Shimizu Akira returned to his dorm and took a long, refreshing shower.
After changing into his neatly pressed uniform, he sat alone in a corner of the cafeteria, chewing through the free breakfast option.
80,000 points—that number again.
Including Ichihōse's recent transfer, the most outstanding girls from all four classes had somehow become entangled with him through this mystical numerical value.
Oh, and let's not forget Chabashira Sae's 1,000,000-point deal.
Though, given her age, she hardly qualified as a "beautiful girl" anymore.
"Current balance: 1,370,000 points…"
Shimizu stared at the digits on his phone screen, murmuring to himself.
Less than two weeks into the semester, and he'd already amassed 1.37 million points.
He wasn't sure how much his classmates had, but for an average high schooler, this was undeniably a fortune.
Though, at the end of the day, these were just school-internal points—unusable in the real world.
Besides, this sum couldn't be touched for now. It was earmarked for renting surveillance equipment.
From today onward, every expense had to be strictly controlled.
For now, the free breakfast would have to do.
Speaking of which—the student council president still hadn't contacted him since their agreement yesterday.
Not that he blamed her. They'd only made the deal last night—it wasn't like he expected instant results.
Besides, the president had clearly stated: "By Thursday afternoon at the latest."
Just one more day to endure!
If he could tough it out through this meal, he wouldn't have to pinch points like this anymore.
"Pathetic."
A disdainful voice suddenly rang out above him.
Shimizu looked up—his gaze landing on a pair of slender, well-toned legs.
Following them upward, he found Kamuro Masumi standing over him, tray in hand, looking down with undisguised contempt.
"Out of all the freshmen, you're the only one eating the free slop."
Without waiting for an invitation, she plopped down across from him.
The premium meal on her tray dwarfed Shimizu's meager portions.
Shimizu swallowed his bite calmly before replying: "Good afternoon, Kamuro-san. Have you forgiven me yet?"
He suddenly recalled that over-the-line joke he'd made last time—she still seemed to be holding a grudge.
"Get on your knees, bow your head to the floor, and let me step on it as apology." Kamuro sniffed, tapping her tray with slender fingers.
But then, her eyes flicked to his free meal, and her tone softened slightly.
"...But since you actually listened to me and are saving points properly this time…"
She stabbed her fork into her own food. "...I'll let it slide."
Shimizu's expression froze awkwardly.
He did remember Kamuro warning him about point management in their messages—he just hadn't expected her to take it so seriously.
—Though her assumption was completely wrong.
He was saving up for the surveillance equipment rental, not out of necessity.
"...I ordered extra. You can have it."
Abruptly turning her face away, Kamuro slid a small bowl of golden-brown popcorn chicken toward him.
Shimizu glanced at her tray—where a lone ramen bowl sat, clearly missing its original side dish.
A flicker of understanding passed through his eyes, but he simply smiled. "Thanks, Kamuro-san."
Sometimes, the best way to respect kindness was to accept it without fuss.
Kamuro's lips twitched upward momentarily before she scowled again.
"...Not even gonna pretend to refuse? You really are shameless!"
Suddenly, she pointed her chopsticks at him, adopting that distinctly Class A arrogance.
"Now that you know the truth, you should realize—even if Class D blabs, nothing will change. After all…" She drew out the pause deliberately. "...you're just the rejects they didn't want. Why would anyone listen to you?"
"Next month, your class will barely scrape together 200-300 points—enough for one decent meal. Meanwhile…"* She smirked. "Class A gets three to four times that~"
Despite her haughty tone, her eyes kept darting to the popcorn chicken, as if checking if he'd eaten it.
Shimizu chewed slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips. He chose not to mention the millions of points soon to hit his account.
He saw right through her—Kamuro wasn't truly mocking him.
She was just clumsily clinging to her Class A pride while sneakily offering help.
"Yeah, yeah." He nodded obediently, humoring her little act.
"What were your entrance exam scores?" Kamuro suddenly asked.
"Failed every subject except P.E." Shimizu answered honestly.
Kamuro's face stiffened. Her eyes raked over him, lingering on his toned arms.
"...No wonder you wound up in Class D. Just a muscle-brained idiot."
"For your information—" She straightened abruptly, chopsticks aimed at him. "—my entrance scores were way better! So wipe that 'look' off your face!
Shimizu finally understood—she was still hung up on his careless remark from before.
"That was my bad." He set his chopsticks down, uncharacteristically earnest. "I promise I won't think that way again."
He had to admit—despite her prickly exterior, Kamuro's straightforwardness and principles were far more genuine than most in Class D
Especially her awkward way of caring—it felt refreshingly real.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Kamuro's fingers flew across her phone screen—
Ding.
A notification chimed in Shimizu's pocket.
"You're… way too soft." She frowned, her tone dripping with fake disdain. "Agreeing with everything I say… Whatever. Since you're so obedient, I'll lend you 10,000 points."
She stood abruptly, her tray clattering.
"Stop eating this garbage. Sitting with you is embarrassing."
Before Shimizu could respond, she marched toward a distant table.
Halfway there, she paused—not turning back as she tossed over her shoulder:
"...Accept the transfer. Or I'll hunt you down in class D myself."
"Kamuro Masumi… really is a good person, huh?"
Shimizu watched her retreating figure, an odd warmth blooming in his chest.
Even after being so blatantly "insulted," he couldn't help but feel touched.
Glancing at the remaining popcorn chicken, it hit him—
This was just Kamuro Masumi's way of caring.