Crocodile tears

Meanwhile, in Class C's rest area, Ishizaki Daichi jogged back and reported to Ryuen with delight written all over his face. "Ryuen, the deal's done!"

Holding an ice-cold Coke in one hand, Ryuen tipped his head back and took a huge swig. His movements were brazen and unrestrained, somehow making drinking Coke look like downing hard liquor. He gave a contemptuous snort. "Tch, why would I need to handle something this trivial myself? What was the point of working so hard to become the boss, then? Just wear the other guy down a little, and he'll cave."

Through his earlier probing, Ryuen had confirmed that the other party really did have a way to pass these midterms. But he had left the subsequent haggling to Ishizaki and the others, having them take turns.

Still, that guy had quite a bit of stamina. Ishizaki, Imada, and Ibuki had each already taken two turns.

Ryuen flipped through the photos Kazami had sent and reminded Ishizaki, "Even though we have a way this time, you still need to study hard. We don't know whether we'll be able to keep using this method, after all."

"Got it, boss." Ishizaki nodded.

Ryuen sighed. Class C still had too few talented people, but with such an obedient bunch of underlings, he still had ways to make a bid for Class A.

The deals with Classes A, B, and C were settled, and all the points had arrived. Of the entire first year, only his own Class D remained to be fleeced.

This time, though, he couldn't sell it to the whole class. He could only rip off a handful of people.

Especially those who were always bad-mouthing him behind his back. Now that he finally had a chance, he had to fleece them good.

Kazami found his number-one target-Yamauchi-and hurried over, plastering an utterly sincere smile across his face. His tone was so affectionate that he could have served as the model for best friend of the year. "Oh, my dear friend Yamauchi! You look so miserable. You must be worried about the midterms, right?"

Yamauchi was playing on his game console when someone suddenly spoke to him. Seeing that it was Kazami, he shrank back, his whole body radiating resistance. "Wait, who's your dear friend? Don't act like we're close!"

Kazami wasn't annoyed and kept smiling warmly. "Don't be so distant. We got to know each other through a fight, so that makes us friends through adversity. Seriously, these midterms won't be easy. Aren't you worried at all about failing and getting expelled?"

Yamauchi, who had still been putting up a tough front, looked crestfallen. "What good would worrying do? I'll cram for a few days beforehand. Maybe I'll pass."

Kazami was speechless. I have to say, you really are carefree. With your usual attitude toward studying, it'd be a miracle if you passed.

But since the other party was willing to talk, it was time to put his plan into action. Kazami's smile deepened as he mysteriously lowered his voice. "There is a way. I have a strategy that guarantees you'll pass the exams. Once you have it down, you won't have to worry about getting expelled at all. It's a shortcut specifically for these midterms. I wouldn't tell just anyone."

And so on...

With a mixture of coaxing and deception, Kazami managed to reel in Yamauchi, whose education might only have been at an elementary-school level. Yamauchi's eyes instantly lit up, his heart filled with the joy of finding a way out of a hopeless situation.

He couldn't even be bothered with his game anymore. He immediately sat down in front of Kazami, so nervous that he stammered. "Th-then, th-then, what do I do?"

Kazami watched Yamauchi panic. Just as I thought! He loses all reason the moment he hears something that concerns him. This guy acts so arrogant normally, but once his own interests are involved, he completely loses his head. His mind goes blank, and a couple of words are all it takes to fool him.

After his excitement subsided, Yamauchi remembered the most important question. "But... I don't have many points. I can't afford the fee at all. How about lending me some, Kazami? I'll pay you back later."

Kazami rolled his eyes. Leaving aside the fact that I'm scamming you in the first place, would I ever get my points back if I lent them to you? Never mind what'll happen once Kushida hands out the past exam papers.

But he couldn't refuse outright. Like a considerate friend, Kazami said, "Sorry, I don't have many points either. But the person who sold me the information said he'd accept other things as payment. If you don't want to, forget it. I only went out of my way and took the risk of telling you about this shortcut because I consider you a true friend. Besides, I'm not the one who set the price."

Those sincere, considerate words broke through Yamauchi's last psychological defenses.

Yamauchi gritted his teeth and had no choice but to put up his game console as collateral at a low valuation.

Later, at a gathering of Class D's three idiots and a small number of others, Yamauchi announced the method Kazami had provided.

He acted as though he had come up with it himself...

Kazami didn't mind. Having someone to share the heat later would be pretty nice, too. He simply went along with it and let Yamauchi explain the method.

Standing in the middle of the group, Yamauchi repeated the exam strategy Kazami had told him word for word, looking proud and putting on airs the entire time.

After hearing this guaranteed way to pass the exams, Sudo, Ike, and the others instantly teared up. They were so moved that they were on the verge of crying.

Sudo had been the most anxious about the exams lately, afraid that one careless mistake would get him expelled. Now that he finally saw hope, the tension that had gripped him for days finally eased.

The Professor bit his lip as he responded, already crying. Then they really did hug each other and burst into tears...

Kazami stood to one side and watched them huddle together, sobbing. Their brotherly bonds were moving him so much that he was about to cry himself. So these are crocodile tears... Pfft, I'm not a bad guy.

After crying his heart out, Sudo turned to Kazami and said solemnly, "Kazami, I used to think you were a bastard. I never thought you'd actually help put us in touch."

You thought right. I am a bastard. Kazami firmly patted his chest over his heart.

"As a member of Class D, of course I have to do my best for the class! For a better future for all of us, and to keep everyone from getting expelled, I'm willing to do my small part!"

"Even if we've had our disagreements from time to time, at a crucial, life-or-death moment like this, I would never kick you while you're down. I'll work together with everyone to get through this!"

One uplifting declaration after another flowed from his mouth. His words could only be called impassioned and utterly sincere, leaving everyone present deeply moved and profoundly grateful to Kazami.

Kazami delivered all those platitudes as though he actually meant them... No! I do mean them. You could say we're meeting each other halfway.

By now, Sudo, Ike, Yamauchi, and the others were completely wrapped around Kazami's finger by his gentle words. He had sweet-talked them back into embryos. They believed everything he said, having completely lost the ability to judge for themselves.

Moved? We're all brothers from now on? As if. Keep dreaming!

How could I possibly not hold a grudge? You lot are always bad-mouthing me behind my back, and you embellish everything, too.

I really can't wait to see your faces when you get Kushida's past exam papers tomorrow.