Cooperation with Class B

Honami Ichinose and Ryuji Kanzaki both turned to look in the direction the voice had come from.

All they saw was a person wrapped up from head to toe, and the voice just now had been deep and distorted—it was clear the man was using a voice changer.

Ryuji Kanzaki spoke first.

"Why did you call the two of us here? When we went to get the map, there was an extra letter. Never mind Ichinose, but why specifically name me?"

"You can call me X, or anything else you like. X was coined by Ryuen of Class C. I'm here to cooperate with your Class B.

As for why I also called for Kanzaki, it's because I see you as a rare talent in Class B. You're essential to my plan."

"Why should we cooperate with you? Just because you can't stand the sun like this?"

"Kanzaki, let me talk to him."

Honami Ichinose stepped in to stop Ryuji Kanzaki, her expression so serious that Qiuyue Qi wondered if this was really the same Honami Ichinose who was always so cheerful.

"X, you said you want to cooperate with Class B. How exactly do you plan to do that?"

"I have my plan. After this special exam, Class B will pay 2 million Private Points into my personal account, and from next month until graduation, 1 million Private Points per month. Converted, that's 250 class points.

Then I'll provide Class B with the identities of the leaders of at least two other classes, and with my plan, I'll guarantee Class B earns no less than 400 class points in this special exam.

Of course, this requires your cooperation with my plan. Also, Class B can't spend all of its original 300 points—it can't drop below 150 points.

This is the contract I've prepared. Take a look—it's pretty much what I just said."

After hearing Qiuyue's explanation, Honami Ichinose and Ryuji Kanzaki both froze for a moment. They took the contract from Qiuyue, confirmed it was correct, and then Honami Ichinose looked back at Qiuyue with a scrutinizing gaze.

"X, why did you choose to cooperate with Class B instead of Class A?"

Qiuyue: (Like I could tell you the Chairman made a bet with me? He picked Class A, so why would I help Class A?)

"I have my reasons. Don't ask. So, what's your answer?"

Ryuji Kanzaki frowned deeply and stepped forward to ask.

"What if Class B doesn't reach 350 points or more?"

"It's written in the contract. If I don't deliver, it's void. And I said 350 points is just the floor—I might be able to take your class to 400 points."

Honami Ichinose asked again.

"Can we change the 1 million Private Points per month until graduation to a yearly payment instead?"

Qiuyue: (...You're haggling with me now...)

"No. You'll likely surpass Class A after this exam. Think it over carefully—time's running out."

Qiuyue: (Hurry up. If Class D can't find me, I'm in trouble. And it's so hot... I'm drenched in sweat wearing all this.)

Honami Ichinose and Ryuji Kanzaki thought for a moment, then exchanged glances and nodded.

"We agree to cooperate. In the envelope, you said we should have Hoshinomiya-sensei wait at the base camp nearby. That's so she can witness the contract signing, right?"

"That's right. Since you've agreed, Ichinose, please go call the teacher over. Bring the map with you. I'll discuss the specifics of my plan with Kanzaki—he'll need to execute it."

"Huh..."

Both Honami Ichinose and Ryuji Kanzaki were puzzled. After all, Honami Ichinose was the leader of Class B, yet Qiuyue intended to share his plan with Kanzaki.

"Ah... okay. I'll go right away."

Ichinose quickly caught on, said that, and immediately headed toward the base camp to find the teacher.

"Kanzaki, here's what you need to do..."

Before long, Honami Ichinose returned with Hoshinomiya-sensei.

"Oh my, X, aren't you hot in that?"

Hoshinomiya-sensei, with the same familiar smile as Kushida, immediately tried to get close to Qiuyue.

But Qiuyue knew she was the same kind of Pink-Haired Schemer as Kushida, a woman who'd gone through who knows how many men. He felt a physical revulsion and stepped back.

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, please show some restraint. Let's sign the contract first."

"So cold~ X, boohoo..."

Hoshinomiya-sensei put on a sad act, went back to stand beside Honami Ichinose, and wiped at eyes that had no tears.

"Ahaha..."

Honami Ichinose gave an awkward laugh.

"Ichinose, don't you need to consult your classmates this time?"

Qiuyue crossed his arms over his chest and asked Honami Ichinose.

"...Well, there wasn't time to tell everyone. You seemed in a hurry, X, and this chance could let us surpass Class A. I'm sure my classmates will understand."

Honami Ichinose said it as if it were only natural.

"Is that so... Then, Ichinose, there's something in my plan I need you to do. Convince Chihiro Shiranami and Ryuji Kanzaki to become boyfriend and girlfriend."

Ryuji Kanzaki lowered his head, slightly flushed, one hand rubbing his head and the other tugging at his clothes.

Honami Ichinose froze. A state even more dumbfounded than before set in. Her mind raced, and her cheeks reddened as she shouted.

"...Uh... ah... eh... EH!! Why?!"

Teacher Hoshinomiya chimed in teasingly.

"X-kun wants to play matchmaker~"

Just as Qiuyue was about to explain, Ryuji Kanzaki spoke up.

"...Well... Ichinose... X was trying to say, have you convince Shiranami-kun to pretend to be my boyfriend.

The plan is for us to buy a fake leader card from Teacher Hoshinomiya, give it to Shiranami-kun, and give the real one to me.

Have the two of us act together in this exam, let Shiranami-kun occupy multiple bases, but actually have me, the fake boyfriend, take them over, to confuse the other classes and keep them from guessing our class's leader."

After hearing this, Honami Ichinose placed a hand on her chest, calmed her breathing, and let out a sigh.

"What, so that's how it is. You really startled me there, X-kun."

"What else did you think it was?"

Qiuyue replied with a perfectly natural expression of confusion.

"..."

"Give me the map. There are a few bases I didn't mark on the maps you're selling. I'll draw them for you. These bases aren't far apart—eight in total.

Treat these eight bases as your stronghold, and follow my plan. I'll come by later and tell you the leader's information."

Honami Ichinose handed the map to Qiuyue, and as she looked at the eight newly marked bases, she remarked in admiration.

"X-kun, that's amazing. If you occupy these eight bases consecutively for seven days, you can get at least 150-plus class points."

"If you can manage it yourselves, feel free to take a few more bases. No problem."

Qiuyue: (Of course, I've already calculated it. 7x8x3, 168 points total. You can find more bases on your own, so the actual points will only be higher.)

"..."

After the discussion ended and the contract was signed, the four of them prepared to part ways.

Qiuyue: (...Something feels off... I've got a bad feeling.)

(There are already plenty of differences from the original story. I can't rely entirely on what I saw in my past life. No, I need to keep one more card up my sleeve. Since I'll have 20 million pr soon, I might as well go all out.)

"Teacher Hoshinomiya, could you wait a moment? I have something to discuss with you. Ichinose-san and Kanzaki-kun, you can head back first."