Kiruyin was crouched forward, his face pressed against the vending machine glass. Face full of disbelief as his wide blue eyes stare at rows of condoms.
"... HoLy hell... sensei wasn't laying..."
Kiruyin had thought Ho-err(forgot her name) sensei was laying to distract them. But it was actually true.
"Who would have thought it? This school..."
He paned his gaze to the bustling campus full of new students. Stores, vending machine, malls. Everything one needs to live without going out.
'It's like not only structurally city like but the rules are designed in a way that mirrors real society...'
He speculated from the limited data he has. His mental image of this school's conduct is mostly complete. Only, he need to figure out the core rules. And he won't have any problem in the future when maneuvering.
But all thing said, the Point Storage card is very interesting. A clear bait to hide your wealth. Just in case. But most won't buy it because why would they do that when their smartphone does the same thing? Kiruyin won't buy one either.
Instead, he brought two Gorgia Coffee for 300 points. The cans fell with loud thuds. He picked the bottles and looked into his smart phone, and sure enough, 300 points were gone.
[Points: 99,700]
Kiruyin opened the one can and put other one in his right pocket. He took a sip and rich flavour of Coffee assaulted his tounge. Making him feel refreshed.
'I wonder how does the companies that sponsor the school make money?'
A thought suddenly emerged out of nowhere in his mind. And when he thought closer, he could understand that the companies send their products for testing as sponsor. But that has a limit. The mall, shop, vending machine, the facilities does make sense. How do they run?
Isn't this school basically a money black hole?
'Unless...!!!'
The new possibility appeared inside Kiruyin's mind that made him pause mid sip. His focus turning inward. The gears in his head turning rapidly.
His reasoning was simple. Why would anyone invest in a place with no immediate profit? Even if it was an education institution. There must be a feedback loop that ensures long term profit.
'Points...'
The only currency in this closed place.
'In other words, this is actually exchangeable in real money. The point is like crypto.'
When he reached that conclusion, everything started to make sense. How the points work. And new possibilities of it.
'But there was nothing mentioned in the guide book.'
Kiruyin frowned. Took the sip that was halted and started to walk towards the senior building. His left hand in his pocket.
'I can't help but feel like this whole point is like a big TestNet project. I'm given an amount of points at start which I can do whatever I want. I grind, complete missions. Create follow of points. And when the time comes for the crypto to lunch, I get an amount I can exchange real money for... in this logic, the points every month is like sign in bonus, but amount vary as implied by the sensei. But the follow of points are necessary to keep this economy running, so there must be ways to earn more points... only way to do that in an educational institution is through tests. So... we can get points after each test? Doesn't sound right. Given the nature of this school, that's too good and simple...'
Kiruyin walked not too fast, not too slow. Keeping up his "just bitching around" vibe. Anything less or excessive can be flagged as red flag. And he doesn't trust those cameras at all.
'But... Doesn't that mean we can exchange points after graduation? Since no contact with outside. I think that's a given chance. But early access is possible as well... probably. But what's the ratio? 0.8? 0.9? Definitely not 1 yen. If this points is like a crypto, then it will definitely be less than 1 yen. Since I never saw anything like that in the market. Or, I'm entirely wrong about everything and is just being completely delusional.'
Kiruyin reached the second floor. He had previously thought the study building was different as well since dorms were. But it seems he was just being stupid, the seniors were dancing right on top of his head(pun intended).
He felt slightly better because the logic behind his deduction was very sound. Enough to please him... for now. Even if it turned out that he was wrong later. All he needed to do was find Senior and mugg them- I mean ask them 'nicely'.
The hallway was empty with no one around. First day of the new semester is very lax for the first years but the seniors also seemed to be attending their class. Kiruyin noticed Senior classes with few seats empty.
'So, you can get expelled huh. Well, nothing new about that.'
Kiruyin accepted expulsion as the most natural thing in this school. It wasn't uncommon for schools to expell students when they fail to meet the expectations or misbehave.
Kiruyin calmly walked. His footsteps softly echoing through the hallway. Then, he found a curious bulleting board and he instantly sneaked a pic and continued walking after making sure that the pic was readable. The bulletin board has some numbers displayed.
[Class-A: 1740]
[Class-B: 940]
[Class-C: 690]
[Class-D:190]
"Hmm~"
Kiruyin hummed. He put away his phone. His mind piecing together new found data. He also noticed the overwhelming difference between Class-A and other Classes. Most probably because Class-A actually controlled other classes? The reason for such conclusion was the number of cameras in the second floor. Most of them pointed towards other Classes except Class-A.
Then if that's the case, then there are class competitions.
But the question was, what is the need for class competition if the school grantees 100% enrollment in any university?
'As expected. There is no free meal. That privilege is limited isn't it? Mostly, only members of Class-A will get that privilege. I knew this school has some serious problem.'
Kiruyin thought. Not even surprised. He calmly sipped the last bit of coffee. Got rid of the can by throwing it into a teash can and opened another one. His next destination was the third floor.
Hoping to get more intel or, more precisely, a senior to confirm things. Though he doubted the school will let the seniors speak. But it doesn't matter. Because even if they can't speak, he can.
A small smirk formed in Kiruyin's face. He arrived at the staircase, brooding so deeply that he missed the presence creeped behind him.
Kiruyin felt light tap on his left shoulder, he turned slightly startled but a finger pocked at his left cheek. Stopping his head turn.
But eyes eyes still moved and he saw a beautiful girl with chocolate brown hair and light purple eyes. Her waist-length chocolate-brown hair was adorned by a hair pin in the shape of a sunflower on the right side, along with two ordinary hair clips on the same side.
She had a playful smile on her face as she was leaning closer.
"Cute Kouhai~, I was calling you for a while~. What were you thinking so hard about that you didn't even notice your beautiful senpai! Bad Kouhai! Mmph!"
Her expression morphed from playful smile to feigned anger real quick. She folded her arms under her chest. Highlighting them.
'A senior! What luck!'
Kiruyin quickly took the cue and stammered back few steps. His confidant posture lowered slightly. Expression changing into that of a guilty person. Eyes going back and forth between the senpai infront of him and a random direction. His vibe changing into that of an embarrassed but mesmerised Kouhai.
The senpai unfolded her arms and her playful smile returned with new intensity.
'She bought it.'
Kiruyin felt relief internally. Suddenly changing vibe without much time was hard but looks like he managed to pull that off.
The senpai walked few steps forward and Kiruyin back stepped nervously. Face slightly flushed.
'Yey! Now I can actually do that. All those training weren't wasted!'
The senpai seemed to get even more aggressive and didn't stop until Kiruyin's back hit the railing. His hand suspended infront of him in futile defence.
"Are you scared Kouhai ~? Is senpai that scary?"
She asked with a sweet smile. Her voice dripping with playfulness.
"U-um. N-no! Not at all! Senpai! I actually find you very pretty- Cough! I mean. That's not- no- I- didn't- Aa- um-a the-the-the-the-"
Kiruyin's brain seemed to have stopped braining. His senpais chest almost touching.
'Damn it lady! Scoot a little closer! Lean more! Let me experience those soft, heavenly mounds! Why you bullin' me like that!?'
Outwardly, he was uncomfortable. But inwardly, he wants to be messed with. Truly a peculiar situation...
Seeming his face flushed red and incoherent articulation, the senpai stopped back with a pleased expression. Kiruyin took sip fo his coffee to wet his "dry" throat but realised it was rude, so he hid the can behind him awkwardly. Hands clasped behind his back. Eyes downcast from "embarrassment".
'God dang it! Just a little more! God! Why didn't you shake the ground or make her slip so she accidentally felt on me!? Damn it! Damn it all!! So close yet so far!!'
But internally, Kiruyin's heart was filled with regret. He couldn't help it. He never touched a women in his life. Seeing someone so beautiful get so close, almost touching, made him think he was finally going to experience the heavenly softness everyone talks about but no! The universe has other plans! Which is not beneficial to him!
He stood slightly stiff. Irritation rising. Heat rising on his face for real this time. So he can't help but take another glance at the Senpais chest and quickly looked down. She caught that and smiled.
"Soo~~? What is my cute Kouhai is doing at this hour~? Before the entrance ceremony begins ~? Oh! Look at my manners! Hehe~. I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Nazuna Asahina from Class-2A!! What's your name Cute Kouhai?"
She said with a playful laugh. Kiruyin straightened his slouched posture. His expression full of self righteous integrity and confidence.
"My name is K-Kiruyin Sakiho!! First Year!! Class-1-B!! Please to meet you Asahina-se-senpai!!"
He shouted as he introduced himself. Not daring to look at her as he started at the ceiling most of the time before ending with a slight bow, his eyes squeezed shut. His voice reverting through the quiet building.
'I hope everyone's got to the entrance ceremony ~ if someone heard it, I will have to cry myself to sleep every night!'
Embarrassment overwhelmed him. His eyes suddenly turned red.
"Hehe~. Ow~ so it's Kiruyin-kun! Such a cool name! Nene~ Kiru-kun~. Why are you here~?"
Asahina asked with her playful voice. Face showing a teasing smile.
'Finally. Thought you would never ask!'
Kiruyin felt slightly relieved. He straightened awkwardly and pulled out his phone. Making visible efforts to not look at Asahina's chest.
'Since I'm behaving like this, might as well enjoy a bit.'
"Actually. Senpai. I was looking for someone of upper grade to ask some questions regarding S-System. Sensei won't tell me about them. She is being too elusive!"
Asahina studied Kiruyin for a moment before she shook her head. Her playful expression replaced with seriousness for once.
"I can't tell you either Kouhai. I'm sorry."
'So, the upperclassmens are restricted as well. So, the interaction between grades are rare... Good. Very nice. It means I can go all out.'
Kiruyin thought. Barely holding himself back from smiling. Instead dropped his eyes a bit. Shoulders relaxed and pulled down his lips slightly. Trying to stop the smirk tat threatened to come out.
"oh~. Its fine then. Then, senpai. Can you please confirm these things a friend of mine told me? We aren't sure. You don't have to say anything... can you do that please?"
He looked at Asahina with puppy eyes. And it seemed to very effective on her. She stammered back with a shocked expression and nodded.
'Fuck! Kill me already! Shinigami!! What are you doing!? Kill me I'm here!! It's better to die now than to live!!!'
Internally, however, Kiruyin was dying out of cringe.
But he steeled his nerves. Clicked on a random post on the forum. Adding some realism. He brought up his phone to face level. So that he could study Asahina's expression better.
"So, senpai, information my friend gave me is like this. There are two types of points. Class Points and individual points. Every month, as the sensei informed us, we are supposed to get individual points based on class points. The ratio is 1:100 per class points. Class competitions are encouraged by the school. Class-A is the best while D is the worst. And..."
Asahina suddenly strode forward and snatched the phone from Kiruyin's hand. He didn't resist. Just smiled. Assured that everything he had said was correct. After analysing the bulletin board pic, he concluded that there were two types of points. The class point is something the teachers were meant to hide.
Asahina scrolled through the post with wide eyes. Her reaction seemed very cute.
Kiruyin had his hand stretch out. In the same position where his phone was snatched. He slowly put down his hand.
"I also heard that you can exchange individual points after graduation. You can get class points through special exam's. And I even heard that the entrance exam is a complete fraud and all the students that are invited to the school were already approved..."
Kiruyin stood straight. His posture radiating confidence that wasn't there before. He stretched out his hand towards Asahina who was looking at him as if she were looking at a ghost.
He took a sip. And gestured her to him his phone, which she did absent mindedly.
"... Am I missing something sen~pai~~?"
He asked with the same playful energy as Asahina. He dropped his act. There was no need for that anymore as he got his answers from reading her face.
"Maybe I'm. Because I think that class points are deducted based on our negative behaviour, class over all grades... No? ...Senpai? You still there?"
Kiruyin frowned when Asahina wasn't responding. Wondering if the shock was so great that she had some stroke. He waved his hand infront of her and she snapped out of her daze.
"You... are you a second year?"
She asked, frowning. Her voice full of unmasked disbelief.
"Nope! Honestly senpai. I was very spectacle about my deductions. But after getting confirmation from you, I feel more confident about myself and my intelligence. So, you have my deepest thanks."
Kiruyin bowed in genuine appreciation. He had thought of himself as someone ordinary. And few things he did and deducted were nothing but flucks. So, even with all the deduction he did about this school and its functionalities, he never was sure about those because he lacked the confidence to trust his own intelligence.
His heart was beating like a drum! Not only he uncovered the secret he came here to uncover, he also gained something far more valuable. He learned to trust himself a bit!
'Hahaha~. Damn!! Aren't I a damn prophet!? How could every single one of my deduction is spot on!? Fuck this school!! Fuck jobs!! I'm going to become a prophet!!'
Kiruyin was all smiles when he noticed the time in his phone. His expression quickly changed from smug to that of absolute terror. Colour drained from his face.
"I'm sorry senpai!! I need to go right now!! Or I will be late for the entrance ceremony!! A social death looming over my head!! If you want, you can find me in Class-1B!! Goodbye senpai!! See you again!! If you have time!!"
This that, he bolted down the stairs while drinking his coffee. Leaving behind a still stunned Asahina. She instinctively stretched her hand to stop him but he was long gone. Only sounds of his rapid footsteps fading downstairs echoed.
"... Did he really crack the whole school rules... within an hour of attending...? Is he by chance the chairman's secret son...?"
She murmured in disbelief. Then feeling ridiculous hearing herself.
"Even Nagumo only managed to figure out everything after three days only by buying information from a senpai... what kind of monster is that Kouhai? And what nonsense did he spout just now?"
Asahina couldn't find heads and tales of their interaction.
Honestly, it was so hard to belive that she felt that it was all just a dream. Light headedness assaulted her senses. She rubbed her face gently with both hands. Careful not to ruin the make up. Then her usual playful glint appeared on her face while she looked at the place Kiruyin was standing.
"Perhaps..."
She murmured before descending down the stairs herself...