Chapter 311

Because if it weren't for the other person, he wouldn't have been able to get into this school where he could earn 1.5 million points a month. It's almost fair to say that coming here changed his life.

This is a great kindness in recognizing and appreciating your talent.

Hachiman also sensed what the teacher liked and wanted, though he couldn't give it to him.

But she should be happy about this.

In this way.

Hachiman went into the flower shop and asked the clerk to help him wrap two bouquets of flowers.

The family restaurant on the second floor opposite the flower shop.

"Kamuro, always having a serious face will make you get wrinkles."

"It seems that confining you to your quarters these past few days has been tiring for you," came an elegant voice.

That was Sakayanagi Arisu was sitting to one side waiting to be served.

The person she struck up a conversation with was Masumi Kamuro, who was serving her food.

"And I've had some trouble during your three days away. After all, I've gotten used to you," Sakayanagi continued.

"..." The Kamuro.

Snort.

Kamuro didn't believe Sakayanagi Arisu's hypocritical act.

She was released by Sakayanagi today, but discovered that she had a classmate named Yamabuki by her side.

In other words, while Sakayanagi was saying he couldn't live without her, didn't he immediately find a meal replacement?

Kamuro was indeed not by Sakayanagi's side for those three days.

To be precise, she was placed under Sakayanagi Arisu.

She was kept in her room for three consecutive days. She was allowed to have her meals delivered, but she was not allowed to leave her room.

The explanation given was that it was punishment for her betrayal of the class.

It wasn't really a betrayal, because even though she gave the test paper to Hachiman Hikigaya, her class still won against Hachiman Hikigaya's class in the end, didn't it?

However, because of this, Kushida was preserved.

However, even Kamuro was still wary of such things.

Because their secret betrayal was discovered so quickly.

With that in mind, she continued to pour water for Sakayanagi, appearing obedient.

Otherwise, the next time she betrays... ptooey, otherwise she'll be excluded from Sakayanagi's inner circle.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, Yamabuki automatically left Sakayanagi's side, clearly indicating that she held a higher position in Sakayanagi's heart.

This also relieved Kamuro.

"Um?"

At that moment, Kamuro suddenly looked in one direction.

"What's wrong, Kamuro?" Sakayanagi Arisu looked over.

"I think I just caught a glimpse of Hachiman Hikigaya. Then I saw him go into the flower shop across the street," Kamuro said.

"A flower shop? Are you looking to buy flowers as a gift?" Sakayanagi Arisu. "But unfortunately, Hachiman isn't that kind of romantic person."

Really.

Sakayanagi Arisu said this, and then she and Kamuro stared at the flower shop.

About five minutes later, they saw Hachiman walk out of the flower shop, carrying a bouquet of bright red roses in each hand.

"If it were a bouquet of flowers, perhaps it was intended as a gift for a specific person," Sakayanagi said. "But..."

"If there are two bunches, then it's impossible."

"Because it's impossible to give two bouquets of flowers to the same person in a row," Sakayanagi said. "So it's probably just something superficial, not related to romance or anything."

"Ask Kushida what he's doing now, and whether he'll receive flowers from Hachiman Hikigaya today."

"Arrange for two more people to keep an eye on Suzune Horikita."

"Hachiman Hikigaya has finally rallied and is ready to challenge me, so I can't let him fall in love."

"You should know."

"Love makes people idiots."

Oh, I see.

Actually, Kamuro didn't want to hear who Hachiman Hikigaya was going to give the flowers to, or who Sakayanagi thought he would give them to.

However, after three days apart, Sakayanagi was still talking to her about random things as before, which meant that her position as a confidante had not been revoked.

This is good news for Kamuro.

Chairman's Office.

After returning from the Shopping Street, since the distance between the two points was shorter, Hachiman took the flowers and went to the Chairman's Office.

The chairman's office is in a separate building.

His purpose was also very direct and brutal.

Exchange points for cash.

When he enrolled, Chabashira bought him the right to redeem points in advance, and the base for redemption was 1 million points, which he had already completed.

What he wanted to exchange today was not a mere 1 million, but 10 million.

As for the 10 million points card that Chabashira gave him, he doesn't need to worry about it as he has more than enough points in his student account.

Hachiman mentioned that he sometimes runs into the chairman in the cafeteria on the third floor.

This is the first time I've met Chairman Sakayanagi face-to-face.

The other person had short, silver-white hair and black-rimmed glasses. He must have looked quite handsome when he was young, but now he looked rather haggard.

Hachiman had a pretty good idea why he looked so haggard.

It seems that the matter concerning Kiyotaka Ayanokoji is simply unmanageable, and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's father's position and power likely exceed the scope of Chairman Sakayanagi's authority, thus placing constant pressure on Chairman Sakayanagi.

Judging from his haggard appearance, he himself may also be facing threats.

It seems the adult world is even dirtier than he imagined.

But.

"I'll take 10 million points from you and exchange them for 8 million in cash."

"Is it intended to be stored in your account, or will it be settled directly as cash?"

Because it was a large sum of money, the chairman handled it personally. This style is very similar to that of Manabu Horikita.

"Just give me cash," Hachiman said. "My homeroom teacher is leaving school today; she seems to be heading to Chiba, so she can bring it home for me."

"I see."

Chairman Sakayanagi nodded, then handed over the briefcase containing the money from the staff.

But.

He gently pushed up his glasses, then his gaze fell on the two bouquets of flowers that Hachiman had brought.

"Hachiman, right?" Chairman Sakayanagi said. "Your class is the only class in the school's history to have climbed up from Class D."

"Although we've now fallen to Class B."

"But."

"I personally have a very high opinion of you," the chairman said. "As a reward, I can answer two questions for you."

Oh, I see.

Is there really such a good thing?

But.

Hachiman does indeed have one more question he wants answered.

So he put his left hand in his pocket.

"Then, I would like to ask you two questions honestly," Hachiman said. "First, regarding Itayagi-kun's words—"

"Oh, you mean her? She is my daughter, that's true. But rest assured, it's not that I put her in Class A out of favoritism, but that she has the value to deserve it."

"Then, the second point," Hachiman continued, seemingly uninterested in Itaru, "Is the true nature of this school just a facade for recruiting students from the general public, a way to create and train a group of people, where the excellent and the lousy are all predetermined? And... is it just training students in Class A and Class B?"

"Class C and Class D are both abandoned students. This class ranking system is a complete fraud!"

Hachiman continued to question him, which made Director Itayagi remain silent.

After a while, he said, "It seems you've already figured it out. I admit it. The students at this school are indeed pre-selected; you can't squeeze anyone in even if you wanted to."

"The essence of our school is to provide talent for society."

"As you know, the economy is in a slump right now, and we've encountered all sorts of problems that we can't solve, so we can only place our hopes on the next generation."

"If we continue to supply society with outstanding talents, then one day there will be people who can shoulder the burden of these problems."

"So."

"Advanced Nurturing High School has received support from junior high schools all over the country, and our students are selected from across the country, requiring recommendations from junior high school principals."

"Even if you fail the written test or the interview, it's not a problem; you can still get in."

At the same time, Chairman Banliu did not deny it at all, saying, "What you said is right. Only Class A and Class B are the real trainees. With the class ranking system, neither Class C nor Class D has the right to climb up."

"All the exams are arranged by us, as are the rewards for class evaluation scores. When a class that does not meet the requirements climbs up, it will be like the final exams you just finished. The class evaluation scores fluctuate greatly, so much so that the top class only needs to win once or twice to pull you down."

"The school is indeed favoring Class A and Class B. Only students from Class A and Class B are the ones being nurtured, while students from Class C and Class D are being sacrificed."

"So, they are indeed not allowed to climb up."

He continued to explain, but Chairman Banliu seemed to feel that he had spoken too despairingly, so he added, "But it's not that students in Class C and Class D can't succeed. Truly outstanding people can still succeed. Like you, as long as you accumulate 20 million points, you can continue to climb up whether you jump to Class A or Class B and graduate with excellent grades."

Is that so?

So it was just as he had originally expected.

"Is there anything else you'd like to ask?" Chairman Banliu asked in a typical counseling setting.

Hachiman shook his head.

"However, I hope you will also pay attention to this," Hachiman reminded him.

"Um?"

"Because you're a pretty upright person," Hachiman said, "So I hope you can make some preparations as soon as possible."

"What does this mean?" Director Banyan frowned. He felt that things were not so simple.

"I got points in the Sports Festival last time because I relied on Kiyotaka Ayanokoji's help," Hachiman said. "However, Kiyotaka Ayanokoji has always maintained a low profile."

"And he will take the initiative."

There is only one reason.

Hachiman paused for a moment and then said, "That means you alone cannot protect him."

"Therefore, you may be in trouble."

"Haha." But Chairman Banyan smiled. "It seems you know quite a bit. However, thank you for your concern, but I believe that Teacher Ayanokoji would not do such a thing. Besides, my background is very clean."

But that means you've probably thought about the possibility of being replaced, haven't you?

That's why it's emphasized that the background is clean.

Hachiman once again experienced how dark the adult world truly is.

But.

"Speaking of which," Chairman Sakayanagi said as Hachiman was about to leave, "your flowers—"

"These are for Chabashira-sensei and the teacher who brought them back from Chiba to give to me," Hachiman said. "I can't leave the school, and it would seem insincere to have Chabashira-sensei buy the flowers outside."