In-Class Quiz

Two more weeks passed, and time had arrived at the end of the month.

"Hahaha, this is too funny, idiot!"

Even though it was currently math class, Ike was still laughing loudly in the classroom.

To Konoe's surprise, most of the students in the class were disciplined. Only occasionally would someone secretly use their phone, but no one openly violated the rules, at least not within the sight of the surveillance cameras.

After class, Hirata, for what felt like the hundredth time, approached the trio—Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo. Some people also called them the Idiot Trio. Of course, this time he was unsuccessful, and Sudo's attitude towards Hirata worsened considerably.

During lunch break, Konoe heard astonishing news about Hirata from Ayanokoji:

Hirata seemed to be dating Karuizawa Kei from their class, that gyaru girl.

Konoe looked towards Karuizawa. She had long honey-colored hair tied back in a ponytail, honey-toned skin, and quite attractive features. Her personality was very positive, and she seemed quite popular among the boys.

Karuizawa, sitting next to Hirata, was clearly sending loving glances his way. Konoe thought to himself that she must have been very popular during her previous school life as well.

The third class was taught by Chabashira-sensei. Since his last conversation with Chabashira-sensei, Konoe hadn't had any private contact with her. However, Chabashira-sensei seemed a bit different today.

"Sit back down and be quiet! Today's lesson requires serious attention."

"What's going on, Chabashira-sensei?" Ike asked directly.

"Because it's the end of the month, we'll be having a small test. Pass the papers to the back."

Konoe also received a test paper. It contained questions from five core subjects, with a few sub-questions for each. For him, this kind of test was extremely simple; he didn't even need his Mind Palace.

"I didn't hear we were having a test, how sneaky," Yamauchi's voice boomed.

"Don't say that. This test will only serve as a reference for the future, so it won't be reflected on your report cards. There's no risk, so don't worry. However, cheating is prohibited."

Konoe naturally understood Chabashira-sensei's words. If it wasn't reflected on the report card, it would be reflected in the evaluation. Could it indirectly affect their points...?

The small test began. Each subject had four questions, totaling twenty questions. The difficulty of the questions was two or three levels easier than the example problems in the textbooks. The test was simply too easy.

Konoe then flipped to the back and discovered that the last three questions were on a different level from the preceding ones. The final math question, in particular, required calculations using formulas beyond the syllabus.

Someone who hadn't studied this material wouldn't be able to solve it even if they had the textbook open beside them. Konoe was momentarily unsure of the purpose of this test.

Better safe than sorry. Thinking that this test might have a tiny possibility of being linked to personal points, Konoe completed all the questions.

During lunch break, Ayanokoji invited Konoe to eat with the Idiot Trio. Seeing that all four of them were inviting him at the same time, Konoe found it difficult to refuse.

Konoe couldn't help but think absurdly that to outsiders, it looked like he was being targeted by delinquent students for some sort of private training.

After finishing lunch, they sat in the hallway chatting.

"Ayanokoji... if you tell us the truth, we can still forgive you," Ike said, approaching Ayanokoji.

"What do you want me to tell you?"

"You're not dating Horikita, are you? I won't let you get ahead of me."

Konoe chuckled. Such a thing was impossible.

"How could that be? Not at all," Ayanokoji replied with an unwavering tone.

"Speaking of which, does Konoe have someone he likes in class?" Yamauchi asked curiously.

Calling him by name?

"Not yet, but there are quite a few beautiful girls in our class."

To build good relationships with others, one must do bad things together.

"Exactly! Someone like Kushida is great. She's cheerful, can talk about anything, and is very cute!" Ike started acting up again.

"Ah... I really want to date Kushida," Yamauchi exclaimed at the same time.

"Idiot, you have no chance, not even in your dreams!"

"You think you do? Ike, in my heart, she's already mine!"

Although imagining was a personal freedom, Konoe still felt pity for Kushida's situation.

"Sudo, who is your target? Aren't there many energetic and cute girls in the basketball club?"

"Huh? I haven't looked at them that way before. New members don't have the leisure to evaluate women."

"Really? Then what about you, Konoe? You said you don't have someone you like, but you must have someone you have a good impression of, right? Which girl do you find most pleasing to the eye?"

The difficult question was thrown to Konoe again. He began to regret why he was there. Glancing at Ayanokoji's apologetic look, he casually thought of a name that wouldn't offend anyone and said, "I still prefer the Royal Road, Kushida Kikyo."

"I knew it! No guy can resist Kushida's charm!"

"In short, if you get a girlfriend, you must not hide it and must inform us truthfully! Everyone! Understood!"

'Could he be including me?' Konoe worriedly looked at Ike.

"Understood," Ayanokoji stood up, nodded in agreement, and walked towards the vending machine.

"I want Coco," Yamauchi requested.

"Don't extort others, go buy it yourself."

"I'm out of points. It's already the end of the month, and I only have two thousand points left."

Konoe looked over in surprise. He had that much time and over ninety thousand points?

"This is it, pretty cool, right!" Yamauchi pulled out a game console, a PS Handheld.

"How much did this cost?" Ayanokoji asked.

"Over twenty thousand, plus the deluxe high-spec accessories, twenty-five thousand."

If you always buy things like this, no amount of money is enough, but maybe I could get a game console... Konoe was tempted. His usual entertainment was finding stories in the library, and with the previous transaction with Class B, he even had over one hundred and forty thousand points left.

"What about you two? Sudo said he'd buy one when his points arrive next month. Ike bought one too."

Although Konoe was tempted, he still politely declined, "I'll consider it after my points arrive next month."

"I'm not interested. Is this some kind of fighting game?" Ayanokoji asked.

"You don't even know MH? This is a world-famous best-selling game!"

"By the way, why is such a seemingly delicate girl wearing such heavy armor? Is it made of plastic? If it were metal, even Sudo would have a hard time, right?"

Hearing Ayanokoji's interesting take, Konoe chuckled.

"Ayanokoji, don't be too harsh on games. People who say things like that are the same as those who are very lenient with auto-regenerating health! You know, the kind where you get shot full of bullets, hide for a moment, and your health is back to full in those Western games."

Ayanokoji looked bewildered.

"As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Hurry up and buy one so we can play together! I'll help you get through the early game. Gathering honey and materials is tough, so buy me a Coco!"

"Honestly..." Ayanokoji relented, buying a can of Coco and tossing it to Yamauchi.

"Ah, friends are really indispensable. Thanks!"

Konoe walked over too, intending to get a free bottle of mineral water.

"I'll buy you one. I feel a bit sorry." Ayanokoji said, then, without asking Konoe's opinion, pressed a button for a can of coffee and handed it to Konoe.

This is that sickeningly sweet coffee, but I quite like it.

"Speaking of which, they have it here too." Ayanokoji looked towards the free mineral water.

"You mean the free water? How could they not have that..."

"Don't they also have free set meals in the Student Cafeteria?"

"I've eaten that, the vegetable set. It feels quite healthy if you eat it occasionally. Of course, there are free things at the convenience store too. I wonder about next month... never mind." Konoe stopped himself.

"Don't worry, Hirata has already made arrangements."

"Did Horikita tell you? Are you trying to get her to interact with Hirata often?"

"How could that be? There's no way I can order her around." Ayanokoji shook his head.