As Hikaru and Katsuragi exged words, Iose felt her heartbeat pounding in her chest.
When she heard Hikaru lie ht about spending three million Private Points to obtain the school's hidden rules, she panicked.
After all, that was an easily verifiable cim.
But then, she noticed something strange.
Hikaru was btantly lying, yet his expression remained perfectly posed—as if he truly believed what he was saying.
He radiated an air of absolute fidence, making it impossible to doubt him.
---
"If the cost is one million, that means each student in Css 1-A would o tribute 25,000 Private Points," Katsuragi mused, then turo Sakayanagi.
"What's your decision, Sakayanagi?"
Sakayanagi lightly nodded, her soft smile unwavering.
"I agree with Hikaru-kun. This is an excellent deal."
"After all, who in their right mind would hesitate between paying three million or one million?"
"Good."
Though Katsuragi disliked Sakayanagi, as a Css 1-A student, he was sharp and pragmatic.
If the school truly had hidden rules, then the soohey uncovered them, the better.
Without hesitation, he mobilized his work of supporters to collect points from the css.
Meanwhile, Hikaru g Sakayanagi—but instead of helping, she simply stood still, lost in thought.
"Uh, Sakayanagi-san?" Iose asked hesitantly.
"Aren't you going to help gather the points?"
Sakayanagi smiled sweetly and replied,
"That's unnecessary. Katsuragi-kun is more than capable of handling such physical tasks."
"The css heard our discussion—they uand the situation and make their own rational decisions. There's no need for me to intervene."
"I see," Hikaru murmured.
This exge firmed something important—
While Css 1-A's students were exceptionally skilled, their two most iial figures were in direct flict.
This ck of unity was a good sign.
If Css 1-A remained divided, they wouldn't be able to maintain their dominandefinitely—giving Css 1-B more opportuo catch up.
---
Before long, Katsuragi returned with the collected Private Points.
Hikaru motioned for Iose to hand over the tract.
"Before we finalize the transa, all of you in Css 1-A must sign this tract," Hikaru instructed.
"Ohat's done, roceed with the exge of rules and points."
The tract, printed from Hoshinomiya's office, was straightforward—
Css 1-B agrees to sell the hidden school rules to Css 1-A for one million Private Points.
Css 1-A students are strictly prohibited from reselling these rules.
Css 1-A students are also forbidden from discussing these rules with other csses.
Vioting this tract would result in the school issuing the harshest possible punishment—expulsion.
Once all the necessary signatures were gathered, Hikaru reviewed the tracts before finally retrieving his notebook—the one taining the rules they had purchased.
"Alright. Payment first, then delivery."
Hikaru g Katsuragi, then patted Iose's shoulder.
"Iose, collect the payment."
"Uood."
Iose quickly pulled out her phone, dispyiudent ID.
Katsuragi pleted the transfer within seds.
"It's done," Katsuragi firmed.
Iose immediately checked her bance.
The s dispyed:
[Private Points: 1,050,000]
She exhaled in relief.
"Hikaru, the points have been transferred."
"Good."
Hikaru smiled lightly, then hahe notebook over to Katsuragi.
With the deal finalized, he turo leave.
"Wait a moment, Hikaru-kun."
For the first time, Sakayanagi spoke directly to him.
Her pierg violet eyes locked onto his, her tone soft yet inquisitive.
"I'd like to know… who in Css 1-B was the first to discover the hidden rules?"
"Was it you? Or was it Iose-san?"
Hikaru paused briefly, then answered without hesitation.
"It was me."
"Why do you ask, Sakayanagi-san?"
"Oh, no reason~"
Sakayanagi smiled gracefully, her expression posed yet intriguing.
"I just find you… very iing."
"Something tells me this won't be our st versation."
Hikaru chuckled.
"I was thinking the same thing. Well then—we'll take our leave."
"You're free to share the rules with your cssmates now."
"Goodbye, everyone," Iose said cheerfully, waving to Css 1-A as she followed Hikaru out.
With that, they left the room, their figures disappearing down the corridor.
---
Ohey were pletely gone, Katsuragi and Sakayanagi opehe notebook to examihe hidden rules.
What they read shattered every assumption Css 1-A had about the school.
A meritocratic system.
Css Points and Private Points as tools of survival.
Only one css would be allowed to graduate from Css 1-A.
As Css 1-A absorbed the truth, Katsuragi immediately sensed something wrong.
"If the school is truly structured like this, then why would Css 1-B willingly sell us these rules?"
"There's definitely something we're not seeing."
"What's your theory?"
Sakayanagi's tone remained calm, her demeanor unshaken even after learning the truth.
"If this school really operates on a strict css petition system, then this transa wasn't as simple as it seemed," Katsuragi muttered.
"They must have held bae information."
"That's possible," Sakayanagi admitted.
"But for now… let's deal with another matter first."
She closed the notebook and looked up at Katsuragi, her tone sharpening.
"Don't fet—we still haven't decided our css representative."
"..."
"Now that we know the true structure of the school, it's even more critical that Css 1-A is led by someone petent."
"Only with strong leadership we maintain our advantage and secure our future."
Katsuragi's fists ched slightly.
"So, you think you should be the oo lead?"
Sakayanagi tilted her head, her smile unwavering.
"Of course."
"If Hikaru-kun were in Css 1-A, I'd rate him an A."
"But you, Katsuragi-kun? You're barely a C."
"...We'll see about that."
Katsuragi's voice was low and firm.
"I'll prove to you who the true leader of Css 1-A should be."
Sakayanagi chuckled softly.
"Go ahead. But I don't pn on losing."
