The warm sunlight streamed through the window. Hoshinomiya, curled up and unconsciously nuzzling Ren's broad chest, slowly opened her eyes, feeling hazy.
Rubbing her hair, Hoshinomiya quietly slipped out of Ren's embrace. Ren was still asleep.
She went to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face. Looking at herself in the mirror, Hoshinomiya finally came to her senses.
Her gathered courage had finally paid off. Being held by Ren while sleeping, Hoshinomiya felt a warmth she had never experienced before.
Whether she was treating Ren as a big plush pillow, or if he was treating her as a small figurine, who could say for sure?
After washing up, Hoshinomiya went downstairs to the kitchen to make breakfast.
Once all the work was done, Hoshinomiya gently pushed open Ren's bedroom door and whispered to Ren: "Ren, time to wake up~"
Ren, still sleeping, didn't respond. While Hoshinomiya was cooking, Ren had turned over in bed, burying his head in the clean white pillow.
The blanket slid down, allowing the sunlight to spread over Ren's back, making Hoshinomiya's mouth water.
Noticing that it was almost time for school, Hoshinomiya climbed back onto the bed, bending her knee. She leaned close to Ren's ear: "Baby Baby"
Seeing the slight blush on Ren's ear, Hoshinomiya couldn't help but chuckle. So Ren had this side to him, too.
Feeling playful, Hoshinomiya leaned closer to Ren's ear and stuck out her small, pink tongue, lightly licking Ren's flushed ear.
Mmm… It got even redder.
Ren rolled over, pulling the mischievous Little Chie into his arms. He returned the favor, lightly nipping Little Chie's earlobe.
Little Chie's face turned as red as a small tomato. Her small hand weakly pushed against Ren's chest.
Ding-a-ling…
The school bell ringing for classes startled Hoshinomiya awake. She gently patted Ren's back: "Ren, it's time for school."
Ren, who knew how to push boundaries, immediately buried his head back under the pillow and mumbled: "I'm so tired. I don't want to go to school. Little Chie, cover for me."
"Then Ren, you rest well today." Hoshinomiya pulled the pillow Ren was using to cover his head away, placing it back under Ren's head.
Hoshinomiya flicked Ren's head with her finger, looking like she truly didn't know what to do with him.
...
The entrance to Class D was unusually crowded.
The cause was Kanzaki and the other Class A students who had come to Class D early that morning, looking for Kikyō Kushida and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji.
Since the matter involved the class angel, Kikyō Kushida, the Class D students gathered around.
Kakeru Ryūen watched the scene from the roadside, curious about what trick Ren was playing. He had layers of white gauze wrapped around his index finger.
Ren had still shown mercy, not completely crippling Kakeru Ryūen's index finger.
After rushing to the hospital and being informed by the doctor that recovery was possible, Kakeru Ryūen felt a wave of relief and became extremely wary of Ren.
When Class A students actively came to Class D looking for trouble, Kakeru Ryūen's first thought was that Ren was starting to put pressure on Class D again.
"Kanzaki, what brings you here? Also, aren't Katsuragi and Ichinose with you?"
Kikyō Kushida, smiling, asked Kanzaki and the others about the purpose of their visit, also expressing confusion about the absence of Ren.
Ren's group of Class A students didn't include him…
Even Honami Ichinose, the official Class A leader, wasn't with them. The situation looked suspicious.
Katsuragi… is he avoiding me?
He took advantage of me, and now he's deliberately hiding? Bastard!
"Kushida and Ayanokōji must have distributed the past midterm exam papers to your classmates already."
Noticing the smug expressions of the Class D students whenever the midterm exams were mentioned, it was easy to guess that Kikyō Kushida had already distributed the papers.
Kanzaki did not waste time with the two students in front of him. He stated the reason right at the entrance of Class D.
A rule that is not forbidden is a loophole. Everyone can indeed exploit this loophole, but only if…
They are not reported.
Midterm exam paper? Kakeru Ryūen, watching the scene, was stunned for a moment, but only for a moment.
Ren could use Kanzaki and the others to extort Class D because he had no direct vested interest in Class D.
But Ren selling the exam paper to him for a marked price of 40,000 points meant Ren wouldn't try any other tricks.
During this year, the higher Class C's class points were, the more points Ren would receive. Perhaps this was why Ren proactively sold the midterm exam paper to him.
Thinking of this, Kakeru Ryūen became even more interested in watching the show.
"Kanzaki, what midterm exam paper?" Kikyō Kushida pretended to be confused, even nudging Kiyotaka Ayanokōji, who hadn't taken any action.
Suzune Horikita also looked toward the classroom entrance, naturally noticing that Kiyotaka Ayanokōji chose to act with Kikyō Kushida.
"Kushida, Ayanokōji, what else do you have to say?"
Kanzaki played the video a classmate had sent him in front of the entire Class D. The video clearly recorded Kikyō Kushida and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji trading with the senior in the cafeteria.
Suzune Horikita's eyes narrowed after watching the whole video.
Kiyotaka Ayanokōji had left her and started acting alone.
Stopping Kikyō Kushida, who was about to argue, Kiyotaka Ayanokōji said calmly: "Kanzaki, what do you want?"
Explanation was pointless now. Regardless of whether he and Kikyō Kushida were actually trading for the midterm exam paper in the cafeteria.
If Kanzaki submitted the video to the Student Council, exposing the hidden loophole under the school's rules, the midterm exam questions would definitely be changed.
Kanzaki did not demand a share of the points, unlike Ren. Instead, he gave a clear figure: "100,000 points. Please don't haggle."
For the top three classes, Ren's method would maximize profits.
But Class D…
They were a poor class. They wouldn't gain much if he asked for a share. This was the only way Kanzaki could ensure Class A gained a substantial amount of points from Class D.
Kanzaki never considered reporting the video to the Student Council.
The gap between Class D and his Class A was too wide.
Kanzaki also understood that Ren needed self-sufficient assets below him, not blocks of worthless rotten wood.
If the bottom three classes couldn't satisfy Ren's appetite, Ren would turn his fangs on his own class without a second thought.
Kanzaki, also an heir of a conglomerate, had a clear understanding of how ruthless those in power could be.
To protect Class A, he had to leave Class D with the means to survive.
-----------------
On Patreon—there are 140 early-access chapters available.
My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/LEYI396
If you're enjoying it, could you leave a review? It truly helps a lot. It doesn't have to be long—anything is enough. And the more reviews we get, the more early-access chapters I'll release as a thank-you.