On their way to the convenience store, Kanzaki started a conversation. "The more I think about it, the weirder our school seems, you know?"
Yonezu glanced over. "Hmm?"
Kanzaki went on, "Like, the school is funded by the government, right? So that's basically taxpayer money. It's 100,000 yen per student, and there are 40 students in each class. That means 48 million yen just for our year."
Kanzaki looked genuinely shocked. "Honestly, that's kind of insane."
Yonezu nodded. "Yeah, I thought the same thing when I first heard about it."
Kanzaki asked, "So, you've had your suspicions since then?"
Yonezu shook his head. "Not really. I started getting suspicious when we first got into the school, but it was mostly because of all the cameras. There are just way too many, don't you think?"
Kanzaki just stared at Yonezu for a moment, silently.
They eventually arrived at the convenience store and started looking around. Kanzaki spotted something interesting in one of the baskets and called out, "Hey, Yonezu! Come here for a sec. Check this out."
Yonezu looked in the basket and noticed that some of the items were actually free. "Huh? Free items?"
Kanzaki shrugged. "Yeah, they're just giving stuff away. Either the school is super chill about this, or there's something else going on."
Yonezu stared at the basket in silence.
Kanzaki nudged him. "Hey, you good?"
Yonezu snapped out of it. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking."
Then Yonezu asked, "You still got energy? I want to go to the faculty room."
Kanzaki looked curious. "You want to see our teacher? Did you figure something out?"
Yonezu nodded. "Sort of. I just need our teacher to confirm it. Let's go."
As they left the convenience store, they saw a scene unfolding outside: three upperclassmen were picking on a student from Class D, mocking him.
Yonezu muttered, "Isn't this a little too obvious?"
Kanzaki heard him. "What's too obvious?"
Yonezu just shook his head. "Don't worry about it. Let's just go. I think I'm close to figuring everything out."
They headed to the faculty room. When they arrived, Yonezu knocked on the door.
A moment later, their teacher swung the door open with a dramatic flourish. "Yonezu! And Kanzaki too! To what do I owe the pleasure? Are you here to confess your undying love for me?" She grinned, winking at them.
Yonezu grinned back. "Not quite, Sensei. I've got a few questions for you."
She gasped, putting a hand to her chest in mock surprise. "Questions? For me? Oh dear, I hope it's not about my secret love life!"
She ushered them into a quieter room, making a show of tiptoeing and shushing imaginary people. "Let's not disturb the serious grown-ups, right?"
Once the door was closed, she spun around and plopped into a chair, grinning. "Alright, detectives, ask away!"
Yonezu got straight to the point. "How much would I have to pay if I wanted to know how many Class Points we have right now?"
She tapped her chin, then leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Hmm... Class Points? What are those? Are you sure you're not making up words to confuse your poor teacher?"
Yonezu smirked. "I don't think you can lie about it. I already know the difference between Class Points and our own points."
He pulled out his phone, opened his contacts, and showed her a name: Horikita Manabu.
She let out a dramatic gasp, then clapped her hands. "Oh my! The Student Council President himself? Yonezu, you're full of surprises! Next you'll be telling me you've got the Chairman on speed dial."
She leaned back, grinning even wider. "Well, if you want the answer, I'm afraid it'll cost you. Hundreds of Class Points! Hundreds of thousands of Private Points! Or maybe... a lifetime supply of chocolate for your favorite teacher?"
Yonezu raised an eyebrow. "Just to know the scores? Seriously? That's expensive."
She shrugged, making a silly face. "Maybe it's just for the scores, maybe it's for a secret treasure map. You never know! But you only get to find out if you pay up. So, are you tempted?"
Yonezu pretended to think it over, then shook his head. "Nah, I've got a better way to find out. But thanks, Sensei."
She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip. "Aw, you sure? You don't want to make your teacher happy?"
Kanzaki stood there, looking totally lost.
Yonezu laughed. "We're good, Sensei. We'll be going now. See you tomorrow!" He waved, motioning for Kanzaki to follow as they headed out the door.