I'm in a real religion, why are all the people who confess to me girls?

After all, Shibata had often heard of things like deliberately selling a product at a low price and then taking a cut of the profit. Although he didn't believe Ichinose would do such a thing, reality was right in front of him, and all the clues pointed to Ichinose.

"Then why can't someone else buy it? Maybe there will be an even higher price."

Seeing that Shibata was still persisting, Ichinose sighed softly.

"Sigh, it seems you still haven't understood what I mean, Shibata. The only person in the entire school who can afford the 20 million personal points you mentioned to buy this item is Amane. So the question is, why would she want to buy this item? You don't actually think Amane's strength is insufficient to compete for a spot in Class A, do you?"

"Even if they don't make it to Class A in the end, don't forget that the entire class needs to agree to use that tool. Do you think those losers would allow someone to escape early? No, they wouldn't allow their classmates to have a better ending than them. That's jealousy, that's human nature."

"Shibata-kun, now you know why Ryuen was so generous in giving us this 20 million point item after Class C had all their points from the One-Man Showdown, right? It's because this is a useless item that will cause chaos in the class. No one except Amane, who doesn't care, would choose to buy it just to 'use' it. You need to understand this logic."

Ichinose's words left Shibata ashen-faced; he had never imagined that this matter involved so many different aspects.

The seemingly generous Class C actually wanted to use Class D to create unstable factors and cause trouble for other classes.

Tianyin, who seemed to have gotten a great deal, was essentially just doing someone a favor.

But the biggest beneficiaries are...they?

The biggest beneficiaries were actually Class D?

How could such an outrageous thing happen?

No, there's someone who can afford a price higher than five million points, and it's someone who urgently needs the product and also has the necessary conditions to use it.

"What about Koenji? He also acquired a batch of points. Even if he doesn't have as many as Miyako, he definitely has five million points. Besides, Horikita has already allowed him to use this item. Why don't you go and discuss it with Koenji?"

As soon as Shibata spoke, Kanzaki scoffed.

"Hey, you've already been exposed? Someone like you still wants to be an inside man? You're really underestimating us, aren't you?"

Kanzaki's words caused Shibata's expression to change.

"Kanzaki!!! I've had enough of your provocative behavior from the sidelines. Didn't you and I both do wrong things? So what right do you have to mock me and smear me? If we have to say there's an inside man, don't you think your current divisive behavior is more like that of an inside man?"

"Ichinose, look, this guy's really getting into character. I can't take it anymore, I need a break. You should explain things to him."

Kanzaki exaggeratedly clutched his stomach and walked to the side.

Shibata looked at Ichinose, who had taken a step toward him, with a puzzled expression.

"Come closer to my ears"

Ichinose waved cutely to Shibata.

Thinking Ichinose was about to whisper something, Shibata leaned in to listen.

"Hey... Shibata-kun, how did you know that Horikita agreed to let Koenji use this item?"

Got it!

Shibata snapped out of his daze. Only then did he realize why Kanzaki had reacted so strongly. This matter was definitely an internal discussion within Class B. How could he possibly know so much about it? Moreover, it involved personal interests. Would Koenji really leak this information to him? What a joke!

Shibata's mind raced, and he immediately came up with a universal answer.

"I heard the news from Class B."

"But... when Koenji and Horikita were negotiating, only Horikita, Koenji, Ayanokouji, and Amane were present. Would Horikita and Koenji have leaked the information to you, or... would Amane have told you about this? Shibata-kun, you really disappoint me."

Ichinose said this with a smile on his face.

Shibata's heart sank to the bottom.

He can stubbornly insist that he heard the news, but would Ichinose believe it now? If he were in a different position, he probably would have exposed the traitor long ago.

"I'm sorry, it's normal that there are many things you don't know. Before I pursue your responsibility for becoming Ayanokouji's loyal dog without my permission, let me first explain why I didn't choose Koenji."

Ichinose gently patted Shibata's cheek, then sat down at the tea table by the window where people could sit and drink tea.

"Admittedly, Koenji has the perfect conditions, but you need to think about this: even if you get the points from Koenji, do you have the ability to spend them? Originally, without this item, it would have been impossible for Koenji to leave Class B. He couldn't possibly have accumulated 20 million personal points. But the item we sent made it possible. If you were Horikita, could you tolerate the other party turning your trump card into a time bomb?"

A crazed expression appeared on Ichinose's face.

"No way! Absolutely no one would allow such blatant sabotage. So what will D class face? I'm confident I won't be a weakness in B class's relentless attacks, but what about you? I wouldn't be surprised if Tianyin wanted to get rid of you, no matter how many of you were expelled. Can you accept that outcome? To face bullying, humiliation, or even expulsion for a mere number of points... Can you bear the cost of losing everything?"

Faced with Ichinose's stern questioning, Shibata gritted his teeth but remained silent.

Emotionally, he thought Ichinose was being far too malicious; but rationally, he knew Ichinose was simply repeating a harsh reality.

"Next, I can tell you some things you don't know. I actually know everything. You, Himeno, and Horikita teamed up to overthrow me... Himeno betrayed me and sided with me, while also hooking up with Amane and becoming Amane's pawn. Even you became Ayanokoji's pawn. Oh... and there's Shiranami. Perhaps you don't know, but Shiranami is actually Ryuen's pawn. You all think I'm just a simple-minded idiot, right? I know. You think that by hiding in the shadows and plotting, I, who only treats others kindly, can't see you... If that's really what you think of me, then I can only say... Shibata Hayate, you're not worthy of the title 'male version of Ichinose'."

Ichinose jumped off the table, a flash of ruthlessness crossing her eyes.

"Because... I'm really powerful, you know. I've said it more than once: the weak have their own way of fighting, but you just don't believe me. You insist on finding the so-called path of the strong, and what's the result? You can't even lift a finger from my palm, yet you want to overthrow me? It's ridiculous. You can ask me anything you want to know. I don't mind recording our conversation as a first gesture of sincerity to Ayanokouji, and sharing some secrets with you. So, where shall we begin?"

"How about we start by deliberately letting you guys play me for a fool, ultimately causing Bai Bo to be expelled from school? That's my proudest beginning!"

Chapter 9: The Simple-Minded Honami

Ignoring Shibata's shock, Ichinose began to recount the beginning of the turmoil in Class B.

It all seemed to begin with a complete coincidence.

Ishizaki and his two friends bullied Shiraha, but by sheer coincidence they encountered Amane, and unsurprisingly, they were defeated by her.

In order to save his classmate Ryuen, he specifically sought out Ichinose, hoping to get Shiranami to change his testimony in exchange for 100 class points.

Everything is filled with reason and coincidence.

But is that really the case?

In Ichinose's view, this was nothing more than a trap meticulously planned by Ryuen and Shiranami.

Ichinose traced the origin of the matter back to a long time. At first, she thought it was because she rejected Shiranami's confession, and he had feelings of hatred due to love. If that was the case, Ichinose would inevitably feel a little guilty.

But... it turned out that things weren't like that at all.

She learned from someone in her class that Bai Bo had been in private contact with Long Yuan as early as after the first time Long Yuan harassed her.

This puts Bai Bo's confession in jeopardy.

The reason is simple: if Shiraha chose to confess because she genuinely liked Ichinose, then she wouldn't have participated in Ryuen's subsequent actions, unless Shiraha judged that her actions would be helpful to Class B at the time, which is why she agreed to Ryuen's request.

What if, from another perspective, Shiraha's confession was meticulously planned by him? Perhaps it was mixed with some personal emotions. After Ichinose rejected Shiraha's confession, Shiraha could use it as an excuse to convince himself, or use Ichinose's guilt to influence Ichinose's decision.

As for why Ichinose noticed Shiranami's unusual behavior at the time...

That's because after Ichinose relayed Ryuen's conditions, Ichinose met with Shirahami alone. However, Shirahami showed no gratitude for Amane's help and readily agreed to cooperate with Ichinose in framing Amane, as if he knew in advance that such a thing would happen.

Although she sensed something was wrong, Ichinose didn't do anything because, to be honest, Amane hadn't shown her strength at the time. In her eyes, Amane was someone she could be a friend. But if she had to choose between the class and a friend, Ichinose could only 'follow' everyone's opinion and choose to frame Amane.

However, it all started with this decision.

When Tenon started to show her 'strength' halfway through, Ichinose realized something was wrong. There was a traitor among them, as well as people with ill intentions.

Everyone agrees that Ichinose is the perfect benefactor who can unite everyone in Class B, but there is always one problem that is overlooked.

That is... what Ichinose is planning to do by uniting them together.

Is it purely for defense? Impossible!

Therefore, countless pieces of information, like snowflakes, were gathered from within Class B or from students in other classes and brought to Ichinose.

Ichinose's immense popularity and ability to unite people made her the most well-informed person, but there were always people who wanted to bully her, thinking she was just a hopelessly naive fool who couldn't hear or see.

For example, Shibata, and for example... Himeno.

For example... Bai Bo.

How did Tianyin obtain the chat logs circulating within Class B at that time? It's quite ridiculous.

Himeya actually took a screenshot and sold the photo to Amane at a high price.

Doesn't this seem reasonable? After all, points are very important to everyone.

However, Himeno is a student in Class B, and she has more than 70,000 personal points to spend each month. Although she can only receive a uniform amount each month because the points are all entrusted to Ichinose for safekeeping, it is not enough for some people.

In other words, if Hime had a perfectly good excuse to complete this deal with Amane, then he would be sorely mistaken.

Doesn't Hime know that this is crucial evidence that could lead to Class B's defeat? If she doesn't betray Class B, she will be one step closer to Class A. So what is she after? Is something so important really worth only 100,000 personal points? Is it worth trading it for the potential ruin of her reputation?

At first, Ichinose was also a little confused, but after she secretly turned Himeno to the other side, everything became clear.

This deal was scripted from the start. Horikita and Shibata reached an agreement: Horikita would help Amane obtain evidence of B-Class's crimes, while Shibata wanted to damage Ichinose's prestige. The two hit it off immediately, which led to Hime deliberately acting out of place to attract Amane's attention.

Although Ichinose was somewhat passive at the beginning, when she discovered that Shibata and Himeno were trying to sabotage from within, she decided to make an example of them.

She is a leader, not a philanthropist.

As a result, Ichinose lost this game in an innocent manner, while Shiranami was forced to drop out of school.

Shirabo was genuinely scared in the end, without a doubt. She left after slapping Ichinose, presumably to go find Ryuen, but... a pawn that has lost its value is no different from trash.

Ichino thought this would make Himeno and Shibata behave themselves, but to Ichino's surprise, Himeno actually tried to incite the classmates' hostility towards Ichino.

Shibata made no attempt to conceal his desire for power.

"Is being a leader really that easy, Shibata-kun?"

In order to enjoy their performance, Ichinose simply chose to step back and give power to Shibata to experience it to the fullest.

He was made the leader for a while, but what good did it do? Even if she was studying alone in the dormitory, the hearts of the whole class were still under her control.

why?

Why is it that even Ryuen, Katsuragi, and Hirata acknowledge that "Ichinose is a leader who can unite everyone," yet the people in her own class never believe it? Do they think the stable environment is because Ryuen and the others are kind?

It's ridiculous. Without her, Class B is like a sandcastle on the beach, which would be destroyed by the slightest storm.

But some people just don't believe it. They think that Ichinose's gentleness will eventually kill everyone. They think that Ichinose has eroded everyone's personality. He keeps bewitching the students in the class by waving the banner of freedom and liberating individuality.

But...but...

Is it possible that this girl named Ichinose's gentleness hasn't killed everyone? Is it also possible that the reason everyone seems to have been assimilated is simply because Ichinose can come up with better decisions while the others have chosen to give up thinking?

As for the change in personality, Ichinose truly felt that she was wronged. In a group where there is no need to worry about the external environment, wouldn't class social interaction become the most important choice?

What is the social environment like in this country?

If the blame for how everyone's personalities are gradually eroded by the social rules of this society is placed on Ichinose, then she has nothing to say.

From the moment Shibata revealed his claws, Ichinose decided to play this game called despair with him.

Chapter 10: Actually, I'm a chess player too

While it's not impossible to play games alone, it's hard to enjoy games alone, and games with two people can be a bit boring because when only two people are playing, they are more likely to care about 'winning or losing'.

Ichinose's purpose in starting this game was not to determine who won or lost.

Because internal strife within the class is itself a failed decision.

Whatever he does after making a failed decision is wrong.

The game was flawed from the start, but who should pay the price for that mistake? Is it Ichinose Honami who deliberately started this game that destroyed Class B, or Shibata, who wanted to seize power and create a free class where everyone could be distinct and not become a substitute for others, who should bear this responsibility?

The answer is simple.

"Of course, Shibata-kun has to pay the price for this game, since he's the only one who profited! Hmm? What did he learn? He learned a lesson, of course, hehe."

So Ichinose pulled Kanzaki into the game, while also turning Shibata's capable subordinate Himeno to the other side. In the end, she even maintained a good relationship with Amane in private and deliberately let Horikita know about it.

Horikita will definitely try to instigate Shibata with her own selfish motives. Although Shibata considers herself and Horikita to be both Go players, it is clear that their strengths are not on the same level. Therefore, Horikita believes that she is the real Go player and Shibata is just a pawn that can interfere with Class B.

Little did they know, Ichinose had been watching this fascinating game of Go from beginning to end.

The fact that Horikita betrayed Sakura Ichinose tells us what kind of person Horikita is. To be precise, Ichinose is actually quite similar to Horikita. Ichinose doesn't think she has the right to judge Horikita, but there is one thing that Ichinose thinks is much better than Horikita.

That means she's not really immoral.

Shibata had no idea that the photo he used as his biggest weapon to restrain Horikita actually no longer existed. When Kanzaki handed the photo to Ichinose, Ichinose destroyed it all. Ichinose even checked Kanzaki's phone to make sure there were no remnants before she was relieved.

As for why this was done...

"A victory achieved at the expense of a girl's innocence... I'd rather not have such an ugly victory. The weak have their ways of surviving, but that doesn't mean they can be unscrupulous or trample on others' dignity at will. Once you cross the line of morality, you'll find that you'll only be looked down upon even more. Because the strong have the strength to back up their ruthless choices, and their code of conduct is based on reason. The weak, on the other hand, are just making excuses for their incompetence by choosing unscrupulous means... Have you learned this, Shibata-kun?"

On the deserted island, Ichinose no longer watched the game as an observer, but instead participated in the game as a piece herself.

In this game, she saw what true strength is.

What is a true strong person?

Amane could have easily tormented them, made fun of the people in Class B like monkeys, and then mocked them, these losers, to her heart's content.

When Class B was about to fail, they actually wanted to give her a chance.

Not only did they tell her that the key card had been changed, they also wanted her to change the key card holder by leaving the island.

Ichinose was so moved at that moment that she almost cried.