2nd Year Room 8.5

This is overall ninth chapter for the 2nd Year arc of You-Zitsu manga series.

Summary
While Kiyotaka was cooking for Ichika, the Sakayanagi faction was gathered at the Keyaki mall café. According to Kamuro, the students they contacted had also gotten offers from Class 2-C: 100,000 points in advance and another 100,000 points after confirming that the pair had scored more than 501 points. Sakayanagi comments that Ryuuen appeared determined to win this exam. Kamuro wonders if they should increase their offers as a countermeasure. Although Sakayanagi is sure that they would not lose even if they did that, she would prefer not to do so because it lacked a certain elegance. Kamuro argues that they will lose if they do nothing. Sakayanagi replies that there is a significant difference between the academic skills of classes A and C, and they would have quite a good chance of winning even if they do nothing. Furthermore, if they were to match Class C's offer to the freshmen, Ryuuen would simply increase the amount he offers, and they would wind up spending millions.

Sakayanagi suspects Ryuuen wants to be first in the overall standings and remarks that his tactics have changed from last year. Kamuro clarifies with her that they will not be using private points to lure honor students. Sakayanagi replies that she has never refused to utilize private points and instructs Hashimoto to inform the students that they were willing to match the Class 2-C offer. However, she instructs Hashimoto not to allow anyone to form a pair, even if the freshmen accept. Kamuro finally gives up on understanding her plan, to which Sakayanagi comments that she will understand it soon enough.

Sakayanagi said that Ryuuen's strategy worked to force Class A to participate in his money game. However, she claims that it was a mistake to try to negotiate with the same students as them because there were some among them who did not excel academically. Kamuro is curious if Ryuuen has that many private points. Sakayanagi replies that he doesn't need to have them since all he has to do is offer the freshmen points and pretend that he has them. Ryuuen's goal is to make the A-Class increase their offer and get them to pay as many points as possible. However, Sakayanagi claims that such a plan is flawed and assures her companions that they will win in the end. She hopes that Ryuuen will not end up self-destructing thanks to his own strategy.

A few hours later, Ishizaki, Ibuki, and Ryuuen were discussing the exam in a karaoke room. Ishizaki informs Ryuuen that Class A is willing to match their offer. He is concerned and wonders if they will be able to continue competing with private points. Ryuuen instructs Ishizaki to raise their offer and instructs him to declare to the first-year students that they will be given 100,000 points in advance and 200,000 points after the exam. Ishizaki is taken aback by the figure, and Ibuki warns him that they may get broke if they do that. They both believe they cannot compete with Class A with private points any further. However, Ryuuen claims that Class A's reputation is insignificant and adds that he has no intention of paying the points either. He emphasises that he is looking for students who can understand the big picture and aren't easily swayed by points.

Ryuuen inquires if they know why some first-year students collaborated with Class C for a total of 100,000 points in the beginning when it was evident that he would raise his offer later. Ibuki implied that he threatened them into accepting. Ryuuen remarks that he is solely observing the freshmen because he is searching for students who could realise that he is superior to Sakayanagi and are not swayed by things like points or reputation. He declares that his goal is to overcome Sakayanagi and the rest of Class A.

Characters
In order of appearance:
 * Masumi Kamuro
 * Hayato Kitō
 * Arisu Sakayanagi
 * Kōhei Katsuragi(Visual)
 * Albert Yamada(Visual)
 * Hiyori Shiina(Visual)
 * Masayoshi Hashimoto
 * Daichi Ishizaki
 * Mio Ibuki
 * Kakeru Ryūen