Although Ryūen Kakeru had reluctantly agreed to lease the surveillance cameras, one question burned in his mind: How did the person selling the cameras get his contact information in the first place?
Since he'd demanded "tributes" from his class, he had exchanged contact details with every Class C student during the first week.
But he'd never added anyone from another class.
The answer was obvious—his information had been leaked by a classmate.
One by one, he interrogated his classmates. Under the threat of violence, a girl finally cracked and confessed: *A few days ago, Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B had suddenly asked for Ryūen's contact info.*
"Traitor." Ryūen's expression darkened instantly. Nothing disgusted him more than betrayal from within.
His raised hand was about to strike when Ibuki Mio intercepted him.
"Stop it, Ryūen! She just gave out your contact info—it's not like she did it on purpose!"
"You again!" Ryūen's eyes glinted coldly. "I despise betrayers most of all!"
At that moment, Shiina Hiyori stepped forward calmly. "Ryūen-kun, the fact that someone specifically sought your contact information proves they aren't from our class. Isn't that good news for us?"
"..." Ryūen paused, forced to admit Shiina's logic was sound. Though he'd already ruled out his "spineless" classmates as suspects, her meticulous reasoning impressed him.
Come to think of it, Shiina Hiyori was Class C's top academic performer.
And one of only two people in the class who actually used their brains.
"Ryūen!" Ibuki Mio grabbed her hair in frustration. "Shiina already explained it to me! I hate you, but Class C needs you right now!" She gritted her teeth. "I'll transfer you 80,000 private points—just let her go!"
"Hah~ Finally learning your place?" Ryūen sneered as he lowered his hand. His phone chimed with the transfer notification.
After a moment of contemplation, a dangerous smile curled on his lips. "Fine. I'll let her off."
"You—" Ibuki started to relax.
"But!" Ryūen's tone shifted sharply, his gaze locking onto Shiina Hiyori. "Shiina, since you're so sharp, how about you investigate this 'mysterious person' for me? Find out who they really are. Do this, and I'll let bygones be bygones."
Shiina Hiyori didn't hesitate. "I accept. After all, this benefits the class too."
She tilted her head slightly in thought. "But deductions require evidence. I'll need all the clues you have—and your list of suspects. Also..." She paused. *"Ichinose Honami from Class 1-B is our lead. I'll look into her next."*
Ryūen's eyes gleamed with intrigue, his smirk widening. "Good... Start with that Sakayanagi Arisu girl." His voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "Her father's the current chairman. With that kind of status... she's the likeliest to pull strings behind the scenes."
Ryūen studied Ichinose with narrowed eyes.
(Come to think of it... there's another possibility. What if she's the mysterious person?)
(...Doesn't seem like it, though.)
(And showing up at the student council now... Could she also be—?)
But since he'd already delegated the investigation to Shiina Hiyori, he couldn't be bothered to dwell on it.
Personally, he still leaned toward Sakayanagi Arisu.
After all, with a chairman for a father...
By the time Sakayanagi Arisu snapped back to reality, Katsuragi Kōhei was standing before her.
*"Sakayanagi-san, please hand over the class funds. As agreed, I'm holding 1.5 million points. You should have the same amount."*
During the class meeting a week ago, Class A had unanimously decided to pool three-quarters of each student's private points as a reserve fund.
The sum had been split equally between Katsuragi and Sakayanagi for emergencies.
Now, faced with the surveillance camera lease, the class had debated for two full days before agreeing to spend 3 million points.
Katsuragi Kōhei had volunteered to submit the payment at the student council.
"Understood..." Sakayanagi fell silent for a moment before transferring her entire balance.
Katsuragi stared at the terminal, his brow furrowing. "Wait... This is only 1.45 million. Where's the remaining 50,000?"
His voice rose sharply, drawing glances from nearby classmates. "Sakayanagi-san, don't tell me you... misused the class funds?"
"Did you think the hidden intel I obtained was free?" Sakayanagi's chin lifted slightly, her tone icy. "I spent exactly 50,000 points buying it from an upperclassman. Are you suggesting that doesn't count as a class expense? Was I wrong to use the funds for this purpose?"
Katsuragi stiffened. He'd forgotten—Sakayanagi had shared critical intel about school rule loopholes at the start of term. That intel had to have come from somewhere.
"...I see." His voice softened, even carrying a hint of apology. "My mistake. I spoke too hastily."
He'd assumed Sakayanagi's independent streak meant she'd embezzled the money.
But it seemed she had acted in the class's interest.
After an awkward pause, Katsuragi cleared his throat. "Then... everyone can just send me an extra 1,250 points privately. I'll cover your share, Sakayanagi."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode away, his retreating back almost... fleeing the scene of his misjudgment.
Sakayanagi Arisu stood motionless, watching Katsuragi disappear down the hallway.
Her usual composed smile remained—though it faltered for a split second.
(That was too close...)
Sweat practically dripped down Sakayanagi's back.
Using class funds to buy intel? A complete lie.
The truth was far simpler—she'd run out of points. After all, she'd lost all her private points to Shimizu Akira on the very first day.
Unconsciously, she'd started treating the class fund as her personal account.
Limited-edition tea leaves, a new chess set, even a custom grip for her cane... Admittedly, it did feel nice to hold.
Every purchase had been quietly deducted from the class funds.
(So... who is the mysterious person? Could it be Shimizu Akira?)
"Too little information..."
Katsuragi was likely finalizing the paperwork now. Maybe he'd bring back clues.
Transactions through the student council had to leave traces.
A more direct option suddenly occurred to her: A single message to her father, the chairman, and the truth might be hers.
If someone was buying permissions from the school, her father would know.
"...No." She chuckled softly to herself.
This game had only just begun—she'd rather uncover the mystery with her own hands.