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First-year Class B.
Because Hoshinomiya was very late, they received the news at noon.
Most of the students in the class were used to it. After all, yesterday was Sunday, and Hoshinomiya was probably dead drunk again, which was why she was late.
Hoshinomiya, with the fatigue of a hangover, conveyed the class meeting content to everyone.
At first, everyone in the class was happy that Class B got 870 class points, but when they heard the homeroom teacher say that the points would be delayed due to a dispute, the smiles on their faces faded, and they inevitably felt a little disappointed.
This was like how working adults disliked their regular salaries suddenly being delayed. For these students, the meaning of private points was actually no different from a salary.
"Delayed? What kind of dispute is it because of?"
Hoshinomiya pinched her temples. "The student council is still investigating the specific details, but..." She paused, her gaze sweeping across the class. "It's not just our class whose points are delayed this time, it's all first-year classes!"
The classroom immediately erupted into an uproar.
"Not just Class B? Could Class A also be..."
"It couldn't be those people from Class C again, could it!"
For Class B, the incident of being entangled by Class C for several days last month was still vivid in their minds.
If Ichinose hadn't asked the upperclassmen from the boxing club to intervene, Class C would never have let Class B go so easily.
Following this logic, this matter was most likely Class C's doing again.
"...As a homeroom teacher, I also know very little. Ugh~..." Hoshinomiya suddenly covered her mouth, showing a nauseous, about-to-vomit expression.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei, since the class meeting is over, you should go back and rest first." Ichinose, seeing the teacher's pale face, immediately stood up and walked forward, carefully supporting her.
"Ah... Thank you, Ichinose-chan." Hoshinomiya was helped to stand straight, her steps still a little wobbly. "Just help me to the door, okay."
Her voice was thick with a nasal tone, and she stumbled every two steps.
Ichinose softly agreed, half-supporting and half-escorting Hoshinomiya to the classroom door, but she suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"You remember what I told you last month, right? About 'that classmate' from Class D being expected to transfer to Class B!"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei... I haven't discussed this with my classmates yet..." Ichinose quickly lowered her voice in response, her tone carrying a hint of difficulty.
"You're really stubborn, you know everyone in this class listens to you."
"How could that be? I've never had dictatorial thoughts!"
"Alright, alright, then why didn't you do anything last month?"
"Last month we had midterm exams! I didn't want to affect everyone because of this, leading to someone facing the risk of expulsion!"
"Then this month, you should... uh..." Hoshinomiya wanted to say something more, but a strong urge to vomit surged up again, and she instinctively covered her mouth.
"Alright, alright, Hoshinomiya-sensei, don't say another word! Hurry back and rest, I'll take care of this matter!" Ichinose quickly patted her back to help her breathe. "After school, I'll buy you some really effective hangover medicine!"
"..." Hoshinomiya nodded sharply, raised her hand and patted her ample chest, signaling that she was fine and didn't need any more support.
Ichinose still watched her with a hint of worry until the stumbling figure gradually disappeared around the corridor corner, then she let out a soft sigh and turned to walk back into the classroom.
She met the worried gazes of the entire class.
"Don't worry everyone, the teacher is just still recovering from a hangover." She smiled gently, trying to reassure everyone. "Regarding the delayed points, I'll try to find out the specific situation from the student council. Everyone, please just focus on class for now."
"Ichinose, this matter probably has something to do with Class C."
"Exactly, the source of the math exam answers last time pointed to Class C, didn't it? They definitely have problems!"
"You have to be extra careful, after all, this time... the upperclassmen from the boxing club probably won't help again."
"What a shame! We can't send you the class funds this time!"
Everyone spoke one after another, their words full of concern for their class representative.
"Mhm, mhm..."
Ichinose nodded subconsciously and slowly walked back to her seat.
Being trusted by her classmates like this naturally warmed her heart, but this heavy expectation sometimes transformed into invisible pressure on her shoulders.
She lightly pressed her fingertips to her temples, and began to silently plan her next steps.
'I need to go to the student council first to confirm why the points are delayed.'
'Also, Hoshinomiya-sensei mentioned last month about inviting Shimizu-kun to join Class B! I also need to discuss that thoroughly with my classmates.'
'And Class C, I must pay close attention! Last month they targeted Class B, and it's possible their target has now changed to Class D, or even Class A.'
The more Ichinose thought about it, the more something felt off, and she couldn't help but wonder—could the source of this dispute be a conflict between Class C and another class?
From her personal standpoint, she really wanted to help.
After all, Class B had suffered at the hands of Class C last month, and if it weren't for the boxing club upperclassmen's help, the consequences would've been unimaginable.
Thinking this, she opened her phone and sent a thank you message to that upperclassman.
{No need for thanks, I actually have something I want to ask of you.}
{Last month you used being busy with studies as an excuse to escape, but don't think you can slip away this time.}
{How about you go on a date with that cute male kouhai from our club?}
{I already arranged this with him a long time ago, but you've been dragging your feet for a month.}
{Ichinose, you wouldn't want to see your senpai, me, break her word, be looked down upon by kouhais, and make a fool of herself, would you?}
{If this doesn't work out, my boyfriend will be disappointed in me! We might have a cold war the next day, break up the day after, and in another week, his boxing club will fall apart!}
Ichinose was suddenly at a loss.
She felt that this upperclassman was probably exaggerating to pressure her into agreeing.
But what if? If she really refused, would it truly affect the relationship between the upperclassman and her boyfriend? Moreover, she knew in her heart that she indeed owed the boxing club a great favor.
{Don't worry, my kouhai Shimizu is very handsome. I'll tell you a secret, my boyfriend has already decided to let him participate in this month's boxing club exhibition match.}
{The two managers of the boxing club also praise him endlessly. He often arrives early to the club to help them move water, equipment, and so on.}
{Do you think I'd let you suffer a loss?}
Ichinose couldn't help but rub her temples, feeling overwhelmed.
But when she looked closely at one of the chat records, she suddenly froze—the person mentioned was Shimizu-kun?!
Why Shimizu again?!
She knew quite a few people, but in her memory, among all four first-year classes, there were only two people named Shimizu—Shimizu Naoki from Class A, and Shimizu Akira from Class D.