"The students from Class B approached us with a proposed deal concerning hidden rules." Katsuragi Kohei's voice rang out as he recounted the conversation in the hallway, including Kitagawa Kai's proposal and Ichinose Honami's explanation.
"They're asking for one million, and they offered to have Mr. Mashima act as a witness and judge whether the information is worth that price."
"What? The school has hidden rules?"
"How is that possible?"
"One million?!"
"Has Class B gone mad? What information could possibly be worth a million?"
The Class A students exclaimed in hushed voices, their faces full of shock.
"It seems you've encountered an interesting problem, Katsuragi."
At some point, Sakayanagi Arisu had closed her book and walked over with her cane.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, Kitagawa Kai and Ichinose Honami from Class B just came to us with this." Katsuragi handed her the contract.
Sakayanagi Arisu skimmed the contract, then looked up at Katsuragi with her distinctive smile.
How interesting.
"A very interesting proposal. I agree."
What good does your agreement do?
Katsuragi hasn't said anything yet.
Totsuka Yahiko could not help speaking up. "One million points is no small sum. There's a lot we could do with that. Rather than pay for a rule Class B discovered, why don't we just ask Mr. Mashima directly..."
"Yahiko, if Mr. Mashima knew, or was willing to tell us, Class B wouldn't have come to us," Katsuragi Kohei said gravely.
"What Class B discovered must be something we need to observe for ourselves. Mr. Mashima probably won't tell us."
"But one million points..." Totsuka Yahiko wanted to say more.
"We can always earn more points, but once an opportunity is gone, it's gone," Sakayanagi Arisu interrupted softly. "Besides, you must have noticed there's something a little off about this school."
Katsuragi's gaze sharpened. He had vaguely sensed something, but had yet to think deeply about it.
A moment later, he made his decision.
"Sorry for the trouble, Fujiyama (Extra A), but please go get Mr. Mashima. We agree."
"Yes!" Fujiyama answered, immediately turning to leave the classroom.
"Yahiko, collect the points from everyone in class."
Although most Class A students were shocked by the figure of one million points, they showed a high degree of compliance with Katsuragi and Sakayanagi's decision.
No one questioned it aloud. They simply took out their student terminals in silence, preparing to transfer the points.
Before long, Totsuka Yahiko turned to Katsuragi and lowered his voice. "Katsuragi, we've collected all the points."
Katsuragi Kohei opened the door and invited the three Class B students waiting outside into the room.
Almost everyone recognized Kitagawa Kai on sight as the person who had rushed into their classroom carrying Sakayanagi not long ago.
"Isn't that the funny guy?"
"So he's Kitagawa."
"Shh! Keep your voice down!" His deskmate hurriedly stopped him, glancing toward Sakayanagi Arisu by the window before quickly looking away.
"Classmate Sakayanagi, long time no see." Kitagawa Kai greeted Sakayanagi Arisu with a smile.
"Kitagawa-kun, so this was what you had in store for me."
"You know I always keep my word."
"What a delightful surprise. It seems this school finally won't be quite so boring."
Sakayanagi Arisu gave a curtsy befitting a young lady, though her face bore the pride of a genius.
Arrogant!
Because Kitagawa Kai had challenged the club,
Sakayanagi Arisu had failed to earn enough points from the chess club.
Just now, when Totsuka Yahiko collected points from the whole class, her share had not come from her own account.
Instead, several classmates close to her had covered it for her.
Who knows what she's so proud of.
Just then, Mr. Mashima Tomoya appeared in the doorway as well.
Dressed in a crisp suit, he looked sharp and efficient.
"You need me to act as a witness, correct?"
"I've read the contract."
Mashima Tomoya paused, his gaze sweeping across everyone. "As I understand it, Class A agrees to pay one million personal points in exchange for specific information from Class B regarding the school's hidden rules."
"Yes, Mr. Mashima." Katsuragi Kohei expressed no objection.
He took the contract that had already been signed and briskly added his own name.
However, his gaze passed over Party B's signature again, where the name Ichinose Honami was clearly legible.
Why isn't it Kitagawa Kai's name? Does Class B have two factions too?
Or can Ichinose bring even someone like Kitagawa Kai under her command?
An equation instantly formed in Katsuragi Kohei's mind:
Ichinose > Kitagawa >= Sakayanagi = me?
Hmm?
Talk about pressure.
What a terrifying girl~
As the points were transferred, Kitagawa Kai handed Katsuragi Kohei the notebook containing the school rules.
"Well then, everyone in Class A, it's been a pleasure doing business with you. I hope this information will be of help to your class."
Ichinose Honami's heart finally settled. She quietly let out a relieved breath, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at Kitagawa Kai.
The three politely said their goodbyes and left the Class A classroom, where the atmosphere remained somewhat delicate.
"Kitagawa-kun, you're amazing! One million points... we really got them!" Unable to contain her excitement, Ichinose Honami lightly clapped her hands in front of her chest, a smile blooming on her face.
The movement made her straighten her upper body slightly, and beneath her fitted school uniform shirt, her full curves rose and fell gently with her breathing.
Kitagawa Kai's gaze instinctively followed her movement.
A D?
Let me take another look.
No, an F.
Impossible to gauge. What a terrifying girl.
The momentary swell contrasted sharply with the girl's innocent, delighted smile, and his gaze could not help lingering a little longer.
In that brief moment, Ichinose looked at him and caught him red-handed.
"Kitagawa-kun, what are you doing?!" The smile on Ichinose Honami's face froze instantly, and then she flushed scarlet from her neck to her ears.
As though she had received an electric shock, she folded her arms across her chest and turned slightly sideways, trying to conceal the curves she had unconsciously accentuated just now.
Her eyes were wide, filled with panic and a barely perceptible hint of reproach.
[Ding!] [Ichinose Honami's affection level +4. Current affection level: 52 (friend)] [Affection level reward received: Master-level Painting]
Walking a little behind them, Kanzaki Ryūji, who had been about to analyze what came next, shut his mouth at precisely the right moment.
He shifted his gaze from the two of them to a painting on the hallway wall and deliberately slowed his steps a little.
This painting sure is a painting.
"Ahem." Kitagawa Kai quickly withdrew his gaze and explained sincerely:
"Sorry, I spaced out just now."
Ichinose Honami looked at him suspiciously, the blush on her cheeks yet to fade.
Kitagawa Kai's expression was too composed, his eyes too clear, without a single flaw.
"I-is that so..." she muttered. To escape the subtly awkward atmosphere, she hurriedly changed the subject. "But, um, these points, and, um, about that rule..."