Collect Half the Points

"I knew it! There's no way the school would be that generous—they were setting us up all along!"

After a brief dead silence, the classroom erupted like cold water thrown into hot oil, instantly boiling over.

A boy couldn't help slapping the desk, shouting in frustration.

"Crap! I ordered the latest game console yesterday! Good thing it was so popular I only put down a deposit and haven't been charged yet... I need to cancel it right after class!"

Another boy with glasses turned pale, frantically scrolling through his order history on his phone.

"Ah... that limited-edition dress I had my eye on yesterday..."

A girl sighed, her face full of reluctance, "Good thing I held back in the end and didn't buy it..."

"What if we really don't get 100,000 points next month? We need to figure something out!"

More faces showed anxiety and urgency.

After the shock came a rapid, realistic assessment.

The students of Class A might have different personalities, but they were far from stupid.

The chain of evidence Mazumi Mami had presented was clear, the logic rigorous—images, data, and reasoning all interlocked, forming an irrefutable argument.

They quickly realized that this seemingly idyllic campus might hide very real survival pressures.

"Alright, everyone, quiet down for a moment!"

Mazumi Mami raised his voice, lightly tapping the podium twice with his palm. The sound wasn't loud, but it carried a strange calming and commanding force.

The noise gradually subsided, and all eyes focused on him again, now tinged with a hint of dependence—he had uncovered the truth; maybe he had a solution too?

"I know everyone's worried right now, but just worrying won't solve anything."

Mazumi Mami's tone was steady, his gaze sweeping across the class. "What we need most right now are clear answers and feasible countermeasures. So, let's first hear what the teacher has to say."

He turned to the homeroom teacher, Majima Tomoya, who had been silently standing by, his attitude respectful but leaving no room for evasion.

"Then, teacher, could you please answer our questions directly? What is Class A's current 'Class Points' exactly? And, will we still receive the monthly 100,000-point individual allocation next month?"

Majima Tomoya's gaze appraised Mazumi Mami before he spoke slowly: "You're very sharp, with excellent observational and analytical skills, Mazumi."

"Thank you for the compliment, teacher."

Mazumi Mami gave a slight nod, but his questions pressed on relentlessly. "And regarding our doubts..."

"As for the questions you've raised," Majima Tomoya's tone returned to its usual stern formality, but carried a hint of bureaucratic detachment.

"All I can say is that the information I was supposed to convey was fully communicated to you during yesterday's orientation. The school's rules are clearly and completely stated."

He didn't directly answer a single specific question.

"Huh? Teacher, what does that mean?"

"Teacher! We want to know the Class Points and next month's points!"

"Please just tell us clearly, teacher!"

The students were clearly dissatisfied with this vague response. When it came to their own interests, they desperately needed a clear answer.

Mazumi Mami stared straight at Majima Tomoya and pressed again: "Is that all the answer you can give us, teacher?"

"Yes."

Majima Tomoya's tone didn't waver.

"I've said what I needed to say. If I must add anything... I can only remind you all that in this school, striving to be a 'good student' who meets all requirements in every aspect is never a mistake."

With that meaningful yet watertight remark, Majima Tomoya picked up the teaching materials and notebook from the podium, gave a slight nod to the class, and turned around, walking steadily out of the classroom without leaving any time for the students to press further or discuss.

"Ah! How can the teacher just leave like that?!"

"No way... With that kind of reaction, does it mean Mazumi was right? Are we losing the points next month?"

"It's over, over. I need to re-plan my spending for this month right away..."

The homeroom teacher's departure seemed to confirm some grim possibility, and the anxiety in the classroom spread again, buzzing with discussion.

"Alright, everyone! Quiet down and listen to me!"

Mazumi Mami clapped his hands again, his clear voice pulling everyone's attention back.

Without realizing it, he had become the core of this class, temporarily thrown into information panic.

Once everyone gradually quieted and their eyes refocused on him, Mazumi Mami continued, his voice calm and methodical.

"The teacher can't or won't answer clearly—there are naturally his reasons and limitations. But that doesn't mean we can only wait passively, helpless."

"I've already explained the basic rule of point distribution. Working backward from that, Class A should currently have 1,000 Class Points, which is the basis for our 100,000 individual points this month."

He shifted his tone, pointing out the key dilemma.

"But the problem is, we have no idea how these 1,000 Class Points are judged, how to increase them, or even what actions might cause them to be deducted."

"Since we can't 'open new sources,' what we can do first is 'cut expenses' and prepare for possible difficulties."

He paused, letting this idea sink in, then put forward a concrete proposal.

"Therefore, I propose—while we still have ample personal points, each classmate voluntarily contributes half of their personal points, that is, fifty thousand points, to jointly establish a 'Class Common Fund.'"

He raised a finger, clearly outlining the fund's purpose.

"First, to cover potential public expenses for the class, such as maintenance of shared classroom equipment and basic materials for group activities, preventing deductions due to insufficient public funds that could affect the class's overall operation."

"Second, and more importantly—this fund will serve as an emergency mutual aid reserve within the class. Campus life is long, and anyone might face sudden situations or temporary hardship, causing a shortage of personal points."

"At that time, one can apply to borrow points from the fund to tide over difficulties, returning them once the situation improves."

"I don't want to see internal conflict in Class A over points, or any classmate falling behind due to temporary difficulties. A united, mutually supportive group can better face external challenges."

His gaze swept across the class, his voice carrying a convincing sincerity.

"Preparing for a rainy day is better than digging a well when thirsty. This isn't just about points—it's about whether Class A can coalesce into a cohesive fighting force. So, does everyone agree with this proposal?"

The class fell into thought, students exchanging glances and whispering about the pros and cons.

Fifty thousand points was no small sum, but the prospects Mazumi Mami painted and the potential crises he described made them feel this might be a necessary safeguard.

In a situation with unclear information and uncertain prospects, the proposal to huddle together for warmth and build a safety net seemed highly appealing.

"To fully respect everyone's wishes, we'll hold an anonymous vote."

Mazumi Mami promptly took out his phone and posted a voting link in the class communication group.

"I'll send the proposal summary to the group. Everyone, vote your true choice without any hesitation."

Soon, the voting results appeared on everyone's phones—unanimously passed.

"Excellent!"

A faint smile appeared on Mazumi Mami's face, the satisfied smile of a plan progressing smoothly.

"Thank you for your trust and support. Now, the next issue is the selection of a manager for this common fund. Fund management requires absolute rigor, fairness, and attention to detail."

He looked toward Runa Inoue, seated in her chair.

"I propose that classmate Runa Inoue manage this class fund. Based on my personal knowledge, I can vouch that she is extremely sensitive to numbers, meticulous in her work, and highly responsible—the most suitable candidate."

"Of course, if any other classmate wishes to volunteer for this responsibility, we welcome that as well, and it can also be decided by vote."

Upon hearing this, Runa Inoue stood up and walked steadily to the podium.

Her violet eyes calm, she faced the entire class, her tone clear and earnest.

"If everyone trusts me, I will take on this responsibility. I promise that every income and expense of the fund will be recorded in detail and regularly announced in the class group, ensuring complete transparency with no favoritism whatsoever."

"I will do my utmost to safeguard this 'insurance' belonging to every one of us in Class A."

Her demeanor already gave an impression of calm reliability, and with Mazumi Mami's endorsement, it carried strong persuasive power.

"Then, regarding the appointment of the fund manager, we'll also hold an anonymous vote."

Mazumi Mami initiated another vote.

With the previous unanimous passage of the common fund proposal as a foundation, coupled with Runa Inoue's genuine reliability, and some classmates perhaps unwilling to take on this tedious and weighty responsibility, the results came quickly—Runa Inoue was elected by an overwhelming majority.

"Congratulations to classmate Inoue, and thank you all for your trust."

Mazumi Mami nodded to Runa, then faced the class again.

"Please rest assured, my companions and I will continue investigating to quickly find the exact rules for Class Point increases and decreases. Our goal is not only to protect the current 1,000 points but also to strive for bonus points!"

He emphasized in conclusion.

"In the meantime, please maintain your usual study and life routines as much as possible, but be sure to watch your words and actions to avoid any behavior that might violate school rules or damage the class's image."

"Remember, the higher our Class A score, the more secure each of our future 'personal points' will be. Internal unity and stability are the foundation for facing all external challenges."

The students nodded one after another, their anxiety replaced by a calm born of finding a pillar of support.

Mazumi Mami's timely stepping up in the crisis, his clear analysis, feasible proposals, and swift arrangements had already, imperceptibly, established a preliminary authority and trust in the minds of most classmates.

His leadership had quietly taken root after this first class on the first day of school.

In the corner of the classroom, Sakayanagi Arisu watched all of this silently.

Her slender fingers tapped lightly on the desk, a glimmer flickering deep in her violet eyes.

Mazumi Mami's combination of moves—from revealing information to guiding panic, then proposing solutions and arranging key positions—was seamless, almost completely seizing control of the class's rhythm.

She had the ability and the will to raise questions or opposing proposals, even to contend for this nascent leadership.

But... her gaze unconsciously drifted toward her small bag, where lay the bottle of Milky Nutrient Solution, still six-sevenths full.

She planned to find her father after class and have this nutrient solution tested.

The genuine improvement in her body upon waking that morning, and her longing to finally break free from the shackles of frailty, were like an invisible thread, pulling back the hand she was about to raise in dissent.

"Standing up to oppose him now is not wise..."

She judged calmly.

"Besides, his approach currently seems beneficial to the class and hasn't harmed my interests. For now... let's observe. Opportunities will come again later."

She convinced herself, temporarily suppressing that competitive impulse.

Yet, perhaps she didn't fully realize how powerful 'first impressions' and 'first-mover advantage' can be within a group.

Mazumi Mami had already carved deep impressions of "crisis revealer," "solution provider," and "temporary leader" into the hearts of Class A's students.

Sakayanagi Arisu's restraint and observation at this moment might, in the future power structure of the class, unknowingly leave her a crucial step behind.

The bell rang again, but the impact and changes brought by this lesson were far from over.

A brand-new chapter for Class A had been completely rewritten in its trajectory during this seemingly ordinary yet turbulent first lesson of the semester.