Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School, teachers' office.
*Knock, knock.
"Come in."
Mashima Tomoya looked up. When he saw Amasawa Reigetsu entering, surprise flashed through his eyes, followed by understanding.
Amasawa Reigetsu's file lay in the drawer.
[Amasawa Reigetsu]
Academic ability: A, intelligence: A, judgment: A, physical ability: A, teamwork: C
Preliminary assessment: Strong academically and physically. Poor teamwork when not in a leadership role. Recommended for Class A.
"Hello, Mr. Mashima. I'm Amasawa Reigetsu. I'd like to ask you a few questions."
Amasawa Reigetsu's voice was faint, carrying a bewitching quality. The other three teachers in the office also turned curious gazes toward this Class A student—
What kind of questions would she ask? After all, a 4A1C profile was rare. The last time they'd seen one was probably Star Platinum or King Arthur.
"We're currently in the first practical assessment. We don't know what it involves yet, but our preliminary guess is that it'll test how well students understand and follow the school rules."
The four teachers: Wasn't that supposed to be confidential?
Mashima Tomoya composed himself in an instant, then drew a sharp breath, ready to answer—
"Okay, second question. I'd like to know the purchasing power of points at this school. For example, how many points it would take to buy the answer to my first question."
Mashima Tomoya: Could you at least let me speak?
Amasawa Reigetsu: ...
Mashima Tomoya: Damn, she really did let me—
"Hmm... Let me think. One million points. The things you want to buy are all priced pretty subjectively, so it's hard to establish a standard purchasing power."
"Thank you, sir. My last question: class rankings matter, and their significance comes into play after graduation."
Mashima Tomoya: ...You phrased that as a statement. What am I supposed to do with that?
"Only Class A gets to enjoy the benefits after graduation."
"How many personal points can be transferred to Class A?"
"Twenty million."
Mashima Tomoya kept quiet on the outside, but inside, he was already soaring. Damn, Class A had gained a Star Platinum. With such an overwhelming advantage, how could they lose?
What? You say Class A's current leaders are Sakayanagi Arisu and Katsuragi Kohei?
Star Platinum had her own ideas. Don't be ridiculous.
"Reigetsu-chan~ Is that right? I'm Hoshinomiya Chie, Class B's homeroom teacher~ Any interest in joining my class? ♡"
Hoshinomiya Chie wrapped her arms around Amasawa Reigetsu's. The fat on her chest surged against the clearly defined lines of muscle.
"Reigetsu-chan is so cute. You're making me feel all sorts of things~ And surely I'm a much better choice than that old man Mashima, right? What can that stinky English teacher teach you, anyway? You're so clever, Reigetsu-chan. Why not let little Chie teach you—"
"Teach me a few things about being an adult?"
Amasawa Reigetsu's murky gray eyes met Hoshinomiya Chie's bright ones. A spark of light flashed for an instant, and Hoshinomiya sprang back as if she'd been electrocuted.
"Eek!"
"Oh my~ Hoshinomiya-sensei, was that static electricity? The seasons are changing, so you'd better be careful!"
"Ah... Okay, thanks, Reigetsu-chan~"
Hoshinomiya Chie returned to her seat, her face a little red. She looked like a young woman, clasping her hands over her knees and fidgeting with her thighs.
As the four teachers watched Amasawa Reigetsu prepare to leave in silence, each with their own thoughts, the office door was gently tapped.
"Excuse me."
Accompanied by a clear, pleasant voice, Ichinose Honami leaned halfway into the room. Her uniform was neat, and her pink hair swayed gently with her movements. Her face wore her signature warm, friendly smile.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, do you have a moment?"
"Oh, it's Honami-chan! Come on in, come on in~"
After being bested by Reigetsu, Hoshinomiya Chie had been looking a little deflated, but she perked right up and waved enthusiastically.
"I'm free right now. What is it? Does the class need a teacher's help with something?"
"Um... Well..."
Ichinose Honami glanced at Amasawa Reigetsu, then looked at Hoshinomiya Chie questioningly.
"Oh! I forgot to introduce you. This is Reigetsu-chan from our Class A. She's—"
Amasawa Reigetsu gave Hoshinomiya a gentle look. Hoshinomiya arched her back like a startled cat and stopped making things up about her.
"I'm Amasawa Reigetsu from Class 1-A. Nice to meet you, Ichinose."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Ichinose Honami, Class B's class representative. It's nice to meet you, Amasawa-san~"
Amasawa-san was really pretty... But why was Hoshinomiya-sensei's face a little red?
Ichinose didn't understand, but she didn't mind.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, Class B has chosen its class officers and drawn up the duty roster. Please take a look~"
"Oh, you're always so responsible, Honami. You never give me anything to worry about."
Hoshinomiya accepted the form, smiling at Ichinose as though she'd found a lifeline.
Amasawa Reigetsu left the teachers' office and paused outside for a while. Sure enough, Ichinose Honami came out soon after.
"Huh? Amasawa-san, did you need something?"
"I'd like to discuss a business deal with you, on behalf of our classes."
"Huh? Is it related to the classes? Then I'll go back and discuss it with everyone."
"That sounds a little dismissive, Ichinose. At least half of your class's personal points are in your hands, right? This will be a seven-figure deal, so don't underestimate it, Ichinose."
There was no emotion in Amasawa Reigetsu's eyes. To Ichinose Honami, she looked like a mysterious merchant.
"Ah... Okay, shall we add each other on our terminals? We'll wait for you to set a time."
Amasawa Reigetsu opened her terminal. Sakayanagi Arisu had sent her a message.
"There's a club fair at the gym at noon. Want to go together?"
Below it was a greeting from Kushida Kikyo, probably sent to a group chat. There were so many emoticons that they made her head spin. She stopped reading.
After adding Ichinose Honami as a friend—
"Okay, I'll find you in the cafeteria. See you at our usual spot."