Class Conflict

A question shattered the silence.

"Kitahara, you bastard, why didn't you tell us there was an evaluation in the first month? Now we have zero points for the entire month," Yamauchi Haruki said, standing up to face Kitahara.

"How unbeautiful, Yamauchi boy. This is what Kitahara boy deserves. Besides, unlike you lot, he doesn't have to survive on free vegetables this month."

I never expected Koenji to actually speak up for me, Kitahara thought, sitting in his seat and watching the scene unfold.

At the podium, Chabashira Sae simply watched the situation develop in silence.

"I don't care! Kitahara needs to split his points with us, or we're finished this month."

Listening to Ike Kanji's absurd demand, even Kitahara Seiichi's usually calm temper reached its limit.

"Hahaha, do you really think a high school student could have unlimited access to 100,000 points every month? Anyone with common sense would know that's impossible. Yet, instead of investigating this question yourselves, you want me to hand you the answer? I'll only say this:

"Are you even worthy?"

"You bastard, what are you saying?" Sudo walked over, grabbing Kitahara Seiichi by the tie.

"Enough, stop it, Sudo," Hirata said, standing up to intervene.

"Haha, let me give you another piece of information. Try to handle this one."

"You don't really think entering Advanced Nurturing High School guarantees a 100% rate of advancement and employment, do you? Don't get your hopes up. This school is a meritocracy, and those benefits are reserved exclusively for Class A."

"..."

Chabashira looked at the class, which had fallen silent once more, and thought:

I didn't expect him to have grasped the school's rules to this extent. But he spends almost every day in his dorm room, doesn't he? That's exactly why the school authorities couldn't figure him out, eventually deciding to let the homeroom teachers vote on whether to make his 10,000,000 points public.

Looking at this, it seems my decision wasn't wrong. I bet on the right person.

"Chabashira-sensei, is this true?" Hirata asked, looking at her.

"Heh, it wasn't the right time to tell you, but since Kitahara has already brought it up, I have no choice but to inform you idiots."

"That's right. Indeed, only those in Class A can enjoy those benefits."

"How can this be? This is a scam," Yamauchi replied.

"Heh, the freshman handbook does state a 100% advancement rate, but it never specified for whom."

"..."

"The school implements a unique S-System, which monitors students in real-time and calculates their values.

These are the current points held by each class.

Look, your Class D has perfectly proven that you are the lowest level, the worst kind of defective products."

First-year class points:

[Class A: 940cp

Class B: 840cp

Class C: 490cp

Class D: 0cp]

"This year's Class A is as excellent as ever. Class B has broken the record for the highest points in their history. I'm also quite impressed with you lot; you managed to lose all your points in the very first month. Among all previous Class D cohorts, this is a first."

"Sensei, at least tell us the specific criteria for how points are added or deducted," Hirata asked, standing up.

"In the real world, personnel evaluations don't tell you the specific criteria for their reviews either."

"Uh..."

Do you see? This is what class points are, Chabashira said, pointing to the blackboard.

"One class point is equivalent to 100 private points for every student in the class. That's why every class was given 1,000 class points at the start of the term. It means you've had every single point deducted."

"Um... is there any chance for us to increase our points?" Kushida Kikyo asked.

"Yes. If your points exceed those of Class C, you will be promoted to Class C, and Class C will be demoted to Class D."

"The nearest opportunity is the upcoming midterm exam. Depending on your grades, you can increase your class points by a maximum of 100."

"Only 100 points..."

"No, it's better than nothing."

"However, looking at the results of the previous quiz, all of you produced nothing but garbage grades."

"From next time on, anyone who fails the midterm or final exams..."

"Will be expelled immediately."

"Hey, did you hear? About what happened in Class D this morning?"

"Yeah, I did. I never expected Kitahara from Class D to have received a reward of 10,000,000 points."

"But it seems he's already been ostracized by the others."

The students of Class B continued to discuss the matter; they couldn't help it, as the news was simply too shocking.

"As expected, Kitahara-kun is truly as excellent as Hoshinomiya-sensei said; to think you could obtain 10 million points. Though, it seems Kitahara-kun is currently in the class..." Ichinose said, sounding both happy and worried.

It wasn't just Class B discussing it; everyone in the grade had come to recognize this legendary figure.

The scene shifts to Class C.

"Hey, Shiina, what's your take on this Kitahara?" a purple-haired boy asked.

"Ryuen, there's too little information available to deduce anything about him, but the only thing certain for now is that he is a loner within Class D," the silver-haired, purple-eyed girl replied.

"Looks like we'll have to test his strength then."

"Considering the information we have, the only way to earn at least some class points is to make everyone change their attitude toward life and score high on the next midterm exam," Ayanokoji said to Horikita while sitting by the pool, watching them frolic in the water.

"Yes."

"When it comes down to it, they all had a sweet dream when they enrolled, thinking that to receive the benefits of a top-tier school with such high advancement and employment rates, you just have to..."

"You can only achieve your future dreams if you rise to Class C or higher; as long as you're in Class D, it's impossible."

"Ayanokoji, have you ever practiced any sports?"

"No, not really. Not to brag, but I was in the Going-Home Club back in middle school."

"Even so, your upper arms feel quite well-developed..."

"Hahaha..." Kitahara Seiichi couldn't help but laugh as he overheard their conversation, immediately drawing the attention of both of them.

Feeling Horikita's icy gaze, Kitahara spoke up:

"Horikita, you don't actually believe someone from the Going-Home Club could have such developed muscles, do you? Besides, from my observation, Ayanokoji's muscle proportions are just right; it's obvious someone tailored a regimen specifically for him."

Upon hearing Kitahara Seiichi's words, Horikita pondered for a moment before shifting her cold gaze back to Ayanokoji, her eyes seemingly demanding an explanation.

"Uh, I've only ever studied piano and calligraphy."

Horikita glared fiercely at Kitahara and Ayanokoji before deciding not to press the matter further.

"Horikita... if it's alright, why don't you come down and swim with us?" Kushida Kikyo said, approaching them.

"No, thank you."

"Could it be that Horikita doesn't know how to swim?"

"It's not that I'm good at it, but it's not that I can't do it either."

"I couldn't swim at all back in middle school, but I practiced desperately and finally learned."

"Is that so? That's great." Horikita stood up, turned around, and walked away.

"She really is a conversation killer, isn't she?" Ayanokoji remarked.

"I really want to become friends with Horikita, and with Kitahara-kun standing right there, too."

"Heh, forget it. I have no interest in becoming friends with you," Kitahara Seiichi replied coldly.

Heh, a girl who stabs people in the back—no matter how nice she seems, it's impossible to build a connection.

Besides, for a social butterfly like her, Ichinose fits my perception much better.

"Another conversation killer," Ayanokoji said, watching Kitahara Seiichi walk away.