Ichinose's Twin Peaks

If we are talking about joining the Student Council, then in this era where Horikita Manabu is still the Student Council President, no one would be safer than her.

Horikita Suzune.

Horikita Manabu would not allow Nagumo Miyabi to lay a finger on her, not even in the slightest.

Therefore, Horikita Suzune is the most suitable candidate to receive the Student Council position bonus.

One must know that members of the Student Council are specially granted 100,000 Private Points every month.

But how to persuade Horikita Manabu—that is the question.

Returning to the main topic, after Kanzaki received U Amakusa's answer, he did not intend to press further; it was clear that U Amakusa did not want to talk about it.

He continued the conversation instead.

"We understand about the point deductions, but what about the additions? How can Class Points be increased?"

Ichinose also looked at U Amakusa with expectant eyes.

Hoshinomiya just smiled silently, because she knew that the school's only methods for adding points were midterms, finals, and special exams.

U Amakusa shook his head. "Based on my speculation, the school will hold some special exams that force the four classes to compete for Class Points. But unfortunately, I don't know when these special exams will start or what they will entail."

With Hoshinomiya present, it was naturally impossible for U Amakusa to reveal everything.

Just as the expectations of Ichinose and Kanzaki were about to fall through, U Amakusa pulled them back.

"However, based on my observations of the upperclassmen over the past half-month, I infer that the midterm and final exams are very likely to be opportunities to increase Class Points."

Yet, this was as good as saying nothing; according to the initial premise, Class A is a superior class compared to Class B.

In other words, in these academic exams, Class B does not hold an advantage.

But strangely, neither Ichinose nor Kanzaki showed the slightest panic.

Ichinose said in a calm tone, "Amakusa-kun, since you brought it up, it means you already have a solution."

Conversely, U Amakusa became serious. "I do have a method, but I should have said it before: you must think for yourselves. I can help you rise to Class A, and I can just as easily let you fall."

Kanzaki released his chin from his hand and reached out toward U Amakusa.

"Come to Class B? Amakusa-kun, I believe that spending 20,000,000 Private Points to acquire you is completely worth it."

U Amakusa said casually, "And how would you scrape together 20,000,000 Private Points? Surely not by my old methods? Does Hoshinomiya-sensei have that many points?"

Hoshinomiya crossed her arms and swayed her body, saying, "If I squeeze, I might have some~"

"Heh, I don't believe you."

Hoshinomiya gritted her teeth and said, "Unlike what Honami-chan says, little Amakusa-kun is really not cute at all!"

U Amakusa shrugged. "I'm a boy, why would I need to be cute? On the contrary, Hoshinomiya-sensei, you are very cute~"

Wait, is something wrong here?

"Ara ara~ Little Amakusa, aren't you afraid your little girlfriend will get jealous if she hears you complimenting your teacher like that? Speaking of which, is your little girlfriend Kamuro-san from your class, or the girl who was with Honami-chan the other day?"

She added a "little" before, and now she's dropped the "kun" entirely; this person is truly quick to get familiar.

Regarding Hoshinomiya's question, U Amakusa chuckled, considering it a meaningless inquiry.

"What if I said it was both, Hoshinomiya-sensei?"

Ichinose was slightly surprised, letting out a soft "Eh?"

Kanzaki, who had his hand extended to the side, awkwardly retracted it and coughed a few times.

Speaking of which, has the topic drifted?

Hoshinomiya made an expression of shock, covering her wide-open mouth with her hand. "Little Amakusa said something scummy without hesitation~ Are you trying to start a harem?"

Hoshinomiya hurriedly ran behind Ichinose and cupped Ichinose's two great peaks.

"Then what does little Amakusa think of our Honami-chan? She's very cute, right~"

"Ho, Hoshinomiya-sensei! Please don't do that!" Ichinose shyly pushed Hoshinomiya's hands away. "And Amakusa-kun! Wanting to start that... whatever it is, is wrong!"

"I'm not hiding anything; I'm being open and aboveboard. What's wrong with that?" U Amakusa said indifferently.

Ichinose answered without hesitation, "It's definitely wrong. That's two-timing."

U Amakusa waved his hand. "Ichinose-san, how can this be called two-timing? I just want to give every girl I like a home."

"You like two people?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"..."

Ichinose sighed and said helplessly, "Fine, I understand that Amakusa-kun's way of thinking won't change. I just hope that when the time comes, Amakusa-kun won't make Sakura-san too sad."

"Mn." U Amakusa nodded in agreement; even if Ichinose hadn't said it, he would have done so anyway.

"Um..."

Everyone's gazes converged on Kanzaki for a moment, and he cleared his throat before continuing.

"Can we get to the point?"

"We already finished the point, didn't we?" U Amakusa asked, looking as if it were obvious.

Kanzaki: ...

Kanzaki: "Wait, I have a question. Is it even allowed by the school for Hoshinomiya to spend 10,000,000 Private Points?"

Ichinose also shifted her focus to the main topic.

"Indeed, if the school allowed homeroom teachers to assist their classes, then this wouldn't be a battle between students, but a battle between homeroom teachers."

Hoshinomiya looked indifferent, merely sneaking up behind Ichinose to launch a surprise attack on her chest.

Ichinose remained silent, her earlobes turning bright red as she focused solely on fending off Hoshinomiya's assault.

U Amakusa averted his gaze, though he couldn't help but sneak a few glances.

"Ahem, look, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Based on my understanding from the Student Council, homeroom teachers indeed cannot help—or to be precise, they cannot help proactively."

Kanzaki: "Cannot help proactively?"

Ichinose quickly pushed Hoshinomiya away, composed herself, and voiced her hypothesis.

"It's probably like the school's hidden rules; Hoshinomiya cannot tell us proactively, but we can purchase information about the hidden rules from her."

U Amakusa denied this: "No, that doesn't count as help. It's actually quite simple. The school forbids proactive help, which means there just needs to be a reason for the homeroom teacher to provide it."

Ichinose & Kanzaki asked in confusion: "A reason?"

U Amakusa raised his fist, signaling Kanzaki to do the same.

"You know how to play rock-paper-scissors, right? I'll play rock, and you play scissors."

Rock-paper-scissors.

Kanzaki didn't understand, but he followed along, resulting in U Amakusa winning the round sloppily.

"Just like that, I won." U Amakusa retracted his fist, wearing an expression that said he had finished his explanation.

Kanzaki said thoughtfully: "You mean, using rock-paper-scissors as the reason?"

Ichinose pondered for a moment, then had a sudden realization.

"Amakusa-kun means that the reason the school requires for help is merely a formality.

No matter how absurd the reason is, it just needs to exist—even if it's something like losing 10,000,000 Private Points in a game of rock-paper-scissors."

Clap, clap, clap—

U Amakusa applauded Ichinose. "Exactly right, Ichinose."