"It's fine. Even if I hadn't mentioned it, you would have figured it out eventually," Kaoru said. "Aside from Horikita's reward, I'll also provide compensation to your class to help offset your losses."
His sincerity caught Sato Keisaku off guard. "We can discuss the reward later. For now, you just want me to help lower the scores, right?"
"Yes, that's all." Kaoru nodded.
Sato Keisaku thought it over. Doing one job and getting two rewards—it seemed like he was getting the better deal.
"Are you planning to attack the second-years?" Kaoru suddenly found Sato Keisaku intriguing.
An ordinary person might assume he was defending against Nagumo Miyabi, but Sato Keisaku was convinced he intended to strike against Nagumo.
"Senpai, do you really think I could manipulate the second-years to that extent?" Kaoru chuckled.
"Muto-senpai and the others are still under Nagumo's control. Even if we succeeded, given Nagumo's personality, he probably wouldn't lift a finger to help his own people."
Sato Keisaku mused, "I don't know much about the second-years, but Nagumo-kun has been going too far lately. If you're planning to take him down, I think at least a few people would be willing to help you."
"Why?" Kaoru asked.
Sato Keisaku answered bluntly, "Because I don't like this kind of person. Even if he seems impressive now, I think he'll eventually fall into someone's hands sooner or later."
Dislike is dislike.
Even if one shows surface-level respect, they'd still gossip about him in their heart, eagerly waiting for his downfall.
"From what I know, Class 2-C and Class 2-D have already given up competing for Class A's position. Moreover, they've been heavily exploited by Nagumo-kun. Their daily lives sometimes involve eating Vegetable Set Meals. If you can offer enough Personal Points, I think some of them would help you."
Actually, Sato Keisaku left one thing unsaid.
Kaoru's current status was different now.
The reputation of a super conglomerate could already attract people to follow him.
After all, they'd only spend three years in school but a lifetime in society!
"How many Personal Points do you think would be appropriate, senpai?"
Faced with Kaoru's question, Sato Keisaku was momentarily stunned.
Was it necessary to ask to this extent?
This question was practically laying all his cards on the table—wasn't he afraid it might get leaked?
Fortunately, Kaoru noticed his expression and smiled apologetically, "My apologies, that was careless of me. But rest assured, your compensation won't be reduced."
Sato Keisaku didn't dwell on it, though he was now conflicted about how much to ask from Kaoru.
"How many people are in your class right now, senpai?"
"Including me, thirty-five in total. Why?"
"Your group has nine members, and the last-place finisher gets five points deducted—that's forty-five points. This semester lasts three months, plus the Personal Points that'll be deducted. How about I give you two million Personal Points?"
Sato Keisaku froze for a moment.
In reality, forty-five Class Points couldn't be exchanged for this many Personal Points.
"Not enough?" Kaoru asked. "How about four million?"
"No, no, no—wait a minute! Who raises the price like that?" Sato Keisaku couldn't hold back.
"I think it's reasonable. If converted to cash after graduation, it'd only be a few tens of thousands of yen per person," Mitoma Kaoru replied.
"..."
Sato Keisaku fell silent.
Looking at it this way, it really did seem too little.
"Too low?"
"No, it's too much."
With that, Sato Keisaku sighed.
"Actually, the points for lower-ranked classes like ours aren't that important. They aren't worth this much—one or two million would be enough."
Everyone knew they couldn't catch up to Horikita Manabu.
With each passing day, the value of their Class Points would only decrease further.
"I have a question—could you answer it for me, senpai?"
"What is it?"
"If you graduate from Class A, will you pursue higher education or seek employment?"
"I'm not sure. Everyone in the class has different plans."
"Alright, let me rephrase—between cash and employment, which would you choose?"
"Most would probably go for employment."
Hearing this, Kaoru gradually smiled, while Sato Keisaku looked puzzled.
"Are you proposing another deal with me, senpai?"
Having spent nearly a year here, Kaoru felt this school truly nurtured talent, whether among the lower or upperclassmen.
'Good.'
'He'd take them.'
Whether to continue his previous career in the entertainment industry or expand his own influence, Kaoru needed a group of capable individuals in all fields.
"What kind of deal?"
Sato Keisaku didn't quite follow Kaoru's train of thought.
"I can't offer much in Personal Points right now, and if you plan to convert them to cash later, you'll inevitably lose some value."
Kaoru said, "I can give you cash directly. And if any of you want to stay in my company, I'll provide suitable positions."
Sato Keisaku was stunned, suddenly recalling Kaoru's identity.
Theoretically, aside from higher education, Kaoru's offer wasn't worse than the school's conditions.
In that instant, he finally understood why the school had deleted Kaoru's posts without any punishment.
Because in the face of a super financial group's influence, the school's rules held no power.
"Seriously?"
Sato Keisaku still couldn't believe it.
"Do you want a contract?"
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Or should I show you my stock transfer documents?"
Sato Keisaku quickly waved his hands. "No, no, that's not what I meant. It's just that we're about to graduate soon..."
He trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
Kaoru understood his implication—graduates wouldn't wait around for him for two years.
"I can leave the school anytime now."
Kaoru explained briefly
"That's Chairman Sakayanagi's decision. After this year's graduation, I'll leave with you. We'll handle the formalities together."
Sato Keisaku grew nervous while rubbing his hands. "Uh, honestly, I don't know how I can be of help to you."
"It's fine. I'll assign someone to guide you. But positions here are limited—those who stay can keep their jobs, and those who don't can take a million yen."
Kaoru had already decided to liquidate his shares in the Shinomiya Financial Group.
Waiting for dividends was too slow.
At this point, Sato Keisaku was at a loss for words.
Should he respond with "Yes, boss" to his future employer?
...
After Sato Keisaku left, Kaoru sat quietly on the corridor steps, watching the overcast sky gradually clear.
A ray of sunlight broke through the clouds, landing on his hair.
Even if Takeuchi Hiromichi's group's scores were lowered, they might not fall below the average.
Even if they did, Takeuchi might not specifically target Class 2-A.
And even if he did, Nagumo Miyabi might not intervene.
"If I step in, Tonokawa will assume it was my doing. I'll have to let Horikita handle it."
Kaoru pondered his next move.
"There must be Tonokawa's people in Takeuchi's group."
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