After a wild time at karaoke with those two boys, I say my goodbyes and decide to wander through the campus until I get bored. I need air that doesn't smell of teenage desperation and high-pitched noises.
"What a cringe hangout," I mutter, though I admit that for a second I almost caught myself laughing for real. Almost.
But then my stomach growls like the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer lion that appears in classic movies before they begin, and reality hits: I'm starving.
The first convenience store I spot is the perfect chance to test out my points card, besides, it's not like there are anything in the kitchen for me to cook. So I veer off my path and head in to the convenience store.
As I step inside, the mechanical click of the door sounds like a sarcastic greeting. The air conditioning hits me in the face, a relief worthy of a martyr escaping hell. The shelves are crammed with everything from snacks and drinks to stationery and everyday essentials. I grab a basket and start picking out a few things.
"Let's see what the daily menu offers..."
As I'm browsing, trying to decide what to buy, a voice that could melt glaciers echoes behind me.
"Hey, I think I remember you... Shiroi-kun, right?"
I turn around and see Kushida Kikyo standing there, her bright smile and twinkling eyes instantly lighting up the space. For a split second, my heart rate does a pirouette worthy of the Olympic games.
Dang, she's really, really cute. With her short, straight, brown hair that reaches the top of her shoulders that perfectly complements her cheerful expression.
I quickly smooth my expression and offer a friendly smile, trying to hide just how much I'm amazed. Internally, my brain enters in panic mode, brainstorming possible answers.
Option 1: 'Uh, yeah. That's me, nice to meet you.'
Option 2: 'Do you have plans tonight? Because I don't.'
Option 3: 'DAMN, SHE'S TOO CUTE!'
I opt for a classic: a relaxed smile.
"Y-Yeah, that's me. Shiroi Misaki." I manage to stammer, hoping my voice doesn't sound too shaky.
Kushida claps her hands softly, her eyes growing even brighter and for a second, I swear my villain circuits are overheating.
"I'm Kushida. We had those introduction sessions in class, right? Although, you probably don't even remember me..."
I swallow, my heart doing parkour in my chest while her puppy eyes remain fixed on me, that infectious smile never leaving her face.
"Ah, I remember now! You're Kushida Kikyou, the girl who's always friendly, right? It's nice to finally meet you."
When she hears that I remember her, her smile deepens, reaching her eyes with satisfaction.
"Thanks! You've got a great memory, Shiroi-kun. It's nice to meet you too."
Kushida takes a step that breaks all conventions of personal space, and her hand brushes against mine as she playfully taps my arm.
"So, what are you doing here? Shopping for something?" she asks, as if we were on her personal podcast.
"Something like that. This is my first time buying anything here, so I'm testing out the point card. Don't be surprised if you see me hanging around for a while, though." I respond, while trying to simmer down my awakening weapon.
"Really? I was thinking about staying here too! Isn't it... strange? It seems like the universe wants us to run into each other today." she exclaims, tilting her head with a curiosity that would make a kitten look unenthusiastic.
Before I can say 'of course,' she finishes:
"Oh, I get it! Shiroi-kun. Could you help me out with something? This is our first day at this school, and this whole point card thing is a bit confusing, but the thing is... I'm embarrassed to ask at the checkout. Plus, I think shopping is always more fun with some company, don't you agree?" She smiles with shyness, fiddling with her phone.
"Sure thing!" I agree without a second thought, smiling.
"Yay! It's decided then~!"
With a cheerful skip in her step, Kushida practically glides through the aisles, her basket swinging back and forth as I trail behind. Time flies, not because I'm having fun, but because her energy is like a shot of pure caffeine.
"Um... s-so what brings you here?" I ask, trying to initiate a proper conversation, feeling a bit nervous. Social fluency at the 'first day of school' level. Applaud me or I'll go cry.
Kushida lets out a soft 'hmmm' as she cocks her head to the side, her smile never faltering even for a moment.
"Well, if you really want to know, I was feeling bored. And coming here just makes me feel so much better, you know? It's like a mini escape from everything else." She gives a shrug, though it seems she misunderstood my seemingly obvious question. Her eyes are studying my face, gauging my reaction. I can feel the weight of her gaze, and for a moment, it makes me feel uncomfortably self-conscious for some reason.
"N-No, I mean..." I stutter, trying to figure how to ask properly.
"What led you to choose me as your purchasing company, out of the blue?" I rephrase, my voice a bit tentative. I just hope I don't sound like some KGB interrogating.
"Ah I understand now. Well, to tell you the truth. I guess I did kind of pick you casually. I just thought you seemed nice, and since we had bumped into each other, why not just hang out together for a bit?" she says, rubbing the back of her neck as her eyes wander for a moment.
"Also, I have a bad habit of acting on my whims."
"Ah, I see..." I reply, grabbing a bottle of cheap shampoo off the shelf and tossing it into my basket.
"This school is insane, huh? I mean, they've got huge stores everywhere and they even give us a monthly allowance of 100,000 yen. That's crazy."
As I chat, Kushida continues wandering the aisles, picking up everything from pricey cosmetics to a trendy fashion magazine, and much more. I can't help but raise an eyebrow at her choices.
"Wow, are you sure? Those things look pretty fancy," I comment, gesturing towards the high-end items she's holding.
She lets out a soft giggle, closing her eyes for a moment and then looking at me with a cheeky spark on her eyes. "I like to pamper myself a little bit, you know? Skincare and all those girly stuff."
She adds a few more expensive items to her basket, her touch lingering on the pricey cosmetics with a certain possessiveness, as if preparing a bunker for the aesthetic apocalypse.
Women, you wouldn't understand.
On an unrelated note... damn she's attractive like... she got the whole package. Her eyes, sparkling like bright jewels, her soft-looking cheeks, and her cute button nose that is even hard to believe how perfect it is. A joyful and kind personality. And let's not even talk about the front equipment: her chest size that is comparable to an E or even a G cup. A complete and perfect goddess!
And this gorgeous woman is here chatting with me, with me! Does she... No way, baka! She's only treating me nicely because she's friendly with everyone. It's not just me. That's the reality, I could grin every time we interact or exchange a text message, but the truth is that while she treats me well, she does the same with everyone else.
Now I recall that pedantic quote from a manga: 'Kindness is a lie, if the truth is cruel then lies must be kind'. As long as I keep that in mind, I won't let myself be blinded by her kindness.
Suddenly, Kushida glances my way, her eyes meeting mine with curiosity. She caught me acting like an idiot. Flushed with embarrassment, I quickly avert my gaze, my cheeks filled with bright pink color.
"Is something wrong?" she asks, touching her cheek innocently.
I take a moment to compose myself and respond, hoping to make a way out of this.
"O—oh, no, nothing at all! I was just admiring the... erm... variety of deodorants. W-Whoa—!" My hand accidentally hits a spray can that rolls across the floor with a metallic click.
"Tsk. Dammit!" I bend down to pick it up.
Now, I'm Jose Mourinho in the 2010 Champions League: this isn't a mistake, it's a masterstroke.
I'm crouched over, pretending to study the sweat inhibitor label like it holds the secrets of the universe. My face is so red that a bull would charge at me without hesitation. Yes, perfect. If I stay here long enough, maybe the earth will take pity and swallow me up this time.
Cherry Blossom Fragrance Vaporizer Spray, huh? 710 yen for this? Quite pricey, but typical of 'premium' products in convenience stores. The prices are not jacked up contrary to what I expected. Even though the school's credit system is referred to as points, the prices are all listed in yen. Given that the typical freshmen allowance is roughly 5,000 yen, the sum we got seems like a ridiculously big amount.
As I'm lost in my thoughts, her shadow looms over my hunched back like a villain in a low-budget thriller. "Is everything all right, Shiroi-kun?"
"Yeah, I'm just checking something."
"Oh, really? You seem rather... intent on studying that body spray can, is there something special on it?"
"I was just wondering whether or not I should buy this. What do you think?" I manage, quickly diverting my eyes.
"Oh, deodorant. That's... unexpected." Kushida squints at the deodorant can, her eyes flickering back and forth between it and me.
"I mean, most people here don't really use it, you know?" She gives me a quizzical look, her eyes blinking a couple of times with curiosity.
I muster up some courage and dart a quick glance at Kushida, inwardly cursing my luck for the ridiculous lie I'm about to spin. But desperate times call for desperate measures, and I swallow my pride and begin.
"Ah, well... you see, I'm not fully japanese. So, where my father comes from, people sweat a lot more. And deodorants are kinda a necessity over there. I just inherited his genes, I guess." I shrug, dropping the deodorant into my basket.
"Oh right. You did mention that you're from Latin America, right? That explains everything."
So Kushida actually listened to my pitifully lame self-introduction? Oh my god, I'm totally over the moon right now!
Anticipating her line of questioning, I move away from the daily essentials and head towards the food aisle. Kushida follows me, balancing her basket full of expensive products with the grace of a model, while my heart skips a beat under the weight of my nervousness. Maybe I can try to score some points with a few witty jokes?
I walk up to the counter, pick up a bar of dark chocolate with a seductive sheen, and hold it up for her to see.
"Hey, did you know that chocolate is considered a natural aphrodisiac? It has tryptophan, an amino acid which produces serotonin, the happiness hormone. Science, baby!"
"Is that so?" She gives a slight hum, while sliding his fingers along the food section shelf.
"And speaking of happiness. Seeing your face makes my brain churn out serotonin just like Willy Wonka's factory does! So, if a chocolate bar gets your pulse racing..." I take an epic pause, bringing the chocolate to my lips with a dramatic twist.
"Imagine what would happen if we shared one... and then a kiss!" With a smug smile, I pretend to bite the chocolate bar in mid-air, hoping my rizz will be enough to make her forget that this is verbal harassment disguised as gallantry.
She gives me a blank stare, her face void of any reaction, almost as if she hasn't processed the situation.
"Ha..." She lets out a laugh so forced it feels like she's trying to imitate a robot.
Me and my big mouth... ABORT MISSION!
I fumble the chocolate bar back onto the shelf with the finesse of a startled octopus and look around the store, desperate for a new topic. Just then my eyes widen like I'd discovered Atlantis.
"Hey, Kushida, check this out!" I call out, getting her attention.
Some toiletries and food are tucked away in the corner of the convenience store. At first glance, they appear to be the same as the other items, but there is one main difference.
She takes a step closer, trying to figure out what caught my attention.
"Huh...?"
Daily necessities like toothbrushes and bandages are stuffed into a clearance bin and labeled "Free." The bin is also marked with the proviso "three items per month." These goods are not the same as the usual stuff in the store.
"Wow, free items? Are they just trying to discard excess inventory, or is there some sort of catch?" Kushida ponders for a moment, looking at the items in the bin. Then, she raises a hand to her chin, tapping it thoughtfully and continues.
"Or maybe they're meant as emergency supplies for students who've used up their points. It would make sense if that's the case." She picks up one of the items, intrigued.
"100,000 yen a month is already overkill, and now this? With this kind of treatment, it won't be long until they start saying classes are optional and passing grades are based on attendance. Who needs to study when life is this easy?" I pipe up, scanning the items.
"I think I'm gonna take this." I pick one free toothbrush up and add it to my basket.
"A free toothbrush? Why bother? I mean, 100,000 points a month is already more than enough for any regular expenses. I don't understand why you'd need a free toothbrush on top of that." She looks at me, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
As I hear her question, I chuckle and respond her while smiling.
"You make a good point. I have plenty of money to use as I like, but it's not like I'm going to pass up free stuff when I see it. And besides, I'm not that fussy about hygiene anyway."
"Huh? Really? I'm a little surprised! I thought you'd be all about impulse buying." She squints her eyes, puzzled at the apparent contradiction.
"Impulsive? Do you really think I'm that kind of person? How cruel of you Kushida-san." I dramatically put a hand on my chest, observing every detail of her reaction.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you, Shiroi-kun. Sometimes I just speak without thinking." Kushida clasps her hands in front of her chest, her voice filled with genuine concern. Her smile, though a little strained, quickly returns.
"Honestly, I didn't mean to sound judgmental. It's admirable that you're so careful with your points." She bows her head in an exaggerated reverence.
I hold her gaze for a moment longer before smiling again. "Don't worry. Ready to pay? I think I've loaded my basket enough. How about you?"
Kushida blinks at the question, then glances down at her own basket. It's still full to the brim, the expensive items gleaming under the artificial store lighting.
"Oh, right. Yeah, I think I'm done too."
She gives a slight huff with a touch of self-consciousness in her tone. And gestures towards the checkout counter, the items in her basket adding up to quite the little mountain.
After that, we finish our shopping. The register completes the transaction in a matter of seconds after swiping your student ID card at the machine. We don't even have to pretend to count the change. Capitalist efficiency at its finest.
"And so it works? The student ID as a credit card in disguise..." I mutter to myself, nodding approvingly at the versatility of the card.
I think I'm talking to myself, but Kushida looks in my direction. She must've heard me and imagined I'm speaking to her.
"It's incredible how effortless shopping becomes with this card. There's no need to carry cash, it's just super convenient."
The receipt pops out, showing all our purchases and the points remaining. The payment has gone through without any problems.
"You know, I do appreciate having the freedom and autonomy of choosing my own goods. It almost feels like I'm taking on some adult responsibilities. Although calling them points makes them entirely too easy to spend. To be honest, it's giving my money sense." She says.
I nod thoughtfully. "It's true that there are a lot of things to buy. Albeit with this many points, it almost seems like they're encouraging us to spend. I wonder what the school will gain from this."
In any case, this school is unsettling. How can each student possibly deserve such a huge allowance? Since my grade has about 160 students in it, by simple calculation, the high school should have about 480 people total. That's a whopping 48 million yen each month alone. Annually, 560 million. It seems downright excessive, even for a school that receives government funding.
"Yeah, you have a point there. They've got all these facilities that could easily accommodate the entire school. But then they go and hand out all these points without any limitations. Some students might get a little too comfortable and slack off on their studies with all this luxury."
That's a good point. Maybe if it was some kind of reward for working hard or passing a test, students might be motivated to do better. But this school just hands out 100,000 yen to everyone, without any conditions attached. Is this some kind of experiment? What are they seeking with such generosity?
We finish up and step back out into the campus. I walk silently, lost in my thoughts, until I catch snippets of her quiet musings.
"I'm going to have to budget tightly to avoid overspending. Although, I'll buy what I need. Daily things like soap and detergent, underwear and such..." she mumbles, almost to herself.
Despite everything... I feel a lingering feeling of discomfort in my mind, as if something about her is off. My instincts tell me there's something more going on here, and I'm determined to find out what it is, no matter what it takes.
Sensing the conversation drifting nowhere, I decide to get straight to the point. A feeling tells me there's something more, and that's what I'm going to discover no matter what.
Suddenly I stop, forcing Kushida to stop as well. I look into her eyes, determined. The silence hangs heavy in the air.
"Hey, Kushida..." I start.
"Yes? What is it?" she halts, turning to face me.
I hesitate for a moment, then take a deep breath before asking, "I've been meaning to ask... what was it, exactly, that made you decide to approach me back in the store? It seemed, rather out of the blue."
Kushida's slightly raises an eyebrow, revealing confusion. "Again? I already told you, didn't I? I was bored and thought it would be nice to talk to you. And I also needed help with the card." Her smile is still intact as she calmly replies.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you? I wouldn't have thought I'd be on your radar. What was it about me that stood out?"
She laughs, looking away for a moment. "I don't understand your question. Can't I be friendly and chat with someone I find interesting?" Her eyes narrow slightly and gives a soft, forced chuckle.
"Interesting, huh?" I pause, resting my thumb under my chin and slide my fingers against my jaw, my eyes lost in space as I assess Kushida.
"You seem to be really into getting to know everyone in Class D. It's admirable, but quite the undertaking, wouldn't you say?" I observe her attentively.
Why is she avoiding the question?
Kushida laughs lightly, but it lacks its usual effortless quality. "Well, I just believe it's important to have good relationships with everyone. We're all in this together, right?"
"That's a nice way of thinking," I reply, my tone staying even and cool.
"But I'm curious. Wouldn't trying to befriend everyone be rather exhausting? Wouldn't it be difficult to maintain so many meaningful connections?" I tilt my head, my expression showing innocent curiosity, but there's something sly lurking beneath it.
As she hears those venomous words, her smile wavers. "I just want to make sure everyone is included. That no one feels left out."
"I see," my gaze flicks down to her phone, which she's been subtly checking throughout our interaction. I let the silence hang heavy for a beat.
"Is something that urgent on your phone? It seems rather distracting."
She tucks her phone into her pocket, her cheeks a shade of crimson as if caught in the act. She forces a calm expression onto her face, and her tone is informal but slightly defensive.
"Oh, it's nothing. Just checking the time."
"Really? I've seen you do it several times. I just wonder what is so important as to constantly distract you from our conversation."
"It's nothing important. Really."
"Nothing? You look awfully worried for something that's 'nothing.'" I raise an eyebrow, but she just remains silent. A tense silence hangs between us, broken only by the distant sounds of campus life.
I study her for a moment, a thoughtful expression on my face. "Kushida," I begin softly, "Isn't honesty one of the cornerstones of friendships? What's a friendship without a little truth between friends?"
Kushida's face pales and her gaze drops to the ground. Then she exhales exasperatedly, running a hand through her hair but keeping her smile nonetheless.
"Oh... um..." She stumbles over her words, then blurts out.
"Well, it's just... to tell you the truth, do you remember when I said I wanted to get along with everyone in class? So, I... I was making a list on my phone of people to exchange contact information with. And I wanted to make sure I didn't forget to ask you. That's all it was."
It was so obvious that I can't even act surprised. Like that Plot twist of Dabi turning out to be Endeavor's son. I knew your neatly packaged kindness had fine print.
"So that was it, huh..." I let out a long, drawn-out sigh, exasperated.
"All this performance, just for a phone number? You know, I value honesty above all else, Kushida. And I feel a little insulted. You think I wouldn't have given you my number if you just asked?" I scoff, looking at her with annoyance, my voice is low and full of reproach.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She stares at me with surprise, her expression quickly becoming guarded. Her eyes narrow briefly, but her composure remains calm. It's as if she's carefully measuring me up, trying to figure out my intentions.
"I hate it when people don't value my time. We could have exchanged contact information from the very beginning, without all this drama. Do you really think I'm so stupid that I wouldn't see through it?"
She shakes her head vigorously. "I didn't think you were stupid. I just thought it would be nice to get to know you better before sharing contact information, Is that really so wrong? I thought you'd be happy to make a new friend." Her eyes narrow, her expression harders slightly, adopting a dangerous defensive stance.
"Then why?" I take a step closer, invading her personal space and glaring at her with a hardening expression. She steps back slightly, her eyes fixed on mine.
"Why not just say, 'Hey, Shiroi-kun, I want your number, let's be friends'? Was that so hard? You're clearly pretty good at being around people. I'm sure you understand the value of direct communication." I don't shout, but my voice drops, low and cold.
My mask of amusement slips, replaced by a flash of genuine irritation. My eyes, previously narrowed in playful scrutiny, now bore into Kushida, sharp and cold. A muscle twitches in my jaw. She looks hurt, the sole thought of hurting someone seems to resonate in her head.
"Shiroi-kun, t-that really hurts. I thought we were having a nice time getting to know each other. I didn't realize I was being such a burden. I was simply trying to be considerate, that's all. I didn't want to come off as pushy or presumptuous... I just thought a more organic approach would be better." She shrinks back slightly under my relentless gaze.
True, taking a casual approach is often the safest option when it comes to making contact with someone new. It minimizes the chance of being perceived as bothersome. However, I can't afford to be complacent. I need to keep pressing her to get things flow where I want them to be.
"Kushida, you said you wanted to be everyone's friend, no? Doesn't that include being honest with them? Because that doesn't seem very honest to me." I respond, my tone full with coldness.
The color drains from Kushida's face. Her lips are trembling before she manages to utter a weak: "N-No, I didn't mean to..."
I keep a watchful eye on her, noting the subtle signs of sadness on her face. I take a deep breath, then speak, my voice quieter now. "I'm really sorry if I came off too strong. I just value sincerity, and I get frustrated when I feel like I'm being played. But perhaps I misunderstood you." My voice trails off, and my intense gaze softens. The anger that has flared moments before dissipates, replaced by a quiet sadness. I look away for a moment, collecting myself, then I meet her eyes again.
Unfortunately for you, you weren't the only one observing here.
"I'm sorry," she says, her voice now trembling slightly.
"I... I shouldn't have lied. I should have just been honest with you from the beginning." She looks away, her cheeks flushing with shame.
She takes a shaky breath, trying to regain control. "I just didn't want to make a bad first impression. All I want is to get along with everyone in class."
I observe her silently, my expression impassive. Almost there.
She blushes slightly and lowers her head. "So please..." Her voice cracks, and she looks up at me, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. A single tear traces a path down her cheek.
"Can we... can we still exchange contact information?" She holds out her phone, her hand trembling slightly.
There you go. I've got you right where I wanted you. But let's let her squirm a little more.
"Hmm... I'm not so sure, Kushida. Let me think about it." I shrug nonchalantly, playing innocent.
"Please, Shiroi-kun," Kushida clasps her hands together, her pleading expression clear. "Give me your number. I really want to be your friend."
I watch her silently for a long moment, a sly smile curving my lips. Let's see how she reacts to this.
"Alright. How about this? What if I refuse?"
"Huh? What do you mean?" She lifts her gaze, her upturned and pleading eyes widening with uncertainty.
"Just kidding. But let's say, hypothetically, someone is reluctant to give you their number. What would you do?"
She hesitates, her smile faltering for a moment while wiping her cheek. "I... I suppose I'd try to understand their reasons. Maybe they've had bad experiences in the past. I'd want to show them that not everyone is like that."
"And if they remained resistant?"
Kushida's voice tightens. "I wouldn't give up. I believe everyone deserves a chance to be understood."
Why is she so desperate to get along with ABSOLUTELY everyone? It's like she's got a personal mission to befriend every soul in this damn school. What kind of conditioning creates a creature like this?
"Okay, in that case. I guess I can give you my contact info—on one condition." I lift my index finger.
"What... what condition?" she insists, her expression turning curious and eager. She takes a small step forward, closing the gap between us.
"I'm not interested in friendships built on lies and manipulation. If we're going to be friends—it needs to be based on honesty. Complete transparency. So, here's the deal..." I pause before a subtle smirk plays on my lips, much like a shark smelling blood.
"You'll owe me a favor. Consider this your chance to prove that you're serious about wanting fix this misunderstanding and start anew, Kushida. The choice is yours, don't waste it."
"A favor...?" Her expression falters for a moment, her mind weighing the options. But the desire to become friends with everyone seems to overpower any hesitation she has.
"Okay. Fine. I'll owe you a favor, no matter what it is." she promises, nodding firmly.
I raise an eyebrow. "Really? Because I might ask for something pretty outrageous."
She pauses for a moment, considering her words carefully. She swallows and takes a deep breath, nodding her head.
"Anything... within reason, of course." she says with a light laugh, trying to maintain a casual tone while subtly setting a boundary.
I laugh softly. "Alright then... but I won't tell you what the favor is just yet. We'll exchange contacts first, and you'll find out later."
"Are you sure? What if I just forget about the favor? A verbal agreement isn't very binding." she asks, her expression earnest before continuing.
"I'm happy to help, truly. But it seems a little unfair to agree to something without knowing what it is. Don't you think? How can I be a good friend if I'm walking into a blind commitment?"
I shrug my shoulders, palms up and eyebrows arched in a sarcastic grimace "Well, I guess we'll see how good your word is, won't we?"
Her face scrunches up slightly in mild annoyance at my response, but she quickly regains her composure.
Ara~ so even the all-goody angels can have a breaking point. How fascinating. I wonder how deep that crack goes.
"I suppose we will," she says, her voice a touch cooler than before. "I'm a girl who keeps her word."
She digs into her bag, pulls out her phone, and we swap numbers. The new contact on my screen feels like a small victory.
A beat of silence hangs in the air as I study her as if I were Harry Hallow studying primates. Then, with a playful glimmer in my eye, I say, "You know what? I'm changing my mind, I'm gonna ask for my favor right now."
Her smile falters for a moment. "Now? Are you sure? I thought we agreed you'd tell me later." There's a hint of unease in her voice.
I lean in, ignoring her question entirely and lowering my voice conspiratorially. "My favor is simple. I want you to receive 50,000 of my private points."
"Eh...?"
Kushida's eyes widen in shock, her mouth slightly agape as she processes my request. It takes a moment for her to find her voice, her disbelief palpable. Just as planned. The chocolate and kiss joke worked perfectly. She was so wary about my impulsiveness, the mere thought of money probably seems like a blessing.
"50,000?! Just like that?! Seriously!? T-That's a lot of points..."
She fumbles for words, "That's... That's far too much. Are you sure you can spare it? I wouldn't want you to struggle."
I grin. "What's the matter? Can't you accept my little gift?" Hook, line, and sinker.
Kushida fidgets uncomfortably, her face tightening.
"I don't know, Shiroi-kun... Are you sure? I don't know if it's something I should—"
She cuts herself off, unable to find the right words to reject my request without coming across as ungrateful.
"Don't worry... I'm not giving you that money as a present."
Her expression turns to that of slight confusion, her eyebrows furrowing.
"Huh? If it's not a present, then what..." She trails off, waiting for me to explain further.
I step a bit closer, my tone softening as I explain, "Think of it like a bank deposit. I don't like this cushy lifestyle, because once you get used to it, you never want to let go. So, I want you to hold onto these points until I ask for them back. Of course, you can use them all you want, but they're essentially mine, safely stored with you."
She crosses her arms and frowns, weighing my words.
"But giving them to me without any guarantee... is very risky. I can't just let you pay such a large amount without knowing the risks of this kind of deal."
She looks at me and shakes her head.
"Sorry Shiroi-kun, I can't accept your proposal. I don't want you to risk your money unnecessarily like this..."
I lean a little towards her and, in a lower voice, I explain.
"I understand your doubts, but isn't there is a payment history when you make any transaction? If at any time you don't return them to me, it will be on record, and it'll be obvious that you didn't hold up your end of the deal, which could harm your reputation. That's why, I truly believe you are the most trustworthy person around here."
Even if this is a mere word agreement, the unusually high amount of money on the tracking record would raise suspicions nevertheless and she knows it. She wouldn't put her reputation on the line for a stranger. There's no sense in it, she's got nothing to gain.
This the bare first day of classes, she still hasn't fully gained trust among her peers so this is a great opportunity for her to earn trust from me, one of her classmates.
"But what if my classmates notice such a huge amount on my account? It'd raise a lot of questions."
"In which case you can just say it was a gift from a classmate without naming me and keep our little deal under wraps. But between friends, I trust that won't be an issue, right?"
Kushida, frowning and with a somewhat bewildered tone, ask: "I still don't understand the point of this deal... what do you get out of this? Why can't you just keep those points for yourself instead of going to the trouble of making a deal with me?"
Kushida, you still don't understand: I'm not trying to trick anyone or get any benefit from this deal.
I'm trying to trick myself, prevent me from doing any stupidity.
No matter how much you try to restrain you, the temptation is always there. People will always want to spend what they see. Because money symbolizes more than just numbers; It means freedom, status, and commodity. This whole system is designed to tempt us. To make us crave the fleeting satisfaction of spending, the illusion of control that comes with each pointless purchase. 100,000 points a month. Convenience stores stocked with useless trinkets. Luxury dorms. It's a gilded cage, designed to breed complacency and dependence.
My gaze drifts back to Kushida. Watching her in silence with a pensive look.
I know my weaknesses. The allure of instant gratification, the impulse to acquire, it's a constant battle that I often loss. I'll play along with this system, but only up to a point. And for that, I need a safeguard. A way to resist the siren song of consumerism. And you, you're the perfect lockbox for my impulses.
"In no time you will see many students spending their points as if there were no tomorrow. And believe me, I don't want to end up listening to the inevitable requests for loans that will follow. With this deal, at least, I avoid that mess. Plus, I'd rather avoid the temptation and if you can help me with that, we can show a level of trust, wouldn't you say?"
Kushida nods slowly, still processing the explanation without further details.
"I understand... So you're not trying to trick me or throw your money carelessly. You just want to avoid the hassle of people asking you for money, and you want to control your spending."
Her voice carries a tone of realization, as if she's starting to understand my true intentions. Her gaze remains fixed on mine, her eyes searching for any hint of deception.
"Let me get this straight. You're giving me 50,000 points simply to avoid temptation?"
I simply nod, without saying anything more, letting the silence and my expression speak volumes.
"I see..." Kushida's eyes narrow slightly, then a slow, knowing smile spreads across her face.
Another beat of silence hangs in the air. She holds my gaze, during which her smile widens. It's not her usual bright, cheerful smile; this one is different. Subtle. Almost predatory.
What is she thinking? Does she know something I don't? Her smile... it's unnervingly serene. A bead of sweat trickles down my temple, despite the cool evening air. I shift my weight, suddenly feeling like I'm the one under scrutiny. I can't hold her gaze any longer. My eyes dart away, settling on a random point in the distance.
"So, what do you say?" I ask, my voice a little tighter than I intended.
A long pause follows as she considers my proposal. Finally, with a soft exhale and a determined look in her eyes, she replies, "Fuun... Very well, Shiroi-kun. I accept your favor."
"Excellent," I reply, my own smile returning, though it doesn't quite reach my eyes.
"I knew I could count on you, Kushida." I initiate the private point transfer. A few seconds later, a notification pops on Kushida's phone. With that, 50.000 points vanish from my account.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm always happy to help a friend." she says, her tone smooth as silk.
"But are you sure this is okay? You're not afraid I'll escape with your points?" She provokes.
"That's why you're the only one I could entrust this deal."
"You're really strange. Giving a huge amount to someone you barely know. But I won't complain, I promise I'll keep your points safe. Once again, let's get along well. Okay~?"
"I know you will, Kushida-chan!"
Kushida laughs softly, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Such faith in me, huh? Then, I guess, I'll try my best not to disappoint you."
She turns her back, and waves at me while doing so. Leaving me standing alone.
Will she be useful? Only time will tell... Judging her as my pawn at this stage would be rushing things. For now, Iet's say that her "external" side could be useful down the line.
Anyway, the school hands us 100.000 points monthly so why worrying about the possibility of a trick? Losing that money would be a hassle but not to the point of losing sleep.
For now, I'll head to my room and let all this sink in. Today's just getting started.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around 3:30pm, I finally reach the dorms that will be my home from this day onward.
I arrive at the reception desk, and after the first floor receptionist hands me a keycard for room 403 and an information manual about the dorm's rules, I board the elevator. As I flip through the manual, I notice basic details like the schedule for garbage disposal and strict warnings against making too much noise, wasting water, or overusing electricity, and so on.
"So, there's no restrictions on electricity or gas usage?"
I figured the school would take those costs out of our points. They really went all out to make things convenient. Even the internet is also provided by the school. Still, I'm surprised about the co-ed dormitories. But hey, who am I to complain, right? And let's be real, we're high schoolers, so the school's gotta set some rules to avoid any messy situations So yeah, sex is definitely off-limits. No priest in their right mind would say that kind of stuff is okay.
After using my key card to unlock the door, I enter my dorm room. It's pretty spacious and has all the necessities: a bed, a desk, and a closet. The bare walls give it a simple, almost stark look, yet there's a comforting sense of 'home' in it.
"This is it. My own personal sanctuary for the next three years, huh?"
I glance around the room again, mentally measuring the size of the space. It's cozy, clean and polished, approximately 8 tatami mats in size or 12.4m².
100.000 yen monthly, independence, free rooms and even cute girls.
I approach the window. The view isn't spectacular, just some campus buildings and a patch of the blue sky. But even so, a sense of calm washes over me. Here, in this small space, I'm finally safe.
This place has a high employment rate after graduation, and its facilities and student services are top-notch—the best in the country. But seriously, I couldn't care less about the future. I chose this school for one simple reason.
Home. No matter how many problems I had before I entered this school, as long as I'm a student here, I'm protected by the government. I finally have a place to go, no more struggling just to breathe for another day, wandering aimlessly like a nomadic.
This school is the best! I don't ever want to graduate. Can I just stay a teenager forever, repeating courses and never having to face the burdens of adulthood?
Before I was accepted, I honestly thought I would be been fine either way, that the difference between passing and failing would have been trivial. But now my true feelings are clear: I'm glad I got in.
Here, no one else's judgment can touch me. I have the chance to start fresh—a new life.
I kick off my uniform and flop onto the bed, finally letting myself indulge in the long-awaited nap. As I drift off, a smile sneaks across my face. The softness of the sheets is an unexpected luxury. I close my eyes, inhaling the clean, new scent. Home. The word echoes in my mind, warm and comforting.
I'm genuinely looking forward to my school life here.