They entered the lounge.
Sakagami seemed somewhat pleased as he sat down first and said:
"Take a seat wherever you like, Natsukawa. What would you like to drink?"
Natsukawa sat down across from him.
"The same black tea as you, please."
Kazuma Sakagami had already suspected yesterday that Natsukawa Tatsuya was a clever student who had easily discovered some of the rules governing points.
He had originally expected Natsukawa Tatsuya to discover something after observing the campus for a few days, then come to him with questions.
Of course, even if he did not come, Sakagami would have called Ryuuen and Natsukawa to his office in a few days to hint at the issue of the classroom surveillance cameras.
He had not expected Natsukawa Tatsuya to come on the very first day, which pleased him somewhat. A clever, inquisitive student brought hope of rising to Class A.
Natsukawa watched him prepare the tea and look at him with eyes full of excitement and curiosity, then spoke:
"Teacher Sakagami, I'm here to confirm some information I've discovered."
"You should have come yesterday."
Kazuma Sakagami pushed the tea in front of Natsukawa and said:
"Tell me what you've discovered first! What I can tell you is that this school does indeed have certain rules!"
"Teacher Sakagami, is this really all right? (Referring to the hint just now.)"
"Don't worry, I'm acting within the rules. I haven't disclosed any information to a student."
"Natsukawa, I thought you were a clever student yesterday."
So Natsukawa spoke:
"Teacher Sakagami, if I'm not mistaken, the school won't be giving students a hundred thousand points every month."
"Hmm? You've already figured that out?"
Natsukawa continued explaining:
"Yesterday, I saw a free goods section at the Convenience Store. There's a limit on how much you can claim each month, but it's still enough to cover a student's minimum living needs."
"There's also a free section at the Student Cafeteria, with things like the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal. There really were upperclassmen collecting those, too. I watched while I ate, and quite a few people went there."
"If the school gives students as many as a hundred thousand points every month, even if those students spent recklessly, surely they wouldn't end up needing to claim the Mountain Vegetable Set Meal? The upperclassmen must have fully enjoyed school life already. If they receive a hundred thousand points every month, they would have tried all the recreational facilities by now. Surely they would have enough points left to buy a regular set meal."
"So there's only one conclusion: the number of points received each month varies!"
"And taking what you said yesterday into account, Teacher Sakagami, this is a school where ability reigns supreme. That leads me to think that the distribution of points should be connected to either the class or the individual, right?"
"Considering how teachers ignore students' little antics in class, and how most areas of the campus are covered in cameras, can I take that to mean students are being observed and assessed? Perhaps that affects our points!"
Sakagami was surprised that Natsukawa had discovered so much. Since the student had worked out some of the rules himself, he could answer certain questions within the permitted scope. He only needed to avoid telling the other students; communicating with Natsukawa was within the rules.
Sakagami clapped his hands in praise:
"Natsukawa, you really are a clever student. You have excellent judgment!"
"You're right! The school actually uses something called the S System to classify students' abilities. The points you possess are personal points, and there's another kind called class points. The conversion rate between class points and personal points is 1:100."
"Yes, the surveillance cameras are indeed there to observe and assess students' behavior. So how will you use this information?"
After answering the questions, Sakagami began chatting with Natsukawa Tatsuya.
"Natsukawa, your abilities are outstanding! The things Ryuen and the others do under surveillance give me something of a headache, too. The school doesn't impose many restrictions on positions like class representative. Do you have any interest in leading the class? Perhaps I could help you!"
"I'm not interested in leading the class for now. Still, violence is certainly an efficient way to bring everyone together."
Sakagami continued:
"Oh? For now? Then it might be possible in the future? I've read your file, Natsukawa. You also have the ability to put a swift end to this chaos, don't you?"
Sakagami's hint was obvious. The higher the class ranked, the greater the benefits he received. Besides, he and Natsukawa only touched on things without spelling them out, so he was not afraid of the surveillance camera overhead recording their conversation.
Natsukawa Tatsuya smiled and said:
"Doesn't the boss always appear last?"
"I'd also like you to keep my abilities confidential, Teacher Sakagami."
"Of course! No problem."
"Haha, then I'll look forward to your future performance. Oh, and Ryuen really is getting far too out of hand."
Does he mean he wants me to remind Ryuuen to cut down on violence in the classroom?
"Natsukawa, do you have any other questions? I'll answer anything I can within the rules."
Natsukawa brought up his main reason for coming here.
"Teacher Sakagami, I'd like to buy an Anonymous Account. Points can buy anything, can't they?"
"Good, good, good! You even thought of that? You really surprise me!"
"There are roughly two kinds of Anonymous Account. An ordinary one costs five thousand personal points, while one that's difficult to trace has no upper price limit, but costs at least twenty thousand points. The accounts themselves are actually identical. The so-called difficulty in tracing one is merely an additional rule. For instance, if someone applies to the school to trace the account's owner, they must spend two hundred times the personal points the buyer paid. Which kind do you need, Natsukawa?"
"Teacher Sakagami, please create a difficult-to-trace Anonymous Account worth fifty thousand points for me."
"Yes, I'll take care of that right away! You certainly have nerve, Natsukawa!"
As for its purpose, Sakagami did not ask Natsukawa Tatsuya.
And so, after paying the points, Natsukawa successfully obtained an Anonymous Account.
After that, Natsukawa left.
As Natsukawa left, he encountered some other teachers returning through the office area, including Class D's homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira.
When he reached downstairs, he encountered Horikita Suzune and Kiyotaka Ayanokoji, who were about to head upstairs.
Horikita Suzune said coldly:
"Hmph! What an unpleasant coincidence."
Ayanokoji: I saw this student yesterday. If I remember correctly, he should be Natsukawa Tatsuya. Is he here for the same reason as Horikita Suzune?
I'll try sounding him out first.
He might come in handy later.
Should I greet him as if we're already friends?
Ayanokoji put on a smile and said:
"Hello, Natsukawa. Are you here to ask a teacher questions, too?"
Unfortunately, Natsukawa Tatsuya ignored Ayanokoji and addressed Horikita Suzune:
"Hello there. What a wonderful twist of fate."
Horikita Suzune said icily:
"I certainly don't consider this fate. What a revolting thing to say."
"You should use those lines to flirt with innocent girls. That won't work on me!"
"Oh my, was it Horikita Suzune? You really are conceited, deciding I've fallen for you on our second meeting."
"I don't see what else that lecherous look in your eyes could mean. I do have confidence in my looks, but I'm not some little girl. Put away that fake smile."
After saying that, Horikita Suzune also glared fiercely at Ayanokoji. She believed Natsukawa had remembered her because Ayanokoji had given her name yesterday, bringing her unnecessary trouble.
Teasing the icy Horikita Suzune felt rather good. Natsukawa thought, Sooner or later, you'll submit beneath me.
What kind of expression will you make then? I'm really looking forward to it.
Horikita Suzune, you're one of my targets, too!
Natsukawa smiled and said:
"Haha, all right, I won't keep you two."
"By the way, Horikita Suzune, are you here to ask questions? If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me, too."
Then Natsukawa Tatsuya walked away.
"Hmph! Don't make presumptuous guesses! And I have my own judgment! One more thing: we hardly know each other, so please don't address me so familiarly without permission!"
"Goodbye, Horikita Suzune!"
Unable to do anything about Natsukawa, Horikita Suzune glared at him, then continued upstairs.
Ayanokoji: Why does he keep ignoring me?
Is he the aloof type like Horikita Suzune, only interested in someone similar to himself?
Ah, making friends at school really is difficult.
Never mind. Right now, I'm more interested in Horikita Suzune's convictions and methods. Let's see how far she can grow...
Still, that cherry-blossom-haired guy does draw my attention a little.
Judging by what he just said, he seems to have figured out some information about the school.
He really is an interesting guy. Perhaps he'll come in handy later!
No, I have to become friends with him. Only after establishing contact will I have a chance to turn him into my tool.
Hmm, I don't know whether he likes other types of girls, either.
Next time, I'll bring a girl of a different type from my class and give it a try.
Before you continue