All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

Analyzing the benefits of staying in Class 1-F had already solidified Kotomi’s decision to focus on strengthening her relationship with Shizuka Hiratsuka. Barring any surprises, Shizuka would be her homeroom teacher for all three years. Given that, building rapport would make things much easier for any future absence requests or even the occasional skipped class.

Seeing Shizuka’s expression darken with disappointment, Kotomi understood immediately: Shizuka believed she’d soon agree to Yachiyo’s offer and transfer to Class 1-A.

Seeing this as an opportunity to improve her standing, Kotomi held off on rejecting the offer right away. Originally, she’d planned to reject Class 1-A outright, but she figured waiting until Yachiyo presented her case would allow her refusal to make a bigger impact—and hopefully boost her relationship with Shizuka Hiratsuka along the way.

Their relationship was good, but Kotomi hadn’t yet found the right chance to push it to the next level—close enough that, with a bit of luck, Shizuka might even overlook any future skipped classes or absences.

Now, here was that golden opportunity!

The perfect opportunity!

A real plan in action!

Keeping her emotions in check, Kotomi maintained her usual innocent expression, appearing every bit the typical high school girl.

As Shizuka prepared to introduce the teacher beside her, Kotomi quickly shifted her expression to one of mild curiosity.

”Kotomi, this is Ms. Yachiyo Kuhama, Class 1-A’s homeroom teacher. She’s here to speak with you.”

Shizuka hadn’t even finished speaking when Yachiyo Kuhama snapped out of her daze.

The moment she’d seen Kotomi, Yachiyo had been utterly captivated by her beauty, nearly too stunned to respond.

”Hello, Kotomi. I assume you already know your score?” Yachiyo said, opting to get straight to the point. ”Usually, students apply to Class 1-A and go through a rigorous evaluation before being accepted. However, your outstanding score of 1,047—the highest in your grade, the highest in all of Tokyo—makes you an exception. As long as you agree, you’ll bypass the usual evaluation process. From the next class, you’ll be a student in Class 1-A, and at the end of the month, you’ll receive a 100,000-yen bonus.”

Yachiyo kept it brief, offering Kotomi the essential information. She chose to focus on the bonus, opting not to go into details about the educational resources and other perks Class 1-A students received, such as the favorable reputation with top universities that accompanied an A-class graduation.

It wasn’t that she meant to downplay these benefits. On her way over, Yachiyo had spoken with Arisu, who seemed to know Kotomi well, and asked what would most likely persuade her. Arisu had responded immediately: money.

Yachiyo nearly stumbled, momentarily caught off guard by the simplicity of the answer. But on second thought, she felt relieved.

If Kotomi were motivated by money, bringing her to Class 1-A would be simple.

Money was hard to earn but easy enough to offer. Who wouldn’t be tempted by a 100,000-yen monthly bonus?

Even Yachiyo, from a well-off family herself, had felt a bit envious when she learned that Class 1-A students received a monthly stipend of 100,000 yen. High school students were generally still financially dependent on their parents, so the bonus allowed them to buy whatever they wanted.

Yachiyo folded her arms, waiting confidently. As soon as Kotomi agreed, she planned to take her hand and lead her to Class 1-A, as triumphantly as a prince in a fairy tale leading his princess... Wait, where did that thought come from? She quickly realized she’d been too charmed by Kotomi’s beauty.

Watching silently, Shizuka’s face clouded over. Though she was still technically Kotomi’s homeroom teacher and had a certain level of authority, she couldn’t think of anything persuasive to say.

Maybe...wanting Kotomi to stay in Class 1-F had been a mistake from the start. Shizuka smiled bitterly to herself.

Though she’d never experienced romantic heartbreak, Shizuka suddenly felt as if she were in the midst of one, lost and powerless as if unable to even say goodbye.

Aged twenty-nine years and twelve months, she wondered if this was what it felt like to watch someone she cared about walk away.

Just when everyone thought Kotomi’s transfer to Class 1-A was a done deal, she spoke up.

”Huh? Only 100,000 yen a month? That’s too little. I’m not interested,” Kotomi said nonchalantly.