As the school bell rang, Hashima and Ichinose exchanged a glance before walking out of the classroom side by side.
During break time, they had already briefly discussed the execution of their plan.
First, to successfully purchase past exams from an upperclassman, they needed to target someone who was clearly short on points—only then could they secure a quick agreement.
To prevent price gouging, they couldn't concede too much during negotiations, or they'd waste personal points.
After some quick calculations, they settled on their ideal targets: upperclassmen from Class C or D. With May almost over, students in lower-ranked classes were likely strapped for points.
Their first stop was the school cafeteria—specifically, the window offering free vegetable meals.
"See anyone getting food there, Ichinose-san?"
While Hashima bought drinks, Ichinose kept an eye on the vegetable meal line.
"A few, but no upperclassmen yet. It's just after dismissal—let's wait a bit longer."
Ichinose accepted the peach soda he handed her. After noticing his preference for this flavor, she had started buying it too and had grown accustomed to the taste.
"Got it."
Holding his chilled drink, Hashima stood with Ichinose in a quiet corner of the cafeteria, observing the crowd.
They weren't here to eat. Before leaving, Ichinose had already planned to cook dinner at his dorm, even deciding on the menu.
"They're here!"
After five or six minutes, Hashima's eyes lit up as a male upperclassman approached the vegetable meal window. After getting his food, the boy headed to a table.
"Let's go, Ichinose-san."
"Mm."
Her expression turned serious as she strode toward the seated upperclassman.
"Excuse me, you're an upperclassman, right? I'm Ichinose Honami from Class 1-A, and this is my classmate, Hashima Hikaru."
Ichinose flashed her most disarming smile. "We'd like to discuss something with you. Could we have a moment?"
The upperclassman eyed the two first-years warily. "What's this about?"
"We're actually here to help you," Ichinose said cheerfully, taking a seat across from him. "Would you be interested in earning some personal points?"
"Personal points?"
At those words, the boy's grip on his spoon tightened.
After a pause, he asked cautiously, "What do you want?"
"It's simple. We'd like to purchase the midterm exams you took as a first-year. We're willing to pay a fair amount of points."
"..."
"How much are you offering?"
His expression remained neutral—clearly, such transactions weren't unheard of.
Hashima noted this with interest. So the school tacitly allows this.
"Up to 10,000 points," Ichinose said firmly.
As the household budgeting expert, her negotiation skills were razor-sharp—honed from childhood and even showcased during their grocery trips.
Hashima had often teased that she'd make an excellent housewife.
"Too low." The upperclassman shook his head. "30,000 at minimum."
"That's unacceptable." Ichinose's smile didn't waver. "10,000 is our final offer. It's almost month-end—our points are limited too. If you insist, we'll have to find someone else."
"..."
The boy glared at his bland vegetable meal—proof of his financial struggles.
"Then... 25,000? That's my bottom line."
"10,000 is our ceiling." Ichinose held firm.
"You—"
Just as frustration creased his face, Hashima smoothly slid into the seat beside him.
"Ichinose-san, really! He's our senior—where are your manners? Apologize!"
Catching his cue, Ichinose immediately softened. "My apologies, senpai. I got carried away."
After this theatrical scolding, Hashima turned to the upperclassman with a conciliatory smile.
"How about this? We'll split the difference—15,000 points."
"In addition to the midterm exams, throw in a monthly quiz set. A win-win, right?"
He leaned in slightly. "Ichinose-san and I are frugal—that's why we still have points to spare this late in the month."
"If you refuse, finding another buyer might be... difficult."
"..."
The upperclassman's gaze darted between them before he finally nodded.
"Deal. But I'll need to fetch the papers from my dorm."
"Of course. We'll wait here."
Hashima smiled. "Payment upon delivery."
As the boy hurried off, Ichinose and Hashima exchanged a triumphant glance.
This good-cop-bad-cop routine had been Hashima's idea during lunch—establish resistance, then offer the real proposal as a compromise.
No one turns down easy money.
15,000 was generous for useless old exams.
"Now we wait."
Sipping his soda, Hashima watched the cafeteria doors contentedly. No hiccups—perfect.