COTE: Dominating The So-Called Geniuses!

Chabashira Sae, a poised woman who appeared to be in her late twenties, stood at the podium. Her professional attire—a white blouse paired with a tailored black business suit—highlighted her sharp yet alluring presence. Her black stockings and high heels lent her an air of authority that outshone the slightly awkward charm of the freshmen surrounding her.

Yuki sat in the back row, studying her with mild curiosity. He remembered bits of her backstory from the original series. Chabashira wasn't just any teacher; she had once been a student here, in Class D, no less. Back then, her class had come agonizingly close to overtaking Class A, but a critical mistake—one she had made—cost them everything. That failure had left her with a mix of regret and obsession: the dream of one day seeing Class D rise to the top.

But as he observed her now, Yuki saw none of that ambition. Her demeanor was cold, detached. If this class of misfits didn't show potential, she probably wouldn't lift a finger to help them.

"This school doesn't have traditional classes," Chabashira began, her tone sharp and businesslike. "I'll be your homeroom teacher for the next three years. By now, you should have read through the school's unique guidelines."

The students sat up a little straighter, listening intently.

"The Advanced Nurturing High School offers full scholarships—no tuition, no accommodation fees, no miscellaneous charges. However, there is a catch: you will not leave campus for the next three years, and all communication with the outside world is strictly prohibited." Her gaze swept over the room, ensuring the gravity of her words sank in.

"To prevent monotony, the school provides a large-scale shopping mall right on campus," she continued. "From clothing stores to karaoke bars, cafés, and even a movie theater, you'll find all forms of entertainment. However, access to these luxuries comes at a price—literally."

Chabashira tapped a wooden box on the podium and began pulling out sleek smartphones. "These devices are your student terminals. They serve as your ID, your means of communication, and your wallet. The school operates on a currency called personal points. Each of you will receive a terminal now."

The students lined up to collect their devices. As they returned to their seats, they eagerly inspected the screens, which displayed a significant figure: 100,000 points.

"Each point is equivalent to one yen," Chabashira explained. "You can use them to purchase anything on campus. On the first of each month, the school will deposit points into your account."

Gasps and exclamations rippled through the room.

"100,000?!" a student blurted out, unable to contain their excitement.

"Are you serious? That's like a hundred thousand yen in pocket money every month!" another chimed in.

The room buzzed with energy as the students began fantasizing about what they'd spend their newfound wealth on. The atmosphere grew electric, filled with laughter and chatter.

Yuki smirked, his eyes scanning the lively scene. "This is the infamous 'Class D honeymoon phase,'" he muttered to himself, recalling how the series had portrayed this very moment.

Chabashira's gaze shifted to him. "Yuki," she said sharply, her tone cutting through the noise. "What's so amusing?"

The room fell silent, all eyes turning to the boy in the back. Even Wang Meiyu, who had introduced herself earlier, looked at him nervously.

Yuki leaned back in his chair, unfazed by the sudden attention. "I was just thinking," he began, his voice calm yet commanding, "about a saying from where I come from: 'There's no such thing as a free lunch.'"

The students exchanged confused glances.

"If you didn't get it," Yuki continued, "let me simplify it for you. Things that seem too good to be true usually are."

The buzz in the room dulled as his words sunk in. Even Horikita Suzune, the stoic girl seated to his left, turned her head slightly, her sharp gaze fixed on him.

"Let's break this down," Yuki said, gesturing toward Chabashira. "The teacher mentioned that points are distributed on the first of each month. But did she ever specify that you'd always get 100,000?"

The room fell eerily quiet. The students' excitement wavered, replaced by creeping uncertainty. All eyes turned back to Chabashira, searching for reassurance.

But the teacher's expression remained impassive. "You'll find out next month," she replied, her cold tone offering no comfort.

Yuki caught her eye, and for a moment, something flickered in her usually stoic gaze—a mix of amusement and intrigue. It seemed the game was just beginning.

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