball, he's simple-minded. To use your words, he's a total idiot."

A playful glint flashed in Ryuen's eyes upon hearing this:

"Although Class D is just a bunch of useless trash, it wouldn't be bad to have a little appetizer before I officially face off against those other two classes..."

"You mean..."

"No rush. I have some things to take care of right now. There have been some restless voices in the class lately, and I need to make them shut up for good!"