Chapter Summaries

Majima Tomoya explained the cross-grade exam’s difficulty, score estimates, and first-year curriculum scope, reassuring students that studying over the next two weeks could help them avoid expulsion. The class began considering partners, while Hashimoto Masayoshi browsed first-year profiles and asked Kazehara Tetsu for his opinion.

• Katsuragi Kouhei asked Majima Tomoya how difficult the written exam would be, and Majima said high scores would be difficult but students could earn points by reviewing first-year material.
• Majima presented estimated score ranges by Academic Ability and warned students that the estimates were not guaranteed and that OAA ratings were only a reference.
• Majima singled out Kazehara Tetsu as the likely exception to the exam’s difficulty, and classmates joked about his perfect scores.
• Majima listed the five exam subjects and explained that the exam covered material from the students’ first year, prompting relief and renewed confidence in the class.
• Hashimoto Masayoshi browsed first-year girls’ OAA profiles while looking for a partner and asked Kazehara what he thought of one candidate.

Kagihara and Kamuro attended Ichinose’s meeting for second-years and first-years seeking exam partners, but Kagihara found no promising candidates and prepared to leave. Outside, Horikita and Ayanokoji invited them to investigate why no Class 1-D students had attended, and they agreed to go.

• Morishita worried about finding an exam partner, but declined Kagihara and Kamuro’s invitation to attend Ichinose’s exchange meeting, choosing to buy cake instead.
• Kagihara and Kamuro visited the Gymnasium, where Ichinose answered questions from a large crowd of first-years and Hashimoto went to approach students he considered promising.
• Kagihara said the gathered first-years lacked strong academic scores and left the Gymnasium with Kamuro.
• Kagihara and Kamuro met Horikita and Ayanokoji outside, and Horikita pointed out that no Class 1-D students had attended the meeting.
• Horikita and Ayanokoji planned to visit the Class 1-D classroom, and Kagihara and Kamuro agreed to join them.

Horikita Suzune, Kazehara Tetsu, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, and Kamuro Masumi searched First Year Class D for potential partners but found the classroom empty. They returned to the Dormitory, where Kamuro went with Kazehara to his room.

• Ryuen Kakeru told Horikita Suzune and the others that he had found no first-years worth working with, and remarked that the new students seemed unusually composed.
• Kazehara Tetsu stopped Horikita Suzune from entering First Year Class D, saying Ryuen Kakeru had been telling the truth about finding no one.
• Horikita Suzune opened the classroom and found it completely empty, leaving the group unable to contact the students or choose partners.
• Kazehara Tetsu suggested they return and reconsider their options the next day, and the four left the first-year building.
• Horikita Suzune headed to the Dormitory, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka went his own way, and Kamuro Masumi accompanied Kazehara Tetsu to his room.

Kazehara Tetsu intervened when Hosen Kazuomi tried to attack Ibuki Mio during a confrontation with Ryuen Kakeru. Nanase Tsubasa stopped Hosen from escalating the fight, though he left with a threat and warned her not to betray his expectations.

• Second-year students gathered as Ryuen Kakeru and his Class C classmates confronted Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa.
• Hosen Kazuomi refused to back down after Ryuen Kakeru rejected his invitation to fight, then suddenly swung at Ibuki Mio.
• Kazehara Tetsu caught Hosen Kazuomi's wrist and held him still, while Ryuen Kakeru warned him to apologize.
• Kazehara Tetsu released Hosen Kazuomi, and Nanase Tsubasa showed him his OAA profile and warned that surveillance cameras could lead to punishment or expulsion.
• Nanase Tsubasa threatened to reveal “that matter” if Hosen Kazuomi continued, so he agreed to stop but warned her not to betray his expectations.

Hosen Kazuomi left after a teacher intervened, while Yagami Takuya revealed he knew Kushida Kikyo and asked her to partner with him for the Special Exam. Kushida asked for time to decide, and Kazehara Tetsu found the situation interesting.

• Hosen Kazuomi challenged a quiet first-year boy, but a teacher arrived and ordered everyone to disperse.
• Tsukishiro Takuya introduced himself as First Year Class D's manager and left with Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa.
• The boy introduced himself to Kushida Kikyo as Yagami Takuya, though Kushida did not recognize him.
• Kazehara Tetsu hinted to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka about an “assassin,” but dismissed Horikita Suzune's questions.
• Yagami Takuya asked Kushida Kikyo to partner with him for the Special Exam, and she requested time to consider it.

Kazehara Tetsu joined Horikita Suzune and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka as they negotiated with first-years for exam partners, but Shiratori demanded 500,000 Personal Points and Horikita refused. The first-years left, and the group learned they feared Hosen Kazuomi’s control over their class before Horikita suggested moving upstairs.

• Morishita Ai insisted on accompanying Kazehara Tetsu to Horikita Suzune’s meeting at Keyaki Mall.
• Shiratori demanded 500,000 Personal Points to team up with Horikita Suzune’s class and dismissed her offer of future favors.
• Kazehara Tetsu arrived and explained that Class A had already entered negotiations, while Horikita refused to pay Shiratori’s price.
• Shiratori and his two companions left after Horikita declined, leaving her exhausted by the failed negotiation.
• Horikita told Kazehara Tetsu that the first-years feared Hosen Kazuomi and his rules for teaming up.
• Horikita stood and suggested that the group move upstairs, then noticed Morishita Ai.

Horikita Suzune sought high-achieving first-years to partner with her academically weak classmates so they could avoid expulsion. Amasawa Ichika, an A-level student, offered to consider partnering with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, but proposed discussing conditions upstairs.

• Horikita Suzune explained to Kazehara Tetsu that she was trying to find strong first-year partners for her classmates with low Academic Ability.
• Amasawa Ichika approached Horikita Suzune and revealed that she was a First Year Class A student with A-level Academic Ability.
• Horikita Suzune told Amasawa Ichika that Kazehara Tetsu had a Perfect Score of 100, then asked her to consider partnering with Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, whose Academic Ability was C.
• Amasawa Ichika recognized that Horikita Suzune was seeking partners for her classmates and agreed to consider helping under certain conditions.
• Amasawa Ichika suggested they continue the discussion upstairs, and the group headed to the second floor.

Amasawa Ichika said she preferred strong people and tested Kazehara Tetsu by proposing a fighting tournament to decide who would team up with her for the Special Exam. Kazehara Tetsu revealed that he had been teasing her too, and Amasawa Ichika began considering another idea.

• Amasawa Ichika told Horikita Suzune that she wanted to team up with someone strong for the Special Exam, and made clear that she was interested in Kazehara Tetsu.
• Morishita Ai praised Kazehara Tetsu’s strength, prompting Amasawa Ichika to suggest a friendly sparring tournament among second-year fighters.
• Horikita Suzune objected to the idea, but Kazehara Tetsu said a consensual spar was acceptable and claimed he would take on Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.
• Amasawa Ichika began preparing a message inviting fighters to sign up, but she and Kazehara Tetsu simultaneously decided not to proceed.
• Amasawa Ichika realized Kazehara Tetsu had been teasing her, and she started thinking of another idea.

Horikita Suzune tried to secure Amasawa Ichika as a teammate by claiming Ayanokoji Kiyotaka could cook, but Morishita Ai also vouched for Kazehara Tetsu, prompting Amasawa to arrange a cooking contest. Ayanokoji and Kazehara had to compete alone after school the next day, leaving Horikita scrambling to help Ayanokoji prepare.

• Horikita Suzune falsely claimed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was good at cooking to persuade Amasawa Ichika to team up with him.
• Amasawa Ichika asked Ayanokoji to prove his cooking skills, while Morishita Ai unexpectedly claimed Kazehara Tetsu was an even better cook.
• Amasawa proposed a cooking contest between Ayanokoji and Kazehara and agreed to wait until after school the next day.
• Amasawa set the contest at Keyaki Mall, making ingredient shopping part of the test, and refused to let Horikita accompany them.
• After Amasawa left, Horikita apologized to Ayanokoji for dragging him into the contest, and he accepted that they would have to deal with it.

Kazehara Tetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka discussed the growing number of exam pairs and the mystery of First Year Class D before meeting Amasawa Ichika at Keyaki Mall. Amasawa led them to shop for ingredients so they could cook for her, while Ayanokoji worried about his limited cooking experience.

• Kazehara Tetsu reported that 56 pairs had formed and noted Ichinose Honami's role in helping students find partners.
• Kazehara Tetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wondered why no one in First Year Class D had formed a pair and discussed the difficulty of identifying the White Room student.
• Kazehara Tetsu told Ayanokoji Kiyotaka that Nanase Tsubasa hated him, but did not explain their history.
• Kazehara Tetsu teased Ayanokoji Kiyotaka about his cooking skills after Horikita Suzune had taught him basic dishes the night before.
• Amasawa Ichika met Kazehara Tetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka at Keyaki Mall and led them inside to buy ingredients for a meal.

Amasawa Ichika persuaded Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to buy a costly set of kitchenware for her exclusive use, threatening to leave if he refused to cook for her. Kazehara Tetsu paid the full bill as a welcome gift, sparing Ayanokoji from draining his Personal Points.

• Amasawa Ichika filled a shopping basket with kitchenware despite Ayanokoji Kiyotaka telling her his Dormitory already had everything they needed.
• Amasawa Ichika added a chef's knife costing three thousand Points and said Ayanokoji should pay because he would cook for her.
• Amasawa Ichika teased Ayanokoji about backing out, then offered to split the cost while insisting the kitchenware would remain for her exclusive use.
• Kazehara Tetsu paid for all the kitchenware, calling it a welcome gift, and Amasawa Ichika thanked him.

Amasawa Ichika took Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kazehara Tetsu to shop for ingredients, then brought them to Ayanokoji’s dorm for a cooking test. She revealed that they had to make Tom Yum Goong, a Thai soup neither Ayanokoji had cooked nor tasted.

• Amasawa Ichika selected unfamiliar ingredients and cooking utensils while Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kazehara Tetsu followed her through the supermarket.
• The three went to Ayanokoji Kiyotaka’s dorm, where Amasawa Ichika inspected the tidy room and settled in to watch.
• Amasawa Ichika banned both Senpais from using their phones to look up recipes, and they left their phones in the bedroom.
• Amasawa Ichika revealed Tom Yum Goong as the test dish and described it as a spicy, sour Thai soup.

Kazehara Tetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka competed to make Tom Yum Goong for Amasawa Ichika, while Kazehara let Ayanokoji secretly receive instructions from Horikita Suzune. As Amasawa prepared to judge their dishes, Kazehara confronted her about the White Room, and the chapter ended with Ayanokoji serving her peeled apple.

• Amasawa Ichika set a cooking contest in which Kazehara Tetsu and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka would each make Tom Yum Goong, with the winner earning a chance to team up with her.
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stalled in the kitchen, so Kazehara Tetsu allowed him to use a hidden earpiece and receive cooking instructions from Horikita Suzune.
• Kazehara Tetsu finished his dish first, distracted Amasawa Ichika, and asked her about the White Room and the differences between its Fifth Generation and Fourth Generation students.
• Amasawa Ichika realized Kazehara Tetsu knew about the White Room and guessed that he came from the Kagihara Zaibatsu, then teased him about becoming his wife.
• Ayanokoji Kiyotaka brought out his Tom Yum Goong, peeled an apple at Amasawa Ichika's request, and served it to her.

Amasawa Ichika judged Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kazehara Tetsu’s Tom Yum Goong and chose Kazehara Tetsu as the better cook, then invited him to team up for the Special Exam. She and Kazehara confirmed their partnership and went into his dorm room to talk.

• Amasawa Ichika tasted both dishes and said that both passed, but Kazehara Tetsu’s was better.
• Amasawa Ichika sent Kazehara Tetsu a team-up invitation, then left Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Kazehara Tetsu alone.
• Kazehara Tetsu asked Ayanokoji Kiyotaka whether Horikita Suzune objected, and Ayanokoji relayed her warning that Kazehara had beaten her to the initiative.
• Amasawa Ichika waited in the hallway, and Kazehara Tetsu accepted her OAA System invitation, making them partners for the Special Exam.
• Amasawa Ichika asked to inspect Kazehara Tetsu’s dorm room, and he let her follow him inside.

Amasawa Ichika visited Kazehara Tetsu's Dormitory and questioned him about his bare living space, his efforts for the class, and his relationships with girls. The conversation ended with her doubting his claim that he had never had a physical relationship with any of them.

• Amasawa Ichika accompanied Kazehara Tetsu to his Dormitory and explored its sparse, spotless rooms.
• Amasawa Ichika asked why Kazehara Tetsu worked hard for his class despite being heir to the Kagihara Zaibatsu, and he said the class moved forward together.
• Kazehara Tetsu said his actions had initially been motivated by women, prompting Amasawa Ichika to ask how many girls he had become involved with.
• Amasawa Ichika named Morishita Senpai and Horikita Senpai among the girls she thought were involved with Kazehara Tetsu.
• Kazehara Tetsu denied having had a physical relationship with any of them, but Amasawa Ichika refused to believe him.

Amasawa Ichika challenged Kazehara Tetsu after he claimed he could beat a White Room test subject, but her attacks failed against his effortless defense. The fight ended with Kazehara Tetsu striking her arm and leaving her injured on the bed.

• Amasawa Ichika teased Kazehara Tetsu about his troubles with girls and asked whether he was truly strong.
• Kazehara Tetsu said that even a White Room test subject would not be his match, prompting Amasawa Ichika to attack him.
• Amasawa Ichika launched a powerful kick and a relentless series of punches and kicks, but Kazehara Tetsu blocked them all.
• Kazehara Tetsu struck toward Amasawa Ichika's chest, and she blocked with her arms before staggering onto the bed with a bruise on her right arm.

Kazehara Tetsu overpowered Amasawa Ichika when she challenged him to spar, then treated her bruised arm. Ichika left after refusing his wish that she stop bothering him, promising to visit again.

• Amasawa Ichika was shocked when Kazehara Tetsu's punch bruised her arm, and he quickly pinned her to the bed.
• Kazehara Tetsu warned that he had held back, making Amasawa Ichika wonder about his true identity.
• Kazehara Tetsu released Ichika and applied ointment to her bruised arm.
• Ichika offered Kazehara Tetsu a wish, but he asked her to stop bothering him, and she refused.
• Ichika left, promising to visit again, while Kazehara Tetsu called her troublesome.

Kazehara Tetsu met Shiina Hiyori in the Library, where they read and talked about Mystery Novels before Ryuen summoned her away. Outside, Nanase Tsubasa apologized for Hosen Kazuomi’s violence and asked Kazehara whether he thought violence was acceptable.

• Kazehara Tetsu checked the Cross-Grade Team Formation progress and saw that First Year Class D had only two teams despite Hosen Kazuomi’s plan to control all pairings.
• Kazehara Tetsu met Shiina Hiyori in the Library, and she said she had teamed up with a capable first-year girl from Class C.
• Kazehara Tetsu and Shiina Hiyori read a Mystery Novel together and discussed its surprising ending.
• Shiina Hiyori left after Ryuen contacted her, and Kazehara Tetsu headed out of the Library alone.
• Nanase Tsubasa apologized to Kazehara Tetsu for Hosen Kazuomi’s behavior and asked whether he thought violence was acceptable.

Nanase Tsubasa asked Kazehara Tetsu to help her find a partner for the Special Exam and break Hosen Kazuomi’s hold over First Year Class D. Kazehara challenged her hatred of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and pointed her toward Ayanokoji Atsuomi as the true enemy, then agreed to meet her the day after tomorrow.

• Nanase Tsubasa explained that Hosen Kazuomi was monopolizing exam partners and asked Kazehara Tetsu to help disrupt his plan.
• Kazehara Tetsu questioned why Nanase Tsubasa had chosen him, and she admitted that she had investigated his background and influence.
• Kazehara Tetsu challenged Nanase Tsubasa’s belief that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was responsible for Mr. Matsuo’s death.
• Kazehara Tetsu argued that Ayanokoji Atsuomi had allowed Ayanokoji Kiyotaka to attend the school and was the true mastermind behind the tragedy.
• Kazehara Tetsu agreed to meet Nanase Tsubasa the day after tomorrow if she sent him the address, while she remained behind murmuring Ayanokoji Atsuomi’s name.

Kazehara Tetsu joined Horikita Suzune and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka as they left the karaoke place after negotiations with Hosen Kazuomi. Hosen demanded two million Points in exchange for arranging a team for Horikita’s class, and Horikita remained unwilling to accept his terms.

• Kazehara Tetsu waited outside the karaoke place where Horikita Suzune and Hosen Kazuomi were negotiating.
• Horikita Suzune and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka left the karaoke place, with Hosen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa following; Horikita’s hair and clothes were wet.
• Horikita Suzune spotted Kazehara Tetsu, who joined them and insisted on coming along despite her warning.
• Hosen Kazuomi offered to arrange teammates for Horikita’s class if she handed over two million Points.
• Horikita Suzune rejected Hosen Kazuomi’s demands, and he threatened to take her out if she refused.