Chapter 36

"You're the one who keeps donating to the class fund..." Ibuki sang out in disagreement.

"Don't be silly. I genuinely want to help everyone... Otherwise, wouldn't it be faster and easier to skip donating and just save up enough points to transfer classes on my own? I simply don't want to do that. The school's intention is for us to learn to use the power of the group through competition." I turned to face her without a trace of fear and easily convinced her.

"That's true..."

"So let's all support Ryuen and work together! Taking down Class D also reduces the number of our competitors. It might even be possible to bring Class D under our control. Don't sigh when our Class Points go down or cheer when they go up. We still have a long three years ahead of us. We recorded everyone's scores on the last exam, and whether you got a high score or did better than usual, you're contributing to the class. Your efforts will always be rewarded."

After hearing me out, everyone nodded, showing their approval of this system of clear rewards and punishments.

"The recorders for the Class Merit Ledger will take turns. Last time, Komiya and Yajima started us off. Beginning next week, we'll randomly select people who haven't done it before, with one boy and one girl recording together. The pair will change every two weeks... Of course, busy people like Ryuen and me are voluntarily opting out. Does anyone have any other suggestions?"

The classroom immediately filled with discussion, but no one raised a hand.

"If there are no objections, then we're done here! Oh, one more thing! Please keep all of our class policies secret from outsiders. And please don't betray the class. If a traitor is found out, they'll definitely be the first target for expulsion. Well... Ryuen might not let you off with something as simple as expulsion... If anyone tries to bribe or threaten you into betraying the class, you can pretend to agree to buy time, then come straight to Ryuen or me. That'll earn you a lot of credit! And if you run into trouble you can't handle, report it to the class. Falling into another class's trap on your own would be pretty stupid."

No one objected, so I sat down, satisfied.

"Kitazawa-kun, you really are devious..." Shiina turned around and said quietly.

"Thanks for the compliment! Want to have lunch together?"

"No."

"That was a very decisive rejection... What about you, Ibuki? Want to have lunch together?" I turned around again and invited the other beauty.

"Sure! You're paying! Shiina-san, want to join us for lunch?" Ibuki agreed so readily that I was caught off guard.

"Okay." This time, Shiina nodded.

"...I feel like I've been played. When did you two get so close?"

"We're not close. The only thing we have in common is that we both hate someone."

"Who? Who's so annoying?"

"You."

"..."

I covered my face. "I'm going outside to clear my head."

I went to a quiet corner and sent an email to Nagumo-senpai.

Dear Nagumo-senpai,

I'm sorry to bother you. As you expected, your beloved Honami Ichinose has become my enemy. She's allied with the deadbeats in Class D and started helping them. We'll continue to target Class D's finances, which is also a good opportunity to weaken Ichinose. Please make sure the second-years don't lend money to the BD Alliance.

Thank you!

That took care of everything. Class 1-A looked down on Class D and wouldn't lend money to Class B and raise a tiger to their own detriment. The third-years needed points more than anyone, so they wouldn't meddle in first-year affairs either. The only uncertain factor was Horikita's older brother. But then I thought about it: as Student Council President, he couldn't act rashly. Otherwise, the backlash would be overwhelming, wouldn't it?

Ha! In that case, I could just sit at home and wait for Class D's traitors to come asking to borrow points.

Self-interest is the driving force behind all human action.

Self-interest is the driving force behind all human action. —Holbach

It hadn't been two days before a traitor came to see me, but I never expected it to be him.

"Long time no see, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji-kun. How have you been?"

Ayanokoji still had the same dead-fish eyes, as though nothing could rouse his interest.

"Thanks to you, not great. I'm out of points, and we don't get new ones until next month." Ayanokoji opened his phone and held it up for me. He had only about 2,300 points left.

"Hahahaha! Don't blame me! The world is to blame."

"I know. Can I borrow some points to tide me over? About a hundred thousand..."

Ayanokoji sounded a little embarrassed.

"You're borrowing for someone else too? Let me guess—Sudo needs some as well?"

"Of course. I won't tell him I borrowed it from you. Please understand."

"No problem, but you know the interest rate, right?" I said, taking out a contract.

"Over thirty percent monthly interest... That's a bit..." Ayanokoji was at a loss for words. At that rate, he'd have no chance of paying it back.

"Take it or leave it. We're enemies, after all... Unless..."

"Unless what? I'm not going to betray my class."

Ayanokoji seemed to have guessed what I was thinking.

"I'm not asking you to betray your class. I just want you to do me a favor. Give me a little harmless information. I'm not asking you to betray your class."

"I don't have much choice, do I..." Ayanokoji hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

I grinned and took out a special contract. I'd provide Ayanokoji with ten thousand points a month. At least this way, I'd have someone keeping an eye on Koenji at all times.

"Then I'll restore the interest rate to normal. No, I'll give you a special deal: no interest this time."

"Why do I feel like I've made a deal with the devil...? Koenji, huh? I'm afraid I'll disappoint you. He's shown no interest in fitting in with the class at all. Are you close to him?"

"Fairly close, I guess. With his personality, it's no surprise he hasn't fit in... But you can trust me. I'm a good partner to work with. Still not interested in joining our Class C? We've gathered a huge amount of personal points. If you sincerely join Class C, we can provide you with plenty of points. It's not impossible to get the twenty million points needed to transfer classes."

"...I FINAL