A small Class D, yet full of hidden talents.

"Gyakukai, we did what you asked. Now hold up your end of the deal."

Wearing her school uniform, the sharp-tempered Blue-Haired Little Hedgehog, Mio Ibuki, crossed her arms. Unbothered by the stares around her, she reminded Yuki Gyakukai of the promise he'd made.

"Relax. I keep my word."

This conversation, like encrypted code, left Class D completely baffled.

"See? Your so-called surveillance is useless now. So if you've got any other tricks, go ahead and use them." Yuki Gyakukai's tone dripped with contempt as he calmly watched Yousuke Hirata.

"Everyone in Class D can testify that you used violence—"

"Sorry, but what makes you think your Class D classmates will back you up?"

At Gyakukai's sneer, Yousuke Hirata's face stiffened. He turned his head, scanning the Class D students.

No one responded. Some looked indifferent, others wore expressions of disgust, and a few seemed to want to speak but were held back by those beside them.

That was it. Yousuke Hirata had always known that Yamauchi and the others had been poorly regarded since joining this class. Their frequent vulgar remarks about women had earned them contempt—it was only natural...

The atmosphere turned tense in an instant. Of course, Yuki Gyakukai wasn't about to let this end so easily.

He reached back, took the phone Ichinose was holding to record the video, reopened the footage, and played it from start to finish for Yousuke Hirata.

The images on the screen flashed before his eyes. Crude and jeering voices echoed through the entire classroom.

Yousuke Hirata, already feeling ashamed, only sank deeper into humiliation.

"What do you think? If I handed this video to your homeroom teacher, the student council, or even the school's board chairman—would these people get expelled?"

Expelled...

Like a demon's whisper, it echoed in his mind over and over, looping endlessly. But Yousuke Hirata couldn't find a way out.

He could only lower his eyes. His pitch-black pupils were a chaotic mess, stagnant as dead water. His hands clenched into fists, veins bulging along his arms as if he might snap at any moment.

After all, the classroom cameras were blocked by balloons now. It should be fine, right...

Suddenly, a hand gripped his fist. The strength was overwhelming—for a moment, Yousuke Hirata felt like his knuckles might be crushed.

"Hirata, better not act rashly. Everything can still be negotiated."

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who had been supporting Ken Sudou, had already moved to Yousuke Hirata's side.

"Hirata, don't show any openings when talking to him. Give him whatever he wants." A distinctly cool voice came from behind.

Suzune Horikita set down her book, lightly brushed her hair with her right hand, and cast a calm gaze over.

The advice she'd just given was the conclusion she'd reached after replaying her own experience from last night—though Ayanokoji had helped.

"Hah." Yousuke Hirata let out a heavy breath. His gaze, now restored to calm, fixed on the still-unmoved Yuki Gyakukai.

"What compensation do you want? Private points? An apology?"

"Both." Yuki Gyakukai's voice rang through the entire classroom, carrying an unyielding finality.

"And I also want them to promise they'll stop harassing the girls from now on. Otherwise, next time won't be this easy."

"Understood."

Those last two words seemed to drain the last of Yousuke Hirata's strength.

He turned to face the instigators of this mess. His gaze was as dark and heavy as water, devoid of even a trace of a smile.

"Apologize."

Yamauchi and the others hesitated, glancing at the computer with its deleted data, reluctant.

"Don't make me say it again. Apologize!" The second time, Yousuke Hirata's voice carried clear anger.

And so, the Class D boys who had been exchanging lewd remarks moments ago all lowered their heads and apologized. Even Ken Sudou wasn't spared.

Watching this, Hasebe's mood lifted immensely. Her smooth blue hair swayed gently.

In that moment, the Class D girls' favorability toward Yuki Gyakukai shot up.

"By the way, you're Yamauchi, right?" The questioned Yamauchi nodded timidly.

"Go apologize to Sakura. What you said earlier was basically slander."

"Eh?! No, no, no need..." Airi Sakura, sitting in the back, hadn't expected to be dragged into this. She frantically waved her hands.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I shouldn't have slandered you."

The apologies were done. The Class D boys had made their promises. Yuki Gyakukai symbolically collected 50,000 points from Yousuke Hirata, and the matter was officially closed.

Back in the classroom, a crowd immediately swarmed around him.

"Wow, Gyakukai was so cool just now! So forceful!"

"Right? But knowing he's punishing those disgusting guys, it feels reassuring."

"With a fiancé like Gyakukai, Tomie must feel totally safe."

"..."

The vain and jealous Miss Tomie, basking in the praise around her, felt her vanity swell with satisfaction.

But she kept her face composed, as if this were just a trivial matter—though her small eyes were nearly curving into crescents...

And the center of our discussion, Yuki Gyakukai, was currently contacting various parties.

[Class D, Hasebe Haruka]

"Don't tell anyone in the class that I told you to go to Class D. If you end up isolated, I won't be able to do anything about it."

Hasebe: "How could I be that stupid? Besides, I don't have any friends in Class D anyway, so there's no need to spread it around."

"By the way, you're super popular in our class right now! A lot of people are saying they want to send you love letters..."

[Class C, Mio Ibuki]

"Blue-Haired Little Hedgehog, I'm bringing you intel worth 430,000."

Mio Ibuki: "Rage! What the hell is Blue-Haired Little Hedgehog? If you give me another stupid nickname, I'll beat you to death next time."

"So what's the intel?"

Yuki Gyakukai: "Actually, the first month is all special exams. Each class starts with 1000 points, and the exam content is discipline."

Video uploading.

Mio Ibuki: "Got it, but why are you sending a video?"

Yuki Gyakukai: "Don't worry about it. Your dumb brain wouldn't figure it out anyway. Just tell your class about these two things."

[Class A, Sakayanagi Arisu & Kouhei Katsuragi]

Video uploading.

Sakayanagi Arisu: "?"

Kouhei Katsuragi: "What's this video, Gyakukai?"

Yuki Gyakukai: "Watch it yourselves. Whether you can use it or not is up to you."

Sakayanagi Arisu: "Feels like something interesting happened again today."

Inside the Class A classroom

Sakayanagi Arisu, seated in her chair, silently watched the content of the video.

"Hanyu Zaibatsu? Koenzai Zaibatsu? This school is about competing on ability, not background, right..."

Even as she said it, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't believe it herself.

"And then... Kiyotaka Ayanokoji..."