The next morning, Class A's classroom was filled with an atmosphere completely different from the day before.
Sunlight streamed in through the windows, falling across the students' upright postures.
After Mazumi Mami's revelation about the points system the day before, Class A's students were clearly taking their lessons more seriously than they had on the first day of school.
Just as Mazumi Mami had said, while they still didn't understand the precise scoring rules, paying attention in class, obeying the rules, and avoiding deductions for their class was the surest way to benefit everyone.
So whether it was Japanese or math, Class A maintained excellent classroom discipline. Even quiet conversations were rare.
The teachers noticed that this class was different from the other first-year classes and frequently gave them approving looks.
During the break after another lesson ended, the moment the teacher left the classroom and recess began, a tall figure stood up and walked to the podium.
It was Katsuragi Kohei.
Standing at the podium, his trademark bald head gleamed faintly under the lights as his calm gaze swept across the class.
He already had an air of steadiness and reliability about him, and now that he stood at the podium, everyone naturally fell quiet.
"Everyone, please listen to me for a moment."
Katsuragi Kohei's voice wasn't loud, but it carried clearly throughout the classroom.
Every student turned their attention to him.
"Another day has passed. I think that, from the little details around us, you've begun to realize that the rules this school has set for us aren't simple. From classroom discipline to every aspect of campus life, there may be scoring mechanisms we don't yet fully understand."
He paused, his tone growing more solemn. "That also helps us understand that what Mazumi said yesterday was right. The points this school gives us aren't a benefit handed out for free. They're something we have to earn through our actions."
Some students below began to nod slightly, looking thoughtful.
"So—"
Katsuragi Kohei drew a deep breath and stated the real reason he had come forward. "For the benefits we'll receive in the future, for our shared goal—for us to hold on to our place in Class A—I formally propose that Mazumi become our class leader and the central figure guiding our class."
The moment he said this, a wave of discussion swept through the classroom.
Many students had assumed Katsuragi Kohei had gone up to the podium to announce some new discovery about the school's rules, just as Mazumi Mami had the day before.
After all, Mazumi Mami's previous speeches had made such an impact that everyone had subconsciously started to expect some new rule to be uncovered every few days.
They hadn't expected Katsuragi Kohei to come forward to nominate Mazumi Mami as class leader.
"Mazumi is undoubtedly the best choice. He was the first to discover this system and share it with us. I believe that with him leading us, Class A will go far."
Katsuragi Kohei concluded firmly, "What does everyone think?"
After a brief silence, the students began voicing their opinions all at once.
"I think that's great! Mazumi really is outstanding. He ranked first on the entrance exam, and he's taught us so much useful information. He'd make a perfect class leader!"
"I don't care who it is, as long as it's not me... Being class leader sounds exhausting. You have to take care of everything..."
"I support Mazumi as class leader! He's so handsome. The class leader should obviously be the best-looking person in the class!"
All sorts of reasons mingled together. Some students genuinely recognized Mazumi Mami's abilities, some were happy to avoid the responsibility, and some supported him simply because of his looks.
Whatever their reasons, support for him becoming class leader overwhelmingly dominated the discussion.
Amid the chatter below, Mazumi Mami rose to his feet at just the right moment.
With a suitably surprised yet humble expression, he glanced around at his classmates, then gently waved his hand. "I'm not just being modest—please choose someone else who's more capable. There are plenty of classmates more suited to the role than I am. Katsuragi, for instance, would be an excellent choice..."
"Don't try to turn it down, Mazumi."
Katsuragi Kohei cut off his refusal, his tone earnest and firm. "There's no one better suited to take on this responsibility. Capable people should shoulder more responsibility."
"Yeah, don't turn it down, Mazumi!"
A girl in the front row gathered her courage and chimed in. "You're the one who told us the truth about this school. You should be class leader!"
"Exactly!"
Another boy stood up. "Only you can lead our class to a better future! I want to stay in Class A until graduation, so please lead us!"
"That's right!"
"Mazumi, don't turn it down!"
"We all support you!"
More and more voices joined, swelling into a single tide.
Standing beside his seat, Mazumi Mami looked across the expectant faces.
He gave a faintly helpless smile, then slowly walked up to the podium.
"All right. Since everyone's asking me to do this... I can hardly refuse such a heartfelt request. I'll take on the responsibility."
He stood in the middle of the podium. Katsuragi Kohei tactfully stepped aside, giving him the spotlight.
Mazumi Mami looked across the class, his tone gentle yet convincing. "I'll do my best to live up to your expectations. I promise you—we're Class A now, and we'll always be Class A."
The classroom erupted into enthusiastic applause and cheers.
"Woohoo!"
"Long live our class leader!"
"Class A is unbeatable!"
Amid the endless applause, Mazumi Mami smiled and raised a hand, pressing it downward to quiet everyone.
"But—"
His tone turned slightly more serious. "Now that I'm class leader, I ask everyone to follow my instructions. Until we fully understand the rules for earning and losing points, I'll keep a close eye on everyone's behavior. I'll be making rounds around the school from time to time, and if I catch anyone behaving badly..."
He deliberately drew out the words, his gaze carrying a hint of playful menace. "I'll be watching you all. After all, our goal is to widen the gap between us and the other classes and cement Class A's advantage. Any one student's misconduct could affect everyone's interests."
"Don't worry, class leader!"
A boy in the back row thumped his chest as he promised, "Following the rules is a basic quality of every Class A student!"
"Right," a girl beside him chimed in. "I passed by Class D this morning and saw several of their students were late. They can't even manage something as basic as getting to class on time. I wonder how they even got into this school..."
"Forget Class D," another boy whispered as he joined the conversation. "I went to the bathroom during break and heard fighting in one of the stalls. Later, I heard it was Ryuen Kakeru from Class C who dragged a few people who wouldn't obey him into the bathroom to 'teach them a lesson'..."
"Whoa... That's so brutal..."
"Looks like Class A really is better. At least we don't have violent incidents like that."
The students began discussing it among themselves, their words unconsciously taking on a tone of superiority.
Happiness was all relative. Seeing the disorder and chaos in the other classes only made the Class A students feel more strongly attached to their own class.
Amid the applause and chatter, Mazumi Mami stepped down from the podium and returned to his seat.
Sakayanagi Arisu, sitting in the corner of the classroom, had watched everything in silence.
She hadn't voted, voiced her support, or raised any objections.
Her slender figure sat quietly in her seat as her violet eyes calmly followed the entire "transfer of power."
"So... he's got everyone eating out of his hand."
She thought to herself, the corners of her mouth curling into an inscrutable smile. "I don't even have a chance to oppose him."
She gently held a lock of hair against her chest, her gaze settling on the back of the newly appointed class leader in the row ahead.
"Very well... Let's see just how far Class A can go under your leadership."
"And now that someone else is carrying the responsibility of leadership, I can focus on studying my chess openings without worry."
"Tolerance and forbearance... They're easy enough to talk about, but how are you supposed to put them into practice...?"
She looked away and turned her attention back to the textbook lying open before her.
The morning light was beautiful, and a new day had only just begun. Class A, too, had officially welcomed its leader.