Chapter 12

Perhaps it was a joke played by the heavens, but as we walked out of the store, we ran into the gloomy, perverted Kiyotaka Ayanokoji for the third time. He was currently facing a bowl of instant noodles that had been overturned on the ground. "Um, do you need some help?" Driven by an inexplicable impulse, I ignored my companions' attempts to stop me and struck up a conversation, fueled by my own curiosity. "Oh, no need. I'll handle it myself, thank you." He was very gentle, unexpectedly easy to talk to. "Let's get acquainted, I'm Minya Kitazawa from Class 1-C." Seemingly startled by my abrupt self-introduction, he looked up and stared at me earnestly: "Class 1-D, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji." "Can you answer a question for me? Ayanokoji-kun, I'm quite curious." "What question would that be?" he asked cautiously in return. "Why didn't you give up your seat on the bus this morning?" "Eh? Is that the question... didn't you also not give up your seat?" "That has nothing to do with me... is it inconvenient to answer?" "Actually, it's nothing much. I'm just a proponent of avoiding trouble..." "Then what are you doing now?" I pointed to the instant noodles on the ground. "Sigh... I'm not very good at communicating with others. I must have said something wrong to upset Sudo and Horikita, right?" Ayanokoji looked vexed. "I see. I didn't expect someone as gloomy as you to have a heart that wants to make friends." I nodded with satisfaction. I don't buy your act for a second. Did you decide to clean up the mess just now because you saw the security camera? This guy noticed the number of security cameras as early as I did; interesting. He's someone with a bit of ability who prefers to stay under the radar. If I could get him to help keep an eye on Koenji in Class D, that would be perfect. "That's a mean thing to say... even if it is the truth." "Actually, I could be your friend. We have similar tastes, too..." I took the opportunity to lean in closer to him. "Tastes?" Ayanokoji looked puzzled. "A girl like Horikita, she's quite a looker, right?" I whispered close to his ear. "Don't misunderstand! I have no interest in her!" Ayanokoji was startled and hurriedly denied it. "Don't pretend, I understand you. Let's exchange contact information? We've run into each other several times today; it's fate!" I pretended to be interested in using him to get closer to Horikita. "That's fine, I suppose... but I really have nothing to do with Horikita. We just happened to sit together on the bus." Ayanokoji seemed very wary of Horikita, terrified that I might spread some kind of rumor. "Alright, then I'll have to rely on you to introduce me to her later! I'll treat you to a meal another day! My friends are waiting, so I'll take my leave now! Ayanokoji-kun." "Yes, see you, Kitazawa-san." "Why would you talk to a guy like that?" Back within our small group, Oda asked impatiently. "There are some special reasons. Are you willing to keep a secret for me?" I felt the timing was right and began the first step of my grand strategy. "Of course. Even though we just met, we all consider Minya a good friend." Suzuki was the first to express his support, and Oda and Sonoda nodded as well. "Alright, telling you won't hurt. Actually, I came to this school for more than just myself; I have another goal, and that is Koenji from Class D." "Koenji... could it be the young master of the Koenji Conglomerate?" Suzuki seemed to have heard of the name. "Exactly. My father is a member of their conglomerate, and since I was admitted here, he asked me to look after young master Koenji." "I see. So that's why you wanted to befriend Ayanokoji from Class D... because it's inconvenient to handle certain things when you're in different classes?" Sonoda realized. "Exactly. I don't know if you're aware, but the competition in this school is actually very fierce. Every year, quite a few people are expelled. I also feel that relying on myself alone isn't safe enough, so I'm looking for helpers. Of course, you are all talented individuals. If you're willing to help, I can provide you with generous compensation, and even secure you positions at companies under the Koenji Conglomerate after graduation." "Is that so..." All three fell into deep thought. It was understandable; in Japan, you often work for one company for your entire life, so being cautious is the right move. The Koenji Conglomerate isn't short on money, so the employee benefits are excellent. This is my advantage, and I am maximizing it to pull in every available resource. Fair competition? It doesn't exist. Who told them they weren't born as heirs to a conglomerate? This is the cruel reality. "You can take your time to consider whether you want to help me. After all, young master Koenji has a rather eccentric personality, but his ability is beyond doubt. Let's put it this way: if any of you are expelled because of helping Koenji, I am willing to compensate you 100 million yen in my personal capacity! And our group's doors will always be open to you." Having money makes one willful. I've learned a lot about making empty promises from my old man. Borrowing the prestige of others—they say to treat the company like family, so the reputation of the Koenji family is our family's reputation! "100 million yen!? Are you that rich, Minya?" Is 100 million yen really that much? Once you take this blood money, you belong to the Koenji Conglomerate for life; it's not a loss at all. "Most of it is my father's money, but I have some personal investments too. Don't worry, I'm very close with Koenji's mother. Forget 100 million; even if it were a billion, she would certainly be willing to spend it for her precious son. Of course, the premise is that you must be loyal to the Koenji Conglomerate. Or loyal to me; even though my father is a small fry, he can still scrape together a few hundred million yen." "I believe you! Minya, count me in!" Oda seemed to have financial difficulties at home, and he made his decision immediately upon hearing about the 100 million yen. "Count me in too. Although I'm not particularly desperate for 100 million, working at the Koenji Conglomerate sounds good. I came to this school to secure my future anyway, and it seems standing out in this school isn't as easy as it looks..." That was Sonoda's reply. "I don't care much about Koenji, but I'm with you! Minya, you're a reliable guy. Especially for being so upfront with us about this so early on—I admire that, I really do." Suzuki was moved by my charisma and said as much. "Good brothers! Thank you for thinking highly of me. From now on, we are partners in the same boat! Of course, the task isn't as serious as you might imagine. Young master Koenji is a genius; barring any accidents, we can fully enjoy our campus life without having to lift a finger. It's quite possible that I'll be the one expelled while he's still thriving, haha!" I didn't want to put too much pressure on them, so I added that. "Is that so? Then we've hit the jackpot!" Oda said with a laugh. "What exactly should we do, Minya?" Sonoda asked. "Accumulate private points. As the saying goes, money makes things easier. If points really can buy anything like Sakagami-sensei said..." "Are we starting with the upperclassmen?" Suzuki realized. "Exactly. Especially the third-years. They've been here for two years, so they should have quite a bit of savings. Especially the upperclasswomen. Although some girls spend a lot of money, most of them have a strong sense of saving. And when faced with the opportunity to get close to young master Koenji, they are even more..."