COTE: Popularity System

Noon.

Student Council Room.

"I understand your idea."

Horikita Manabu placed his hands on the table, fingers intertwined, adopting a thoughtful posture.

Earlier, Takada Hikaru came to the Student Council room, hoping to convey a request to the school through the Student Council.

The school had suspended the distribution of points to all first-year students because it was concerned whether other classes were involved in the violent incident between Class 1-C and Class 1-D.

Takada Hikaru's suggestion was to first distribute the points for Class 1-A and Class 1-B. Once a verdict was reached, if these two classes were indeed involved in the violent incident, leading to a reduction in class points, then fewer points would be distributed next month.

For example, if Class A's current class points were 1030, and they were deducted 200 points for participating in the violent incident, they would have 830 class points remaining.

So, according to Takada Hikaru's idea, before the verdict, the school would first give each student in Class A 103,000 individual points. Once the verdict was out, they would give fewer points next month, only distributing 63,000 individual points to each student in Class A.

This method was more humane than the previous one, and students would not have much objection to it.

"I will convey your message to the school." Horikita Manabu said to the young man standing before him.

Based on his understanding of the school, Takada Hikaru's proposal had a high probability of being approved. After all, this school encourages student autonomy, and actions like daring to offer suggestions to the school are usually approved as long as they are reasonable.

"Thank you, President Manabu."

After expressing his gratitude, Takada Hikaru took out his terminal and showed it to Horikita Manabu.

"What is this?" Horikita Manabu frowned.

Takada Hikaru was showing a female model. The model's face and figure were exceptionally good, the type most boys would like.

However, Horikita Manabu was somewhat puzzled as to why Takada Hikaru was showing him this.

Are you trying to test a cadre with this?

"This girl is a first-year student, and her account has been harassed by school staff."

Takada Hikaru showed the content of the comment section to Horikita Manabu. Indeed, there was a person posting sexually harassing remarks, which was disgusting and nauseating to see.

"Are you sure it's a school staff member?"

Horikita Manabu's expression became serious.

Although what Takada Hikaru said was startling, he had no reason to lie.

What good would it do him to get a staff member fired?

Therefore, Horikita Manabu chose to believe his statement.

"An employee of the shopping center's digital store."

Through his Seigan, Takada Hikaru could actually remotely find out the other party's detailed identity through the network. But it would be too unbelievable to even say the name, so he only specified where that person worked.

Hearing this, Horikita Manabu's brows furrowed. "Although it's not a mandatory question, how do you know so much?"

Not only did he know that this young model was a first-year student, he also knew that the person posting online was a school staff member. This was a bit outrageous.

"My friend discovered it by chance."

"...By chance?"

Repeating his words, Horikita Manabu seemed to accept this explanation. "I will find someone to verify it as soon as possible. If the situation is true, that staff member will soon leave the school."

The school has an obligation to protect the safety of its students. If it's competition among students, they might at most turn a blind eye. But if a staff member makes a move against a student, it certainly won't be so "gentle."

No evidence is needed. As long as there's suspicion, the school can replace that staff member.

There are plenty of people in society. If he doesn't do it, others will.

"Then I'll take my leave now."

After all the necessary matters were discussed, Takada Hikaru prepared to depart.

But just then, Horikita Manabu's voice sounded from behind him.

"Takada, is this violent incident related to you?"

His voice was low, and his gaze was sharp, as if he wanted to see through the young man before him.

Takada Hikaru turned around and shook his head, "No relation at all. Perhaps the leader of Class C is trying to test the strength of Class D, sensing that the special exam is approaching."

One should pick the soft persimmon to squeeze. Compared to facing Class A and Class B, which have much higher class points, it's definitely safer to test Class D, which ranks lowest.

"Is that so?" Horikita Manabu closed his eyes. "Then you may go back."

"Alright."

After Takada Hikaru left the Student Council room, the audience began discussing his conversation with Horikita Manabu.

[Money-Giving Guy said he didn't make a move this time, do you believe it?]

[No.]

[I believe it, Money-Giving Guy never lies.]

[It's probably just as Money-Giving Guy said, the leader of Class C wanted to test Class D's level, which is why they orchestrated this violent incident.]

[Laughing so hard, why does everyone want to target Class D?]

[School version of Sukuna?]

[Who told Class D to be so bad? Their quality assessment reset their class points to zero, and seven people failed the midterm exams. Such a weak class, even a dog would probably want to kick them.]

[It seems Money-Giving Guy's role in this arc is just to pay for Class A students' meals and represent Class A students in applying to the Student Council for the points to be distributed.]

[More than that, I see Money-Giving Guy mentioned "special exam," which probably means the official side is hinting that the school will have some tricky moves next.]

[How special can it be? Could it be that they won't test academic performance, but athletic performance instead?]

[Possibly, you see the main plot has been about saving Sudō, and Sudō's only strong point is his physical ability. Maybe the so-called special exam is about physical ability.]

— — —

After school.

Takada Hikaru arrived at the building where the violent incident occurred. On the way there, he paid attention to the nearby surveillance cameras and concluded that the results were quite delightful. That is, the number of cameras in this school was terrifyingly high.

Even if Ryūen Kakeru of Class C wanted to conceal information by damaging or blocking cameras, he couldn't hide all of it.

What Takada Hikaru needed was just the scraps of information that others didn't pay attention to or had already overlooked.

"Oh, Takada-san?"

Accompanied by a sweet voice, Kushida Kikyo quickly ran over.

"I thought I saw wrong, but it really is Takada-san."

Kushida Kikyo blinked, her face showing an expression of surprise.

A beautiful girl from another class getting excited upon seeing you. Most boys would probably be quite thrilled upon encountering such a scene.

Takada Hikaru, knowing Kushida Kikyo's true dual nature, didn't fall for it, merely smiling faintly and saying, "Kikyo, are you here to investigate the violent incident between Class C and Class D?"

Kushida Kikyo lowered her brows slightly and nodded, saying, "Sudō-kun said that people from Class C provoked him and told him to come to this building, and also that Class C started it, but he can't provide any evidence."

"We are currently looking everywhere for eyewitnesses, hoping to prove that his statement is correct. Otherwise, Class D's class points might become 0 again."

"That would be somewhat difficult." Takada Hikaru commented.

Given the school's style, eyewitness testimony actually doesn't have much effect.

In the original series, Sakura Airi had already taken photos of the fight, but they still didn't have any effect, let alone eyewitness testimony.

Only by presenting a video of Class C making the first move, or recording audio of Class C's provocation and challenge to fight, could it be considered valid evidence. Otherwise, no matter how many eyewitnesses were found, it would be useless.

Class D's investigation direction was wrong from the very beginning.