Chapter 5 I'll buy you for 20 million
The place where the Advanced Nurturing students live is a single-person dormitory located off-campus. Boys and girls live in the same building, with boys on the upper floors and girls on the lower ones. Though the rooms are small, they are fully equipped with everything one needs.
In his small tatami-sized dorm room, Hikigaya Hachiman had already sent off his first batch of visitors.
Through Kushida's arrangement, at around 6:20 p.m., the central figure of Class B, Ichinose Honami, and her strategist-type assistant, Kanzaki Ryuji, visited Hikigaya's room. In less than thirty minutes, they completed an intelligence transaction worth two million personal points.
Ichinose and Kanzaki are both students with strong judgment skills. Given that Hikigaya revealed the information first, the two quickly assessed that its value far exceeded two million points.
The sheer value of information regarding the four classes competing for top spots was significant. In particular, learning how to restrict students' behavior during class to avoid deduction of class points was easily worth more than two million.
After placing the signed contract for the transaction with Class B on his desk, Hikigaya didn't have to wait long before Class A's two leaders, Sakayanagi Arisu and Katsuragi Kohei, arrived at his room. He continued with his strategy: show the intel first, then ask for payment.
He had shown the intel first to Class B because its leader was kind; for Class A, whose leader was proud, it was a different story. Intelligence is the foundation of decision-making—Hikigaya only dared do this because he understood their personalities.
"No wonder you're the only first-year who made it into the student council, Secretary-kun." The petite girl sitting gracefully on his bed smiled elegantly. "Tell me, how many points does it take to buy a secretary position? I'd like to buy one for the unsuccessful Mr. Katsuragi."
Class A was still internally divided. The two leaders had similar support rates, so their relationship wasn't particularly friendly.
"Katsuragi's failure wasn't due to personal shortcomings. If the transaction is completed, I can throw in some extra student council-related intel," Hikigaya offered.
He wasn't interested in getting involved in their leadership struggle. Today, he was only focused on making money.
"Although I'm confident that I could figure out the school's intel on my own in a few days..."
The silver-haired girl, her hair cut to shoulder length, removed her beret, placed it against her chest, and gave a small bow. "This round goes to you. I agree to the deal."
"I agree too, but I'd like to propose another deal," said Katsuragi.
He had his own plans. If Hikigaya's information wasn't sold to Class B, it would be a huge advantage for Class A. But Sakayanagi disliked this idea—she preferred a thrilling battle.
"Don't bother with unnecessary things. Class B is nothing special," Sakayanagi dismissed.
"Underestimating others isn't a good habit. As a leader, I must take responsibility for Class A's students," Katsuragi responded.
"Class B already came before you two," Hikigaya said, lifting the signed contract from the table, wanting to wrap things up quickly. Then, he revealed the student council intel:
"Third-year Class A's Horikita Manabu, the student council president, and second-year Class A's Nagumo Miyabi, the vice-president, have ideological differences. The president fears Nagumo's influence on first-year students, so he rejected all applications from first-years."
"I got the secretary position through private talks with the president—it didn't cost any points. If you gain his approval, you can join the student council. Or, alternatively, you could try through Vice-President Nagumo's side."
Although Hikigaya had initially offered 100,000 personal points, Manabu Horikita returned the amount later that night. The point exchange was merely to test Hikigaya's capability; such a small amount wouldn't tarnish Horikita's reputation by implying he sold the position.
"The student council holds great power—it can even influence special exams related to class points. Horikita promotes teamwork, while the next in line, Nagumo, supports a doctrine of individual strength."
"That's about it," Hikigaya said, taking a sip of water after all that talking.
"Supremacy of individual strength, huh... sounds interesting," Sakayanagi said, using her cane to support herself as she stood up. Due to a congenital heart condition, her body was weak, and she needed the cane to walk.
After signing the prepared contract, Sakayanagi left. Katsuragi followed shortly after.
Next up was Class C's Ryuen Kakeru. After seeing the two out, Hikigaya lay sprawled on his bed, thinking back to the softened look Katsuragi gave Sakayanagi as she walked away.
As expected, Katsuragi Kohei was also a gentle man. Despite his strict and stern face—and the gleaming bald head—he was the kind of person who would call out a classmate for hurtful speech in the morning, hoping they would improve. Even with someone like Sakayanagi who often clashed with him, he held no resentment.
"If only I could recruit someone like Katsuragi."
Back at the end of the first year, Katsuragi was enticed into transferring to Class C by Ryuen Kakeru after one of his friends was expelled by Sakayanagi. He had hoped to teach her a lesson. But even then, it was impossible for him to have twenty million points.
The special exam at the end of the first year was nothing but a cruel test meant to torment students. Without twenty million points, someone was guaranteed to be expelled.
"Explode, you trash school."
Sitting up, Hikigaya sent a text to Class C's Ryuen kakeru, inviting him over and asking that he bring along Hiyori Shiina.
Ryuen was a thug who ruled Class C with violence—but a smart thug. Hikigaya didn't want to risk him suddenly losing his temper and attacking. Hiyori was his insurance.
He had previously seen Hiyori at the library in his old life, always quietly reading. He got to know her during an earlier confrontation between their classes. From their conversation, he realized she was intelligent and part of the cautious camp.
When the two arrived, Hikigaya, wanting to avoid small talk with Ryuen, directly showed them the contracts signed by Class A and Class B to confirm whether they wanted to purchase the intel. Ryuen's credibility was too low—Hikigaya couldn't risk giving the product before getting paid.
"Signing this contract is all it takes, right?" Ryuen sat nonchalantly on Hikigaya's desk. "You even have intel on Shiina. You should understand the consequences of trying to fool me."
Seated on the chair in front of the desk, Hikigaya slid over next to Hiyori. "The information is absolutely worth the price. The last student who scammed others for personal points has already been expelled."
If there were any problems with the intel, Ryuen would no doubt show him what it meant to be a lawless brute.
After Ryuen signed and read the intel, the previously silent Hiyori also took the white paper with the recorded intel. She studied it for a long time, then gave Ryuen a small nod.
Though a tyrant, Ryuen paid attention to each student in his class. He trusted Hiyori's judgment.
"How many points would it take to buy the right to transfer classes?" Ryuen leaned on one hand, supporting his chin. "Ten million? Twenty million?"
The intel didn't explicitly say that points could be used to avoid expulsion or transfer classes, but Ryuen likely inferred it from Hikigaya's actions.
"Twenty million," Hikigaya replied.
"All the personal points you earn from selling intel are yours. I'll pay twenty million to buy you into Class C," Ryuen said, hopping off the desk and standing in front of him, hands in his pockets. "The final victory belongs to me. All you need to do is stand behind me."
Ryuen's words were as firm as the look in his eyes—he gave off the feeling that following him would lead to victory.