Friday morning.
Shimizu Akira finished his workout, beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead.
He grabbed his phone and texted Horikita Manabu:
"[The class leaders should sign the surveillance agreements at the student council by 7 PM tonight. Thanks for your help.]"
After sending it, he realized—he'd been imposing on the president a lot lately.
Sure, Horikita owed him a favor... but making him work overtime on a Friday felt excessive.
The reply came swiftly: "[Understood.]"
Shimizu stared at the screen. "I really did make him work overtime..."
(Maybe... I should look after his sister?)
He imagined Horikita's stern face softening into a grateful smile—then dismissed it as pure fantasy.
That man probably didn't even know how to smile.
As he took his seat, the familiar chime rang:
[Ding~ Today's Intel Updated]
Kushida Kikyō's blood type is A.
In May, the first to deduce Shimizu Akira's hidden identity will be Shiina Hiyori (Class 1-C).
The school's point system simulates real-world credit—loans are auto-deducted from monthly allowances.
Shimizu blinked at the second entry—his own name.
(Since when does intel feature me?)
(...Well, I suppose it makes sense.)
But Shiina Hiyori would uncover his alt-account?
(Class C has someone like that?)
Yesterday's surveillance showed Ryūen dominating like a tyrant. He'd barely noticed anyone else.
(Shiina Hiyori... A detective type? Maybe C-Class isn't as weak as I thought.)
The third point intrigued him more.
(Loans? Interesting.)
He'd wondered how cash-strapped classes would pay. Now he had his answer.
This was a society simulator, after all. Student loans fit the theme.
"Don't forget today's tutoring session."
Horikita Suzune's voice cut through his thoughts.
"I remember." He kept his eyes on his textbook.
They'd scheduled weekly tutoring—though why baffled her.
"Your math and English are exceptional," she said, tapping her desk. "How is your Japanese so... lacking?"
As his tutor, she'd seen it firsthand:
English: His pronunciation outshone the teacher's.
Math: He solved problems faster than she could parse them.
Yet his Japanese scores were abysmal.
"Just naturally weak in it." He shrugged, eyeing the homemade rice ball in her hand.
"Did you make that?"
"..." She took a deliberate bite. "You took all my points."
(So she really can't spare 5,000...)
Feeling charitable (and mindful of her brother's overtime), he offered:
"Dinner's on me tonight."
"...Reason?" She almost refused—then remembered her resolve to change.
"Buttering up my 'tutor.' I'd rather not fail, so consider it insurance."
"Flattery?" She arched a brow. "Then I expect extravagance."
Some people only helped when bribed. Shimizu was likely lying, but after taking 105,000 points from her, one meal was negligible.
"I'll stuff you full," he promised, mentally counting his incoming windfall.
Their conversation halted as Kushida Kikyō stepped onto the podium.
"Everyone, starting today... I'm Class D's leader."
Hirata Yōsuke joined her, smiling. "I lost fair and square. This month, I'll assist Kushida-san."
"Congrats, Kushida!"
"Damn, Shimizu beat us to it!"
"I wanted that date..."
Some clapped; others shot Shimizu envious looks.
"A date? You campaigned for her?"Horikita's gaze sharpened.
Not jealousy—just suspicion. Shimizu never acted without gain.
"She paid."
"...How much?"
"80K."
"80K?" Her eyes gleamed. "I'll pay you next month. Campaign for me then."
Her tone brooked no argument. She'd calculated the ROI.
"...You're running too?"
"Obviously." She straightened. "I told you—I'll lead this class to A-rank."
"Pfft—"
Shimizu burst out laughing.
He'd once predicted Horikita could lead D-Class...
But this version?Hopelessly naive.
"What's so funny?!"
"Nothing. Just laughing at you."