Conjecture

The air in the classroom felt almost frozen as the debate over whether to buy information from Teacher Hoshinomiya raged on.

Some argued for taking precautions, others worried about not having enough points, and still others did not want the hundred thousand they had just received to simply vanish. Feelings of restlessness and unease spread through the classroom like ripples.

"I think it's better to hear Miyama's opinion first."

Kanzaki spoke in a deep voice, breaking the deadlock. His penetrating voice instantly overpowered the surrounding commotion and clearly reached every corner of the classroom.

Seeing that everyone's gazes had converged on him, Kanzaki continued, "Miyama discovered the key points in the school rules earlier than the rest of us, and we've all witnessed his powers of observation. It wouldn't hurt to ask for his thoughts first before making a decision."

Recalling Miyama Saku's sharp performance regarding the school rules just moments before, the students in the class nodded in agreement one after another. Even Ichinose cast an inquiring gaze, seemingly waiting for this mastermind to speak.

"Miyama, what are your thoughts on buying information from Teacher Hoshinomiya?"

Miyama Saku did not answer directly, instead raising a hand to point at the clock hanging on the classroom wall. His tone was so calm that not a single ripple could be heard in it. "It's getting late. If we dawdle any longer, we'll miss the entrance ceremony. Let's discuss this question later."

Very little time remained before the start of the entrance ceremony. Factoring in the time to rush from the teaching building to the auditorium and form up, leaving right now was cutting it close.

"Ah! There's that too!" Ichinose realization dawned, and she immediately revealed her trademark sweet smile to pacify everyone. "Everyone is right. Anyway, let's head out first; we can't be late for the entrance ceremony."

The students of Class B seemed to realize this as well, and though their hearts remained filled with questions, they could only suppress their curiosity and follow the procession toward the auditorium.

Inside the auditorium, the lights were brilliant, with massive crystal chandeliers casting a soft glow. The school emblem and meticulously arranged floral decorations were placed in the center of the stage. The principal and faculty stood solemnly in formal black suits, quietly awaiting the start of the ceremony.

The freshman ranks had basically finished forming up, and the sound of students whispering to one another echoed through the vast space.

Miyama Saku stood at the very tail end of the Class B formation, looking with a detached expression at the assembled freshman ranks, and thought.

There were 160 first-year students, with 40 students per class. The number of classes in the upper years was still unclear, but going by the same specifications, the entire school had only 480 students. Even factoring in the faculty, the number wouldn't be very high. Given the school's facilities, wasn't it far too extravagant to serve this few people?

On the podium, the principal began a lengthy speech. He spoke of the school's long history and educational philosophy, introduced its glorious traditions and achievements, and emphatically stressed that Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School was a specially supported high school backed by the authorities, dedicated to selecting and cultivating special talent from all over the country.

"As long as you are able to graduate from this school, the administration will be responsible for arranging the further education or employment you desire, securing the starting point of your lives."

This speech sounded somewhat like a fantasy, and even a bit like the promotional pitch of a scam syndicate, yet it possessed official backing.

Miyama Saku stood in the ranks, listening with bored detachment, unable to muster the slightest bit of interest in this kind of routine speech. The principal repeated blessings and expectations over and over, looking entirely like those cookie-cutter mobilization assemblies.

Most of the freshmen right now were probably just like him, feeling annoyed by the principal's exhortations, much like being nagged by their mothers to go downstairs for dinner. Standing for so long was even more exhausting, and his legs began to grow sore, which made Miyama Saku think of scenes from military training in his past life. By comparison, things were still quite a bit easier now.

It felt a little nostalgic... but it went no further than nostalgia.

Not knowing how much time had passed, the lengthy entrance ceremony finally drew to a close.

"It's finally over..."

"My feet are completely numb; they don't even feel like my own."

"That speech was way too long! Couldn't that bastard of a principal have streamlined the content?"

"Shh, keep your voice down! The principal hasn't even left yet; calling him a bastard directly probably isn't a good idea."

"Let's hurry up and slip away before the principal learns my face."

"Hey, wait up for me, you bastard!"

As the crowd dispersed, the students began to complain one after another, and the once-solemn auditorium instantly transformed into a vegetable market. Yet complaints aside, most of their faces overflowed with yearning and hope for their new lives.

After the dispersal, Miyama Saku followed the map's guidance, passed through the tree-lined avenue, and arrived at the freshman dormitory building.

"Hello, I'm Miyama Saku, a first-year student. I'm here to collect my dorm room keycard."

Amidst the dorm supervisor's slightly puzzled gaze, Miyama Saku accepted the keycard along with a thick "Dormitory Code of Conduct Manual".

Taking the elevator up to the fourth floor, he found his assigned room, 404.

Pushing open the door and stepping inside, what met his eyes was a standard single-room layout, neat and bright. What surprised him the most was the kitchen area, which was equipped with a stove, refrigerator, sink, oven, and a series of other appliances. Everything was complete, making it even more luxurious than many bachelor apartments outside.

Was this designed with a standard kitchen layout... to encourage students to cook for themselves?

Miyama Saku pondered inwardly. Generally speaking, cooking for oneself was much cheaper than dining in the cafeteria. Although the points issued by the school seemed plentiful, there was no guarantee that the places needing money in the future wouldn't also increase.

Although Hoshinomiya Chie had not answered directly, coupled with the school's various anomalies, the probability that the points issued next month would be one hundred thousand was practically nil.

It's still better to use them sparingly. Taking precautions is never wrong, and by the way, I should check whether hidden cameras are installed in private spaces like the dormitory.

After inspecting the dorm, Miyama Saku tossed his backpack onto the bed and thought for a moment.

It seems there are no cameras in private spaces like the dorms; public areas have quite a few more.

Anyway, I should head to the school's convenience store to buy some daily necessities first.

Arriving at the store set up by the school, the interior was already bustling with people at this moment, clearly freshmen who had all come to purchase living supplies. The merchandise on the shelves was complete in variety, ranging from snacks and beverages to pots, pans, bowls, and ladles—everything one could possibly want.

Ignoring the curious gazes cast by the people around him, Miyama Saku pushed a shopping cart, picking out suitable daily necessities while calculating his dinner menu for tonight.

Right at that moment, Kanzaki, who had just entered the store, noticed Miyama Saku's figure.

He hesitated for a moment, then decided to step forward and strike up a conversation.

"Miyama."

"Hm?" Miyama Saku turned around, looking at the owner of the voice with a trace of interruption-induced indifference in his gaze.

"Oh, it's Kanzaki. Do you need something?"

"I want to discuss some details regarding the school rules with you, about that intelligence from just now..."

"Before inviting someone, shouldn't you state your name first? Right now, apart from your surname, I don't even know what you're called."

"Besides, I don't have time to discuss so-called school rules with you right now."

"Sorry, Miyama. It was my oversight; my name is Kanzaki Ryuji."

"Oh." Miyama Saku wore a cold expression as he casually picked up a packet of salt, placed it into his shopping basket, and continued walking forward. "I still have a lot of things to buy, so I don't have time for idle chatter."

"Miyama, this is very important for our class!" Kanzaki hurried to keep up, his tone earnest and eager.

Miyama Saku stopped in his tracks, let out a soft sigh, and turned to look at the other person. "Please, have you ever seen anyone hold a seminar in a supermarket? With so many people around, don't you think it's strange?"

"I'm completely uninterested in the school rules. Furthermore, using the class as a unit to wage 'moral blackmail' makes me very uncomfortable."

As the saying went: you shoulder the hardship first while others enjoy the benefits first. In his view, this kind of good-guy behavior was completely unnecessary and even a bit foolish.

"Sorry, I was being presumptuous." Kanzaki froze for a moment, then bowed to apologize to Miyama Saku, his attitude very proper.

"Merely a verbal apology isn't satisfying. If you're sincere about apologizing, you should back it up with actions."

Miyama Saku pointed at his fully packed shopping cart, a playful smile curling the corners of his lips. "Do me a favor and help me move these things back to the dorms, and then we'll discuss the matter of the school rules. How about it?"

Kanzaki looked at Miyama Saku with a surprised expression. He had originally thought he'd already been refused, but didn't expect a turn of events.

"Thanks! No problem!"

"What are you thanking me for? You're the one helping me."

Getting a free laborer for nothing and sparing himself the hassle of hauling things back and forth—why not?

Thus, Miyama Saku began an even "happier" shopping trip, unhesitatingly tossing heavy bags of rice and crates of mineral water into the shopping cart.

"Um... Miyama, isn't this buying a bit too much? This huge bag of rice won't be easy to carry." Kanzaki looked at the mountain of piled-up goods, the corners of his mouth twitching slightly.

"Is it? I think it's all right."

"Normal people wouldn't buy this much, right?"

"Because I have Kanzaki helping, I bought a bit more. Don't mention it."

"So I'm being treated as a free laborer..." Kanzaki smiled bitterly, resigning himself to picking up the two large bags of items.

"You're quite self-aware. Not bad."

"The shopping's just about done, so I'll have to trouble Kanzaki with the rest."

Dormitory 404.

"I didn't expect you to be quite so capable, Kanzaki. Carrying a huge bag of rice and still able to hold this much stuff, without stopping even once along the way."

"I'm still pretty confident when it comes to physical stamina," Kanzaki said, patting his chest with confidence as a fine layer of sweat seeped across his forehead.

"All right, come on inside first."

After properly arranging the supplies they had purchased, Miyama Saku poured two glasses of water and looked at the Class B student sitting off to the side.

"So, is there anything Kanzaki wanted to say?"

Kanzaki froze slightly, not expecting Miyama Saku to bring it up himself. Back in class, Miyama Saku was almost always propped up just to answer questions, so he hadn't expected him to take the initiative in private.

"I wanted to ask your thoughts on purchasing intelligence from the teachers."

"Before asking me, you might as well share your own views first, Kanzaki." Miyama Saku stared into the other's eyes and asked in return, his gaze profound.

Kanzaki rested his chin in his hand, pondered for a moment, and then spoke. "Understanding this school's system ahead of time gives us an advantage. Information is power. I lean toward buying intelligence from the teachers, and most of the other students in the class do as well."

"It seems you all have the intention to buy." Miyama Saku paused for a moment, then continued, "The first of next month is the day points are distributed, and the school will definitely reveal something then. Personally, I feel there's no need to spend precious points on intelligence that can be obtained from other places. Besides, the teacher said points can buy 'anything' in this school, which means points might turn out to be extremely useful later on. It's better to save some."

"Speaking of which, Kanzaki, did you notice anything unusual at the supermarket just now?" Miyama Saku changed the subject.

"Unusual..." Kanzaki thought for a moment. "Count free goods displayed on the shopping center shelves as unusual?"

"A regular supermarket would never display free goods. Normally, items that don't sell are put on clearance, sold as bundles, or given away upon reaching a spending threshold. But this school provides them completely for free."

"Not a bad analysis. Then, what do you think of the free goods placed there?"

"Could it be to prevent some students from spending money recklessly, to the point where they can't even afford basic daily necessities?"

"If we follow that logic, the cafeteria should also have free food available to claim."

"In that case, the school would be pampering the students far too much."

Hearing this, Miyama Saku merely smiled.

"Perhaps. But it could also be because, due to some reason, a considerable number of students have no choice but to rely on free goods to get by."

"Think about it, Kanzaki. If it were just a few individual students overspending, for the school to specially set up a free goods collection point would be far too wasteful in terms of management costs."

"If students had one hundred thousand points coming in every month, they could simply borrow from classmates to get through hard times and pay them back the next month. Yet the school went out of its way to set up a counter like this. Right before you got here, I even saw the convenience store staff restocking the free goods section."

"This indicates that there must be a considerable number of students whose points aren't enough and who have to rely on free goods."

"From that, we can deduce there's a high probability the points distributed starting next month won't be one hundred thousand. As for whether it'll be more or less, that's unclear."

Miyama Saku dissected the problem piece by piece.

"Mhm... That actually makes sense." A flash of sudden realization crossed Kanzaki's eyes.