After the turmoil of May 1st, it could be said that the first-year students had truly stepped into the real world of Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School. The announcement of key rules such as class points and promotion conditions turned what had once been a peaceful and pleasant campus life into one brimming with tension. In this atmosphere, the upcoming midterm exams in late May naturally became the center of attention.
Aside from the rigid rule that failure in the midterms would lead to expulsion, rumors began circulating among the first-years that rewards might also exist to balance the punishments—possibly personal points or even class points. The direct result was a sharp increase in the number of students coming to the library to study. Struggling students scrambled to cram, while strong students sought to exceed their limits in pursuit of those rumored rewards.
Class C had seven students who failed the previous quiz. Since then, Kitagawa Ryo had taken to visiting the library for around an hour each day to supervise. His schedule was erratic, sometimes skipping days entirely, and his unpredictable pop-ins forced the underperformers to stay on edge and study diligently. After all, no one wanted to be expelled.
As for Class D, having lost nearly all their remaining points to Class C on May 1st, they were now forced to subsist on free wild vegetable meals and bottled water. If they had started the school year like this, perhaps they could have tolerated it. But the contrast between the luxurious first month and the current austerity was maddening. The better things were before, the harsher the present felt.
Naturally, Sudou Ken was ostracized. Aside from Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, almost no one spoke to him. Yet his name often came up in conversation, as though all of Class D's misfortunes were his fault.
But unlike his earlier aggression and his desperate apologies during the last incident, Sudou now seemed numb. He still slept during class and focused all his energy on basketball club after school. Despite a two-week suspension, his exceptional athleticism earned him another chance. He paid no mind to his classmates' complaints.
Still, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki couldn't look Sudou in the eye when condemning him. Frustrated by their own lingering fear of him, they lashed out by pushing him even further down the social ladder.
So naturally, the label of "violent maniac" was pinned on Sudou. As long as he remained in Class D, he couldn't escape it. Rumors twisted and grew: some claimed they'd known him in junior high, that he had hospitalized someone; others said he beat up three upperclassmen at once during orientation.
In these tales, Sudou had become a monstrous figure—a snarling beast with eight burly arms, ready to punch anyone who looked at him wrong.
A rift had also appeared between Yamauchi and Ike. The conflict started over a 10,000-point payment that Yamauchi was supposed to make but Ike ended up covering, while Ike himself accrued debt. They declared their friendship over in a heated argument, only to realize no one else in class would befriend them. Awkwardly, they made up and resumed their clownish behavior.
Hirata Yosuke continued trying to save the class. He led a study group for the failing students in preparation for the midterms. Everyone except Sudou, Ike, and Yamauchi joined. While Hirata struggled to convince those three, an unexpected ally stepped forward.
Horikita Suzune volunteered to help for the first time. For someone who'd spent the last month avoiding all class activities, this was major progress. She stated that midterm scores might be linked to class points. With Class D at zero, if they couldn't find a way to increase them soon, many students would be expelled for failing to repay their debts.
A shrinking class size meant disadvantages in future competitions—a vicious cycle. Though Suzune couldn't fully accept Class D thanks to Kitagawa's influence, she still held onto her goal of reaching Class A to chase after her brother. So she begrudgingly joined the midterm preparation.
She also roped in Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, since she'd paid off his point debt. He needed a pawn anyway, so he agreed and became her unassuming sidekick.
Since she had covered their points, Yamauchi and Sudou had no reason to refuse joining, and Ike followed suit. With Suzune's help, the class finally formed something resembling a real study group.
Even if Sudou still sat off on his own... Even if Yamauchi and Ike kept whining about Suzune's harsh teaching style and begged for Kushida to take over... Even if some students still looked completely unmotivated...
"After that lecture, I think geography is kinda easy."
"Chemistry isn't as hard as I thought either."
With only a week left until the midterms, the Class D students made a ruckus during lunch in the quiet library. Ike and Yamauchi loudly praised themselves.
"It's mostly memorization, right? Unlike English or math, where if you lack the basics you can't solve anything."
"Don't get cocky. Current affairs questions might show up too."
Kushida gently warned them. Horikita focused on organizing notes, predicting likely questions. Most of the time, she let Kushida monitor the group.
"Cur-rent affairs?" Yamauchi looked completely lost.
"Current, not 'cur-rent.' It means recent political or economic events. The exam won't be limited to textbook content."
"What!? That's cheating! What's the point of textbooks then?"
"That's why we study more."
"I suddenly hate geography now..."
"Let's just study. The test is in a week."
Kushida tilted her head and smiled adorably. "How about this? Whoever gets the highest score gets to go on a date with me."
At her words, Yamauchi and Ike practically exploded with energy, pretending to study like elementary schoolers. Yamauchi tried to show off:
"Ike, who came up with inductive reasoning? That's a key test question."
"Uhh... It was... That guy. The one with a name that makes you hungry." He racked his brain.
"Francis Xavier? Something like that?"
"Wrong! It's Francis Bacon!"
"I've been reading his works since I was four."
Yamauchi blurted the answer and tossed in a lie that was easily exposed.
"If you reached my level, perfect scores would be easy."
[No, you're nowhere close...]
Ayanokoji quietly observed Yamauchi from afar. But this last-minute cramming felt like a real high school experience. If they kept it up, maybe no one would fail.
"Everyone, be careful not to overwork yourselves. You still need rest."
Kushida understood that time was short. Even with this intensive review, it was uncertain if Yamauchi and Ike could pass. Based on attitude alone, Sudou might be more serious than both.
"Hey, shut up! You're so noisy!"
A student nearby snapped, lifting his head.
"Why do D Class students even bother studying? You'd be better off dropping out. Consider it an early retirement."
With his outburst, students from other classes turned to glare at Class D. Being noisy in a library was indeed annoying. Since someone else spoke up first, they followed with silent approval.
Ike Kanji, irritated, tried to act tough in front of Kushida:
"What's your problem? So what if we're from D Class? Got a problem with that?"
"Oh no, not at all. I'm Yamashina from Class C. Pleased to meet you."
The boy who introduced himself as Yamashina grinned nastily. His eyes lingered on Sudou, who hadn't even looked up.
"Actually, I hope you guys stick around. We earn points from you every month. If you drop out, we lose that bonus."
He continued mocking them with a sneer.
"I mean seriously, thank god this school separates us by ability. I'd lose it if I had to study with bottom-feeders like you."
"You know if you fail the midterms, you get expelled, right? I'm really looking forward to seeing how many of you drop out. Oh wait, scratch that—you must pass, okay?"
He even gave them a fist-pump.
In the past, someone from Class D might've punched him. But Sudou's fate stood as a warning. Despite the insults, no one retaliated. They were too powerless.
"Unfortunately, no one from Class D will be expelled. Maybe you should worry about your own class. Overconfidence leads to failure."
Horikita had seen everything and stepped up, confronting Yamashina.
"Overconfidence? Don't be ridiculous."
Yamashina grinned in mockery.
"We're not studying to barely pass; we're aiming for top scores. Don't compare us."
"Didn't Class C have seven failures last time too? If we go by numbers, you don't have room to talk."
"And I recall your name was on that list, Yamashina."
Behind a bookshelf, Kitagawa Ryo narrowed his eyes. Horikita had improved more than expected—now even gathering intel on other classes.
"Yamashina, didn't you say people shouldn't be noisy in the library?"
Kitagawa patted him on the shoulder.
"We'll see at the midterms."
Seeing Kitagawa, Class D students stiffened. Even Yamauchi and Ike understood he was the reason for their current plight.
"Didn't expect you to lead Class D, Suzune."
"Class D doesn't need your concern. And stop acting like we're close. I never let you call me 'Suzune.'"
Horikita puffed up, trying to block Kitagawa's manipulation.
"That's a shame. I was going to offer the midterm answers as a gesture of friendship between our classes."
His words sent Class D into an uproar:
"Midterm answers!?" "That's real?" "Why are we even studying, then?" "I-I still have some points left! Please sell them to me!"
Their fragile study spirit shattered instantly.
Horikita also understood the potential of such answers. If true, they could guarantee passage for those in danger and maybe boost class average scores.
"But since Suzune doesn't seem to think we're close, sorry."
Kitagawa turned to leave with Yamashina. Horikita, under the pressure of Class D's hopeful stares, bit her lip and chased after him.
"If... Kitagawa-kun... wants..." She forced out the words.
"Call me Suzune."
Seeing her flustered face and clenched fists, Kitagawa chuckled.
"Suzune?"
"Y-Yes."
"Want to have lunch with me today, Suzune?"
"T-The answers..."
"We can talk over food."
Kitagawa smiled, enjoying her expression.
"Fine."
After a deep breath, Horikita regained some composure.
[Class D, hooked.]
Ryuuen Kakeru coldly observed Kitagawa's act and sent a message: [Group B, prepare to move.]
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