Saiki Kusuo's eyebrow twitched slightly. He knew this number was absurdly high.
[50,000 points... Isn't that too much? But these freshmen don't know the real price, right? When I was a first-year, I bought the exam papers for 30,000 points. This way, I can make a profit of 20,000 points! I need to squeeze as much as I can from these freshmen to improve my meals!]
'One second you're thinking about dating Kushida, and the next you're scheming to profit off first-years? You're quite the businessman... But this means Kushida probably won't buy the papers. Even if our exam scores aren't as high, as long as our points aren't completely deducted, it's acceptable. Plus, it'll prevent our class rank from rising too much and drawing attention.'
At this thought, a slight smile appeared on Saiki Kusuo's lips. Despite some unexpected developments, things were still going according to his plan.
He glanced at Kushida Kikyo out of the corner of his eye. Her face still wore a smile.
"50,000 points? Let me ask my classmates what they think."
Kushida Kikyo smiled and took out her phone.
[50,000 points? Do you really think I'd believe this nonsense?]
Kushida Kikyo's inner thoughts were completely different from her outward appearance.
[Saiki Kusuo, you must also know how outrageous this price is, right? Start bargaining!]
'Sorry, but I have no intention of doing that.'
Saiki Kusuo could hear Kushida Kikyo's thoughts, but he had no plans to act on them. For him, the exam papers were useless.
[This guy... Doesn't he think the price is too high?]
Kushida Kikyo thought as her fingers swiftly moved across her terminal, sending the information to the class group chat.
Kushida Kikyo: Everyone! I asked the upperclassman, and the exam papers cost 50,000 points. What do you think?
Soon, the class responded quickly.
Hirata Yosuke: 50,000 points? That seems a bit expensive. What does everyone think?
Sato Maya: I don't think it's necessary. It's too expensive. With 40 people in the class, that's over 1,000 points per person.
Ike Kanji : I also think it's too expensive.
'It seems they still have some sense.'
Saiki Kusuo's lips curled into a slight smile. Not buying the papers was the better choice. This way, the scores wouldn't be too high, and he didn't want the class to rise to Class A too quickly.
He knew very well that Class A students were the targets of envy for the other classes.
Kushida Kikyo: But I think the papers are really important... After all, I heard this exam affects our points... I want our class to have more points! QAQ
Saiki Kusuo noticed that Kushida Kikyo seemed quite determined to buy the exam papers. He could also hear her endless stream of thoughts.
[We must buy the papers this time—not for the grades, but to target Horikita Suzune! With your reclusive personality, even if the whole class buys the papers, you won't. Everyone will notice how difficult you are to get along with, and the class will distance themselves from you even more! I won't let you off easy. I'll make sure you're expelled! Horikita Suzune, you damn woman!]
'...'
Saiki Kusuo pursed his lips. Kushida Kikyo's obsession with Horikita Suzune was terrifying.
The reason she wanted to buy the exam papers was to get Horikita Suzune expelled?
'This girl is scarily obsessed. But Kushida-san, your plan probably won't work. After all, the others aren't fools...'
Ike Kanji: Then I think it's necessary to buy them! Kushida-san went through so much trouble to talk to the upperclassman for us! She's doing this for the class! We can't waste her efforts!
Sudo Ken: I agree.
Yamauchi Haruki: Yeah, I think so too!
'?'
A huge question mark appeared in Saiki Kusuo's mind.
Weren't these the same guys who had just opposed the idea? How did they change their stance in just a few seconds?
Saiki Kusuo glanced at Kushida Kikyo out of the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but wonder if she was also a psychic.
Hirata Yosuke: Then let's take a vote. Who wants to buy the papers? We'll split the cost evenly!
Hirata Yosuke started a group poll, and the class quickly voted in favor. Even Karuizawa Kei, who had been skeptical earlier, voted yes. After her, several other girls also voted in favor—except for Horikita Suzune, who voted against.
She didn't need the papers, and she probably didn't want to follow the crowd.
'Hey, hey...'
Saiki Kusuo sighed. If he voted against now, he'd probably be labeled a weirdo like Horikita Suzune.
He had no choice but to press the "agree" option.
39 votes in favor, 1 against.
Buying the exam papers was now a done deal.
Hirata Yosuke: Then, Kushida-san, please go ahead and buy the papers! We'll transfer the points to you afterward!
Kushida Kikyo: Sure! But I also think 50,000 points is too expensive. I'll try to bargain and lower the price a bit!
Ike Kanji: Kushida-san is the best!
Yamauchi Haruki: Thanks for your hard work, Kushida-san!
Sudo Ken: We're counting on you!
'Did they just ignore me?'
For Saiki Kusuo, this was a good thing. But now that they were set on buying the papers, he couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Even if the cost was split, each person would still have to pay over 1,000 points.
That was enough for him to enjoy several coffee puddings.
"Senpai, can you lower the price a bit?"
Kushida Kikyo put down her phone. Since Saiki Kusuo wasn't saying anything, she had to take matters into her own hands.
"No! 50,000 points is the price!"
Sato-senpai replied firmly.