Harvest at the School History Museum

{You have received a text message: Kouenji Rokusuke has transferred 400,000 points to you.}

[Only exchanged a measly 2 million points, Kouenji? Though, the transfer was certainly swift.]

"Student, entry is prohibited here." Just as Watanabe Hayabara stepped over the threshold of the school history museum, a stern reprimand cracked through the air like a bolt of lightning.

He froze, his gaze snapping to the source of the voice—a bespectacled teacher standing at the counter. The teacher's face was as still as stagnant water, his expression grave, his scrutinizing gaze seemingly piercing through Watanabe Hayabara's exterior to probe the depths of his soul.

A wave of surprise washed over Watanabe Hayabara; he couldn't fathom why he was being rebuked so harshly. Yet, he didn't lose his composure. He kept a smile on his face, stepped forward, and asked politely, "What's the matter, Teacher? I only wished to visit the school history museum."

His voice was gentle and humble, like a spring breeze brushing softly against one's ears.

However, the teacher remained unmoved. He furrowed his brows slightly, kept his cold, piercing gaze fixed on Watanabe Hayabara, and said slowly, "Student, the school history museum is currently closed to visitors."

Watanabe Hayabara raised his voice slightly, speaking with sincerity, "I believe the school's original intention in establishing this museum was for students to visit, learn, and draw lessons from the past. I hope you can make an exception, Teacher."

With that, Watanabe Hayabara pulled out his student ID and displayed his point balance.

The teacher pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses remaining cold and indifferent, seemingly unmoved by the staggering 3.5 million points. He looked the student up and down with a critical eye before speaking unhurriedly, "You're a first-year freshman, aren't you?"

"Yes, Teacher. I am Watanabe Hayabara from Class 1-D. I have a deep desire to understand the history of our school, so I humbly request that you allow me to enter and look around."

The teacher's brows furrowed slightly, appearing somewhat dissatisfied, but he continued to ask, "Oh? Class 1-D? Then, may I ask who your homeroom teacher is?"

Watanabe Hayabara replied quickly, "My homeroom teacher is Chabashira Sae. Is the teacher unaware of the school's faculty assignments?" A hint of surprise and confusion laced his tone.

The corners of the teacher's mouth curled upward into an imperceptible smile, but he quickly returned to his stern expression and said, "I have never had any interest in this museum, nor have I cared to keep track of such information."

"Student, since we have crossed paths, I shall make an exception and let you in to take a look."

[Chabashira Sae from the old days? That might be worth savoring.]

"Would you be willing to guide me through the museum, Teacher?" Watanabe Hayabara's voice held a touch of anticipation.

The teacher replied expressionlessly, "Allowing you to visit the museum is the extent of my leniency."

Watanabe Hayabara changed his approach, immediately adding, "Then, would it be acceptable if I spent 500,000 points to hire you to show me around?"

The teacher's brows furrowed, clearly surprised by the proposal, but he regained his calm quickly. "That won't be necessary. As teachers, we are not permitted to accept points from students arbitrarily. However, there is indeed a matter I need Student Watanabe to assist me with."

Watanabe Hayabara's eyes lit up, and he said quickly, "Please, tell me, Teacher."

The teacher's gaze fell upon him as he said slowly, "When the first student from Class D is expelled, I want you to observe it."

[A personal vendetta? It seems Chabashira-sensei has quite a history.]

Watching Watanabe Hayabara contemplate this, the teacher remained expressionless, merely saying, "If there are no issues, then follow me." With that, the teacher walked ahead of Watanabe Hayabara with his hands clasped behind his back.

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara followed immediately.

Following the man who presided over the museum, Watanabe Hayabara first learned about the founding date of Advanced Nurturing High School, the government support policies, and the so-called 100% advancement rate—though these were all things already covered in the school's admissions prospectus.

"Teacher, is the 100% advancement rate you mentioned really true?"

"Naturally, it is true. This is not something one can falsify."

"Then, regarding the expulsion of Class D students you mentioned earlier?"

"The school will not support a group of dregs for society."

"This society is indeed survival of the fittest, so it is only logical that some are eliminated."

"Oh?" The museum teacher was genuinely surprised by Watanabe Hayabara's rhetoric.

"It seems one cannot always view Class D students with prejudice. I find myself somewhat impressed by you, provided you weren't a student of Chabashira Sae."

"I am curious about the grudge between you and Chabashira-sensei."

"I don't mind telling you, provided you gather 20 million points. However, I can tell you one piece of information now."

"What information is that, Teacher?" Watanabe Hayabara put on a curious expression.

"Don't put on an act in front of a teacher, student." The museum teacher pushed up his glasses.

"I don't quite understand what you are talking about, Teacher."

"Never mind. In truth, your homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, and another person in this school, Hoshinomiya Chie, were students in the same class during my year."

"May I ask if you graduated from Class A, Teacher?"

"A miss is as good as a mile."

[It seems Chabashira Sae was the fuse that led to him graduating from Class B.]

"As for the rest of the museum, feel free to look around as you please. I won't be accompanying you any further." The teacher smiled and turned to leave.

[Truly fake. It seems the teacher is also quite the actor.]

Seeing this, Watanabe Hayabara bowed to thank him, "Thank you very much for your patient explanation and guidance, Teacher. I have truly gained a lot today! However, there is some content I need time to digest and absorb, so I won't linger in the museum any longer, lest I disturb your rest."

Watanabe Hayabara had yet to purchase daily necessities, so he had no time to waste; he wanted to get these trivial matters out of the way as soon as possible.

More importantly, Watanabe Hayabara realized that even if he stayed in the museum, it would be difficult to uncover more valuable information. After all, people themselves were the best source of information; without the teacher there to bait, the truly meaningful new information had dwindled significantly.

"I look forward to you obtaining 20 million personal points soon."

"I will do my best, Teacher."

"Enjoy yourself, Chabashira Sae. This so-called Class D student of yours will make things interesting. Though, the reason he ended up in Class D is certainly worth pondering. Tsk, tsk, tsk!"

The teacher walked away at a leisurely pace, thinking to himself.

[Hoshinomiya-sensei, what is your true attitude toward Chabashira Sae? It is quite something to look forward to. Is it the so-called maintenance of a best friend, or is it a resentment like this teacher's? It is worth investigating. Let's hope a second Little Kikyo doesn't appear.]