Chihiro Shiramami, Wanting to Live Up to Expectations

"We'll be heading off now—class is about to start."

"By the way, regarding the new contract Classmate Katsuragi mentioned, I doubt Class B will be signing it. At your current stage, your personal points aren't enough to purchase the right for Class B to sell rules to other classes."

With that, Yuki Gyakukai led the Class B students out of Class A's room.

"Gyakukai, that was incredible. I can't believe you got nearly two million points from Class A in under ten minutes."

Shibata Hayate stared excitedly at his phone. The entire Class B group chat was buzzing.

After finishing their deal with Class A, Yuki Gyakukai had already allowed them to share the details of the operation in the group chat.

After all, everyone was part of Class B—there was no need to hide certain things.

Announcing it publicly was also a way to show trust in the Class B members, strengthening their sense of belonging to the class.

Besides, they were all just high school students. They hadn't reached the age of entering society yet. A little innocence was fine—no need for constant scheming.

"It's fine. Everything went as expected. But my part is done—now it's time to hear what you all found."

On the quiet hallway, the five figures were bathed in sunlight, their shadows slanting against the wall.

The previously noisy group fell silent. The indoor shoes on their feet tapped against the floor—crisp, but not disruptive. Their thoughts began to flow.

"Gyakukai, Class A's strength can't be underestimated. The estimated amounts the Class A students submitted for purchasing hidden rules were all within a certain range."

"And that was without a leader at this stage—they judged on their own whether to contribute to the class..."

Ryuji Kanzaki's expression was serious as he recalled everything that had happened in Class A, briefly laying out what he'd noticed.

The joy of gaining 200,000 points had barely settled when Ichinose nodded helplessly.

"Yeah, Class A's atmosphere and discipline are clearly better. But from the conversations with Katsuragi and Sakayanagi, their offensive mindset seems strong—that's not a good sign for the other classes."

"And based on the hidden rules we bought and how those two acted in class, it's reasonable to guess that one of them will become Class A's leader."

Shibata Hayate frowned, staring thoughtfully at the group before speaking up.

"What you're saying is true, but when I first got to Class A, I noticed something—there are a lot of loners there, aside from the small groups."

"Of course, it might be because school just started, or because there's no leader yet."

"But for now, Class A is still a mess. If they can't unify, that's a great opening for us."

The three finished sharing their analyses, and the hallway fell silent again.

"Um..." Chihiro Shiramami, bringing up the rear, was blushing furiously. She didn't know what to say—she hadn't noticed anything and had assumed everyone else was the same. Clearly, she was wrong.

Not only that, but she felt like she'd messed something up, ruined Yuki Gyakukai's plan.

Without thinking, she lowered her head, as if she'd committed a grave sin.

"Mmph~"

Chihiro Shiramami let out a strange yelp. Yuki Gyakukai had somehow stopped in front of her and patted her on the head.

"Chihiro played a huge role in this plan, you know. People like you, who stick close to the leader, are basically part of the class core."

"When class battles come, we'll rely on you to draw the other classes' attention. So keep up the good work, Chihiro!"

"Eh~! But..."

Chihiro Shiramami flustered, trying to explain—she knew she hadn't done anything useful from start to finish.

"I see. Chihiro's presence acts as a decoy for Class B, like a hidden asset. Used properly, she could shift the situation at any time. So please don't sell yourself short, Shiramami."

Seeing Ryuji Kanzaki's dead-serious analysis, Chihiro Shiramami felt her face heat up. She covered it with both hands, hiding from everyone.

"Little Chihiro did great just now! Let's keep working hard together!"

"Huh? Does that mean Shiramami's gonna be the second-in-command in class now?!"

Stop it, everyone, please stop!

So embarrassing, wah~

What's wrong with my face?

Why does it feel so hot?

What's going on? What's going on? I didn't even do anything, and yet I'm being praised like this...

As expected, everyone in Class B is really nice.

Chihiro, you can do this! Don't let everyone down!

"Let's go, don't stand around—class is about to start. You'll cost the class points if you're late."

"Crap, we really don't have much time! I'm off first." Shibata Hayate hastily pocketed his phone and sprinted ahead.

Ryuji Kanzaki watched Shibata's flustered retreat, shook his head with a wry smile, then picked up the pace and ran too.

"Little Chihiro, let's go!" Without giving Chihiro Shiramami time to think, Ichinose grabbed her hand and pulled her along as she ran.

Chihiro Shiramami shook her dazed head.

Without thinking, she started running alongside Ichinose.

The morning sun was still bright, not harsh. Through the hallway windows, it streamed in like flowing gold, making the running figures gleam.

Everyone is so dazzling, truly!

Unconsciously, Chihiro Shiramami's eyes shifted forward, her gaze locking firmly onto that figure.

Soon, the second class also ended.

As expected, when you focus on one thing, time flies by.

As soon as class ended, clusters of people quickly gathered together, asking about the specifics of what had happened in Class A earlier.

Although the situation had already been announced in the class group chat, everyone couldn't help but be curious.

"Indeed, hearing it firsthand from someone who was there has a much better flavor."

"That's right..."

"..."

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Just as everyone was still discussing, an untimely sound interrupted the crowd's conversation.

But when they turned around and saw the figure standing at the podium, their faces filled with reverence.

What untimely sound was that?

It was clearly the leader of Class B (Tomie Queen's fiancé), about to announce something major again.