Houtarou Oreki Classroom of the Elite

The store opening agreement, formally known as the business plan agreement for borrowing money to open a store, consists of three main points:

1º — Fundraising: An initial investment of 50,000 is required in the first month, followed by 30,000 per month for 6 months. From the third month, 15% monthly interest on invested funds will be returned, with full principal repayment at the 12-month mark. Investors receive priority rights for the next fundraising round.

2º — The contract is valid for 12 months.

3º — Unilateral breach by the investor incurs a 10,000 Points penalty, with no refund of collected Points.

Kikyō blinked softly.

"This is the information Oreki-kun gathered today." Suzune explained, "The second-year seniors pooled funds to open this bubble tea shop, allowing them to earn a considerable amount of points monthly. Based on Oreki-kun's previous findings, students have limited opportunities to earn points. However, the second-years have devised a new approach, elevating their position by opening a shop to generate income."

She paused briefly before adding.

"We discovered this when Oreki-kun was seen in the second-year area today. I believe we can use this to our advantage."

This explanation left the group somewhat speechless. They realized that this valuable information was obtained simply by following Houtarou.

Kikyō, however, nodded gently.

Oh. So, Suzune, you want a piece of the pie because you discovered him?

"Are you suggesting we should pool our points and open a shop like the second-years?" She inquired.

"Not including you." Suzune replied bluntly, "I just need your help, but you won't be sharing in the profits."

Kikyō's expression instantly fell.

Just when Houtarou thought she might crumble, she turned to face him directly.

"Is that what you think too, Oreki-kun?" She asked, her dark green eyes fixed on him. She turned slightly, presenting a pitiful look.

'This is a girl's weapon…' Houtarou thought. He had encountered this tactic with Arisu before and should have built up some resistance... but he hadn't.

Arisu is cute, Suzune is beautiful, and Kikyō is... like a freebie. It also possesses a terribly destructive power.

"I was originally thinking of gathering points to open a shop." He said, "I'd give Horikita-san 10% of the profits, but if you join too, Kushida-san, I can offer you 5%."

"5%, huh—" Kikyō maintained her cute expression.

"It can only be 5% because obtaining information isn't simple. For instance, my class spent 2 million points just to get the school rules at the beginning." Houtarou explained.

"Oh." Seeming to accept this reason, she turned back to Suzune, "Then, can I understand it as Horikita-san wanting my help?"

After all, Suzune had contacted her, which is why she came running over. Despite her effort, the Horikita girl showed no appreciation and bluntly treated people like tools, which was simply too much.

"It's up to you. If not you, then Hirata-kun would do as well." Suzune said.

"..." Kikyō. "..." Houtarou.

Hmm. Although he thought one person could be energy-efficient, Suzune, with her years of experience having no friends, was indeed... the real deal. A major straight-shooter can be irritating.

"Y-Yes, that's right." Kikyō replied, facing such a socially inept girl with slight disappointment but no anger, "Hirata-kun is also very popular and has charisma. However, I hope I can become friends with Horikita-san."

In other words, does she hope to become friends with Suzune through this opportunity?

"I refuse." The little Horikita attacked bluntly once again.

"..."

Then, Houtarou found Kikyō, who had been instantly rejected, looking at him again.

"Then can I become friends with Oreki-kun?" She once again put on a pitiful expression.

Is this because she felt embarrassed after being instantly rejected by Suzune and turned to him to save face?

Or is it an indirect approach? Because she discovered that he could talk with Suzune, does she hope to connect through him and then approach her again?

Through this meeting, Houtarou also gained some insights.

Kikyō should be the type with high emotional intelligence, so she should know that someone like Suzune, who is very straightforward, is difficult to approach. Avoiding her would be the right move.

But she persists relentlessly.

So if it's not obsessive-compulsive disorder, there must be a reason why she must befriend Suzune.

"Kushida-san, how are your academic abilities?" Houtarou inquired.

"Me? They're okay, I guess. I can score about 80 points out of 100." Kikyō answered sweetly, not understanding why he suddenly asked this.

And he already understood.

Her ability to run here from the school building in just a few minutes shows that her physical fitness is also good. She's very good at reading the atmosphere, with high emotional intelligence.

So, the reason she was assigned to Class D... is a flaw that even positive evaluations cannot offset.

Therefore, this is probably a bomb that could explode at any time.

⍟⍟⍟

T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!

For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing