Following the Mainstream is Human Nature

When he woke up the next day, there was no one left by his side. What happened yesterday felt just like a dream; if only it had actually been a dream.

"Good morning, Kikyo."

"Good morning, Ju Ji... pfft!"

He had run into the person he least wanted to see in the elevator first thing in the morning. After greeting him with a cute expression like a little angel, Kikyo immediately changed her face, actually giving him the middle finger with a look of disdain. It seemed he really had gone too far with what happened yesterday.

He didn't even know when she had woken up and left; Ju Ji hadn't noticed a thing. In some respects, his sleep quality was truly excellent.

It was the second day of school. Since it was the first day of actual classes, most of the time was spent on explanations regarding study policies and the like.

The teachers were all very cheerful, even friendly to the point where it didn't feel like a preparatory school. Many students must have been greatly disappointed by this. Even Sudo had already put on the airs of a big shot, sleeping soundly through almost every class. Although the teachers noticed, they had no intention of reprimanding him.

Many students were similar to Sudo; some played on their phones, others read manga, and Ike was even playing games. The teachers didn't exert any control. Surely, this behavior alone had already cost them quite a few points.

Whether or not to attend class was the students' freedom, so the teachers did not interfere. Was this the school's way of responding to high school students who were no longer in compulsory education?

Of course not. This was the school's initial method to numb the students, a way to test whether they possessed excellent qualities.

In this relaxed and pleasant atmosphere, lunchtime arrived.

"Everyone, could you please not leave yet? I have something important to tell you all, and it will be over very quickly. As compensation, I'll treat everyone to a meal later."

Just as planned, Hirata stood up and said these words. Hirata was quite popular in the class, and with the temptation of a free meal, most people stopped moving to leave their seats.

As expected, this person occupied the position of a winner in life within the class. Without his help, they wouldn't have been able to achieve this much.

"What is it? I have things I need to do."

While some agreed, there were, of course, those who didn't want to waste their time on this.

"Everyone, please, I'm begging you, just listen for a moment, okay? I believe it will be helpful to everyone."

Even in the state she was in yesterday, Kikyo still remembered Ju Ji's request. And she had executed it without any hesitation; she really was an angel.

"Since Kushida said so, listening isn't out of the question."

"I'll do it for Kushida's sake."

And as expected of someone who claimed during self-introductions that she wanted to be friends with everyone in the class, she was very popular not just with the boys, but with the girls as well. Her goal had truly been achieved. If Ju Ji's

Friend System

appeared on Kikyo, she would be invincible.

At the same time, the two of them nodded at Ju Ji, signaling that he could proceed. Ju Ji stepped onto the podium with Horikita following behind him. She took out the projector they had purchased and cast the images onto the blackboard.

"[Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to listen to me. By now, everyone must be feeling strange about the relaxed atmosphere of this school.

Furthermore, the number of surveillance cameras in this school has reached an abnormal level. Yesterday, Horikita and I toured the school together and discovered several problems.

First, in various facilities throughout the school, there are relief measures for students who have run out of points, such as free items in supermarkets and cafeterias. Don't you all find this abnormal?

Second, there are people in the school wearing various expensive jewelry. As far as I know, these people come from the top three classes—A, B, and C—and many people are eating the unpalatable relief meals in the cafeteria; these people come from Class D. Since 100,000 points are deposited every month, even with excessive spending, this is far too abnormal.

Third, this is a photo taken of the small blackboard where the class points for the second and third years are posted. Don't you think Class D's points are too low? Moreover, the rankings are ordered from one to many based on the class sequence. Could the point gap between these classes really be this large all the time?

Fourth, the number of students in the second and third years clearly doesn't match the number when they enrolled. Given the atmosphere we feel now, does this school really have no failing students? If so, where did these failing students go, and why is this school able to maintain a 100% employment rate? I am more inclined to believe that the worst students in this school have been expelled.

And according to information I bought from Chabashira-sensei for 10,000 points, my hypothesis is correct. Students who fail the midterm exams in two months will be expelled.]"

While having Horikita change the photos in the projector, Ju Ji recounted the information he had discovered while touring the school. Combining text and images made it easier for people to believe him. To be safe, he also used a skill called Hypnosis, which in reality functioned as a form of suggestion.

He didn't know when, but Chabashira-sensei had also arrived at the door, though she had no intention of coming in. Of course, Ju Ji hadn't bought information from Chabashira-sensei; that was just a lie. However, Chabashira-sensei didn't seem to have any intention of exposing him.

"Expelled for failing exams? Are you kidding me!"

"These are all just guesses, how can you prove that what you're saying is true!"

"Don't waste our time, alright."

Ju Ji currently had no prestige in this class, so naturally, many people wouldn't believe him—or rather, if it weren't for Hirata and Kikyo being there, these people would have already run off.

"[Of course there is no evidence, but there is one matter that concerns everyone's immediate interests. How many points will be deposited next time? I previously asked Chabashira-sensei a question, and the answer given at the time was that as long as we fulfill our duties as students, there will be no problems.

Does this not mean that whether or not we attend class properly will affect the school's evaluation of us, thereby affecting the number of points we receive?

Therefore, I propose: can everyone attend classes on time and properly observe student regulations and study for the first month? I believe that after one month, the results will come to light. I'm begging you all, just hold on for one month.]"

"I feel like holding on for a month isn't really a big deal, and isn't studying hard our duty anyway?"

"I feel like since Shinomiya-kun dares to do this, he must be sure of himself."

"It would be troublesome if we don't get points next month."

In reality, after hearing Ju Ji's argument, many people were tempted, and in their hearts, they mostly believed his claims. Because many of them had also discovered the information Ju Ji mentioned, they just hadn't paid any attention to it.

"Are you kidding me? This is a waste of my own time."

Of course, there were still some who didn't want to do this.

"Everyone, please trust Shinomiya-kun just this once. He has no reason to deceive us. You all came to this school with the intention of studying hard, didn't you?"

"I also beg everyone."

"Although it sounds absurd, this is indeed the truth. Of course, everyone has their own choices; the decision is ultimately up to you."

Just as they had discussed beforehand, Hirata, Kikyo, and Horikita also voiced their thoughts. One person's argument might not carry weight, but what about four? Now, everyone would take it seriously. The saying "three men make a tiger" applies here as well.

"Since that's the case, let's take a vote by show of hands. Those who agree with this, please raise your hands."

Finally, seeing that everyone was still a bit hesitant, Hirata suggested deciding whether to implement this through a vote by show of hands.

First, Ayanokoji, as previously discussed, raised his hand along with Karuizawa. Seeing others raise their hands, the majority also signaled their approval; after all, no one wanted to be isolated, and they had come to this school with the intention of studying hard in the first place.

However, there were those with other ideas.

"What a joke. Go play this house-game by yourselves. I'm not participating."

That was Sudo, the unstable factor. Ignoring the atmosphere in the room, he walked straight out of the classroom. Fortunately, the other unstable factor, Koenji, did not oppose the matter.

In the end, the motion passed with a unanimous vote from the remaining students, and seeing this, Ju Ji felt a sense of relief in his heart.

At the very least, Class D would not receive zero points next month. But as for how many points they would ultimately receive, that would be left to fate.

"Since everyone has agreed to this, let's all work hard and study diligently for this month. If anyone needs help with their studies, feel free to ask me or Kushida. Now, for the treat we promised."

Hearing about Hirata's treat, most of the students cheered.

Meanwhile, Chabashira-sensei at the door had left at some point, as if she had never been there at all...