Katsuragi Kōhei, his muscur arms crossed, stared at the Css B score dispyed on the board.

  "They've managed to keep up this closely?"

  "Don't worry, Katsuragi-san! Under your leadership, we'll widen the gap with Css B in the next exam for sure!"

  Totsuka Yahiko, ever the sycophant, was quick to ftter.

  "Don't get compcent, Yahiko. A css that can keep pace with us is no ordinary opponent."

  Katsuragi's deep voice carried his usual calm authority.

  As the top-ranked first-year css, Css A had to treat Css B as its greatest rival. Maintaining 940 points had already taken significant effort, yet Css B was still right on their heels.

  There was no room for carelessness.

  "As for the midterms, we don't need to worry. No one in our css is at risk of failing."

  Though Css B was worth noting, internal stability came first. If he wanted to secure control over Css A's leadership, he couldn't afford distractions.

  In the back of the room, Kamuro Masumi's expression darkened as she gnced at her barely-passing 60-point test score.

  "Ara, Kamuro-san, worried about your grades?"

  Sakayanagi Arisu, seated nearby, smiled sweetly, as if everything was pying out exactly as she expected. She didn't seem the least bit concerned about Css B—her full attention was on Kamuro.

  "This has nothing to do with you. I'll handle it myself," Kamuro shot back immediately, but her stiff demeanor betrayed her unease.

  "Yes, yes. But more importantly, did you hear what the teacher said earlier? Css B mysteriously gained an extra 100 points."

  Sakayanagi's smile remained, but a glimmer of intrigue danced in her eyes.

  Kamuro's face twisted, as if recalling something disgusting. She gritted her teeth.

  "You think it's him?"

  "The possibility isn't zero, is it? Outside of special exams, what else could warrant a sudden 100-point boost from the school?"

  Sakayanagi's grin widened, as though she were a predator who had finally caught sight of a long-lost prey.

  "…I was going to investigate anyway. Not for you—because I will drag that bastard out into the open myself."

  Memories of a certain someone teasing her over the phone resurfaced in Kamuro's mind. Just picturing that smug expression was enough to make her blood boil.

  ---

  "Damn it! Only Css A gets graduation recommendations?!"

  "This school tricked us! Bastards!"

  "What the hell are we supposed to do? If I fail the midterms, I'm getting kicked out—and if I go home, my old man's gonna kill me!"

  The Css C cssroom was filled with shouting, cursing, and the unmistakable aura of delinquent energy.

  "Shut up, you trash."

  A voice, not particurly loud but sharp, cut through the chaos.

  Instantly, the room fell silent. Every student turned to the back of the css, eyes locked on the one who had spoken.

  At the far end, a man with long red hair sat with his feet propped up on his desk, his sharp gaze sweeping over the cssroom.

  "It's just a damn test. Study your asses off and pass. Kinda, take care of those useless idiots. Make sure they memorize every damn page of their textbooks."

  "Yes, I understand."

  A bespectacled delinquent immediately responded.

  "As for moving up to Css A—listen up."

  His gaze shifted toward the bckboard, locking onto the -100 next to Css D.

  "As long as you follow my orders, I—Ryūen Kakeru—will guarantee that you graduate as Css A students."

  His decration was bold, almost theatrical.

  "But if any of you dare defy me, I'll make sure you learn to fear me."

  Then, with an almost exaggerated dramatic pause, he smirked.

  "…But before that, let's use Css D as a little appetizer. We'll crush them under our feet for good."

  With that, Ryūen threw his head back and ughed. His dramatic, vilinous ughter filled the entire cssroom.

  ---

  The entire css sat in stunned silence, eyes glued to the gring -100 dispyed on the screen.

  "At the entrance ceremony, I already told you—this school evaluates students by their abilities."

  On the podium, a woman in an office suit and bck stockings spoke in a ft, almost emotionless tone.

  "The results speak for themselves. The school has judged you all as trash—so worthless that you don't even deserve a zero."

  Chabashira Sae delivered her verdict without the slightest hint of pity.

  She looked down at the silent, defeated css and continued, her words ced with mockery.

  "Even I didn't think you'd sink this low. In just one month, you've lost a total of 1,834 points—so much that the school deducted an additional 100 points as a symbolic warning. Congratutions, you've made history."

  "Chabashira-sensei, we were never told any of this…"

  Hirata Yōsuke spoke hesitantly.

  Chabashira's gaze was cold.

  "You were never told that being te to css was unacceptable? That talking during lessons wasn't allowed? Didn't you learn these things in elementary and middle school?"

  "You really thought the school would let you spend 100,000 points every month with no consequences? Use some common sense."

  Chabashira smirked as she twisted the knife deeper.

  "The good news is that the school won't recim what you've already spent. But from now on, as long as your css points remain negative, your personal points will be zero. If you ever want to receive personal points again, you'll have to work your way out of the red. Sounds fun, doesn't it?"

  At this rate, she was dealing critical hits to the entire css.

  If Uesugi had been here, he'd probably be appuding.

  Damn, I thought Css D was already unbeatable in terms of recklessness, but they've got a teacher who goes even harder. Who does she belong to? Absolute savage. Soft on outsiders, but ruthless on her own students.

  My Hoshinomiya-sensei is way better. She just hands out compliments and sympathy cards. Plus, her office is a great pce to nap. Truly the ideal homeroom teacher.

  Seeing that Css D had finally quieted down, Chabashira smirked and pinned up another paper dispying the point rankings.

  "Look closely, idiots. Every css except yours has received their monthly points—more than enough for a comfortable life."

  "…Why is the gap between our points so massive?"

  "You're finally starting to understand why you were put in Css D, huh?"

  "…Wasn't it just random pcement?"

  Chabashira's expression turned condescending.

  "This school sorts students based on merit. The best go to Css A. The worst get dumped in Css D."

  "In other words, this is where they put all the defective rejects—the failures. The trash."

  She was going for the kill now.

  At her seat, Horikita Suzune clenched her pencil so tightly that it creaked under the pressure.

  Kushida Kikyo, seated nearby, remained eerily silent, her face stiff as though she was barely holding something in.

  Seeing the growing chaos, Chabashira showed no mercy.

  She pulled out another sheet—the css test scores.

  "If this had been a formal exam, seven of you would already be expelled."

  Her words left the room in turmoil.

  Leaving them to stew in despair, Chabashira turned on her heels and strode away, her high heels clicking against the floor.

  The moment Chabashira Sae left, chaos erupted in Css D.

  "This is insane! So now the whole school knows we're the worst css?"

  "No way—I refuse to believe I belong in Css D! The school must have made a mistake!"

  "Hah! This is complete nonsense! Far beneath my standards of elegance!"

  "Forget all that—if I fail, I'll be expelled. I'm doomed!"

  "…Hey, uh, as my best friend, how about you buy this gaming console off me for 22,000 points?"