February 25th, the upcoming morning.

Just like any other morning, you would either get up and do absolutely nothing or just about what you had in mind or, alternatively, you would get up and descend down the stairs to have morning breakfast.

Something to know is that, right now, you have to prepare your breakfast. Either that or just grab a piece of food.

Unfortunately for me, I only have experience regarding cooking eggs and sausages.

You can't get more American than this.

Alas, this would mean that, since there was no frying pan, I was stuck eating a brutal cold piece of bread that had some redeemable butter in it.

"Ishuzoku Reviewers is awesome man, I can't get enough of it. Japan finally decided to open their fissured eyes and allowed us, human beings, to experience the might of true culture!"

Not only that, but I was stuck leaning to an annoying existence that for some reason thinks that it's a good idea to talk to me right now.

Why is this guy so relaxed? Doesn't he know that I'm pissed off at him and that I can warp strike his fucking throat any time I so like?

"You don't have to ask what it is about, because I'll explain it to you, cultured brother in arms. While the title might leave you in wonders, the premise itself is incredibly interesting! It's about a group of cultured individuals who wish to venture into the lands of culture and so, they review those cultured places! Well, to be more precise, they review just about any sort of erotic attraction and since there is a vast amount of opinions regarding them, they wish to end this controversy by spreading the truth about them!"

If it wasn't for him then I could be severely more relaxed about what's going to happen today. Although, I'm somewhat relaxed either way.

With all things considered, if everything goes as planned, then the overall results should be positive.

Tsudo's meaningless words aside, something far more interesting was happening right now.

Across this fifty/fifty half empty/half full cafeteria, Kan's voice could be heard throughout the cafeteria.

"Fuck off or I will kill you too. Don't fucking think I won't, bastard!"

Kan's tone leads me to believe that he is serious about this and that those words are not meant to be taken with a hint of sarcasm or a glimpse of kindness.

Plus, his fists were essentially fully prepared to fight, as they were clenched.

The only problem here was that it wasn't Kan only. There were far more people who were mad about yesterday's incident that took place just about this exact time.

"Why are you protecting him?! Yesterday you ran off to get him, which means that you must be equally mad too!"

Sagasuga attempted to reason with the person who was protecting a certain individual yet it was all for naught. How surprising though. Sagasuga is showing to be moody even though that rarely happens.

I guess he either shuts up or he blasts through everything.

"Guys, don't fall for his bait! He probably planned this a long time ago, I bet..."

And Tsudo was no longer seating beside me. Which was great, since he was also trying to reason along with the rest.

"It's just food! You don't have to be mad about it!"

Even though the certain individual at hand attempted to justify his claim against the horde of angry and perturbed individuals, he was quickly countered by harsh replies.

"Shut the fuck up, you rat! Have you not learned your lesson?!"

"That's meaningless to ask, Kan... Of course he hasn't... Apparently, Kuzan needs to suffer a greater punishment than just his hair going away."

Sagasuga is forgetting that I took care of his potential upcoming blissful events. Kuzan may try to get a girl pregnant and it will not work.

"We need to lock him! Why not lock him in the toilet?"

Tsudo just proposed something cruel. Apart from the toilets in our rooms, there is a public bathroom in this dorm. But why use it when we already have the ones in our room anyway?

Nevertheless, the entrance requires a key and since the door to it is made of heavy steel, it's basically impossible to leave it if you are locked in it.

"You're all insane! It's just food bros! You can't censure a bro for being hungry! It's also not my fault that you are all slow in the uptake! Did you all think that I would just stand here and quietly watch you all eat that delicious food?! Are you all idiots?!"

Kuzan's retarded. He thinks that he is in a greater position and that he can survive a full-on onslaught from the angry Kan and the rest.

This bread sucks by the way. It's like I'm eating a cockroach's shell. My teeth feel like they might disappear if I keep on silently bitting this sorry excuse of a bread.

"That's it! Enough with his bullshit! You're fucking dead! I don't give a fuck if I meet my death earlier than expected because your death is far more fucking worth it!!"

See, this is what was I thinking. Why would Kuzan act all high and mighty when he's just going to get run over by Kan who apparently doesn't even care about the consequences of killing someone.

But I guess Kuzan isn't fully retarded. And that's because he is in a position to act all high and mighty, right now, at least.

"One last time, so you hear me. Out of the fucking way."

Of course, the main reason why Kuzan hasn't been ravaged and slaughtered in every conceivable way possible is due to a single person's effort.

"Nope. Go take a spin, Kan. Kuzan's under my protection now. Mess with him, you mess with me. Got that? If so, fucking fuck off!"

And realistically speaking, no one in their right mind would step up to Kawahara. What I would like to know is how Kuzan got Kawahara to protect him.

Yet it's really not hard to imagine honestly. Knowing Kuzan, he got way too greedy and most likely feel into Kawahara's web thread a bit too early.

"What the fuck?! Why are you acting like this suddenly?! Weren't you the one who strictly opposed this shit?! Yet now you side with this rat!? What?!"

Both Kan and Kawahara were quite close to each other yet Kawahara wasn't wavering at all. But Kan's physical movements would imply that he is ready to get down and dirty.

"Things happened. What can I say, I change my mind often."

To contrast all of us, which are on their gym clothes already, Kawahara only had his black shorts on. Naked top as always.

I seriously thought that since Kawahara was exhibiting that well-built top of his that Kan would take the psychological effect and immediately back off, but that wasn't the case at all.

"Alright. I tried. Now, die!"

Shit, this was actually happening. Right after Kan condemned Kawahara as dead in his mind, he took a full dash and strode to his location fastly.

Kan was ready to perform a straight punch that has considerable strength behind it, but Kawahara blocked it and kicked his abdomen as a countermeasure, which sent Kan flying across all the tables.

"Gaaah!!!"

I instantly assumed that Kawahara was going to slaughter Kan by rushing to his location, which was buried amidst the tables, but Kawahara didn't move a single inch.

"If only trying was enough. Now, is there anyone else who wants a piece of me?! Huh?! Step up you fuckers! I will take you all on! It doesn't matter the order, just come at me, all of you bitches!!"

Midst this, Kuzan was forming a stupid confident smirk just because he was in a greater position. You fucking idiot.

You said you want to interact with everyone here but by siding with Kawahara you are entirely killing your wishes.

Shortly after Kawahara said those strong words, the opposition was completely destroyed as the majority of them just moved away from the scene.

Ryoken went to see if Kan was okay, but from what I could see, Kan was knocked the fuck out.

"Ah.."

I muttered as soon as I realized that I was wrong about something. The opposition was still there, just minimal.

Sagasuga was standing up to Kawahara who was not moving either. All this time, Kuzan was behind Kawahara, which was the main reason why no one could just approach him.

They could've gone behind him, but I'm not sure if that would work. Considering how fast Kawahara was to counteract, it wouldn't be much of a surprise if all the opposition shrank as soon as they tried something funny.

"What? You got something to say?"

"This is the second time this has happened. I will not forgive a third time. You've been warned, Kuzan."

It suddenly clicked how Sagasuga didn't punish Kuzan the first time. He just allowed it to happen yet he wasn't exactly happy about it. He was simply passive.

Yet now, he's being passive-aggressive towards Kuzan.

And even though the words were directed to Kuzan, it was Kawahara who posed the question. In other words, Kawahara was essentially protecting Kuzan from all evil in this world.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

In addition to that, with an angry face, Sagasuga grabbed his school bag and took off.

"W-What did he mean by that...?"

"Chill, Kuzan. It doesn't matter what he tells you. You're under my guard now. Just tell me and I will come to your aid as soon as possible."

I wouldn't be too sure about that. The last time I saw Sagasuga that angry things didn't go well for just about everyone. Kuzan didn't see it back at the Street Fighter tournament, but Sagasuga's an actual monster.

Kuzan should feel a tremendous amount of fear right now but he can't because he doesn't have a reason to.

Kawahara's presence is healing all of his insecurities.

"Fuck... It's already 8 am. I should brush my teeth for the third time today. Do I need to do my hair more nicely...? No, I feel like I'm going to kill the entire mood if I actually try too hard... It will kill the mood, right?"

With all things considered, I just want to be somewhat plausible. And that's because I have this tendency of not caring for my looks since I believe to already be naturally attractive, but that's my opinion.

It's an entirely different matter when it regards the opinion of others. Well, one person in particular.

"Talking alone this early in the morning...? Wuaaaaah. Is the pressure getting to you?"

I was too focused on my inner monologue to notice his existence suddenly approaching me.

But he was yawning once again, just like yesterday. Though, something caught my attention immediately. He was carrying, along with his usual onions, a piggy bank in his arms.

"Only devils eat raw onions and don't cry. Are you Satan in disguise?"

Furthermore, he eats them like he's eating an average apple. Never did I imagine someone eating raw onions the same way someone eats apples.

That's by far one of the most cursed things I could ever imagine.

"It's pretty good though. Try it. Don't let the looks of an onion deceive you from the truth. The truth being, it's actually quite good. Like, you know how there are foods in this world that you initially thought was bad but then as soon as you got a taste of them you were consumed by a sensation of explicit joy? This is it. Raw onions are the zenith of explicitness."

His words got me curious. Could raw onions, something that I truly despise, be good? Normally I would reject the idea of eating something like raw onions, but his reasoning was somewhat appealing.

Because, throughout my life, there have been occasions where the look of certain foods just aren't as appealing as they initially seem to be yet as soon as you get a taste of them, they turn out to be amazing.

If so, then I have nothing to lose. Plus, he's already extending his right arm with raw onion on his right hand.

Ultimately, I swallowed all my saliva along with my worries and took a bite.

"Pfft! Blegh! Hyunda, this sucks!"

"Hahaha, raw onions aren't for everyone, you see. The moment you are able to enjoy raw onions is the moment something crucial is happening in your life."

I'm not sure how to take that, is that a saying that a certain omen will happen the moment I'm able to enjoy this sporadic existence called onions? Or that something jubilant will come to your life once you are able to enjoy them?

Wait...

"Is that even true? If so, that means that something is happening to your life right now, right?"

It bothered me how Hyunda just took a seat and continued to eat raw onions like apples. There must a secret or is he pretending that the taste is not bothering him? Kinda like how ghouls faked to like human food for the sake of not being found out.

I see, then Hyunda is a gh-

"No, I just said that the moment you start to enjoy them, something crucial will happen. Of course, I'm talking based on personal experience. In other words, I'm speaking nonsense. And I've enjoyed the taste of raw onions for way too long. I can't even remember when it began anymore."

Hm, I see. So that's his reasoning.

Well, sure. But I'm still more curious about something.

"Hyunda, what is that?"

I pointed at the piggy bank that was in the shape of a Maneki cat. Truly, it was adorable, but I just couldn't help but wonder the purpose of it being here.

"Can't you tell? It's a piggy bank. Pretty useful to save money. We still aren't old enough to get bank cards, remember?"

"Oh, I see. And you are going to start saving money for what reason?"

There is a slight chance that I don't know the meaning of the concept of personal space.

And Hyunda's right. We can't just store money into credit cards or vice-versa. Physical money all the way. The only problem is that we had no way of getting money except through our parents.

I'm speaking for the rest of us, not me in particular though.

"I had this strange thought last night. We all leave school once per month, right?"

"Hm."

"But our only way to get money is from sources that supplement us with money. The obvious answer would be, parental aiding. However, it doesn't have to be this way only."

"How come? I thought that the majority of us would have to rely on parental supplements to get money. And given that you have to pay your own money for food in this school, I would say it's pretty much essential that the majority do that."

Not to mention, there are several stores in our school that serve as a mini-mall. Basically, this school is a little bit too excessive yet that's fine actually.

"It's too situational, I would say. Some of us might not even have that chance or maybe they don't want to rely on their parents. The reason is irrelevant, but what came across my mind was how I could start increasing my own money which is essentially none right now, to a formidable amount."

Isn't he being too idealistic? How exactly can you increase your own money out of barely anything, especially in a place like this?

Is he proposing that he's going to somehow find a way to increase his own finances?

"Is that why you came to me? It's rare, normally I have to come to you, Hyunda."

"This benefits you if you are in and well, it's fun."

So that's his reason.

"Before telling you what I have in mind, how do you feel about gambling?"

"High-risk high reward, but if it fails, it's extremely counterproductive, basically."

"I see. I like gambling. Sometimes, I can get a bit too addicted to it. But it's overall fun. You either win big or you lose big. The risk is a pleasure, essentially."

"Hyunda, is gambling somehow related to what you have in mind?"

Otherwise, why bother telling me all of this? And he needs me for some reason.

According to him, I also strongly benefit from what he has in mind.

"Yeah. I was thinking about creating a betting system."

"A betting system? But doesn't that revolve around way too much money? We are broke right now, so how exactly can we profit from this?"

"You're right on that. We are broke and without a minimal budget, we can forget even trying to form a betting system. Plus, right now, it doesn't strongly benefit us both to invest."

He's already speaking his mind about ideas without explaining why he has those ideas. How exactly can I know that right now, we don't benefit?

I know that we don't benefit but that's because the budget is non-existent. And he said 'right now'. Is he implying that that will change?

But more importantly...

"Hold on. Can you explain what this betting system of yours revolve around?"

"Oh, what? It's self-explanatory. It revolves around betting. Though, if your question is on what we are betting, then it comes down to the idea that I had. Listen up, Daniel. With every exam, there are winners and losers. Winners.... and..... losers......"

Hyunda dared to explain that slowly just because he thought I wouldn't understand his intention immediately, but I completely got it, fortunately.

"You want to make bets regarding who will win and who will lose, right? Yeah, I get it. But how exactly will it work? Furthermore, there must be some ground rules, otherwise, a lot of cheating shenanigans will go down."

"It's too early to decide that. I'm just speaking about the idea that I had in mind. I do know that it will take work, but the biggest problem is that the budget is non-existent, for now."

"What do you mean for now? Will it ever increase?"

"Naturally. But think of it like this, I, as the primal creator of this system will need at least a profitable budget. Sorta like how people rely on banks. Therefore, I will gather some money which will give us a redeemable budget. That's what this piggy bank is for. For the goods to be put there. Yet as you can see..."

Hyunda dropped his onion which was almost fully eaten in order to shake the piggy bank.

The sound was incredibly hollow. As a matter of fact, no sound came from it. I was just imagining it.

"Nothing. Right now, we have absolutely nothing. But... At the end of the month, I suppose that could change."

"What do you have in mind, Hyunda?"

"Well, just leave it to me, I guess. I'll work something out. On the more important side, although I only wanted to start this system when I got a minimal budget, I don't see a reason to not start right now."

This confused me. Wasn't the main reason why he couldn't just start this because he couldn't afford a minimal budget?

"We can't start right now. I get that we can bet on who will win and lose in this exam. Mainly regarding the pairings. But we don't have anything to bet. Unless we are talking about things aside from money..."

That would be extremely disappointing though. The primal reason why people even bother to bet is that money is a formidable reward and millions agree with this idea and point of view of mine.

But, Hyunda, to argue back, pulled out a similar penny to the one he gave me a few days ago. I still haven't forgotten about that and he isn't showing any signs of apologizing for the troll.

"See this? Right now, we will bet using this. It's minimal money possible. You must have at least this or are you just incredibly broke?"

"No, I do have it."

My question is, Hyunda, do you have more money than that? Although you just joked about it, I'm starting to believe that you are secretly poor as hell.

Then again, so am I.

Nevertheless, I pulled out a penny from my pocket and placed it on the table.

"Perfect. Now, today, the exam will go down and the victors and the losers will be decided. That's essentially the main premise of this bet. The winner will take both pennies, which is the total value. Of course, once I gather actual budget, prizes will be attributed and we can actually start to form prize selections with quotas and whatnot."

Imagine forming a serious bet when the prize is two pieces of the minimal financial value possible.

This is so sad Alexa.

Well, ultimately, Hyunda put the two pennies inside the adorable piggy bank, and thus, the sound wasn't hollow anymore. Hyunda even bothered to shake the piggy bank once again just to prove that the sound wasn't massively hollow.

"And with this, this is how we will bet."

From his pockets, he pulled out two white sheets, which were wrapped, and two pens.

"You just need to write the pairings that you think are going to win and the pairings that you think are going to lose. Normally, when I have a bigger budget, I will allow such things as betting for only two people or so on. It will honestly depend on the exam. Let's just say that you won't be forced to bet on every single pair like right now. Anyway, that's it. Start writing, but don't reveal it to me. I will turn around and when you are done, hand me the sheet wrapped up. I will not look. Plus, I will put it on the piggy bank. We can only look when the exam is done and the results are handed. The winner will be the one who got the most guesses right. In case of a draw, we both get our pennies back. Sweet, right?"

"Sure, it's sweet, but don't you need to write it too?"

"Ah, don't worry. I already did that last night. You go. Well, I'll turn around now."

Time was on the clock and honestly, there wasn't much time, realistically, so I just wrote down the pairings that I thought were going to lose and those that I thought were going to win.

"But Hyunda, can't you just alter the results and make it so you are the winner? I mean, as soon as the exam is done, all you have to do is alter your prior results and that's that."

I simply didn't bother making much of a scene about this because I genuinely thought that it was not worth it. Creating a melodramatic scene just for two pennies?

Talk about desperate.

"About that, come with me."

"Oh, alright."

Without any complaints, I followed Hyunda and we ended up in...

"This place stinks... No wonder no one comes in here..."

Our public bathroom even makes cockroaches flee. No... It should be the exact opposite...

Yet in the middle of this dirty bathroom, Hyunda kept on walking to the last door and as we entered it...

Hyunda raised the toilet sink and as he did that, he pulled out a mini-key, which fit exactly in the lock that was there in the middle of the sink, somehow...

The most disturbing part about it was how unphased he was about this. As soon as he was done opening the lock, he handed the key to me.

"Huh? Why?"

"I'm giving it to you. Do you see this combination of eight numbers? Not four, but eight. Only I know the combination to it. And now, look away, since I'm going to open the lock."

I did try to sneak a look while he was doing that, but he was completely blocking the entire field of vision, which made my endeavor impossible.

"There we go... Alright, it's in there."

Ultimately, Hyunda placed the piggy bank on mini spot that was inside the sink. Is this toilet sink even fake? No, how the hell does Hyunda even know about this? Did he create it?

Since there was barely any time left, I didn't bother to question it, but I sure did in my mind.

"The lock automatically resets. Since I gave you the key, it means that I can't open up the sink. And since you don't know the code, you are in the same position. Get it? This way, we both don't have many ways of getting into the lock. I said many because you could, alternatively, either try to break the sink, which will not work since this is made of pure steel and iron OR you could try and decipher the code. However, it's an eight-digit code. Good luck with that. Alternatively, you can just trust me and be a reasonable person about this."

Trusting Hyunda isn't an option. I think I got some sort of PTSD from our last supply exam.

"I won't try anything, don't worry. But we should come here together."

"We have to come here together. You have the key and I have the knowledge of the code. We are like 50% of this if you think about it. Also, don't tell this location to anyone. No matter what. This is a secret and if somehow this location is found out, then you will be the primary suspect. As a consequence, you are banned from the system if this is leaked."

"Alright, alright, I get it. I wasn't planning on doing such thing anyway."

Who knows, maybe this will turn out to profit so much that in the future, the money will be there.

But man, he sure is harsh about this. Banning the one person who you decided to collab with? Hurt.

"If you get it, then let's go. It's exam time."

Thus, we accelerated our footsteps and dashed towards the classroom.