Tanaka Yukishin took the sports drink and watched the Track and Field Club members frantically delete their posts. A faint smile played on his lips.
He knew this was what Matsuzaka Tomohito had meant by "corroboration"—leaking just the right amount of information was more convincing than an official announcement.
Chapter 14: A Great Pull
He finally understood the meaning behind the last line of his friend's message: "You'll know what to do."
Matsushita was even friendlier toward Tanaka Yukishin now, and promptly transferred the points.
Looking at his changed account balance, Tanaka saw that it had increased by 3.5 million.
He was a little puzzled.
"How did you calculate that?"
"Two million for the consulting fee, one million as a welcome gift, and 500,000 for being friends."
So the Track and Field Club was that rich. It got a million points in funding every month.
No, that wasn't exactly rich.
Points were a currency used exclusively at Advanced Nurturing High School and couldn't be spent outside, so their real value was far lower than that of ordinary currency.
He'd suddenly realized there was a problem. Clubs varied in status, so how was he supposed to set the right price for each one?
"Matsushita-kun, could you tell me how many points I should charge each club?"
"Based on—"
"No need. I'm here."
Kiryuin Fuuka was completely dissatisfied with how Tanaka Yukishin had handled the two clubs.
She wanted to see him take on a crowd, to watch a full-scale brawl.
Not a quick, overwhelming takedown of the Black students, followed by a fitness test on the track.
That approach was certainly simple and effective.
But it was too dull.
It was like boiling a top-grade ingredient in plain water—a waste of a treasure.
The best way to serve a top-grade ingredient was to have a master chef prepare it with care.
"Tanaka-kun, as a thank-you for showing me around, add me as a friend. Just let me know when you take on the other clubs over the next few days."
"I'll rush over right away to cheer you on."
Could she at least stop grinning before saying that?
Cheer me on?
She just wanted to be there to watch the show.
Since Kiryuin Fuuka had indeed helped him find his way around, and as a guide could help him get to know the campus quickly, Tanaka Yukishin nodded and exchanged account information with her.
"Um, Tanaka-kun. Matsuzaka-kun asked me to pass something along."
"If you want to get out of school and clear your head, you can sign up under our three clubs. Then, before the competition, you can leave campus as a participant."
"Usually, depending on the competition, you can be away for three to eight days."
Their conversation came to an end, and Matsushita passed along her friend's offer.
After saying goodbye to the two of them, Tanaka Yukishin headed to the staff building.
At that moment, Chabashira Sae was looking through the students' entrance test sheets.
Why had the quality of Class D's students gotten worse and worse in recent years?
Propping her cheek up with one hand, she rapidly flipped through the test sheets with the other.
After looking at more than ten, she picked up another one, bored.
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka. Fifty in every subject! Is this a disguise or a brag?"
She looked at his personal abilities below.
Academic ability: C
Intelligence: C-
Physical ability: C-
Judgment: C-
Teamwork: D
This student lacked motivation and had no vision for his future. At this stage, it was difficult to have high hopes for him. She sensed no teamwork ability or distinct personality in him. His responses were within the range of what was acceptable for a high school student, while his academic and athletic abilities were slightly below average.
Given his special circumstances, as well as the information obtained through other channels, we determined that he was suited for Class D. We hoped he would grow as an individual while we monitored his social circle and relationships with teachers and students.
Recalling the seating arrangement from the photo, she remembered he sat in the corner at the lower left.
She added him to her list of students to watch closely. She'd pay more attention to him in class tomorrow.
She set the test sheet in her hand aside and picked up another one.
The door creaked open.
She looked toward the sound. It was the student who had thrown a paper ball that morning.
What was his name again?
Setting the test sheet down, Chabashira Sae pushed herself forward with her legs, twisting her waist to move the chair, then turned to face him.
"What do you want?"
Tanaka Yukishin took a chair from beside her and sat down, then explained why he was there.
"I wanted to ask how many points it would cost to move into a bigger apartment."
"You don't have enough points."
Another idiot. Though at least this one had a novel idea: spending points to upgrade his living arrangements.
Chabashira Sae lost interest and went back to reading the test sheets.
"I want to buy a few anonymous accounts. Surely that's allowed?"
Oh? Now this was interesting.
"The school prohibits fraud. What do you want them for?"
"One answer in exchange for one answer. How about it?"
"Fine."
"How many points for a bigger apartment?"
I must be crazy to have expected anything from this idiot.
In just a minute, Chabashira Sae's mood had changed several times:
The student's paper ball that morning had caught her attention → she lost interest when he asked about moving → he caught her attention again by asking to buy accounts → she lost interest again when he asked about moving.
Still, she'd already agreed. She might as well fulfill her duty as a teacher.
"There are three larger sizes: 50, 80, and 100 square meters. They cost 30,000, 70,000, and 100,000 points per month, respectively. The minimum lease is six months."
"How do I earn points?"
"How much will you pay me for that answer?"
"That answer will cost you 1.2 million points."
If Chabashira Sae had known the story of Lu Zhishen beating up Zheng the Butcher, she would definitely have said, "Are you trying to make a fool of me?"
"Get out, get out, get out."
"Teacher, telling a student to get out? You're unfit to teach."
"Heh. Leave, and close the door behind you."
"I still haven't bought any anonymous accounts."
"Five thousand points each. I'll sell you ten at most."
After paying Chabashira Sae 20,000 points, Tanaka Yukishin left with four anonymous accounts.
After getting rid of the idiot, Chabashira Sae took out a Wakaba cigarette, lit it, and inhaled deeply.
Ah, that was better.
Back to digging!
What a coincidence. It was the idiot's file.
Tanaka Yukishin
Age: 16
Gender: Male
Middle school: Baise Middle School
Entrance test scores
Japanese: 0
Mathematics: 0
English: 0
Science: 0
Social studies: 0
Personal abilities
Academic ability: A
Intelligence: A
Physical ability: A
Judgment: A
Teamwork: E
This student was highly independent and excelled in every area. He should have been placed in Class A.
But she sensed no teamwork ability in him.
During the interview, he was dismissive toward the interviewers.
Furthermore, based on information obtained through other channels, despite having A-level academic ability and intelligence, he had handed in blank papers for every exam in certain subjects throughout his three years of middle school.
Clearly, he had his own ideas.
As teachers, it was our responsibility to either smooth out his rough edges or make him even sharper.
After discussion among the three interviewers, he was ultimately placed in Class D.
We hoped a change of environment would spur him into action.
Tanaka Yukishin's astonishing personal abilities left Chabashira Sae dumbfounded. She didn't snap out of it until the cigarette fell from her mouth.
All A's, and an unconventional personality.
This one was something else. How could she get him on her side and make him help her move up a class?
She picked the cigarette up from the floor, dusted it off, and put it back in her mouth.
Chabashira Sae's mind began racing.
Before you continue