Beautiful Photos

At Advanced Nurturing High School, the people who had the least need for Private Points were the graduates. According to the rules each homeroom teacher read aloud at the start of the school year, graduates' Private Points would be cleared directly upon graduation.

In fact, only Class A graduates could exchange their saved Private Points for cash. However, Class A students would only be informed of this before graduation, and the exchange rate was a relatively low two-to-one.

That was precisely why Kouenji had room to intervene. As the heir to the Kouenji Conglomerate, even buying every student's Private Points in the school at a one-to-one rate would be nothing more than "pocket money" to him.

At present, the students most willing to purchase such a service were naturally the third-years, especially those in the three lower-ranked classes.

With graduation drawing near, they had to carefully consider what path they should take if they failed to graduate as Class A. Thus, besides preparing for class competitions, the third-years were also studying for entrance exams or job interviews. They were also the grade least affected by the past-exam incident. As a result, their desire to sell their Private Points was the strongest.

However, Kouenji did not know any upperclassmen, and approaching them directly to discuss a partnership did not seem like his style. Thus, the matter fell to Shiraishi Makoto.

After thinking for a while, Shiraishi Makoto contacted Horikita Manabu.

Horikita Manabu had known Shiraishi Makoto's intentions from the beginning, but even he, the Student Council president hailed as "the most outstanding since the school's founding," found it difficult to decide. Shiraishi Makoto and Kouenji Rokusuke were undoubtedly testing the school's limits. If the school wanted to crack down on them, it had plenty of ways to do so, but based on its usual practices, it probably would not interfere.

"I'll only arrange for you to meet them. I don't know what you plan to do, and I won't concern myself with anything that happens afterward." Horikita Manabu agreed to Shiraishi Makoto's request, but he still drew a clear line.

Although Private Points would become completely useless after graduation, there were still roughly nine months left until then. During those nine months, the lower-ranked classes did not entirely lack a chance to overtake the others.

At this school, Private Points were the most versatile tool. They could purchase everything, including grades and rules. Used at the right time, they could absolutely help a class gain a certain degree of advantage in an exam.

Having the lower-ranked classes sell off their saved Private Points would indirectly weaken them, which was also beneficial for Class 3-A. Horikita Manabu would also prevent Class A students from taking part in this sale of points. Graduating as Class A was their foremost objective; they could not sacrifice the greater for the lesser.

"Of course." Shiraishi Makoto understood Horikita Manabu's concerns and had no intention of dragging him into this.

At noon the next day, Shiraishi Makoto arrived at the café where he had arranged to meet his guests.

Before long, the three third-year leaders arrived at the café one after another.

"Hello, seniors." Shiraishi Makoto stood and greeted the three class leaders.

"So, Shiraishi, you specifically asked to meet us and even had Horikita deliver the message for you. What exactly is this about?" Sato from Class 3-B spoke first, his expression carrying a trace of scrutiny. (I couldn't find any information on the leaders of the other three third-year classes, so I just made up names.)

Naturally, they knew of this first-year newcomer who had risen to fame, and they were equally curious about why Shiraishi Makoto had specifically summoned the leaders of the third-year classes.

"Here's the thing. You three are already third-years, so I imagine you've begun making plans for life after graduation, haven't you?" Shiraishi Makoto began by laying some emotional groundwork.

"So what? That has nothing to do with a first-year like you." Yamashita from Class 3-C crossed his arms, his brows slightly furrowed and his tone full of wariness.

"Of course it does, because once you graduate, the Private Points in your hands will become completely useless." Shiraishi Makoto paused before continuing. "Therefore, I'd like to make a deal with you all..."

"Shiraishi, please allow me to interrupt." Inoue from Class 3-D gently shook his head. "Before doing something like this, I suggest you take a look at the school rules. Aren't you a member of the Student Council? How could you think of something so foolish?"

"Inoue, I have naturally read the school rules, and I have absolutely no intention of using outside money to buy points." Shiraishi Makoto showed no irritation at Inoue's doubts, and a faint smile remained on his face. "Allow me to introduce my product."

Shiraishi Makoto took a stack of exquisite photographs from his bag.

"These are..." Sato and Yamashita seemed to have no reaction, but Inoue recognized them immediately. "Are these personal photo prints of the online idol 'Shizuku'?"

"That's right. It seems Inoue pays attention to this circle as well." Shiraishi Makoto smiled. Since someone recognized the goods, this would be simple.

As the online idol "Shizuku," Sakura Airi did indeed possess considerable online fame. Her influence in Japan was comparable to that of an internet celebrity with several million followers nationwide. However, Shizuku's fame had not fully broken into the mainstream, and only those who followed the idol scene would know much about her. Shiraishi Makoto had initially prepared himself for the possibility that no one would recognize Shizuku.

With Inoue's help, Shiraishi Makoto briefly explained Shizuku's popularity and her niche, high-value appeal.

"So these are your goods?" At this point, even Yamashita's face showed some contempt. Clearly, he looked down on this sort of merchandise, being disciplined and extremely concerned with maintaining his own standards.

"That's right. These are photo prints personally signed by Shizuku. The images have never been released online and are limited, out-of-print private materials." Shiraishi Makoto introduced them like a street vendor peddling pirated DVDs. "And the price is one million Private Points per photograph."

"Are you insane?!"

Upon hearing that astronomical price, even Inoue, who understood the idol market and the rules of merchandise markups, could not help crying out.

Outside the school, there were certainly cases of fanatical supporters spending one million yen on personally signed collectibles. But that was completely impossible at Advanced Nurturing High School. The methods and amounts through which Private Points could be obtained were fixed, and gathering one million points was difficult enough. Besides, none of the three were devoted fans, so there was no way they would take the offer.

"What lovely photographs. Very beautiful~" At that moment, someone suddenly spoke from nearby. The three third-year leaders turned their heads and recognized the speaker as well.

To be precise, Kouenji Rokusuke was even more famous at the school than Shiraishi Makoto.

Kouenji Rokusuke sat at another table, savoring his coffee. He had been in the café for quite some time, arriving even earlier than the three third-year leaders.

"If this were outside the school, I would spend one million yen to buy them." Kouenji Rokusuke regretfully patted his pocket.

The three had become leaders of their respective classes because they were perceptive.

After only a few lines of conversation, they instantly understood and saw through the two men's intentions. Their expressions changed drastically. "You two..."

Before the three could react, Shiraishi Makoto and Kouenji Rokusuke continued their act in perfect coordination.

"My apologies, Kouenji, but I only accept Private Points. Using outside money violates the school rules."

"Honestly, Shiraishi Boy, can't you make an exception? Would it not be possible to simply give them to me?"

"Give up. That's impossible."

"How heartless. It seems I can only wait until graduation and leave this school before seeking out such refined and beautiful photo prints. I wonder whether identical ones can be purchased outside. I would still be willing to offer one million yen for them."