Ichihōse Honami remained oblivious to her classmates' delicate sentiments.
After collecting the class funds, she briefly outlined midterm exam precautions and distributed pre-printed review sheets.
This month, Class B earned 790 class points, translating to 39,500 personal points per student. Combined with her own savings, her account now held 1.58 million points—a staggering sum for any student.
"With this many points... can we overturn the 'expulsion rule'?"
Her gaze swept over her classmates, their heads bent over the papers. Her resolve was simple yet unshakable:
"I'll protect every single one of them. No expulsions."
If school rules stated "points can purchase anything," could they also buy "exemption from expulsion"?
She immediately dialed Hoshinomiya Chie.
The call rang 15 times before a groggy voice answered:
"Whaaat~ Ichihōse~ Sensei had too much to drink last night... Let me sleeeep..."
"Sensei, this is urgent. Please wake up."
"Ugh... The school encourages students to solve their own problems, y'know? Relying on teachers—"
"What do you mean 'last time'?" Ichihōse frowned. "I just want to ask—can personal points prevent expulsions?"
"Expulsions?!" Hoshinomiya's voice sharpened. "Ah... It's like the class transfer fee—2 million points can cancel one expulsion. So our class rep's buying 'insurance,' huh?"
Ichihōse's grip on the phone tightened.
At their current rate, Class B would need 13 months to save 2 million.
Fluctuations were inevitable—surges would accelerate progress; penalties would delay it.
Yet, staring at the 1.58 million in her account, her eyes held no hesitation.
From this moment, "2 million" became their long-term goal.
Even if it could only save one person, to Ichihōse, this was hope incarnate—far better than powerless despair.
"By the way~" Hoshinomiya's tone shifted. "Did you ever investigate who rented those cameras for 3 million points?"
"No." Ichihōse's voice stayed gentle. *"The 100+ class points were worth it."*
The renter's identity didn't matter.
For her, favorable outcomes outweighed trivial mysteries. Current priorities—exams, saving points—took precedence.
"Ichihōse, you're too naive! That's 3 million points! Don't you wonder who could afford that?"
"It's irrelevant now, sensei. The transaction's over."
"Fool! If 2 million can save someone, why not poach talent? Someone with 3 million to spare is clearly skilled—recruiting them would be smart!"
"I'd rather save the 2 million for emergencies."
"...Ugh. Shouldn't have told you." Hoshinomiya sighed dramatically. "Shot myself in the foot."
"Oh! Did Class D rent cameras too? Their 530 class points are suspicious."
"I'm not sure... but likely."
"Have you chatted with Shimizu-kun lately?"
"Why the sudden interest?"
"Just curious~" Hoshinomiya giggled. "No worries—I'll ask him myself. Bye~"
The call ended abruptly.
"Honestly..." Ichihōse sighed at the dial tone.
Her teacher's fixation on Shimizu Akira was baffling.
It likely stemmed from last month—when Shimizu's high-year intel purchases somehow reached Hoshinomiya's ears. Since then, she'd doggedly tracked him like prey.
"Come to think of it... does Shimizu-kun have exam papers?"
Her eyes fell on the last spare copy atop the podium.
(I printed an extra... for him.)
She messaged Shimizu:
[Ichihōse]:I have an extra exam printout. Need it? I can deliver it tomorrow.
His reply was swift:
[Shimizu]:Physical copies? Thanks.
[Ichihōse]:When's good? Lunch?
[Shimizu]:Sure. Also—I have a favor to ask.
Before she could reply, another notification popped up—Satō's girlfriend:
"Free tomorrow? Introducing a reliable boxing club kouhai!"
Ichihōse nearly laughed.
Between the mysterious renter and this unknown kouhai, she was utterly clueless about both.
But tomorrow's meeting with Shimizu was set—and for the usually self-reliant Shimizu to request a favor?
That outweighed any stranger.
She typed to Satō's girlfriend first:
"Lunch plans tomorrow—next time!"
Then, to Shimizu:
"Anytime at noon works for me~"