COTE : I Just Want To Drop Out

Returning to her senses, Chabashira gestured towards Ren Ishikawa, who had raised his hand. "Go ahead," she said.

Ren Ishikawa rose from his seat with an air of composure. "Allow me to summarize," he began. "Based on your explanation, the 100,000 yen per month allowance is contingent upon the school's evaluation of us, correct?"

Chabashira nodded. "That's right."

Ren continued, "Then my first question is this: if the school's evaluation of us improves or declines, does the amount of the monthly payment change accordingly?"

Chabashira hesitated, her silence suggesting she was carefully choosing her words. However, her lack of response spoke volumes. Ren nodded knowingly. "Understood. My second question: does the term 'us' refer to individual evaluations, where better-performing students earn more points? Or is the evaluation collective, measured as a class?"

Again, Chabashira remained silent, prompting Ren to draw his own conclusion. "It seems to me it's both," he surmised. "Our individual and collective performance determines next month's allowance."

The room erupted in chaos.

"Are you kidding me? Does this mean the money will decrease every month?"

"I can't believe this! I was saving for a new console. Now I'll have to budget!"

Amid the uproar, Ayanokouji stayed quiet, preparing to blend in with his classmates' complaints. 

At this time, Ren Ishikawa couldn't help but roll his eyes and complained : " Good fellows, so many people have already confirmed that their money will be deducted, and they have not even considered the idea of how to improve your evaluations."

"Seriously," a girl with long black hair chimed in, her voice tinged with disdain. "Isn't it a student's responsibility to study and follow the rules? There are rewards just for doing what's expected. Can't you manage even that?"

Ayanokouji fell silent, pondering her words. Who are the 'ordinary people' in this situation? he wondered.

Chabashira observed the growing tension with a serious expression, though internally she was quietly pleased. According to tradition, the "Discipline Inspection Month"—the first covert special exam—was already underway, unbeknownst to the students. Each class started with 1,000 points, equating to 100,000 yen in living expenses per month.

At the same time , the school will directly deduct points from students' classes based on the students' disciplinary violations discovered by cameras throughout the school with almost no constraints .

　　After one month, the classes with stronger self-discipline and more commitment to student duties scored higher, and vice versa .

　　The gap between the four classes will widen instantly in just one month !

　　A one-month " disciplinary assessment " will quantify the gap between students through scores .

　　Based on past experience , if nothing unexpected happens, one month later, Class A will still be Class A , and Class D will still be Class D.

Points were deducted for disciplinary infractions caught by the school's surveillance system.

 However, this year, Ren Ishikawa had almost unraveled the secret on the first day.

Chabashira hadn't broken any rules in her explanation, and the test would proceed as planned. The revelation, however, had achieved its intended effect: the students were now acutely aware of the consequences of their behavior.

It is conceivable that once students learn that their behavior this month will affect their living expenses next month, they will definitely restrain themselves as much as possible .

　　Although Chabashira knew that many people in Class D were hopeless people who could not control themselves and rushed to the trap even though they knew there was a trap and saw the temptation .

Despite the general hopelessness of Class D, Chabashira was optimistic. Perhaps this would teach them a lesson—money was at stake, after all. And if anyone caused a significant deduction, they would face the wrath of their classmates.

Ren Ishikawa was proving to be an unexpected asset. Now Class A didn't seem so unattainable...

Ren, oblivious to her thoughts, chuckled inwardly. Time to turn up the heat.

As the atmosphere grew tense, Ren spoke again, his tone serious. "In that case, I know what to do."

"Have you figured out a way to lead the class to success?" a handsome, gentle-looking boy asked, his voice brimming with hope. "Great, then let's work together to protect our living expenses and spend a wonderful high school life together! "

Chabashira also looked at Ren Ishikawa with some excitement .

Ren, ever the wildcard, shifted gears abruptly. "By the way, teacher, how many absences, tardies, or early departures lead to expulsion?"

Chabashira's lips tightened. "No comment."

"And points can buy anything, right?" Ren pressed.

"Yes," Chabashira replied. "But it'll cost you—50,000 points."

Moments later, a notification buzzed on her phone. "Ding! Your account has received 50,000 points."

Ren grinned mischievously. "Send me the information now, please. Immediately."

Chabashira complied, forwarding the requested details. After scanning the document, Ren clicked his tongue in mock dissatisfaction. "Well, well," he muttered, his demeanor shifting from composed to derisive. "How can we maintain discipline with so many brainless morons in our class?"

His biting words ignited outrage. Some students clenched their fists, while others glared silently, unsure whether to speak up.

The gentle boy rose again, attempting to calm the room. "Everyone, let's hear him out."

Then, another cute girl who looked like a little angel stood up and helped maintain discipline .

　　"Please Stop arguing, stop arguing ..."

"Let them argue," Ren sneered. "Every time they do, points get deducted. If you're going to waste money, you might as well go all out."

The class fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in.

"Go on, explain," the boy urged respectfully.

Ren smirked, gazing out the window. "What's there to explain? With so many fools here, points will vanish in no time. Based on past patterns, I'd estimate the class has 40 students and at most there would be 10 people who could control themselves. If the rest 30 would make one mistake in a week or commit atleast 3 violations it would make it 90 and our points might get reduced and we do not know as it could be 10 , 100, 1000 or 10000 points for each mistake "

The room froze in horror as Ren continued, "At this rate, next month's allowance could drop to nothing—or worse, we might owe the school if there is a negative system."

"Then what do we do?" the boy asked, panic creeping into his voice.

Ren shrugged nonchalantly. "Easy. If deductions are inevitable, I'd rather lose points my way than let idiots drag me down. At least this way, I won't be tempted to knock someone out in frustration."

With that, he announced his plan: "Tomorrow, I'll skip the first two classes and leave early. That should cover three violations."

The class erupted again, anger and disbelief filling the air. Yet Ren was unbothered. "Don't worry," he added with mock sincerity. "I'll behave after that and don't worry, I will go to the opening ceremony later "

And with those parting words, Ren Ishikawa swaggered out of the room.

Everyone glared at Ren Ishikawa as he left and wanted to stop him. However, there was a teacher watching from above, and because they had just been scolded, and they were afraid of violating the rules and having their pocket money deducted, and being hated by their classmates, so they didn't dare to move.

　　For a moment, all the teachers and students in the classroom stayed where they were, staring at Ren Ishikawa's gradually receding back .

-----