Although their goal was to test whether the 100,000 points on the student card could be used, Sendoh and Shiina chose to return to the dormitory first.
From the map on the phone, it was clear that besides the cafeteria, the school had a fairly large shopping street area.
Sakagami mentioned that points could be used as money at school, so going to the shopping street to shop should be valid.
As new students who would live here for three years, there were certainly many daily necessities that needed to be purchased.
However, Sendoh needed to go to the dormitory to confirm what he wanted to buy.
The school's accommodation arrangements were very good.
All students lived in dormitories, each getting a small room of 23 square meters. Though small, the rooms were equipped with balconies, bathrooms, washing machines, and small kitchens with natural gas pipes.
'The school seems to encourage students to be independent and make their own meals,' thought Sendoh.
Sendoh was used to bringing homemade lunches, so he knew how much money could be saved.
'But it's strange,' thought Sendoh. 'Each student has 100,000 points, equivalent to 100,000 yen for living expenses. With that amount, is it still necessary to cook?'
Did the school want all students to be able to cook? Or did most students need to cook to save points, so the school provided kitchens?
'Why save if there are that many points?' thought Sendoh.
Sendoh took out his phone and noted the daily necessities he needed to buy.
When entering school, he was asked not to bring anything, so he had to buy toiletries, blankets, and casual clothes.
'Almost half of the 100,000 points might go to these needs,' thought Sendoh.
Although these items could be reused, Sendoh felt insecure. 'How many points will be given next month?' thought Sendoh.
As a new student, daily necessities might consume 20,000–50,000 points, depending on the quality of items. That left 40,000–50,000 points for food and other needs.
'If prices inside and outside school are the same, 40,000–50,000 points are enough for a high school student's living expenses,' thought Sendoh. 'But why does the school give 100,000 points if 50,000 is enough?'
'These points will likely fluctuate. There must be deductions,' thought Sendoh.
As Shiina left the dormitory, Sendoh also decided to go shopping.
The dormitory was in the same building for both genders: males on floors 1–4, females on floors 5–8. Sendoh asked when getting the room card from the dormitory manager on the first floor. All students in this building were first years. Senior students' dormitories were in another building behind.
[You have observed the accommodation conditions and feel they are quite good.]
[You start estimating the items you want to buy.]
[But my advice, don't be too frugal. Money is earned, not saved.]
'Hm,' thought Sendoh.
The system's narration appeared again in his head.
'I disagree,' thought Sendoh. 'Saving can also save a lot.'
However, he agreed that increasing income and reducing expenses was the most efficient way.
"Have you ever lived in a room this small?" Sendoh asked the system.
[No, my house is very big. Uh, I mean, the weather is nice today. It's only 11:30 now, you can eat at the shopping street.]
[There's a delicious ramen restaurant.]
The system's narration rambled again.
"..."
'Seems like there's something wrong with this system,' thought Sendoh.
Although the system talked a lot and sometimes provided information, Sendoh suspected the system was "alive." 'If it has a big house, maybe it's human,' thought Sendoh. 'But why is it bound to me? Is that really fate?'
Sendoh was confused, but so far, apart from pushing him toward Shiina, the system hadn't done anything bad.
Sendoh closed the dormitory door and walked down the stairs.
His room was numbered 404. He could choose the stairs or the elevator. Though physically strong, Sendoh preferred to conserve energy.
"Ding!"
As the elevator door opened, there were already two girls inside.
Both were very attractive.
One was a short-haired blonde girl he had never met before. It was difficult for ordinary girls to look charming with short hair, but she looked like a cute little angel.
The other was the fox-eyed black-haired girl Sendoh saw at the gymnasium. Her aura remained as cold as before.
"Horikita-san, are you going to the shopping street later? Some of my classmates have already gone there and said those points can be used. Not that I'm trying to show off that I know many people—" said the blonde-haired girl as the elevator door opened.
Horikita stood with a cold face beside the elevator buttons.
'So the fox-eyed girl's name is Horikita-san,' thought Sendoh.
The name Horikita had appeared today at the gymnasium: [I am the Student Council President, Horikita Manabu.]
'Horikita-senpai and this Horikita-san have the same hair color,' thought Sendoh. 'Although siblings can have different hair colors, like me and Kei, they look similar.'
Horikita stood beside the elevator buttons, her right hand on the door open button.
"Coming in?" she asked coldly.
She was asking if Sendoh wanted to take the elevator.
"If I may," replied Sendoh, entering quickly.
"Hello," greeted the blonde-haired girl with a sweet smile. "I'm Kushida Kikyou from first-year Class D, also a new student."
Her smile was sweet, her voice melodious, making people feel like they were floating.
"Hello," replied Sendoh. "I'm Miyama Sendoh from first-year Class C."
Sendoh looked at Horikita. 'I want to know her name,' thought Sendoh.
Horikita seemed to have no intention of answering.
"Coincidentally, the Student Council President's name is also Horikita," said Sendoh. "You two look alike. Are you siblings?"
Horikita looked without expression. "I'm Horikita Suzune," she said.
"..." Kushida fell silent.
"Kushida-san?" Sendoh noticed Kushida's expression was slightly stiff.
"Ah, it's nothing. I just felt the AC is a bit hot, the wind is blowing strongly toward me," said Kushida.
There was no AC in the elevator, just a fan above that was blowing in her direction.
'Maybe she mistook the fan for AC,' thought Sendoh.
Although Kushida looked sweet and friendly, Sendoh felt the atmosphere was somewhat unstable.