Chapter 341 Ten Events Exam
"Since Class D has already designated Class C for the showdown."
"Then the remaining match is between Class A and Class B."
The smile remained on Hoshinomiya Chie's face, but a glimmer of concern flickered deep within her eyes. She knew very well that her kind-hearted Ichinose Honami would likely struggle to win against the cunning Sakayanagi Arisu.
"Sakayanagi-san doesn't have a 'Protection Point.' Isn't it too risky for you to act as the Commander?"
Despite being opponents, Ichinose Honami actually showed concern for the other girl.
"The fact that I am the Commander is, in itself, a significant factor in our favor.
Ichinose-san can rest assured and attack with all your might."
Sakayanagi Arisu was as arrogant as ever, showing no appreciation for the other's concern.
"The detailed rules regarding the Commander's operations will be announced in a week.
Until then, all Commanders, please actively coordinate your class's exam events and the selection of participants."
After providing a brief supplementary explanation, Mashima Tomonari concluded the meeting.
The four Commanders left the multimedia room separately.
"Hey, Ayanokouji, do you have a strategy yet?"
Ryuen Kakeru stuck to him like a piece of unwanted gum.
"No. Even if I did, I wouldn't tell an enemy, would I?"
Ayanokouji Kiyotaka remained expressionless.
"Why so guarded?"
"With that dead-fish-eyes guy around, are you actually afraid of losing?"
Ryuen Kakeru's words were pointed, his gaze fixed intensely on Ayanokouji's face, trying to see through any change in expression. To his disappointment, Ayanokouji's expression remained unchanged from beginning to end.
"Hmph!
Staying silent won't help you.
I've already investigated—that dead-fish-eyes guy finds you extremely unpleasant."
Ryuen Kakeru laughed coldly.
"That is true.
There is indeed a bit of a misunderstanding between Hikigaya and me."
Ayanokouji did not deny this piece of intelligence, which could be gathered with a little investigation.
However, changing the subject, he continued with a vague explanation: "But as you know, Hikigaya has a twisted personality; he can't be judged by the standards of a normal person. No one can say for sure what kind of actions he will take."
"Tsk—do you think you can bluff me with a few ambiguous words?"
"But in reality, you're still quite wary of Hikigaya, aren't you?"
"Shut up! You keep bringing up that dead-fish-eyes guy—is he your father or something?!"
"Are you insulting me? Though, I feel Hikigaya would actually be a good father."
Certainly better than his biological father, who threw him into a laboratory at birth and, now that he had finally escaped, spent every day targeting him to force his expulsion.
Ryuen was momentarily choked by Ayanokouji's "good father" comment. He stared at the latter with an incredibly strange look before bursting into laughter: "You... really are a 'pseudo-human'!"
Seeing he couldn't squeeze any valuable intel out of Ayanokouji, Ryuen simply threw out a toothless threat: "Just wait, Ayanokouji! This exam, I will crush you completely!"
.
.
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The day after the match-ups were decided.
A class meeting was held after school, and everyone was actively discussing. However, calling it a "discussion" was generous; it was mostly just people venting their emotions and complaining about the school's unfairness.
Ayanokouji wanted to properly discuss the exam strategy, but given his reputation as a "nobody" in the class, no one was willing to listen to him.
With no other choice, he had to ask Hirata Yousuke to act as his spokesperson.
"Everyone, please quiet down!
Yesterday, acting as the Commander, Ayanokouji-kun drew Class C as our opponent.
Now, we should decide on our exam events as soon as possible."
When the handsome guy spoke, the influence was different. The meaningless bickering in the class finally turned into a meaningful debate.
"Against Class C? Isn't that great?"
"It's better than facing the top students in Class A or B."
"How is it better? That Ryuen guy is way more ruthless than Ichinose!"
"Seriously... Ayanokouji just took it upon himself to designate the opponent without consulting us."
The class cast resentful glances at Ayanokouji.
Even though, from a rational standpoint, Class C's overall strength was clearly weaker than the other two and a discussion would likely have resulted in choosing them anyway, Ayanokouji had acted first to secure Class C.
In his view, the potential danger posed by Hikigaya was far more of a headache than a few complaints from within the class.
"Enough. It was wrong of Ayanokouji-kun to act on his own, but since the opponent is decided, stop complaining.
The priority now is to unite and face the upcoming exam."
Hirata's tone was firm as he slammed a fist onto his desk. His low voice was full of warning: "I know many of you dislike Ayanokouji-kun. However, using personal grudges to persecute a classmate is absolutely forbidden!"
As he spoke, he pointedly took a deep look in Hikigaya's direction.
He saw Hikigaya engrossed in a light novel, looking as if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him.
Seeing this, Hirata withdrew his gaze. "Ayanokouji-kun, please lead the meeting from here."
"Alright."
This was the first time Ayanokouji had stepped to the front. Accustomed to hiding in the background and pulling strings, he wasn't used to standing under the public eye.
But there was no choice—the Commander needed to lead the class through the exam. Hiding now would only hasten his own downfall.
"First, I would like everyone to propose events based on what you are good at.
For instance, Sudo-kun could set up a basketball layup event."
Sudo Ken had held a grudge against Ayanokouji ever since the summer break voyeurism incident led to his three friends' expulsion. He originally didn't want to engage, but since the topic was his beloved basketball, it was hard not to be moved!
"When it comes to basketball, I won't lose to anyone!"
Sudo took a clear stand.
"Then we'll record the first event: Basketball."
Hirata took out the blank stickers left by Chabashira-sensei, wrote "Basketball," and stuck it on the blackboard.
With Sudo's example, other students began to speak up.
"I'm the number one in the swimming club. No one should be my match in water sports."
Onodera Kayano volunteered. She smiled and raised a fist toward Sudo: "Sudo-kun, let's do our best together!"
"...!"
Sudo scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.
There were whistles and jeers from the surroundings, primarily because Onodera had given Sudo chocolate during the recent Valentine's Day. They were currently in a "more than friends, less than lovers" phase.
"Um... if it's English problem-solving, I think I can participate."
Wang Mei-Yu timidly raised her hand. Her English scores were consistently in the top three of the year; she was indeed very competitive.
"As for me, I can do both written tests and sports."
Horikita Suzune spoke with pride. Her academic and athletic abilities were both among the top in her year.
"I appreciate Horikita-san's help, but please think carefully about a specific project that guarantees victory.
After all, Class C has Shiina, who excels at written tests, and Ibuki, who is strong in sports," Ayanokouji added.
"Then let's do Literature..."
Horikita glanced at Hikigaya next to her and continued: "Classical Japanese reading comprehension!"
Classical Japanese was the most dreaded subject for Japanese high schoolers. Even top students found it hard to get a perfect score. If Horikita chose this, there would likely be very few in Class C who could match her.
"Suzune, Classical Japanese doesn't exactly seem to be your strongest suit, does it?"
Hikigaya looked at her with a confused expression.
"Don't I have you?"
Horikita said matter-of-factly, "Hachiman just needs to teach me."
"!!!"
Kushida Kikyo's eyes widened, and she began to grit her teeth.
"How about this, I'll sign up for a three-legged race."
"Anyway, Hachiman-kun and I have experience as partners~"
Hasabe Haruka quickly followed suit.
"According to the rules, each person can only participate in one event. Why should you be Hachiman's partner?"
Karuizawa Kei expressed her disapproval.
"First come, first served. Don't you know that?"
"That's nonsense! This is an exam; there's no such thing as 'first come'!"
"So annoying—who told you to not have any special skills?"
"I can learn if I don't have any!"
"Hachiman can teach me!"
What started as a discussion about exam events had somehow turned into a battle over Hikigaya.
A rare look of utter speechlessness appeared on Ayanokouji's face.
'Wait, sisters?
This is an important exam involving my expulsion!
Are you treating these events as a way to flirt?'
Finally, after a period of heated discussion, ten exam events were confirmed:
Basketball Layups Speed Swimming English Test Classical Japanese Reading Comprehension Three-Legged Race Free Sparring Math Problem Solving
Riddles/Brain Teasers Mental Arithmetic Shutter Photography
"Didn't you say each class will only submit five events in the end?"
"Which five are the real ones?" someone asked.
"Please allow me to keep that a secret for now."
Ayanokouji did not give an answer.
"Huh?"
"What does that mean?"
"You're guarding against your own people?"
The students of Class D immediately expressed their dissatisfaction. Ayanokouji remained silent.
'Why am I guarding against you? Do you really have no clue?'
While Hikigaya sneered in his heart, he was also slightly surprised: this "pseudo-human" had actually learned a bit of social grace, knowing that such offensive words shouldn't come out of his own mouth.
Ayanokouji cast a look of help toward his tool, Hirata Yousuke.
Hirata understood immediately and was actually willing to play the villain: "Ayanokouji-kun is right to do this—it's to prevent anyone from leaking the real exam events in advance!"
"This... Hirata-kun, that's so mean."
"It's like you're treating us all as spies!"
The members of Class D looked indignant.
"Isn't that the case?
In previous special exams, how many of you have taken bribes from Class A and Class C!"
Hirata brought up old scores with a cold gaze. This was a move that would usually draw massive public ire; had it been Ayanokouji, he would have been flamed to death!
The old Hirata would have been scolded too, but no one dared to scold the "darkened" version of Hirata!
"In any case, for the coming time.
You are to focus your studies and training specifically around these ten events!
If anyone dares to slack off, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Hirata threatened them with physical force, clenching his fists. Incidentally, he was the one who had proposed the Free Sparring event.
"Koenji, which event do you plan to participate in?"
Ayanokouji suddenly turned his attention to Koenji Rokusuke. He didn't want to let such a powerful asset go to waste.
"Me? Whatever~"
Koenji was busy with his daily routine of combing his hair with a small mirror.
"Judging by your attitude, you don't plan on helping?" Ayanokouji pressed.
"That's hard to say.
It depends on whether I'm interested~"
Koenji maintained his usual nonchalant attitude, which was infuriating to watch.
"Koenji! If you don't want to choose, I can choose for you!"
"How about Free Sparring?"
Hirata's gaze was chilly.
"Not interested.
If the 'Pseudo-human boy' were personally entering the fray, I might be interested in entertaining him.
It's a pity the Commander can't personally participate; that makes it boring."
Koenji admired his meticulously groomed hair, muttering things like "I am so beautiful" under his breath.
"Are you saying I'm not qualified?"
Hirata stood up, his voice filled with a sense of oppression. Back in middle school, he was a ruthless individual who had subdued his entire grade through force!
"Not enough.
If you add the 'Dolphin boy,' you might barely be able to fight me."
Koenji suddenly turned the heat toward Hikigaya's side.
"Fight all you want, leave me out of it.
I plan to participate in the Classical Japanese or Three-Legged Race events."
Hikigaya stated his position. Ayanokouji had no objection to this; in his view, as long as Hikigaya didn't cause trouble, he was grateful.
"If that's the case, then excuse me for not joining you."
Koenji similarly refused. "I can participate in something like Brain Teasers~"
"You just want to keep your brain on standby!"
Ayanokouji saw through the other's intentions instantly. The Brain Teasers event generally involved quick-fire answers on the spot. Once Koenji was out there, he could easily claim his "brain hadn't turned the corner yet" to slack off and underperform.
The Free Sparring event was different—once you're in the ring, unless you want to be beaten by the enemy, even Koenji would have to act.
"I have my ways; you cannot control my choices."
Koenji maintained his "free man" style, picking up his bag and standing up.
"Alright, I have a date next, so I'll take my leave."
"Stop right there!"
Hirata reached out and gripped the other's arm tightly, attempting to stop him.
"Heh!"
With a powerful swing of his arm, Koenji violently threw Hirata to the ground.
"I told you, you alone cannot convince me!"
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