After school, Shimizu Akira returned to the student council room, sitting across from President Horikita Manabu as he reviewed the surveillance lease contract handed to him.
For a school, it often felt more like a miniature society, brimming with rules and transactions.
After skimming through the terms and confirming everything was in order, Shimizu signed his name and transferred 1.2 million points from his account.
From today onward, he officially held surveillance rights over the eight cameras across four classrooms.
"By the way, President," Shimizu suddenly thought of a critical question, "what if... some impulsive student destroys a camera?"
Horikita adjusted his glasses, his gaze as calm as still water. "No need to worry. The school will replace it immediately, and the offender's class will face point deductions."
"I see." Shimizu nodded.
"As for the classes leasing the cameras," Horikita continued, "have their representatives sign the agreement here. We'll transfer administrative access accordingly."
Then, he retrieved a brand-new laptop from under his desk. "This is preloaded with the surveillance system's backend. You can take it now."
"Even the hardware is prepared?" Shimizu accepted it with genuine appreciation. "President, I really owe you one."
Back in his dorm, Shimizu locked the door and immediately flipped open the laptop.
Following the instructions, he logged into the surveillance system—only to be surprised by the higher-than-expected access level.
(Live feeds, playback, downloads...)
His first move was to check last week's archives.
(Blank. As expected, the school wiped them.)
Just then, his phone buzzed.
Ryūen Kakeru messaged, claiming he'd uncovered the hidden rules.
(Not bad... but not unexpected either.)
Shimizu wasn't banking on selling intel for long—the surveillance rights were his real goal.
He replied casually while pulling up Class C's live feed.
On-screen, Ryūen stood at the podium, his usual smirk replaced by rare frustration.
"Who still sells intel the old-fashioned way?" Shimizu muttered, shaking his head.
After a moment, recalling today's intel, he sent Ryūen a 3-million-point demand—only to watch in real time as Ishizaki Daichi hurled a chair at the camera.
"Wow. What an absolute legend." Shimizu couldn't help but laugh. "Ryūen, my condolences. Leading these morons must be exhausting."
Half of Class C's feed went black.
Not that he cared—Horikita had assured him replacements were coming.
"Do they want to lose to Class D? Pathetic."
Dismissing Class C, he switched to Class A's feed.
In 4K resolution, every detail was crisp—he could even zoom in 16x to see individual eyelashes.
(Full attendance?)
Oddly, despite school being long over, Class A's seats were filled—save for two conspicuously empty ones.
The camera panned to the podium, where Sakayanagi Arisu sat gracefully, a thick-browed, bald boy standing beside her, addressing the class.
The moment audio activated, Sakayanagi's soft yet commanding voice flowed from the speakers:
"Recently... no one has leaked confidential information, correct?"
"No, Sakayanagi-san."
"We wouldn't just tell other classes."
Students chimed in one after another.
"Good..." She nodded slightly, lips curving into a knowing smile. "We can't afford to give our rivals any advantage."
Shimizu exhaled sharply, watching the scene unfold.
Sakayanagi continued lecturing in her uniquely languid yet domineering tone—standard secrecy reminders, but delivered with unmistakable authority.
The girl who appeared eternally poised in public ruled her class with an iron grip in private.
It reminded Shimizu of their first meeting at the convenience store—that same innate superiority and undisguised dominance.
Though in their later encounters, that edge had softened.
At least when speaking to him, she acted relatively normal.
"So that bald guy is Katsuragi Kōhei?"
Shimizu recalled Kamuro Masumi's explanation: Class A had two leaders—Sakayanagi and Katsuragi.
Combined with earlier intel about the latter's alopecia, the identity of the boy beside Sakayanagi was obvious.
"Managing Class A this well is impressive," Shimizu mused. "I'd worried dual leadership would cause infighting, but they seem to have struck a balance."
He compared it to Class D's dynamic—Kushida's rivalry with Hirata, the latter always yielding. Two leaders often meant strife.
But then—his assessment shattered.
Katsuragi stepped forward, seamlessly taking control of the conversation from Sakayanagi.
Shimizu instinctively zoomed in 32x on Sakayanagi's face.
Her brows furrowed so tightly they could crush a fly.
"Huh. Class A might actually be on the verge of civil war..."
The conclusion was inescapable.