After a few months, everyone should try to do their best. A test like this shouldn't last long, since once the points are issued next month, everyone will know all about it." "If there's anything I haven't explained clearly, you can come ask me." After finishing, Yuan Yuyuan went straight back to his seat.
"Everyone, don't be nervous. Could you listen to me for a moment?" Ichinose Honami interrupted the students' whispers. Once everyone had turned to look at her, she continued, "As long as we don't break the school rules, we won't be punished. I believe that if we all work together, we can definitely do it!"
"That's right. It sounds scary, but with Ichinose here, we'll definitely get through this!"
"Exactly! If it's Ichinose, she can do it!"
Was this a joke? Yuan Yuyuan watched as the tense atmosphere he'd deliberately created was swept away in just a few words from Ichinose. And these people—did none of them have minds of their own? Was there any hope for this class? This was urgent!
Yuan Yuyuan suddenly wasn't so happy about being in the same class as Ichinose. She'd done a great job bringing the class together on the very first day, but if anything happened to her—not even something serious, just a fever that made her miss class—the whole class would grind to a halt.
Yuan Yuyuan felt helpless, but there was nothing he could do. He decided it was best to get away from it all and headed to the convenience store closest to the school building.
"They even have free products. Looks like even losers can survive at this school. By the way, why's Uncle Sakanayanagi handing out so many points?"
"What do free products have to do with losers?" Yuan Yuyuan turned around. A fox-eyed girl stood there. She was pretty, but it was obvious at a glance that her personality wasn't.
"That's rude, miss. When asking a question, you should at least introduce yourself first, even if you don't say 'please.'"
"I'm Horikita Suzune from Class 1-D."
"Yuan Yuyuan, Class 1-B."
Seeing that Yuan Yuyuan had nothing more to say after introducing himself, Horikita Suzune had no choice but to press him. "About what you said just now, about free products and losers..."
"That's a secret. But I do spend a lot of money. If you give me seven hundred thousand points a month, I might be willing to tell you."
Horikita Suzune frowned and stared at Yuan Yuyuan in displeasure. "Seven hundred thousand a month? Never mind that the school only gives us a hundred thousand each month. At that price, I can't see any sign of sincerity from you."
Yuan Yuyuan looked at Horikita Suzune, who was still standing there despite saying that, and couldn't help wanting to laugh.
"Cut the nonsense. If you're still standing here, that means you don't think I'm an idiot, and you don't think I'm treating you like one. I dared to name that price because I have the confidence to back it up. This information will benefit the whole class. If you suggest that everyone contribute, each person would only need to pay a little over ten thousand points."
Horikita Suzune could tell Yuan Yuyuan sounded serious, but she still had doubts. "That may be so, but how can you prove the information is really worth that much? Even if the cost per person isn't high, you'll have to convince everyone else first."
"That's true. But there are contracts even in the outside world. A closed-off school like this definitely wouldn't want to raise female instructors who are skilled at manipulating people. Fraud is illegal, so as long as we ask the school to certify the agreement, there won't be a problem."
"That makes sense. Then let's talk again once you've got this so-called contract."
"Sure. Then let's exchange numbers so I can let you know when the time comes. But if you're going to raise money, I don't think you're the type who has friends in class to help drum up support, Suzune."
Horikita Suzune didn't take issue with Yuan Yuyuan's rude way of addressing her. Instead, she retorted confidently, "Why would I need friends? I don't believe a person can't survive alone in this world."
"That's an irrefutable truth. But if you insist on that principle, you'd be better off discussing it with a popular classmate first. People are more likely to accept a suggestion from someone well-liked than from a lone wolf like you. And once enough people agree, even those few who don't want to pay will give in because they don't want to be the odd ones out."
"...I see. That was very enlightening."
"Don't mention it. It's a perk for a big client."
After all, Class B had Class A keeping a close watch above them and Class C eyeing them from below. Class D was the only buyer left, so Yuan Yuyuan didn't mind getting on Horikita Suzune's good side.
"Then I'll be off."
Yuan Yuyuan said goodbye, then left Horikita Suzune standing there in thought and headed straight for the teachers' office. There were only two female teachers inside. He also saw his homeroom teacher pestering a mature woman in black stockings.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, could you come outside for a moment?"
"Oh, it's Yuyuan. What is it? Asking me out during class time is a no-no."
"No... I just wanted to ask you a few questions."
At that, Hoshinomiya lowered her proud head, looking dispirited. "What? That's all? Then follow me."
"Here we are. No one can interrupt us on the rooftop."
Yuan Yuyuan didn't pay any attention to Hoshinomiya's suggestive words.
"I'd like to know if this school has anything like an agreement or contract, with the school acting as an intermediary."
"Bingo! Yuyuan really is clever. There is a contract like that. You just need to spend a few thousand points and have a homeroom teacher present. But keep in mind, if you break the contract, the school will enforce the punishment."
"Sounds good. Set one up for me."
Since the homeroom teacher had to print the contract, Hoshinomiya had also seen Yuan Yuyuan's deal with Class D clearly.
"Little Yuyuan really knows how to make money. You'll be bringing in all those points every month from now on. I'm jealous."
"It's nothing special. By the way, Hoshinomiya-sensei, do you want to move up to Class A?"
"Huh? Little Yuyuan, you're a scary kid. You already know about that on your first day?"
"It's nothing impressive. Breaking the rules lowers a class's evaluation. If the school doesn't rank the classes according to their evaluations, wouldn't the whole system be meaningless? And if that's the case, the homeroom teachers' salaries are probably tied to it too, right?"
"That's why I say you're a scary kid, Yuyuan! What kind of new student says something like that on the first day of school?"
Yuan Yuyuan was puzzled. Hoshinomiya kept avoiding his question and didn't seem interested in reaching Class A. So what was she here to teach for?
Yuan Yuyuan suddenly remembered that when he'd gone to find Hoshinomiya, she'd been pestering the mature woman who was probably another class's homeroom teacher.
"Say, Hoshinomiya-sensei, are you after that woman in black stockings?"
"H-how could I possibly be after her? Why are you suddenly saying something so weird, Yuyuan? Besides, little Sae's name is Chabashira Sae. We've been best friends since high school. We call each other little Sae and little Chie. The way you addressed her was incredibly rude."
That wasn't true at all. Just now, it had been Chabashira-sensei coldly rejecting Hoshinomiya's advances.
Yuan Yuyuan was now certain. Hoshinomiya's obsession was that very Chabashira-sensei. In that case...
Before you continue