As the discussion tinued after school, Hikaru and Iose stood at the podium, waiting for Css D's decision.

  "If the price is one million Private Points, that means each person will o pay 25,000," Hirata began expining, hoping to persuade his cssmates.

  "If this hidden rule is truly important, I hope we all work together to gather the amount."

  "But Sudo already left." Ike g the empty seat in the bad asked, "Are we supposed to cover his share too?"

  "Losing one person shouldn't make a huge difference, right? It won't raise the individual burden by much," Kushida said optimistically, trying to ence the students who trusted her.

  "Since Hikaru-kun's css spent three million to obtain this rule, that means it must hold signifit value. Think about it—if we buy it, it'll definitely be useful."

  "Yeah… if it really cost them three million, that means everyone in Css B had to pay quite a lot."

  "But how do we know this guy isn't lying?" Yamauchi still maintained a deeply skeptical attitude, ag as if he were looking out for the css.

  "What if we hand over our points, and the so-called 'hidden rule' turns out to be something dumb, like 'No beio css' or 'No leaving early'? Wouldn't that mea scammed?"

  "Yamauchi has a point. They're from another css. This is our first time meeting them, after all."

  The students of Css D wavered once again. More than just distrust, their hesitation came from not wanting to part with their points.

  Even though 25,000 was only a quarter of the 100,000 points they received at the start of the year, once poiered their at, few were willing to let go of them.

  Watg the students murmur among themselves, Hikaru felt a twinge of annoyance.

  At this moment, he finally uood why these people were pced in Css D.

  Their selfishness was ohing, but some were actively sabotaging their own css just to be trarian. They couldn't even grasp the importance of a crucial rule.

  Calling them 'garbage' didn't seem too far off.

  "Everyone, let's not be like this. If the school really has hidden rules, then we o know about them," Hirata urged, his voice tinged with frustration.

  "Didn't Hikaru-kun just say it earlier? The school offers free food options and zero-cost goods at the store—doesn't that clearly imply that some students will eventually run out of points?"

  "Don't you want to know the truth behind that?"

  "Ugh, this is b. I'm not ied in wasting any more time on this," a deep, arrogant voice suddenly interrupted.

  A tall, muscur young man with golden hair and striking red eyes stood up.

  His face was marked with disdain, a out a mog chuckle as he swung his bag over his shoulder.

  "Kōenji-kun, what are you doing?" Hirata immediately called out to him.

  "I have no iion of wasting my precious Private Points on something like this."

  With a dramatic ugh, Kōenji Rokusuke strode toward the door.

  "After all, no 'rule' could ever hope to limit someone as perfect as me! Wahahaha!"

  But just before he left, Kōenji paused and turned back toward Hikaru, his expression filled with intrigue.

  "Boy, your name is Hashima Hikaru, correct?"

  "Yes, Kōenji-kun. What I do for you?"

  Hikaru responded with his usual polite smile, already expeg some sort of bizarre remark.

  "I find you somewhat iing. Would you be willing to work for me?"

  The golden-haired student smirked, exuding an air of superiority.

  "I am the sole heir of the prestigious family, and I assure you—you will be well pensated."

  "…"

  …Wait, this guy was actually rich?

  Hikaru was briefly taken aback. He hadn't expected someoh that kind of background to be at this school.

  But he quickly shook off his surprise and maintained his smile.

  "I appreciate the offer, Kōenji-kun, but unfortunately, I have no i."

  "Ah, what a shame."

  Despite beied ht, Kōenji didn't seem particurly bothered.

  "Well, I'm sure we shall meet again. Perhaps by then, you will ge your mind."

  And with that, he strode out of the , his steps exuding fidend grandeur.

  "…"

  Css D watched in silence, but no oried to stop him.

  Over the past week, they had already grown aced to his antics.

  Hikaru let out a small sigh, then turned back toward Hirata.

  "Hirata-kun, I think we've made our position very clear."

  His gaze swept over the remaining students, who still had flicted expressions.

  "It seems your css isn't particurly ied in this deal."

  Hikaru's words were deliberately provocative, hoping to push Hirata to act.

  Would Css D's representative step up or fold under pressure?

  Hirata ched his fists.

  "Hikaru-kun, please wait a little longer. I still believe our css will agree."

  He uood the value of this hidden rule.

  If it truly cost three million points, but they could buy it for just one million, then it was a bargain.

  "Everyone, please trust me."

  Hirata stepped into the ter of the , his eyes pleading with his cssmates.

  "I became this css's representative because I want to help everyone. I want us to have a great high school experieogether."

  "Hikaru-kun and Iose-san have provided clear evidehat the school has hidden rules. Why are we hesitating? Doesn't anyone want to know the truth?"

  "We don't yet uand what these rules mean for us, but I trust Hikaru-kun. He's already us something his css spent three million to acquire."

  "If we turn this down, doesn't that mean we're just throwing aportunity?"

  Hirata's words carried weight—but he was careful not to pressure anyone.

  A moment ter, a female student stood up.

  A stylish girl with long, high-tied ponytail and a fident demeanor.

  She left the top buttons of her uniform undone, and her wrists were adorned with colorful bracelets.

  "I trust Yosuke."

  "I'll pay my share."

  Karuizawa Kei.

  As soon as she spoke, several irls followed suit.

  "I believe in Hirata-kun too. I'll pay."

  "Me too!"

  Hirata smiled in relief and turoward Karuizawa.

  "Thank you, Karuizawa-san."

  Standing at the podium, Hikaru's eyes narrowed slightly.

  So this was Hirata's girlfriend?

  A good-looking, fashionable girl with a sharp tongue and strong presence.

  She and Hirata actually made a pretty fitting pair.

  "I trust Hikaru-kun too," Kushida interjected, seizing the moment.

  "Sihey spent three million on this rule, it must be important. Paying only 25,000 to learn it is worth it."

  Her voice carried weight, and her followers immediately began residering.

  "I'm running low on points… I pay less?" Yamauchi muttered.

  "No worries. I'll cover the difference."

  A calm voice cut through the chatter.

  Horikita Suzune.

  All eyes so her in surprise.

  Even Hirata looked geaken aback.

  But Hikaru was watg someone else.

  Kushida.

  The moment Suzune spoke, a brief fsh of disgust passed through Kushida's eyes.

  Hikaru caught it instantly.

  Looks like the system was right—these two had plicated history.

  This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

  ~~~

  Read 30 Chapters Ahead!

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