Can't Hold On Anymore

Kitagawa Kai curled the corners of his lips into a smile: "Is Ichinose-san wondering when we should go and sell the information to Class C and Class D again?"

"Ah, yes, exactly, that's just what I was thinking~"

"Hmm! Since this information has value to Class A, it should be the same for Class C and Class D, right?"

"They don't know the rules, so they might end up losing a lot of Class Points. If we tell them, we could earn some more points ourselves."

Ichinose Honami's thought process remained consistent, underscored by her unique kindness and the hope that "everyone can do well."

Kitagawa Kai shook his head.

"Class C and Class D are different situations."

"Class C can't be sold to right now. Under Ryuen Kakeru's high-pressure control, once they learn the rules, they likely won't lose many points at all, and they would instead become dangerous opponents."

"As for Class D, they are a scattered mess lacking cohesion; I doubt many students there would be willing to pay points, and we wouldn't get a good price."

For intelligence like this, there has always been only one buyer: Class A.

After all, Class A doesn't know the rules, yet they won't lose many points regardless.

Class C is just an incidental target.

As for Class D, their points are likely almost all spent by now.

Kitagawa Kai summarized: "Therefore, now is not a good time to sell intelligence to Class C; we need to wait a while at least."

"Eh... is that so?" Hearing this, Ichinose Honami's expression turned serious.

Kanzaki Ryūji, having finished studying the mural, caught up to the two of them and calmly added:

"Kitagawa-kun means that if Class C learns the rules too early, they will instead pose a threat to us?"

"And because Class D cannot organize themselves, they might not be able to afford it."

Ichinose Honami quickly understood the logic of her two companions, yet a trace of reluctance and hesitation remained between her brows.

"Exactly." Kitagawa Kai smiled, "The first step was completed well. Let's head back; I expect everyone in class is waiting for our news."

When the three returned to the classroom, Class B immediately erupted into a buzz of excitement.

"Kitagawa, Ichinose, and Kanzaki are back!"

"How did it go? How did it go?" Shiranami Chihiro was the first to rush over, unable to contain herself, and the other students cast eager gazes as well.

Ichinose Honami walked toward the podium, facing the entire class, a smile full of joy blooming on her face.

"Everyone!" Her voice was crisp and bright, "The deal was a success! Class A has paid one million Private Points in exchange for information regarding the hidden rules!"

"Ohhh--!!"

"We really got them?"

"That's great! We can do so many things now!"

"Kitagawa-kun is truly amazing! Ichinose too!"

School building rooftop.

The afternoon sun was somewhat blinding, and a breeze blew past, bringing a hint of coolness.

"You came."

The voice came from the side of the rooftop entrance.

Kitagawa Kai turned around and saw Hoshinomiya Chie standing there, leaning against the concrete railing.

She wasn't wearing her suit today, just a simple white shirt.

"I came."

Kitagawa Kai walked to the middle of the rooftop and stopped.

"You shouldn't have come."

Hoshinomiya Chie turned around, pretending to be cold.

"Wasn't it Hoshinomiya-sensei who called me here?"

Kitagawa Kai pulled his phone from his pocket, lit up the screen, and gestured with the message toward her.

"..."

"Haha~"

Hoshinomiya Chie took two steps forward, hands on her hips; this posture made her look more like a big sister from next door.

"Is that so? Little Kitagawa, don't be so serious."

"Call me Chie-chan, okay~"

Her hair swayed gently in the wind, and a faint fragrance drifted over—not perfume, but the lingering scent of gardenia shampoo.

"Sensei..."

"It's Chie-chan."

Before the words had even faded, she suddenly took a step forward.

The distance between them vanished in an instant.

Kitagawa Kai could even see the tiny shadows cast by her eyelashes in the sunlight and count the delicate texture of the cotton at the collar of her shirt.

Then, she reached out and gently took hold of his wrist.

Her fingertips were slightly cool, yet her palm was warm.

She guided his hand, slowly lifting it until it rested against the left side of her chest.

Kitagawa Kai tried his best to move his fingers, attempting to pull away, but it was all in vain.

His physical stats at 7 were as brittle as paper.

"Will you, or won't you?"

Even though he knew this teacher in front of him didn't lead the most disciplined life.

Her appearance was truly stunning, however.

He couldn't hold out.

Xiao Chunan was really struggling to hold out.

He should go back and keep Yiguan company.

"Alright, Chie."

"What did you call me here for?"

"I wanted to ask little Kitagawa for a favor!"

She maintained that overly intimate distance, her voice dragging out, soft and long.

"Is it about Teacher Chabashira Sae?"

Upon hearing that name.

The wind seemed to stop, and the rooftop at noon fell into a terrifying, deathly silence.

Hoshinomiya Chie's expression suddenly turned cold, and she stared fixedly at Kitagawa.

"How do you know about that?"

"Secrets make a man more charming, you know~" Kitagawa deliberately mimicked the slightly breathy, airy tone she had used earlier.

"You really are wicked, little Kitagawa~"

The icy coldness on Hoshinomiya Chie's face lasted only for the briefest of moments before melting away like snow under the spring sun.

"However, if you can help me lower Class D's Class Points just a little bit..."

"I can give you whatever you want." Her voice dropped even lower, like a feather brushing against his most sensitive eardrum, "Anything at all~"

He couldn't do anything at all.

"How many points can you pay?"

Business is business.

Even though he knew Class D's points would be wiped to zero in the first month.

He didn't need to do anything at all.

But who said one couldn't collect a salary just because they didn't do any work?

"What a boring man you are," she chuckled lightly, finally stepping back half a pace.

"I can pay you 500,000 Private Points upfront as a deposit."

"After the deed is done, as long as Class D's points meet my expectations, I will pay you another 500,000."

It would definitely meet them.

"That amount makes things very difficult for me."

"I require 100,000,000 paid upfront, and I will absolutely give you a satisfactory answer."

Who knew if Hoshinomiya would pay the remainder once she knew the truth?

"Oh?"

"I need points to bribe people in Class D; how am I supposed to get things done without them?"

"Teacher, you don't really think that just a few empty promises, or..."

Kitagawa Kai paused, sweeping his gaze pointedly over her exquisitely made-up face, "...a bit of personal charm, is enough to make the students of Class D willingly cooperate, do you?"

Hoshinomiya Chie fell silent.

After thinking for a long time.

She finally spat out a single word: "Fine."

"Pleasure doing business with you, Chie."

"Then, I shall await your good news, little Kitagawa." Hoshinomiya Chie cast one last look at him, her gaze complex.

After saying this, he turned around decisively and walked straight toward the rooftop exit.

[Beep-beep!]

[Notification: Personal School Point Account Deposit]

[Sender: Anonymous]

[Amount: 1,000,000]

[Current Balance: 1,420,000]

Truly, the sound of heaven.

Kitagawa Kai reached one hand into his trouser pocket and pressed his thumb gently against a small indentation on the side.

"Click."

A faint, mechanical sound of a mechanism resetting.

Recording, ended.

Before entering the rooftop, Kitagawa Kai had secretly activated the recording function.