Chapter 9: The First Deal is Completed
While Hikaru and Kōhei were engaged in their verbal duel, Honami, standing nearby, felt her heart was about to leap out of her throat.
When she heard Hikaru falsely claim that the rules had been bought for three million, the girl panicked—after all, this was something easily verified.
But soon, Honami noticed that even though Hikaru was lying to people, his demeanor showed no trace of deception. Instead, he carried himself with an air of righteous confidence, as if he truly had the moral high ground.
"If it's one million, then each of us in Class A would have to pay 25,000 Private Points. That price is acceptable," Kōhei turned to Arisu. "What's your answer, Sakayanagi?"
"I agree with this Hanashima-kun. It's a very cost-effective deal," Arisu nodded lightly. "I don't think anyone would be foolish enough to hesitate between paying three million and paying one million."
"Good."
Although Kōhei didn't get along with Arisu, as a student of Class A, his observational and analytical skills were equally outstanding. He understood that if the school truly had hidden rules, the sooner they knew, the better.
So he immediately began mobilizing the supporters he had gathered in Class A today to collect points from their classmates. However, when Hikaru looked at Arisu, he noticed the girl leaning on her cane hadn't moved—she was just standing there, lost in thought.
Honami couldn't help but ask, "Sakayanagi-san? Aren't you going to help collect the points?"
"Such physical labor can be left to Katsuragi-kun. Our discussion just now was heard by everyone in class—they can make the best judgment and won't deliberately withhold points."
"I see. It seems Sakayanagi-san understands Class A very well."
Hikaru could deduce one crucial piece of information from recent events: although Class A students had high overall competence, the two most popular students in their class were not on good terms. In fact, their struggle for control over the class had been brought into the open.
This was undoubtedly good news. At the very least, there was no need to worry about Class A uniting solidly to maintain their top position, which would give Class B more opportunities.
Before long, Kōhei had finished collecting the points. When he approached, Hikaru signaled Honami to hand over the contract.
"Before the transaction, all Class A students must sign this contract. Only then can we proceed with the rules and points exchange."
The contract Hikaru had printed in Hoshinomiya Chie's office was simple. It stipulated that after Class B sold the in-depth rules to Class A for one million Private Points, all Class A students were prohibited from reselling the rules.
For added security, Hikaru had included a clause forbidding Class A students from discussing the in-depth rules with students from other classes.
Violators would face the school's most severe punishment—expulsion.
Once all the steps were completed, Hikaru looked at the stack of signed contracts before him and then produced the notebook containing the rules.
"Payment first, then the goods."
Hikaru glanced at the bald boy in front of him and patted Honami's shoulder. "Ichinose, go collect the points. Have Katsuragi transfer them to your account."
"Understood."
Honami immediately took out her phone and displayed her student ID.
Kōhei quickly completed the transfer on his phone and confirmed, "Ichinose-san, the points have been transferred."
"Let me check."
Honami opened her student ID and saw the 1.05 million Private Points displayed on the screen. Only then did the weight in her heart finally lift.
"Hanashima, the points from Class A have been transferred."
"Good."
Hikaru smiled faintly, handed the neatly compiled rulebook to Kōhei, and prepared to leave with Honami.
"Wait a moment, Hanashima."
Just then, Sakayanagi Arisu, who had been silently observing Kōhei collect points and distribute contracts in the classroom, finally spoke. Her violet eyes locked onto the boy as she slowly said, "I'd like to know who in Class B first noticed the school's hidden rules. Was it you, or Ichinose here?"
Hikaru met Arisu's gaze directly. After a brief pause, he answered plainly, "It was me. Do you have any advice, Sakayanagi?"
"Advice? Hardly. I just find you quite special. I imagine we'll cross paths again."
A dignified smile appeared on Arisu's delicate face.
"I think so too. Then we'll take our leave now. You two can share the rules with your classmates."
Hikaru had no intention of lingering in Class A's classroom. This trip had already yielded ample rewards—not just the Private Points, but also valuable intel on Class A.
"Goodbye, everyone."
Honami waved to her Class A classmates and followed Hikaru out of the classroom.
Only after the two had completely disappeared down the hallway did Arisu and Kōhei begin examining the notebook Hikaru had left behind.
Soon, all the information about Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School began to overturn the imaginations of everyone in Class A.
A school that upheld meritocracy, the role of class evaluation points and Private points, and a future where only one class could graduate—when these rules were fully revealed to Class A, the quick-witted Kōhei immediately sensed something amiss.
"If the school operates on a class competition system, why would Class B be so kind as to sell us the rules? There must be something fishy about this."
"Do you have any thoughts, Katsuragi-kun?"
After reading the school's deeper rules, Arisu showed little emotional fluctuation, maintaining her usual serene, princess-like demeanor.
"My thought is that if the school truly operates by these rules, then this transaction can't be as simple as it seems. They might still be holding something back from us."
"That makes sense. But I think we should deal with another matter first." Arisu's tone took on an aggressive edge as she mentally reviewed the deeper rules. "Katsuragi-kun, you haven't forgotten that Class A still hasn't elected its class representatives, have you?"
"..."
"Now that we know the school's deeper rules, Class A should be led by someone truly outstanding. Only then can we maintain an advantage in future class competitions and ensure everyone graduates successfully."
Suppressing his anger, Kōhei gritted his teeth. "Are you suggesting that you're that person, Sakayanagi?"
"Of course. If Hanashima-kun just now was an A in my evaluation, Katsuragi-kun would only rank a C."
"Then watch closely, Sakayanagi. I'll show you who the true leader of Class A should be."
"Hehe, I don't think I'll lose."