Although Sendoh rode the elevator with two beautiful girls, Horikita and Kushida, they left as soon as the elevator reached the first floor.
They probably, like Sendoh, chose to return to the dormitory first before going to the shopping street to buy daily necessities.
However, Kushida's previous statement caught Sendoh's attention.
The school accepted many students, waived education fees, and provided living expenses. There was no reason for point deductions. So, the 100,000 personal points on the student card should be usable directly as money.
But Kushida could quickly learn this through her classmates, who had already tested the points at the shopping street.
'This is interesting,' thought Sendoh.
Sendoh found an issue: class groups had not yet formed.
Usually, a class forms groups, but it seemed no one was leading in Class C.
'First day of school, it's normal if this is overlooked,' thought Sendoh. 'But in a short time, Kushida-san already had classmates who confirmed information. Her communication skills are very strong.'
Sendoh felt his mind was calm.
'That narration system is also strange,' thought Sendoh. 'At the gymnasium and just now in the elevator with Horikita-san, the system went quiet.'
This was unusual behavior.
As Sendoh was about to leave the waiting room on the first floor, he saw a girl sitting on a bench. The girl pressed her legs together, hands on her knees, then stood when she saw Sendoh.
She walked closer.
"I thought Miyama-kun would go shopping after visiting the dormitory," said the girl.
'She deliberately waited for me?' thought Sendoh.
"And I think the 100,000 points from the school are a bit too much. One class has 40 students, four classes means 160 people, so that's an expenditure of 16 million yen. That's just for this month. If next month is the same, it's somewhat suspicious. There must be an issue with that expenditure."
The girl was Shiina, Sendoh's classmate who sat in front of him.
Shiina had long silver hair and a sweet face, different from the cold Horikita or the angel-like Kushida in the elevator.
But Sendoh wasn't focused on her appearance, rather on her words.
'Shiina-san is the type who likes to think,' thought Sendoh. 'She's also serious about studying.'
Sendoh remembered Shiina carrying eight textbooks for the four subjects that would be taught tomorrow, perhaps for preparation. Sendoh himself carried 17 books.
'People who like to study must be good people,' thought Sendoh.
Initially, Sendoh considered Shiina a distraction to his studies, but now he saw her as a guide.
"I have similar thoughts," said Sendoh, deciding to share information. "I think next month's points won't be as many. But simple deductions could trigger dissatisfaction, so the school must have a plan that everyone can accept."
"Yes," replied Shiina, nodding.
"But before that," Shiina took out her phone. "Let's add each other as friends. While waiting earlier, I learned that some students can find each other via GPS on the school map application after becoming friends."
'So Shiina-san was eavesdropping on information while waiting,' thought Sendoh.
"By the way, have you seen a cute girl with straight silver hair? Her health is poor, she uses a cane," asked Sendoh.
"Hm?" Shiina looked with gentle eyes.
Shiina explained that many students in Class C seemed problematic. She had heard that Ryuuen was a gang leader in middle school, known for his aggressive nature.
'That Ryuuen,' thought Sendoh. 'In class, the desks were already named, but I'm worried he'll cause trouble.'
Fortunately, there was no commotion today.
But in such a class, Shiina, who disliked violence and rarely had friends, felt uncomfortable.
In the midst of that situation, Shiina noticed Sendoh as a unique figure in Class C.
'Miyama-kun's gaze is somewhat sharp, but maybe because he stayed up late,' Shiina thought to herself. 'The dark circles under his eyes are thick.'
Shiina also noticed calluses on the middle finger of Sendoh's right hand, a sign of prolonged pen use, not from playing games.
'Miyama-kun stayed up late to study,' thought Shiina. 'He's a serious person.'
That's why, at the gymnasium, Shiina greeted Sendoh first, feeling he could be a friend in class.
"She's a student I met at school," continued Sendoh, referring to the girl with the cane. "Her health is poor, so carrying books to the dormitory and shopping must be difficult for her."
'Miyama-kun worries about others,' thought Shiina. 'Though he looks sharp, he's a good person.'
"If you mean the girl with a cane, I haven't seen her," said Shiina.
Sendoh nodded, then walked out of the dormitory building with Shiina toward the shopping street.
...
From the dormitory to the teaching building took seven–eight minutes on foot, but to the shopping street took 12–15 minutes.
This school was indeed large.
The shopping street was also magnificent, with karaoke bars, convenience stores, supermarkets, restaurants, bookstores, cinemas, and shopping centers.
All life necessities were here, like a complete small town.
'If the school housed three batches of students in dormitories without complete facilities, many would protest,' thought Sendoh. 'With these facilities, the likelihood of rebellion is reduced.'
Sendoh and Shiina went straight to the nearest supermarket.
As new students, they needed many items, and the supermarket had complete stock, so this was the best choice.
At the supermarket, they saw evidence that points could be used as money.
Item prices were written in points, not yen, meaning points indeed functioned as currency.
"Ding!"
"Your total purchase is 2,300 points. I will charge 2,300 personal points," said the cashier.
Several students had already swiped their student cards at the cashier.
"These points can really be used! This strange school is quite interesting!" said a student while scanning his phone.
Sendoh, who was pushing a shopping cart, suddenly turned.
'That voice,' thought Sendoh. 'I've heard it at the gymnasium.'