{You have received a text message: Kouenji Rokusuke has transferred 400,000 points to you}
Only a measly 2 million points, Kouenji? But you certainly didn't drag your feet when it came to transferring them.
"Students aren't allowed in here." Watanabe Hayabara had barely stepped across the threshold of the School History Museum when a stern voice cracked beside his ear like lightning.
He froze for a moment, then quickly focused on the source of the voice: a bespectacled teacher standing behind the counter. The teacher's face was as cold as stone, his expression stern. His scrutinizing gaze seemed to pierce through Watanabe Hayabara's exterior and straight into his heart.
Watanabe Hayabara couldn't help feeling puzzled. He didn't understand why he'd been stopped so harshly. Even so, he didn't lose his composure. Still smiling, he hurried forward and asked politely, "What's the matter, sir? I just wanted to take a look around the School History Museum."
His voice was gentle and humble, like a spring breeze softly brushing past one's ears.
The teacher, however, seemed unmoved. His brow furrowed slightly, and he continued to stare at Watanabe Hayabara with a cold gaze. "The School History Museum is currently closed to visitors."
Watanabe Hayabara raised his voice a little and said sincerely, "I thought the whole point of establishing the School History Museum was for students to visit, learn, and reflect on the past. Sorry for the trouble, sir, but could you make an exception for me?"
With that, Watanabe Hayabara took out his student ID and showed the points on his account.
The teacher pushed his glasses up with an expressionless face. His eyes remained cold and stern behind the lenses, seemingly unmoved by the 3.5 million points. He looked the student up and down, then asked unhurriedly, "You're a first-year student, right?"
"Yes, sir. I'm Watanabe Hayabara from Class 1-D. I really want to learn more about our school's history, so I'm asking you to make an exception and let me look around the School History Museum."
The teacher's brow furrowed slightly, as if displeased, but he continued with his questions. "Oh? Class 1-D, is it? And who's your homeroom teacher?"
Watanabe Hayabara quickly replied, "My homeroom teacher is Chabashira Sae. Are you unfamiliar with the school's staff assignments?" His voice carried a hint of surprise and confusion.
The teacher's mouth lifted slightly in a faint smile, but he quickly returned to his serious expression. "I've never been interested in the School History Museum, so I never bothered to learn that sort of thing."
"Since fate has brought us together, I'll make an exception and let you take a look around."
Chabashira Sae's past, huh? This could be worth looking into.
"Would you mind showing me around, sir?" Watanabe Hayabara asked, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
The teacher replied flatly, "Letting you visit the School History Museum is already the limit of what I can do for you."
Watanabe Hayabara changed tack at once. "Then how about I pay you 500,000 points to show me around?"
The teacher furrowed his brow slightly, clearly surprised by the offer, but soon regained his composure. "That won't be necessary. Teachers aren't allowed to accept points from students without permission. However, there is something I need Watanabe-kun's help with."
Watanabe Hayabara's eyes lit up. "Please, go ahead, sir."
The teacher's gaze settled on him. "When the first student from Class D is expelled, I want you to be there and watch."
Is this personal? Chabashira-sensei seems to have quite a history.
Seeing Watanabe Hayabara deep in thought, the teacher said expressionlessly, "If you have no objections, follow me." With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked ahead of Watanabe Hayabara.
Watanabe Hayabara immediately followed.
As he followed the teacher who presided over the School History Museum, Watanabe Hayabara first learned when Advanced Nurturing High School was founded, what government policies supported it, and about its supposed 100 percent advancement rate. But all of that was already in the school's admissions brochure.
"Sir, is the school's 100 percent advancement rate real?"
"Of course. That isn't something we can fake."
"Then what did you mean earlier about students from Class D being expelled?"
"The school isn't going to support a bunch of trash for the rest of society."
"Society really is survival of the fittest. So it's only natural that some people get eliminated."
"Oh?" The School History Museum teacher was genuinely surprised by Watanabe Hayabara's response.
"Perhaps I shouldn't look down on Class D students so readily. I have to admit, I'm starting to like you. If you weren't Chabashira Sae's student, that is."
"I'm curious what happened between you and Chabashira-sensei."
"I don't mind telling you. Once you've saved up 20 million points, I'll tell you everything. But for now, I can share one thing with you."
"What is it, sir?" Watanabe Hayabara put on a curious expression.
"Don't pretend in front of a teacher, young man." The School History Museum teacher pushed his glasses up.
"I'm not sure what you mean, sir."
"Never mind. The truth is, your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, another teacher at this school named Hoshinomiya Chie, and I were classmates in the same year."
"Did you graduate from Class A, sir?"
"Close, but no cigar."
So Chabashira Sae must've graduated from Class B. That was the cause.
"You can look around the School History Museum on your own from here. I'll leave you to it." The teacher smiled and turned to go.
What a fake smile. Looks like this teacher's quite the actor too.
Watanabe Hayabara hurriedly cupped his hands and thanked him. "Thank you very much for patiently explaining everything and showing me around, sir. I've learned a lot today! But I'll need some time to think over and absorb what you've told me, so I won't stay here any longer and disturb your rest."
Watanabe Hayabara still hadn't bought some basic necessities, so there was no reason to waste time. He wanted to get these tedious errands out of the way as soon as possible.
More importantly, Watanabe Hayabara realized that even if he stayed in the School History Museum, he probably wouldn't find out anything else of value. People were the best sources of information, and without the teacher there, he wouldn't be able to draw anything else out of him. The chances of learning anything meaningful had dropped considerably.
"I look forward to seeing you earn 20 million personal points."
"I'll do my best, sir."
"Enjoy yourself, Chabashira Sae. This so-called Class D student of yours should make things more interesting. Though I wonder what landed him in Class D in the first place. That's certainly worth pondering. Heh heh heh!"
The teacher strolled away leisurely, thinking to himself.
Hoshinomiya-sensei, what's your relationship with Chabashira Sae really like? I'm curious. Are you protective of her like a close friend, or do you resent her like this teacher does? It's worth investigating. Just don't let there be a second Little Kikyo.
Before you continue