There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 3: The Most Expensive Thing Is Free

“Tsk, as expected of students assigned to Class D.”

Was it just his imagination?

As he passed the podium, Hikigaya vaguely heard the female teacher on stage muttering to herself. Her tone carried an indescribable sense of irritation… and self-mockery?

Fortunately, this teacher did not deliberately make things difficult for Hikigaya regarding his tardiness; she simply brushed past it with little concern.

Hikigaya let out a sigh of relief… or so he wished.

“Wow, what’s up with this guy? Late on the first day? That’s bold!”
“He didn’t even apologize or look guilty—he must be a repeat offender!”
“That gloomy shut-in… and what’s with those eyes? So gross!”

Hikigaya had hoped to downplay the situation so that people would soon forget it, avoiding the possibility of becoming a laughingstock for the class’s entertainment. But he soon realized his efforts were in vain.

Under the curious gazes of his classmates, Hikigaya kept a poker face that revealed no emotion as he made his way to the only available seat—at the very back, in the center row.

Though he seemed unfazed, he couldn’t help but mentally protest:

Tsk, being late is still better than not showing up at all!

And those girls by the window—don’t just start giving people random nicknames on the first day of school! Also, if you’re going to whisper, at least do it properly! The person you’re talking about can hear you from all the way over here!

And my eyes are not gross! They just have a little extra DHA! You ignorant humans—haven’t you ever read an animal encyclopedia?!

“At first, I was concerned that Class D would have students missing on the first day. But if it’s just tardiness, then congratulations—you can all relax for now.”

The homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae, addressed the class with a cryptic remark before continuing.

“Everything I’ve said so far has been basic information about the school. Now, what I’m about to explain is extremely important, so listen carefully. It concerns this school’s most unique system—one that will dictate your next three years here…”

Hikigaya sensed that Chabashira was looking directly at him. Was this a subtle warning about his lateness?

He took a closer look at his homeroom teacher. Her professional black attire and neat ponytail gave her a composed and mature appearance. However, the cold aura surrounding her, combined with her perpetually stern expression, exuded the authority of a superior figure, making it clear that she held absolute power over her students.

She had the same intimidating presence as a middle-aged disciplinary officer with a receding hairline—one of those teachers who could make students feel uneasy just by standing there.

Yet, based on Hikigaya’s observations, she seemed to be in that ambiguous age range—probably over 30, but not quite past 30.

Huh? Why does she remind me of someone?

If she’s struggling with matchmaking, maybe she and that certain someone could become good friends and exchange dating experiences.

At that moment, murmurs of astonishment filled the classroom.

The most unique aspect of Advanced Nurturing High School—the implementation of the [S System].

“You are now receiving a special student ID card, which allows you to purchase and consume anything within the school. However, all transactions must be made using personal points. In this school, there is nothing you cannot buy with points. As long as it’s available on campus, you can purchase anything you desire.”

“In keeping with the modern era, our facilities are regularly updated to stay on par with the outside world. Besides using the student ID card, you can also link it to the school-issued smartphone and make cashless payments using your personal points.

The usage is simple enough that I don’t need to explain, right? Good—since no one’s asking questions, I’ll assume you all understand.

Now, onto the important part: personal points are automatically distributed on the first day of each month. As of now, every one of you has received 100,000 points. Additionally, one point is equivalent to one yen, so I don’t need to elaborate further, do I?”

Initially, the students were only half-listening, their faces dull with disinterest. But the moment they heard “100,000 yen,” they instantly perked up. The entire class erupted in excitement—especially a certain duo of goofy-looking idiots who were practically bouncing in their seats like overexcited monkeys, even letting out ape-like cries.

Hikigaya wasn’t shocked—he was terrified.

For an ordinary high school student, what did 100,000 yen per month mean?

From his own experience, excluding income from part-time jobs, the average allowance for a high school student was around 5,000 yen per month, which often included lunch expenses. By comparison, receiving 100,000 yen was an insane amount of money!

And as a side note, someone had always been below that average allowance line.

Along with the student ID cards, the school also issued a custom smartphone and a student handbook. According to Chabashira, the phones were specially programmed to block all communication with the outside world and prevent any information about the school from being transmitted externally. In other words, students could receive messages from outside, but they couldn’t send anything out.

“Surprisingly modern,” Hikigaya thought.

Most schools didn’t even allow students to bring electronic devices, and given that Advanced Nurturing High School operated under a strict closed-campus system, he had expected even harsher restrictions. Instead, they were being handed smartphones? This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise—he had anticipated three years of absolute isolation.

After the initial shock wore off, the students started to calm down, though even the loudest duo—who had been acting like apes moments ago—now looked uneasy.

“This school evaluates students based on their abilities,” Chabashira explained. “Since all of you were deemed worthy of admission, you already possess a certain level of value and potential. So, don’t be surprised.

How you spend your points is entirely up to you. If you believe you don’t need them, you’re free to give them away. However, be aware that coercion, intimidation, and violence are strictly prohibited. The school takes bullying and similar behaviors very seriously.”

After scanning the room to ensure there were no further questions, Chabashira gathered her things and left.

Hikigaya’s lips twitched slightly. He instinctively glanced at the clock. From the moment homeroom started to the moment it ended, it hadn’t even been fifteen minutes.

Aside from explaining the [S System], shouldn’t she have shown some concern for her students? Maybe asked them a few questions to get to know them? Instead, she walked out as if she couldn’t wait to escape—like she was rushing to a matchmaking event or something.

What’s with all this exhausted, overworked energy?

Chabashira looked exactly like an office worker who, five minutes before clocking out, suddenly got hit with an unexpected overtime assignment—full of reluctant resignation and deep-seated resentment.

Even the other students could sense it.

What a cold-hearted teacher, Hikigaya thought.

“This level of preferential treatment… it’s almost too good to be true,” a cold, black-haired girl sitting to his left muttered.

Hikigaya couldn’t agree more. There’s no such thing as unconditional love or hate in this world. These 100,000 points were like a random stranger jumping out on the street and suddenly declaring their love for you—or even proposing marriage. It felt like a prank straight out of a variety show.

Wait… could there be hidden cameras around?

…There were cameras.

Even inside the classroom?!

This level of surveillance was way too extreme.

And as for Chabashira’s explanation—that they had “earned” this special privilege—Hikigaya didn’t believe it for a second. If anything, it only made him more suspicious.

He had always believed that everything in life came with a price.

And more often than not, “free” things were the most expensive of all.

Because behind that mask of generosity, there might just be a pair of fangs waiting to devour you whole.