By July, the weather had begun to turn muggy.
Today was once again the day of the monthly points announcement. The students were already seated, quietly waiting.
Mashima entered the classroom as the bell rang to announce the start of morning homeroom and briskly spread the chart in his hands across the blackboard.
Every class had gained points.
Class A: 1,004 points. Class B: 721 points. Class C: 569 points. Class D: 87 points.
The students stared at the rows of numbers, their eyes full of confusion as they waited for their teacher to explain.
Mashima seemed to have expected this. "Consider it a little reward for the first-years who made it through the midterms. Every class receives no more than a hundred points."
So that was it. No wonder the school had suddenly given them extra points. It was a little treat after the midterms.
"Also, from now on, you can check each class's class points directly through the school app," Mashima added.
On the first day of every month, students received personal points equal to their class points multiplied by a hundred.
This month, Class A should have received 100,400 points. However-
"But sir, why haven't this month's points been deposited yet?" Katsuragi raised his hand and asked.
"There's been a dispute, so the distribution of points to the first-years will be delayed. But don't worry. Once the issue is resolved, you'll receive every last point you're owed. Please be patient."
Simply waiting was no problem. After these past few months, none of Class A's students were short on points.
During the break, while the students were relaxing and messing around.
The classroom door was suddenly shoved open, the noise brutally cutting off everyone's thoughts. Everyone turned toward the doorway at once, and it felt as though something had seized the air.
"Yo. Sorry to interrupt."
His casual tone carried an undisguised smile as his cold gaze swept across the classroom.
The one who had barged in without permission was Class C's Ryuen Kakeru, followed by Ishizaki, Ibuki, and Albert. Their presence was completely at odds with the classroom, but they paid no attention to the looks directed their way.
Takahashi Ren had heard of Ryuuen.
According to the rumors, he was a delinquent with ties to organized crime. Some even said he had beaten five people single-handedly, bare-fisted. There was no way to verify any of it, but one thing was certain-he was absolutely not someone to mess with.
And this was precisely the kind of trouble Takahashi wanted nothing to do with.
He was afraid of violence.
Not because he was timid, but because once someone targeted him, it meant losing control and getting entangled in endless trouble. Ryuuen clearly did not care about any of that.
He was glad he was in Class A. His classmates were all talented, and they spoke so kindly. He absolutely loved it here.
"Hey, what are you doing here all of a sudden?" Shimizu, who sat near the classroom door, mustered his courage to ask, though his voice trembled a little.
Hashimoto and Hayato Kito stood up, blocking Ryuuen and his group.
"Relax. I'm only here for a chat today." Ryuuen stood in the doorway without advancing any farther.
His gaze passed over the people blocking his way and swept across the classroom. "Who calls the shots here?"
"I do," Itanagi said.
At the same time, Totsuka cut in. "Katsuragi, of course!"
Some of the students looked at Totsuka in displeasure, and Katsuragi immediately snapped, "Yahiko!"
"Haha, just as I thought. You lot in Class A haven't even settled on a leader yet." Watching the scene, Ryuuen's lips slowly curved upward.
He laughed and turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he stopped and half-turned his head. His voice was quiet, but it carried clearly throughout the classroom. "Listen up. Once I crush Class D and Class B, you're next, Class A. Just you wait."
His laughter faded along with his footsteps, leaving the classroom deathly silent.
As more students realized what had happened, they turned toward Totsuka, their gazes piercingly cold.
With that shout, he had effectively handed the class's greatest current weakness straight to Ryuuen.
The lunch bell rang, and the students dispersed to eat.
Takahashi Ren headed to the cafeteria with Toba Shigeru and Ishida, as usual.
The free-meal counter in the cafeteria was still packed solid with students from Classes C and D.
When the three got their lunches, they found their usual seats already occupied and had to find somewhere else to sit.
"If Class C is this arrogant, I can't imagine what Class D is like." Ishida was still shaken by that morning's intrusion.
"This school really does let anyone in," Toba Shigeru agreed, before changing tack. "But Kushida must have her reasons. She isn't that kind of person."
Takahashi Ren nearly choked at that. Sometimes, hearing Toba Shigeru constantly call her an "angel," he really wanted to retort.
"What proof do you have?" As though sensing Takahashi's thoughts, Ishida shot back directly. "Maybe that angel Kushida of yours acts one way to your face and another behind your back."
"You don't have any proof either. Don't go saying things like that," Toba Shigeru muttered.
Ishida did not keep needling him. He simply lowered his head and shoveled a mouthful of rice into his mouth.
Meanwhile, Takahashi Ren happened to notice Ai Morishita still sitting by herself, eating lunch alone. He made a mental note of it.
The next day, Class A received its delayed points.
From the podium, Mashima explained the reason-a few days earlier, a fight had broken out between Class C and Class D. The school was investigating exactly what had happened, and he asked any witnesses to raise their hands and help with the investigation.
Honestly, no one would find it surprising that something like this had happened between Classes C and D.
Unfortunately, not a single person raised a hand.
Takahashi Ren thought that even if someone really had seen it, given those two classes' reputations, probably no one would willingly wade into that mess.
The day's lessons ended, and it was time to go home again.
As Takahashi Ren packed his things, someone unexpected called out to him.
Ai Morishita had just disappeared around the corner of the corridor when Sugio Dai approached, misery written all over his face.
"Takahashi, help me."
"With what?"
"Could you teach me how to deal with that weirdo Ai Morishita? Everyone says you can."
"What did she do to you? Was it that bad?"
Ai Morishita did enjoy playing pranks, but as far as he knew, they were all minor things, sometimes so childish that he could not even be bothered to take issue with them.
"I wouldn't say it's that bad, but she messes with me too often, and I'm always the one getting picked on without being able to do anything back. It's so hard," Sugio Dai said aggrievedly.
"Have you talked to her?"
"Yes, but it didn't help. So I had no choice but to ask you to teach me how to fight back."
"Well... I'm afraid it's not as simple as you think."
"Don't worry, I won't ask you to teach me for free. If it works, I'll make it worth your while!"
"You've misunderstood. I mean, I can't really say how I beat her myself."
"Then I can pay protection money instead. Please protect me!"
Takahashi Ren was momentarily speechless. Why was he making him sound like a gangster collecting protection money?
He reassured him, "Don't worry just yet. I'll go talk to her." As it happened, he had something he wanted to speak to Ai Morishita about too.
"Thank you so much!" Sugio Dai bowed to him.
"I can't guarantee I'll be able to help, so don't get your hopes up." Takahashi Ren immediately added the disclaimer up front.
June summary (not included in this chapter's word count)
· Causal Deduction: five uses accumulated (none)
· Eye of Insight: three uses accumulated (none)
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