All the slips were collected, which meant that everyone in Class A had explicitly agreed to use their points to buy the hidden rules.
So, at this stage, Class A was still quite united. They were willing to make certain sacrifices for the good of their class.
The people following behind Yuki Gyakukai began silently analyzing Class A.
They could only say that it was better than they had expected.
Soon, Yuki Gyakukai quickly scanned all the slips he had collected.
Next came the part everyone had been waiting for: announcing the average number of points.
"The average is 388,000. That's about what I expected. So, are you sure you want to buy the hidden rules I have at a price of 388,000 per rule?"
"Of course. But are you sure the hidden rules you have are genuine school rules?"
Well, well. Sakayanagi Arisu, you really are a malicious little runt.
You had a smile on your face, but you were rotten inside.
The people in Class A had been relieved that 388,000 was a good price for a hidden rule, but then they thought it over, and their expressions changed.
If the hidden rules were fake, all the points they spent would go down the drain, and everything they had worked for up to now might turn out to be a joke.
Everyone immediately turned their attention to the people at the front of the classroom.
"Don't worry, everyone. I can guarantee that the rules are real. We'll use a contract as proof."
As he spoke, Yuki Gyakukai looked toward Tomoya Mashima beside him.
"Mr. Mashima should know that contracts at this school are widely used to ensure that no one gets cheated."
"That's right. A contract only takes effect when the first party, the second party, and a witness all attest to it. Otherwise, it is considered invalid."
His words were not only meant for the students in Class A; they were also a reminder to the people in Class B.
"Thank you for explaining, Mr. Mashima. If possible, please give me a sheet of paper. I'll draft the contract here, in front of everyone."
First party: Yuki Gyakukai
Second party: All Class A students [Kouhei Katsuragi, Ai Morishita, Asuka Shiraishi...]
Witnesses: Tomoya Mashima, Chie Hoshinomiya
Contract terms: The second party will purchase a certain number of rules from the first party at a price of 388,000 points per rule.
The second party must pay all the points by the end of today.
The first party may not sell the second party any fake rules. Otherwise, the first party, Yuki Gyakukai, will automatically be expelled for fraud and must return all the points.
Secondary Rule 1: After completing the transaction, the second party's class must not engage in any actions detrimental to the first party's class for one month.
Otherwise, the second party's class must pay the first party's class 70% of its points each month as compensation. (Effective for the first semester of the first year)
Secondary Rule 2: After learning the rules, the second party's class must not disclose or sell them to other classes.
Otherwise, the second party's class must pay the first party's class 80% of its points each month as compensation. (Effective throughout the entire first year)
When the last person in Class A wrote down their name, the contract took effect.
"So, how many rules are you planning to buy?"
The question had come full circle.
Kouhei Katsuragi stood up once more and addressed everyone in Class A.
"Everyone, how about we buy three rules to start with?"
"Sure. No objections."
"Let's first see whether those hidden rules are worth buying."
"..."
The people in Class A didn't waste any time. With only a few minutes left before class started again, they all agreed with Katsuragi's suggestion.
Class A seemed to be gravitating toward Kouhei Katsuragi as its leader.
"Very well. Three rules, then.
"Rule One: The benefits the school mentioned—namely, the benefits of choosing your own career and pursuing further education—are available to Class A. The other classes are not eligible.
"Rule Two: Points are divided into Class Points and individual points. Your current individual points are your Class Points multiplied by 100, and the number of Class Points determines whether your class ranking rises or falls.
"Rule Three: With 20 million individual points, you can freely transfer to another class. The same amount can also exempt you from the penalty of expulsion."
As Yuki Gyakukai explained the three rules, they exploded in everyone's minds like a bomb.
"Expulsion penalty?! What's that? Could that be why there were so many missing students in the upper years you mentioned earlier?"
"Only Class A gets those benefits? At least we know some of the rules now, but..."
Considering that the rules were no longer known only to Class A, everyone's spirits sank, and their expressions darkened.
"There's no time to hesitate. You don't have much time left, and we'll have to return to our classrooms soon. So, are you still buying the rules?"
By now, everyone in the class had some idea that these hidden rules were connected to their future. They just weren't sure how many rules the people in Class B still had.
Some began looking toward Kouhei Katsuragi, but before he could speak again, Sakayanagi Arisu spoke up from the other side.
After all, if she didn't step forward now, she might really be left out of the class's power circle.
"Gyakukai, you must be running low on rules, right?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Based on the contract we just drafted, I gathered that the rules you have are only valid for this one month. The school wouldn't hide a large number of rules. And judging by the number of points you expected to get from selling them, my initial guess is that you have around ten rules.
"You're very capable, but you seem to have forgotten one thing: the members of Class B behind you aren't as capable as you are. Judging by their behavior, I can roughly estimate that you have about four rules left."
Clap, clap, clap!
"That's very persuasive, and quite interesting. You're very perceptive, but of course I can't tell you exactly how many hidden rules I have. They're my only bargaining chip, after all."
With that, Yuki Gyakukai turned toward Chihiro Shiramami, who was hunching in on herself, and tapped her on the head.
"Don't be so nervous. It's all right."
"I'm sorry..." Realizing that so much information had been exposed because of her, the timid Chihiro Shiramami couldn't help panicking.
"Two rules. This is our final deal. Class A also wants to draft another contract with Class B."
At that moment, Kouhei Katsuragi stepped forward with great resolve.
"We'll discuss the contract later. For now, I'll tell you the next two rules:
"Rule Four: The school has an exam called the Special Exam. Each time it takes place, Class Points will be added or deducted, and class members may be expelled.
"Rule Five: This rule is more subtle. There are surveillance cameras all over the school, but some secluded places don't have any. The school claims to value academic ability and physical strength above all else.
"So be careful during your time at this school."
Yuki Gyakukai gave the people in Class A a deliberate warning. After all, he really hated bullying and ostracism.
When he was in middle school, he had served as a school discipline committee member and had dealt with who knew how many delinquents and mean girls who picked on others.
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