The moment Shimizu Akira stepped into his dorm room, his phone buzzed.
A message from Chabashira Sae lit up the screen:
[Chabashira Sae]:From now on, if you uncover intel beneficial to Class D, contact me directly—or inform those two vice-leaders. As for payment... name your price.
[Chabashira Sae]:Have them collect class funds and allocate rewards accordingly.
[Chabashira Sae]:A fair trade, no? Now you'll finally contribute to Class D?
Shimizu's lips curved slightly. This teacher was sharper than expected—at least, sharper than most of Class D.
His fingers flew across the screen:
[Shimizu Akira]:Impressive proposal, Chabashira-sensei. By the way... have you ever successfully led a class to A-rank?
The reply came swiftly:
[Chabashira Sae]:...No.
[Chabashira Sae]:You haven't answered my question.
Shimizu stared at the screen, deliberating.
[Shimizu Akira]:Deal. As long as compensation is fair, I'm happy with this exchange.
He had no reason to refuse.
His reluctance to help Class D had always stemmed from one simple truth—no one wanted to be an unpaid errand boy.
Now, Chabashira's quid pro quo solved that perfectly.
If effort yielded equal reward, why not cooperate?
[Chabashira Sae]:One more thing. Between Hirata Yōsuke and Kushida Kikyou, who's better suited as class leader? Who'd benefit Class D more?
Shimizu's finger hovered.
Why was the teacher consulting him? On leadership decisions, no less?
[Chabashira Sae]:Answer this, and I'll share a crucial piece of intel about the second-years.
Shimizu's breath hitched.
Chabashira, though often aloof, never made empty promises. If she offered intel as trade, it'd be substantial.
After a pause, he typed:
[Shimizu Akira]:Neither is ideal.
He pondered further before continuing:
"Why fixate on a single leader? Class A thrives under Gakuen and Sakayanagi's joint rule. Why not leave the position vacant—let them compete based on contributions? Whoever contributes more becomes next month's leader."
This tactic was common in corporations—leaving a promotion open to fuel competition.
In his view, keeping Hirata and Kushida in healthy rivalry would maximize class vitality.
"This avoids power concentration while sustaining motivation. For now, a dynamic system suits Class D best. And..." He added as an afterthought, "Horikita Suzune may emerge as a third contender."
The screen stayed dead for so long Shimizu assumed the conversation had ended.
Then—
[Chabashira Sae]:Horikita Suzune? Her? I've seen zero growth from her.
[Chabashira Sae]:...Sometimes I doubt you're even a high schooler.
[Chabashira Sae]:Using corporate strategies to analyze class dynamics...
A new message finally appeared:
[Chabashira Sae]:...But it's a solid plan.
[Chabashira Sae]:Class D will implement it.
Shimizu vaguely realized he was manipulating Class D from the shadows—even the teacher sought his counsel.
But since this was an equal exchange, no loss there.
[Shimizu Akira]:Now, your end of the bargain?
[Chabashira Sae]:...There's a second-year in Class A named Nagumo Miyabi.
Shimizu frowned. Where was this going?
[Shimizu Akira]:And?
[Chabashira Sae]:Think. How did you obtain that intel?
[Shimizu Akira]:Bought it from a second-year Class D senpai.
[Chabashira Sae]:Nagumo controls all second-years—even Class D. He's banned all rule-breaking, including selling intel.
[Shimizu Akira]:Why?
[Chabashira Sae]:Simple. Violations deduct class points, which reduces the points they "tribute" to him monthly. That's his logic.
[Chabashira Sae]:So I'm curious—how did you bypass Nagumo's grip to buy that intel?
Shimizu's jaw slackened.
No wonder the senpai had emphasized being "short on points"—she'd been risking Nagumo's wrath.
He'd struck gold without realizing.
No wonder the intel system had flagged this.
[Chabashira Sae]:Don't overthink it. The current student council president still holds power. As vice-president, Nagumo's focused on suppressing all non-Class A third-years. I'm just warning you—he likely doesn't even know you exist.
Shimizu reread the message twice.
—Nagumo was vice-president?
That explained much.
If anyone knew Nagumo well, it'd be Horikita Manabu (the president).
But then again, as a mere first-year, Shimizu probably wasn't even on Nagumo's radar.
In the student council hierarchy, the vice-president was second only to the president.
"Right now, I'm not even a blip to him."
As Chabashira said, Nagumo was busy consolidating power among third-years.
Such a figure wouldn't waste time on a freshman.
"Speaking of which..." Shimizu checked his phone—7:10 PM.
He pulled up today's intel, rereading the third entry:
[Intel #3] *Tonight at 19:55, Horikita Suzune will be physically punished by Horikita Manabu behind the first-year dorms.*
"Perfect timing... I'll get to meet the student council president." Shimizu mused. "Might as well ask about Nagumo Miyabi while I'm at it."