Make Class 1-A Great Again

The next morning.

Tatsuya Sakuya lay on his bed, his fingers rapidly tapping the screen. Only 50,000 points remained in his account.

Judging by last month's spending, his current points probably would not be enough to support him through this month.

Tatsuya Sakuya calculated silently.

The complete set of midterm exam questions he had bought from a second-year student for 10,000 points last night had yet to serve its purpose.

Tatsuya Sakuya had two considerations for those past exam papers.

First, he intended to use them as leverage in the class representative election.

Class 1-D's current situation was like that of a homeless dog. Without the help of the past papers, things would only get worse.

Second, he would try to trade with other classes in exchange for Private Points.

As a man of action, Tatsuya Sakuya got to work without another word.

After all, he had promised Karuizawa Kei yesterday that he would give her 30 percent of the points earned from selling the past papers.

He opened Line and sent Kamuro Masumi a message:

Tatsuya Sakuya: [Something terrible has happened, Kamuro.]

Kamuro Masumi: [? What kind of crazy message is this so early in the morning?]

Tatsuya Sakuya: [This concerns whether Class 1-A can be made great again. It's an emergency.]

Kamuro Masumi: [If you have something to say, hurry up and say it. Stop being mysterious.]

Tatsuya Sakuya: [Palette Cafe, 10 a.m. Don't be late, and remember to bring Sakayanagi Arisu.]

Kamuro Masumi: [???]

Kamuro Masumi was utterly bewildered, unable to make sense of what that hateful guy was plotting.

Yet, despite gritting her teeth, she could only obediently inform Class 1-A's princess.

10 a.m., Palette Cafe.

"Classmate Shiba went to such lengths to ask Masumi to arrange this meeting, even using such exaggerated words as 'make Class 1-A great again.'"

Sakayanagi Arisu tilted her head slightly, a teasing scrutiny in her eyes.

"So... may I finally learn what surprise you have prepared for today?"

Tatsuya Sakuya did not rush to reveal his trump card. Instead, he casually struck at Class 1-A's current weak point.

"It's hardly a surprise. I simply wish to make a deal with Classmate Sakayanagi that guarantees a profit."

"As far as I know, Class 1-A currently holds a lofty 990 points. However, regarding who should hold leadership within the class, Katsuragi's conservatives seem to have broader support among the students."

The smile at the corners of Sakayanagi Arisu's lips faded slightly.

"Classmate Shiba seems unusually concerned with Class 1-A's internal affairs."

"I have a way to help you gain the support of Class 1-A's students—or at the very least, ensure that your prestige in Class 1-A does not decline."

Tatsuya Sakuya lowered his voice and dropped a bombshell.

"I have the past midterm exam papers from last year's first-year students."

"Past papers? Such a thing actually exists?"

Kamuro Masumi, standing behind her, felt her eyelids twitch violently and could not help letting out a startled cry.

As one of the sharpest minds around, Sakayanagi naturally understood the implications perfectly.

If a class obtained past exam papers from previous years, it could not only ensure that everyone avoided the expulsion threshold, but also raise the class average through advance practice, securing an insurmountable absolute advantage in the battle for Class Points.

"Classmate Shiba truly has remarkable means. You managed to understand the rules and obtain such a resource within just one month of school starting."

Sakayanagi Arisu quickly regained her elegant composure and began probing.

"However, since you possess such a powerful asset, why not trade with Katsuragi, who is more cautious in his actions and more eager to consolidate his prestige? Given his personality, I imagine he would gladly buy an absolutely reliable insurance policy for the class."

"I did consider approaching Katsuragi."

Meeting Sakayanagi's gaze, Tatsuya Sakuya began weaving a lie without changing expression.

"Before coming to see you, I had thought that Class 1-A's strength meant it had no need for these past papers."

"Until not long ago, when I received insider information that Class 1-B had already obtained past exam papers from previous years."

"With the help of those papers, it would not be difficult for Class 1-B to surpass Class 1-A in overall scores."

"To be honest, the other classes do not want Class 1-A's two-tiered structure to be broken."

"Or rather, I want you to be Class 1-A's leader. That is why I troubled Kamuro."

A ripple appeared in Sakayanagi Arisu's eyes.

If every student in Class 1-B had mastered the past papers, their total midterm score would inevitably surge explosively, perhaps even directly threatening Class 1-A's position.

"Classmate Shiba, are you... trying to create a sense of crisis for Class 1-A?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's voice grew several degrees colder.

"No. I'm merely stating objective facts."

Tatsuya Sakuya said blandly:

"If Class 1-B scores highly across the board while Class 1-A makes mistakes because its information is delayed, then your prestige as a leader will inevitably suffer a fierce blow from the Katsuragi Faction."

"This deal benefits us both."

Sakayanagi Arisu narrowed her eyes slightly and tested the price.

"How many points do you require?"

"50,000 points."

For Class 1-A as it was now, 50,000 points was practically nothing. It was hardly worth mentioning.

Not long ago, Class 1-A had distributed 99,000 Private Points to every student.

"Fine. No problem."

Sakayanagi Arisu readily agreed to the deal.

However, just as the transaction was about to be finalized.

Ring, ring, ring.

The phone in Tatsuya Sakuya's pocket suddenly began ringing.

"Sorry, sorry. I need to take this."

It's finally here.

Tatsuya Sakuya glanced at the screen, where Karuizawa Kei's name was clearly displayed.

Without avoiding Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi, he casually pressed the speakerphone button.

The moment the call connected, Karuizawa Kei's voice immediately came through the receiver.

Karuizawa Kei: [Hey, Tatsuya Sakuya, how are the negotiations going over there? How many points are they willing to offer?]

Tatsuya Sakuya: [They're currently offering 50,000 points. The negotiations are going smoothly.]

Karuizawa Kei: [Can't you do basic math? I just ran into people from the Katsuragi Faction in the cafeteria, and they offered 100,000 points without hesitation.]

Karuizawa Kei: [If you dare sell it for 50,000, forget about getting the other half of the exam papers from me.]

Smack!

The call was unilaterally disconnected.

Tatsuya Sakuya helplessly spread his hands, naturally putting on an expression that said, "My partner is too greedy, and there's nothing I can do."

"Classmate Sakayanagi, as you heard, my ally has been poor for too long. Seeing how wealthy you are, she decided to extort you shamelessly."

"You know that Class 1-D has zero Class Points, right?"

Across from him, Sakayanagi Arisu knew that call might have been embellished, but she was also carefully considering the potential shift in power if the past papers fell into the hands of the Katsuragi Faction.

"Hehe... what a splendid little performance, Classmate Shiba."

"100,000 points for Class 1-A's absolute security. That is a very worthwhile deal."

She calmly took out her phone and transferred 100,000 points into Tatsuya Sakuya's account.

Smiling, Tatsuya Sakuya sent the document to Sakayanagi Arisu's phone, then rose and bowed.

"A pleasure doing business with you."

"I hope you make Class 1-A great again."