[I'm already out of points for meals. This time, I must find a way to earn more points! I can't miss this opportunity! And these freshmen seem clueless. I can't give them a chance to bargain! Consider this their first lesson from me!]
Sato-senpai thought to himself, a meaningful smile on his face.
'Although I don't care much about points as long as I have enough for daily expenses, that doesn't mean I'm willing to be taken advantage of.'
Saiki Kusuo's gaze locked onto Sato's face.
"Senpai, can you lower the price a bit?"
At this moment, Kushida Kikyo leaned forward, pouting slightly, putting on an adorable, coquettish expression.
[So cute! This kohai is really, really cute!]
Sato-senpai's face showed a troubled expression. After hesitating for a few seconds, he smiled and said:
"Then, Kushida-kohai... I'll give you a discount! 40,000 points!"
'Hey, hey, didn't you just swear you wouldn't give us a chance to bargain? And now you're backing down? And you dropped it by 10,000 points just like that?'
Saiki Kusuo didn't know who to complain at this point.
[40,000 points? Do you think I'm stupid? You jerk!]
Kushida Kikyo's inner thoughts were filled with frustration, but her smile didn't waver in the slightest.
"Sorry, 40,000 points is still too expensive. Can you lower it a bit more?"
"I can't go any lower! This is really the lowest price!"
Sato-senpai said firmly, his expression resolute.
[I can't lower it any further! These points are crucial for me! Even if she's a really cute girl, I absolutely can't lower the price anymore!]
"But... it's really expensive, senpai. Please, just a little cheaper!"
"Then... 35,000 points! I really can't go any lower!"
'Where did the guy who just swore he wouldn't lower the price go?'
Saiki Kusuo was completely speechless.
'35,000 points... That's a lot lower than before, but it's still overpriced.'
Using his telepathy, Saiki Kusuo had a rough idea of the market price for exam papers. Aside from Sato, other upperclassmen were also selling papers, with the average price being around 30,000 points, sometimes even lower.
Clearly, Sato-senpai was trying to take advantage of the freshmen's lack of knowledge about prices and rules to make a hefty profit.
Saiki Kusuo wasn't going to give him that chance.
[35,000 points? That's less than 1,000 points per person on average. It's acceptable.]
Kushida Kikyo thought this price was reasonable and was about to agree when Saiki Kusuo, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"I contacted another senpai. They're only asking for 30,000 points."
"30,000 points? That's a bit too low..."
Sato-senpai's face clearly showed surprise. He hadn't expected the freshmen to have contacted other upperclassmen behind his back.
[Damn it, who else contacted them? Selling for only 30,000 points?!]
Kushida Kikyo noticed the change in Sato's expression and immediately chimed in:
"In that case, we'll go to the other senpai! Sorry about this!"
After saying this, Kushida Kikyo stood up, pretending to leave.
"Wait, wait! Then I'll also do 30,000..."
"The other senpai is selling for 30,000 and even includes the answers! I think we should go with them!"
Kushida Kikyo had already guessed from Sato's reaction that the price could be pushed even lower.
[Damn it... I've been out-bargained by these freshmen... But if I don't sell to them, I'll get nothing...]
Sato-senpai was clearly panicking. Finally, he squeezed out a sentence:
"25,000 points... This is really the lowest I can go..."
"Alright."
Saiki Kusuo turned to Kushida Kikyo and nodded. This price was reasonable enough.
Theoretically, the price could still be lowered a bit more, but for Saiki Kusuo, this was acceptable. There was no need to push further.
"Then thank you so much for your help, senpai!"
"No problem. Helping underclassmen is what we senpai should do..."
...
After transferring the points, Kushida Kikyo and Saiki Kusuo successfully obtained the exam papers for the surprise test. Kushida Kikyo immediately shared the news in the class group chat.
Kushida Kikyo: Everyone! We managed to cut the price in half. It's only 25,000 points now!
Ike Kanji: As expected of Kushida-san!
Yamauchi Haruki: Thanks for your hard work, Kushida-san!
...
After Kushida Kikyo posted the message, several boys in the class replied almost instantly.
Kushida Kikyo: No, no, it's all thanks to Saiki-kun!
Saiki Kusuo also saw the group chat. If possible, he would have preferred not to draw attention, but since he didn't want Sato-senpai to take advantage of them, he had no choice but to step in and help with the bargaining.
"Saiki-kun, did you really contact another senpai?"
Kushida Kikyo put down her phone and turned to Saiki Kusuo with curiosity. He shook his head.
"I see. So you were just bluffing! Saiki-kun, you're amazing!"
Kushida Kikyo smiled at Saiki Kusuo.
[I didn't expect this seemingly clueless Saiki to be so sharp in situations like this.]
'What kind of image do you have of me in your mind?'
"Then let's go to the school's printing shop and make copies for everyone in the class!"
Kushida Kikyo continued,
"Even though Horikita-san doesn't seem willing to join us, we should still print a copy for her."
[That damn Horikita Suzune definitely won't take it, but I'll at least pretend to offer it.]
'Whatever.'
Saiki Kusuo thought to himself but nodded at Kushida Kikyo.