The low hum of chatter in the classroom died down as the notification chimed—a stark digital echo that signaled the monthly point allocation.
I didn't check my phone immediately. Instead, my gaze remained on the window, where the dying light of the setting sun painted the sky in dull orange hues. There was something poetic about it—the way the world darkened as the day ended, mirroring the quiet tension settling over the room.
Only when the murmurs of excitement and disappointment filled the air did I glance at my screen. A white notification box flashed against the black backdrop.
> 1,300 points added to your account. Current balance: 166,000 points.
A faint smirk played on my lips.
My initial investment—80,000 points—had already yielded significant returns. Osamu Wakura, Class C's infamous point lender, had become an unwitting puppet, her fear of exposure keeping her on a tight leash.
This school wasn't just an educational institution. It was a controlled ecosystem, a microcosm of society where power was disguised as currency. And I had no intention of being just another piece on the board.
The classroom door creaked open, and a familiar voice, lilting and honeyed, cut through the murmurs.
"Good afternoon, class."
Miss Hoshinomiya, our homeroom teacher, strode in with a serene smile, a stack of papers in her hands. There was an effortless grace in her posture, the kind that put students at ease—a clever tactic. A teacher who appeared too strict would be met with resistance; one who feigned warmth could guide her students without them ever realizing they were being led.
"I trust you all had a productive week?"
A chorus of affirmations followed. Some were genuine; most were automatic.
Then, as expected, someone spoke up.
"Miss Hoshinomiya," Mako Akimura—the ever-eager one—raised his hand. "We noticed our points this month were lower than expected. You mentioned 100,000 points, but…"
Her smile didn't waver.
"Mako, I never promised a specific amount," she replied smoothly. "I simply explained the system."
Her gaze shifted, landing on Ichinose—Class D's beacon of optimism.
"Perhaps Ichinose-san can enlighten us?"
Ichinose, always composed, took the cue. "Our individual points are influenced by the class's overall performance. If our actions contribute to class points, and those points determine our personal allocations, then our standing as a group affects our personal wealth."
Kanzaki, sharp as ever, furrowed his brows. "So… the school isn't simply handing out points arbitrarily. It's engineering competition. Encouraging unity while penalizing disarray."
Miss Hoshinomiya's approving nod was subtle.
"Excellent, Kanzaki-kun. You've grasped the essence of the system."
Whispers erupted. It was one thing to be told that teamwork mattered. It was another to realize that the school had built an invisible framework to reward conformity and punish individuality.
I remained silent.
None of this was new to me. My calculations had been correct—the school was a stage, and we were its performers, molded by unseen hands. Rewards and punishments weren't given; they were orchestrated.
The board behind Miss Hoshinomiya displayed the current class rankings:
Class A: 940 CP
Class B: 650 CP
Class C: 490 CP
Class D: 220 CP
Class D, as expected, was at the bottom. A stark reminder of where we stood.
Mako, now visibly uneasy, pressed on. "Is there a way to increase our class points?"
Miss Hoshinomiya's enigmatic smile returned. "Of course. There are always opportunities to improve."
At that moment, I just wanted to leave. The weight of predictable conversations, the way people floundered for answers when the rules were already laid bare—it was tiresome. I wanted my room, a cup of coffee, and silence.
But then—
"Lloyd, are you from Japan?"
The question was unexpected, and in an instant, I felt multiple gazes shift toward me.
I exhaled quietly, resisting the urge to sigh. So much for staying unnoticed.
"…No," I answered simply.
"Oh?" Miss Hoshinomiya tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "A foreign student, how fascinating. This year's batch truly is full of surprises."
Before I could react, the room buzzed again, but this time, it wasn't about points.
"Wait, really?" Mako gawked. "That's so cool!"
"He's kinda hot…" a girl muttered from the back.
"Yeah, he's cute."
"I know, right?"
I clenched my jaw. This was precisely why I avoided unnecessary attention.
"So what country are you from, Lloyd-kun?"
I met their expectant gazes, then shifted my eyes to the board. The numbers. The system.
"I'd rather not say," I replied evenly. "Sorry."
A brief silence.
Then, to my surprise, Ichinose spoke up. "That's fair. We shouldn't push for something personal."
Miss Hoshinomiya smiled again, clapping her hands lightly. "Indeed! Instead, let's ask something lighter—how are you finding Japan so far?"
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully.
"…The culture is interesting," I finally said. "And the people are… engaging."
It was an empty answer, but it was enough.
"That's great! I hope you enjoy your time here," she said with a little too much enthusiasm.
As soon as class ended, I left without lingering. The moment I stepped into the hallway, I exhaled.
I hadn't lied. I simply hadn't told them the truth.
Because the truth was—
It's not like I can tell them my country dropped a nuke on theirs.
Ichinose Honami – POV
As I walked to the cafeteria, I spotted Kushida chatting effortlessly with a group of girls from another class. She was a natural at socializing, far better than I ever could be.
I waved at her. She returned it with her usual bright smile.
When I reached my table, Sayo suddenly appeared beside me.
"Ichinose, what'd you get?"
"Just—"
"Never mind!" She cut me off. "I'm more curious about Lloyd. Any idea where he's from?"
I sighed. "I don't think he'd appreciate us snooping. If he wants to share, he will."
Sayo pouted. "Come on! It's mysterious! And, honestly… that makes it kind of hot."
I sighed again. "Sayo—"
"Hey, even Kozue's got her eyes on him," she added slyly.
I blinked. "You noticed?"
"Of course! It's obvious."
I wasn't sure about that. But as I turned, I saw Lloyd wandering through the cafeteria, looking for a seat. Behind him, almost hesitantly, was Kozue.
Sayo nudged me. "See? Told you."
"…Maybe they're just looking for a table."
Even so, I decided to call them over.
"Kozue-san! Lloyd-kun! There's space here!"
They hesitated before making their way to our table.
"Thanks," Lloyd muttered as he sat down, stirring his coffee. "I was considering just eating in class."
"No problem!" Sayo grinned. Then, with a sly glint, she added, "So… any chance you're single?"
Lloyd didn't even look up. "No, and I'm not considering a relationship either."
Sayo pouted dramatically.
I just smiled. Lloyd was interesting. Not in the way Sayo thought, but in the way a puzzle was.
Because no matter how much you looked—
You could never quite see all the pieces.