As the students settled down, Chie Hoshinomiya tapped the blackboard with a small pointer, the sharp tap, tap echoing through the quiet room. Her tone became more serious.
"Alright, next I'm going to explain the rules you'll need to follow at this school. Please listen carefully. If any of you have trouble remembering details, feel free to use a notebook to write things down."
"But before that, let's hand out your student ID cards. Is there a student who can help me with this?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone in the class turned to look at Honami Ichinose, waiting for her to respond. They seemed to have an unspoken agreement to yield the floor to her—giving her the chance to catch the teacher's attention.
Hoshinomiya saw this and noted it mentally. As a graduate of this school herself, she understood the importance of a class leader. It seemed her class had chosen their representative very quickly this year, which was a good thing.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, I'll do it."
Living up to everyone's expectations, Honami Ichinose raised her hand and accepted the task. After receiving the teacher's approval, she quickly left her seat to begin.
In the back row, Katsuragi Ren had already finished his drawing. He rested his chin on his fist, watching the reactions of his classmates. They had no desire to compete, no intention of showing off. They had unanimously agreed to hand the spotlight to Honami Ichinose.
It was... very disappointing.
Once everyone had received their student ID, Hoshinomiya continued.
"First of all, the money you use in the outside world is useless here. You were likely told not to bring any cash when you enrolled. The currency used in this school is called 'points.' For this first month, the school has awarded one hundred thousand points to each of you."
"Points are deposited on the first of every month. The value of one point is equal to one yen," she said with a chuckle. "You can check your student cards now to see if you have one hundred thousand points. If the amount is wrong, please let me know right away so I can report the issue."
She paused, giving the students a moment to check their cards before she went on.
"During your time here, all contact with the outside world is forbidden. That includes your parents. If a genuine emergency arises, you must first speak with a teacher, who will submit the reason to the school administration for a final decision."
"And the last important rule: anything that exists within the school grounds can be purchased with points."
"That's about it. There's still some time before the opening ceremony, so feel free to chat. But keep an eye on the time and don't be late," she said. Just as she was about to leave...
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, may I ask you a few questions?"
Ignoring the surprised looks from his classmates, Katsuragi Ren stood up, stopping her just as she was about to step out the door.
"Oh? Katsuragi-kun. What's on your mind?" Hearing a student call out, Hoshinomiya returned to the podium and looked at him with narrowed eyes.
She knew his name for a simple reason. She had already memorized the names of all her future students, but this particular one had forcefully displaced another student from the list just yesterday to take their spot. How could she not notice someone with that kind of power?
"Sensei, I'd like to ask if the 'one hundred percent employment rate' mentioned in the school's introduction applies to all students," Katsuragi Ren asked, his face looking perfectly innocent. But his words were a bombshell.
"..." Hoshinomiya didn't answer. Sometimes, silence is the loudest answer.
The students in Class B weren't fools. Seeing their teacher's reaction, it was clear they understood the implication. Even if a few didn't get it, their new friends would quickly explain the situation.
"Also, Sensei, about these one hundred thousand points. Is that a fixed amount we get every month?" Katsuragi Ren asked another sharp question, snapping the students out of their excitement over the free money.
Did he not know these rules? Of course he did. But it was useless if he was the only one who knew. It was better to use this opportunity, with the teacher present, to expose the hard truth.
"My, my, Katsuragi-kun, you've put me in a tough spot. I'm sorry, but I can't answer that," she said, feigning distress. She then stuck her tongue out at him playfully.
"I understand. Thank you, Hoshinomiya-sensei." Katsuragi Ren felt that he had revealed enough of the school's hidden rules for now.
He might have been finished, but Chie Hoshinomiya was not. She was in no hurry to leave now. She sat on a small stool behind the desk, looking like she was ready to watch a good show, her eyes fixed on the calm student in the back.
She had been wrong. She thought the leader of this class would be the gentle sheep, Honami Ichinose. She never expected this wolf named Katsuragi Ren to be the first to show his teeth.
Hehe, with a wolf in the pack and a sheep at the helm... how can you compete with me this time, Little Sae?
The students, their excitement gone, all turned to look at him, waiting to see what he would say next. The whole reason they came here was for that one hundred percent employment rate. Now that they knew it wasn't a promise for everyone, anxiety naturally began to ripple through the room.
"Um... Katsuragi-kun, what did you mean by that?" a small girl with short, light-brown hair asked in a quiet voice.
Hmm... her name is Chihiro Shiranami, I think? Katsuragi Ren recalled the name from the earlier introductions.
"Shiranami-san, what do you think I meant?" Katsuragi Ren replied, his tone playful like a wolf toying with a rabbit.
"Umm..." Chihiro Shiranami was naturally timid and had previously attended an all-girls school. She had never been teased like this before. The courage she had gathered evaporated, and she whimpered as she buried her head in her arms.
"Ren-kun!"
The class's chosen leader, Honami Ichinose, spoke up at the right moment.
"What I mean is..." Katsuragi Ren dropped the playful act, his tone becoming serious.
"Everyone, I'm sorry to say this, but you've all been kidnapped by me."
Hearing Katsuragi Ren's words, a small smirk spread across Chie Hoshinomiya's face.
Little Ren, the way you hijacked the class just now was simply...
Perfect!