Sunlight streamed into the room through the window, illuminating everything in minute detail.
A Japanese class was being held in the classroom.
The teacher was going over last week's test papers.
Kurusu Akira felt the intense gazes inadvertently falling on him from his surroundings. His raised right hand paused, the half-spun pen in his hand caught between his fingers. A tiny black ink dot formed at the pen tip, and sunlight, passing through the transparent plastic barrel like a kaleidoscope, cast diffused light spots onto the reference books on the wooden desk.
It was an imperceptible sigh.
He seemed to have been a bit too high-profile.
He had only ever studied at cram schools in Tokyo before, accustomed to the presence of monsters who could be recommended to Tokyo University. Having transmigrated to high school, he momentarily forgot to hide his abilities and went all out during the exam.
Kurusu Akira looked at the seven report cards on his desk. The words "1/240," indicating first in the grade, were deliberately bolded and written three times in red pen, revealing the turbulent waves in the heart of the grading teacher.
Everyone had just started their second year of high school and hadn't yet reached the sprint phase of truly improving their academic ability and diligently practicing problems. Yet, suddenly, a country boy appeared who could get into Kyoto University without any bonus points, which was simply a dimensionality reduction attack.
Generally, a high school student who wishes to get into university through hard study will show a stepped progression in their academic ability over three years of phased learning.
If we set academic ability on a scale of 0-100, and getting into Tokyo University is set as "95-100."
Then first-year high school students are generally "0-30," second-year students might be "30-60," and after starting dedicated review and problem-solving in their third year, they might reach the peak of their intelligence so far, reaching the "60-80" realm.
From "80" points onwards, it belongs to the realm of "geniuses."
Only those "geniuses" with talent and excellent study habits are often able to make breakthroughs in the realm beyond "80" points.
As a transmigrator who could get into a top university with pure skill and no bonus points, Kurusu Akira's academic ability was roughly in the "90-92" range.
Even though he has only recovered all of his first-year knowledge points so far.
But a first-year high schooler symbolizing "92" points of academic ability is vastly different from this group of first-year high schoolers who barely reached "30" points of academic ability.
Even though they were both studying "Math A," Kurusu Akira was training with Tokyo University as his goal.
While his classmates were only preparing for the periodic exams organized by the school... not even deviation score exams!
How could they even compete?
Ito Misui also thought of this question.
However, his opponent was not Kurusu Akira, the genius transfer student—
But the hundreds of high schools across Tokyo that would always notice this potential golden signboard!
Kurusu Akira stole the show today, and combined with his face, various news about him would soon appear on the desks of the school boards of those prestigious schools.
He looked at Kurusu Akira, who appeared in his office, with an expression as uncomfortable as if he were constipated.
To form a "special class" centered around Kurusu Akira? The number of students would be too small, and it would be too early, completely unsuitable.
To gather the teaching and research group to give Kurusu Akira special tutoring every day?...
Ito found that he didn't seem to have much left to teach him.
This guy was more skilled than ordinary math teachers in applying various methods and techniques for analyzing, solving, and breaking down problems.
As a teacher, there was little he could do.
But as the Head of Student Affairs, there seemed to be a lot he could do.
Ito Misui thought of the boy's somewhat strained family circumstances, then suddenly straightened his face and, with full vigor, low-voiced.
"Amamiya!"
He suddenly looked directly at the boy in front of him,
"Yes," a listless voice replied.
Kurusu Akira had been under the school's scrutiny all morning and was gradually contemplating skipping school.
He strongly disliked being gawked at by a crowd as if it were a spectacle.
"The Genius Transfer Student Who Crushed the Second in the Grade by Nearly Two Hundred Points to Claim the Crown Is Actually a Hidden Super Hunk?!" Such a post on the campus forum broke two thousand comments.
Who knows who uploaded the photo of him walking out of the classroom without his glasses...
All in all, the combination of the labels [transfer student], [super hunk], [genius academic], and [difficult family background] perfectly formed the most popular "beautiful, strong, and tragic" character archetype on the internet.
The post on the campus forum showed subtle signs of going viral, which made Kurusu Akira feel terrible.
If he became a famous person, perhaps carrying out his "Phantom Thief" work would become a bit troublesome in the future? But as things stood, as an ordinary high school student, he couldn't completely block this hot post that was on the verge of going viral, so he could only accept this development naturally.
Kurusu Akira also straightened his face, looking seriously at the Head of Student Affairs in front of him.
He felt that just answering "Yes" was a bit impolite, so he added, "I'm listening."
"The next question might make you a bit uncomfortable."
"Please ask."
"Then, if I may be so bold."
Ito Misui cleared his throat awkwardly twice, "I heard your family situation is a bit difficult, is that true?"
Kurusu Akira was expressionless: "It's true."
With a debt of ten million, how could it not be difficult?
Kurusu Akira calculated the interest he needed to pay next month... Forget it, that number was too despairing, he felt a bit disheartened.
He somehow felt it didn't matter if he just kept accumulating debt, since no one could claim the debt from him.
If the bank or court called, his righteous statement, "I am a minor and have no ability to repay," would solve the problem instantly.
If they wanted to hire gangsters for violent debt collection... then go ahead. Kurusu Akira was not as fragile as Amamiya Ren; even if all the gangs in Japan were called to surround him, he would find a way to escape unharmed.
But the thought of being a "deadbeat" only lingered in his mind for a moment before being dismissed.
Because he didn't know what kind of people those creditors were, or what kind of families they had.
If not receiving his million-dollar repayment would cause them significant distress, and they were kind-hearted, life-loving people...
Kurusu Akira himself couldn't get past his own conscience.
So he once again added to Ito Misui, "My family owes ten million in debt."
He knew that Ito Misui asked this question because he wanted to offer some help on behalf of the school. Therefore, accurately and clearly communicating his difficulties was the only way not to let down this goodwill.
"Huh?!" Hearing the words "ten million," Ito Misui's eyes widened.
The expression and gaze of this legendary "Demon Ito" softened in an instant.
"You must be working part-time, right?"
"Yes, I work at a coffee shop."
"What's the hourly wage like?"
"It includes food and lodging. With weekend overtime bonuses, it averages out to about over a thousand yen an hour, and I work about three hours a day."
"That's good, that's good..." Ito Misui said dazedly.
The Head of Student Affairs composed himself for a moment before continuing the conversation.
"Any thoughts on representing the school in some competitions?"
"Is the prize money a lot?"
"A lot!"
"Okay, I'll participate!"
Ito Misui managed to force out a smile, "Given your current grades, if you keep it up, you should be able to get all the scholarships by the end of the semester. All those various sums should add up to... about six hundred thousand yen a year."
He seemed to make a very difficult decision, then suddenly stood up, quickly went to close the office door, and locked it.
"What I'm about to say, you must not tell anyone outside."
Kurusu Akira raised his hand and swore, "Please speak."
Ito Misui sat back in his seat, hesitating for a few seconds, "You should know that you can apply for funding from the school for club activities, right?"
Kurusu Akira nodded repeatedly.
"You can create your own club. I have a lot of prestige in the student council and can help you clear all necessary hurdles."
Ito Misui took a deep breath, "The new principal's policy on club funding is very generous and liberal... You just need to find a way to recruit at least three students to conduct regular club activities and remain enrolled at Shujin until graduation. I can guarantee that the 'funding' you receive from the school each month will be at least this amount."
He began to gesticulate wildly towards Kurusu Akira.
Kurusu Akira was genuinely moved.
Just the "club funding" alone could be at least five hundred thousand yen a month, which was simply too exaggerated...
"But!" Ito Misui emphasized.
"You must recruit suitable and compliant club members, and organize regular club activities every month! Do you hear me? The club and its activities must also comply with the application rules!"
"Even if you find high school students from other schools outside of campus to join the club, it can barely count. But every month's club activities, from application to execution, must comply with regulations, because instructors from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology will..."
"I understand, the school also needs to maintain its image." Kurusu Akira nodded.
"It seems your civics class truly got to the essence." Ito also showed a relieved smile.
He stood up and actively extended his hand to Kurusu Akira, "Keep up the good work, Shujin's rising star!"
Kurusu Akira also shook his hand, feeling the warmth in that thick palm with a few calluses, and after a moment's thought, he took the opportunity to ask, "If I find some of the school's courses a bit boring, can I directly take leave to go to an outside cram school?"
"I'll give you my work ID. You can leave campus whenever you want; just swipe the card!"
"As for the subject teachers..."
"I'll explain!" Ito Misui tried to suppress the excitement and ecstasy in his heart.
It's finally going to succeed!
In his eyes, a prodigy like Kurusu Akira, who could get super high scores even while spending every day at internet cafes, playing on his phone, and sleeping in class, was absolutely capable of getting into Tokyo University.
Shujin should retain him at all costs!
Kurusu Akira released Ito Misui's hand, feigning distress, "The class assignments are too simple, but there are quite a lot of them. Wouldn't it be a bit of a waste of time?"
"Oh, you got such good grades on the entrance exam, why do you still need to do homework!"
Ito Misui panicked instantly, feeling extremely anxious, wishing he could personally help him with his homework every day.
"Then no homework?
"No homework at all! Don't do any! If anyone dares to collect your homework, tell them to come find me here!"
Kurusu Akira made one last request, "Can I talk to the new principal?"
At this moment, Ito Misui showed a troubled expression.
"This, this seems a bit difficult."
He explained to Kurusu Akira, "Shinba-san is not only the principal of our school. He also runs several high schools in Kawasaki City, so he's not in Tokyo very often. Most matters are arranged through online meetings."
"To be honest, calling you here specifically to tell you all this today was actually at Principal Shinba's request."
Kurusu Akira's expression froze, then he sighed, "Then forget it. I'll do my best to maintain my grades. Please take care of me, Ito-sensei."
The next moment, he was horrified to find that Ito Misui had started wiping away tears.
"Amamiya-san, do you know? Shujin has actually been waiting for a student like you for so many years..."
Then, this old man nearing fifty began to weep profusely as he recounted Principal Shinba's story of repeatedly failing to get into Tokyo University despite multiple attempts as a Shujin graduate, as if he were truly deeply moved by that leader's history of repeated failures.
But why did this process sound strangely familiar...
Kurusu Akira felt as if it was paying homage to a very remarkable work, but for a moment, he couldn't recall the name of that work.
However, that Principal Shinba, far away in Kawasaki City, indeed possessed the cunning of a hero.
Kurusu Akira was also greatly moved and immediately followed Ito's story, beginning his own act, showing a resolute expression of deep emotion.
Ito Misui continued with the task assigned by the principal.
The two actors put on a show in the office, while outside, the various heated discussions about Kurusu Akira had already begun to expand their influence further.
----------------
Until he walked out of the office.
Kurusu Akira had a strange feeling of 'waking up from a big dream'.
He never expected that the principal, whom he had always been thinking of stealing the 'evil' from within his heart, would actually possess such kindness.
But isn't this principal living too well?
Thinking carefully, Shinba Takakiyo, he spent money freely and recruited students who could stably get into top universities under his command, so he could sit in the principal's position for a long time... How could there be so many good things that satisfy both sides in the world!
Therefore, Kurusu Akira decided.
He would accept the scholarship.
He would also find a way to send the principal to prison.
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