All at once, everyone’s gaze turned toward me.

It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong, but it still feels uncomfortable. Still, I can’t just stay silent in this situation, so I walked over behind Ayanokōji-kun, who was seated.

“So yeah, it’s true. We actually started dating a few days ago. We weren’t trying to hide it or anything.”

“Y-You serious, Ayanokōji!? If you got a girlfriend, you were supposed to tell us!”

Ike-kun, unable to hide his shock, pressed Ayanokōji-kun for answers.

Even the girls outside of my group, who hadn’t known beforehand that we were dating, started bombarding us with questions.

Like who confessed first or how we got close—things like that.

Since we had already worked out the details beforehand, Ayanokōji-kun and I answered smoothly without hesitation.

“Damn, Ayanokōji beat me to it!”

“Matsushita-san and Ayanokōji-kun, huh… They both seem mature, so I guess they match…”

Just as things were starting to get out of hand, help once again came from Hirata-kun.

“Everyone, calm down. I know it’s big news, but both Ayanokōji-kun and Matsushita-san—and all of you—are probably tired from the midterm. Why don’t we call it a day?”

When the class leader like Hirata suggests that, everyone has no choice but to follow.

The classmates, still looking unsatisfied, gradually headed home.

“Thanks, Hirata. That helped.”

“It’s nothing. But was it really okay to make your relationship public like that?”

“…What do you think, Matsushita?”

“It surprised me, but I’m totally fine. We were going to answer if asked anyway.”

That said, I was a little flustered inside.

I had only expected to answer one or two people, so announcing it in front of the entire class caught me off guard.

“That’s good then… I should head out too. Thanks again, both of you. The fact that no one got expelled is thanks to you two.”

“It’s really fine, don’t worry about it.”

Hirata bowed his head sharply.

He really doesn’t need to go that far. If anything, Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun should be the ones bowing.

Hirata left before us.

Now the classroom only had me and Ayanokōji-kun. The earlier noise felt distant, and only his expressionless eyes looked at me. Strangely, that felt comforting.

“Oh right, Ayanokōji-kun. Want to celebrate a bit? Like, ‘we made it through the midterms’?”

“Sounds good. Let’s go to Keyaki Mall.”

And just like that, our first date was decided.

We headed to Keyaki Mall together.

As we passed by classmates who had already left, they teased us—“Already on a date?”

Since Ayanokōji-kun had made it public, there was no need to hide, which made things easier.

“Cut it out,” I replied, while confidently linking arms with him as we walked through the mall.

“It’s crowded. Guess everyone had the same idea.”

“But I’m sure we can find somewhere for two people.”

We looked around for a place to eat.

We could go to our usual café, Palette, or a casual family restaurant, but since it’s our first date, I kind of want somewhere nicer.

But Ayanokōji-kun spent a lot getting those past exams… and I also spent quite a bit of my 100,000 points in April.

Well, socializing costs money, so it can’t be helped.

“How about here?”

Ayanokōji-kun pointed to a fairly expensive restaurant inside Keyaki Mall. I instinctively looked at his face.

“It’s our first date. Spending a little extra is fine, right?”

“…Yeah, you’re right.”

I tightened my grip around his arm.

* * *

And that’s how Ayanokōji and Matsushita ended up dating… though it’s just a fake relationship contract.

After finishing a difficult conversation with Hirata and Karuizawa about maybe going on a double date someday, I sat down.

Ike and Yamauchi, who had been glaring at me like demons earlier, now approached with sleazy grins.

…This can’t be good.

“Hey, Ayanokōji. You remember what we talked about before, right?”

“Nope, not at all.”

“Don’t lie! So… have you and Matsushita already done it?”

Seriously? Dirty talk first thing in the morning? And with zero tact.

They’re trying to keep their voices down so girls won’t hear, but they’re too curious and not quiet enough.

The girls definitely heard—judging by their “Ugh” and “Yamauchi, that’s gross” expressions.

It’s true they said before they wanted to hear from someone with experience, but nothing like that has happened between Matsushita and me. It’s a fake relationship after all.

“We’ve only been dating a few days.”

“Yeah, but Matsushita’s like… cute but also really pretty, right? If you’re dating someone like that, you’d feel that way too, right?”

What’s the correct response here… I gather all my knowledge to think it through.

“Maybe. But there’s no need to rush. I want to treat Matsushita properly.”

I gave the answer I pulled from my mental database.

Ike and Yamauchi’s faces twisted again. Probably thinking I sounded pretentious.

Just as I thought I messed up again, cheers erupted from Matsushita’s group, who had apparently been listening.

Ike and the others turned around in surprise.

“Did you hear that, Matsushita-san!?”

“You’re so lucky! Ayanokōji-kun is the perfect boyfriend!”

“Y-Yeah… haha.”

Matsushita just nodded, face red.

Looks like that answer worked for girls.

Meanwhile, Ike and Yamauchi, now exposed for their sleazy talk, retreated to the corner, shouting, “You’ll pay for this, Ayanokōji!”

It worked out, but I should probably change my responses depending on the audience. Good learning experience.

As all that happened, classes passed as usual.

At lunch, just as promised, Matsushita brought me a homemade bento.

I’ve been eating them every day since she offered—and they’re good.

“Thanks again today, Matsushita.”

“No problem. I’m eating with the others today, so I’ll grab the bento box later.”

“I told you, I can wash it myself.”

“It’s fine. Washing one or two isn’t much different. And if I collect it, I can reuse it right away.”

With that, she returned to Karuizawa’s group.

Now then, what should I do… Ike and the others clearly aren’t in the mood to invite me.

If they saw this homemade bento, they might actually lose it. Best not.

Guess I’m eating alone today.

As I started to open the bento, I felt a sharp gaze from the side—Horikita.

I expected a sharp remark, but she said nothing. Unusually quiet. Almost unsettling.

“What? Got something to say?”

“…No. I was just thinking how lonely it is to have a girlfriend make you a bento, yet have no one to eat with.”

“Good to see you’re the same as ever.”

So much for her being quiet.

“Good to see? What exactly is reassuring about that?”

“I thought you seemed off, but guess I was wrong.”

“…Exactly. Completely off. It’s almost laughable.”

There’s a hint of unease in her words.

…But honestly, it doesn’t matter to me.

“Anyway, between the past exams and the thing with my brother… you were hiding your abilities, weren’t you?”

“I didn’t want to stand out.”

“That does sound like you. But then why the sudden change? You could’ve left it all to your girlfriend or Hirata without drawing attention.”

“I figured out more about the S System. Hiding my ability would just be a loss. Matsushita said something similar, so I decided to act and earn points my own way.”

That should be good news for Horikita, but her expression didn’t change.

Maybe she doesn’t want to show it, or maybe there’s another reason.

“So you’ve decided to cooperate in reaching Class A. Is that correct?”

“I’m not suited to lead, so I refuse that. But I’ll work as a piece.”

“I see. Then I’ll be expecting more of your cunning.”

That seemed to conclude things… but Horikita still looked like she had something to say.

Unusual for someone so blunt. After watching her hesitate, she finally spoke.

“You’re quite cooperative. When it’s your cute girlfriend asking.”

“What are you getting at?”

“You resisted so much when it was me.”

“Horikita. You’re surprisingly cu—never mind.”

If I had finished that sentence, my arm would’ve been pierced.

The compass needle in her hand gleamed in the sunlight.

“Ayanokōji-kun. I’ll correct and apologize for thinking you were just dead weight. But I’ll also remember you as a shallow man who can casually call other girls cute despite having a girlfriend.”

“I didn’t necessarily say ‘cute.’ It could’ve been ‘pitiful’ or something else—”

Before I could finish, a hole appeared in my right hand.

That hurt.

* * *

“Tomorrow’s finally the point distribution day. I hope our class points increased.”

Matsushita said that.

Tomorrow is July 1st—the day each student receives private points based on class points.

Our Class D dropped to zero in early May, so we received nothing.

For someone like me, with little social spending, even 100,000 points was enough.

But others—especially Ike and Yamauchi—must’ve had a tough time after wasting theirs.

After so long, many must be desperate for points.

“If it’s zero again, catching up to the upper classes might become impossible.”

“But if we can take points from other classes, there’s still a chance, right?”

Matsushita looked at me expectantly.

As expected—she noticed.

“Yeah. The school promotes competition between classes. That means there’ll likely be opportunities to directly take points from each other. Otherwise, our class has no chance.”

“We’re at zero, after all. Haha.”

She laughed, but inside she’s probably not calm.

From what I’ve seen, Matsushita takes classes seriously.

Even when she uses her phone, it’s just to keep up with her friend group.

If someone like her gets dragged down by others, it’s only natural to feel frustrated.

The fact she doesn’t show it is impressive.

“When do you think these ‘point battles’ will happen?”

“…Just a guess, but first would be the upcoming summer break—what they call a vacation.”

“Oh, the one Chabashira-sensei mentioned.”

“I doubt this school would just give us a vacation. There’ll likely be a point competition during that period.”

“That does sound likely.”

“And then school events. Something like a sports festival. It’s an obvious event where top classes gain points. Whether lower classes lose points is uncertain, but it’s possible.”

If Class D loses there, the class competition could effectively be decided early. So I’d say it’s about fifty-fifty.

Satisfied, Matsushita smiled and clung tightly to my arm.

“A sports festival, huh. So that’s why you kept Sudō?”

“His physical ability is among the best in the grade. Too valuable to discard. He’s a liability now, but he has potential.”

Those skilled in one area often learn others quickly.

Sudō, already a standout in basketball, could improve academically if he finds his footing.

…At least, that’s what I thought.

But the day after next, Chabashira-sensei informed us that Sudō had gotten into a violent incident.