Chapter 230: Undercurrents Surging

The next morning, before classes had even begun. Advanced Nurturing High School, Class A classroom.

"Ichinose is a criminal? What the hell is this?"

Fuyuji Mikage, still in the middle of breakfast, halted his playful scuffle with Morishita Ai. His brow furrowed.

"It's this." Tamiya Emi responded by pulling a sheet of paper from her satchel and extending it toward Fuyuji. "I found it in my mailbox this morning. I thought it might be useful to Fuyuji-kun."

Casually handing the milk in his hand to Morishita, Fuyuji accepted the paper. No—calling it a card would be more accurate. Printed upon it were neat, orderly characters—most likely used as a way to disguise the handwriting.

[Ichinose Honami—is a criminal!]

"Eh? Emi-chan, you got one too?"

Tsukaji Shihori, who had just walked into the classroom, curiously poked her head over and pulled an identical card from her own bag.

"I've got one in my mailbox too. Who on earth would pull such a boring prank?"

"Right?" Tamiya pressed a finger against her chin, her brow furrowing slightly as she tilted her head. "That Ichinose—a criminal? No matter how you think about it, that's impossible, isn't it? What was that person even thinking?"

Tsukaji nodded in agreement. "It's Ichinose, you know? That super famous good person in our grade. So pretty, such good grades. And she's even Class B's leader. Damn it—" She stomped her foot in frustration and clenched her fist. "How can someone like that even exist?! I'm going to get jealous!"

Indeed. Given Ichinose's current popularity—not just within the first year but across the entire school—such a baseless accusation was fundamentally useless.

It was just...

Fuyuji said nothing. Subconsciously, he pulled Morishita into his embrace. His eyes half-lowered, his fingers traced and stroked the surface of the envelope.

A long moment passed. He raised his head. "Let me hold onto these for now."

"Alright."

"Sure."

The two of them crisply handed the cards over to Fuyuji and turned to walk back toward their own seats, whispering and murmuring as they went.

"I've got Ichinose's contact info. Want me to tell her?"

"Probably not a good idea, right? After all, our classes are currently competing against each other. We should be drawing clear lines. Come to think of it—I've got her contact info too. Eh? When did she even add me?"

"That woman really is terrifying. Without anyone even noticing..."

"No wonder she can lead Class B."

...

"This might be a setup, you know—boyfriend-kun. For our Class A."

Seated on Fuyuji's lap, Morishita shot a glance at the contents of the card. Her black-stocking-clad calves, wrapped in indoor shoes, swayed gently. Slurping a mouthful of milk, she offered a reminder.

"Ah." Fuyuji stared at the card's contents. "If our class and Class B end up fighting each other—no matter what, it benefits the other classes. Even the other grades would be happy to see it happen..."

"Here, back to you!"

Before Fuyuji could finish, Morishita spun around and stuffed the milk straw back into his mouth. Climbing off his lap, her little skirt fluttering, she rushed off toward Yamamura Miki with whirlwind energy.

"Why are you running so fast?"

Still wanting to hold her a little longer, Fuyuji clamped down on the straw and sucked hard. The very next second—slurp, slurp, slurp—the sound of sucking air rang out from the carton.

The corner of Fuyuji's mouth twitched. His face covered in black lines, he shook the now empty milk carton a few times.

So that's what you were after!

...

Before long, the students of Class A arrived at the classroom one after another. The number of letters on Fuyuji's desk gradually increased as well.

Five. That was the total number of envelopes Class A had received.

The lower right corner of the classroom began to fill with the core members of the class. Katsuragi Kohei, Hashimoto Masayoshi, Kito Hayato...

"I just saw Class C students pulling similar things out of their mailboxes too. It seems every first-year class got them." Hashimoto was the first to provide supplemental intelligence.

"Regarding that..." Katsuragi, having arrived at the classroom, silently glanced at Fuyuji. After pausing for a moment, he spoke with a trace of hesitation. "Late last night, a whole slew of rumors about Ichinose-san suddenly appeared on the campus forums. For instance—Ichinose possesses a huge sum of points from an unknown source. Ichinose bullied her classmates back in middle school, leading to violent incidents. Also—Ichinose is a thief who dropped out of middle school due to theft. Or that Ichinose keeps her hair long to cover a distinctive scar from a juvenile detention center—that sort of thing..."

"What the hell?" Fuyuji stared in astonishment. "Ichinose?"

"Yes. Given the image Ichinose normally presents—without concrete evidence, and since it's spreading on the forums—even if it sparks discussion, no one would believe it. Unless it really does develop into offline, malicious dissemination backed by proof. So—" Katsuragi looked at Fuyuji, lowered his voice, and quietly asked, "It really wasn't you, was it? If it was—I won't oppose it. But please, be absolutely certain to mind the degree. After all, Ichinose isn't Ryuen Kakeru. If you go too far—not only is it unethical, but as long as Ichinose reports it upward, the school will step in..."

"Pah, pah, pah! How could it possibly be me?!" Fuyuji slammed both palms against the desk. "This is slander!"

"I-is that so... As long as it's not you, that's good..." Katsuragi let out a breath of relief.

After all, last time Fuyuji had also used this kind of method to screw Ryuen over. The results had been far too successful—to the point that Ryuen was still, even now, locked in passionate, enthusiastic mutual brawling with the Class C masses. Such a similar approach—it was hard not to associate it with that time with Ryuen.

"How could I possibly do that kind of thing?" Fuyuji suddenly seemed to recall something. His gaze slowly swiveled. "However..."

Kito and Katsuragi also seemed to realize something. Turning their heads, their gazes silently fixated upon Hashimoto, who was cheerfully watching the drama unfold off to the side.

"..."

Laughing, laughing, Hashimoto suddenly stopped laughing. He retreated two steps.

"You don't seriously suspect me, do you?"

"You're highly suspicious. Why were you grinning so happily?" Kito was concise and to the point. His voice hoarse, he spoke. "If it's you... it wouldn't be strange."

"Although suspecting a classmate isn't a good thing..." Katsuragi folded his arms and stared at Hashimoto. "I can't help but feel your personality is just a little bit... that..."

"Just in case—Hashimoto-san—I'll ask anyway." Fuyuji spoke. "You didn't see this as beneficial to the class's advancement and decide to go with the flow, adding fuel to the flames on the forums, did you?"

After all, Hashimoto was far too practiced and adept at this kind of thing.

The very next second—

Thud—!

Hashimoto moved so fast he practically left afterimages. At the speed of light, he slid and knelt on the ground. His knees collided with the floor, producing a muffled thud. Crisply and decisively, he pulled out his phone, unlocked the screen, and handed it to Fuyuji for inspection.

"Boss—I was wrong. Forgive me. I only forwarded a few of the rumors."

"Do you know which class started stirring up these rumors first?" Fuyuji casually swept his eyes over the forwarding records of several alt accounts, then handed the phone back to him.

"That—I'm not clear on. The other side also used anonymity. Still—I don't know if it's just my imagination, but the other side seemed shorthanded. It took them forever to stir up even a little bit of discussion. Though it could also be because that Ichinose woman seems far too flawless and unassailable—rumors like these inherently look unbelievable."

"Let's leave it at that for now." Katsuragi proposed. "In truth—this can't really stir up any waves at all. As long as Ichinose doesn't engage with it, in a few days, no one will be discussing it anymore. Even if it eventually develops into offline rumors—as long as Ichinose reports this matter to the school administration, the school will immediately track the culprit down. Trying to sow discord between Class A and Class B is no easy task."

The school's forums were nominally anonymous. In truth—as long as the school was willing, they could lock onto a student's identity at any time.

Kito and Hashimoto simultaneously looked toward Fuyuji.

"Let's stop here."

Fuyuji nodded calmly and signaled for everyone to disperse.

Then, once the others had moved off into the distance, Fuyuji pulled out his phone and opened his chat window with Ichinose. His fingers rapidly tapped across the screen.

[Fuyuji Mikage: Good morning. I heard about that new Western restaurant that just opened at Keyaki Mall. Want to go together at noon?]

However—after the message was sent, it sank like a stone into the sea. Even when the class bell rang, no reply from Ichinose came.

The sun gradually climbed to its zenith. Only after the morning classes had officially ended did Ichinose's message belatedly arrive.

[Ichinose Honami: Ahaha. Good morning, Fuyuji-kun. Sorry—I only just saw your message. I'm already eating my bento with Mako-chan and the others.]

[Fuyuji Mikage: Are you alright? That rumor this morning.]

The other end of the line seemed to fall silent for a few seconds before replying.

[Ichinose Honami: No problem at all~ It's just a harmless, insignificant prank.]

[Fuyuji Mikage: If you're feeling upset—you can tell me. Katsuragi still has some authority in the Student Council. As long as you submit a written request, it can be handled.]

[Ichinose Honami: No need to go to all that trouble~ It'll probably die down on its own after a while.]

[Fuyuji Mikage: Alright. Since you say so. If you need anything, you can come find me anytime.]

[Ichinose Honami: Mm, mm. Goodbye.]

[Fuyuji Mikage: Goodbye.]

Slowly returning his phone to his pocket, Fuyuji's tightly furrowed brow deepened by another degree.

Even the person involved had refused. The current rumors were all thunder and no rain. Even Fuyuji found it hard to find an excuse to intervene—

As if!

Fuyuji shot up from his seat and strode with great, sweeping steps toward the door.

"Where are you going?! It's time to eat!" Kamuro Masumi shouted toward his retreating figure.

Without turning his head, Fuyuji replied. "The faculty office!"

That reply time. That tone. And that phrasing. Something was definitely off!

Passing through the slightly clamorous corridor during the lunch break, he arrived at the faculty office. Mashima Tomonari seemed to have just returned from teaching. He was holding a teacup and taking a shallow sip of tea.

The office was permeated with the faint fragrance of tea and the scent of chalk dust.

"Sadistic Teacher."

Toward this damned form of address, Mashima had already grown numb. As long as he wasn't called "a useless thing," anything was fine. He casually pulled out the chair beside him and gestured for Fuyuji to sit and talk.

"What brings you here with free time on your hands?"

"There's something I wanted to ask you about." Fuyuji sat down and got straight to the point. "The school conducts background checks on students before they enroll, doesn't it?"

"Although the school regulations stipulate that this cannot be disclosed to students—since you already know, there's no harm in telling you." Mashima set down his teacup. "That is indeed the case. The quality of your class placements largely referenced the results of those investigations. Still—it's actually not entirely accurate. There are always some pieces of information the school fails to uncover during its investigation, or which cannot fully reflect a student's true ability. Nagumo Miyagi from the second year is an example of this."

"Do you have any materials on hand regarding this aspect of the students?" Fuyuji pressed further.

Mashima tapped his fingers against the desk a couple of times and spoke with measured deliberation. "I do. But only the school's general evaluative comments on the students—just a few brief sentences. The more private portions are beyond my access."

"Hypothetically speaking—if I were to say, just hypothetically—" Fuyuji scooted his office chair a couple of inches closer to Mashima and stared directly into his eyes. "If I were to spend points—could I look up information regarding a certain student's past?"

Mashima subconsciously picked up the ballpoint pen on his desk and gently rubbed it in his palm. After pondering for a long while, he ultimately shook his head in negation.

"No! At most, you could only obtain the files in my possession. Detailed information concerns student privacy. No matter how much the school says points can buy anything—that is still within the bounds of what the law permits. The school could not possibly agree to this kind of transaction."

"Absolutely?"

"Absolutely." Mashima was utterly resolute.

Without asking further about what would happen if that person had connections within the school administration—Fuyuji rose from his seat and left.

"Got it. Thanks, Sadistic Teacher."

"Since you're saying thank you—could you at least show me a little respect and not use that form of address?" Mashima was already beyond the point of complaining.

At the very same time—on the other side—Class B classroom.

Silently returning her phone to her pocket, Ichinose Honami let out a long breath. Those usually radiant, bright eyes of hers were now dimmed by several degrees.

"Honestly—just who is it, spreading rumors like this?!" Amikura Mako placed an octopus sausage into Ichinose's bento box, speaking with righteous indignation. "Honami-chan—you're just far too kind-hearted. That's why people like this take advantage of you."

In the span of a single morning, the rumors had already gradually begun to ferment. The Class B students had angrily discovered that, during the breaks between classes, students from other classes had grown noticeably more numerous—casting probing, inquisitive glances their way.

"Exactly!" Beside her, Kobashi Yume was equally furious. Slamming both palms against the desk, she spoke. "Why won't you just report it to the school?! This has clearly already crossed the line into personal attacks!"

"Alright, alright. This kind of thing—there's no need to pay it any mind. It'll pass in a few days."

Ichinose forced out a strained smile and raised her hands to repeatedly placate and soothe everyone. Yet, not only did this fail to calm them—it instead further ignited the Class B students' will to resist.

"Honami-chan—don't be afraid. After school, let's move together. Let's see which bastard dares to come over."

"If these rumors are still going around tomorrow—don't worry about us. Go ahead and report it to the school."

"Don't worry, Ichinose-san. Kanzaki and the others have already gone to investigate. It'll be resolved soon."

...

Just then—the phone she had already returned to her pocket abruptly rang.

The instant she saw the message, Ichinose's pupils contracted. Pretending as though nothing had happened, she feigned needing to use the restroom. Separating herself from the friends accompanying her, she slid the stall bolt shut.

Pressing her lips together, she tremblingly lit up the screen.

[Anonymous 215: How about it, Ichinose-san? Enjoyed today's little greeting gift? Tomorrow—it won't just be small-scale anymore. Our deal still stands, you know.]

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