The Contract Was Sealed

In the Class D classroom, Karuizawa hurried over to Hasebe.

Noticing Karuizawa's approach, Hasebe looked up at her and asked helplessly, "What is it this time, Kei?"

"And you have the nerve to ask me that?"

Taken aback by Hasebe's question, Karuizawa said, "Kato just left with that girl from Class B, Ichinose!"

At the mention of Satsu, Kokoro Inogashira perked up from the other side of the classroom. Unfortunately, they were too far away, and she couldn't hear a word of what Karuizawa and Hasebe were saying.

"Kokoro, what's wrong?"

At her classmate's concerned question, Inogashira came back to herself, but didn't feel like answering.

"Sorry, I need to go to the restroom first."

With that, Inogashira dashed out of the classroom. At a glance, she spotted Satsu and the others just past the corner.

"Thank goodness, I made it!"

Inogashira was thrilled. She quietly followed them. I have to see for myself what they're going to do. Please don't let it be a confession.

Because she was shy, Inogashira didn't want many people to know how she felt about Satsu, so she had chosen to act in her own way.

Back in the classroom, Hasebe was much calmer.

"What's the big deal? They're just going out together. You're being a little too sensitive, Kei."

"You don't know Ichinose? She's one of the prettiest girls in the first year. You know how popular Satsu is with the girls, don't you? How can you not feel the slightest bit threatened?"

Karuizawa sounded completely serious, with a hint of exasperation in her voice.

"Come on~ What kind of person goes on a date with a teacher?"

Karuizawa was momentarily stumped. After a long pause, she finally stammered, "Even so, you should feel at least a little threatened."

"I told you already, you can't rush things like relationships."

"Fine, fine," Karuizawa said dismissively before walking away, disgruntled.

Hasebe glanced up at Karuizawa's retreating figure without drawing attention to herself and murmured, "Why is she always so concerned about the relationship between Satsu and me?"

In the hallway, Satsu and Ichinose chatted on and off.

"You made up your mind so quickly? I thought I'd have to wait a while."

"One night is already a long time."

Ichinose lowered her head, but her eyes were full of determination. "I have to make this deal!"

"We're here."

Chabashira's cold voice rang out. Only then did the two realize they had arrived at the teachers' office.

Aside from Hoshinomiya, the office was empty. Three documents were neatly laid out on the desk in front of her. Clearly, Hoshinomiya had been waiting for them for some time.

"You're finally here!"

Hoshinomiya stood up, and soon spotted Kokoro Inogashira secretly following the three of them.

"Looks like someone else is interested in your agreement."

At her words, everyone turned around together.

Although Kokoro Inogashira had immediately tried to hide, the empty hallway offered nowhere to conceal herself.

She immediately pretended nothing was amiss and walked past the office door.

I acted perfectly. They shouldn't suspect I'm following them. (Kokoro Inogashira)

"Who have you told about our business? Why would anyone be following us?" Ichinose reproached Satsu.

"I haven't said much to anyone," Satsu denied.

With a bang, Chabashira shut the office door.

"There's nothing to discuss. We can just keep her from seeing," Chabashira said as she walked over to Hoshinomiya.

"If there are no objections, let's begin." Hoshinomiya picked up two documents and handed one to Satsu and one to Ichinose.

"These are the contracts you two are about to sign. If you both agree, sign them, and the contract will take effect."

"There are three copies: one for the school and one for each of you."

As soon as Hoshinomiya finished explaining, Chabashira couldn't help but speak up. "What, you're not going to read the contract? Once it's bound, you won't be able to look at it."

"You didn't read it either," Hoshinomiya replied.

"What could be so important that it needs a contract? Why bother reading it?"

Chabashira said disdainfully. When she looked up, she met Hoshinomiya's gaze, which seemed to say, Look! You just explained exactly why.

At that moment, Ichinose was in agony. Satsu had checked that everything in the contract was in order and signed his name without hesitation, but Ichinose still couldn't bring herself to put pen to paper.

Her hand trembled as two voices argued inside her. In the end, the voice urging her to sign won out.

It'll be fine, Ichinose. If Kato doesn't pay the points back, at worst, I can drop out with him. There's no way he'd be crazy enough to use dropping out as leverage just to have the pleasure of spending a million points. (Ichinose Honami)

At worst, I can start over at another school. Running out of points won't get me expelled, and the school can still guarantee us the bare minimum to survive. Everyone in Class B is talented and united. They can earn the points back. (Ichinose Honami)

But if this gamble pays off, I'll have three hundred million yen. Even if I don't take the gamble, I can't say for sure that I'll graduate from Class A. I have to take the chance. (Ichinose Honami)

Ichinose abruptly clasped her right hand with her left and forced it down, signing her name.

"Then the contract is official!" Hoshinomiya said, putting away the school's copy.

"Now that the contract is in effect, shouldn't you fulfill your end of it?" Satsu asked Ichinose expectantly.

"Okay!"

Ichinose nodded, took out her phone, and transferred the points in front of Hoshinomiya and Chabashira.

"One million points. Check that you got them."

"I got them."

At the sight, Hoshinomiya and Chabashira were both utterly incredulous. Chabashira even instinctively tried to snatch the documents from Hoshinomiya.

She desperately wanted to know what kind of contract it was, but Hoshinomiya stopped her.

"Sae, I know you're in a hurry, but don't be. The documents have already been sealed."

"You don't want to see them?!"

"I do!" Hoshinomiya shouted without hesitation. She turned to Satsu and said, "I really want to know what promise he made that convinced Ichinose to give him a million points."

"But according to school rules, we've already missed our chance to look."