In late May, tinged with the scent of summer, the midterm exams at Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School officially began.
For all first-year students, this exam was starkly different from anything they had taken before. It was an unforgiving trial where failure meant expulsion. Even the most confident students couldn't help but feel a tinge of anxiety—except for those who had memorized the answers.
"It's just a midterm exam. Back in elementary school, I won an international competition. I even got invited to study abroad," Yamauchi Haruki bragged as usual. Apparently, the answers handed out yesterday gave him a burst of confidence. He was now loudly challenging Ike Kanji to a score duel.
Despite the usual antics, the mood in Class D was relatively positive. Some students took the last few minutes to cram answers, while others discussed post-exam plans as if victory was assured. Even with their dwindling class points, many believed that a good performance in the midterms would restore their numbers. Any increase in points, however small, was welcome.
The midterms were compressed into a single day with five subjects back-to-back. The breaks between exams were short, making the schedule tight. Chabashira Sae arrived earlier than usual to Class D's classroom.
"No absentees. Looks like everyone's here," she said, masking her unease with a fearless smile as she opened the sealed packet of test papers.
"For you bottom-feeders, this is your first major hurdle. Any last questions?"
Even she felt a bit guilty. If the test went awry, she would not escape blame. Fortunately, the students were still basking in the confidence of having the answers and hadn't questioned the discrepancies in the test scope.
"We've all studied hard these past few weeks. I don't think anyone will fail," said Hirata Yosuke, attempting to boost morale. While Horikita had distributed the answers, most students had genuinely prepared for the exam. Even Sudou, Yamauchi, and Ike had participated in study sessions.
"You're quite confident, Hirata," Chabashira noted, observing the students' self-assured expressions. She tapped the papers into order on her desk.
The first subject was Social Studies—the easiest and most thoroughly memorized. A strong start would lift morale for the harder exams that followed.
"If no one fails this test or the final exams in July, I'll take you all on a vacation."
Her sudden announcement caught everyone's attention. The word "vacation" resonated.
"Vacation?"
"Yes. If you all pass, a seaside resort awaits. Let that fantasy motivate you."
For the boys, that promise triggered waves of excitement. Summer vacation, swimsuits, and beach imagery replaced the dread of exams.
After distributing the test, Chabashira left and was replaced by Mashima Tomonari, the homeroom teacher of Class A, to proctor. He taught English and was known for his strictness. At Advanced Nurturing High School, teachers from different classes monitored each other's exams.
The moment she saw the test, Horikita Suzune noticed something was off. The questions resembled the answers from Kitagawa Ryo, but subtle details were altered. For example, a question that should say 1920 now read 1921, altering the entire outcome.
Only about 60% of the answers matched. Mid-tier students, trusting the memorized answers, blindly copied them. Horikita realized the trap, but others like Yamauchi and Ike didn't.
"The answers..."
She tried to warn them, but Mashima sternly barked, "Quiet! One more word and your exam is voided."
Helpless, Horikita could only grit her teeth and continue. She cursed Kitagawa under her breath.
She had never signed a formal agreement with him. From the start, there was no guarantee he would hand over the real answers. Maybe Class C didn't even see Class D as a threat.
"Don't copy the answers. They're fake."
When the first test ended, Yamauchi and Ike looked pleased until Horikita broke the news.
"What? Didn't you swear yesterday they were right?"
"I noticed they didn't match either."
"Maybe I could've done better without those answers."
Class D descended into chaos. Horikita tried to calm things down:
"We still have a chance. The fail threshold is based on the class average. If top students can lower their scores a bit, others might pass."
She admitted responsibility.
"I'll try to lower my score," Hirata said, followed by Kushida. But the class was silent.
"I refuse," said Yukimura, adjusting his glasses. "I studied hard and deserve a reward. Why sacrifice for those who didn't?"
His logic reflected the majority's thoughts. Tension escalated. Yamauchi tried to punch him but was restrained. The next test bell rang, and everyone returned to their seats.
Under this suffocating atmosphere, Class D's midterm exams came to a bitter end.
The next day, the results were posted. Horikita stared at the red line indicating failure.
"The pass mark is 30.5. Five students failed," Chabashira said:
"Sudou Ken – missed by 1 point. Yamauchi Haruki – 8 points short. Ike Kanji – short by 10. Inogashira Kokoro – 5 points. Hondou Ryoutarou – 4 points."
"Pack your bags. You've been expelled."
The same students who ranked lowest during the opening assessment.
Sato Maya and Sakura Airi, once at risk, passed thanks to Karuizawa Kei's help. Most students had crammed last minute and managed to scrape by.
"No retakes?" Ike stammered. Yamauchi wailed, unable to accept it. Others stared at Chabashira with despair.
"Isn't there any way to save them?" Hirata asked, having deliberately scored barely above the pass line.
"If this is Horikita's fault, fix it!" Yamauchi shouted. "You gave us the fake answers! It's your fault!"
Even Hirata looked disappointed.
"Personal points can buy anything," Kitagawa's words echoed in Horikita's mind.
"Can I buy the missing points with my personal points?"
Chabashira nodded. "Ten thousand points per score point."
"I have 30,000!"
But the class didn't rally. Instead, someone muttered:
"Let them go. We have no points."
"What's the point of saving them?"
The class's patience had worn thin. Even if they had points, no one wanted to spend them.
Horikita realized she'd misunderstood the class. She thought they would follow her, but she had never truly understood any of them.
As the five students accepted their fate and began to follow Chabashira, Karuizawa Kei raised her hand.
[If there are expulsions, save Sudou Ken. He will become your weapon.]
"Didn't Chabashira-sensei say club achievements earn personal points? Sudou is about to become a starting player in basketball."
"...Yeah, but what's the point now?" Sudou mumbled. He had tried his best.
"I got 100,000 points from Class B for giving them info about a fight."
Kei stood confidently. "Sudou only missed by one point. He might even earn class points next month. He deserves saving."
She faced the class. It was her first time speaking publicly, and though her voice trembled, she pressed her hand to the cold wall for courage.
"Class B will send 400,000 personal points to Class D monthly. The C-Class debt is now their burden. You won't have to worry."
She had no natural charisma, but her words gave the class a rare sense of unity. Even the aloof Kouenji opened his eyes.
"It's only been two months. Class D can still rise. Because we started from zero, there's only room to climb."
She clumsily recited what Kitagawa wrote for her, but the class heard what mattered: 400,000 points from Class B.
Maybe Karuizawa Kei was a better leader than Horikita?
Students recalled her confronting Kitagawa in the hallway. Her group began spreading the word.
Horikita watched Kei intently. She had underestimated her. Kei's spine was straight, her expression firm. She had changed.
She negotiated with Class B. Faced Kitagawa without flinching. Handled people better than Horikita ever had.
"I'll make Class D better," Kei declared to Hirata, her smile infectious.
Talking to someone you dislike is nauseating.
But whenever Kei wanted to give up, she thought of him. The memory gave her strength.
"I believe in you all."
[Because I still need you to earn me those twenty million points…]
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