8 -8- Eccentric person

Keyaki Mall.

That is the name of the comprehensive facility used by students on a daily basis within Advanced Nurturing High School.

In order to ensure students a quick and comfortable life on campus with ample entertainment activities, places mentioned earlier like karaoke, a cinema, a coffee shop, clothing stores, and more are all gathered here.

Among them is also a convenience store.

Hori Nanaya entered the convenience store at Keyaki Mall. Even though there's a cafeteria in school, Hori wasn't planning to dine in a crowded place on the first day, hence the decision to come here to buy something quick to fill the stomach.

Inside the convenience store, Hori observed the process of students shopping and making payments. Since cash isn't used, all expenses are paid with points. Students who've purchased items simply scan their phones on the sensor at the counter, and the points are deducted, completing the transaction.

"It's indeed very convenient." 

That being said, Hori noticed something peculiar. 

"Free section?"

Yes.

Hori noticed an area offering free items. In this area, products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, bandages, etc., were placed on shopping carts labeled 'Free,' with a note specifying "Up to three items per month."

The reason for this area, Hori realized, was quite simple. "After providing so many points for spending, why provide free items?"

It seemed like encouraging students to spend all their points on entertainment. Even if they spent all their points, they wouldn't starve or be unable to manage their lives.

Or perhaps... 

"Even with a hundred thousand points, there might still be times when free items are needed?"

This time, someone noticed Hori's murmuring. 

"This school is indeed suspicious."

The voice from behind caused a slight raise of Hori's eyebrow. Turning around, he looked at the person behind him. 

"Again, it's an annoying twist of fate."

Horikita Suzune walked in from the automatic door, glanced at Hori, and continued speaking without holding back. "As the first person to leave the classroom, why come to a place like this instead of joining the others in frivolously spending points on entertainment?"

If the owner or staff of the convenience store heard such words, they probably wouldn't show Suzune any good expression, would they? 

But Suzune wasn't someone who cared about other people's opinions, and that's why she now had a prickly demeanor.

However, Suzune did provide Hori with a piece of information. "Did all the students in our class recklessly spend their points?"

Upon careful consideration, it seemed quite normal. Even Suzune was saying so.

"Having a hundred thousand points per month, it's normal for them to use such a substantial sum for entertainment, right?" Suzune heartlessly added, "Although, I can't understand the thoughts of those who only know how to play and don't pursue improvement."

After saying this, Suzune went to the nearby shelves and began selecting items. The ice-cold beauty chose daily necessities like shampoo, shower gel, cleaning agents, lunchboxes, and cooking utensils. Even though she might choose skincare products, she wouldn't pick cosmetics. It seemed like necessary shopping for daily life.

Moreover, the products Suzune selected were reasonably priced, even cheap, and she wasn't spending recklessly just because she had an abundance of points and new points would be added next month.

This scene, viewed by students who were ecstatic about having a large sum of money, must have seemed strange, right? 

Since there's no need to worry about running out of points, they could spend without constraint—this should be the thought of quite a few new students, right?

Horikita Suzune, on the other hand, refrained from unnecessary expenses and earnestly selected her items.

Curious about this, Nanaya Hori inquired, "What's the benefit of doing this?"

Others might not understand what Hori meant, but Suzune wasn't to the extent of being unable to comprehend.

"Excessive luxury can lead to a distorted perspective on money and foster undue dependency. If one lives recklessly, it will only lead to regrets in the future. I see no reason to make myself delicate and indulgent."

That was Suzune's response. Given the indifferent demeanor she displayed, it wouldn't be surprising if she chose not to answer this question. However, Suzune provided an explanation.

Hori's actions also caught Suzune's attention. "Aren't you even more thorough than I am?" Suzune stared at Hori and straightforwardly asked, "I, at least, selected items that won't make me uncomfortable. Why are you only picking the free stuff? What's the reason behind it?"

Indeed. While conversing with Suzune, Hori was also selecting items, specifically the ones available for free.

If Suzune's reasoning was based on her beliefs, avoiding excessive indulgence, then Hori's actions were completely incomprehensible.

After all, since these items were offered for free, they were undoubtedly the most basic and cheapest things.

Despite having the equivalent of a hundred thousand yen in points, why choose the rudimentary free items? Wasn't this even more abnormal than Suzune?

However... 

"It's good enough if it's usable," Hori replied nonchalantly. "If you were thrown into a jungle, you wouldn't be concerned about using luxury goods; you'd have to do whatever it takes to survive."

Hori's words left Suzune utterly speechless. Even the smartest person probably wouldn't expect someone to say such a thing, right? What's more surprising was that when Hori spoke these words, his expression and gaze remained unchanged, as if he had genuinely experienced what he mentioned.

Suzune stayed silent for a while. Eventually, she offered an evaluation. "You're really eccentric in every aspect."

Hori's casual response to this evaluation was, "We're all unique in our own ways."

This response earned Hori a sharp gaze from Suzune. However, by this time, Hori had finished selecting the free items.

"There don't seem to be any free instant noodles here. Looks like I'll have to spend some points on this part."

Hori casually picked up a cheap instant noodle.

Then, they said something to Suzune. "As a return gift for this annoying twist of fate, let me give you a piece of advice."

Hori spoke like this. "Although what you said should be fine, it's better to save points as much as possible. In this world, there's no such thing as a free lunch."

Leaving these words behind, Hori turned around and left. Suzune frowned but didn't say anything.

However, her attitude toward selecting items undoubtedly became more serious and frugal.