No One Drops Out

"Then, how many points would it cost for the two points Sudo needs?"

"This is my first time selling this... Let's say 100,000 Private Points per point. You'll need to give me 200,000 Private Points, and then Sudo won't have to drop out."

"Did you hear that? I've already asked the method for you."

Horikita said this, then sat down on her own, picking up a book to read.

For Class D, Horikita's sudden turnaround that dragged Sudo back from the brink of expulsion was nothing short of shocking.

Seeing this, Hirata quickly picked up the thread.

"That's great, thank you so much, Horikita. Now Sudo has a chance."

Hirata let out a sigh of relief, his whole demeanor brightening, like a completely different person from his dejected state moments ago.

Sudo walked up to Horikita and bowed directly at a 90-degree angle.

"Horikita! I'm really grateful to you! From now on, I'll listen to whatever you say!"

"It's nothing. I just thought that having someone in the class drop out might affect my chances of reaching Class A."

Horikita was unimpressed, not even glancing at Sudo.

Qiuyue watched Horikita calmly.

Her personality hasn't changed much, has it? To say something like that, Horikita is still Horikita. Looks like Ayanokoji predicted this in advance? That's why he told Horikita the cleanup method beforehand.

"Regardless, you've helped me out so much, letting me stay in this school. I definitely have to thank you properly."

Sudo hadn't even straightened his back yet, still muttering thanks.

At that moment, Hirata spoke up again.

"Everyone, do you have any points? Can you help Sudo out?"

Sudo changed direction and bowed.

"Please!! I'll treat it as borrowing from everyone!"

The class started to buzz with noise, but Qiuyue's gaze remained fixed on Horikita and Ayanokoji.

Ayanokoji seemed to sense something and looked in Qiuyue's direction.

Qiuyue quickly turned his head, a bit flustered inside.

He didn't notice, did he...

"Teacher Chabashira!"

!!! That's Horikita's voice!! What happened while I wasn't looking at them?!?

Qiuyue quickly turned back to look at Horikita, only to see her standing up again, while Ayanokoji was propping his head up and staring out the window.

"Teacher Chabashira! If I transfer 2 points from my English score to Sudo's English score, how many points would that cost?"

This time, Qiuyue was completely stunned.

"Hahaha! Horikita, what you're saying is really interesting. You've surprised me more than once today. To think you could pull off a move like this—this might be the first time in the school's history, hahaha!"

"Can it be done?"

"Of course! I understand what you mean. A transfer operation is bound to be cheaper than a direct purchase, right? Then I'll calculate it as 50,000 Private Points per point transferred."

"Really, Teacher Chabashira? That's great, everyone. It'll only take 100,000 Private Points. Can everyone help Sudo out? Please."

Hirata saw the light of hope growing brighter, and at this moment, he seemed even happier than Sudo himself.

Sudo had practically gone to every person begging, and to borrow 100,000 Private Points, he seemed to have truly set aside all his pride.

Teacher Chabashira glanced at the time on her phone, packed up her things, and said:

"Sudo, come to the office before noon to hand over the 100,000 Private Points."

With that, Teacher Chabashira picked up her briefcase, a faint smile on her face.

"Just keep struggling at the very bottom like this, venting your frustration at those above, overcoming one challenge after another like this, and surpassing them. It wouldn't hurt to let me look forward to it a little."

"Alright, you should get to class."

With those words, Teacher Chabashira walked straight out of the classroom.

Watching her leave, Qiuyue silently complained in his mind.

...No... Who were you saying that to?

By the time school let out, Horikita's popularity had skyrocketed.

Almost everyone wanted to get on good terms with Horikita, since no one could guarantee they wouldn't face the risk of expulsion in the future.

One after another, classmates invited Horikita to hang out, and even the most dominant girl in the class, Karuizawa, lowered her pride to extend an invitation.

"Hey, Horikita, want to go to karaoke or shopping later? I remember there's a place with some nice clothes."

"No thanks. I'm not interested in those things."

Horikita perfectly killed the atmosphere with a single sentence.

Qiuyue withdrew his gaze, unsurprised.

Well, well, Horikita is still Horikita. It seems the only one who can change her is the Student Council President.

A brother-con sister—back in the day, that trait was hugely popular.

Seeing that even Karuizawa had failed, everyone else wisely backed off.

Hirata tried to reason with Horikita.

"Horikita, I know you want to get into Class A. But if you get along with the class and work together, shouldn't that make it easier to achieve?"

"I don't think so. I don't believe you all can help me get into Class A. I'll rise to Class A on my own strength. All I need from you is to not cause me trouble."

"That's all I wanted to say. I'm leaving now."

Horikita gathered the books on her desk as she spoke, then walked straight out of the classroom.

With a single move, Horikita threw away the popularity she'd just gained. Some in the class already started muttering behind her back, saying she looked down on others, and so on.

Even Hirata was at a loss with this version of Horikita. He could only sigh as he watched the direction she'd left.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka

I asked Teacher Chabashira earlier. The upperclassmen have also been ruled out. Basically, I can confirm the person is among the first-year Class B, C, or D students.

"So, Teacher Chabashira, please sell me Sudo's failing two points."

Sudo's failure was expected. Good thing I told Horikita in advance that points could be bought, so she could gain some influence in class faster.

I already have a suspect in mind.

But I still have no clues to confirm who it is or which class. That's why I need Horikita to quickly become someone with influence in the class.

As for having Horikita lead Class D—that's impossible with her current self. She still needs to grow, to clearly understand her own shortcomings.

...Hm? I feel like someone's watching me. I glanced with my peripheral vision. Is it Qiuyue? No, maybe he's just looking at Horikita. She's the center of attention right now.

I'll test him a little. I looked in Qiuyue's direction. He immediately turned his head away. Coincidence?

I pulled out my phone and sent a message to Horikita, keeping the rest of my attention on Qiuyue.

Horikita started a second round of conversation with Teacher Chabashira according to the info I sent her.

Even though I was only using my peripheral vision, I could clearly sense Qiuyue turn his head back. And the first person he looked at was me.

No mistake. The person he was watching was indeed me. Why?

...Suspicious?