Chapter 2: Chabashira-Sensei / Depleting the National Reserves of Candys!!!

*Ranpo looks at his teacher with a face that seems to say:* *"Why are you looking at me like that? Don't you like my introduction?"*

*He thinks a lot about his teacher's possible reactions.*

*However, he doesn't want to ruin his first impression with the dramatic pose, so he remains frozen in it, waiting to see what his teacher will say as the door is open.*

—* Sensei looks at him with an unreadable expression and asks loudly and clearly,* "What are you doing?"

*Ranpo freezes in his pose, unable to move, as his teacher asks him firmly in her voice.*

*He can't move at all. He stands still and says quietly.*

Ranpo: "I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to do anything. I thought I was supposed to introduce myself this way."

*It seems Ranpo has no other way out of this situation. He doesn't have a good excuse for being in that dramatic pose.*

— "Are you going to stand there forever?" *she asks with a slightly amused expression.*

*Ranpo is quite embarrassed, so he's not sure what to say in a situation like this.*

*After about 5 seconds, Ranpo can't maintain his pose any longer, so he lowers his arms and says with his head down.*

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

*He slowly walks to his seat and sits down with his head resting on the desk.*

— "Ahem, good morning, students. My name is Chabashira Sae, and I am in charge of Class D this year. I teach Japanese history. This school doesn't change classes every year, so over the next three years, I hope to get to know all of you. Greetings, I will distribute the list of special rules and the enrollment guide."

Pamphlets were passed out from the front.

— "Now I will hand out student ID cards. With this card, you can buy anything at any of the campus stores and facilities. It works like a credit card. However, be careful about how many points you use. There's nothing you can't buy at the school. If it's in the school, you can buy it."

"Student cards are used by swiping them through the machines. Using the machines is really easy, so you shouldn't have any problems with them. Points will be automatically credited on the first day of the month. Everyone should already have 100,000 points on their card. Furthermore, 1 point is worth 1 yen. Any further explanation is unnecessary."

100,000 yen… 100,000 yen… 100,000 points… 100,000 points…

Points = Money

Money = Sweets

Sweets = Happiness

There are very few things within a school that can grab Ranpo's attention, and one of them is his happiness.

*Ranpo settles perfectly into his seat and opens his eyes slightly while attentively watching Chaba-Sensei.*

The classroom became very noisy, so noisy that Ranpo wanted to leave quickly.

— "Are you surprised by the number of points you received? This school measures the students' abilities. Everyone here, who passed the entrance exam, has shown a certain level of merit and worth. The amount of money reflects your abilities. Use it without holding back. However, after graduation, all points will be withdrawn. Since it's impossible to exchange these points for cash, there's no point in saving them. How they are used is up to you. Use them on things you like or need. If you think you won't use some of your points, you can transfer them to someone else. However, bullying others for points is prohibited. The school takes a very strict stance against bullying."

Chabashira-sensei looked around the classroom.

— "It seems no one has any ques-."

Ranpo: "Chaba-Sensei!"

—*with an irritated expression* Yes, Edog-?

Ranpo: *cutting her off again* "Ranpo."

—*with a sigh* Yes, Ranpo?

Ranpo: "Can I speak with you in private?" *he said while taking his glasses from inside his coat.*

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

After an uncomfortable [only for Chabashira] journey to the faculty office.

Chabashira opened the door and let Ranpo in, who casually flopped into a chair.

—"Well... what were your questions, Ranpo?"

Ranpo: "Hmm... I just wanted to tell you that your plan is terrible." *This caught Chabashira-sensei off guard.* "Intentionally withholding information to make the class fail in the first month to improve long-term class cohesion is a horrible *looking disinterested* attempt at a plan."

—"H-How did you...? It's impossible *completely shocked*"

Ranpo: "Hehe! I've solved much bigger and more impressive mysteries in the past. I'm the world's greatest detective; it's only natural that I can solve any mysteries that come my way."

—*still in shock* "W-What else do you know about me?"

Ranpo: "Mhmm, not much... just that you're a woman, around 30 years old, right-handed, act coldly toward others, but also have an obsessive interest in improving the class... which leads me to deduce that this is some kind of competition with significant consequences... Mhmm, I can also deduce that your obsession stems from an event that marked your life... I know! Maybe a mistake of yours caused the failure and shattered the dreams of all your compa–"

Chabashira: SHUT UP!!!

/ Fukagawa: Ranpo... Did you get into trouble again?

Ranpo: I don't understand why they get upset if I just tell them the truth?? *Indignant in a comical way*

Fukagawa: *sigh* Ranpo, everyone lives in their own way and sees things differently. Even I got angry with you shortly after meeting you... what I'm trying to tell you,

NOT EVERYONE CAN OR WANTS TO HEAR THE TRUTH /

Ranpo: "U-Uhh... I... didn't mean to make you feel so bad, it's just that I love mysteries, and... *starting to tear up* and I promised the president that I was going to change, th-that I... I *sniff* *sniff* *sniff* gomen nasai... *hugging her* please don't be

mad... I'm sorry."

Chabashira: *stiffened for a few seconds but then slowly started to pet your head* I'm the one who should apologize... It must be tough, isn't it? Being so intelligent, [so there are several expulsion records in his file] *continues to pet gently* [with someone like him... reaching Class A doesn't seem so far away]

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

On my gloomy way to the dormitories, I remembered I needed to restock on sweets, which instantly improved my mood...

*Ranpo enters a convenience store, his eyes lighting up. He stops in front of a wall full of sweets and smiles.*

Ranpo: "What a delight... Well, what should I get?! The great Ranpo Edogawa can afford whatever he wants, right?..." *He goes silent.*

*He makes a thoughtful face, as if this were a crucial moment in his life.*

*After a few seconds of thinking, Ranpo decides to spend only 50,000 points on sweets.*

*Currently, Ranpo is still browsing, his cart filled with sweets. Along the way, he stops to look at various products, making comments to himself.*

Ranpo: "Some peanuts? Hmm... What if my mouth gets lonely? *He laughs.*

*Some popcorn? Oh, and ice cream, of course!*

*Some potato chips? Oh my God...*

*Lemonade? I'll take it!!*

*Ranpo just indulges himself.*

As you're on your way to pay, you run into the Black-Haired Girl and the Poker-Faced Boy... The girl looks at you completely shocked.

—"That's inhuman; it's almost a miracle you're alive with that kind of diet..."

— "I agree *😐*..."

*Ranpo turns around, puts his thumb to his teeth, and tosses his hair back.*

Ranpo: "Inhuman? Oh no, it's my sustenance, it gives me life! A great detective needs a clear mind... I don't need healthy food to live... *laughs* I just need the sweetness of victory, the flavor of truth! *Ranpo raises his hands and places them on his hips* That and some potato chips."

*The girl sighs, and the boy remains expressionless as they both continue to stare at Ranpo.*

Ranpo: "Potato chips... Of course! And a damn chocolate milk, and an ice cream. And a roast beef sandwich, and...!

*The boy and the girl keep staring at him, their expressions reflecting bewilderment.*"

*Ranpo seems oblivious to their stares and continues to talk to himself.*

Ranpo: "Potato chips... Of course! And a damn chocolate milk, and an ice cream. And a roast beef sandwich, and...!

The girl says, "I guess there's no way I can convince you to eat something healthier, huh?"

Ranpo: "Oh, never, I'm afraid not. I only eat the most exquisite roast beef, the crispiest potato chips, the sweetest sweets, and all the chocolate I can find! I always eat deliciously; who cares if it's the healthiest! After all, the greatest Detective deserves the finest food. *He laughs* Although... *His tone becomes serious, and he flips his hair to the side.* If someone offers me food... *He sports a smile.* ...I can't refuse it."