Hirata's Speech, Class Integration Begins

Tsukishima strolled into the cafeteria, bought a Curry Set Meal, and sat down in a corner to eat.

He wasn't about to buy two of the most expensive set meals—that was just lip service; no one actually took it seriously, right?

His points were all painstakingly scammed out of others; he had to spend them frugally.

[Kushida]: Tsukishima-kun, nice work~ Yamauchi and Ike look greener than the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal right now.

[Kushida]: If it weren't for Hirata Superman protecting them, they'd already be beaten up by Sudo. Class D's trio is completely fractured! So happy!

[Kushida]: I'm so jealous, you really let them have it!

[Kushida]: Why aren't you saying anything?

[Tsukishima]: Eating. Don't you know "no talking while eating or sleeping"?

[Kushida]: So you're talking with your hands? This is a phone chat, you know!

[Tsukishima]: Don't sweat the details. Yamauchi and Ike might have broken with Sudo, but they won't necessarily break with each other. People without a circle get bullied; they're not stupid.

[Kushida]: That makes sense. But what are you going to do about Class C?

[Tsukishima]: Class C? What's that got to do with me? That's Hirata's problem, right? He just needs to go down the Class D roster, talk to each one, build some empathy, then come borrow some points from me, and it's done.

[Kushida]: You're going to lend out points? Who are you? You're not the pervert I know!

[Tsukishima]: [Rolls eyes] I didn't say I'd lend them. Just because he comes to me doesn't mean I have to. I'll see how it goes. I'm planning to buy a computer and a Digital Tablet anyway; I probably won't have many points left by then.

[Kushida]: What a fat cat. No wonder Yamauchi and Ike went after you—I'd want to go after you too.

[Tsukishima]: Heh, I'll draw you in my Sketchbook sooner or later!

[Kushida]: Sure, want me to come to your room tonight and strike a pose?

[Tsukishima]: Get lost. No need.

Buzz~

[Ichinose]: Tsukishima-kun, I heard what happened... Don't be too upset.

[Tsukishima]: [Question mark] I won't ask how you already know about something that just happened, but I do want to ask why I'd be upset?

[Ichinose]: Huh? You're not upset? Having that kind of conflict with everyone in class...

[Tsukishima]: [Pig sigh.jpg] There's no conflict, and no "everyone." Well... anyway, I'm doing fine.

Tsukishima's eyes flickered as a plan came to mind.

[Tsukishima]: Hey, Ichinose, how about an alliance between Class B and Class D?

[Ichinose]: An alliance? But Class D...

[Tsukishima]: I know. Class D isn't united and we're weak, but we have a common enemy. Class C is our common enemy!

[Ichinose]: But... [Scratching head.jpg]

[Tsukishima]: You know Class D is short on points, right?

[Ichinose]: You're not thinking...

[Tsukishima]: Yeah. You spend the points, we spend the time and energy to harass and attack Class C, mess with their morale, mess with their mindset, so they don't have time to deal with Class B. Win-win!

[Ichinose]: But Class C is used to fighting. Won't everyone in Class D be in danger?

[Tsukishima]: How could that be? At worst, they'll just get harassed. As long as they're careful, it's totally fine!

[Ichinose]: Hmm... I'll think about it. Also, you're not planning to have me give you the points, and then you communicate with everyone in Class D, are you?

[Tsukishima]: Huh? How did you know?

[Ichinose]: So you really were trying to embezzle them?!! You can't do that!

[Tsukishima]: Tch, as expected of the Archangel who rules Class B. Saw right through me, huh?

[Ichinose]: If you're short on points, you can tell me. I can lend them to you, Tsukishima-kun. Just don't do things like this.

[Tsukishima]: Hail the Archangel, praise the Archangel, amen~~

In the afternoon, the class atmosphere was a bit silent, but at least it was much quieter.

Tsukishima sat in his seat as usual, except today he rarely didn't raise his hand to ask questions. Instead, after glancing at Hirata, he started editing a document on his phone.

The bell for dismissal rang.

Tsukishima stood up and took two steps forward. The person in front of him had already lowered their head to make way.

He didn't pay it any mind and just followed the path out.

He also sent the document to Hirata.

After he left, the class started whispering among themselves.

"Tsukishima... he's really arrogant!"

"If you don't like it, go teach him a lesson."

"...Better not. You'll get expelled..."

"Tch, you're just scared!"

Takara Temple stood up, sweeping his gaze over the few people. "How utterly ugly."

With that, he left.

Hirata sighed, rose to his feet, and clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Everyone, please quiet down. I have something to say about Class D, about us, and about Tsukishima."

His authority was considerable, so everyone sat down.

He quietly placed his phone on the lectern, unnoticed by all except Kiyotaka Ayanokouji.

"About Class D—I think you all know by now... They say Class D is a batch of defective products, and it's true that each of us has our own flaws and problems. But at the same time, the fact that we're sitting here means we're not completely useless!"

His voice grew impassioned.

"Sudo Ken, impulsive by nature, not great at academics, but his athletic ability is outstanding! The seniors in the basketball club all praise Sudo's skill on the court, and he even has a shot at the national tournament!"

Sudo looked away, snorted, and said nothing.

"Hasebe Haruka, though she can be sharp-tongued, her straightforwardness is also a strength. Who wants a friend full of hidden agendas? Besides, she's strikingly good-looking—she could easily become a model."

"Tonokura Hideo, though he's quiet in class, I once happened to see you chatting away at an electronics store. Tonokura, you're really skilled with electronic devices."

"..."

He began calling out names one by one, not even leaving out Horikita Suzune, though she didn't seem particularly appreciative.

Hirata didn't mind. He glanced at his phone.

"As for that arrogant Tsukishima you all talk about—do you know why he can work at the shop? Because he went to see the Chairman. He managed to get special permission from the Chairman himself!"

"He earned over a million points in less than half a month since school started. He stayed alert while the rest of us drowned in pleasure. He studied quietly amidst our noisy chatter."

"He really doesn't care about the class, but like he said—did we ever care about the class?"

Hirata spoke with deep regret. "I, as class representative, was just as lost in the false joy of those 100,000 points after school started, paying no attention to classroom discipline. I felt something was off, but I didn't even raise a warning!"

"..." Kiyotaka Ayanokouji watched Hirata's impassioned speech, then glanced at the classmates hanging their heads in shame.

Were you writing a speech on your phone this afternoon?

But Tsukishima, you're not the type to observe your classmates closely. So did you just give Hirata an outline and let him run with it?

Tsukishima pulling the strings behind Hirata, Hirata ruling the class according to Tsukishima's methods—ruling from behind the curtain... The class seems to be uniting...

Next up is the points.

He looked at Horikita, who was frowning. Are you impatient to leave? You haven't seen through Tsukishima yet...