The information that he had an extra million points wasn't something to look forward to in itself.
Arisu Sakayanagi also disdained using the balance screenshot Natsuki Subaru had willingly provided to cause trouble, because it was tasteless.
However, what the one million points symbolized was rather intriguing.
After all, even Arisu Sakayanagi herself had only managed to get less than five hundred thousand points from generous upperclassmen; obtaining one million would require more diligent scheming.
'It's information he obtained himself, so it doesn't matter what he uses it for. Others have no standing to criticize him.'
'But, Natsuki-kun, how many people can look at the problem so rationally?'
'I hope Kamuro-san can bring me some good news. Things have suddenly become a little interesting.'
Of course, while she thought this, Arisu Sakayanagi did not intend to use such methods against Natsuki Subaru.
The reason was exactly the same as before.
It was merely a million personal points.
Arisu Sakayanagi had plenty of ways to make Natsuki Subaru's one million points deplete rapidly.
In this academy, there were far too many things one could spend on.
'Natsuki-kun, I wonder if you've realized something?'
'In this school of meritocracy, what is the most expensive, most luxurious thing?'
'A mere million points is nowhere near enough, Natsuki-kun.'
...
Looking at Arisu Sakayanagi, who seemed to have been struck silent by his screenshot, Natsuki Subaru found it a bit amusing.
If he wasn't mistaken, based on her personality from their interactions over the past few days, this girl was probably in the middle of a frantic brainstorm, constantly speculating on his intentions.
Trying to infer several, or even a dozen, different angles from a single casual action of his, and then formulate a strategy against it.
How tiring.
Just thinking about what Arisu Sakayanagi might do, Natsuki Subaru felt a wave of inexplicable weariness wash over him.
'As expected, chatting with Shiina-san is much more comfortable.'
If Arisu Sakayanagi didn't reply, so be it.
Natsuki Subaru refocused his attention on his chat with Hiyori Shiina.
Interacting with Hiyori Shiina gave Natsuki Subaru a long-lost sense of comfort.
And recently, Natsuki Subaru was growing to like this feeling more and more. While it wasn't enough to bring color into his world, it gave him a slight sense of 'coming alive' again.
Time passed, and about another week went by.
Arisu Sakayanagi seemed to have vanished, no longer striking up conversations with Natsuki Subaru from time to time.
After receiving Natsuki Subaru's advice, Kikyō Kushida also seemed to have clarified her goal and gone into hibernation, no longer seeking help from Natsuki Subaru and Kiyotaka Ayanokōji every so often.
The atmosphere in Year 1, Class D did not improve with time; on the contrary, it worsened further.
Everyone was immersed in the revelry of receiving personal points worth one hundred thousand yen as pocket money each month, and at the same time, the results of the first quiz since the start of school were announced.
Aside from a very few highly disciplined students with strong academic abilities, passing was an extremely difficult task for the vast majority.
This was especially true for the troublemaker faction; they basically couldn't even meet the low-score cutoff.
'In the second and third-year classes, many don't meet the quota of forty students.'
'Even if one or two students occasionally can't continue studying here for personal reasons, it's too strange that almost every class has vacancies.'
Natsuki Subaru sat by the classroom window, glancing at a few people not far away who were completely ignoring the homeroom teacher, Sae Chabashira, at the podium, chatting away happily.
Haruki Yamauchi, in particular, was practically being openly defiant.
"Everyone thinks this place is like heaven."
"Every month, we get personal points worth one hundred thousand yen..."
Suzune Horikita's cold voice came from Natsuki Subaru's side.
Her tone carried undisguised sarcasm and a hint of anxiety that a normal person would find hard to detect.
Suzune Horikita's gaze wasn't on Natsuki Subaru; instead, it swept sharply across the students who were still laughing and talking in front of Sae Chabashira.
"Utterly foolish."
Suzune Horikita said in a cold tone, "Treating the bait before them as eternal while ignoring the cliff at their feet. They lack even the most basic sense of crisis. It's hopeless."
Clearly, Suzune Horikita had also noticed something was wrong with this academy.
But unfortunately, the most Suzune Horikita could do was notice something was wrong. She didn't have the ability to change the current situation; all she could do was manage herself.
This was also the reason for Suzune Horikita's current anxiety.
As she spoke, her fingertips unconsciously tightened, wrinkling the test paper spread out on her desk.
Her scores in almost every subject were perfect, a stark contrast to the grades of the vast majority of the class.
"Oh?"
"So that's what Horikita-san thinks?"
Looking at Suzune Horikita, a smile appeared on Natsuki Subaru's face.
Although her gaze never landed on him, Natsuki Subaru knew that Suzune Horikita was talking to him.
Or rather, she was venting to him in this way.
Natsuki Subaru understood this feeling all too well. In the end, Suzune Horikita, like him, was not a lofty person who truly enjoyed 'solitude,' but merely someone disguised as one.
Humans are social creatures. Even Suzune Horikita had the need to talk and chat.
As for why she was chatting with him?
Of course, it was because Natsuki Subaru, as he had analyzed for Kikyō Kushida last week, had shown his value as an 'ally' and 'friend'.
Natsuki Subaru was one of the very few students in Year 1, Class D with excellent grades.
For Suzune Horikita, a student and a good student at that, the standard for evaluating value and strength was naturally academic ability first and foremost.
"You don't seem surprised at all?"
Hearing Natsuki Subaru's voice, Suzune Horikita finally turned her head to look at him.
"Or did you anticipate this outcome long ago, and so you chose to stand apart?"
Suzune Horikita's tone was the same as always, devoid of any emotional intelligence, carrying her characteristic directness that felt like an interrogation... but Natsuki Subaru liked this directness.
It was much better than Arisu Sakayanagi.
Chatting with Arisu Sakayanagi for too long gave Natsuki Subaru the urge to flip a coin, but if he were chatting with Suzune Horikita, he could talk all day.
___
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