"It sounds like a big difference, but in reality, it's pretty much the same."
Alistair listened to Nina Tsubakihara's introduction to the academy's situation and felt it was just a typical girls' school, with a few additions like etiquette classes and a special religious class. Aside from the 'Twilight Hour,' it was practically the same as this Sakura Public Academy, except perhaps for the lack of men's restrooms?
"You might feel there's no difference from your school, but that's assuming you were a girl. Actually, even we girls don't have it easy; we just deal with more exhausting social struggles. As for the boys, they are uncomfortable in every aspect. If you just want to have fun, I think your school is better."
Nina Tsubakihara shook her head, seeing Alistair's increasingly indifferent expression.
"Every aspect? Aside from the people Kannon-zaka brings, what else is troublesome?"
Alistair was curious. Regarding teaching materials and equipment, there should have been improvements, right? This was the third year male students had been admitted. There couldn't have been no improvements at all. As an aristocratic school, they had to maintain appearances, right? Like Sakura Public Academy, the underlying reality might be flawed, but the school's facade must be well-maintained.
For example, the classrooms and various equipment are usually renovated and replaced frequently. Aside from most of the students being subpar, there was nothing else to criticize, which was one reason why the school rarely lacked students. Some people judge a school's quality by its appearance, so this perpetually 'new' school was a good school in their eyes, and they naturally enrolled their children.
Moreover, since it was a 'public' school, most official expenditures were reimbursed by the government, so they could afford to renovate freely. Ahem, most of the 'leaders' were actually government officials, and they usually didn't interfere unless there was a major incident, which is why the underlying structure remained flawed but not entirely broken.
St. Lux Academy, as an aristocratic girls' school, shouldn't lack money for renovations. If male students were to spread negative rumors, the school's reputation would be ruined. For a school, reputation is far more valuable than money, especially for a wealthy private aristocratic school.
"First, there's the atmosphere. Even after two years, the school atmosphere is still not friendly towards boys. If you enter, you will attract quite a bit—no, a considerable amount—of attention from the girls."
Nina Tsubakihara sized up Alistair. She had to admit that his type was indeed favored by a considerable number of girls. Including herself, she wanted to develop a relationship with Alistair. Her continuous help in informing him about the school was partly genuine assistance, but also partly a desire to boost her likeability in Alistair's eyes.
"A considerable amount? Haven't they seen boys before? That can't be right, they should have seen them in the first year boys were admitted?"
Alistair was a little confused. Would he attract that much attention? Was his identity as a male exchange student that rare?
"No, it's simply because you're good-looking. Also, let me warn you, some of the rich girls might try to 'buy' you with money. You need to be psychologically prepared and absolutely must not agree, or they will play with you until you wish you were dead."
Nina Tsubakihara recalled a good-looking commoner male student who agreed to their advances under the temptation of large sums of money. He ended up traumatized and psychologically scarred. She didn't want Alistair to follow the same path. Since most students at this school were commoners, and Alistair's attire didn't suggest a wealthy family, they might inevitably have such ideas. So, she advised him sincerely.
'Buy'? Isn't that being a sugar baby for a rich woman, or rather, a rich girl? There's such a good thing?
"It's fine. My family actually has some assets. It won't come to selling myself like that."
Alistair smiled and stated that he wouldn't sell himself for money.
To be honest, Alistair was quite tempted. That was being a sugar baby! What man could refuse a bowl, or even many bowls, of sweet, comforting, soft rice? And this soft rice was offered by a rich girl. This was Ri-Anime (The Underworld of Anime); essentially, any character set up as a rich young lady is almost certainly attractive, with a starting appearance of at least 'delicate.' With such a large student body, there must be some exceptionally beautiful ones, right?
Who could refuse soft rice handed over by a beautiful, well-figured rich girl?
This isn't selling myself for money; it's pursuing an ideal!
If he found someone he liked, letting that rich girl 'buy' him for a while wouldn't be out of the question (he smiled to himself).
"That's good. Also, a reminder: some of them play quite rough. Since they haven't seen many boys, they are very curious about the male body. It might not start rough, but after a while, I heard things like hot wax and butt plugs will be introduced. That one male student was ruined that way. He didn't even make it to the third year, dropping out in the second. However, to cover up this 'scandal,' the girls' families paid a substantial amount of hush money. If he uses it sparingly, he could barely live the rest of his life at home, but his life was essentially destroyed."
As she spoke, Nina Tsubakihara's expression grew somewhat strange. The level of play was a bit perverse, touching on BDSM territory. She had the chance to see the male student a few times; although she couldn't see his body, his neck had faint hickeys and pinch marks, and there were unexplained marks around his mouth. It genuinely stunned her. Rich people really knew how to play.
What the hell? Hot wax? Isn't that straight-up BDSM play? Will they use a steel wool scrubber on his dick too? According to Nina Tsubakihara, those rich girls were 'curious' about the male body, so they definitely wouldn't spare the distinct male organ. If hot wax was involved, something like a steel wool scrubber on the dick must be included, right?
No way, no way. That kind of soft rice is not something an ordinary person can handle. Even though Alistair's dick was amazing, it couldn't withstand that kind of damage. Day and night use was fine, but steel wool? No thanks.
"That sounds like a pervert. It can't be that everyone is like that, right?"
Alistair felt cold sweat break out on his forehead. With so many people, they couldn't all be perverts, could they? There must be normal people among them.
"It's not everyone, just a few. The rest have also sought out other boys. To this day, a few boys are still 'long-term held' by some girls. However, their health is concerning. Aside from that, they are the ones who live the best lives because those girls protect them, so they don't have much trouble, and with their financial support, they live quite well."
Nina Tsubakihara said, her tone somewhat complex.
"Then, could you 'long-term hold' me to help me avoid trouble?"
Alistair suddenly thought, if he outwardly claimed that Nina Tsubakihara had 'bought' him, could he avoid those troubles? After all, Nina Tsubakihara was the Vice President; surely no one would bother him except Kannon-zaka?
"W-w-w-what? You want me to 'buy' you? Uh, no, you mean announce that publicly to help you solve your trouble?"
Nina Tsubakihara was startled when Alistair first said that, stammering for a moment before calming down and understanding Alistair's meaning.
"Yes."
Alistair nodded. Based on the information he had, this was the best possible solution he could think of.
"But given my image at school, that's nearly impossible. And they can all check. My family only has moderate assets. I couldn't possibly have enough extra pocket money to 'buy' you. According to the price they secretly set, your 'price' for one month is at least this amount."
Nina Tsubakihara held up two fingers.
"Is that... two hundred thousand yen?"
Alistair asked, looking at Nina Tsubakihara's fingers. Two hundred thousand yen was roughly Mina's two-month living allowance, including various expenses, before meeting him. Mina's family was considered middle class in this area. Alistair felt this was quite high, as only his money came easily; everyone else earned theirs through work.
"Two hundred thousand? Heh. It's two million yen!" (Calculating based on 100 yen equals 5 RMB, this is a significant amount in this region.)
Nina Tsubakihara chuckled, stating a number that was very large for this area.
Two million yen? Holy crap! In Japan, the average salaryman's monthly income is only around two hundred thousand yen, only reaching three hundred thousand after about five years of work. He didn't expect his 'price tag' to be ten times the average salaryman's monthly income. Was it that absurd?
Alistair's face showed clear shock.
"You have to understand the concept of an aristocratic school. A few hundred thousand yen is just pocket money they have readily available. And they often don't monopolize a boy; they share him. So, when they split the cost, it becomes a very cheap price for those rich girls."
Nina Tsubakihara explained, looking at Alistair.
Indeed, St. Lux Academy wasn't located in the city's outskirts; it was properly within the city limits. Although still a relatively fringe area, it was 'city proper.' According to the city's standards, even Alistair's current status, counting his apartment and company, only ranked as middle class, and that was with the company giving him a big boost.
So, splitting a two-million-yen cost wouldn't be too much pressure. And at that price point, the number of people willing to share would surely be quite large. Perhaps the shared cost would even be cheaper than the fees for the previous male students.
Speaking of which, is this why girls need to be raised richly? It's really... rich...