In fact, after the information is refreshed, they always want to attack me!

Moreover, recalling the photos and gestures of kindness the other party had sent him last time, he couldn't help but silently add in his mind: after all, they had treated him well.

"Well..." Kikyo Kushida twisted her fingers slightly, a troubled expression on her face, "It's really hard to argue... I really hope Shimizu-san can come to the study group. But—"

She suddenly looked up. "That wasn't the main reason I came to see you today!"

A gentle breeze swept across the playground, lifting strands of hair at her temples.

Kushida took a deep breath and said as if he had made up his mind:

"Shimizu-san...can we go on a date tonight?" Her voice suddenly softened. "Of course! I won't waste your time. Actually...I'm a bit short on points. After lending Karuizawa-san two thousand points yesterday, I can only give you five thousand points at most...and that's the most I've ever lent to anyone else for a date."

At this point, she quickly waved her hand and added, "Ah! Please don't misunderstand! Giving you a date fee is a date fee; I'll cover all the expenses for the date! As long as... as long as you can accompany me... it would be best if we could take some photos."

Akira Shimizu's expression froze instantly, as if he had heard something out of the blue.

His voice was filled with disbelief as he questioned, "Wait...didn't we already settle things? The 80,000 points have been settled, what do you mean by bringing up a date now?"

"Do you even understand what you're saying? What kind of understanding leads you to say such things?"

He actually paid me points to go on a date?

To maintain that "angel" persona, have they gone to such lengths?

First those gratuitous photos... now they're making us pay out of pocket... are they even going to throw people in with them?

What a kind person! Such a good person! Shimizu Akira has never seen such a beautiful, kind-hearted girl who is so generous with her treats!

They're specially delivered to our door to give us welfare!

Chapter 109: 107 Shimizu Akira, you're really going all out!

What kind of look will someone give you when they're faced with an idiot?

That must have been a complex expression, a mixture of three parts shock, three parts confusion, three parts pity, and two parts disdain!

Kikyo Kushida is certainly not a superpowered person and cannot accurately discern the specific proportions of various emotions in a person's eyes.

But this did not prevent her from understanding the naked astonishment in Shimizu Akira's eyes—it was as if he were looking at a hopeless idiot!

She was very familiar with this.

After all, these past few days, whenever she looked at those two lively characters in her class, Haruki Yamanouchi and Kanji Ike, that was exactly the look in her eyes.

(Akira Shimizu! How dare he look at me like that! He thinks I'm a fool!)

Kushida bit his lower lip hard, almost letting the curse slip out.

What the hell is going on with this guy?

Do you think I'm an idiot?

Am I really that stupid in your eyes?

Kushida couldn't help but carefully recall her actions over the past few days.

That night, it seemed she offered herself up, not only giving away 80,000 personal points, but also losing her first touch on the chest.

And then! The other person only garnered four votes, and she inexplicably sent them a swimsuit photo again...

Looking back on this incident, Kushida wished she could travel back in time and slap her past self.

(Was I out of my mind? I had already paid 80,000 points, and his help was simply his duty! Why did I have to be so grateful and thank him so much?)

Then again, this was probably a trap meticulously designed by Akira Shimizu.

At first, they acted indifferent, refusing to budge even on the 10,000 points in the communication records.

However, at the last moment of the selection, he suddenly exerted his strength and precisely garnered four crucial votes for her before the deadline, helping her surpass Hirata Yosuke in one fell swoop.

For many years, due to her mediocre academic and physical abilities, she was never eligible for the position of class monitor.

And that time, she truly and undeniably stood on the throne of leadership.

It's so satisfying to be able to command and direct everyone in the class.

……

Ok.

She finally had to admit that Shimizu Akira's last-minute campaigning had indeed stirred up a strange feeling in her heart.

Kikyo Kushida was, after all, just a mortal.

The contrast between someone who was usually indifferent to her and someone who suddenly offered help at a crucial moment unconsciously made her feel somewhat favorably towards them.

Of course, it's not fair to say she likes him, but at least... compared to those dispensable guys in her class, Shimizu Akira's importance in her heart is subtly a little bit heavier, well! Just a little bit.

Ultimately, it was all caused by letting emotions get the better of them.

—That swimsuit photo was the first time in her life she had ever sent it to a man!

She began to carefully recall what she had just said.

Is there anything wrong with offering to pay for the date yourself?

After what happened last time, she had figured out Shimizu Akira's personality perfectly—he was the kind of person who wouldn't do anything without a benefit. The expenses during their date would naturally fall into the same category in his eyes.

She didn't want this small matter to escalate into a fight and a bitter breakup.

Thinking about it carefully, it's all the fault of those two idiots, Haruki Yamauchi and Kanji Ike!

If it weren't for them, Kikyo Kushida wouldn't have had to lower herself to ask Akira Shimizu for a date. What's the difference between that and actively offering someone a benefit?

Uh... to sum it up...

From an objective point of view, it seems...it does indeed have a bit of a free lunch feel to it.

"No more dating fees, and I don't have to pay for everything."

However, Akira Shimizu's answer was completely unexpected.

"You don't want it? You—!" Her eyes widened instantly, staring at Shimizu Akira with a look of astonishment.

What's going on? This guy!

Doesn't he always adhere to the principle of "never doing anything that doesn't benefit him"?

They're suddenly being so nice to her! She's feeling a little strange!

Akira Shimizu was taken aback, looking at her surprised expression, and was a little confused: "I think I understand now. You must be forced to go on a date with me because of the bet last month, right? Going out with you is not a bad idea, but you don't have to pay for everything, let's split the bill."

"What kind of logic is that? Even if we go on a date, I won't lose out. Why would you pay me a date fee? Besides..." Shimizu Akira waved his phone, "You've already given me enough 'benefits,' Kushida-kun. Haven't you been a little too nice to me lately? I'm starting to feel uncomfortable."

After spending this time together, Shimizu Akira had already seen through Kushida Kikyo's true nature.

Now that she thinks she has her own "dirt," she probably won't try any more tricks.

The suggestion of this date was probably just a way to shut up the classmates and put an end to that ridiculous bet from last time.

He had no reason to refuse.

After all—Kikyo Kushida is indeed a pretty good girl.

Whether it's her delicate face, her graceful figure, or that angelic disguise... it's all flawless.

Just as he had previously commented: as long as she doesn't reveal her true nature, she is a perfect angel.

What's more... she would occasionally give herself some "special perks".

Akira Shimizu couldn't help but smile.

Speaking of which, Kushida-san's attitude towards him seems to be getting better and better lately? Although it's probably just her acting.

But it must be admitted that Kushida truly deserves the title of "angel".

"...Okay, see you tonight! I'll message you the exact time." Kikyo Kushida paused slightly, then nodded with her signature sweet smile.

The moment she turned around, the perfect smile on her face instantly crumbled into a complicated expression.

(That bastard! He saw right through me that I was forced to ask him out!)

(He's so smart it makes you want to punch him!)

(What a pretentious show of generosity! Not wanting to count the money and then talking about splitting the bill... Hmph, although she is indeed a bit better than those greedy guys...)

Her expression suddenly twisted for a moment, then quickly returned to its nonchalant state.

(What do you mean "I've been really good to him lately"?! Am I really that good to him?! There's a limit to wishful thinking!)

(Giving me points wasn't my choice! As for that incident... it was purely to find something to use against him!)

Kushida quickened his pace unconsciously, as if trying to leave his troubling thoughts behind.

(That photo... okay, I admit I acted impulsively! I was really carried away that time.)

(But it was only once, I think!)

(Is he playing hard to get?! Actually, when he heard he could go on a date with me, he was incredibly excited! Hilarious!)

(Hey! Akira Shimizu, you're really going all out! Could it be that you like me?! This guy!)

(Just wait and see how I'll toy with you on our next date!)

Chapter 110: 108 Today's Information: Kikyo Kushida and Suzune Horikita went to the same junior high school.

The morning sunlight streamed into the classroom through the curtains. As soon as Shimizu Akira sat down, his retina displayed the day's news precisely at eight o'clock.

[1. Nan Yunya currently has the highest number of individual points across the entire school.]

2. Kikyo Kushida and Suzune Horikita were classmates in junior high school.

[3. Chabashira Sae was once a student in Class D of Advanced Nurturing High School. Due to a special exam before graduation, she narrowly lost to Class A and ultimately graduated in Class B.]

Akira Shimizu examined each piece of information carefully.

The first piece of information confirmed the earlier hints from Teacher Chabashira Sae and the reminders from Senior Sato.

This second-year student, Nan Yunya, is able to crush all the third-year students in terms of personal points, and her ability to amass wealth is truly astonishing.

According to Shimizu Akira's own estimation, the other party's account had at least 5000 million points, and possibly more.

This reminded him of the current student council president, Horikita Manabu.

As expected, the president's points can't compare to Nangumo Masashi's.

I remember the last time we collaborated, I offered to take a 30% cut, but he politely declined.

According to senior Sato, senior Horikita also frequently provided financial assistance to students in Class D who did not have any points.

It's safe to say that the student council president's focus is not on points at all.

Akira Shimizu's gaze darted back and forth between the second and third intelligence reports, his brows furrowing involuntarily.

Kushida and Horikita were actually junior high school classmates?

How could these two girls with such different personalities have such an intersection? The information didn't specify that they were classmates, so they are likely just in the same school but different classes.

From this perspective, it makes sense that they didn't know each other.

To be precise, it's quite possible that Horikita Suzune doesn't recognize Kushida Kikyo.

Whether Kikyo Kushida knows Suzune Horikita remains to be seen.

However... if the opportunity arises, we could try to subtly inquire about it.

I just don't know which junior high school they graduated from.

When his gaze fell on the third piece of information, Akira Shimizu almost jumped up from his seat.

What? Teacher Chabashira is in Class D? And almost graduated in Class A?

He never imagined that his always stern-faced homeroom teacher was actually a graduate of this school, let alone that she had once been just one step away from being in Class A.

That is to say...

Akira Shimizu quickly clarified his thoughts.

Did she fail her final special exam in third grade?

This discovery gave him a new understanding of Chashu Sakae.

I remember Hoshinomiya Chie once casually mentioning that she and Chabashira-sensei had been best friends since high school.

Now, she and her best friend, Ms. Hoshinomiya, have returned to their alma mater to teach after graduation, and they are even teaching a first-year class together—this is probably more than just a coincidence.

(Everyone seems to have a lot of secrets! Could it be that they all have some kind of dark history they're trying to hide?)

Akira Shimizu thought to himself silently.