In Kiriyama Ikuyo's memory, Nagumo Miyabi's contract with the second-year students had left a particularly deep impression.
First, Nagumo had replaced the original Class A in the first semester, then thoroughly crushed Classes C and D before proposing cooperation—luring them into jointly distributing future exam rewards.
Not only that, Nagumo Miyabi had exploited the school's class promotion conditions to tempt many students dissatisfied with their lower-tier classes, offering them sufficient Personal Points.
As long as these students were willing to work for Nagumo, he would select the most loyal among them before graduation and help them advance to Class A.
Faced with such terms, even Kiriyama Ikuyo's class had wavered.
Of course, another reason for their hesitation was the contract about sharing exam rewards.
With the other three classes already united, they had no choice but to join—remaining on the sidelines wasn't an option, and refusal would only lead to continued losses.
Thus, under Nagumo Miyabi's orchestration, the second-year students achieved an overall alliance while also gaining numerous subordinates willing to work for him.
Nagumo could not only collect Personal Points within his own class but also extract 30% from other classes.
In just about half a year, his accumulated assets had reached an astonishing figure.
This was also why Kaoru Mitoma had been able to extort Personal Points from Nagumo twice—he still had plenty to spare.
In fact, if Nagumo hadn't used Personal Points to reward his subordinates, his reserves would likely have been even greater.
"Although we've also earned considerable rewards through contracts, expulsion are inevitable, and the Personal Points we've accumulated can vanish in an instant."
Kiriyama Ikuyo sighed deeply.
Not long ago, they had faced a special exam that nearly resulted in a classmate's expulsion.
"You can avoid expulsion by spending points?" Kamuro suddenly perked up.
Though she wouldn't say it aloud, she was somewhat worried about potential future expulsions.
"Aside from Mandatory Expulsion, there are generally relief measures—paying twenty million Personal Points or three hundred Class Points," Kiriyama Ikuyo replied.
Kamuro gasped—that price was far too steep!
Even harsher than class transfer conditions.
Even for the current Class A, paying that much would be a devastating blow.
"What does Mandatory Expulsion mean?" Kaoru Mitoma was particularly concerned about this.
Even though there were no surveillance cameras here, Kiriyama Ikuyo still adhered to the principles she should uphold, answering vaguely.
"Sometimes, expulsion is part of the test."
Kamuro's pupils contracted slightly as she murmured, "So that means, at some point in the future, we'll have to personally expel one or two classmates?"
Kiriyama Ikuyo fell silent and did not respond further.
Seeing this, Kamuro's expression darkened.
The atmosphere remained quiet for a while until Kaoru Mitoma spoke up again, "Don't panic. It's probably a special circumstance, not the norm. And there are ways to avoid it."
Both Kamuro and Kiriyama Ikuyo were stunned—there were ways to avoid Mandatory Expulsion?
Of course, there were ways to avoid it.
For example, spending some Personal Points to buy a scapegoat from another class, having them transfer over to become a Class A student before expelling them.
However, Kaoru Mitoma wasn't entirely confident about this unless he involved Shiho Manabe and her group, so he kept the thought to himself.
"After all that's been said, the real issue lies with Nagumo himself," Kaoru Mitoma stated.
"None of you second-years can stand against him, or perhaps he's simply beyond your ability to handle. You can't deal with him, so you have no choice but to surrender in humiliation."
It was obvious that the second-years had lost confidence in defeating Nagumo Miyabi, which was why they agreed to his contract, resigning themselves to complete defeat.
In truth, Kiriyama Ikuyo was no different.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have secretly arranged to meet Kaoru Mitoma alone in the middle of the night.
Such cautious behavior was a clear reflection of his lack of confidence.
Kiriyama Ikuyo clenched his fists silently.
As an upperclassman, he should have immediately refuted Kaoru's words and questioned his disrespectful attitude.
But as a defeated man, he could only loosen his fists and mutter.
"There was someone who could have defeated Nagumo, but..."
Kaoru Mitoma could sense his negativity and couldn't help but smile.
"It's not a big deal. The reason Nagumo can control the second-years is simply because you all see no hope."
Because they couldn't see any possibility of defeating Nagumo Miyabi and advancing to Class A, many were willing to surrender and place their faith in Nagumo's promises.
Kiriyama Ikuyo shook his head.
"It might sound ridiculous to you, but I don't have much confidence myself. I just... can't accept it, which is why I want to stop Nagumo."
Kaoru Mitoma pondered the upcoming student council elections.
Kiriyama Ikuyo was clearly isolated—it was uncertain whether even his own class would listen to him.
Even if an election were held, Nagumo Miyabi essentially held the votes of the entire second-year class.
At best, Kaoru could only persuade Class A and Class B of the first-years to vote for him.
Buying votes with points was absolutely forbidden.
"Just make Nagumo lose a few times, right?" Kaoru Mitoma suddenly said.
"During the previous Personal Points exchange incident, it was clear he wasn't some invincible guy."
Kiriyama Ikuyo's expression turned solemn as he whispered, "Your name has been circulating among the second-years for months now."
Kaoru Mitoma was taken aback—the entire second-year class knew about him?
"I'm not the only student who wants to oppose Nagumo. If he pushes through his reforms, the competition will become even fiercer and more ruthless, turning the school into his personal playground." Kiriyama Ikuyo stared straight at him.
"Though it's embarrassing as a senior to ask a favor from a junior, I must ask for your help!"
Kamuro glanced at him, then at Kaoru Mitoma.
This guy was a total foot fetishist, yet he could attract the attention of a second-year student?
"Not help—equal cooperation." Kaoru ignored Kamuro's gaze.
Kiriyama Ikuyo finally cracked a faint smile.
He knew his own limits and was well aware he couldn't match Kaoru's abilities.
"Don't celebrate yet. Since it's cooperation, there must be mutual benefit—only then can it be a win-win."
At Kaoru's words, Kiriyama's smile froze before he slowly replied, "That makes sense. Go on."
"As the junior, I should state my terms first." Kaoru raised a finger. "First, you'll support my candidate for student council president."
Kiriyama frowned. "Even if we hold elections now, we probably can't beat Nagumo."
"Not now—next term."
Though Kaoru didn't believe he would fail, it was best to prepare for contingencies.
Kiriyama didn't hesitate and immediately nodded.
"Fine. But you're not running for president?"
"Katsuragi will. Not me." Kaoru replied.
"Second, in the upcoming actions, you'll fully cooperate with me. If execution falls short or you back out midway, you'll bear the consequences."
This was about establishing who held the reins.
Kiriyama hesitated briefly before finally nodding.
"If Nagumo is ousted and your class ranking changes—say, your class rises to Class A—your class will pay me 15% of its monthly Personal Points."
At this, Kiriyama couldn't hold back.
"How can you guarantee we'll return to Class A?"
"Just deduct points from Nagumo's class." Kaoru recalled. "Isn't the gap between your class and his around 400 points?"
Kiriyama fell silent for a moment. "Sorry, it's 550 now. We lost quite a few in the recent exam."
"No problem. We'll make it up later."
Seeing Kaoru's calm expression, Kiriyama almost doubted himself—as if Class Points meant nothing in his eyes.
"Fine. If you can pull it off, 15% is acceptable." Kiriyama had nothing left to lose anyway.
Kaoru raised a fourth finger, but before speaking, he glanced subtly at Kamuro, as if debating whether to voice his next demand.
Kiriyama noticed his hesitation and tensed.
Everyone knew that the later the condition, the more critical it was.
"There's a girl in your class named Kiryuin, right?"
Kiriyama blinked in surprise but quickly nodded, puzzled.
"What about Kiryuin?"
Kaoru Mitoma said in a deep voice, "Can you have her step on me with her feet, scold me, and then agree to a few of my unreasonable demands?"
Kiriyama Ikuyo was completely dumbfounded.
Beside them, Kamuro covered her face with her hands, suddenly regretting having come with Kaoru.
This kind of request was just too embarrassing!
"W-wait, is this a joke?" Kiriyama Ikuyo tried to make sense of Kaoru Mitoma's words.
"It's not a joke. I really need Kiryuin-senpai," Kaoru Mitoma paused, "If you're unsatisfied, the earlier demands can be scrapped."
"Huh?" Kiriyama Ikuyo stood frozen like a wooden chicken.
Kaoru Mitoma's attitude was firm, "This is a prerequisite to defeating Nagumo. Otherwise, I won't cooperate with you."
Kamuro really wanted to drag this guy back right now.
He might not care about shame, but she is!
"Hold on, let me calm down first," Kiriyama Ikuyo felt he needed to steady himself, "You want Kiryuin to fulfill... this kind of unusual request for you?"
"Yes."
"Do you like her?"
"No."
Kiriyama Ikuyo was confused as fuck.
He simply couldn't imagine someone actually wanting to be stepped on by Kiryuin Fuka, though her long legs were admittedly quite captivating.
"If you can't decide, let me talk to her directly," Kaoru Mitoma frowned.
Kiriyama Ikuyo quickly shook his head, "Wait, I'll relay your request to her. Whether she agrees or not, I can't say."
Under his slightly trembling gaze, Kaoru Mitoma fell silent for a moment.
"Fine."
Kiriyama Ikuyo immediately sighed in relief, only to hear Kaoru Mitoma spoke again.
"If she refuses, then the earlier terms still stand. Our cooperation remains valid."
Hearing this, Kiriyama Ikuyo couldn't help but look surprised before breaking into a relieved smile.
So it was just a joke after all.
However, Kamuro wore a complicated expression.
She knew Kaoru Mitoma was absolutely serious—in fact, tonight's objective might very well have been Kiryuin Fuka all along.
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