A Deal with Class B

Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, shopping district.

"Hello, I'm looking for someone. Room 199."

Amasawa Reigetsu had the KTV receptionist lead the way.

It wasn't until the early hours of the morning, after finishing his business yesterday, that he remembered the time and place for his meeting with Ichinose. To show his sincerity, Amasawa Reigetsu had left the decision of the time and location to Class B.

"We'll be singing at the KTV in the shopping district tomorrow night. Why don't you come along, Amasawa-kun?"

That was what Ichinose Honami had said, and now Amasawa Reigetsu had arrived at Room 199.

"Pardon the intrusion. I'm Amasawa Reigetsu from Class A."

"Amasawa-kun, you're here! Come, sit, sit!"

"Amasawa-kun, let me introduce everyone."

Ichinose's voice possessed a strong sense of approachability.

"This is Kanzaki Ryuji. He's the young master of the Kanzaki conglomerate!"

The boy sitting in the center of the sofa gave a slight nod, his gaze calm and reserved, and replied politely:

"Nice to meet you, Amasawa-kun."

Ichinose then looked toward the girl sitting beside her. She was nervously twisting the hem of her skirt, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Hello, Amasawa-kun... I'm Shiranami Chihiro. Please take care of me."

When Shiranami Chihiro's gaze touched Ichinose, a subtle, imperceptible softness and attachment flickered in the depths of her eyes.

The situation was looking very promising.

The other members of Class B also greeted Amasawa Reigetsu. Everyone was very welcoming, and there was no sign of them ostracizing someone from another class.

Ichinose really was a terrifying leader.

After the pleasantries, the atmosphere in the private room shifted from casual socializing to subtle probing. Ichinose personally poured a cup of black tea for Amasawa and handed it to him with both hands, her clear eyes fixed on him.

"So, Amasawa-kun went out of his way to accept our invitation and even left the choice of location to us—surely it wasn't just to listen to us sing, was it?"

"Then I won't beat around the bush. I will answer you regarding the content of our deal in the most straightforward, incisive, and direct way possible."

Amasawa Reigetsu stood up and suddenly dropped a bombshell that shocked everyone from Class B present:

"Class B will become Class C next month."

"How is that possible? No, wait—are you saying there's a ranking between classes? No, that's not it... are we having a ranking exam this month?"

Kanzaki Ryuji's mind worked quickly; it was impressive enough that he could extract so much information from that single sentence.

"Amasawa-kun... then what is the content of our deal? We had indeed considered this possibility, but we didn't pay it much mind."

Ichinose Honami was equally surprised, so her tone was a bit weak.

"The rules for this special exam. One million points. Let's be friends."

"..."

Silence.

Whispers followed.

The core group of Class B was initially startled by the mention of one million points, but after exchanging a few words, they realized the price was impeccable.

They couldn't help but re-examine the person in front of them, and by extension, re-examine Class A and even the school itself.

"Please give us a day. We need to consider this."

Ichinose's gaze was somewhat evasive. Even though the people present were the core of Class B, they didn't dare make a decision without the democratic vote of the rest of the class.

"Since I have already disclosed important information to you, the deal will expire if not accepted soon. Let's limit it to the time remaining in this KTV room, shall we?"

"Deal."

Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryuji finally made the decision, almost through gritted teeth.

"Pleasure doing business with you."

It was a massive gain for Class B; one million points would solve a major pain point for their class.

With the deal with Class B concluded, Amasawa Reigetsu decided to buy a Choco-Lize at the convenience store to treat himself on the way back to the dorms.

However, at the entrance of the store, he saw familiar faces.

Sakayanagi Arisu, and beside her was... Kamuro Masumi?

Amasawa Reigetsu ate his Choco-Lize, deciding to watch the show.

"Ara~ stealing isn't a very good habit, is it?"

Kamuro's spine stiffened abruptly; she was almost as amusing as a cat.

The next second, Sakayanagi Arisu's fair, slender hand gently tugged at her sleeve. The force wasn't great, but Kamuro Masumi certainly wasn't going anywhere.

Sakayanagi Arisu stood half a step to her side, leaning on her cane. Her light-colored hair draped over her shoulders, and a gentle smile hung at the corners of her lips.

Amasawa Reigetsu was all too familiar with that look; it was as if she had found an interesting toy.

"To dare to make a move in the first week of school—you've got quite the nerve."

Sakayanagi tilted her head slightly, her gaze landing on the bulge in Kamuro's coat.

"And your technique was very clean. If I hadn't happened to pass by, I'm afraid no one would have noticed. Truly... an interesting set of skills."

Kamuro Masumi finally turned around, looking at the petite girl before her with an expressionless face. She knew who the other girl was—one of the leaders of her own class. The consequences of being caught red-handed by someone like her were unimaginable.

"I don't intend to expose you. After all, it would be a shame to throw away such a useful pawn."

She reached out, her fingers sliding from Kamuro Masumi's cheek down to her jaw, collarbone, and shoulder, until she pulled the can of beer from Kamuro's coat. She spun it lightly on her fingertips before tucking it back into Kamuro's hand.

"From today on, you belong to me. Do some small things for me, and I'll act as if nothing ever happened. How about it?"

Sakayanagi's tone was as casual as if she were discussing the weather. This was a complete display of dominance, a side of her that Amasawa Reigetsu had never seen when she was facing him.

As expected of the Princess, huh~ (shrugs)

Kamuro stared into Sakayanagi's eyes, attempting to find a hint of a flaw or hesitation, but there was nothing. It was as if everything was under control within those eyes.

The silence lasted for several seconds.

Kamuro lowered her head and put the beer back into her coat. When she looked up again, her expression had returned to calm.

She didn't say "okay," nor did she nod; she simply turned and walked out of the convenience store.

Sakayanagi Arisu remained where she was, watching that retreating figure disappear outside the door. The smile at the corners of her lips deepened slightly before she looked in Amasawa Reigetsu's direction.

"Rei-kun, it seems you're very concerned about me~"

"Arisu is truly worthy of being the Princess of Class A."

Amasawa Reigetsu walked over and, ignoring Sakayanagi's protests, rubbed her head over her hat.

Sakayanagi's cheeks puffed up like a hamster's. The posture of the controller from a moment ago vanished entirely, and she raised her hands above her head to resist.

"And yet you still touch my head... Stop it! My hair is all messed up now..."

"Shall we head back together?"

"Mm..."

An offer she couldn't refuse.