Chapter 021 Koenji Rokusuke: "Shimizu-kun is a Rare Gentleman; I Owe Him a Favor"
Shimizu Akira realized that Kushida Kikyo was like a miniature version of Ichinose Honami. Whether it was the aloof and elegant Hasebe Haruka, the taciturn Miyake Akito, or even the introverted Yukimura Teruhiko, they all maintained good relations with her.
Leveraging the interpersonal bridge built by Kushida, Shimizu Akira successfully obtained the contact information of a significant portion of his classmates.
"Shimizu-kun, next time you definitely have to give that 'Idiot Trio' a proper lesson!" Shinohara Satsuki said in a lowered voice, her eyes instinctively darting toward Ike Kanji.
"They spend all day running their mouths saying crude things; they act like the classroom is their personal territory."
'The Idiot Trio? That nickname is actually quite fitting...'
"Hehe... Shinohara-san, don't let it get to you~" Kushida Kikyo interjected at the right moment. "Boys this age, well... it's normal to have some... um... adolescent thoughts."
"Kushida-san is truly an angel! KMT!" Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji shouted in unison, their eyes practically turning into hearts. (KMT: Kushida Maji Tenshi= Kushida is seriously an angel. Reference to re:Zero)
'If these two traveled to another world, they'd probably let themselves be carved up by the Elsa the Bowel Hunter just to protect a saintess like Emilia...'
It was worth noting that under Kushida Kikyo's skillful mediation, Shimizu Akira and Yamauchi Haruki were, on the surface, able to engage in normal daily interaction. As for Yamauchi's true inner thoughts? Shimizu didn't care.
As long as the other party was sensible enough not to provoke him, it was fine.
In a mere ten minutes of negotiation, Shimizu's contact list had grown to include nearly half the class. This efficiency—being carried through a "social dungeon" by a pro—gave him a lingering illusion of "winning while lying down," as if he were being power-leveled in class relationships by the "Social MVP," Kushida Kikyo.
"Shimizu-kun..." Kushida Kikyo suddenly tugged lightly at his sleeve, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks. "Um... could I ask you for a small favor?"
Shimizu froze for a second before flashing an understanding smile.
'As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch...'
It reminded him of the "animals" in his dormitory in his past life; the "small requests" to help bring food or buy drinks never ended.
However, the request from this social expert was likely not going to be that simple.
He leaned in slightly, maintaining a polite distance: "What is it that you need me to do, Kushida-san?"
"Shimizu-kun, do you remember the first thing I said when we first spoke?" Kushida Kikyo clasped her hands in front of her.
"You said you had already exchanged contact information with almost everyone in the class." Shimizu keenly caught the implication in her words.
"Correct..." The girl bit her lower lip, showing a rare look of difficulty. "Actually, besides you, there are two people I still haven't managed to connect with—Horikita Suzune-san and Koenji Rokusuke-san."
'I see, so these are the true 'Challenge Stages'...'
Shimizu Akira nodded thoughtfully. "So, you want me to act as a bridge?"
"Exactly. Actually, just helping me get to know one of them would be enough." Kushida looked up, her eyes shimmering with expectation.
"If it's you, Shimizu-kun, you might be able to..."
'On the surface it's a choice between two, but in reality, there's no choice at all...'
Shimizu grumbled internally. Everyone in the class knew that as Horikita Suzune's deskmate, he was indeed the most suitable "middleman."
'So that's where she was leading me...'
He scrutinized this "social expert" with interest. The almost obsessive persistence in her eyes reminded him of those "completionist" gamers who feel compelled to unlock every single entry in a gallery.
'Is she that desperate to be 'friends' with everyone?'
This personality of treating interpersonal relationships as a lifeline was like treating the follower count of a social media account as a life KPI. For Kushida Kikyo, if even one person showed dislike toward her, it would probably be as unbearable as having her carefully maintained persona exposed in public.
"I understand." Shimizu Akira suddenly flashed a meaningful smile. "Let's go. I'll take you to meet Koenji-kun."
"Eh...?" Kushida's pupils dilated slightly, and the perfect curve of her smile stiffened for a split second.
'Hehe, didn't expect that, did you?'
Shimizu intentionally put on a confused expression.
"What? Koenji-kun is a boy just like me; isn't it easier for men to communicate with each other?" He countered with a pointed question, "Surely... that's not what you were thinking, Kushida-san?"
He did indeed owe her a favor, but that didn't mean he was willing to be a puppet on a string.
'Since I have to choose, I'll naturally choose the one that surprises you the most—'
Kushida's face-management was master-class. After only 0.5 seconds of losing her composure, that delicate face was once again wearing an impeccable, gentle smile.
"Shimizu-kun is right... then I'll trouble you."
As the two approached, Koenji Rokusuke was holding a small gilded mirror, intently admiring his own perfect profile.
"Koenji-kun..." Kushida Kikyo stepped forward with her signature sweet smile.
"Hmm?" Koenji didn't even look up, his long fingers lightly brushing his sideburns.
"Could it be that Kushida-kun is still brooding over that seat-giving incident from before? No need to worry; I, Koenji Rokusuke, never dwell on such trivialities."
Kushida's smile froze instantly.
'Interesting... it seems Kushida was right; he really is the narcissistic type she's worst at dealing with.'
He silently compared the difference between this narcissist and Kamuro Masumi. Both were equally self-centered, but Kamuro was like a rose armed with thorns, while Koenji—
"How is it? Are you moved by my magnanimity?" Koenji finally deigned to put down his mirror, revealing a supremely confident smile.
This classmate was more like a narcissus flower growing under a spotlight, with "I am the most beautiful" written all over him from the inside out.
"Oh? Shimizu-kun is here too?" Koenji suddenly turned his gaze to the side. He tucked his mirror into his desk and turned to face the two with an elegant posture.
Before Kushida Kikyo could react, she heard Koenji announce in an operatic tone: "Speak. Your request—I grant it."
"Eh?" Kushida's eyes widened, and the phone in her hand almost slipped. She instinctively looked at Shimizu Akira, only to find him wearing a similarly puzzled expression.
Koenji continued on his own: "After all—this gentleman not only took the initiative to give up a seat for my sake, but also reported those blind interviewers on my behalf, did he not?"
Upon hearing this, Kushida gave Shimizu a surprised look before finally handing over her phone in silence. The two exchanged contact information.
At this moment, Shimizu's heart was churning with an indescribable sense of speechlessness.
'—Who told you he gave up the seat for your sake? There has to be a limit to narcissism.'
Wait, how did the guy know about the report he filed?
Chapter 022 Senpai: Trust Me, This is a School Where Might is Right
"Several upperclassman girls have asked me out for coffee again?
Well then, I shall take my leave first."
Koenji Rokusuke lightly brushed his bangs aside, speaking those words in a languid tone before elegantly turning to leave the classroom. Before stepping over the threshold, he suddenly paused, his gaze sweeping meaningfully across Kushida Kikyo before finally fixing on Shimizu Akira.
"My 'favor' is not as simple as merely exchanging contact information.
Look forward to it! Shimizu-kun, hahahahaha!"
Before his voice had even faded, Koenji's tall figure had vanished from the classroom, leaving behind a room of stunned silence. Koenji Rokusuke always acted flamboyantly; his words, delivered in a deliberately raised voice and accompanied by that hearty, demonic laughter, naturally reached the ears of all the surrounding students.
"What is that guy babbling about?
What 'favor'? What a mess.
But man, that guy is unexpectedly popular with the older girls! Maybe he'll introduce us to some girlfriends!"
Shimizu Akira hadn't expected that someone with a personality as narcissistic as Koenji's would actually be favored by senpais from other classes.
However, whether it was giving up the seat or filing the report, those were just actions he took on a whim; he didn't expect them to be interpreted by the other party as some form of special care.
In Koenji's words, it was a "beautiful misunderstanding."
'Being remembered by a man for a 'debt of gratitude'... no matter how you look at it, it's hard to feel happy about that.'
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.
.
The gymnasium was currently teeming with people, with about a hundred students gathered in small groups throughout the venue. Judging by the uniforms, most were first-year kouhai who had not yet joined a club.
Shimizu Akira spotted a long table at the entrance piled with promotional materials. He strolled over and pulled a booklet from the neatly arranged stacks. Flipping through the pages, various club introductions came into view:
[Judo Club] – Top 8 in the National Tournament for three consecutive years. [Baseball Club] – Top 4 in last year's Koshien qualifiers. [Kyudo Club] – Features active members of the Junior National Team.
Each page was accompanied by photos of club activities; the upperclassmen in professional gear were all wearing shiny medals around their necks.
'The level of these clubs... they're basically at the level of a reserve national team.'
His original plan to join a club and earn school points through performance was completely shattered after seeing the profiles of these athletes. The demonstration of Judo grappling, the baseball swing postures, the perfect form in Kyudo—every photo exuded professional standards.
'As a total amateur, it's unlikely I could keep up with training of this caliber...'
The senpais began taking turns on stage to introduce their clubs. Basically, every club gave the standard line about "welcoming beginners." However, Shimizu felt these seniors were likely targeting the budget; generally speaking, more members meant more funding. Kouhai without relevant experience would likely just be used as errand boys if they joined.
"Hey! You over there!" A booming shout came from the stage. "Want to come up and try some boxing?"
Shimizu Akira snapped out of his thoughts and found a muscular senpai waving at him. Honestly, a Japanese high school actually has a boxing club? Aren't they afraid of damaging the students' bodies so they can't attend class?
The gazes of the kouhai below shifted in unison, making him the center of attention.
"Me...?" Shimizu pointed to himself. After receiving a nod of confirmation, he nodded back. "Alright, but I've never touched boxing before."
"Hahaha! There's a first time for everything!" The senpai's hearty laughter echoed through the gym.
Under the other's enthusiastic greeting, Shimizu slowly climbed onto the stage. The senpai casually tossed him a pair of red gloves; the leather surface bore signs of previous use.
"Just like that, try giving me a punch?" The senpai took a defensive stance, his sturdy arms crossed in front of his chest, though he showed no intention of wearing protective gear.
While clumsily fastening the glove straps, Shimizu asked, "Is this really okay? Without any protective gear..."
"Don't worry, don't worry!" The senpai waved it off dismissively. "Think of it as a special service for the kouhai's experience! Come on! Don't hold back!"
Shimizu took a deep breath, his gaze suddenly becoming focused. He lowered his shoulder slightly, stepped half a pace forward with his left foot, and his right fist shot out like an arrow from a bow—
Thud!
Shimizu's straight punch slammed into the senpai's crossed arms. The well-built senior was actually sent staggering back several steps by this heavy blow.
"Guh...!" The senpai let out a muffled groan. A deep red fist mark appeared on his bronze-colored arms with visible speed. He stared with wide, disbelieving eyes as fine beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. "This power... you've got to be kidding... are this year's kouhai monsters?"
Before he could finish, his right arm used for blocking began to tremble uncontrollably. His muscle memory triggered the instinctive reaction of a professional boxer in pain—quickly pulling the arm back to the waist.
This subtle professional movement caused a sudden stir among the few students who knew what they were looking at, though most of the crowd below was just jeering.
Laughter erupted from the audience, with several students whistling and heckling: "How much did you get paid for this performance, Senpai?"
"You're really going all out to recruit new members!"
"Didn't that guy say he's never boxed before?"
The senpai scratched his head and gave a slightly embarrassed, hearty smile: "Hahaha, was I seen through?"
But when he turned back to Shimizu, his eyes were exceptionally serious: "But Kouhai, the weight of your fist doesn't lie." He flexed his still-numb arm. "You work out regularly, don't you?"
Just as Shimizu was about to answer, the senpai warmly slung an arm around his shoulder: "Why not consider joining the boxing club? You can use all the imported gym equipment as you like.
Oh right! I forgot to ask. Kouhai, which class are you in? What's your name? I assume you haven't joined any other clubs yet."
"Shimizu Akira from Class 1-D. I haven't joined a club yet."
"Ah... a Class D kouhai... I'll give you 5,000 points a month... no, let's make it 10,000 points as a subsidy!"
"I actually get a subsidy? But starting boxing only now... isn't it too late?"
"It's not late, not late at all. The essence of fighting is a competition of physical fitness. Your foundation is incredibly solid; even without technique, you can throw a heavy punch that makes opponents drop to their knees."
"Trust me!" The senpai suddenly leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Kouhai don't understand the way this school works yet." He paused meaningfully.
"This is a school that believes in might being right..."
Shimizu froze at those words. He clearly remembered the Student Council President announcing with great conviction at the entrance ceremony that this was a "meritocracy."
Chapter 023 Shimizu Akira: I'm Going to Start Boxing
Just as the senpai was about to speak.
"It is my turn."
A man who had been standing quietly on the stage for a long time suddenly spoke up. Upon seeing who it was, the senpai's expression visibly stiffened.
"President Horikita."
He immediately bowed in greeting, his voice laced with awe.
"Kouhai, follow me down. It is time for the Student Council President's address."
Hearing this, Shimizu Akira followed the Boxing Club Captain as they slowly walked down from the podium.
He glanced back and suddenly realized—the person before him was indeed the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu, who had given the speech at yesterday's entrance ceremony. He was also the older brother of his deskmate, Horikita Suzune.
"Senpai, you seem to be quite afraid of that Student Council President."
"Shimizu-kun, you don't understand! In this school, the power of the Student Council is absolute. If you offend President Horikita..."
"Whew—" The senpai let out a long breath, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead with lingering fear. "Fortunately, the President was lenient; otherwise, I nearly stepped over the red line just now.
In any case, I have high hopes for you, kouhai." The boxing senpai patted Shimizu's shoulder, his eyes gleaming with appreciation.
"This point subsidy is a unique treatment; no one else gets it."
He lowered his voice and added mysteriously: "If it weren't for your special circumstances and your extraordinary talent..."
Then, the senpai headed toward the boxing club recruitment booth. Before turning away, he looked back and tossed out one last sentence: "If you're interested, you're welcome to report to the boxing club at any time. Next month is also fine."
As soon as he finished speaking, he sat down firmly at the recruitment desk not far away, looking perfectly composed, as if he were certain Shimizu Akira would come.
Shimizu gave him a nod. This senpai was interesting; he had generously offered a 10,000-point monthly subsidy simply because Shimizu was a Class D student.
Given that confident look of his, could he have calculated that Shimizu would definitely fall into a point crisis next month?
On stage, the Student Council President began introducing the council's general situation and announced the recruitment plan.
"Currently, we are opening recruitment for preparatory members," his voice was steady and unhurried. "Following this, we will conduct even stricter formal selections."
The President's gaze swept across the room from behind his glasses, emphasizing: "We do not welcome those with naive fantasies, and we certainly do not allow any 'stains' to exist."
Hearing this, the subtext was more than clear to Shimizu: likely only the elites of Class A and B were qualified to step through the doors of the Student Council.
As he was leaving, a familiar figure caught his eye—Horikita Suzune was staring motionless at her brother. However, the Student Council President only gave her a brief glance before quickly looking away. Between this brother and sister, there seemed to be a tragic, thick wall of separation.
.
.
.
In the blink of an eye, it was Friday.
The intelligence refreshed over the past few days consisted of nothing but worthless, trivial information. For example:
[Miyake Akito joined the Kyudo Club] [Ike Kanji desperately craves a romance during his high school years] [Sudo Ken's Entrance Assessment: Intelligence-E | Academic Ability-E | Physical Ability-A | Judgment-D+ | Teamwork-D]
It was all inconsequential personal privacy that provided no help for his current situation. Intelligence, after all, was just intelligence.
Shimizu Akira saw through this clearly—he never expected the daily updates to be immediately useful. After all, this was just the beginning; there were still three full years of high school ahead. Intelligence was merely a supplementary tool to enhance his efforts.
It is worth mentioning that on Wednesday, he officially joined the boxing club. Every day after school, Shimizu would train for two hours without fail. The Captain had indeed kept his promise, transferring the 10,000 points as agreed on the day he joined.
The first week of training was somewhat unexpected—there were no ring duels as he had anticipated; he hadn't even touched a heavy bag or wrapped his hands. Instead, it was tedious foundational training: jump rope and jumping jacks for basic stamina, and footwork drills like forward and backward slides.
According to the coach, Shimizu's progress was very fast. If he maintained this state, actual sparring could be arranged by next month.
The school bell rang, and as Shimizu was stuffing his textbooks into his bag, he suddenly heard light footsteps from behind.
"Shimizu-kun!" Kushida Kikyo leaned over, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Have you bought your boxing gloves yet?"
"Not yet," Shimizu replied, turning around as he zipped his bag. "I plan to buy them next month."
"Then when you have a match next month, can I go watch?" Kushida clasped her hands together, her eyes shining. "I've never seen a boy box in person before!"
"Of course you can," Shimizu nodded. "Though I heard you have to spend points to buy a ticket."
According to the Boxing Club Captain, while boxing is relatively niche in other high schools, it is a popular club at this school. Not only is it equipped with a professional-grade ring, but it also occasionally holds exhibition matches, and the spectator stands are often packed.
The school maintains a stance of tacit approval toward this boxing club activity. The Captain once told him this was because a previous captain had spent a massive amount of points to apply for a special exclusive permit from the school.
'Of course, all spectators need to pay points.'
As for the specific point distribution mechanism, Shimizu wasn't entirely clear. He only knew that the boxers entering the ring received a basic appearance fee and could earn additional personal points as a reward after winning. Shimizu had decided to join precisely because of this double benefit—it could strengthen his body and earn points at the same time, killing two birds with one stone.
"Dammit! I wanted to join the boxing club too!" Yamauchi Haruki pounded his chest. "But the Captain said the spots were already full!"
"Exactly," Ike Kanji added, his eyes shimmering with longing. "Boxing coolly in the ring would definitely attract a lot of girls!"
The two whispered in the corner.
In fact, the boxing club currently had fewer than twenty active members. The long-term exhibition matches held by a fixed roster had already caused the audience to suffer from severe aesthetic fatigue. It was this sense of crisis that pushed the Captain to resolve to find some truly good prospects among the freshmen.
Of course, the selection criteria were very strict. The primary requirement was a long-term athletic foundation—any applicant whose punches were soft or who failed the physical test
was rejected by the Captain without exception, under the pretext of "not lacking people for now."
Chapter 024 Could Karuizawa Kei Have Her Sights on Me as a Bodyguard?
Without anyone noticing exactly when it started, the news of Shimizu Akira joining the boxing club spread like wildfire throughout the class. He keenly sensed a subtle shift in the gazes his classmates directed toward him.
In this school, the boxing club was truly a "T0-tier" (top-tier) organization. Combat sports clubs were like the "gyaru" of the class; they carried a natural sense of deterrence. After all, nobody wanted to end up getting KO'd with one punch just over a petty verbal dispute.
Shimizu himself, however, preferred to win people over with logic. If a problem could be solved through communication, he would never resort to violence.
"Shimizu-kun!" Karuizawa Kei approached his desk with a smile as bright as a flower. "When is the boxing club holding its next match?"
Lately, this class "gyaru" had been striking up conversations with him, intentionally or otherwise. It wasn't hard to tell from the sparkle in her eyes that she seemed particularly interested in boxing.
"Two senpais are sparring next week," Shimizu replied simply.
"So, how many ordinary people can you take on at once now, Shimizu-kun?" Karuizawa Kei leaned her hands on his desk, her eyes shimmering with excitement.
"..." Shimizu didn't understand why she was so curious about this, but he answered honestly: "Three to five shouldn't be a problem."
Given his physique, even before he started boxing, he was more than capable of handling a few untrained average people.
"That's so cool!" Karuizawa clapped her hands excitedly. "And whe n you throw a straight punch, do you make that 'pssh-pssh' sound like in the movies?"
"That's to coordinate breathing with power while maintaining rhythm. Beginners do tend to do that."
Shimizu suddenly realized that today's Karuizawa Kei seemed even more talkative than usual. The girl's delicate face brimmed with a natural sense of admiration. Even though Shimizu could sense the deliberate flattery in her words, he found it hard to feel any resentment. After all, who could refuse a warm conversation with a cute girl? This probably proved the truth of the saying: a man's tolerance for a woman is often proportional to her looks.
However, he vaguely remembered that on the first day of school, Karuizawa Kei seemed very close to Hirata Yousuke. Shimizu shifted his gaze inconspicuously to the other side of the classroom.
That sunny, handsome guy who joined the soccer club was also surrounded by classmates like stars circling the moon. Sensing his gaze, Hirata Yousuke turned his head and returned a frank, hearty smile without a hint of malice.
'He has no reaction at all to seeing Karuizawa speaking to me... it seems they aren't in that kind of relationship after all.'
Thinking of this, Shimizu noticed another detail—ever since that conversation at the start of the term, Karuizawa and Hirata didn't seem to have any interactions in class at all. On the contrary, Karuizawa had been gravitating toward him lately.
'Could it be... she's got her sights on me as a bodyguard?'
This thought caused a subtle, complex feeling to rise in Shimizu's heart. While being favored by a cute girl was pleasant, being treated as a tool to be utilized was another matter entirely. In this day and age, nobody wanted to be the "clueless honest guy."
"Is Karuizawa-san that interested in the boxing club?" asked Kushida Kikyo, who had been silent for a long time.
"Ah~ Actually, I'm not really interested in boxing itself!" Karuizawa cupped her cheeks, her eyes shining. "I just think guys look super cool when they show off their upper body muscles while boxing!"
"That's not a very pure motive~" Kushida winked.
"Hehe, what's wrong with liking guys with good bodies!" Karuizawa retorted righteously, even throwing a deliberate wink at Shimizu.
Shimizu's heart, however, remained as calm as still water. To him, the enthusiasm Karuizawa displayed looked more like a calculated approach to find a "protective umbrella."
"Well then, see you next time, Shimizu-kun!" As Karuizawa left, her slender fingers "accidentally" brushed against his abs. She then widened her eyes exaggeratedly, though the tips of her ears turned a shade of crimson. "Wow! So firm!"
'Huh? That reaction... doesn't seem like something a battle-hardened gyaru would do.
Is it possible... she actually has very little experience dealing with guys?
But wait, did I just get blatantly felt up?'
Adolescent flutters are never one-way; girls can be just as curious and desirous toward a guy's body. Hormones work both ways when a man has muscles.
However, Shimizu's attention was suddenly drawn to a small slip of paper on his desk. It had appeared there abruptly, as if out of thin air.
—Who put this here?
The question flashed through his mind. But now was clearly not the time to investigate, as Kushida Kikyo was standing right by his seat, watching him with those clear eyes.
"What's wrong?" Kushida seemed to sense his abnormality.
"Nothing." Shimizu casually tucked the folded note into his pocket. He decided to examine it carefully once he was alone.
Shimizu changed the subject: "Speaking of which, Kushida-san, do you have any good methods for relieving stress?"
Kushida's eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised by the sudden question: "...Eh? Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"No special reason, I just wanted to hear your suggestion."
"I see... for me, just seeing my classmates happy makes me feel very blessed. So... I don't really need to go out of my way to relieve stress!"
The corner of Shimizu's mouth twitched imperceptibly: "...Alright, as long as you're happy."
Just trying to think from Kushida's perspective gave him a sense of mental fatigue. He felt like her act was almost like a "troll" persona.
Kushida Kikyo issued her usual invitation to Horikita Suzune: "Horikita-san, want to go grab a coffee?"
"No need." Horikita's reply was crisp and direct; she didn't even look up.
Kushida's smile didn't waver for a second; she just sighed softly: "How unfortunate~" She turned toward the other girls, and soon the classroom echoed with their pleasant chatter as their footsteps faded into the distance.
Just as Shimizu thought the interlude was over, Horikita Suzune's gaze suddenly locked onto him. Her tone was eerily calm:
"What do you want to eat for dinner tonight?"
Shimizu's fingers froze on the desk.
He slowly raised his head, doubting he had heard correctly—was the notoriously solitary Horikita Suzune actually asking him about his dinner preference?
Chapter 025 Horikita Suzune Wants to Buy Intelligence
Shimizu Akira narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingertips lightly tapping the tabletop. "I see... so you mean you want to purchase intelligence from me?"
Horikita Suzune's expression froze for an instant before returning to her trademark cold mask. "...Yes."
—She had indeed considered many things over the last two days. The dense traces of notes in her notebook were enough to prove it. Asking an upperclassman would undoubtedly be the most direct route, but for the socially-averse Horikita Suzune, that was an unsolvable puzzle.
'Instead of doing that...'
Her gaze refocused on Shimizu Akira.
'It's better to be straightforward and trade. At least this person is my deskmate and an acquaintance.'
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-
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Shimizu Akira stood before the ordering window, his eyes scanning the menu.
"One Hamburger Steak Curry Rice," he spoke without hesitation. Since she was treating, he naturally saw no need to be polite.
The tray was handed over quickly—golden curry sauce coated the rice, topped with a thick hamburger patty with fat slightly seeping out, emitting an inviting aroma.
Shimizu Akira picked up the tray. Turning around, he caught sight of Horikita's movements. After helping pay, she had already sat down quietly at a corner table, pulling a tuna rice ball from her uniform pocket with slow, restrained movements.
The rice ball looked shriveled and dry, clearly not a gourmet meal, but she looked as composed as ever, as if she were long accustomed to it.
He raised an eyebrow, ordered two bowls of miso soup, and walked toward her with the tray. Shimizu pushed a steaming bowl of miso soup in front of Horikita, the bowl clinking softly against the table.
"For you," he said in a flat tone.
Horikita's gaze lingered on the soup bowl for a second before she shook her head. "This time, the treat is on me."
"100 points. Just transfer it," Shimizu stated his price.
"Shimizu-kun... do you want to add me as a friend that badly?" Horikita suddenly looked up.
Shimizu's mouth twitched. He conveniently pulled out his phone; the moment the screen lit up, his contact list was fully visible.
"You're overthinking it. I just think dinner should include something hot." His finger swiped across the screen, and a dense list of contacts scrolled by rapidly—nearly all the names of his classmates were there, even including Sakayanagi Arisu and Kamuro Masumi from Class A, and Ichinose Honami from Class B.
"Look, do I look like I'm lacking you as a friend?"
Horikita's gaze swept over the names, and the corners of her lips tightened imperceptibly for an instant.
Shimizu paid no more mind to Horikita's reaction and picked up his spoon.
He skillfully tore open a packet of ketchup and squeezed a bright spiral onto the hamburger meat—the deep red sauce slid slowly down the curve of the patty, seeping into the gaps of the curry.
He speared a piece of meat coated in sauce and put it in his mouth. The sweet and sour tomato aroma immediately exploded on his tongue, perfectly neutralizing the greasiness of the meat. Then he scooped a spoonful of rice soaked in curry; the rich spice mixed with the sweet chewiness of the rice filled his mouth with warmth.
'Not only is it delicious, but the nutrition is also impeccable.'
The food on the tray disappeared at a visible speed, while Horikita, sitting opposite him, continued to take small bites of that shriveled rice ball.
"Be careful, or you won't even be able to step into the ring next month."
"The amateur boxing club doesn't use weight classes.
Speaking of which, Horikita-san, what club did you join?"
"Not interested."
"Didn't sign up for the Student Council either?"
"..." This time she didn't answer.
Shimizu chose not to press further. He lowered his head to finish the last bite of curry rice and drank the miso soup in one gulp.
When he looked up, he found that Horikita Suzune had already finished that dry sandwich and was inconspicuously crumpling the wrapper into a ball in her palm—this habit was quite different from that of the elegant genius young lady in Class A.
His gaze swept over the untouched bowl of miso soup.
"Finish the soup," he tapped the rim of the bowl with his spoon, making a crisp sound. "Only then can we continue discussing the trade."
As he spoke, his eyes pointedly glanced at the warning sign on the wall that read: "Waste is Shameful."
After a moment of hesitation, Horikita finally reached out to pick up the bowl and began to sip in small gulps. When she put the bowl down, a drop of light brown soup still hung from the corner of her mouth. She instinctively pursed her lips, her eyes scanning the table for a napkin.
A hand with distinct knuckles suddenly entered her field of vision—Shimizu Akira had somehow already pulled out a tissue and was casually handing it to her.
"Wipe your mouth." His fingertips stopped steadily in mid-air, waiting for her to take it.
Horikita's words of rejection were already at the tip of her tongue—"I don't want to rely on anyone," her usual line.
'But the matter of the trade...
I already owe him a favor...'
After half a second of hesitation, she ultimately raised her hand and took the tissue with an air of feigned indifference.
"You don't need to feel like you owe me or feel bad; tonight's dinner is already settled. For me, this is also a great opportunity to earn points—it's strictly a fair trade," Shimizu said nonchalantly, seeing through her concerns.
"Tell me. What intelligence do you intend to buy from me? Do you simply want to know the truth behind the class assignments?"
"..." Horikita's eyes suddenly grew sharp. "Shimizu-kun, from the sound of it, you seem to possess other intelligence as well?"
"Mhm, you could say that." The corners of Shimizu's mouth curled up slightly.
After a brief silence, Horikita raised her chin. "...First, tell me the truth about the class assignments."
"It's actually very simple." Shimizu leaned back against his chair.
"The school divides classes according to the students' level of excellence. During the entrance exams, every interviewer scores us based on our performance. Combining these evaluations with certain special criteria, everyone is eventually assigned to Classes A, B, C, and D. Class A is the best, while Class D is the worst."
He looked directly at Horikita, his tone calm but carrying an unquestionable certainty: "In other words—the elites go to Classes A and B, and the mediocre can only stay in Classes C and D."
"...That's impossible! Are you sure this is true?"
"I tested Chabashira-sensei on the first day. Furthermore, this is intelligence personally confirmed by a second-year senior."
"But..."
"Still doubting?" Shimizu interrupted gently. "Then let me ask, Horikita-san, which class is your 'excellent' brother—the Student Council President—in?"
"Third year... Class A."
The words hit like a heavy hammer.
Horikita Suzune's body swayed violently.
"I was assigned to Class D... so, in the school's judgment... I don't even reach the passing grade?"
Chapter 026 On the Condition of Protecting Me, Let's Date
Horikita Suzune's life had always been shrouded by a single shadow. That shadow was her brother's back.
Some had half-jokingly called her a "brother-con," but she knew very well—it wasn't a distorted attachment, but pure admiration.
And now, fate had played its cruelest joke on her.
When she finally stepped into this academy where her brother reigned over the Student Council, what greeted her was the label of Class D. Between her and her brother, who sat high in Class A, lay a chasm three letters wide.
Her nails dug deep into her palms. She thought of her perfect attendance record over three years of middle school, her report cards that were consistently at the top, and those days and nights of discipline that bordered on the draconian. All this evidence of her excellence was now crushed to dust by the label of Class D.
"The class distribution system is completely irrational!..."
Horikita Suzune's voice seeped out from between her clenched teeth. Rage boiled in her chest—not doubt in herself, but the most intense negation of this evaluation system.
"Shimizu-kun! Let's exchange contact information!" Horikita Suzune suddenly stood up.
"Oh? Being so proactive all of a sudden?" Shimizu Akira raised an eyebrow. The two had just finished the exchange and before they could say much more, his phone buzzed with a transfer notification.
"Eighty thousand points, yours. We are completely even now." Her movements were startlingly fast. The moment she put her phone away, her delicate face had already returned to its usual icy mask, as if silently declaring, "I'll kill you if you dare talk to me."
Watching the girl's retreating back as she strode away, Shimizu Akira shook his head with a wry smile.
"She didn't go to confront Chabashira-sensei, did she...?"
His gaze followed that stubborn figure until she vanished through the cafeteria entrance. Horikita Suzune possessed a confidence that bordered on arrogance. When reality deviated from her expectations, she never wasted time on self-doubt—that almost delusional certainty at least saved her from falling into useless mental exhaustion.
However, this confidence was soon going to crash into cold reality. Koenji Rokusuke was the perfect example. Shimizu's act of reporting the interviewers on Monday for deliberately low-balling his score ultimately hadn't changed the class assignments.
'Dropping 80,000 points just like that... Horikita-san is unexpectedly wealthy.'
Shimizu Akira lightly rubbed his phone screen, the glow of the transfer notification reflecting on his pensive face. He had originally only intended to charge a symbolic amount; after all, it was just a piece of intelligence provided on a whim.
'Could the Student Council President have secretly transferred some private funds to her?'
He dismissed the thought as soon as it appeared—given that brother's personality, he likely wouldn't engage in such behavior of coddling his sister.
'Wait... if that was the bulk of her savings...Then isn't she going to be eating dirt next month...'
However, Shimizu's thoughts were soon drawn to his account balance—the number had broken through the 300,000 mark. Adding the 80,000 transferred by Horikita, this figure might seem quite considerable to an ordinary student. But he was unconsciously converting it: according to the school's exchange rate, it was equivalent to a month's salary for an average office worker.
300,000 yen in Tokyo probably wouldn't even rent a decent apartment. (150,000-300,000+ for 1LDK (living/dining/kitchen))
'This is still far from enough... at the very least, it needs to break the million mark.'
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Shimizu Akira locked his phone and put it in his pocket, but his fingertips brushed against the folded note. He slowly unfolded it, and unfamiliar handwriting came into view:
[Come find me in room 1203 after dinner tonight.]
The handwriting was quite elegant, likely a girl's. If he remembered correctly, the upper floors were reserved exclusively for girls.
'An invitation from the girls' dormitory...?'
If it were Yamauchi Haruki or Ike Kanji, they would probably be dancing with joy right now. After leaving the cafeteria, Shimizu went to the front desk of the dormitory lobby and started asking who lived in room 1203.
"Information on student residents is confidential~" The receptionist in round-rimmed glasses let a mischievous smile flash behind her lenses. "It's better if students don't ask too much. However, do stay safe."
She lightly tapped her lip with her finger, showing an ambiguous expression. This reaction undoubtedly confirmed the simplest guess: it was indeed the girls' dormitory.
Shimizu Akira took the elevator, stood before the door of 1203 for a moment, and knocked lightly.
"Coming!" A crisp, pleasant voice answered from inside.
The door opened quickly, and Shimizu recognized her the moment he looked up.
Karuizawa Kei was wearing a loose short-sleeved T-shirt and casual shorts, her slender legs appearing exceptionally fair under the hallway lights. She leaned casually against the doorframe, the tips of her hair still carrying a bit of moisture as if she had recently bathed.
"Shimizu-kun is here," she said, tilting her head with a faint smile.
Shimizu instinctively took a few extra looks before quickly averting his gaze.
"Hurry up and come in!" Karuizawa Kei suddenly stood on her tiptoes and intimately looped her arms around Shimizu's.
The soft touch of the girl was transmitted clearly through the fabric of his uniform, accompanied by the faint scent of body wash. She began to lead Shimizu into the room, half-pulling and half-pushing him like a large stuffed toy.
However, rather than saying she was forcefully dragging him, it was more that Shimizu was half-complying with her movements—if he offered even a bit of resistance, this slightly ambiguous "kidnapping" would have immediately failed. He could clearly feel the soft pressure against his arm.
Instinctively, he had to admit the sensation was indeed stirring—but logic told him that this sudden intimacy was far too calculated.
They were, after all, just classmates.
Karuizawa Kei looked up with flushed cheeks, her voice somewhat shy yet firm: "Shimizu-kun... actually, I've noticed you since the day of the entrance ceremony when you took action against Yamauchi-kun." She paused, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her shirt. "Of course... part of it is because of your looks..."
She took a deep breath, as if squeezing out the next sentence with all her strength: "Um, please... on the condition of protecting me, let's date."
Shimizu Akira was completely stunned when he heard this.
What kind of dating confession was this? Other people would at least say "on the condition of marriage." This classmate of his went straight for "on the condition of protection"—it was practically like negotiating a bodyguard contract.
Chapter 027 A Fair Trade
Karuizawa Kei instinctively held her breath.
This was the first time in her life she had confessed to a member of the opposite sex. The moment those embarrassing lines left her mouth, the tips of her ears were already burning red. Although she paraded around with the outward appearance of a "gyaru," the truth was she didn't even have experience holding hands with a boy.
This clumsy confession was her first time betting all of her courage.
Of course, this wasn't out of some romantic liking. She knew better than anyone that she was simply seeking a powerful sanctuary. As long as she could obtain Shimizu Akira's protection, the bullying and the harm would never find her again.
She had to survive in this high school.
'Will he say yes?'
Karuizawa Kei bit her lower lip uneasily.
She knew she wasn't bad-looking, but... though her chest wasn't exactly flat, compared to the overdeveloped girls in the class—whether it was Hasebe Haruka's impressive curves, Sakura Airi's voluptuous figure, or even the aloof Horikita Suzune—she couldn't compete.
This sense of inferiority was currently turning into tiny thorns pricking at her heart.
"To be honest, regardless of your motives, being confessed to like this by you does make me a little happy," Shimizu Akira said candidly after a slight pause.
As a healthy male, it would be an absolute lie to say he wasn't happy being confessed to by a beautiful girl like Karuizawa Kei, who had outstanding qualities in every aspect. But on second thought, this declaration of dating "on the condition of protection" sounded strange no matter how he looked at it.
"By the way. Do you actually like me?" Shimizu spread his hands helplessly. "It looks to me like you're just lusting after my body."
The moment the words left his mouth, he was stunned—he never expected that one day such lines would jump out of his own mouth.
But the facts were right there! This cunning woman was clearly eyeing his firm muscles!
"I..." Karuizawa was suddenly speechless, her cheeks turning red at a visible speed.
She truly couldn't refute it. The well-defined contours of his abs and the biceps faintly visible under his uniform were indeed among the major reasons she chose Shimizu Akira.
"I don't mean to blame you," Shimizu shrugged, saying frankly, "Everyone is more or less a bit of a 'face-con' (attracted to looks); I'm the same way."
"...Really?" Karuizawa's eyes suddenly lit up.
This boy was unexpectedly honest, completely different from the image of someone with deep, hidden motives she had imagined. This straightforward personality actually made her feel inexplicably at ease.
"However, there is something I must make clear," Shimizu suddenly said seriously.
"Since it would be a formal relationship, as a boyfriend, I would certainly want to kiss, touch, or even..." He paused. "It's normal to progress to the final step. Are you sure you can accept all that?"
He wasn't looking for a girlfriend just for show. If there couldn't be intimate contact, he might as well go chase a 2D waifu.
"That..." Karuizawa was struck dumb, her face burning.
She only then realized she hadn't considered this issue at all. But on second thought, for a couple to do those things... wasn't it perfectly normal?
"For now... I don't want to do that yet..." Karuizawa lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"So," Shimizu narrowed his eyes slightly, "Do you need a protector more, or a boyfriend?"
"Protection," she blurted out almost without thinking.
"Then why are you so obsessed with a dating relationship?" Shimizu frowned in confusion.
"Because..." Karuizawa twisted her fingers, "Only then will other people have reservations. Isn't it only natural for a boyfriend to protect his girlfriend?"
"...Are your grades usually not very good?" Shimizu suddenly sighed, rubbing his temples helplessly.
"What—what do you mean!" Karuizawa was like a cat with its fur standing on end.
"My grades are at least average! Besides..." Her voice suddenly weakened, "This can also... prevent other boys from pestering me..."
Shimizu Akira scrutinized the girl before him thoughtfully.
"How about joining the sports club as a manager? That way, naturally no one will dare to bully you."
"Do you think I haven't tried?" Karuizawa wrinkled her nose in disgust.
"Those senpai in the sports clubs look at people like they want to eat them alive..."
"Then come to the boxing club as a manager. I'll tell the Captain and have everyone give you special attention." Shimizu's tone was certain.
"I can look after you when I'm there. I'll also cover for you in class—after all, you'll be our club's 'mascot' then. That way, others will have to worry about the boxing club's reputation and my reaction. No one should dare touch you."
"This..." Karuizawa's eyes gradually brightened.
She bit her lip and thought for a moment, finding that this plan was indeed feasible—she wouldn't have to force a relationship, yet she'd receive substantive protection.
"Then... thank you, Shimizu-kun!" Karuizawa Kei gave a solemn bow.
"No need for thanks," Shimizu waved his hand casually.
"Just pay the points."
"Eh?!" Karuizawa looked up sharply, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"What?" Shimizu instead showed a puzzled expression.
"You didn't think I'd be your bodyguard for free, did you?" His tone was matter-of-fact: "This is a fair trade. Besides—if you don't pay anything, you won't feel at ease, right? If one day I just stand by and watch, wouldn't you be stunned?"
Karuizawa opened her mouth but found herself speechless.
This man's way of thinking always managed to accurately hit her most hidden concerns. Indeed, for someone like Karuizawa Kei, who severely lacked a sense of security, being able to trade points for protection actually made her feel relieved.
"Is... eighty thousand points a month okay?" After a moment of hesitation, she tentatively offered a figure. After a quick calculation, this was 80% of her monthly income.
"Deal," Shimizu nodded readily, then held up an index finger to emphasize: "But I'm stating this beforehand—I will only step in if you are bullied without cause. If you're the one initiating trouble or trying to use my name to act high and mighty, I won't be responsible for cleaning up the mess."
To be honest, eighty thousand was neither a lot nor a little. If Karuizawa got into trouble with upperclassmen, the price he might have to pay could be far more than that. But looking at the girl's restless and uneasy appearance, this was likely the absolute limit of what she could provide.
Chapter 028 Class A Sakayanagi Arisu's Opening Gambit
Saturday morning.
A cool morning breeze brushed lightly across the campus. Sakayanagi Arisu sat poised on a roadside bench, her slender fingers sliding gently across her phone screen.
The screen displayed a chat interface with "Sakayanagi Narumori"—her father, and the current Chairman of this Advanced Nurturing High School. As the Chairman's only daughter, Arisu had been pulled aside for a private conversation the day before enrollment. Her father had been blunt: he hoped that during her time in high school, she would scout for a boy with a powerful physical constitution and no family history of hereditary diseases.
The reason her father emphasized "physical strength and no hereditary history" so heavily was rooted in her parentage.
Sakayanagi Narumori himself was healthy, but her mother had been born with a frail constitution. When the two united, the Arisu they brought into the world was born with congenital heart disease.
She had spent almost her entire childhood in hospitals; playing chess alone became her most familiar pastime.
It wasn't until later, when her health improved slightly, that she was permitted by doctors to start school.
Now, her father's expectation was simple: the next generation must not repeat those hardships. His future grandson or granddaughter had to be a healthy child.
Arisu currently had no interest in romance, but she complied with her father's wishes, promising that a future marriage partner would be someone healthy and free of hereditary conditions.
To her, this wasn't even a choice that required hesitation.
Humans always crave what they lack—and what she lacked was a robust body.
The memories of being bullied as a child and even having her palms stepped on had long ago forged her resolve: a future partner must possess overwhelming physical prowess.
She could not tolerate a weak man standing beside her—a man who couldn't even protect his own woman was no different from trash.
However, compared to the boring business of romance, she was currently far more interested in mental battles with other geniuses.
Much like her duel with Shimizu Akira on Monday—even though she had lost all her points, she felt no anger. Instead, she developed a deeper interest in the man. After all, opponents who could make her truly serious were far too few.
Arisu tapped the screen, sending her father a message:
"Father, could you send me the entrance scores and physical examination data of this year's freshmen?"
As soon as the message was sent, she followed up with:
"After all, you did say I should find a healthy partner. I have to filter them first; it would be troublesome if I ended up with a sickly one."
The phone vibrated almost immediately.
"I see! You're right, Arisu. I'll send them to you right away."
Attachment: Freshmen_Physical_Exam_Report.xlsx Attachment: Freshmen_Entrance_Exam_Scores.xlsx
Looking at the files that arrived instantly, Arisu couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, her slender legs swinging lightly in the air. "Father really is easy to trick..."
Indeed, Sakayanagi Narumori was almost entirely at his daughter's beck and call. Arisu looked at the supplementary information her father sent, tapping her screen lightly.
[Anyone with Physical Ability B+ or above can be considered, though by my standards, Grade A is best. These kids haven't just avoided hereditary diseases; they've rarely even had a cold growing up. Some have never even taken medicine.]
[By the way! Koenji Rokusuke from Class D has appeared in the upperclassman girls' dormitory for three consecutive days; exclude him immediately.]
"Is Father... screening blind date candidates for me?" She couldn't help but press a hand to her forehead, her pale cheeks puffing out slightly. Investigating even those kinds of details was a bit excessive. The screen's light reflected in her amethyst eyes, showing a look of helpless amusement. Her father's over-enthusiasm was exactly like those middle-aged women in a rush to find a match for their daughters.
Arisu tapped out a reply:
"I understand, Father. I am familiar with the young master of the Koenji conglomerate~ I'll look at the data now."
Setting the phone down, she went straight to the Entrance Test Report and slid unhesitatingly to the file of Shimizu Akira from Class D. When the data expanded, her pupils contracted slightly—
Academic Ability: E- Judgment: B Intelligence: E-
Physical Ability: A Teamwork: E-
"..."
That's impossible.
The man who had given her a taste of defeat in a psychological game was carrying the lowest possible intelligence rating in every subject? And the most ironic part was that this "Intelligence E-" guy's most brilliant score was... his combat value? An E-grade student who thought with his muscles had actually beaten an A-grade genius like her?
When her gaze swept over his physical exam report, she paused again.
— [Family History of Hereditary Disease: None]
Under this brief record lay staggering data.
His platelet count far exceeded the normal upper limit, his red blood cells' oxygen-carrying capacity surpassed that of most professional athletes, and even his basal metabolic rate was 30% higher than the standard.
As someone who dealt with medical reports year-round, she knew exactly what these numbers meant: these were not physical functions an ordinary high schooler should possess.
"Too perfect! This is almost like..." She unconsciously bit her lip, "an experimental subject of genetic optimization."
The phone trembled in her hand. The opponent who was so composed before the "chessboard" hid such astonishing physical potential in his bones. The energy this body could explode with could likely snap her fragile wrist as easily as breaking a reed.
"The Physical Ability assessment could never be wrong... then it must be that the interviewers underestimated Shimizu-kun's strength!" At this thought, a hint of indignation appeared on Arisu's fair face. After all, Shimizu Akira was an opponent who had defeated her fair and square in a game of wits. If he were rated as Grade E, wouldn't her own Grade A rating become a massive joke?
[Father, I am very interested in Shimizu Akira from Class D. Could I review his entrance test footage?]
{Shimizu Akira? Indeed, this child's Physical Ability is A, which fits the criteria perfectly. I'll send the recording to you right away.}
As Arisu watched the screen show a clean sweep of failing grades in every academic subject, her elegant posture froze in place—for the first time in her life, this girl renowned for her wisdom fell into a mental blank for a full five seconds.
{What's this, is Arisu interested in Shimizu-kun? He might be a bit dim-witted, but I don't object. After all, my requirements for a future son-in-law are simple—he must protect you well and give me a healthy grandson. As for intellect, who in this world can match my daughter?}
Arisu ignored her father's playful teasing. Instead, she refocused her thoughts on the enigmatic boy.
"I see..." She suddenly gave a light laugh, a playful glint flashing in her eyes.
"Setting the board since the entrance exam? Deliberately failing every subject to lie low in Class D, waiting for the right moment... Shimizu-kun, just what kind of game are you playing?"
The phone screen lit up again. Arisu lowered her eyes, her finger sliding across the screen—it was a message from a certain bald classmate in Class A.
Katsuragi Kohei: I have privately settled things with those students who violated school rules. From now on, no one in Class A will violate the "Daily Code of Conduct."
Katsuragi Kohei: Based on the intelligence and data analysis you provided, Class A will be deducted at most fifty-six Class Points this month.
Katsuragi Kohei: This way, Class A will firmly maintain its top position next month.
Arisu finally looked away from the screen, her finger lightly tapping her cane. The opening layout for Class A was already in place; all that remained was to wait for the results.
"Shimizu-kun... and how has your Class D prepared? Please, don't disappoint me too much."
Chapter 029 What? Class D Got a Big Fat Zero?
Class Group Chat · 1st Year Class D Boys
Yamauchi Haruki: It's currently 07:44, on my way to class now!
Ike Kanji: ? You're actually showing up on time and not skipping? The odds of that are lower than winning the lottery.
Yamauchi Haruki: Hehe, you know how it is.
Ike Kanji: Wait... don't tell me... you're only this motivated because you want to see the girls in swimsuits?
Yamauchi Haruki: High five. Kanji, you know me best!
Hirata Yousuke: Although the motive isn't very pure... arriving at school on time is always a good thing. However, regarding you two's attendance records this week...
Yamauchi Haruki: Whatever, the teacher doesn't care anyway. What are you worrying about?
Shimizu Akira silently put down his phone and let out a sigh.
These guys were truly carefree. A week had passed since the start of school, yet they hadn't sensed the hidden deduction rules of the campus at all. They were still like a flock of happy little sparrows, discussing the upcoming swimming class.
In this one week alone, the disciplinary violations he had witnessed exceeded fifty instances: being late, skipping class, whispering during lectures, secretly playing on phones...
At the start of the term, Ike Kanji was still a relatively normal student. But since hanging out with Yamauchi Haruki, he had gradually become a regular truant.
Furthermore, he had unknowingly become one of Kushida Kikyo's many followers, circling behind her like a monkey in heat. This certainly proved the old proverb—He who touches vermillion becomes red; he who touches ink becomes black.
Shimizu saw it all, but he also understood he had no standing to interfere in others' choices of friends. At the end of the day, they were merely classmates.
At that moment, a crisp notification sounded in his mind.
[Ding~ Today's Intelligence has been updated]
[Intelligence 1: The school will tally the Class Points for each class at the end of every month.]
[Intelligence 2: Public Class Points situation after the first month of school: Class A: 940 pts | Class B: 650 pts | Class C: 490 pts | Class D: 0 pts]
[Intelligence 3: Kushida Kikyo's method of venting emotions is kicking and cursing.]
He was momentarily stunned. The value of these three pieces of intelligence far exceeded expectations, especially the second one—that glaring number hit his retina like a heavy punch.
'Zero points? Class D is actually... a big fat zero?'
"Heh..."
Shimizu's mouth twisted into a sarcastic arc, and he suddenly let out a low laugh. There was no joy or surprise in this laughter; only a cold mirth amused by an absurd reality. The reason he could keep from getting angry was exactly this.
"I figured this class was a train wreck... I just didn't expect it to be this rotten."
Even the most pessimistic forecast should have had a baseline score—like a primary school student taking the National College Entrance Exam; they should at least get single digits just by guessing a few multiple-choice questions correctly.
But zero? This meant Class D hadn't just achieved nothing; they had likely triggered every possible deduction item.
'Could it be that because they had no more points left to deduct, they ended up at 0?'
In this instant, Shimizu clearly felt something collapsing—not the dignity of Class D, but the disillusionment of his last bit of lucky expectation for this class.
'As expected... this class is beyond saving.'
This conclusion, like a cold blade, decisively severed his last shred of hesitation. From the beginning, he hadn't held any expectations for this class, and this intelligence was merely laying out the naked, cruel reality before him. If this rating system had a few more tiers, they probably wouldn't even qualify for Class D and would be categorized into some bottom-tier Class E or F.
'The gap with Class C is a full 490 points...'
It reminded him of the college entrance exams, where a single point could separate a whole stadium's worth of people. And now, what lay between Class D and Class C was 490 of such "stadiums"—this was no longer just a gap; it was an almost impossible chasm to cross.
Shimizu's current situation was like being forcibly shoved into a project team on the verge of disbandment.
The "old oil" slackers in the group were either scrolling through short videos at their desks or watching the clock to leave. At the monthly performance review, this team would never receive a cent in bonuses because their attendance was at the bottom and they never hit their KPIs.
As a newcomer who saw this dead end clearly, he was unable to leave due to contractual constraints. He could only secretly take on side jobs, struggling to maintain basic survival in the cracks.
It wasn't just Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji who frequently arrived late or skipped class; even the gyaru clique Karuizawa Kei belonged to often played on their phones during class. It could be said that nearly half the students in the entire class had violated school rules.
'Intelligence 3! As I thought, Kushida Kikyo is lying? Her way of decompressing is actually kicking doors and cursing?'
Shimizu wasn't surprised by this. He had long known she was two-faced.
No one is perfect, after all; everyone needs an outlet to vent their emotions.
If one suppresses negative emotions indefinitely, it's easy to become physically ill from the stress. Shimizu himself wasn't a perfect person; knowing Class D was at zero points made him feel a bit gloomy as well.
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The classroom soon became lively.
The moment Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji entered, they couldn't wait to discuss the pool activities, their voices loud enough to carry down the hallway. Seven or eight boys quickly gathered around them, surrounding the laptop opened by the bespectacled boy nicknamed "Professor."
"Hey, hey, I bet Sakura is at least a D!" "Are you kidding? Definitely an E! I'll put up 500 points!" "If it's Kushida, it has to be a D, right?"
Amidst the rising waves of vulgar laughter, they even solemnly drew up an odds table, completely oblivious to the disgusted looks from the girls around them.
After a week of settling in, Class D had gradually formed several core figures. First and foremost was Hirata Yousuke—with his outstanding looks, excellent social skills, and status as a soccer club member, he had won wide recognition with his fair and gentle way of handling things. Another was Kushida Kikyo. This girl was famous for her infectious, cheerful smile and was always keen enough to notice everyone's emotional fluctuations. She hadn't arrived yet—otherwise, those boys wouldn't have dared to discuss her so shamelessly.
Hirata was already in the classroom, talking with several students. Noticing the commotion in the corner, his brow furrowed slightly, and he walked toward the group of boys with steady steps.
"Everyone," his voice was gentle yet unquestionable, "there are girls present in the classroom; this kind of betting isn't very appropriate."
"Ah... it's Hirata."
"Got it, got it."
The boys dispersed sheepishly. As the leader of the class, Hirata's words carried weight. However, Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji remained where they were, their faces full of indignation.
Hirata Yousuke maintained his gentle smile and skillfully shifted the topic: "Instead of doing this, how about finding a girlfriend?"
"A girlfriend?" Yamauchi suddenly raised his voice, then lowered it with feigned mystery. "Speaking of which... Sakura confessed to me."
He spoke loud enough for everyone around to hear.
"What?!" Ike Kanji's eyes widened exaggeratedly. "That Sakura who always wears glasses?"
Hirata was stunned.
His gaze swept over Sakura Airi's empty seat, and the smile on his lips gradually froze.
He weighed how to handle this situation—while Yamauchi was clearly talking nonsense, it was hard to expose him on the spot without the person involved being there.
Just then, a harsh sound of a chair scraping against the floor rang out from the back of the classroom.
"Are you sure?"
Shimizu Akira suddenly stood up, his gaze coldly sweeping over Yamauchi Haruki and Ike Kanji.
Yamauchi's Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his face instantly turned pale.
"Ahem... I must have gotten it wrong! It was another inconspicuous glasses-girl from the class next door!"
He was like a rabbit stared down by a predator, scrambling back to his seat in a panic. Ike Kanji's reaction was slightly more composed, but he too froze the moment he locked eyes with Shimizu. He gave an awkward twitch of his lips and ultimately retreated to his seat in silence.
'Shimizu Akira from the boxing club... last time at the entrance ceremony, Yamauchi said something he shouldn't have and almost got beaten up by him. Looks like he's finally learned his lesson.
Is this how Shimizu-kun solves problems?'
Hirata was thoughtful, then sent a grateful look toward Shimizu.