Today's lunch was the signature tonkotsu ramen.
Shimizu Akira had always been partial to Japanese ramen, especially the rich broth paired with springy thin noodles. The shop had added tender fish cakes and vibrant spinach as toppings—the emerald-green leaves peeking through the thick soup were enough to whet anyone's appetite.
Just as Shimizu was about to take his first bite, an uninvited guest slid into the seat across from him.
"I don't drink. Returning these to you."
Kamuro Masumi—the purple-haired girl—abruptly pushed a bulging plastic bag toward him. Through the semi-transparent material, rows of beer cans were clearly visible.
Shimizu raised an eyebrow. "Was the alcohol content too low for your taste?"
"That's not the point!" Kamuro's voice rose sharply, drawing glances from nearby diners. She leaned forward. "I have questions. Which class are you in? What's your name? And how did you know mine?"
Shimizu took a leisurely sip of broth before answering. "Class 1-D, Shimizu Akira." He shrugged. "As for how I knew your details... Sakayanagi Arisu told me."
—Technically not a lie. During their first encounter, the scheming Class A girl had indeed casually revealed Kamuro's information.
"...Sakayanagi?"
Of course she knew Sakayanagi—during orientation yesterday, the silver-haired girl with the cane and a boy named Katsuragi Kouhei had instantly become Class A's center of attention.
(Why would Sakayanagi share my info with a Class D student?)
(And why did this guy help me in the first place?)
Kamuro studied Shimizu with narrowed eyes. His calm demeanor didn't seem like someone trying to impress a girl he liked.
(Did I... misunderstand?)
Maybe he genuinely helped out of kindness?
"...I owe you one." Her tone was stiff, her gaze averted.
"It was nothing. Don't worry about it." Shimizu waved it off. After all, buying the beer had primarily been part of his wager with Sakayanagi—helping Kamuro was just incidental.
"Give me your contact info." Ignoring his response, she pulled out her phone, her stare pinning him in place.
Shimizu blinked, realizing this girl was utterly self-absorbed. He handed over his phone, adding her as a contact.
"Using your real name as your ID? Textbook boring."
"Less confusing this way."
"If you need a serious favor, you can call me. But only once..."
With that, she grabbed her phone and strode off without another word.
Shimizu had to admit—Kamuro was full of contradictions. Prickly as a cactus yet honest about debts; outwardly aloof yet unexpectedly principled.
"This awkward honesty... isn't so bad."
He glanced at his contacts list. Only two names: Kamuro Masumi and Sakayanagi Arisu. Compared to hollow pleasantries, he preferred this kind of blunt sincerity.
"Maybe I should interact with Class D more..."
While not antisocial, he only initiated conversations with genuinely interesting people. Two days into the term, his contacts remained sparse.
His eyes dropped to the second intel update:
[Intel 2: Ichinose Honami (Class 1-B)—Within one day, her contacts surpassed triple digits, including upperclassmen.]
"Others already have over a hundred contacts..."
He stared at the leftover beer bags. Disposing of them properly was now a problem. As a non-drinker, he pondered the best solution—perhaps gifting them to an adult? Homeroom teacher Chabashira Sae might be suitable.
His thoughts drifted to another matter—that second-year senpai, Yamamura XX, seemed to be hiding something. Trading 10,000 personal points for partial S-system intel seemed worthwhile.
"Hey there! Under 20? No drinking~"
A sweet voice snapped him from his thoughts. Turning, he saw a pink-haired beauty eyeing the beer with concern.
It was Class B's star student. Shimizu quickly clarified, "I don't drink. Just figuring out how to handle these."
"Really?" Her eyes lit up. "Our homeroom teacher loves beer! If you don't mind, I can take them off your hands!" She tilted her head. "How much were they? I'll transfer the points—"
"No need," Shimizu waved. "Just disposing of them is help enough."
"I can't do that!" She shook her head vigorously. "At least let me return the favor! But first—" She beamed. "I'm Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B! Nice to meet you!"
Shimizu's pupils dilated slightly.
—Ichinose Honami?
The "social genius" from the intel who amassed over 100 contacts in a single day?
Collecting himself, he replied politely, "Shimizu Akira, Class 1-D. Pleasure."
"Class D? How coincidental!" Ichinose's eyes sparkled. "I know your classmate Kushida Kikyō! We exchanged contacts yesterday!"
Shimizu couldn't help but stare.
—Already connected with Class D on day two?
(This social prowess is... terrifying.)
(Wait—this might be a golden opportunity!)
His eyes gleamed as he smoothly said, "Actually, I need to meet a second-year Class D senpai. Could you introduce us?"
"Second-year Class D? No problem, leave it to me!~" Ichinose gave a sunflower-bright smile, patting her chest confidently.
(Is this girl the school's actual angel?!
Her unreserved kindness—offering to handle the beer, then immediately agreeing to connect him with upperclassmen—was something he hadn't experienced in ages.