Ichinose Honami and Ryuji Kanzaki both looked toward the sound.
All they saw was someone wrapped up from head to toe. The voice they'd just heard was deep and distorted, so 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. Leaving Ichinose aside, why did you specifically name me?"
"You can call me X, or whatever else you like. X was the name Ryuen from Class C gave me. I'm here to propose a partnership with Class B.
"As for why I called Kanzaki too, it's because I think you're one of Class B's rare talents. You're essential to my plan."
"Why should we work with you? Just because you're dressed like someone who can't stand the sun?"
"Kanzaki, let me talk to him."
Ichinose Honami stopped Ryuji Kanzaki. Her expression was so serious that Qiuyue Qi wondered if Ichinose Honami, who was always so cheerful, had ever looked like that before.
"X, you said you wanted to work with Class B. How exactly do you plan to do that?"
"I have a plan. After this Special Exam ends, Class B will pay 2 million pr to my private account, then pay 1 million pr every month from next month until graduation. That comes to 250 Class Points.
"In return, I'll give Class B the identities of at least two other classes' leaders, and use my plan to ensure Class B earns at least 400 Class Points in this Special Exam.
"Of course, that'll require you to follow my plan. Class B also can't spend all of its original 300 points; you must keep at least 150.
"Here's the contract I prepared. Take a look. It's more or less what I just explained."
After hearing Qiuyue's explanation, Ichinose Honami and Ryuji Kanzaki both paused in surprise. They took the contract from Qiuyue and checked it over. Once she'd confirmed everything, Ichinose Honami looked at Qiuyue with a scrutinizing gaze.
"X, why did you choose to work with Class B instead of Class A?"
Qiuyue: (As if I could tell you that the Chairman and I made a bet. He picked Class A, so why would I help them?)
"I have my reasons. Don't ask. So, what's your answer?"
Ryuji Kanzaki furrowed his brow and stepped forward to ask,
"What if Class B doesn't earn at least 350 points?"
"It's written in the contract. If I don't deliver, it's void. And 350 points is just the minimum. I might be able to get your class to 400."
Ichinose Honami asked again,
"Can we change the monthly 1 million pr payments until graduation to just one year?"
Qiuyue: (...You're negotiating the price now...?)
"No. After this exam, you'll most likely surpass Class A. Think it over. We don't have much time."
Qiuyue: (Come on, hurry up. If Class D can't find me later, I'll be in trouble. And it's so hot... I'm sweating buckets in all these clothes.)
Ichinose Honami and Ryuji Kanzaki thought for a moment, then nodded to each other.
"We agree to work with you. In the letter, you said we should have Hoshinomiya-sensei wait at the nearby outpost. Was that so she could witness us signing the contract?"
"That's right. Since you've agreed, Ichinose, could you go get the teacher? Bring the map too. I'll discuss the details of my plan with Kanzaki. I need him to carry it out."
"Huh..."
Ichinose Honami and Ryuji Kanzaki were both confused. Ichinose Honami was Class B's leader, yet Qiuyue planned to discuss his plan with Ryuji Kanzaki.
"Ah... Okay, I'll go right now."
Ichinose quickly caught on. As soon as she finished speaking, she hurried toward the outpost to find the teacher.
"Kanzaki, you're just going to..."
Before long, Ichinose Honami returned with Hoshinomiya-sensei.
"Oh my, X, aren't you hot dressed like that?"
Hoshinomiya-sensei approached Qiuyue with the same easy familiarity as Kushida, already moving in close.
But Qiuyue knew she was a Pink-Haired Schemer like Kushida, and a woman who'd been with who knew how many men. He instinctively leaned away, feeling uncomfortable.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, please show some restraint. Let's sign the contract first."
"How cold of you, X~ Boo-hoo-hoo..."
Hoshinomiya-sensei put on a hurt expression, went back to Ichinose Honami, and dabbed at her eyes, which had no tears in them.
"Ahaha..."
Ichinose Honami gave an embarrassed laugh.
"Ichinose, don't you need to get the other students' opinions first?"
Qiuyue folded his arms across his chest and asked Ichinose Honami.
"...Well, there's no time to talk it over with them now, right? X, you said you were in a hurry. And this is an opportunity for us to surpass Class A. I'm sure the others will understand."
Ichinose Honami said it as if it were only natural.
"I see... Then, Ichinose, there's something you'll need to do for my plan. Convince Chihiro Shiranami and Ryuji Kanzaki to pretend to be a couple."
Ryuji Kanzaki lowered his head, blushing slightly. He ran one hand through his hair and tugged at his clothes with the other.
Ichinose Honami froze. She looked even more dumbfounded than before, her mind racing as her cheeks flushed. Then she cried,
"...Uh... Ah... Huh... Huh?! Why?!"
Hoshinomiya-sensei teased,
"Is X trying to play matchmaker~?"
Just as Qiuyue was about to explain, Ryuji Kanzaki spoke up.
"...Um... Ichinose... X means you should convince Shiranami to pretend to be my girlfriend.
"The plan is for us to buy a fake leader card from Hoshinomiya-sensei and give it to Shiranami, while I get the real one.
"Then the two of us will act together during the exam. Shiranami will appear to be occupying multiple outposts, but in reality, I'll occupy them as her fake boyfriend. That'll mislead the other classes and keep them from guessing who our leader is."
After listening, Ichinose Honami placed a hand on her chest, calmed herself, and let out a breath.
"What? So that's what you meant. You scared me, X."
"What else did you think I meant?"
Qiuyue gave her a baffled look.
"..."
"Give me the map. There are a few outposts that aren't marked on the one you got from the school. I'll draw them in for you. These outposts are close to each other, and there are eight in total.
"Use those eight outposts as your base, then follow my plan. I'll come back later and tell you the leaders' identities."
Ichinose Honami handed Qiuyue the map. Looking at the eight newly marked outposts, she exclaimed,
"X, you're amazing. If we occupy these eight outposts repeatedly for seven days, we can earn at least 150 Class Points."
"If you can, you can occupy even more outposts yourselves."
Qiuyue: (Of course. I've already worked it out: 7 × 8 × 3, for a total of 168 points. You can find even more outposts yourselves, so the actual total will only be higher.)
"..."
Once they'd finished discussing things and signed the contract, all four were ready to leave.
Qiuyue: (...Why does something feel off...? I have a bad feeling about this.)
(Quite a few things have already gone differently from the original story. I can't rely entirely on what I read in my previous life. No, I need to keep another card up my sleeve. I'll have 20 million pr soon anyway, so I might as well be a little more open-handed.)
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, could you wait a moment? I have something to discuss with you. Ichinose and Kanzaki, you can head back first."
Before you continue