"Hmm... It's Megumi!"
"You guessed right. Good morning, Azuma-san."
( )
The two of them smiled at each other.
"You two sure are close."
Alya, the Russian girl sitting next to Yukima Azuma, twitched the corner of her lips at the scene before her.
( )
It's only morning, and she's already being force-fed dog food!!!
That said...
To be honest, this kind of interaction was a bit childish.
But it also seemed quite fun.
Only very close friends could do such innocent things together.
And as a foreign exchange student, Alya naturally didn't have such friends.
Her words carried a hint of jealousy.
"Pay attention to me too!!" (in Russian)
( )
Kato Megumi blinked her shinny eyes.
She didn't understand Russian.
But for some reason, she could still sense Alya's intent.
She tilted her head and looked at Yukima Azuma.
Her gaze seemed to ask: Is she also part of your harem?
( )
Under that stare, Yukima Azuma felt a little flustered.
Although he had said something like, "You are all my wings," to Kato Megumi...
In reality, after declaring the harem, he felt even more guilty.
"Everyone, return to your seats. The morning self-study session is about to begin."
Kirisu Mafuyu entered the classroom and tapped the blackboard.
The students, who had been chatting excitedly because of the new semester, immediately returned to their seats obediently.
Kirisu Mafuyu still maintained her authority as a teacher.
After ensuring everyone was seated, she subconsciously glanced at Yukima Azuma.
Seeing the boy attending class obediently and even looking quite well-behaved...
She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, while also feeling a subtle emotion rising in her heart.
Clearing her throat softly, Kirisu Mafuyu shook off her distracting thoughts and seriously assumed her role as a teacher.
"Summer vacation is over. Starting today, the new semester officially begins, so everyone should focus again."
"The academic workload for the next half-year will be heavier, and the exams will be even more difficult. You must study hard."
"After the morning classes end, the subject representatives will collect your summer homework."
After announcing the usual matters, Kirisu Mafuyu took out a few forms from her document folder.
"One more thing. You all may have heard about the student exchange program when applying to Toyogasaki Academy, but you may not fully understand it yet."
"The so-called student exchange program means that in the second semester of each year, students can apply for an exchange."
"The three private academiesToyogasaki, Shuchiin, and Hyakkaouconduct academic exchanges with each other."
"If you wish to participate, you can fill out an application form. As long as the target academy accepts you, you can become an exchange student."
At this point, Kirisu Mafuyu paused slightly.
Then, her expression became more serious.
"Although I shouldn't say this, as your homeroom teacher, I must take responsibility for you all."
"Shuchiin Private Academy is a true aristocratic school, where more than 90% of the students come from prestigious families."
These words were already phrased very modestly.
In reality, nearly 99% of Shuchiin's students were from the upper class.
If they weren't the sons or daughters of conglomerates, then they were the grandchildren of politicians.
Unlike Toyogasaki Academy, which places more emphasis on academic performance...
Shuchiin evaluates a student's family background as well.
Aside from a small number of exceptionally talented students admitted as part of an image strategy...
Most of Shuchiin's high school students had been studying there since middle school.
The school even had the concept of "jun'in" and "kon'in" ("Pure" and "Mixed").
"Jun'in" referred to students who had passed the entrance evaluation, entered from middle school, and progressed straight to high school.
Because of this distinction...
The atmosphere of exclusivity in Shuchiin was easy to imagine.
However, compared to another academy...
This situation was actually considered mild.
When mentioning that other school, Kirisu Mafuyu's expression turned even worse.
"As for Hyakkaou Private Academy... I do not encourage any of you to go there for an exchange."
"You may have heard of Hyakkaou's nickname: The Gambling Hell."
"This school is completely different from a normal academy."
"Gambling is legalized within the school, studying is secondary, and only gambling truly matters."
"Stepping into that place... losing everything is just an ordinary occurrence."
At this point, Kirisu Mafuyu stopped speaking.
Logically speaking, as a homeroom teacher, she shouldn't have said such things.
After all, the three private academies had a close relationship with each other.
But she had to take responsibility for her students.
Gambling was just like drugsit was something that should never be touched.
"If anyone is interested in participating in the exchange program, you can come up after class to take an application form."
"Once you've filled it out, submit it to me in the office, and I will forward it to the school board for review."
"That concludes the information about the student exchange system. If there's nothing else, everyone, proceed with self-study."
After speaking, Kirisu Mafuyu left the classroom.
Leaving the students to discuss among themselves.
As soon as she left...
Whispers quickly spread throughout Class 1-E.
"Hey... Yukima-san, is there really a high school that prioritizes gambling above everything else?"
Alya couldn't contain her curiosity and turned to ask Yukima Azuma with a doubtful expression.
He nodded slightly.
It was understandable that Alya, an exchange student from Russia, would find this incomprehensible.
Even Yukima Azuma, who had memories related to Hyakkaou, had found the system absolutely absurd when he first heard about it.
"Hyakkaou Private Academy is backed by the Momobami conglomerate."
"Every year, they don't actively recruit students; instead, students must apply on their own."
"Inside the school, gambling is legalized and is practically the top priority. Moreover, they have some extremely ridiculous rules."
Yukima Azuma gave a brief summary of Hyakkaou.
Upon hearing this, Alya's expression turned slightly strange.
It was truly absurd.
"Kujou-san, it's best that you don't go to Hyakkaou."
Yukima Azuma kindly warned.
Chapter 192: Shuchiin Academys Exchange Invitation
Chapter 192: Shuchiin Academy's Exchange Invitation
"Kujou-san, it's best if you don't come to Hyakkaou."
Once again, he sincerely offered his advice.
Hyakkaou was called the Gambling Hell, not just because gambling was considered supreme within the academy.
But also because this place had rules tied to gambling that were extremely cruel.
For example, the Housepets system.
Where there was gambling, there would inevitably be those who lost to the point of bankruptcy, unable to repay their debts.
The wagers in Hyakkaou mainly took place between students or between students and the student council.
Once someone was deeply in debt and failed to repay on time, that debt would be transferred to the student council.
The Hyakkaou student council would pay off the debt on behalf of the debtor.
And once the student council took over the debt, that student would become a pet.
In Hyakkaou, pets were forced to wear humiliating tags, either in the shape of a dog or a cat.
And from that moment on, they lost all their rights as a human being.
The student council could decide the pet's entire future.
Including marriage, bodily autonomy, etc.
Furthermore, because the entire academy was immersed in gambling...
Those who kept winning no longer found satisfaction in mere monetary wagers.
Betting oneself, one's freedom, or even one's lifeeverything could be accepted as long as both parties agreed.
This was the reason why Hyakkaou was called the Gambling Hell.
And in this hell...
Lacking ambition was actually a good thing.
The worst thing was being someone with a strong competitive spirit and a perfectionist mindset.
As long as someone possessed these two traits, no matter how intelligent they were...
In this abyss of gambling, there was only one possible outcome.
Alya and Hyakkaou were completely incompatible.
Hearing the serious warning from Yukima Azuma
Alya, who was sitting next to him, slightly nodded.
"I won't go to places like that."
She had only asked about Hyakkaou out of curiosity.
When it came to gambling, Alya always kept her distance.
...
The morning classes passed quickly.
After the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, no one came to the podium to take the application form.
A normal high school student, upon hearing about Shuchiin and Hyakkaou, might feel a fleeting sense of interest due to their pride.
But the students who were able to pass the entrance exam for Toyogasaki Private Academyno matter how low their rankingwere not actually foolish.
"What's the first class?"
Yukima Azuma leaned back in his chair and turned to ask Kato Megumi, who was sitting behind him.
The new semester's schedule had changed.
And, of course, Yukima Azuma had no motivation to check the new schedule himself.
At this moment, his only option was to ask Dora-gumi!
)
"Literature, then Chemistry, Math, and the last period is Cooking class."
Kato Megumi took out the schedule she had copied into her pencil case and handed it to Yukima Azuma.
"Eh? We have Cooking today? But I already brought a bento..."
Kita Ikuyo, who had just come over after class, frowned upon hearing this.
Cooking class was held once a week, usually as the last period of the morning.
Toyogasaki Academy provided the ingredients, so students didn't need to bring their own.
And the finished dish couldn't just be thrown away.
Normally, it became the students' lunch for the day.
"Kita-chan, what did you bring?"
(^^ ) -
Eriri asked curiously.
"Fried chicken sandwiches." Kita Ikuyo answered as she returned to her seat and took out her bento.
Opening the lid, inside were four slices of sandwiches that looked absolutely delicious.
()
In between, golden-brown pieces of fried chicken could be seen.
"Has everyone had breakfast yet? Help me finish this!"
()
Kita Ikuyo held out her bento, offering it to the others.
Eriri had eaten steamed buns at Yukima's house this morning.
Alya and Kato Megumi had also eaten breakfast at their own homes.
In the end, Kita Ikuyo could only turn to Yukima Azuma for help.
"Are you trying to make me explode from eating too much?" Seeing Kita Ikuyo's pleading eyes, Yukima Azuma pointed at himself, looking utterly shocked.
(®®)
That expression made the girls burst into laughter.
In the end, Yukima Azuma still took a bite.
Then, he grabbed two more sandwiches.
Yukima Azuma walked toward his unfortunate friends.
"Satou, Kunimi, have you guys had breakfast yet?"
Hearing that, Kunimi Yuuma and Satou Kazuma simultaneously shook their heads.
Clearly, these two were the type to sleep in until the very last minute.
Where would they find time for breakfast?
Staring at the fried chicken sandwich in Yukima Azuma's hand
After the morning classes, the two male students were already a bit hungry, and now they couldn't help swallowing their saliva.
"Want some?" Yukima Azuma grinned mischievously.
( )
The two of them obviously knew Yukima Azuma had no good intentions, but they couldn't resist the temptation and nodded.
"If so, you guys know how to call me properly, right?"
Yukima Azuma slowly lured them in.
"In your dreams!" Satou Kazuma pointed at Yukima Azuma. "Do you think we'd throw away our pride just for a sandwich?"
Kunimi Yuuma also umu in agreement.
Yukima Azuma said nothing, only slightly lifted a corner of the bread.
The filling in Kita Ikuyo's sandwich was incredibly generous.
Just one glance inside was enough to make it even more tempting.
"Kita-san made it."
( )
"Honored father!" x2
(— — )
Yukima Azuma smiled in satisfaction and handed them the sandwiches.
Satisfying!
()
Watching those two take a huge bite in a hurry was truly a delight!
As soon as the sandwich went down
Yukima Azuma added, "That'll be 500 yen in total."
"Nani?!" Satou Kazuma's eyes widened.
( ®®)!!
With his mouth still full of sandwich, his voice was a bit muffled.
They had already called him "honored father," yet he was still charging them?!
"The sandwich belongs to Kita-san. If it were mine, of course, I would've treated you both."
_()_/
Yukima Azuma shrugged.
Only now did Kunimi Yuuma and Satou Kazuma realize they had been thoroughly tricked.
They didn't have to call him that at all!
The two of them dug into their wallets, each pulling out a 500-yen coin and handing it to Yukima Azuma.
After receiving the money, Yukima Azuma was about to return to the girls.
But at that moment, Kirisu Mafuyu pushed the classroom door open and peeked inside.
"Yukima Azuma, come to the office." As soon as she spotted him, Kirisu Mafuyu called him out directly.
Yukima Azuma blinked.
Huh?
Waiting until Kirisu Mafuyu left, Yukima Azuma returned to the girls.
He handed the 1,000 yen he had just received, along with another 1,000 yen from his own wallet, to Kita Ikuyo.
"No no no, Yukima-san helped me out, so how could I accept money?"
Kita Ikuyo quickly refused.
"It's fine, business is business. The sandwich was deliciousit deserves to be paid for."
Yukima Azuma stuffed the money into Kita Ikuyo's hands.
At the same time, he grabbed the last sandwich.
Before leaving, he turned back and asked:
"Do you guys want anything to drink? I can grab something on my way back."
There was a vending machine right next to the teachers' office.
"I'd like black tea, thanks, Azuma-san."
( )
Kato Megumi raised her hand, looking like a well-behaved student.
"I'll take green tea." Kita Ikuyo said and also handed a 500-yen coin back to Yukima Azuma.
Eriri seemed like she wanted to say something but hesitated. Yukima Azuma smiled and nodded.
Got it, got itlemon tea.
Finally, Yukima Azuma looked at Alya.
Alya was slightly startled, clearly not expecting Yukima Azuma to ask her as well.
