Sakura Airi's eyes widened.
What had Amane just said to her? Amane had bought points for her? That would cost a full 50,000 personal points!
Moreover, Amane had also given Ichihashi 50,000 points.
Even if Amane had a large balance, she couldn't possibly throw around 100,000 points so carelessly.
After all, both she, Sakura Airi, and Ichihashi Ruri were essentially dropouts—withdrawn students from the defective class.
You could say…
They were utterly worthless to keep around.
"Miyako-san, you're joking, right? Geez… I almost believed you for a second… Since I'm about to leave school anyway, please don't scare me like that," Airi said with a timid smile, placing a hand over her chest as if startled by Amane's claim.
"I'm not joking at all."
Amane handed a note to Airi.
Hesitating for a moment, Airi took it, her heart full of anticipation.
Written clearly on the note was confirmation that Amane had indeed purchased one point on the midterm exam and gifted it to Sakura Airi.
"Wh-why me? I mean… Why would Miyako-san buy this point for me? And 100,000 points is just…"
Airi was so shocked she could barely form a coherent sentence.
Her connection with Amane was practically nonexistent—they'd only met once before.
That one time, on the swimming pool rooftop, Amane had threatened her.
Their relationship was nowhere near as close as Amane's friendship with Ichihashi Ruri.
And it wasn't just 50,000 points, as mentioned earlier—it was 100,000! Just looking at all those zeros after the number 1 made Airi's heart race.
The only other time she'd seen that many points was at the beginning of the school year.
Learning that Amane had spent 100,000 points to buy a single point for her, her first reaction wasn't happiness.
Instead, she found herself wondering how long it would take to pay back such a huge amount.
"So, Airi, do you like this gift?"
Amane's voice was soft, whispered close to Airi's ear.
"Of course I like it! Nothing could make me happier. But… do I deserve it? Do I really deserve you spending 100,000 points to help me? Even if I barely manage to stay this time, I can't score high like you every time, Amane-san. I might end up in the same situation again, I…"
Noticing Airi's thoughts were starting to spiral, Amane took her hand.
Whether from nerves or something else, Airi's hand was surprisingly warm.
And soft…
Ahem. "I contributed 50,000 of those points, you know."
It was only then that Amane noticed Ayanokōji's presence.
"I'll pay you back once we return. Airi and I have something important to discuss, alright?"
Amane shot Ayanokōji a look.
Having been through this before, Ayanokōji gave a quick OK gesture and left the classroom, closing the door behind him.
"Miyako-san…"
"Just call me Amane."
"Amane…"
Left alone with Amane in this unusual situation, Airi grew visibly tense.
"We're running short on time, you know. We still need to inform the student council."
Amane reminded the flustered Airi, who seemed unsure what to do next.
"Ah, right! I forgot about the student council. Amane-san, let's go now!"
Airi made to dash out, but Amane pulled her back gently.
"Why go to all that trouble? We can just call."
With that, Amane dialed Horikita Manabu's number right in front of Airi.
"Is this President Horikita?"
"Speaking. Has Suzune managed to secure the points yet?"
Assuming Amane was calling about his sister, Horikita Manabu thought she might be reporting that Suzune had found a last-ditch way to save her classmate.
But Amane's next words nearly made his blood pressure spike.
"Suzune couldn't get the points from me. In the end, Ayanokōji-kun and I worked together to purchase a single point."
Hearing that his little sister had failed to secure points even from Amane, Horikita Manabu's face twisted with unconcealed disappointment on the other end of the line.
"It seems I overestimated Suzune. Who did you two buy the point for?"
He knew Amane wouldn't call just to chat. At this hour, the results were pretty much decided.
"We bought it for Sakura Airi. Suzune didn't succeed, but she did work pretty hard."
Amane tried to defend Horikita Suzune.
"Hmph. No need to cover for her. As her brother, I know exactly what Suzune's limits are. If she can't even handle a small matter like this without relying on you, what hope does she have of leading Class D to Class A? It's pure delusion."
Horikita Manabu grumbled for a moment, then caught himself—complaining to Amane wasn't exactly appropriate.
He quickly changed the subject.
"So the student you saved is Sakura Airi, correct? I just glanced at her records—her stats are surprisingly average. What made you decide to keep her? The other one, Ichihashi Ruri, while also unimpressive on paper, should at least hold some value for the class."
He compared the two girls' evaluation reports.
Both had unexpectedly low ratings.
"Because Airi is cute."
"Cute?"
Horikita Manabu didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Spending 100,000 points to keep a cute but questionably capable, seemingly worthless class member?
It was hard to understand, but it was exactly the kind of thing Amane would do.
Seeing her stance, he decided not to press further. After acknowledging the situation, he ended the call.
"Ugh, seriously, Horikita-senpai hung up so fast. I was going to ask him about… never mind."
Amane slipped her phone back into her pocket.
When she looked up, she found Airi blushing brightly.
"Amane-san, did you really help me because… because I'm cute?"
Airi quickly averted her gaze after asking. The question felt embarrassing, but she really wanted to know the answer.
"No."
Amane's reply was immediate.
Airi felt a little relieved—surely Amane must have seen some other potential in her worth investing in.
"If I had to give a reason… I'm more interested in your body, Airi."
"M-My body?"
Airi's expression froze.
"I'm kidding. I wouldn't do anything extreme to you."
Amane said it lightly, as though joking.
"Mm…"
Airi's smile was strained.
It kind of seemed like Amane had been serious.
--+--
Teachers' Office
Just as Chabashira-sensei had packed up and was about to end her overtime for the day, Kushida Kikyō and Ichihashi Ruri rushed in.
"What are you two doing here? I'm off the clock. If it's important, talk to me tomorrow… or the day after."
"Chabashira-sensei, I have 50,000 points. I'd like to purchase one point on the midterm exam."
Ichihashi excitedly showed her point balance.
But Chabashira-sensei remained perfectly calm.
"Points? Didn't you already purchase one? The school prohibits buying points twice. Besides…"
A mocking smile touched her lips.
"50,000 points? You're underestimating the school. Even if points were still available, the minimum is 100,000 personal points per point. Ichihashi, you've been expelled."
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.