Initially, everyone who had shown joy at the news of being able to save another student instantly changed their expressions upon hearing about gathering points, each looking troubled.
Although everyone still had some personal points, due to the Sudo incident, no points would be distributed on the first of next month.
Basically, no one dared to spend points recklessly at this time.
They usually maintained their lives by relying on the relief meal's vegetable set and free mineral water.
Only when they absolutely couldn't hold on any longer would they buy a snack or some meat to reward their stomachs.
The students of Class D were so strapped for cash.
"Hirata, while I know your intentions are good, we really don't have any points left. My points were all spent last month."
A boy, whom Amane didn't remember well, was encouraged by those around him to speak.
Hirata saw this scene unfold. He clearly knew that what this boy was saying at this moment was not just his attitude, but also the attitude of the small groups around him, and even the attitude of the majority of Class D.
"I know it's tough for everyone, but this time we are holding this fundraiser to save our classmates. I don't intend to force everyone to give all their points. I just hope that everyone will contribute as much as they can within their means. Please, everyone."
Hirata bowed deeply, his pleading tone moving quite a few girls.
"My points are quite ample. I'll donate ten thousand points."
Horikita Suzune took the lead, donating ten thousand personal points.
Since Amane had instructed Hirata beforehand not to reveal their trump card too early, Hirata had not disclosed that Ayanokoji would contribute fifty thousand points, nor that Amane would make up the remaining points.
Everyone thought that only fifty thousand points were needed to save a class member.
Seeing Horikita Suzune immediately take out ten thousand points, many people showed envious expressions.
Most of them only had a few hundred points left, or even none at all.
And Horikita's immediate contribution of ten thousand points indicated that she definitely had more points remaining beyond that, which made some people look at Horikita Suzune with uncontrollable envy.
Kushida, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"I'll also donate ten thousand points."
Kushida, unwilling to be outdone, also contributed the same amount of points.
This gradually put at ease those who had been somewhat uneasy.
With two tens of thousands of points already, how far could fifty thousand points be? Perhaps they wouldn't even need to donate their few hundred personal points before the entire meeting was over.
The third was Hirata himself.
"I'll donate twelve thousand seven hundred sixty-three points."
Everyone was surprised by Hirata's precise and odd number.
"Hirata-san, you didn't donate all your points, did you?"
Facing Kushida's question, Hirata nodded with a serious expression.
"To save a classmate we spend every day with, a few points are nothing."
Hirata's words inspired many to take out their points and join the effort to save their classmates.
However, even after everyone had stopped donating, the total points only amounted to just over thirty-nine thousand.
They were still short by a little over ten thousand points from fifty thousand.
Kushida, Horikita, and Hirata alone contributed a total of thirty-two thousand points, while the remaining dozens of people together only managed to gather seven thousand points.
Hirata knew everyone had done their best, but he also knew that everyone still had some left in reserve.
He could choose to end the donations now and let Amane make up the remaining points.
But he was unwilling, unwilling to accept why a significant portion of people refused to donate.
Some even left the classroom before the donations ended.
Hirata's expression was somewhat somber.
Karuizawa, seeing Hirata in this state, could only reluctantly contribute some more points.
Originally, she had pledged one thousand points, which was only a tenth of the nearly ten thousand points she had on hand.
She had initially thought of just contributing a small amount, assuming that with so many people, they would surely find a way to gather enough points.
It was precisely because of this mindset that she only donated one thousand points.
"Oh, I'll donate another two thousand points. Speaking of which, as Class D students, after two months, most of our points are indeed used up. For the remaining points, why don't we try borrowing some from acquaintances in other classes?"
Karuizawa's suggestion immediately received agreement from some girls.
"Exactly! If we only rely on our own strength, we won't gather enough even by 5:30. Counting Kei's two thousand points, we're at forty-one thousand now, right? If we only need nine thousand more, we can gather it by borrowing from a few more people."
Shinohara's words were affirmed by Matsushita.
"I also think Karuizawa-san and Shinohara-san's suggestions are more feasible. Contacting acquaintances in other classes now might still be in time."
Seeing that there were still people willing to act for Class D, Hirata finally felt a little relieved.
He subtly glanced at Amane.
Amane, seeing Hirata's implied look, gestured for him to calm down, then turned to Horikita, who had swapped seats with Ayanokoji.
"Suzune, what do you feel after seeing everyone's donations?"
Amane's question was like a thorn, piercing Horikita Suzune's heart.
One-third of the seats in the classroom were already empty.
These people had all chosen to leave, using the excuse of having no points.
Some of them were even among the previous dropouts.
When others needed help, these people chose to look away.
Horikita sighed heavily.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even know what to do if such a situation arose."
If she had rashly collected points from the class without Amane's promise, even though the students present had tried their best, they would still be short by several thousand points. If she, Horikita Suzune, were here, what would she do?
Other than borrowing some from other classes for emergencies, she had no good ideas, as she, Horikita Suzune, couldn't conjure points out of thin air.
"Do you still have the confidence to lead such a Class D to Class A?"
Amane deliberately chose to twist the knife for Horikita.
Horikita gave Amane a glare.
"Once the arrow is shot, there's no turning back. At this point, I can only grit my teeth and push forward. If I give up now, my brother will definitely mock me."
Horikita Suzune also realized that this class had various huge hidden dangers.
The upward drive in her heart couldn't help but dissipate a lot.
But when she thought of her promise to Horikita Manabu that night, how she had confidently declared to him that she would definitely lead Class D to Class A, a bitter taste filled Horikita Suzune's mouth.
Now that things had come to this, she could only continue forward, otherwise... she would never be able to prove to Horikita Manabu that her excellence was not inferior to his.
Seeing Horikita's thoughts change, Amane showed a satisfied smile.
Then she slowly raised her hand.
"I'll contribute ten thousand points."
Upon hearing that Amane was also contributing ten thousand points, the class erupted in an uproar.
Even Wang Meiyu, who was sitting in front of her, couldn't help but turn back to look at Amane.
"Although it might not be good for me to say this, Amane, you should know that points donated are not repaid, you know."
Wang Meiyu quietly reminded Amane.
"Don't worry, I have it under control."
Amane winked at Wang Meiyu.
Then she stood up.
"Next, shouldn't we discuss who these fifty thousand points should save?"
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