Chapter 204 ↦ The Monster Is Back

Meanwhile, in First-Year Class D.

First-Year Class D was supposed to be having pre-race motivation and speeches — but they weren't.

Instead of preparing, Class D's students were lounging at their base camp. Even the six participants selected for the 1200-meter all-grade race hadn't started warming up.

They were all staring expectantly at Kakeru, who was holding his phone. Moments later...

Ding!

『500,000 Points have been credited to your account!』

『Sender - Yahiko Totsuka』

『1,000,000 Points have been credited to your account!』

『Sender - Honami Ichinose』

『Personal Account: ¤ 1,501,800 Pts』

"OK." Kakeru said, "Received 1.5 million Points. Kaneda, I've transferred 390,000 Points to you — distribute it so everyone gets 10,000."

"Understood!" Satoru Kaneda, the bespectacled student who had been called by name, nodded.

He began transferring this month's living expenses to his classmates. Though it was the 27th, they still had four days until school payments were due on the 1st.

With everyone's balance below 2,000 Points, and survival on mountain vegetable meals not being viable, this was their only option.

Having been caught cheating in the pole-toppling competition, Class D faced complete ruin if it was reported.

The boys who had previously opposed Kakeru had fallen silent. Since all male students had been caught, if Houtarou revealed the evidence, everyone would receive zero Points.

Ten randomly selected students would receive a 10-point penalty in each subject on the next written exam. For Class D, whose students already struggled academically, this penalty would be devastating and could force some to drop out.

The school offered hope through its free tuition and living expenses — benefits unavailable at other schools. Even struggling as Class D students, no one wanted to lose this opportunity.

To remove the threat, each person needed to pay 500,000 Points. Since no individual had such funds, the class had to pool their money together.

With everyone's share split among the class, even those who disagreed with Kakeru's leadership couldn't voice their opposition anymore.

Though the punishment targeted the boys, the 20 girls in the class would also have to share this massive debt — a situation bound to cause discontent.

That's why they developed their current plan: secure funds first, then address the tensions.

"Shiina, you really came up with a good plan." Kakeru said.

They had arranged a Points transaction, approaching Kōhei's faction from Class A to negotiate a forfeit deal. Class D would withdraw from the 1200-meter relay race.

With Classes A, B, and D's scores being so close, their forfeit would interest the other classes.

The Kōhei faction offered 500,000 Points for this arrangement. Class B proved even more generous — Honami and her group readily provided 1 million Points.

Just like that, they secured 1.5 million Points.

By withdrawing from the All-Grade 1200m Relay, they would finish with 1,795 Points.

This score was terrible. They were practically guaranteed to finish either second-to-last or third-to-last, meaning they'd face either -50 or +0 Class Points.

However, since they were on the red team for the red-white competition, they could still earn +100 Class Points — making this outcome acceptable.

At the same time…

"We have no choice." Hiyori said, "With our Points continuously being taken away, everyone now has less than 2,000 Points left. The next few days will be tough. Rather than hoping for uncertain bonus Points from placing in the top five, it's better to secure immediate benefits."

She was one of Kakeru's class strategists.

Since entering school, Kakeru had faced off against Houtarou from Class A several times and lost each time. This latest defeat had been especially crushing — but it had shown everyone just how ruthless this meritocratic school could be.

If they were being treated like ATMs, then Class A's Houtarou was a money-stealing machine. With her own Private Points reduced to 1,400, Hiyori had given him that nickname.

Under threat herself, she had to think carefully about minimizing their losses. This led to their current situation.

After their money was taken, Class D's athletic powerhouses desperately tried to score Points in the recommended events. They managed to reach a level that both Class A and Class B had to take seriously.

Then... they sold it for a good price.

"This way of selling is quite smart." Kakeru said, "In the 1200-meter relay, only the top five places get rewards, and to get first place we'd have to beat the Student Council President, Class 2-A, and even Houtarou. Seeing him in the anchor leg, I don't want to run against him."

In other words, he believed Class D had little chance of winning the All-Grade 1200m Relay even if they participated. This made their decision wise.

However, Hiyori noticed that his usual defiance seemed suppressed. The bandage wrapped around his forehead was evidence enough — he must have experienced something that severely damaged his pride.

But even now, this man hadn't completely given up.

To advance to Class A, they needed someone like him for support. Being cautious had its reasons; sometimes you had to bow your head to stand up taller later.

Thinking this, she turned her gaze forward.

The 1200-meter athletes had already entered the field. If her predictions were right, Class B's students would suffer badly this time.

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As Class A's students entered, Class B's students got fired up, and Class D withdrew, Houtarou and his group arrived at their designated positions.

At the anchor leg position, several familiar faces were gathered.

Among them was Miyabi from Class 2-A, who, true to his word, was running anchor.

There was also Manabu, the stern-faced, expressionless leader of Class 3-A, who naturally took the anchor position for his team.

"If it isn't Oreki?" Miyabi approached at the anchor position, "So you came."

He hadn't forgotten Houtarou's challenge.

Having gotten his body into peak condition and studied Houtarou's races to gauge his speed, Miyabi felt confident. The odds remained in his favor.

"Though your first-years are quite interesting." Miyabi said, "Class 1-D forfeited outright, and as for Class 1-C... Hmm. This morning when I was watching the races, Class C had this incredible athlete whose speed was remarkable — maybe even faster than mine — but unfortunately he left halfway through."

Mid-sentence, Miyabi suddenly fell silent. Because...

"Is this the place? The anchor leg!"

The red-haired sports prodigy from Class C appeared beside him.

Miyabi: "..."

Damn. What was going on?

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