The day before the First Year Midterm Exam, dusk was approaching.
The wind on the rooftop seemed more urgent than usual.
Three figures once again stood in this empty space where a temporary alliance had once been formed.
Hashimoto Masayoshi of Class A, Ryuuen Kakeru of Class B, and Kanzaki Ryuji of Class C.
The agreement made a week ago had reached the time for fulfillment and scrutiny.
Kanzaki Ryuji spoke first: "Regarding that test paper, our Class C has investigated and discussed it, and decided not to use it."
He scanned Ryuuen and Hashimoto with his gaze, his words clear and decisive, "We cannot confirm the absolute reliability of its source. Relying on external assistance of unknown origin is not a prudent move. Class C will rely on its own preparations to face the exam."
His stance was unequivocal, clearly a final decision reached after full discussion with his class.
Hashimoto Masayoshi, hearing this, immediately smiled and smoothed things over, his golden braid swaying slightly in the wind: "Oh my, Kanzaki is still so cautious. Understandable, understandable! After all, it involves second year seniors, the situation is complex, and it's always right to be cautious."
He tried to ease the potential tension.
Ryuuen Kakeru's mouth revealed a cold smile, as expected, and he did not comment on Kanzaki's decision.
Instead, he brought up a new topic: "The 'big show' that caused such a stir in the cafeteria a few days ago, you two must have heard about it, right?"
Hashimoto's smile remained, and he casually replied: "Of course, it's hard not to know. The commotion was so big, it went viral on the forums. Sakamoto really manages to give people 'surprises' every time."
Ryuuen stared at Hashimoto and directly threw out the results of his investigation: "I checked. The blond man 'serviced' by Sakamoto is Nagumo Miyabi of Class 2-A, the current student council vice president, and he seems to be a influential figure among the second year students."
He shared this information, his tone flat.
In his eyes, Hashimoto and Kanzaki were no longer opponents he needed to confront with full effort, so revealing this level of information was harmless.
But he deliberately omitted the most crucial part—Sakamoto had personally told him that everything he did was merely to pass the "interview period" to join the Student Council.
He wanted to see what kind of answer Hashimoto would give.
Hashimoto Masayoshi, after listening, his smile slightly receded: "student council vice president? Nagumo Miyabi... I see. So, Ryuuen, what are you trying to say?"
Ryuuen directly countered: "We agreed, Hashimoto, that you would observe and probe Sakamoto within Class A to confirm whether he was involved in the test paper incident. Now, tell me your conclusion."
Hashimoto met Ryuuen's gaze, spread his hands, and confidently gave the answer he had already prepared: "Does that even need to be said? The conclusion is clear. Sakamoto absolutely has no connection to the distribution of that test paper. All of this is probably just Vice President Nan Yun's whim, or some internal second year matter. Sakamoto, well... he probably just happened to run into it due to his unique style, and was unwillingly dragged into it. He is innocent."
His words flowed naturally, as if it were simply the truth.
Ryuuen Kakeru, after listening, the cold smile on his face deepened, and a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes.
Indeed.
This Hashimoto was full of lies.
Sakamoto's "interview period" reason, as he personally told him, was clear and direct, and given Sakamoto's style, he would neither bother nor lie about such a matter.
And as a classmate, if Hashimoto had simply asked, Sakamoto would most likely have given the same answer.
But now, Hashimoto had given a completely different conclusion.
This guy never intended to genuinely cooperate from the start; he just wanted to use this temporary alliance to extract information.
"Heh, I understand."
Ryuuen didn't press further, merely giving a faint reply, as if accepting this conclusion.
He no longer looked at Hashimoto, instead nodding slightly at Kanzaki Ryuji as a farewell, then turned and left the rooftop decisively.
This fragile alliance had completely shattered.
Hashimoto watched Ryuuen's retreating back, his smile unchanging.
Kanzaki silently watched the two, said nothing, and then left as well.
For him, explicitly refusing to use the exam papers meant his goal had been achieved.
He couldn't manage second year matters; Class C's primary goal was to improve their own strength.
Ryuuen Kakeru returned to the Class B classroom.
The lingering glow of the sunset outside the window cast a warm hue over the classroom, but Ryuuen's eyes remained cold.
Hashimoto's unreliability was within his expectations.
Now, the important thing was the upcoming First Year Midterm Exam.
Regarding the authenticity of those exam papers, he had already verified it through his own methods—
Just as he had thought before, he had also obtained the midterm exam papers from an earlier year from a third year student.
After careful comparison, the question types, key topics, and even some specific questions showed an extremely high degree of overlap.
The rumor was true.
This was indeed a "weapon" that could greatly improve exam scores.
Class C explicitly refused to use it.
Class A... based on his observations and deductions, Sakamoto's very existence acted as a filter, making it difficult for such targeted, incriminating exam papers to circulate.
Even if they did, with Class A's overall strength and Sakamoto's style, they would most likely not use them.
Therefore, for Class B, which urgently needed to consolidate its position and even strive for a higher ranking, the value of these exam papers became apparent.
But he still remained vigilant.
"Ibuki, Shiina."
Ryuuen called his two most capable subordinates.
"Organize the frequently appearing key question types and core knowledge points from these exam papers, and distribute them to everyone after school."
"However,"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two, and added, "Explicitly tell them that this is only a 'reference,' a summary derived from past exam questions. Anyone who dares to completely rely on this and slack off, or spread it around, will bear the consequences."
No one could guarantee whether the school would change the exam questions this year.
One's own strength was the fundamental thing.
He wanted to utilize this "weapon,"
but also prevent the class from becoming dependent and control the risks to a minimum.
Ibuki and Shiina nodded, accepting the order, and left.
Ryuuen looked out the window, his gaze deep.
Next, it would be a real battle on the exam field... At dismissal time, in the Class D classroom.
"Hey, Kushida, why did you ask us to stay? It's almost time for the exam!" Ike Kanji asked, packing his bag, a bit impatient.
Yamauchi and Sudo also looked curiously at Kushida Kikyo, who had stopped them.
Kushida's face was beaming with an extremely kind and friendly smile.
She carefully took out a stack of clearly photocopied papers from her bag.
"This,"
She handed the papers to the three, "I finally managed to get these! They're supposedly past years' First Year Midterm Exam questions!"
She blinked her large eyes, her tone light:
"I heard from an upperclassman that our school's First Year Midterm Exam questions are pretty much the same every year! With these, you'll definitely pass easily! Don't worry!"
The idiot trio's eyes immediately lit up when they saw the suddenly appearing "real questions."
"Re... really?!"
Ike Kanji snatched a copy and eagerly began flipping through it.
"Kushida-san, you're too kind!" Yamauchi Haruki's face flushed, unsure if it was because of the exam papers or Kushida.
Sudo Ken also leaned over, looking at the questions, and scratched his head: "These... they seem a bit easier to understand than the ones in the textbook..."
"You have to keep it a secret!" Kushida put a finger to her lips, smiling playfully, "This is our little secret, make good use of it!"
...The Class 1-A classroom, on the other hand, presented a different scene.
Even at dismissal time, many students remained in their seats, either studying alone or discussing difficult problems in small groups.
Their goals were clear, and their discussions efficient.
And many of their gazes, consciously or unconsciously, turned towards the window seat.
Whenever they encountered a problem they couldn't solve, someone would take a deep breath, gather their courage, and walk towards that person.
"Sa... Sakamoto-kun, I'm sorry to bother you, but this problem..."
And Sakamoto, when asked, would always stop what he was doing—whether reading a profound book or practicing some "secret technique" incomprehensible to others.
He wouldn't show the slightest annoyance, but would calmly take the problem, his eyes quickly scanning it.
Then, he would begin to explain in an incredibly clear manner.
His explanation was not limited to the answer itself, but often extended to related knowledge points, multiple problem-solving approaches, and even occasionally linked to certain practical applications or philosophical considerations.
During the explanation, he would sometimes precisely tap the key part of a formula with the tip of his pen, and sometimes push up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a brilliant light.
The entire process was like a miniature academic lecture, calm and unhurried, logically rigorous, and deeply impressive.
The students who received answers often felt a strange sense of "learning can be so elegant" at the same time as their sudden enlightenment.
Sakamoto, with his absolute strength and unique personal style, had unknowingly become Class A's most reliable "human walking answer key" during the exam preparation period.
The sun had completely set below the horizon.
Each class, with different thoughts and preparations, quietly closed the last page of their exam study.
All the undercurrents, calculations, efforts, and expectations were in place.
Only waiting for tomorrow, on the exam field, for pens to meet.
First Year Midterm Exam