As Hashima and Katsuragi verbally sparred, Ichinose Honami, standing off to the side, felt her heart pounding in her chest.
When she heard Hashima lie about the price he paid for the rule, the girl panicked, as this information was easily verifiable.
But Ichinose quickly noticed that although Hashima was blatantly lying, his demeanor betrayed no flaws. On the contrary, he wore a self-assured expression, as if he were in the right.
"If it's one million, each member of Class A will have to pay 25,000 private points. This price is acceptable," Katsuragi turned to Sakayanagi Arisu. "What's your response, Sakayanagi?"
"I agree with Hashima. It's a very advantageous transaction," Sakayanagi Arisu nodded slightly. "I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to hesitate between paying three million and paying one million."
"Very well."
Although Katsuragi and Sakayanagi didn't get along, as a Class A student, his observation and analytical skills were also excellent. He understood that if the school truly had a hidden rule, it was better to know it sooner rather than later.
So he immediately began mobilizing the supporters he had gathered in Class A to collect points. However, when Hashima glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu, he noticed that the girl with the cane wasn't moving and seemed lost in thought.
Ichinose Honami couldn't help but ask, "Sakayanagi? Aren't you going to help collect the points?"
"Katsuragi can handle this physical labor. The students in the class heard our discussion; they can make the best decision and won't refuse to pay the points."
"I see. It seems you know the students of Class A very well, Sakayanagi."
Thanks to the events that had just transpired, Hashima was able to deduce at least one crucial piece of information: although the students of Class A had good overall skills, the two most popular students in the class weren't on good terms and were openly displaying their struggle for control of the class.
This was undoubtedly good news. At least he didn't have to worry about Class A remaining united and firmly holding the top spot, which presented more opportunities for Class B.
A short while later, Katsuragi had finished collecting the points. When he approached, Hashima gestured for Ichinose to hand him the contract.
"Before the transaction, all the students in Class A must sign this contract, and then we will proceed with the exchange of the rules and the points."
The contract Hashima had printed in Hoshinomiya Chie's office was simple. It stated that once Class B sold the in-depth rule to Class A for one million private points, all Class A students would be prohibited from reselling the rule.
As a precaution, Hashima had added a clause prohibiting Class A students from discussing the in-depth rule with students from other classes.
In case of violation, the school would impose the most severe penalty: expulsion.
Once all the steps were completed, Hashima looked at the stack of signed contracts, then took out the notebook containing the rule.
"Here's the exchange."
He looked at the boy with the shaved head, then patted Ichinose Honami's shoulder. "Ichinose, quickly collect the points. Ask Katsuragi to transfer them to your account."
"Okay, I understand."
She immediately took out her phone and showed her student ID.
Katsuragi quickly completed the transaction with his phone, then confirmed, "Ichinose, I've transferred the points to you."
"Let me check."
Seeing the 1,050,000 private points displayed on the screen, the girl finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hashima, Class A's points have been transferred."
"Good."
He smiled slightly and handed the rulebook to Katsuragi, then prepared to return to class with Ichinose Honami.
"Please wait a moment, Hashima."
At that moment, Sakayanagi Arisu, who had been observing Katsuragi collecting the points and distributing the contracts in the class, finally spoke. She fixed the boy with her violet eyes and slowly asked, "I wonder who in Class B was the first to notice that the school had a hidden rule?"
"Was it you, or Ichinose beside you?"
Hashima met Sakayanagi's gaze, thought for a moment, then gave his answer: "It was me. What can I do for you, Sakayanagi?"
"I wouldn't dare give you instructions; I just find you to be quite special, Hashima. I suppose we'll have the opportunity to cross paths again."
An elegant smile appeared on Sakayanagi Arisu's face.
"I think so too. Then we'll take our leave. You can inform your classmates of the rule now."
Hashima had no intention of staying in Class A any longer. He had already gained enough, not only private points but also information about Class A.
"Goodbye, everyone."
Ichinose waved to the Class A students and followed Hashima out of the classroom.
Once the two figures had completely disappeared down the hallway, Sakayanagi Arisu and Katsuragi Kouhei began examining the notebook Hashima had left behind.
Subsequently, all the information concerning Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School began to overturn the imaginations of all the Class A students.
The merit-based school, the meaning of the class points and private points, and the fact that only one class could graduate.
When these rules were completely revealed in Class A, the quick-witted Katsuragi Kouhei immediately realized something was amiss.
"If the school really operates according to this rule, then this transaction is certainly not that simple. They might still be hiding something from us."
"What do you think, Katsuragi?"
After reading the in-depth rules of the school, Sakayanagi Arisu didn't show much emotion on her face, maintaining her calm princess-like demeanor.
"It makes sense. But I think we should deal with another matter now." After reviewing the in-depth rules in her head, Sakayanagi Arisu resumed an offensive tone. "Don't forget, Katsuragi, that the class representatives for Class A haven't been elected yet, have they?"
"..."
"Now that we know the school's in-depth rules, Class A should be led by a competent person in order to maintain its advantage in the future competition between classes and to allow everyone to graduate."
Katsuragi suppressed his anger and said through gritted teeth, "Do you think you're that person, Sakayanagi?"
"Of course. If I were to evaluate Hashima, I'd give him an A, while you, Katsuragi, would only get a C."
"Then I'll ask you to wait and see, Sakayanagi. I'll show you who's most fit to lead Class A."
"Kukuku, I don't think I'll lose."