The afternoon sunlight streamed through the frosted-glass partition of the private room, casting a hazy glow across the table.
The scent of lunch lingered in the air, but the two groups seated across from each other were clearly paying little attention to the food in front of them.
Honami Ichinose sat directly across from Mazumi Mami, her hands clasped on the table, posture straight, gaze earnest.
Behind her, Chihiro Shiranami, Ryuji Kanzaki, Yume Kobashi, and Asako Amikura had taken seats or stood at her side. Though none of them spoke, their eyes were full of scrutiny and wariness.
At Mazumi Mami's side, Chisato Nishikigi, Runa Inoue, and Walnut likewise stood in seemingly casual poses that concealed their guardedness, forming an invisible circle of protection.
The two groups' gazes met, and a subtle tension quietly spread through the air.
"Looks like—"
Mazumi Mami broke the silence first. His tone was relaxed and casual, as if he were simply making small talk. "Ichinose, you've agreed to our price?"
"That's right."
Honami Ichinose nodded, her voice clear and firm. "After discussing it and holding a vote with the whole class, Class B decided to pay one million points. But—"
She put a little more emphasis into her words. "You must guarantee that the information you provide is genuine, without the slightest falsehood or omission."
"Of course."
Mazumi Mami answered without hesitation, his tone frank. "Honesty is the foundation of my business. False information might fool someone for a while, but it could never fool them forever. I don't want to ruin my reputation over a few points."
He paused, leaning forward slightly, a hint of meaning in his gaze. "However, before we officially begin the transaction, I'd like to tell you something. You may not have noticed, but the group chat app we're currently using was specially designed by the school. It's not just a simple messaging tool."
He pulled his phone from his jacket pocket, opened his personal information page, and turned the screen toward Honami Ichinose, pointing to a tiny line of text at the very bottom.
"At the bottom of the personal information page, there's an option called 'Contract.' Through this feature, we can communicate directly with the school's management system, the S System."
"Based on the terms of the transaction provided by both parties, the S System automatically generates an electronic contract with legal force, then authenticates and records it itself."
"Once the contract has been authenticated, neither party can back out. Anyone who tries to breach it will be punished by the school system. The school hasn't spelled out the specific penalties, but I suspect they're not something you'd want to experience."
He put his phone away and looked calmly at Honami Ichinose. "So you don't need to worry that I'll provide false information. Once the contract has been generated and approved, I have to provide accurate, valid information as agreed. Otherwise, I'm the one who'll be punished."
"Likewise, don't think you can try to get out of it. Once the contract is approved, that one million points has to be transferred into my account."
Honami Ichinose was taken aback.
She lowered her head and picked up her phone. Following Mazumi Mami's instructions, she opened the group chat app's settings menu. At the very bottom of the personal information page, she found a line of tiny text that was almost impossible to notice: Contract System.
She tapped the option, and a simple interface appeared on the screen. At the top was a button labeled "Initiate Contract," and below it was a section labeled "My Contract Records," which currently read "No records."
She looked up at Mazumi Mami, a complicated expression in her eyes. "...Just how much do you know about this school?"
"That depends on what you want to know."
Mazumi Mami smiled slightly, composed and confident. "As long as you offer enough points, I can help gather and provide any kind of information. That's my business policy."
"You really are a dangerous person."
Honami Ichinose spoke with a mixture of exasperation and caution.
"Not at all."
Mazumi Mami waved modestly. "I'm simply doing my duty and looking out for the interests of myself and my class. After all, that's a leader's responsibility, isn't it?"
He glanced meaningfully at Honami Ichinose. "If a leader can't secure advantages and resources for their class, how can they earn their classmates' trust and support?"
"But the one million points are going to you personally, aren't they?"
Honami Ichinose hadn't been completely swayed by his words. Her gaze remained clear and sharp. "I don't think a truly capable leader should hoard exclusive information and then sell it for personal gain. That seems a little at odds with your claim that you're 'looking out for your class.'"
"I'm afraid you're mistaken."
Mazumi Mami calmly countered her. "My maids and I gathered the information using our own time and effort. How I choose to use it is up to me."
"I haven't forced anyone to buy it, nor have I deprived the other students in Class A of any benefits they're entitled to. On the contrary, selling the information has given Class A some strategic breathing room. You can hardly say that isn't looking out for my class."
He paused, his tone growing more pointed. "Besides, even the finest leader is, first and foremost, an ordinary person. People have secrets they don't want revealed. People have selfish desires of their own."
"I think you, Honami Ichinose, might allow yourself a little selfishness, too. After all, a leader doesn't need to be a flawless saint. They need to give their followers a clear direction and tangible rewards."
As he finished speaking, Honami Ichinose's pupils contracted slightly, as if his words had struck a chord deep within her.
But Chihiro Shiranami, standing beside her, didn't stay quiet. She stepped forward sharply and glared at Mazumi Mami. "Hey! What are you trying to say? Are you saying everything about Honami is an act? That she's pretending?!"
Her voice was tinged with anger, as if he'd touched the one thing she could never tolerate.
Before her words had even left her mouth, a figure drifted to her side like a breeze.
"Oh, dear, Chihiro—interrupting while the class leaders are talking isn't very polite."
Chisato Nishikigi smiled as she placed both hands lightly on Chihiro Shiranami's shoulders, as if she were catching a kitten. Then, without warning, she deftly tickled her sides and chin.
"Eek—! Wh-what are you doing—don't touch me—hahaha—stop it—!"
Chihiro Shiranami's anger and defiance crumbled in an instant. She struggled under Chisato Nishikigi's "attack," but no matter what she did, she couldn't escape those nimble fingers.
She tried to fight back, only to find she couldn't even grab the hem of Chisato Nishikigi's clothes. All she could do was squirm helplessly, her protests breaking into breathless laughter as she grew more and more flustered.
"D-damn it—hahahahaha—Honami—help—hahaha—me—"
Honami Ichinose watched as Chihiro Shiranami, her eyes already brimming with tears from being tickled, nearly melted into Chisato Nishikigi's arms. She shook her head helplessly, turned her gaze away, and looked back at Mazumi Mami.
"...Let's draw up the contract now," she said.
"Sure."
Mazumi Mami nodded and picked up his phone as well, opening the contract interface. "Let's get started."
The two of them entered the terms of the transaction into the Contract System—
"Party A: Mazumi Mami. To provide accurate information about the rules regarding Special Exams and Class Points at Advanced Nurturing High School. If any information is false, Party A agrees to accept the corresponding penalties stipulated by the school system."
"Party B: Honami Ichinose, representing Class B. To pay Party A one million Personal Points. If the full amount is not paid by the deadline, Party B agrees to accept the corresponding penalties stipulated by the school system."
After carefully reviewing the terms, they pressed the "Confirm Contract Offer" and "Confirm Contract Acceptance" buttons at the same time.
A few seconds later, a green notification appeared on the screen—
[Contract established. Both parties authenticated by the S System. This contract is irrevocable.]
At the sight of the notification, Honami Ichinose let out a quiet breath and began using her phone. She opened the interface for transferring one million points and entered Mazumi Mami's student ID. She glanced at the enormous figure, a flicker of pain in her eyes, then gritted her teeth and pressed the confirm button.
[Transfer complete. One million points transferred to Party A's account.]
Mazumi Mami opened his personal information page. The one hundred thousand points he'd had before had increased by another million. His balance now read: 1,095,000.
One million and ninety-five thousand points.
"I've received it."
Mazumi Mami put away his phone and gave Honami Ichinose a satisfied smile. "A pleasure doing business with you. If you need any other information in the future, feel free to come to me anytime. Since this is our first transaction, I can give you a discount next time."
"I'd prefer for us to have as few transactions as possible."
Honami Ichinose gave a wry smile. "Class B can't afford prices as exorbitant as yours."
"I'll do my best."
Mazumi Mami shrugged, sounding half sincere and half resigned. "But honestly, one thing tends to lead to another. I'd rather work with you, who have plenty of points and pay promptly, than make deals with other classes. Besides—"
A mischievous glint flashed through his eyes. "You wouldn't want me taking the information to another class, would you? If Class C or Class D got hold of information that put you at a disadvantage, you'd be in an even more dangerous position."
At his words, Honami Ichinose's gaze stilled for a moment.
"...You really are a frightening person."
She spoke quietly. "I really hope you won't come to us to 'cooperate' in this way again."
"Don't worry. I won't sell this information to any other class. After all, Class A needs to protect its advantage, too."
Mazumi Mami nodded. "But I can't make any promises about other kinds of information. After all, competition is the theme of this school, isn't it?"
"I still hope our classes can coexist peacefully."
Honami Ichinose spoke earnestly.
"That's a good idea, and I agree."
Mazumi Mami smiled faintly. "Peaceful coexistence would certainly be ideal."
"Then perhaps—"
Honami Ichinose's gaze flickered slightly. "We could cooperate on a deeper level? Not just through a simple exchange of points, but on a more equal footing."
Mazumi Mami glanced at her. After a moment, he rose from his seat. "We'll see. If there's an opportunity, we can discuss it again."
He straightened his clothes, his gaze drifting toward Chihiro Shiranami, who had finally escaped Chisato Nishikigi's clutches and was glaring at him indignantly.
"But for now, we'll take our leave. If we stay any longer, the student beside you is going to devour me with her eyes."
"Hmph! At least you know it!"
Chihiro Shiranami huffed, though her voice was a little hoarse from all the struggling, which made the threat sound less than intimidating.
Mazumi Mami chuckled and turned toward the door of the private room.
Chisato Nishikigi followed at his side. Before leaving, she turned back to stick out her tongue at Chihiro Shiranami and wave, silently mouthing, "Bye-bye." Chihiro Shiranami gritted her teeth in frustration all over again.
Runa Inoue and Walnut followed on either side behind Mazumi Mami, their steps unhurried and expressions composed.
The four of them soon disappeared through the doorway, leaving the group from Class B behind.
In the quiet private room, Honami Ichinose lowered her head and stared at the notification on her phone that read, "Contract successfully fulfilled." She remained silent for a long while, then gently tightened her grip on the phone.
She raised her head and looked in the direction Mazumi Mami had gone, her gaze complicated.