Chapter 64 – Shiina’s competition

"So many guests today," Yukio mused after sending off Horikita and the rather inconspicuous Ayanokoji. About half an hour later, Ichinose arrived with Kanzaki for their investigation. "Oh? Yukio-kun, besides us, who else came by?" Ichinose was quite open and friendly, waving to each Class C student she made eye contact with, exuding warmth.

The students of Class C were a bit taken aback by her familiarity, only managing to nod politely in response. Eventually, Ichinose made her way to Yukio, slyly trying to find out which class had visited before them.

"Class D's Horikita." There was no need for secrecy; Yukio readily divulged Horikita's visit. Shiina, who had been comfortably reading under a parasol, inexplicably moved closer to Yukio upon seeing Ichinose.

To the amateurs, Shiina might have seemed like another tough bodyguard, not unlike Albert.

"Ah." Ichinose nodded in understanding and then looked over Class C's lavish setup, remarking on the extravagance before asking Yukio and about the conflict with Ibuki: "I heard something happened yesterday evening. Our class found Ibuki-san in the wilderness, saying she was kicked out. Is there a misunderstanding here, Yukio-kun?"

Ichinose wasn't quick to label Yukio as the villain but sought to understand the full context.

"Although I appreciate your trust, Ichinose," Yukio said, sipping a cold drink to ease the summer heat, "there's no misunderstanding. That's just how I am. If you don't follow rules, you're out."

"Ibuki thinks I'm wasting points? Then she shouldn't enjoy these luxuries. She can go off on her own into the forest and survive on the island."

"That's very much your style, Yukio-kun," Ichinose remarked, slightly nodding in seriousness, not particularly surprised or panicked by the revelation.

After all, besides the sunset viewing, their previous encounter in the school's shoe locker area had made it clear to Ichinose that Yukio was ruthless in special exams.

Overall, her impression of Yukio was consistent: commanding Class C to trouble Class B, among other irritations.

Just from their shoe locker encounter, when Yukio suggested using the love letters Ichinose received as a weapon against Class B, she had pegged him as a man who would stop at nothing.

So, learning the truth about Ibuki's expulsion didn't shock her; she had anticipated it.

Even so, Ichinose harbored no ill will towards Yukio. In a highly competitive environment, being unscrupulous could even be considered a compliment.

However, Ichinose soon took on the role of a peacemaker: "But after all, Ibuki-san is a girl, and it must be tough for her alone in a strange environment."

"How do you think we can allow Ibuki-san to return, Yukio-kun?"

This might have something to do with their shared experience of watching the sunset together on the cruise ship deck the day before. In Ichinose's eyes, even though Yukio could be a bit of a tease, he was fundamentally a good person. That's why she trusted him so much.

Even though Yukio could be strict and ruthless in his methods, he was always straightforward and transparent when she asked him directly, which impressed Ichinose. Thus, she genuinely trusted Yukio and wanted to see if Ibuki could be allowed back into the class.

Kanzaki, following her, was somewhat used to her ways. He could only sigh and hold his forehead, thinking they were here for reconnaissance. With so many extravagant resources in Class C, Ichinose didn't inquire about them but was more concerned about Ibuki – really?

But that was just Ichinose's style.

Yukio didn't think too much about it. After all, Ibuki was originally sent to spy on Class B to find out their leader, so how could he allow her to return?

Thus, he raised the stakes to an impossible level: "Want to come back after offending me? Well, considering our friendship, it's not impossible to forgive Ibuki."

"How about this: if Class B pays one million private points and Ibuki formally apologizes, then I'll allow her to return. How does that sound?"

"One, one million?" Ichinose was genuinely shocked by Yukio's outrageous demand. Even Ryuen, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. When it came to extortion, Yukio was unparalleled!

"That's impossible!" Kanzaki immediately rejected the idea. How could Class B pay such a huge sum for someone who wasn't even a close friend? Did Yukio think they were a charity?

"Wait, wait a minute, Kanzaki, don't get agitated. We are guests here in Class C," Ichinose said, calming Kanzaki before turning back with a contemplative expression. "The points belong to the entire class, and I can't use them arbitrarily."

"I understand Yukio-kun's perspective. Ibuki-san's actions challenged your position in the class. If Ibuki is allowed back so easily, it would surely undermine your authority and cohesion in Class C."

"So, I can understand your demand, Yukio-kun. Personally, I have over two hundred thousand private points that I can transfer to you."

"Ichinose!" Kanzaki was so frantic that he wanted to drag his class president back immediately. Seeing Ichinose willing to dip into her own funds to help Ibuki, he was desperate to pull her back!

"..." Yukio was just as shocked as Kanzaki by Ichinose's gesture, wondering if she was a real-life angel. How could such a kind-hearted person exist in this world?

Caught off guard by Ichinose's selflessness, Yukio, who never made rash decisions in such situations, chose to deflect the topic. He picked up a bottle of cold drink and handed it to her, saying, "Ichinose, you're truly amazing."

"To think you'd be willing to pay such a hefty price for an outsider. Here's a drink for you, as a token of my respect. Oh, and if you're on your period, you shouldn't drink cold drinks. I can get you a room-temperature one if you need."

"What? No, my period usually comes at the end of the month…" Ichinose didn't expect the conversation to take such a turn. She initially responded reflexively, then, realizing what she had just revealed, her cheeks turned a deep shade of red!

Embarrassed, she accepted the cold drink, her voice dropping to a whisper, "It's... it's okay to drink cold things even during that time."

Kanzaki was contemplating whether to report Yukio to the school authorities for blatantly harassing their class president.

Yukio then realized that the belief about not drinking cold drinks during periods might only be prevalent in his area, and not a general concern elsewhere. He also noted mentally that Ichinose's period was at the end of the month...

"Hm?" Just as Yukio inadvertently filed away this piece of information, Shiina tugged at the hem of his shirt, "What is it, Shiina?"

Shiina's voice was as light as a cloud, almost burying her head in Yukio's back, reminiscent of their joint ride on the sea motorbike the day before, her voice barely audible: "Mine usually comes in the second week of each month, around the transition from early to mid-month."

"..." Yukio's face twitched involuntarily. Was this some kind of competition? So, she wins because hers comes earlier than Ichinose's?

Barely suppressing a laugh at this unexpected rivalry, Yukio played along, whispering back, "I'll remember that."

He then turned back to Ichinose to explain that the custom of not drinking cold beverages during periods was just a local practice, not meant to offend, helping her recover from her flustered state.

He subsequently refused Ichinose's personal offer to pay for Ibuki, stating that her twenty-something thousand points were insignificant. "How about we make a different deal? Thirty thousand private points per month, and I'll sell you the leaders of Classes A and D?"

Ryuen, witnessing this, couldn't help but admire Yukio's strategy: "Man, he's selling the same piece of information to three classes. Even capitalists aren't as shrewd as Yukio!"

***

Enjoyed the chapters? Read 20 chapters ahead on Patreon!

PATREON.COM/METARLN

600 power stones = 1 extra chapter