On the way back to the classroom, both Ichinose Honami and Kanzaki Ryūji seemed to have something they wanted to say.
In the end, it was Ichinose who spoke first.
“Shiraishi-kun, how did you figure all this out?” Ichinose asked, genuinely curious.
They had all arrived at the school at the same time and were on the same campus—how had Shiraishi managed to uncover so much hidden information and deduce so many rules?
“Because Ichinose-san has been focusing more of her energy on her classmates, so she simply didn’t notice.” Shiraishi deflected the question.
“But that’s exactly why I need your help, Ichinose-san and Kanzaki-kun.
After this morning’s classes are over, let’s organize a short class meeting and share what we’ve learned with everyone.” “No problem.
But why not tell everyone right after first period?
The exam has already started, hasn’t it?” Ichinose asked, a little puzzled.
“Two reasons.” Shiraishi paused.
“First, some of the teachers coming to our class are homeroom teachers from other classes.
If they happened to show up while we were explaining the rules, it could cause some issues.” Ichinose and Kanzaki thought about it for a moment and understood Shiraishi’s meaning.
If the other homeroom teachers were provoked, they might give intentional—or unintentional—hints while navigating the boundaries of the rules, potentially tipping off students in other classes.
That would significantly erode Class B’s first-mover advantage.
“Second, I just remembered there’s something I haven’t asked Hoshinomiya-sensei about yet.
I need to confirm it first.” By the time Shiraishi finished speaking, the three had reached the classroom door.
“Let’s go over the details during lunch break.” Back at his seat, Shiraishi rested his forehead on his hand and tried to calm himself down.
His heart rate had probably spiked to 150 just now—because he had completely forgotten something very important.
Since he wasn’t planning on taking the individual advancement route, he’d entirely overlooked asking Hoshinomiya about Private Points.
If he hadn’t been mentally preparing his lunchtime speech on the way back, he might not have realized it at all.
But class had already started, so he’d have to wait until the break.
Since this was the first day of actual classes, each subject’s teacher only went over their teaching policy—no real instruction had begun yet.
And because it was the first day, all the students were enthusiastic, paying close attention during class and maintaining good discipline.
However, Shiraishi wasn’t particularly concerned about how the first day went—or even about the results of the first exam.
If they could overtake the other classes, that would be ideal—it would give everyone enough confidence to stand against Class A, which had better overall comprehensive abilities.
But even if they didn’t, it wasn’t a big deal.
The class competition would last three full years, and there would be plenty of opportunities ahead.
Until Class A’s internal conflicts stopped, their weaknesses were very apparent.
During a break, Shiraishi sent a message to Hoshinomiya to ask about Private Points.
After receiving confirmation that “they really can buy anything” and the “20 million for individual class transfer” guarantee, he began waiting for lunch break to arrive.
When the morning classes ended, the teacher left the classroom, and Class B’s students began packing up to go to lunch.
But the students near the door closed it as soon as the teacher left—clearly having received instructions from Ichinose or Kanzaki.
Ichinose Honami stepped up to the podium, tapped the desk lightly, and announced: “Everyone, sorry to take up your time with a short meeting.
There are some things we need to share with you.” A ripple of murmurs spread through the classroom, but everyone quickly returned to their seats.
Though only a day had passed, Ichinose had already displayed remarkable social skills and approachability, becoming the class’s de facto center.
Seeing everyone’s response, Ichinose nodded with a smile, then looked toward the back of the classroom: “Shiraishi-kun, would you please explain the situation for everyone?” Shiraishi took a deep breath and stepped up to the podium.
Being the focus of over thirty pairs of eyes was far from comfortable—he lacked Ichinose’s composure—but he had rehearsed the content in his mind so many times that he wasn’t about to freeze up.
“Kanzaki-kun, just to be safe, could you keep watch?” Shiraishi pointed at the door.
Kanzaki understood immediately.
He exchanged a glance with Ichinose—one took the front door, the other the back—keeping an eye through the observation windows for any students from other classes approaching.
“Everyone, have you ever considered…” Shiraishi placed his hands on the desk and began explaining the school’s hidden rules.
The graduation benefits only available to Class A, the class advancement system, Class Points and Private Points, the first exam that had already begun…
To finish as quickly as possible, Shiraishi didn’t go through the full chain of reasoning—he simply presented the final conclusions.
“You don’t need to doubt any of this.
Everything I’ve just said has been confirmed by our homeroom teacher, Hoshinomiya-sensei.
Ichinose-san and Kanzaki-kun can vouch for me.” Looking at the dozens of faces below him—some surprised, some serious—Shiraishi spoke firmly.
“That’s right.
Some of you may remember that before class this morning, Shiraishi-kun asked me and Kanzaki-kun to step outside with him—that was so we could serve as witnesses.” Facing the questioning looks from the class, Ichinose gave a small nod.
“These are all basic responsibilities for us students, especially since it concerns the exams.
I’m sure everyone can handle it.” The voice came from the audience.
Shiraishi looked over—it was Hamaguchi Tetsuya.
“Of course no problem.
These are all simple things.” Another classmate responded.
“So that means the other classes don’t know the exam rules yet?
Does that mean we might overtake them and become Class A in the first month?” someone whispered excitedly.
“We probably can, right?” Several students looked eager.
Standing at the podium, Shiraishi saw that the class had quickly understood and accepted the premise.
He tapped the desk lightly to draw everyone’s attention again and continued: “Aside from Class Points, Private Points are also very important.
Does everyone remember that Hoshinomiya-sensei said something yesterday—’anything available on campus can be bought, no matter what’?” Yesterday, everyone had simply interpreted that as Private Points being equivalent to yen.
Now, with Shiraishi’s reminder, their thinking broadened.
“Does that mean you can buy grades too?” “What about graduation slots?
Can those be bought too?” “20 million Private Points allows for a class transfer at any time—used at the right moment, that’s effectively buying a graduation spot.” In response to the enthusiastic discussion, Shiraishi revealed the rule.
“As for test scores or exam questions—those can also be bought, though the prices vary depending on the situation.” “So I’d like to propose that from now on, everyone spend their points sparingly.
I suggest starting next month, we collect a portion of points from everyone each month as class funds.” Shiraishi offered the suggestion, then provided his reasoning: “Did anyone notice that each first-year class has 40 students, but some upperclassmen classes only have around thirty-something desks?
That suggests that under certain circumstances, some students might face the risk of expulsion.” “If that happens, and we have enough class funds, we could save that classmate.
What does everyone think?” Shiraishi asked instinctively—though as soon as he said it, he realized the question was unnecessary.
For Class B, this wasn’t something that needed debate.
“No problem.
I think we can start contributing class funds right away.” “How much should we give?
30,000?
50,000?” “I feel like we should hold onto at least 30,000 points per month.
That free vegetable set looks terrible—I don’t want to eat that.” “Shiraishi-kun, who should we give the funds to?” That was a good question.
Entrusting such a large sum of points to someone was a serious matter.
Even if they only collected 50,000 per month, in ten months they’d have enough for one person’s 20-million-point class transfer.
They needed someone everyone trusted—someone who wouldn’t make any mistakes.
Shiraishi was about to suggest Ichinose Honami when she spoke up from her post at the front door.
“Let Shiraishi-kun hold them.” Ichinose looked at Shiraishi with a smile.
“Shiraishi-kun shared such important information with everyone—surely you all trust him, right?” “I have no objections.” Kanzaki spoke from the back door.
“I support Shiraishi-kun.” A girl with light beige short hair raised her hand from the audience.
More and more voices of approval rose, leaving Shiraishi momentarily stunned.
He blinked, and when he came back to himself, he couldn’t help but smile.
“Then I’ll take care of it.”