"Enough! There's no need to keep testing me, is there?"
Sae Chabashira looked a little impatient.
"How strange. Isn't that question of yours just another test? Either way, we'll see what happens tomorrow, so what difference does it make whether I know or not?"
"When did you figure it out?"
Katsuya Shinjo pretended to think it over. "Who knows? Maybe on the first day of school, or the second. The third is possible, too."
But no matter how you looked at it, he'd figured out the school's hidden rules in the first week, hadn't he?!
Sae Chabashira nearly spat up blood in anger.
"You mean you knew all this from the start, but still chose not to tell your classmates?!"
"You've asked another strange question. Why would I tell them?"
Even if they accepted the truth, could students with this class's level of self-control really manage to study hard and improve every day?
Chabashira's brain stalled for a moment at his counter-question.
"Don't you want more personal points?"
"Of course I do. Who doesn't want money? Especially money that's worth so much... What do you think?"
The rules said points could buy anything.
Hearing the pointed question, Chabashira's mood brightened again. She'd thought it would be enough if someone noticed that personal points changed over time, but Shinjo had even figured out how to make use of them.
This, this, this... Had the heavens finally opened their eyes and granted her a chance to turn things around?!
"If that's the case, then you should be even more—"
"You can't teach people just by telling them. If they don't experience despair for themselves, how could they ever learn to cherish the personal points they've worked so hard to get?"
His explanation sounded perfectly reasonable. After all, Class D's students all had some sort of inherent flaw. Getting them to be as self-disciplined as Classes A and B would probably be harder than taking their lives.
Chabashira gave a slight nod, seeming to accept Shinjo's answer.
"Shinjo, you're quite something."
?????
Shinjo was a little baffled by the sudden praise. What did he care whether the students in Class D lived or died?
He just didn't want to take on any extra responsibility. The less he said, the better. That way, trouble wouldn't come looking for him.
Besides, you couldn't save up your way to big money.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going."
Chabashira didn't reply. She silently watched him walk away, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly. This might be the best start she'd had in years.
"With him, and that secret weapon... this year's Class D might actually..."
But Chabashira overlooked one very important issue: the more capable a student in Class D was, the bigger the problems they had.
When Shinjo got home, he was about to take a hot shower and then lie in bed reading a novel when he suddenly got a call from Karuizawa.
"Hello, this is Katsuya Shinjo."
"Shinjo, it's Kushida. Hey, Shinjo, want to go sing karaoke?"
Someone had suggested going to karaoke after school to celebrate the end of the pop quiz and welcome the prosperous life that awaited them.
The suggestion was met with an enthusiastic response. Aside from Sakura and Koenji, who couldn't be reached, nearly everyone was going.
Even Horikita, who wanted to go home and study, was dragged along by Ayanokoji, who seemed rather interested.
"Karaoke... I'd really like to go, but Teacher Chabashira asked me to help her move some documents, so I'm sorry."
That was a lie. Shinjo simply didn't want to disrupt his wonderful plans.
"Oh, I see. That's too bad. I'd be really happy if you could come, Shinjo!"
Who in the world could turn down a cute, gentle, delicate, gorgeous girl?
Katsuya Shinjo could!
"I... Maybe I should go after all? I'd feel worse seeing Kushida sad than getting caught by Teacher Chabashira and chewed out."
"Is it really that bad? Well, in that case, you should help Teacher Chabashira first. I'll be fine. We can go another time, but you can't turn me down next time!"
Kikyo Kushida activated her signature skill: consideration.
"Definitely! Definitely!"
With that, Shinjo turned off his phone and tossed it onto his bedside table. Plan accomplished √
Meanwhile, in Class D's private karaoke room
"Tonight's bill is on us guys!!!"
It was either Ike or Yamauchi who started the chant, with the other backing him up. With the girls caught up in the excitement, the other boys had no choice but to agree.
"We're getting points tomorrow anyway, so don't be so stingy! Waiter, bring us two more cases of freshly squeezed juice!"
Students weren't allowed to drink alcohol, but the drinks here weren't cheap either. Along with countless fruit platters and snacks, the bill was still a fortune even after the boys split it.
Ike and Yamauchi were left with a staggering one and fourteen points, respectively.
That was practically the same as being broke.
Next door to Class D's karaoke room was the largest private room in the place.
A boy with his upper body bare and purple hair parted down the middle was enjoying a relaxing full-body massage.
Behind him stood a two-meter-tall Black man built like a fortress, motionless like a bodyguard.
A little while later, another boy with a thug-like air came running in from outside.
"Big Bro Ryuen, I found out. The room next door belongs to Class D."
Ryuen gave a scornful laugh. "I was wondering who it was. Turns out it's Class D. Guess they're going all out tonight because they'll be getting their points back tomorrow? Heh. What a bunch of good-for-nothings."
"That's right, Big Bro Ryuen. They're all useless. Especially that Sudo guy. He's the most useless of them all!"
"Sudo?"
"Ah, you don't know, Big Bro. I met Sudo through the sports clubs. He's pretty good at basketball, but he's an idiot. To use your words, he's a complete moron."
A hint of amusement flashed in Ryuen's eyes.
"Class D may be nothing but a bunch of useless losers, but before I face off against those other two classes, a little appetizer wouldn't hurt..."
"You mean...?"
"Not yet. I've got some things to take care of first. There've been a few voices in the class making trouble lately. I need to shut them up for good!"
Before you continue