Chapter 048 ↦ Nagumo, Don't Be So Greedy—Give the Freshmen a Chance!

"Nagumo-senpai!" Honami arrived at the bubble tea shop.

This was Miyabi's "Cloudy Haven".

The music playing inside was an elegant rendition of "Beethoven Für Elise". The sophisticated atmosphere created a pleasant ambiance.

Since this was his shop, he felt entitled to exercise some privileges. After all, he was meeting a cute girl, so Miyabi would maintain a good impression.

His intuition told him that Honami might be a more suitable marriage partner than Suzune, who followed Houtarou around. She was, after all, another top-tier beauty in their grade.

The freshmen's looks were truly impressive.

Miyabi thought to himself.

As Honami approached, he maintained a gentle smile.

"Ichinose-kōhai. We meet again." He said gently, maintaining his senpai status.

"Thank you for helping me make a choice yesterday." Honami expressed her gratitude.

"Not at all, we're from the same middle school." Miyabi said as he ordered two cups of coffee, "After careful consideration, I thought I could pass on some experience to you."

He ordered Blue Mountain coffee, one of the more expensive options in the shop.

Since he was trying to win over a girl, he was willing to splurge. Besides, as the shop's owner, taking a cup or two of coffee wouldn't be an issue.

When Honami didn't drink, he maintained his senpai-looking-after-kōhai attitude and began informing her about the truth of this school.

In his previous year as a student, he had discovered the school's true nature around the seventh day. From that point on, he had led his class upward. By their second year, they had officially reached Class A, secured their Class Points, gained control of the entire second year, and achieved remarkable stability.

He didn't believe Houtarou's claim about being able to guide half of the second-year students to betray him. Thus, he wanted to tarnish the reputation of this first-year upstart, his love rival — no, his unlikeable kōhai.

Since Houtarou was a Class A student and Honami was from Class B, both first-years would inevitably interact. This meant Miyabi had his work cut out for him.

He needed to make her view him favorably while diminishing her opinion of Houtarou.

His strategy? Simply tell the truth.

Since both Class C and some Class B students were involved in the store investment scheme, he had leverage to influence her.

Still, he couldn't start by speaking ill of others. Though Honami was his backup plan, he was open to a genuine relationship. He wanted to approach this seriously, avoiding any impression that he was prone to gossip.

So, maintaining his dignified upperclassman demeanor, he shared insider information about the school — details that the homeroom teacher wouldn't reveal for another two weeks.

The school's hierarchy was based on strength. While classes were ranked from A to D, any class could rise through the ranks if they earned enough Class Points.

Of course, despite this possibility, no previous students had managed such a feat.

As for Honami's reaction to this information...

"I see..." She looked regretful, "When I enrolled, the school seemed unusually generous. I wondered if there were hidden conditions we hadn't noticed. Now other classes have figured it out, while Class B has fallen behind. If only I had warned everyone sooner—"

Her voice carried clear self-reproach.

"You shouldn't shoulder everyone's burden." Miyabi said, instantly charmed by this kōhai.

This wasn't about her kindness and gentleness.

Gentleness alone couldn't ensure survival at this school — he knew this well, having expelled numerous students who wouldn't submit to him.

What captivated him was her pure nature.

Yes, purity.

Though perhaps naive and ill-suited for this school's environment, her beauty and kindness made her an ideal marriage prospect. This was exactly what he wanted.

So...

"It's not too late. Points are crucial in this school, and only those who graduate from Class A receive the school's promised rewards. Even if you've fallen behind, you can catch up with determination. My class is living proof." Miyabi continued, "I started in Class B last year, and through our collective effort, we've risen to Class A. We can help your Class B. Some of your classmates have already invested in Houtarou Oreki's store plan, but he won't succeed. Our class, however, has opened this store, and I can share our experience and cost-saving strategies."

He revealed his scheme, subtly portraying Houtarou as merely someone obsessed with Points while offering what seemed like help — but was actually a plan to control the first-year Class B through the store.

He had the authority to open stores, so he could approve Class B's store and offer a friendly price. Though it would require many Points initially, under his operation, the class could borrow money or earn Points through exams.

In other words, while appearing to gain Honami's favor, he was actually using the store to gain control over first-year Class B — since he would be their creditor.

The rookie Class B would have no choice but to rely on him. And once he controlled this first-year class, wouldn't this angel-like girl before him naturally fall into his hands?

It was a perfect scheme — a closed loop.

Miyabi was in a good mood.

Moreover, when he first met Honami, she had trouble choosing breakfast. This revealed she struggled to refuse others.

His proposal seemed beneficial to the freshman Class B, so she wouldn't oppose it. After all, regular students rarely got the chance to open stores. He was apparently sacrificing some benefits himself.

How could Honami refuse such an offer?

"..." Honami, this kōhai, pursed her lips, seemingly considering how to avoid hurting his feelings.

The school information Miyabi had revealed was indeed valuable — something their class hadn't discovered yet. Looking at it now, other classes were already ahead. Their Class B had fallen behind.

But about opening a store...

"I'm very grateful for Nagumo-senpai's information today. But our Class B cannot participate in the store matters." She refused.

??

"Why?" Miyabi found it strange. He hadn't expected this kōhai to be so decisive.

"Actually..." Honami said diplomatically.

She took out her phone and opened the school forum.

The school controlled the signal network, limiting them to bulletin boards and forums. Since they couldn't contact the outside world, the forum bustled with activity from students and school staff.

A post had just gone viral. It read:

| Breaking News! |

| First-year Class C's store investment plan fails after store rights are bought out. |

| Second-year Class A's Miyabi Nagumo demands ¥5,000,000 for store rights! |

| Nagumo, don't be so greedy — give the freshmen a chance! |

| by — ID First-year Class A Houtarou Oreki |

It seemed to be a post by Houtarou.

"???" Miyabi was stunned.

Damn. The information was true, but did that brat really have to post it on the forum? That insufferable Houtarou!

Then an even more troubling thought struck him — had Honami agreed to meet him already knowing about this post?

If she had seen it, she would naturally be suspicious of his motives. His generous sharing of school information would seem less like kindness and more like manipulation. And his offer to help with their store? She'd probably see right through it as the scheme it was.

His carefully crafted image had crumbled to dust.

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