Ichinose opened her mouth in shock. Being able to crack the rules within a single day was beyond her imagination.
Immediately, a strong feeling of unease compelled her to ask:
"Then... did you sell the information about the B Class VIPs?"
Although she trusted Natsukawa, this concerned the fate of all her classmates.
"How could I?"
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at her large, anxious eyes, and his voice became especially gentle.
"Unless it was absolutely necessary, why would I ever betray Honami?"
"Ho-Honami..."
Hearing Natsukawa call her by her given name so naturally, instead of her surname, made Ichinose's heart skip a beat.
She let out a sigh of relief, a reassuring smile appearing on her face. "Th-that's wonderful..."
Intelligent as she was, she vaguely sensed Natsukawa's intentions at this moment.
Since Natsukawa-kun actively disclosed this, and even specifically called her out... Ichinose took a deep breath, resuming the demeanor of the B Class leader. "Since you've said so much, is there... some kind of cooperation you want to discuss with B Class?"
"As expected of Honami, you understand immediately."
Natsukawa Sosuke snapped his fingers and leaned slightly forward.
"Honami, does your B Class want to earn back double the points you lost in the monkey group?"
"Earn them back?" Ichinose was stunned for a moment.
"That's right."
"I can sell you the names and corresponding groups of all the A Class VIPs."
"!!!"
Ichinose's eyes widened instantly.
She immediately understood Natsukawa's scheme.
First, sell B Class information to A Class to earn money from A Class. Then, sell A Class information to B Class, backstabbing A Class and earning money from B Class.
This move was truly... "Sōsuke-kun..." Ichinose looked at the seemingly harmless smiling boy in front of her and couldn't help but complain, "What you're doing... is practically being a War Profiteer."
"Watching A Class and B Class fight tooth and nail while you sit comfortably and collect the money... you're truly a malicious fellow."
Although she said that, there was no hint of distaste in her tone; instead, it held a touch of playful complaint and indulgence.
"Making money isn't shameful."
Natsukawa shrugged and said confidently, "Besides, this is a win-win."
He held up two fingers.
"The price of my transaction with A Class is 200,000 private points paid to me every month in exchange for one VIP's information."
"As for the 500,000 private point reward you get just for guessing correctly..."
Natsukawa Sosuke looked at Ichinose and smiled, "Since Ichinose is so cute, those 500,000 points... consider them a gift from me to you."
"So, wh-what do you think? Isn't this deal worthwhile?"
"C-cute, you say..."
Ichinose blushed again, struck by that direct statement.
A gift of 500,000 points... that was too grand a gesture.
However, as the leader of B Class, she quickly calculated the pros and cons in her mind.
Paying 600,000 points monthly to gain 150 Class Points while simultaneously weakening their competitor, A Class, was an absolutely worthwhile transaction.
Ichinose Honami took a deep breath, patted her burning cheeks, and forced herself to pull away from the atmosphere, her gaze becoming determined.
"Alright, I agree to this cooperation."
"However..." she said apologetically, "because the amount of points involved is quite large, and it requires signing a long-term contract, I must go back and discuss it with everyone in the class."
"No problem."
Natsukawa Sosuke had expected this. "I know the atmosphere of B Class. I trust you will convince them."
"Just give me your answer before tomorrow."
"Mhm! I'll give you news as soon as possible!"
Ichinose nodded vigorously.
With the serious discussion finished, she glanced at Natsukawa, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.
"Well... I'll go discuss it with everyone now."
"Go ahead."
...As evening arrived, while Natsukawa was playing cards with Ichinose and the others in the Rabbit Group room, he took a moment to send a message to Hirata:
[Help me call Yukimura over immediately after the discussion ends. The reason is wanting to know about the Rabbit Group's situation or something similar.]
To prevent any complications, he had Hirata send Yukimura away. He didn't want this good student to suddenly appear and ruin his plans.
Eight o'clock sharp in the evening.
The one-hour discussion period ended.
The students who had been gathered together playing cards stood up one after another, packing their belongings to leave.
Yukimura Teruhiko glanced at his vibrating phone, adjusted his glasses, and turned to look at Natsukawa and Ayanokoji.
"Natsukawa, Ayanokoji. Hirata just messaged us saying he wants to know about the Rabbit Group's situation today, and wants us to gather in his room now."
"Although I don't think there's much to report, it is Hirata's request. Shall we go together?"
Ayanokoji nodded and stood up.
"I'm fine with that."
The two of them looked simultaneously at Natsukawa, who hadn't moved yet.
Natsukawa Sosuke leaned back in his chair and waved his hand lazily.
"You guys go ahead. I have some private business to attend to, I'll go over later."
"Private business?"
Yukimura frowned, seemingly wanting to ask what it was, but seeing Natsukawa's uncommunicative demeanor, he ultimately said nothing.
"Alright then. Don't take too long; Hirata might worry."
Having said that, he left the room with Ayanokoji.
People continuously left the room, and soon only Ichinose, who was tidying up the playing cards, and Natsukawa, who remained in his seat, were left.
After confirming no one was nearby, Ichinose quickly walked over to Natsukawa.
She looked left and right, confirming no one was eavesdropping, and then lowered her voice:
"Sōsuke-kun. Regarding the transaction we discussed this afternoon..."
Her expression turned serious, and her clear eyes sparkled with light.
"Everyone has agreed. Although there was some hesitation about having to pay such a large number of points every month, everyone trusts that if it's a collaboration I approve of, it must be fine."
"So... when do we sign the contract?"
Natsukawa didn't speak, merely reaching into the inner pocket of his uniform.
Two neatly folded sheets of paper were pulled out and gently placed on the table.
"I prepared them long ago."
He pushed the papers toward Ichinose.
"The top one is the contract, the terms are similar to what you saw before. The bottom one..."
Natsukawa paused, the corner of his mouth curving into an arc.
"Is what you wanted. The names of all the A Class VIPs, and their corresponding groups."
Ichinose was stunned.
She looked at the two papers on the table, then looked up at Natsukawa, her face showing undisguised surprise.
"So-Sōsuke-kun? You just... gave them to me?"
She hadn't signed yet.
She hadn't even had time to confirm a verbal guarantee again.
In this exam full of lies and deception, information was the sharpest weapon and the most expensive bargaining chip.
Yet Natsukawa had just handed these things over to her so casually.
"If you take this list, you could completely go back on your word and not sign the contract, or even turn around and sell this information to someone else."
Natsukawa Sosuke rested his chin on one hand, his tone relaxed.
"In that case, I'd be losing the wife and the soldiers."
"Since you know that... then why did you..." Ichinose instinctively countered.
"Because it's you, Honami."
Natsukawa looked into her eyes, his deep black pupils reflecting the slightly bewildered face of the girl.
"Contracts are meant to restrain petty people."
"I believe in your character. Or rather... I believe in Honami's trustworthiness."
"Just sign it, get the teacher's seal yourself, and then give it to me. I won't follow you to join the excitement."
With that, he stood up and stretched, seemingly genuinely unconcerned about this massive transaction involving millions of points.
Ichinose Honami stood rooted to the spot.
The two thin sheets of paper in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
Her heart pounded violently in her chest, and an unfamiliar emotion swelled within her.
'You said I trust you without reservation...'
Ichinose watched Natsukawa's casual silhouette, a gentle curve involuntarily appearing at the corner of her mouth.
'Aren't you the same way?'
'What a... bad guy who is impossible to refuse.'
She carefully put the papers away and called out toward Natsukawa's retreating back:
"I won't let you down, Sōsuke-kun!"
...After leaving the room, the smile on Natsukawa's face gradually faded.
'Transaction complete.'
'Next... it's time to cast the net on the other side.'