On the morning of May 1st, Kitagawa Ryo's phone received a precise deposit of 59,000 personal points.
"I got 59,000! Just like Boss said, the school doesn't distribute 100,000 every month." "I wonder how many points the other classes got. And didn't we focus a lot during lessons? Why were nearly half of them deducted?" "Who knows? Let's just wait for Kitagawa-san to explain."
Opening the class chat group, Ryo saw messages pouring in despite the early hour. He casually replied:
"Head to class later. The homeroom teacher will probably explain the exact rules."
As soon as he spoke, the chat immediately quieted down. By the time Ryo entered the classroom, most of Class 1-C had already arrived. Yet no one dared to approach due to his usual intimidating presence.
"Homeroom teacher's here."
Ryo glanced toward the door. Sakagami Kazuma, their homeroom teacher, was walking in with a poster tube in hand. Ryo returned to his seat. Thinking about it, Sakagami had probably spent less time at the podium this past month than Ryo had.
"Sakagami-sensei, our class lost 41,000 points this month. Can you explain the deduction criteria? Like what kind of actions cost how many points?" "Sakagami-sensei, can we know how many points the other classes have left?" "Sakagami-sensei, your hairline seems to have receded again today."
Setting aside the nonsensical question, Class C's students had clearly come to understand, under Ryo's month-long guidance, that this school wasn't your average institution. Their questions were, for the most part, worthwhile.
"Ahem, I'll explain everything in a moment. First, everyone take a look at these two charts."
A-Class: 940 points
B-Class: 650 points
C-Class: 590 points
D-Class: 0 points
Ryo had already informed the class about the point conversion between class and personal scores, so the 590 points for Class C wasn't surprising. But even so, seeing A-Class with 940 and B-Class with 650 still evoked some awe and frustration.
"Ugh, if we had just tried a little harder last month, we might've surpassed B-Class without needing Boss to step in."
A boy named Komiya lamented over the narrow 60-point gap.
"If Boss hadn't warned us to behave in class, we might not even have 590 right now. Just look at D-Class."
Ishizaki Daichi pointed with his mouth. That glaring zero from D-Class was too obvious to ignore.
Although many students from delinquent backgrounds had barely managed to restrain themselves under Ryo's pressure, Ryo had never expected them to reform overnight. Especially since he had asked Ryuuen Kakeru to use class points to investigate the school's surveillance system. Losing that many points was expected.
"Three weeks from now is the midterm exam. Just keep working hard."
Seeing that his name was mentioned, Ryo stood up and smiled, encouraging the class. Some students had initially resisted his "rule," but now that the point system had validated his predictions, Ryo's influence and authority in Class C would likely grow stronger.
Even Sakagami, the homeroom teacher, didn't mind him cutting in. Instead, he smiled at Ryo and only unveiled the next sheet once Ryo finished speaking:
"These are the results from yesterday's quiz. Even though I heard you all organized study groups, seven students still failed. If they don't pass the midterm in three weeks, they will face expulsion. Please take this seriously."
Class C's foundation was undeniably weak. Even though Ryo had started study sessions early on, due to laziness, club activities, or poor academic habits, seven students still failed. While Ryo had already acquired the midterm answers, he could only hand-hold them once—he wasn't going to babysit them forever.
"The seven who failed, I'll personally supervise your studies."
The chill in Ryo's voice made the seven students force a bitter smile and nod. Meanwhile, Shiina Hiyori looked pleased. As one of the coordinators of the study groups along with Kaneda Satoru, she knew this meant more time spent with Ryo.
She glanced at him, but quickly turned away, afraid he might catch on to her tiny thoughts, leaving Ibuki Mio, who sat nearby, speechless.
Once Sakagami left, Ryo naturally walked up to the podium and knocked on the chalkboard.
"Everyone, follow me."
"Boss, is it a fight?" Ishizaki responded, visibly excited.
Ryo shot him a disdainful look.
"We're going to Class 1-D."
"Time to collect debts."
-------------------------------------
In stark contrast to the peaceful atmosphere in Class C, First-Year Class D had already plunged into a vortex of accusations and blame.
The moment homeroom teacher Chabashira Sae entered the classroom with a poster tube in hand, nearly every student's gaze locked onto her. They were desperate for an explanation as to why their personal points hadn't been deposited that morning. The unusual situation left everyone anxious.
Normally, someone like the flippant Ike Kanji might crack a joke like, "Did Sae-chan wake up grumpy because her period didn't come today?" But now, even the most rambunctious students like Ike and Yamauchi were uncharacteristically silent, anxiously awaiting Chabashira's explanation.
"We're starting the morning meeting. But before we begin, does anyone have questions? If there's anything you're concerned about, now's the time to ask," Chabashira said, arms crossed, seemingly unfazed by the classroom's strange mood.
Her tone suggested she was certain the students would have questions. And indeed, the moment she finished speaking, several students immediately raised their hands.
"Umm... Sensei, I checked this morning, but I didn't receive any points. Weren't we supposed to get paid on the first of every month? I couldn't even buy juice this morning. I had to settle for free mineral water," said the first boy chosen to speak, shaking his water bottle playfully.
"Hondou, I explained this before. Yes, that's correct. Points are deposited on the first of each month. This month was no exception. The transfer has already been confirmed."
"Huh? But... the points aren't there. Did anyone else receive theirs?" Hondou and Yamauchi exchanged glances and rechecked their phones, confirming once again that their point balance remained at zero.
"You really are a hopelessly foolish bunch," Chabashira muttered with a sigh, scanning the classroom with sharp eyes.
"Eh? Did we do something wrong?"
"Hondou, sit down. I won't repeat myself."
With that firm rebuke, Chabashira finally showed a sliver of the authority expected of a homeroom teacher. The past month of lax discipline and carefree living had made Class D students forget their place as students. The fact that they casually called her "Sae-chan" was proof enough of that.
Only now did Hondou recall the reverence he'd once held for teachers and, cowed, slunk back into his seat.
"The points were deposited. That is an undeniable fact. The notion that only this class was forgotten is pure fantasy. Understood?"
Chabashira shattered any lingering hopes mercilessly.
"No, even if you say that... The points really aren't there," one student protested. "Want to check my phone, Sensei? It clearly shows zero."
Confusion spread, and visible discontent began to simmer in the room.
"Hahaha, so that's what this is, Teacher. I've solved the mystery," a loud, mocking voice rang out.
It was Kouenji Rokusuke, who had remained aloof from class affairs since enrollment. With a swagger, he propped his feet on his desk, eyebrows raised in arrogance.
"It's simple: D-Class wasn't awarded even a single point."
"The points were indeed deposited, but the amount was zero."
Kouenji's words sparked an uproar. Yamauchi bellowed, "What?! Why?! Weren't we supposed to get 100,000 points each month?"
"I don't recall hearing that, do you?" Kouenji sneered.
"His attitude is terrible, but what he said is correct," Chabashira confirmed. "Despite all the hints, very few of you noticed. It's pathetic."
She recalled recent rumors about Kouenji — an heir to a vast conglomerate. He'd likely understood the system early on, yet chose to remain silent. With that, she crossed him off her list of potential leaders for Class D.
"Teacher, may I ask a question? There's something I can't understand," Hirata Yosuke raised his hand.
"Please explain the reason for the lack of points. Without knowing that, we can't accept it."
He suspected the cause but wanted the full picture to avoid future mistakes. He was calm and diplomatic — sufficient, but not enough to meet Chabashira's expectations.
She sighed faintly.
"Tardies and absences: 98 total. Private conversations or phone use during class: 391 incidents. That's how many times you all broke the rules in just one month. This school reflects class performance in the point distribution. As a result, the 100,000 points you were meant to receive were all deducted. It's that simple. I said this at the entrance ceremony: this school measures students by ability. Your score this time is zero."
Her emotionless, mechanical explanation struck the students hard, pushing them closer to despair.
"But I don't remember you ever explaining that clearly," Hirata tried again.
"Oh? You can't comprehend anything unless it's explicitly explained to you?"
"Of course! We were never told points would be reduced."
Haunted by guilt from ignoring a bullied friend who later attempted suicide, Hirata had developed an obsession with maintaining group harmony. Even now, as others panicked and argued, he sought compromise.
"If we had been informed, no one would have been late or whispered in class!"
"Do you even listen to yourself?" Chabashira scoffed. "I may not have detailed the deduction system, but aren't basic rules like being punctual or not talking in class something you learned in elementary or middle school? Or have you forgotten what it means to be a student? Now you cry about not being told? If you had simply followed common sense, you wouldn't be at zero. This is entirely your own fault."
Her words easily demolished Hirata's arguments.
She then looked toward Yamauchi, who sat clutching his head in regret after spending his entire point allowance on a game console.
"You just entered your first year of high school and thought you could recklessly use 100,000 points each month? Especially in a school created by the state to cultivate top talent? Use common sense. Did you think you could coast through until graduation?"
She pulled out a blank sheet from the poster tube and pinned it to the board:
"Near-perfect graduation rate. Post-graduation support tailored to your goals, whether employment or overseas study. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Surely many of you were fantasizing about that as you blew through your points."
The sheet displayed the class point standings:
[A-Class: 940 points, B-Class: 650 points, C-Class: 590 points, D-Class: 0 points]
Even compared to the closest class, C, they were a full 590 points behind. The gap with A-Class was even more dramatic.
"These are class points. Every class started with 1000. Understand now?"
She continued, clearly enjoying their misery:
"Class divisions were never random. The best students are placed in A-Class. The worst in D-Class. By the end of the first month, the differences always become evident. And in truth, only A-Class students receive all the benefits the school promised."
Despite her words, Chabashira's eyes flickered briefly with surprise — the gap between Class C and B was unusually small this year.
"To spend all your points in just one month… even among past D-Classes, you're quite exceptional. I'm impressed."
She clapped, mockingly.
"So as long as our class points are zero, we get no income?" a pale-faced girl asked weakly.
"Correct. Your points will remain at zero until graduation. But don't worry. Dorms are free. Food and supplies too. Unless you actively try, you won't die."
Her words — a stark contrast to the warmth of her welcome speech — devastated Class D.
"Still, some of you might not need to worry for long. After all, someone might be expelled this month."
Chabashira didn't stop there.
"The results of yesterday's quiz are out. And I must say, they perfectly reflect your zero-point status. Did any of you even receive proper education in junior high? I almost laughed grading your papers."
The students fell silent, powerless before her scorn.
Had it been the midterm, seven students would already be expelled.
As if on cue, the bell rang. Chabashira left the classroom without another word.
And with her departure, chaos exploded in Class D.
"Forget the points! The real problem is the class!" shouted a bespectacled boy from the front row.
"Why am I in Class D?!"
His glare raked the room.
"I've been paying attention in every class! If it weren't for you morons, we wouldn't have lost all those points!"
His name was Yukimura. He pointed furiously at Yamauchi and Ike.
"You two idiots were late and absent the most! The deductions should've come from your points alone!"
"Who the hell are you?! You wanna fight?!" Yamauchi growled, fists clenched.
"And you!" Yukimura pointed at the hunched-over Sudou.
"Because of you, we still have to pay C-Class 10,000 points each month!"
The moment he said that, many students remembered the contract they signed at the start of the month. Panic surged anew.
Sudou, who had tried to keep silent, clenched his fists. His body trembled.
"I understand everyone's upset. But let's calm down for now," Hirata said, sensing the tension.
He tried to defuse the situation, gently speaking to Sudou.
"We're all classmates. Don't go too far."
"How can I stay calm? Being lumped in with these losers makes me sick!"
"Even so, if we work together, we can change that, can't we?"
"Complaining here won't fix anything."
"You saying it's my fault now?!" Yukimura stepped forward, nearly grabbing Hirata by the collar.
"Come on, you two, calm down," said Kushida Kikyou, stepping between them.
She gently placed her hand on Yukimura's fist, causing him to step back.
"It's only been a month since we started school. If we try harder—"
Just as Kushida began to soothe the class, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka noticed Horikita Suzune stand and walk to the podium.
"If we really want to reach A-Class, maybe expelling some useless people is the better option."
Her words shattered the fragile peace. Her violet eyes gleamed dangerously.
"After all, our class points are zero. Right?"
"You bitch!"
Sudou snapped. He had spent the last month in remorse. But now, with classmates still ready to cast him aside, he couldn't take it anymore.
Shoving past Hirata, he threw a punch at Horikita.
As her pupils narrowed and she prepared to duck, another hand intercepted the blow.
A languid boy with a strikingly handsome face caught Sudou's fist. His grip was steel.
"Had enough?"
Along with Kitagawa Ryo's calm voice came a storm of footsteps.
Yamada Albert, Ryuuen Kakeru, Ishizaki Daichi, and Ibuki Mio entered the classroom, lining up beside Kitagawa.
At the front and rear doors, Class C students had blocked all exits.
"If you're done screaming, let's settle our accounts."
Kitagawa smiled warmly. But the early morning sun brought no warmth to Class D. Behind Kitagawa loomed a monstrous, shadowy presence.
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