On the way home, Ryunosuke took out his phone and looked at his personal point balance which had reached 4,535,500 points. He breathed a sigh of relief; his desire to pay off his debts was one step closer. Now, he had to report on Suzune's condition to the Student Council President.
(Really troublesome, what a siscon older brother.) He thought.
Manabu was very worried about his sister, but pretended not to care and instead paid someone else with points to watch over her. Those siblings really had rigid personalities.
Ryunosuke arrived at the Student Council President's residence. Since it was already late and student council activities had ended, he had to meet Manabu at his house. He knocked on the door, and a firm voice was heard from inside.
"The door isn't locked, come in."
Ryunosuke entered Manabu's room.
The decoration inside was similar to a kendo dojo. Many bamboo swords (shinai) hung on the walls, there was even an unsharpened Japanese katana. In the middle of the room was a wooden board inscribed "Budokuden" (Hall of Martial Virtue).
It seemed the Student Council President highly upheld martial arts ethics.
Manabu sat on the tatami and signaled Ryunosuke to sit. He began brewing tea while Ryunosuke looked at him calmly.
"What do you need calling me, President?" Ryunosuke asked.
Manabu's hand stopped briefly while pouring tea, but he soon continued his movement. "It's nothing, it's about my sister... is she alright?"
Ryunosuke sipped his tea and replied curtly. "If you're so worried, why not visit her directly? Instead you go around giving points for me to go watch over her."
Manabu shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Suzune and I are both stubborn. I watched her grow up, I know exactly how strong her character is. She and I... ah, forget it."
The two chatted for quite a while, especially about Suzune's childhood. Finally Ryunosuke couldn't stand it anymore and sarcastically said, "Oi, oi, the topic is starting to drift far. If continued, you might tell Suzune's entire life history from infancy to me."
"Ahem." Manabu coughed slightly in embarrassment. "Sorry, it's been a long time since I talked about my sister, I got carried away."
Ryunosuke rolled his eyes. This person's siscon nature in front of him was excessive. Feeling his business was done, he prepared to leave, but Manabu stopped him with a request.
"My sister... can I ask for your help to watch over her?"
"Don't worry, I won't ask you to work for free. I'll give you equivalent points." Manabu immediately stated his terms so as not to be refused. He knew Ryunosuke's profile of having parental debt burdens, so money offers would definitely be considered.
Sure enough, Ryunosuke looked hesitant. Seeing that negotiation gap, Manabu immediately gave his ultimate offer.
"I'll give you all my points, 20 million points."
"I don't expect Suzune to rise to Class A, I just want her to develop and no longer be lonely. At least... let her have a few true friends."
Ryunosuke was truly tempted.
20 million points wasn't a small amount; it was equivalent to an "extra life" at this school because it could be used to transfer classes or cancel student expulsions. However, if he agreed, he had to deal with the stubborn and individualistic Suzune.
(I want the money, but lazy to work... what should I do?) Ryunosuke thought anxiously. Suddenly he remembered someone: Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
(Right! I just need to hand this matter over to him! Let Ayanokouji guide Horikita like the original plot. That way I don't need to sweat but money still comes in) He muttered inwardly.
Ryunosuke put on a serious face and said slowly, "I can't guarantee success, but I'll try my best."
Manabu breathed a sigh of relief. To him, that 20 million points was nothing because his family was very wealthy and would give him company capital after graduation. His main focus was only on Suzune's survival at this school after he graduated later.
"Good that you agree. As long as you watch over her and make her develop, I'll give you all my points when I graduate later." Manabu said while adjusting his glasses.
Ryunosuke frowned. "Didn't you say earlier just 'watch over'? Now you want me to educate her too? Must add money if so."
Manabu chuckled. "That's all I have, take it or leave it."
Finally the contract was signed. The contents: Watch over Manabu's younger sister until he graduated, and in return, Ryunosuke would receive all of Manabu's personal points upon graduation. The word "all" made Ryunosuke a bit worried; if Manabu lost many points along the way, his share would also decrease. He felt trapped in the same boat as the Student Council President.
(It seems in the future I'm forced to help if something happens to Tachibana-san so the President's points aren't deducted.) He complained inwardly.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
After returning to the dormitory, Ryunosuke recalculated his capital which now amounted to 4,535,500 points. He felt these points were enough to start the next step.
"It's time to act against the teachers. Who should I make the first target?"
Just as he was thinking, his phone rang. It was from Chabashira Sae.
Ryunosuke felt a bad premonition; most likely his homeroom teacher would demand an explanation why Class D's points could become zero when he had already received 800,000 points from her.
He answered the phone and heard Sae's angry voice.
"Akasaka Ryunosuke! There's something I want to discuss, come to my house now!"
In just a short time, Ryunosuke was already at Sae's apartment. The teacher sat with crossed legs, looking like she had been waiting long with an aura of anger.
Ryunosuke closed the door tightly so their conversation wouldn't leak, then hung his jacket calmly.
Sae took a deep breath.
"You've already received my money... but is this how you work?" She asked in a sharp tone.
Ryunosuke shrugged. "Don't blame me, Sensei. Don't you yourself know how bad Class D is? Honestly, I'm also struggling." He sat in a chair and continued, "But, if Sensei increases the payment, maybe I can do something."
Sae laughed cynically. "Increase money? Like your transaction with Hoshinomiya Chie?"
Ryunosuke was startled.
(It seems Hoshinomiya-sensei couldn't keep secrets and had already leaked their cooperation to Chabashira-sensei.)
Sae lit a cigarette and exhaled smoke with a sad yet disappointed gaze. "I didn't expect, besides transacting with me, you also have another 'relationship' with Hoshinomiya."
"Oi, oi, Sensei! Please watch your language. What 'relationship'? I'm clean, we only conducted financial transactions." Ryunosuke quickly denied.