Asagiri nodded and replied with a casual smile.
"Okay, then find a seat and sit down."
"Then I'm definitely sitting next to you."
Kotoko didn't stand on ceremony and directly sat down in the empty seat to Asagiri's right, then propped her chin with one hand and watched him with a smile.
At this moment, the classroom was completely silent. Even Kaguya Shinomiya, whose personality was always calm to the point of absolute rationality, found the scene before her somewhat unbelievable.
Directly donating fifty billion yen to Shuchiin Academy, not through installments, but paid in one lump sum, equivalent to directly buying a seat on the Shuchiin Academy board of directors, and then using the board's privilege to directly transfer into Year 1 Class A, all of this...
Is it all just for this, Asagiri Utsunomiya?
What kind of Tokyo Succubus is this? What kind of male version of Su Daji (a malevolent fox spirit) from Tokyo is this? What kind of extravagant spending is this?
"Kotoko... is she his girlfriend..."
Kaguya raised her right hand and stroked her left cheek, using this action to regain her composure, silently pondering in her heart.
The reason she knew Kotoko was that when she was young, she had met her at a banquet hosted by the Shinomiya Family. At that time, Kotoko had not yet lost her right eye and left leg.
Kotoko's family is very rich. Although slightly less than the Shinomiya Group, if you were to compare them, Kaguya Shinomiya's status is actually not as high as Kotoko's.
On one hand, it was because of the rumors about her being an illegitimate daughter. On the other hand, the current head of the Shinomiya Family, Kaguya's father Gan'an Shinomiya, had many children. Kaguya was only the eldest daughter. Before her were her three brothers, Oko Shinomiya, Seiryū Shinomiya, and Un'yo Shinomiya
As for Kotoko's parents, she was their only child, and because of the kidnapping case when she was eleven, her parents doted on her immensely, almost fulfilling her every request.
Just like this time, if Kaguya hadn't originally advanced to Shuchiin High School, the Shinomiya Family would not have used the board's privilege for her. They would have simply considered someone who couldn't even pass the Shuchiin Academy entrance exam as trash, completely unworthy of the Shinomiya Family name, let alone directly sponsoring Shuchiin Academy with fifty billion.
Kaguya had a dedicated luxury car pick her up and drop her off every day for school, her bento was specially made by the chef at the Hotel, and there were many servants at home, but only Chika Fujiwara and Ai Hayasaka, who were close to her, and she herself knew that the so-called eldest daughter of the Shinomiya Family only seemed glamorous. She couldn't even spend her allowance freely, or she would be scolded by the Shinomiya main family.
"Everyone, stop."
Seeing that the students in the classroom were all focused on Kotoko and Asagiri, Ashikaga-Sensei lightly tapped the podium with the pointer in her hand, raised her hand to adjust her Glasses, and said in a flat tone.
"Class is starting."
.......
After the morning classes ended, inside Ashikaga-sensei's office.
Nominally, this was Ashikaga-sensei's office, but in reality, it had become a dedicated activity room for Asagiri and Asuna to discuss dungeon-related matters and eat their bentos during school hours. Students occupying the private office of their homeroom teacher, and a member of the school board, was the ultimate act of defying authority + squatting.
"The commotion you two are causing is a bit too much, isn't it..."
Looking at the extremely elegant Kotoko, who was drinking black tea, and Asagiri, who was drinking chilled Coca-Cola next to her, Asuna couldn't help but sigh, pressing a hand to her forehead.
"In just one morning, the news has spread throughout the entire Shuchiin Academy. Donating a full fifty billion to the school just to be in the same class as a beloved boy – this is an event that has never happened in Shuchiin Academy's history. You two have directly become celebrities at school."
Kotoko put down her teacup and asked back with a half-smile.
"What, Asuna Yuuki, are you jealous?"
"Don't, don't talk nonsense..."
Asuna quickly waved her hand, explaining in a way that only made it more obvious.
"I, I just think there was no need for such a big commotion. The amount of attention you two are getting is too high. Besides, couldn't you have told me in advance? After Chika found out about this, she even came running to ask me what was going on. I didn't know how to explain."
"Explain what?"
Kotoko maintained her sweet smile and slowly spoke.
"You and Asagiri are just ordinary friends, right? What is there to explain?"
"I..."
"Alright, let's stop the teasing and chatting here."
Hearing Asagiri say this, Kotoko puffed out her cheeks, complaining softly as if somewhat dissatisfied.
"Hmph... So biased..."
Asagiri directly ignored Kotoko's quiet complaint and looked at Asuna sitting opposite him, speaking in a flat tone.
"Actually, Iwanaga wasn't specifically getting her parents to sponsor Shuchiin Academy with so much money just to be in the same class as me. The so-called 'for me' was just a smokescreen. What we really needed was a seat on the Shuchiin Academy board of directors, and the information that seat brings."
"Information?"
Asuna frowned slightly, looking puzzled.
"Information from the school board... What use is that? It won't be of much help for us clearing dungeons, right? Is it to make it easier to take leave so the homeroom teacher doesn't notify our parents? But spending this much money just for that... isn't that a bit exaggerated?"
Kotoko shook her head and said softly.
"You don't need to worry about my parents. After all, I occasionally disappear for a while to deal with strange occurrences. My parents might have vaguely noticed that I'm not quite like normal people, so they won't ask too many questions. As for Asagiri... there's no need to say more. My family's sponsorship of Shuchiin Academy does include a part of what you just mentioned, for the convenience it provides you, but that's not the main reason."
Asuna became even more curious upon hearing this.
"Then...?"
However, Asagiri's next sentence startled Asuna.
"I suspect that within Shuchiin Academy, besides the three of us, there are two other Players."
Asuna was stunned for a moment, then said hesitantly.
"Two other 'Players'? Who are they?"
Asagiri paused for a moment, then spoke two names that Asuna had not expected at all.
"Kaguya Shinomiya from my class, and..."
"Your good friend from the same class, Chika Fujiwara."