The sun was slowly setting in the horizon, painting the world with its red light. The world danced with mesmerising glow of red. The sea undulated gently while reflecting the desorted reflection of the setting sun.
Wind blew softly after the intense heat of the day. Trying to cool the world.
Aizawa Nakashima said goodbye to her club mates for the day and took her usual route, where she goes to buy instant noodles before going to her dorm room. She avoided cafes and restaurants because it reminds her of her miserable situation. To save points, she barely has anything decent throughout the week.
Aizawa walked with her head down. Her thoughts wandering when she noticed the clamours atmosphere around her. The new students were chatting and enjoying their life.
She was just life them when she first arrived. Thinking that the school was heaven. But it didn't take long for it to turn into a mental pressure cooker very long.
She couldn't help but feel pity for these kouhais.
Thinking about kouhais, she suddenly remembered a handsome Kouhai who approached her. He sweet talked many information out of her about her private life. And she didn't even notice that she was basically spilling out everything to a kouhai until she was left alone. She realised that he used her mental state to get information about her.
Though she felt a bit uncomfortable but it wasn't that bad after all. Her frustration that had build up for a while had also lessened. Even if he had anterior motives, he still listened to her ranting very attractively and offered advice. Which she was greatful for.
And before they separated, he said that he had some business with her the next time he approached her. And it will be beneficial for both of them.
She understood instantly that he wants to buy information from her. But she was a bit reluctant because if they got caught, heavy penalty will be given.
The rules were just for show from the school. After spending almost three years in this school, she understood that the school was basically telling them to do sneaky business.
But she still felt a bit anxious. What if someone from her class found her? What if they found her with many points? What if they suspected her and reported her?
These thoughts clung to her for past few days, making her appear gloomier. That kouhai didn't say when he will approach her again. She didn't want to admit it but her nerves were on constant alert.
As she was lost in thoughts about the mysterious kouhai who seemed to have figured out the whole school even before the first month was over, she arrived near the convince store she passes by every day.
She involuntarily looked up and her eyes widened in astonishment. She slowly stopped in her tracks, mesmerised. Her gaze locked onto a figure leaning against the railing and looking at the sea over his shoulder. Wind softly tussled his soft and silky black hair. His creamy white skin glowed under the light of the setting sun.
His serene, deep ocean blue eyes gazed at the sea. His expression unreadable. He looked like a figured who came out of the painting.
Aizawa snapped out of her daze and felt heat rising on cheeks. Her heart was beating fast. She patted her chest and took deep breaths to calm her ragng heart down.
Kiruyin who was gazing at the sea noticed Nakashima-senpai standing there, patting her chest. He was confused for a second.
Does she has asthma? Didn't seem like it. It wasn't what mattered right now so he left it at that. He smiled slightly and waved at her. She looked around cautiously before hesitantly coming over.
'Bingo!'
Seeing her reaction, Kiruyin was now 100% sure that he chose the right person. He can swiftly get information he wants. And maybe more then intended, depending on the situation.
The reason being, Nakashima-senpai seemed to be putting up a brave front, likely already calculating what she could get from here. If his offer was good she would certainly accept it.
But Kiruyin needed to find an optimal price where she is satisatified and also he can recover the amount he spent very quickly. Within 2 months window frame at best.
So the budget is 200,000 Individual Points for this negotiation. He would like to start with 50,000. To make her give some other useful information that will make the 200,000 worth it.
From what he had observed of Aizawa Nakashima, she will try to score big if he starts small. So when he presents the 200,000 Individual Points offer, she will likely fold and spill out all the information about the vication.
'A perfect plan. Hehe~.'
Nakashima walked upto Kiruyin and leaned on the railing. Looking at the see. Kiruyin didn't turn to look at the sea. Instead he kept a vigilant eye on the surrounding. If he saw anyone he recognised as trouble, he will postpone the deal.
But he noticed Nakashima-senpai sniffing the air a bit too much. Not loud enough for people to notice but with his hearing, he could hear her take in wafts of air perfectly.
'Does she really has asthma?'
He couldn't help but think but then realised that it was him who was the problem.
"Senpai. Is my perfume bothering you?"
"N-no... its just a bit strong... what brand is it?"
She talked in a cautious manner. But Kiruyin saw the effort to make herself comfortable. In other words, she was very much inclined towards making a deal with him.
"I'm sorry, I don't usually read company name but this perfumes name is Majmua."
"Majmua...? Its not from our country is it?"
"No. Its a Indian perfume. Majmua literally means mixed. I just wore it few minutes ago because I was going to meet you but~... it seemed like I caused trouble for you instead. Hehe~. Sorry senpai."
"Nono. Its fine. Its just that the scent is rather strong and I've never experienced it before... actually, I like strong scent. Just don't have the courage to use it because..."
"Other girls may talk bad if you do because strong scent isn't feminine is it?"
"...Yes."
A silence fell between them before Kiruyin's soft laugh broke it. Nakashima-senpai laughed as well. Easing the tension.
'Okay~ homie~.'
Kiruyin smirked internally because he managed to get Nakashima-senpai comfortable and relaxed. The reason he used such strong perfume was just for that. Previously when he talked with her, he had smelled rather strong perfume for a woman from her.
Despite her personality. Meaning she either likes strong perfume or uses it as psychological armour. But he didn't think she used it as an armour. She had friends. Not that of an introvert. Meaning she genuinely like strong scent.
So he used a strong scent to get her attention and break any awkwardness between them. And he succeeded rather easily.
Now even if he hit her with business, she will be comfortable enough to think straight.
"Senpai. I won't waste your precious time. I would like to buy information regarding the special exam or exams that will take place in the summer vication."
He said in a low voice. Making sure that he wasn't too loud or low that she couldn't hear. He purposely pit her on a spot by saying "wasting your time" to make her think faster.
Because she and him both knows that her time is mostly free but by putting her on the spot, she will subconsciously try to keep up with the image.
Thus, putting a subconscious pressure that won't effect her thinking but will act like an oppressive vector through out the negotiation. Making the likely hood of a favourable outcome to Kiruyin.
Nakashima stiffened and looked at Kiruyin's smiling face in horror. She previously got the feeling that he had got the school figured out and wanted to buy information regarding S-System, but never in her wildest dreams would she have thought that a first year would try to buy information regarding spacial exam. And he sounded so sure.
Looking at Nakashima-senpai's reaction, Kiruyin was now sure that there were one or more special exam's in the cruise ship. Asahina-senpai denied outright. But he knew from their interaction that they were such a thing. Her reaction was rather strong.
Nakashima looked around again. Then said in a voice that was trying it's best to not sound shaken.
"Don't you think this place is too dangerous for something like that?"
'Sold!'
Kiruyin internally celebrated because he knew for a fact that this senpai was bagged and he could put this operation to a rest and he wouldn't have to work anymore.
'Bed my love!! I'm coming!!!'
Feeling energised, Kiruyin put tight leads on his expression and vibe he was giving off. Making sure to not give out any possible trigger for the negotiation to fail.
"This is the perfect place for it senpai. I chose this place specifically. Here, we would look like a senpai and kouhai talking and enjoying the sea. And if your worrying about your classmates, don't worry about it. I've told everyone the same thing. So they will be busy like you were, thinking when I will approach them rather then notice anomaly in your behaviour even if you slip. They will be feeling too guilty to look att others. And by the time they settle down, you will already have your behaviour sorted out. Hehe~."
Kiruyin explained his reason with a bright smile. His curled lips revealed his white teeth slightly. Making his smile very enticing.
"You even have the rules figured out... and you sound so sure that I will agree... sigh~. Am I that seasy to read?"
Nakashima, mesmerised by both his smile and intelligence and just sighed. She dropped her vigilance. Since he already knew she would agree, she just wanted to get a good deal out of it so she could spend her remaining days in this school eating good food.
"So? How much are you willing to pay?"
"Depends on how much are you willing to let out. And for context, I already know about the island exam. So you won't get any value for that senpai~."
Kiruyin said sweetly which earned an irritated tounge click from Nakashima. She wasn't even surprised anymore. This kouhai was dangerous. And she couldn't help but feel that she was being played.
But she didn't have any evidence to prove it. But regardless, she didn't care if she was being played, if she got a good amount of points, everything will seize to matter.
Kiruyin confirmed that the island exam was real through her expression. So he just needed rules for it.
"Whatever. I will tell you everything I know. Just give me a good price."
"Alright. If the information is satisfactory, I can give upto 200,000 Individual Points."
Seeing that Nakashima put all the card on the table, he laid down his price as well. He didn't even have to go to a length where he needed to use the point exchange information. He was ready to threaten her with recording if she played too hard to get. He had his phone recorder on even before Nakashima arrived.
But Nakashima folded way easily then he had expected. So all the preparations were for naught. Not that he minded. It saved him the effort and he could go home quicker.
"...200,000... fine."
Seeing Nakashima agree, he tucked his hand inside his left pocket and pressed home key of his phone to get out of the recording app and turned off the screen before taking it out.
He had set the screen time to 30 minutes just in case the screen turned off and he needed to exit the app.
He turned on the screen again then turned off the recording sneakily. Then turned it on and asked Nakashima to say everything she knew. She looked at him and grumbled but complied. She told everything she knew about the rules of the Deserted Islands Special Exam.
Another interesting piece of information was that when returning, there was another Spacial exam, Cruise Ship Special Exam.
Nakashima said she didn't know much about the Cruise Ship Special Tests rules because she barely understood what was even going on but she heard from one if her club mates that names were crucial.
Kiruyin didn't understand what that meant and didn't even try to. He will think about it when the time comes. After Nakashima was done talking, he stopped the recording and sneakily handed her a Point Storage card to her which.
"Oh. These exist... I was worried for nothing..."
She took the card with complicated expression. Point Storage card wasn't something she, or her classmates ever needed. She didn't think even other classes of her grade uses it.
"There. Full 200,000. You should check."
Nakashima nodded slowly and tucked inside her bosoms. The reason she was tucking the card inside her bosoms was because she was very paranoid. 200,000 points was a lot. And since this was a public area and she did some shady business, she didn't want to withdraw here. She would find it comfortable to do that in her dorm room. If she put it inside her pocket then she would constantly check if it was still their. That may arouse suspicion.
And that is something she wants to avoid. So she put it in a place where she could feel it constantly.
"Whistle~ Whistle~. That's a fine storage area you've got there~."
Kiruyin stared at the fine scene, even leaned back to get a good view. She gave him a sharp glare. Her face flushed in embarrassment. This kouhai was quite the pervert.
"Senpai. Are you available for that kind of servi-"
"DIE!!!"
Kiruyin couldn't finish his exciting inquiry because a fist was flying at him. He dodged with a playful smile.
"Ayooomyyy Gohhh~~~!! Senpai! Your trying to kill your patron like that? Baaad~ senpai. Very bad~ hehe~. Alright senpai. It was a pleasure doing business with you and the information was very helpful. As a gift, let me tell you something. You can exchange Individual Points after graduation. The ratio is something like 0.8 to 0.9. Okie~! Byyyee~~."
Kiruyin wicked at the stunned Nakashima, turned around and left. His destination was the first year dorm building. He had worked hard for the past 10 days. Now it was time to sleep.
Left alone, Nakashima stared at Kiruyin's direction before shaking her head and went inside the convince store while thinking about what to do with the new, shocking information about Individual Points which she had thought nothing much about all the years she had been here.