As the student rulebook was passed around, Hoshinomiya-sensei continued: "This school has some special rules. I hope everyone will listen attentively."
Everyone started to pay attention seriously."
"Firstly, every student will live in dorms inside the school. The contact with the outside world will be minimal and monitored until graduation. Your ability to leave the campus and contact people outside will be limited."
Everyone was a little surprised when hearing it; however, they did not say anything, knowing that interrupting may create a disruption and ruin the class atmosphere. Even understanding the rest of the things might get difficult. That much sense makes me not regret it as much, I think.
"However, this is not something to worry about. This school has a variety of facilities to ensure that daily life necessities and entertainment are easily accessible." She continues assuringly.
"To buy things, you will use points stored in the computer's official computer system. In this school, you can buy anything with points. Points are allotted on the first of every month. One point equals one yen, and 100,000 points have already been allotted to the students."
The shock everyone had was genuine. Even I was shocked by the scale. Which school would give 100,000 yen to students every month? If this were to be true, then what scale of employment is this school promising???
This is obviously false. If the school cannot enforce a sense of discipline, then forget employment; this school would be burned by the people of the country. After all, they do not pay tax only for students to live freely.
"Surprised? Well, this school judges students based on proficiency. As such, you have all been judged as worthy of 100,000 points for entering this school." She said, matter-of-factly.
I can't help but be worried. What kind of trap does this school want to lay for us?
Maki definitely knew about everything. Sigh... There is no point in dwelling on it.
After homeroom ended, classes began, and after classes, dispersal. I just went around the campus. The number of cameras, the scale of this campus, the point allotment, "judges students based on proficiency". I guess next month, we are definitely not getting more points. After all, these are all hints showcasing that the school will not reward slacking off.
As I went to the grocery store afterwards, I ran into a black haired girl and a brown haired boy, the boy from the bus bickering.
Boy: "You can at least tell me that?"
Girl: "Would it bother you if I refuse to answer?"
Boy: "No, but it does not suit me right if I do not know the name of the person sitting next to me."
Girl: "I am Horikita Suzune."
"Are you the council president's little sister?" I could not hide my surprise. After all, Horikita-senpai did not look like someone looking around for his sister. But, I guess it makes sense for him not to know this. After all, this school prohibits contact from the outside. But then again, in such a school, the student council must be very strong structurally and authoritatively. Not knowing who takes admission seems unlikely. Ahh, why did I have to ask that?!.
Then, I saw her stiffen for a second before brushing me and the boy off to go to the counter to pay off. "I am sorry for bringing him up so suddenly. I am Shikakoi Souta. Horikita-san, was it?"
As I saw her walk away, I just sighed and went to pick up a cart. Then, as per the regulations, sorted from the free stuff, the things I would need.
"Why are you taking the free stuff. Clearly, there is no lack of money." Said the boy.
I sighed. Just let a man shop around in peace. I get it, this is karma for bothering her, but still.
"And, who are you again?"
"Ayanokoji Kiyotaka."
"Do you really believe that the school would give 100,000 points every month. And do not act dumb, because if you do, I am not humouring you." I said, clearly dismembering his excuses of curiosity. This is just leading the questions for information.
"And what makes... Okay OKay! I get it." He said, then suddenly his tone changed, noticing that I was really not going to bother him if he was going to play dumb.
"I also thought that this seemed off. But why would you think so? I am curious about your reasoning."
I nodded in satisfaction. "This is how a conversation should be! Well, this school is a big deal solely because it has brought result. However, employment comes from discipline. And discipline has to be enforced. My belief is that the school uses points to discipline the students. As such, a point is not one yen, because a point is just, simply put, comfort. Even if you do not have points, survival is not a problem."
THIS MAN! Not only did I give such a wonderful explanation, but he also did not even change his expression. What a bothersome person. As promised, if he is going to play dumb, I will ignore him. So, I did... After completing my shopping, mostly free stuff followed by some cookware I would need that actually had to be paid for, I left...
As I got out. I saw him picking up the trash, saw the camera, smiled to myself, and left.
As I went back to my dorm, ignoring the chatter of others, I thought of how this school is going to be a mess of competition, manipulation, and private points.
Damn, I hate this school!
I reached my dorm room, '111'.
After setting up the cookware in the kitchen, vegetables in the fridge, and then lying down on the bed, I thought of the things I would need to buy.
Clothes, underwear, a few lunch boxes with a water bottle to take to school, and a laptop. After all, I want to work on my programming, or my skills might deteriorate. No risks to that.
Deciding that, I first headed to Keyaki mall where I saw Ichinose shopping. Not wanting to bother her, I decided to turn away, but then she called out: "Shikakoi-kun."
I turned around, and greeted: "Good evening, Ichinose-san. Are you out here shopping for clothes as well?"
"I am! After all, living here for three years in only the uniform is... you know."
"Yeah! I do. I am here to go shopping too. Since we are already talking. How about I go to do my business too?" I said, as I tried to take my leave, but she stopped me.
"Since we are here, how about we talk a little?"
"Talk about what?" I asked.
"The points. Do you think it will be monthly?"
"The transfers must be monthly."
"No, I meant, will they give us 100,000 every month?"
"You also thought of it?"
"What do you take me for?" She said, a little frustrated.
"This school focuses on meritocracy. And so far, the only way the school can enforce discipline is through points. Going along this chain of thought, it is obvious that if 100,000 points were given every month, then the sense of discipline will vanish."
"But what makes you think that there will not be any disciplinary measures?"
"Because in class, I tried using my phone blatantly. The teacher said nothing."
"But it might be because it was our first day."
"Precisely because it is the first day, making an example out of a student would create a long-lasting lesson. One teacher can be understood, but not all."
"Why would you even do that, though? Isn't it disrespectful?"
"Think of it as a necessary experiment."
"You sure have a way with words." She said, knowing that I did not think of it as bad at all.
"Let's leave it at that. After all, if I do not buy clothes, the shops will shut down. And the whole trip will be wasted."
"I am sorry for taking up your time."
"No worries, see you later Ichinose-san." I said as I left for the nearest male garment store. After buying some decent clothes, focusing entirely on my comfort before appearance, I finished my shopping within an hour.
After leaving the garment store, I went to the digital shop. Bought a very small waterproof high-quality camera, a microphone, and then also bought a laptop. After today's shopping trip, I have spent 93,540 of my points. I made it back to my dorm in a daze. Money really goes fast, but whether it comes is unknown for now.
It's not my fault. Starting a life all over again with nothing costs money! I consoled myself as I went to sleep. Then, I realized that I was going to sleep hungry, and quickly cooked myself some fried rice and a gravy with nothing in it. Just to eat the rice and go to sleep.
And then, finally, I went to sleep.
x-x-x