Chairman Sakayanagi's hand paused as he picked up his teacup.
"Oh~ You really accepted. I only meant to make you back down, since talented students like you, Qiuyue, are few and far between. As chairman, I'd be heartbroken if you were expelled.
"But since you want to make a wager, Qiuyue, I'll take you up on it. Still, 10 million PR? Do you think points grow on trees?"
"Canceling an expulsion requires 20 million PR. I don't think the terms I proposed are unreasonable. If anything, Chairman, you're the one getting a great deal."
"Oh~ You even know that? Impressive. Fine, I accept your wager."
"You're too kind, Chairman. I have nothing else to discuss, so please get some rest. I'll take my leave."
Qiuyue: (Phew, finally done. Heh heh heh, I got something for nothing—and I'll get 10 million PR on top of that. What a deal. I'll stop calling you old geezer from now on.)
Qiuyue stood and turned to leave.
"Qiuyue, wait. Don't you want to know why you were placed in Class D?"
Qiuyue stopped mid-step and turned around.
"Chairman, what do you mean?"
"Qiuyue, aren't you at all curious about why the school assigned you to Class D?"
"Since the school placed me in Class D, it must have had its reasons. I'm here now, so I'll make the best of it. Why would I keep questioning a decision that's already been made? Only the weak would do that. The strong prove themselves through their abilities."
Qiuyue: (I'm actually really curious. Why not just tell me? I've already put on this show, so I can't take it back now. Keep a straight face, me...)
Qiuyue stared at Chairman Sakayanagi without expression, as though he truly didn't care.
"...Very well said. But do your abilities match that confidence?"
"Chairman, if there's nothing else, I'll be going."
"Qiuyue, the school recognizes your excellence. Your academic ability, judgment, and physical ability are all on par with the very best in Class A.
"But the school judged that you have violent tendencies and a withdrawn nature. Qiuyue, you didn't have a single friend in elementary or middle school, did you~"
"N-no... I did have friends."
Qiuyue: (All right, fine, we're playing it that way? I'm a dependable adult. First, let's define what a friend is.)
"If by 'friends' you mean the underlings you beat into submission in middle school, then never mind."
"..."
Qiuyue: (That's it? That's why they put me in Class D? Great. The teachers who rate students at this school are all useless.)
"From what I've seen, the school misjudged you, Qiuyue~"
Qiuyue: (What now? Could he actually transfer me to Class A?)
Qiuyue's thoughts were completely different from what he said aloud, but he acted as if he didn't care at all.
"Luck is part of strength. I'll accept the outcome."
"Qiuyue, you still haven't said which classes you want to bet on, have you? I'll let you choose one first. Or are you planning to come back here later?"
"I was going to call and tell you afterward. The chairman's contact information is on the school website."
Qiuyue: (I should wait before telling him which class. Just to be safe. What if the butterfly effect means Ayanokoji doesn't plan to act this time? Then I'm done for.)
"Qiuyue, didn't you say luck is part of strength? Let's make our predictions now. Or are you not confident in yourself?"
Chairman Sakayanagi pressed him at every turn, the smile never leaving his face.
Qiuyue: (You old geezer!)
Qiuyue fell silent.
"Qiuyue, you choose one first, then I'll choose one, and then you choose again. How does that sound?"
Qiuyue: (I still don't know whether Ayanokoji will make a move. I'm in Class D too, and Class D is the easiest to work with. I have to pick Class D first.)
"Then I'll choose Class D."
"Because you're a Class D student yourself? Not bad. If I were you, I'd choose either Class D or Class A, but I'm leaning more toward Class A. Class A is generally stronger than the other classes, Qiuyue~"
"So which class will you choose, Chairman?"
"Class A, of course."
Qiuyue: (That leaves Class B and Class C. I think working with Class C would be better than working with Class B, but Ryuen's zero-point strategy is ridiculously easy to exploit. His goal is to get Class A's 800,000 PR every month.)
"My second choice is Class B."
"Then it's settled. I'll take Classes A and C, and you'll take Classes B and D. Are you ready for this, Qiuyue?"
"Of course. I've been ready for a long time. What about you, Chairman? You won't use your position for personal gain, will you? I wouldn't stand a chance if you did."
Chairman Sakayanagi burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha~ I won't. I couldn't bear to see such an outstanding student as you expelled, Qiuyue.
"Besides, I'm the chairman of this school. I won't interfere in anything within the rules, so you can rest easy, Qiuyue."
Qiuyue: (...So he can interfere with things outside the rules? What does he mean...? There's no point trying to guess what he's thinking. From what he's said, it doesn't sound like he wants me expelled.)
"So you're planning to give me 10 million PR, Chairman?"
"Are you so sure you'll win, Qiuyue? You'll be up against two classes, A and C. And even if you do win, consider it compensation for the school misjudging you and placing you in Class D."
Qiuyue: (This old geezer must have figured out I want to get into Class A, his daughter's class, and give her another strong student. That's why he's being so generous. I know exactly what you're thinking, old geezer.)
"Then I'll gladly accept."
Class D
"Sudo, here. Your phone's fixed."
"Thanks, Qiuyue. Great, my phone! You're finally back."
Sudo took the phone and started swiping around, as if checking it over.
"That's great, Sudo. They fixed your phone so quickly."
Qiuyue glanced over, mildly surprised on the inside, though his expression didn't change.
"Hey, Ayanokoji. Good morning."
"Yeah. Good morning, Qiuyue."
Ayanokoji greeted Qiuyue with his usual blank expression, like a robot.
Qiuyue: (Why did he notice this? Was it just a coincidence? There was nothing strange about my greeting. We've been to the same study group and even had a celebration together. It'd be weirder not to say hello.)
They exchanged no further words, then returned to their respective seats.
Before you continue