Chapter 2: The Unexpected Assignments

“The bell has been ringing for so long, why hasn’t the teacher arrived for class yet?”

“Could they have overslept?”

“Ugh, I absolutely despise math class. We should just have self-study!”

With the class bell having rung long ago and no teacher in sight, the once relatively quiet classroom gradually descended into a cacophony of noise.

Most students, seizing the opportunity, began to pull out their phones and immerse themselves in games or social media.

Soon, however, a chorus of notification sounds erupted from everyone’s phones.

[New message received from Class 3-D.]

Bai Yuliang, too, unlocked his phone to investigate.

At some point, Teacher Matsui, their homeroom teacher, had sent a new message to the class group chat.

Teacher Matsui rarely spoke in the group, only posting to assign homework or announce important matters.

Teacher Matsui: “I’ve contracted COVID, so I won’t be able to come to school for classes recently. (Crying)”

Regardless of whether the news was true or false, a cheer immediately erupted throughout the classroom.

Unlike ordinary, laid-back public high schools, Kyoto Rakunan High School boasted an extremely high university acceptance rate. Students here faced immense academic pressure, especially upon entering their final year.

Upon learning of the teacher’s absence, many students felt a wave of relief, sensing they could finally relax a little.

Teacher Matsui: “Without classes, I’m sure you all feel very bored, don’t you? (Smiling 🙂)”

A student in the class immediately retorted, “We’re not bored if there are no classes.”

Soon, others chimed in.

“Exactly, what kind of normal person gets bored without class?”

“Who feels bored when there’s no class?”

“Heh, how uncouth.”

These playful interjections and jokes, of course, were spoken aloud in the classroom, not posted in the group chat.

Teacher Matsui: “How about this? I’ll assign some homework, and if you complete it, I’ll send you a red packet. (💴)”

“Really? I don’t believe it.”

“Teacher, you’re not joking, are you? (Confused)”

“Why don’t you send us 10,000 yen (approximately 512 RMB) first so we can see?”

It was meant as a mere joke, as very few people would send such a large red packet. However, to everyone’s surprise, just a few seconds later, Teacher Matsui actually sent a substantial red packet.

Bai Yuliang, quick-witted, was the first to click it open. He actually managed to snatch 1,000 yen (approximately 51.2 RMB).

He exclaimed in awe, thinking to himself that once Teacher Matsui recovered and returned to school, he would definitely give him a free fortune-telling session, showering him with flattering words about his auspicious features and destined wealth.

Wealthy people loved to hear such things.

However, students with less luck were immediately dissatisfied and began sending messages.

“Hey! Teacher Matsui, is that all you’re sending? If foreigners saw this, they’d think we couldn’t afford it!”

“Exactly, send another one, one for each of us!”

Teacher Matsui did not send another immediately. Instead, he stated that if they wanted more red packets, they would have to complete the assignments he set.

At this, both the students who had snatched a red packet and those who hadn’t eagerly agreed in the comments.

“Since that’s the case, I’ll explain the rules for completing the assignments. The tasks I issue are generally individual assignments, for example, requiring a certain student to do a certain thing. The person who receives the assignment must complete it within the specified time. Completing the task will earn a reward (including, but not limited to, red packets), while failure will result in a punishment.”

Comments immediately followed: “Teacher Matsui, hurry up! Hurry up!”

Clearly, everyone was eager for the red packets.

Bai Yuliang was also curious about the tasks.

Teacher Matsui: “Then, for the first assignment: Amao Yuki must kiss Ichinose Yuki’s hand. Successful completion reward: 20,000 yen. Failure penalty: None. Task deadline: 2 hours.”

Upon seeing this message, Bai Yuliang immediately glanced beside him.

Amao Yuki sat right next to him. This guy was a rather taciturn otaku in class, always glued to his phone, writing who-knew-what. He didn’t participate in club activities and went straight home after school every day, so his popularity was quite average.

Ichinose Yuki, on the other hand, was a well-known ‘gyaru’ in class. Although the high school’s rules were strict, prohibiting students from dyeing their hair or wearing makeup, and even requiring pure white underwear (which female teachers would inspect), Ichinose still did her best to get a tan during the holidays.

Bai Yuliang didn’t appreciate this ‘dark skin’ aesthetic; he only liked soft, fair lolis like Qichuan Feng. However, he had to admit that this ‘dark-skinned gyaru’ Ichinose Yuki was quite popular in class.

Therefore, it seemed highly unlikely that a quiet otaku like Amao Yuki would ever…

Unexpectedly, Ichinose Yuki walked over to Amao Yuki, raised her hand, and said a few words to him with a smile.

They seemed to be discussing something, and Bai Yuliang overheard them mentioning things like, “Why only seventy percent?” and “Seventy percent is theirs.”

Amao Yuki seemed to hesitate for a moment, but in the end, he kissed Ichinose Yuki’s hand.

‘That works?’

Soon, a round of whistles erupted in the classroom, and Teacher Matsui also sent Amao Yuki a separate 20,000 yen red packet (1024 RMB) in the group chat.

Everyone was now thrilled. For high school students who mostly relied on their parents for pocket money, 20,000 yen was a significant sum.

It was worth noting that most high school students in Sakurashū even worked part-time jobs to earn more pocket money.

And now, to receive 20,000 yen so easily felt like money falling from the sky.

“Teacher, hurry up and give us another assignment!” someone posted in the group.

“I love doing homework so much!”

“I love homework, studying is great!”

Bai Yuliang also excitedly sent a few messages.

‘Wow, so much money.’

‘My virginity-shedding fund is within reach!’

However, the next assignment Teacher Matsui posted surprised everyone.

“Asakura Mirai must break up with their girlfriend. Successful completion reward: 40,000 yen (approximately 2056 RMB). Failure penalty: Death by bleeding from all seven orifices 💀. Task deadline: 24 hours.