Houtarou's class meeting was still in progress.
"Congratulations on earning the full 100 Class Points reward in this exam. Although the value isn't very high, I think earning it is quite reasonable." Tomonari said in his suit.
Class A students were indeed exceptional. While they didn't score perfect 100s in every subject this time, their average score reached 88 points.
It's worth noting that these were tests created by the school. There was no way to cheat, no shortcuts — it required everyone's own effort. Earning this honor was truly something to be proud of.
However, it seemed that except for Class C, all other classes received class point rewards.
After the exam, each class's point totals were updated:
「Class A: 2151 Points」
「Class B: 1020 Points」
「Class C: 570 Points」 {Kakeru}
「Class D: 530 Points」 {Suzune}
Among the four first-year classes, all except Class C received rewards. Classes A and B received 100 Class Points, while Class D, Kakeru's class, received 50 Class Points.
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In Kakeru's class, a familiar scene appeared.
While their homeroom teacher Kazuma was making announcements, staff arranged by the school arrived and changed their classroom sign from Class 1-D to Class 1-C.
"Looks like this time is our class's victory." Satoru said, who had been pushed forward to take charge after Kakeru resigned during the break.
Their class's average score across all subjects came to 63 points. They barely passed the class test rule requirement of scoring 60+ to receive the 50 Class Points reward.
Now their Class Points had surged. They had reclaimed their position as Class C, so calling it a victory wasn't wrong.
Kazuma's salary, like the students', was distributed at 7 AM on the 1st of each month. This morning, he had already been restored to a Class C salary. He was in a good mood.
"Everyone, after the class meeting ends, please transfer 5,000 points each to me." Satoru said, "This is the share for Kōenji. He helped our class's overall academic performance improve significantly this time."
For this exam, their class had invited Rokusuke to teach them.
But there was a price. They needed to give him the Private Points generated from the 50 Class Points reward, continuing until graduation. This was essentially selling points.
But what was wrong with selling points?
Through this tutoring, everyone in the class saw their grades improve. While some students still performed poorly, they managed to avoid failing. Overall, their academic abilities had improved, which would prove valuable for future written exams.
So it was a good thing.
However…
Everyone's accounts had now received over 50,000 points for living expenses, and students could manage quite well with just 30-40,000 points for normal expenses. This meant there was room to collect some points, but Satoru wasn't planning to immediately collect from everyone to repay Class B.
After all, Hiyori had mentioned that their class was now focusing on living expenses. They wouldn't continue with external expenditures for now.
Besides, Class B's angels were easy to negotiate with.
Satoru glanced toward the center of the classroom.
Kakeru sat there with a math book open, calmly reading it.
This was the same person who had been the class tyrant, ruling with his fists. Yet here he was, actually studying.
It gave everyone a strange feeling.
But there was nothing to be done about it. Kakeru had lost his drive, and it was already a relief that he wasn't causing trouble now.
Without their violent ruler, everyone in the class now had to rely on points to smooth things over.
"Still, next month's exam will be written again, so the study sessions will continue," Satoru said.
"What a pain…"
"But I guess we have no choice."
Despite some complaints, the overall situation in the class wasn't too bad.
After two months of study sessions, students lacked the courage to refuse continuing them. Besides, everyone had seen their improved scores, which were undeniably good.
For Class C, now back on their throne, things were looking up.
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Meanwhile, in Class 1-B.
"Everyone has worked so hard." Chie said as she wrote each class's Points on the blackboard.
The average score for everyone in this exam was 81 points. They satisfied the exam rules and also received the 100 Class Points reward.
She was well aware that some students in the class had quite dangerous scores. But everyone had worked hard. She could see that.
Actually, from the second month after enrollment, Class B's students had been working very hard. Even though they were behind Class A by more than a thousand points — a depressing gap — they hadn't given up.
This was touching.
As a somewhat unusual person, Chie appreciated the children's efforts. This drive was something that the Class B students she had taught in the past didn't have.
However, it was also regrettable.
She wasn't a dedicated teacher — she hadn't entered the profession wanting to be a teacher, but for Sae. And now she was preparing to leave.
So what should she do?
Chie had come to terms with it, but she was at a loss.Even as she prepared to leave the school with Sae, she now faced the students for the last time. She wanted to show enthusiasm.
But watching Class B's little angels work so hard was also agonizing for her. The harder they worked, the more deeply they would understand the enormous gap with Class A.
Class B remained without hope. She couldn't see any path for them to climb up.
Sigh... What was she supposed to do with her life?
In the end, while Class B's students were incredibly hardworking, their homeroom teacher was completely deflated.
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After Class A's meeting ended, Houtarou checked the message Kikyō had sent.
Suzune had arrived at class, then left early again.
Although the timing was tight, the school rumors had already taken effect. There was no point in delaying further, especially since he had no interest in hurting his future wife.
Houtarou began composing a message to a special person about meeting during lunch break.
However...
"Is Oreki-kun finally planning to intervene?"
A cute girl's voice came from the neighboring seat, though there was no joy in her tone.
It was Arisu.
Houtarou: "..."
The day before yesterday, when the rumor incident had just begun, Arisu had become angry in the afternoon. She hadn't spoken to him for two consecutive days.
"The goal has already been achieved." Houtarou said, "Now we need to start dealing with it."
"Is that so." Arisu pursed her lips, "Then you really are quite the gentleman."
It couldn't really be called being a gentleman. He had been involved in letting the rumors spread further, and rumors could hurt Suzune. In a way, he was also hurting her.
But this was a calculated decision.
For Suzune, having her identity as the Student Council President's sister exposed brought all benefits and no harm. Compared to the problems that would arise from a later revelation, using this rumor to address everything now was most efficient.
Moreover, he had made some educated guesses about the mastermind behind the rumors, which led to this outcome.
However, Houtarou's gaze fell on Arisu's tense, cute face.
She was clearly angry.
Houtarou: "..."
He hadn't had much experience with girls, but Kikyō often reminded him to pay more attention to their feelings.
If he had to describe Arisu's current state, it was jealousy.
Was she jealous because he was helping Suzune?
Suzune was his partner and future wife. Helping her was only natural.
But this was obviously not something he could say directly to Arisu.
"If the same situation happened to Sakayanagi-san…" Houtarou said, "I wouldn't let the rumors continue to spread. I would handle it completely within half a day."
"Oh." Seemingly satisfied with this answer, Arisu still pursed her lips, though her attitude had softened. "So, do you still want to have lunch together during the break?"
"Mm." Houtarou nodded.
Masumi: "…"
For Masumi, this meant she would once again have to fetch three portions of food by herself. What a laborious fate.
But what concerned her most right now wasn't this task. It was Arisu's attitude.
Because, little princess, you're far too easy to placate.
Since they were in the classroom, Houtarou hadn't shared much information. But his message was clear: if rumors about Arisu being the chairman's daughter were to spread, he wouldn't let them continue — he would handle them immediately.
This was quite different from how he'd handled Suzune's rumors, which had been circulating for two or three days.
But that was because students knowing Suzune was the Student Council President's sister and Arisu being the chairman's daughter were two completely different matters in terms of severity.
If rumors about the little princess being the chairman's daughter spread widely, they would directly affect her first, and then her father.
From Arisu's perspective, she and Houtarou both knew that the new school principal was under that Mr. Ayanokōji whom she had previously been arranged to follow.
So once rumors about Arisu emerged, others would have an opportunity to attack Narumori Sakayanagi, which is why such rumors would need to be handled immediately.
What Houtarou said and what Suzune experienced were completely different situations. They weren't even comparable.
You've been tricked, Arisu!
As Masumi was thinking this, she suddenly felt someone watching her.
It was Houtarou, giving her a slight smile.
Masumi: "…"
She promptly returned her attention to her textbook.
How annoying... especially since the end of this month would bring another written exam.
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