"One million just to buy intelligence?"
"What a joke!"
"Just to make it clear, I won't give you anything!"
"It's an anonymous account. Who knows if what he says is true? He's obviously lying!"
"Right, right, right. How could I, such an excellent student, be assigned to the worst class?"
Class D erupted into arguments. Yet, at this moment, the various small groups were surprisingly unanimous: no one would spend points to purchase the information.
Hikigaya wasn't the least bit surprised. He even doubted whether Class D could come up with one million points… though, having witnessed their reckless spending over the first two days, he knew it wasn't impossible.
"Well, since everyone disagrees, I'll reject the other party," Hirata Yosuke said with a calm smile.
Hikigaya observed him carefully. With Hirata's intelligence, he knew the boy recognized the value of the information—but the class as a whole cared more about unity than confrontation.
"Wait a minute! You guys…"
Although Horikita Suzune outwardly disagreed, inwardly she burned with curiosity. She wanted to verify the information's authenticity—but her own concerns were drowned out by the collective wishes of the class.
Hikigaya quietly picked up his backpack and left the classroom.
After Dinner
Later, Hikigaya received a transfer of 1 million points from Class C, accompanied by a blatant threat:
[Ryuen Kakeru: I'll give you one chance to beg for mercy, or I'll catch you and show you the horrors of this world!]
Hikigaya raised an eyebrow, setting down his phone.
He ordered a coffee pudding from the cafeteria, a collaboration with an anime, costing an extravagant 2,500 points. The dessert was delicious—so rich it almost felt like it awakened superpowers.
[Ryuen Kakeru: Hey! Where's the information? Are you crazy?!]
[Ryuen Kakeru: You bastard! How dare you trick me?!]
[Ryuen Kakeru: Don't think I can't do anything to you!]
[Ryuen Kakeru: The S-System prohibits fraudulent transactions. Wait for your expulsion!]
[Ryuen Kakeru: I'm going to find a teacher!]
(Ryuen getting bullied 😭🙏)
Hikigaya remained unbothered, happily enjoying his pudding. After letting the other party stew for half an hour, he calmly sent the intelligence document. Then, with a single click, he blacklisted and deleted them.
"Today is a good day," he muttered, satisfied with earning three million points in one day. With this, he wouldn't have to worry even if Class D earned zero points over the next three years.
A spark of inspiration lit up his dead fish eyes.
"If points can be exchanged for cash after graduation… then I must make a fortune over the next three years!"
After all, in Advanced Nurturing High School, "anything can be bought with points." His dream? To buy a small detached house in Chiba, with both his and Komachi's names on the property title. Perfect.
"Burp~" he muttered, feeling slightly full. To aid digestion, he decided to take a walk around the area. People strolled leisurely near the stadium and lake. Hikigaya detested noise, so he sought a more secluded corner.
***
Behind the gymnasium, Hikigaya overheard a conversation between a man and a woman. The scene drew his attention—he couldn't help but recall the cinema incident, where two students had deliberately chosen remote seats.
But Hikigaya had long since abandoned such childish schemes.
"Suzune, I didn't expect you to chase me here," said a calm, magnetic male voice. It belonged to Horikita Manabu, the student council president.
"I came to this school to follow in my brother's footsteps," replied a slightly trembling voice. Black-haired, cool, and determined, it was Horikita Suzune.
Hikigaya froze. Watching them as a spectator, he was fascinated by the sibling dynamic.
Horikita Suzune bit her lip, her purple-red fox eyes flashing with determination:
"I am no longer the incompetent me of the past!"
The words surprised Hikigaya. Beneath her cold, arrogant exterior, Suzune still bore the insecurity of being overshadowed by her outstanding brother.
"To catch up with me…?"
Horikita Manabu's back was lit by dim light, his tall figure imposing. Adjusting his glasses, he said flatly:
"You're still such a stupid sister, saying stupid things at this point!"
"Hmm~"
Suzune lowered her head, unable to counter her brother's merciless critique.
Turning to face her fully, Manabu's expression was condescending:
"You haven't realized your own shortcomings. Enrolling in this school rashly was your biggest mistake. Judging by your expression, you already know your class—D—is the worst."
Unwilling to yield, Suzune pressed her palms to her chest:
"I will be promoted to Class A soon, so I can catch up with my brother!"
"Impossible."
"I will definitely do it!"
Manabu's tone was cold, authoritative. He grabbed Suzune's wrist and pressed it hard against the wall.
"My sister assigned to Class D is a disgrace to me! Leave this school immediately!"
"Brother, I just want to…" Suzune's lips pursed, her stubborn spirit still refusing to surrender.
"You lack the ability and qualifications to aim for Class A."
Manabu continued verbally assaulting her, concerned that she might not endure the harsh competition. Hikigaya, as an older brother figure to Komachi, understood this well. He would never want his sister to enter such a trap-laden environment either.
"I… I don't want to…"
Suzune lowered her head, her stubbornness dimmed but not extinguished.
"Tsk, you're really annoying!" Manabu knew her well—she wouldn't give up until hitting a wall. A trace of pity crossed his eyes, but it was replaced almost immediately with coldness.
Hikigaya felt a sudden unease.
Manabu raised his right hand, fingers arched, preparing to strike.
"Elder brother?!" Suzune's eyes widened in panic, unprepared for force.
"Scared, Suzune?" Manabu sneered.
"In this school, violence is also allowed!"
Just then:
"That's enough. Why go so far?"
A hand grasped his wrist, locking it with precise control.
***
Dont tell me his training with Suzune is about to kick in 😭🙏