Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School — Keyaki Shopping Mall.
It was the largest shopping complex on campus. Saionji Ryosuke wandered through the aisles aimlessly, planning to pick up a few toiletries first.
After a few rounds, he couldn't find his usual brand. With a small sigh, he muttered,
"Guess I'll just check the convenience store."
When he arrived there, he noticed something unusual — among the regular daily items, a section of free supplies was neatly arranged for students to take. At the same time, a girl with long, straight black hair was also examining those free toiletries.
Ryosuke stepped closer, picked up a bottle, and exhaled quietly.
"What are you doing?" The girl shot him an annoyed look.
"Nothing," he replied. "Just noticed they don't have the brand I usually use, so I figured I might as well grab a free one."
"You expect me to believe that? I've seen your type before — pretending to shop just to hit on me. You even wear that ridiculous mask for effect."
"Eh? That's a misunderstanding. I'm not trying to hit on you," Ryosuke explained, slightly exasperated. "The mask's because of an old injury, that's all."
"Hmph. You'd better be telling the truth." The girl huffed and turned away.
"...Seriously, what bad luck," he muttered.
"Sure is," a voice replied from nearby.
Ryosuke turned and saw a boy with a distinctive curtain hairstyle. What stood out more, though, were his eyes — lifeless, like those of a puppet without emotion.
"Yeah," Ryosuke said cautiously. "You know her?"
"Yeah. She's my classmate."
"I see. I'm Saionji Ryosuke, Class 1-A."
"I'm from Class 1-D."
Neither said much after that. Just as Ryosuke was sizing the boy up, the boy was also quietly observing him.
"If there's nothing else, I'll get going," Ryosuke said.
"Ah, right."
"Oh, by the way, I didn't catch your name."
"Ayanokōji."
"...."
"...What did you say?" Ryosuke's expression changed instantly. No way...
Though surprised by Ryosuke's sudden reaction, the boy answered plainly, "Ayanokōji Kiyotaka."
"So it really is you…" Ryosuke froze. The name — he had heard it countless times from Arisu. In her stories, that name always carried a special weight, and Ryosuke had long suspected the boy might be someone important to her.
For a moment, he wasn't sure how to speak. Eventually, he said carefully, "Um, do you... know me?"
"No, I don't. Ah—wait. I've heard of you from someone named Sakayanagi Arisu."
Ryosuke decided to probe a little — if the two of them were close, he'd need to crush any feelings he had for her right here.
"Hmm? I don't know anyone named Sakayanagi Arisu," Ayanokōji replied after a brief pause, his face unreadable.
"You don't know her?"
"That's right."
Seeing the certainty in his eyes, Ryosuke felt a weight lift from his chest. I'll just ask Arisu about her impression of him later, he thought.
"Ah, maybe I was mistaken then. Sorry, Ayanokōji. See you around."
"...Yeah."
Still expressionless as ever.
Leaving the store, Ryosuke headed toward the cafeteria for lunch. On the way, he noticed a group of students arguing.
A tall, red-haired boy was shouting, "What's it to you, huh?"
"Sudo, if you don't quit the basketball club, we'll beat you up every time we see you! You're just a D-Class loser anyway!"
"Who the hell are you calling a loser?"
"You, obviously."
Ryosuke watched the scene quietly. He had no intention of intervening — but he did take note of one thing: 'D-Class loser,' huh?
"So even the class divisions carry weight here," he murmured.
When he reached the cafeteria, he noticed a counter offering free vegetable meals. "As expected," he muttered.
He bought two regular hamburger sets and approached a senior who was quietly eating the free meal.
"Senpai, if you don't mind, would you like this?"
The older student looked up, surprised. Before him stood a white-haired first-year with an oddly calm aura.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Don't get me wrong — I just have a question. Think of this as payment."
Hearing that, the second-year visibly relaxed. It had been a long time since he'd eaten anything besides wild vegetables.
"I might not be able to answer everything," the senior warned.
"That's fine. Which class are you in, Senpai?"
"Second-year, Class D. Why?"
"No reason. I just assumed upperclassmen would have enough personal points to live comfortably. Didn't expect to see someone eating the free stuff."
The senior gave a bitter laugh. "Don't kid yourself. Only the top classes live comfortably. The rest of us at the bottom—" He caught himself mid-sentence and quickly covered his mouth.
That was all Ryosuke needed to confirm his theory. The school's classes were clearly ranked from A to D. The higher your class, the more personal points you received.
But that raised another question — if there was such fierce inter-class competition, then this "freedom to choose your future" the school promised… was it really true?
Or maybe only the winning class earned that right.
"Yeah… that makes sense," he thought. "Everything's a trap here — the 100,000 points, the so-called freedom, all of it."
And if points could really "buy anything," then perhaps they could even buy victory itself. Though the amount needed must be astronomical.
He finished his thoughts, stood up, and smiled politely. "Thanks for your time, Senpai. Please, take both hamburgers."
As he walked away, the senior stared down at the food. "…I probably shouldn't have said that much. Oh well. Hamburger… my love."
Elsewhere, Ryosuke finished his own free meal of wild vegetables and stepped out of the cafeteria. Pulling out his phone, he sent a LINE message to Arisu, summarizing what he had learned.
Class competition, huh? I'll let her handle that stuff. As for me…
His lips curved into a faint smirk.
"With the club recruitments starting tomorrow, it's time to make my move. Seniors, your precious points — I'll be taking good care of them for you."