A Mini-Test

Another two weeks passed, and it was already the end of the month.

"Hahahaha, this is way too funny, idiot!"

Even though math class was in session, Ike was still laughing and chatting loudly in class.

To Konoe's surprise, most of the students in class followed the rules. A few secretly used their phones now and then, but nobody openly broke the rules—at least, not within sight of the security cameras.

After class, Hirata approached the trio for what must have been the umpteenth time: Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo. Some people called them the Idiot Trio. Of course, he came away empty-handed again, and Sudo's attitude toward him had worsened even more.

During lunch, Konoe heard some shocking news about Hirata from Ayanokoji:

Apparently, Hirata had started dating Karuizawa Kei from their class—the gyaru girl.

Konoe looked over at Karuizawa. She had honey-colored hair tied back in a ponytail, honey-toned skin, and a pretty face. She was very outgoing and seemed quite popular with the boys.

Karuizawa was sitting beside Hirata, clearly gazing at him affectionately. Konoe figured she must have been popular in her previous school, too.

The third period was Chabashira-sensei's class. Ever since Konoe had spoken with Chabashira-sensei that day, he hadn't had any private contact with him. But today, Chabashira-sensei seemed a little different.

"Get back to your seats and quiet down! You need to take today's lesson seriously."

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

"It's the end of the month, so we're having a mini-test. Pass the papers to the back."

Konoe got his test paper, too. It covered the five main subjects, with several questions for each. It was incredibly easy for him; he didn't even need the Mind Palace.

"I never heard we were having a test. That's sneaky," Yamauchi's voice rang out.

"Don't put it that way. This test is only for reference in the future, so it won't appear on your report card. There's nothing to worry about. But cheating is prohibited."

Konoe understood what Chabashira-sensei meant. If it wouldn't appear on their report cards, it would show up in their evaluations instead. Could it indirectly affect their points...?

The mini-test began. There were four questions for each subject, twenty in total. The questions were so easy they were two or three levels below the textbook examples. It was almost absurdly easy.

Then Konoe turned the page and found the last three questions were on a completely different level. The final math question even required a formula beyond the curriculum.

Anyone who hadn't learned it would struggle to solve it even with a textbook in hand. For a moment, Konoe couldn't figure out what the test was for.

Better safe than sorry. Since there was a slight chance the test might be tied to their personal points, Konoe answered every question.

At lunch, Ayanokoji invited Konoe to eat with the Idiot Trio. With all four of them inviting him at once, Konoe didn't feel he could refuse.

To anyone watching, it probably looked like Konoe had been picked on by a bunch of delinquents and dragged off for a beating, he thought absently.

After lunch, they sat in the hallway and chatted.

"Ayanokoji... If you come clean, we might still forgive you," Ike said, moving closer to him.

"What am I supposed to come clean about?"

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

Konoe smiled. There was no way that could happen.

"Of course not. Not at all," Ayanokoji replied without a change in tone.

"Hey, Konoe, is there anyone in class you like?" Yamauchi asked curiously.

He was calling him by his first name?

"Not at the moment, but there are a lot of cute girls in class."

If you wanted to get along with people, you had to do bad things together.

"Exactly. Someone like Kushida would be great—she's cheerful, can talk about anything, and she's super cute!" Ike was at it again.

"Ah... I really want to date Kushida," Yamauchi cried out, too.

"Idiot, you have no chance. You shouldn't even imagine it!"

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

People were free to imagine whatever they liked, but Konoe still felt sorry for Kushida.

"Sudo, who are you after? There are plenty of cute, lively girls in the Basketball Club, aren't there?"

"Huh? I've never looked at them that way. New members don't have time to check out women."

"Seriously? What about you, Konoe? You said you don't like anyone, but you must have someone you're fond of, right? Which girl do you like best?"

The difficult question had been tossed back to Konoe. He began to regret coming along. After glancing at Ayanokoji's apologetic expression, he thought of a name that wouldn't offend anyone and said, "I suppose I'd go with the Royal Road—Kushida Kikyo."

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

"Anyway, if anyone gets a girlfriend, don't hide it. You have to tell us the truth! Everyone! Got it?"

Does he mean me, too? Konoe worriedly looked at Ike.

"Got it." Ayanokoji stood and nodded, then headed for the vending machine.

"I want cocoa," Yamauchi said.

"Don't mooch off someone else. Go buy it yourself."

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

He'd spent over ninety thousand points in that time? Konoe looked at him in surprise.

"Check this out. Pretty cool, right?" Yamauchi pulled out a game console, a PS Handheld.

"How much did that cost?" Ayanokoji asked.

"Over twenty thousand. With the high-end deluxe accessories, it was twenty-five thousand."

If he kept buying things like that, no amount of money would be enough. But maybe he could get a game console... Konoe was tempted. He usually entertained himself by reading stories in the library, and after his deal with Class B, he still had one hundred and forty thousand points.

"What about you two? Sudo said he'd buy one when we get next month's points. Ike already got one."

Konoe was tempted, but politely declined. "I'll think about it once we get next month's points."

"I'm not interested. What kind of fighting game is that?" Ayanokoji asked.

"You don't even know MH? It's a worldwide bestseller!"

"By the way, why is a girl who looks so fragile wearing such heavy armor? Is it made of plastic? If it's metal, even Sudo would have a hard time with it, wouldn't he?"

Konoe laughed at Ayanokoji's amusing observation.

"Ayanokoji, don't be so hard on games. People who say things like that are probably the same people who are way too accepting of automatic health regeneration. You know, those Western games where you get riddled with bullets, hide and take a breath, and then your health is back to full."

Ayanokoji looked completely baffled.

"As the saying goes, seeing is believing. Hurry up and buy one so we can play together! I'll help you through the beginner phase. Gathering honey and farming materials can be a pain, so buy me some cocoa!"

"Good grief..." Ayanokoji gave in, bought a can of cocoa, and tossed it to Yamauchi.

"Man, friends really are indispensable. Thanks!"

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

"I'll get you a drink. I feel kind of bad," Ayanokoji said. Without even asking Konoe what he wanted, he pressed a button and handed him a can of coffee.

Isn't this that disgustingly sweet coffee? Still, I kind of like it.

"Come to think of it, they have that here, too," Ayanokoji said, looking toward the free water.

"You mean the free water? Of course they have that..."

"Don't they have a Free Meal at the Student Cafeteria, too?"

"I've had it before. It's a wild-vegetable set meal, and it feels pretty healthy if you have it once in a while. There are free things at the convenience store, too. I wonder what'll happen next month... Never mind." Konoe trailed off.

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

"Did Horikita tell you? It seems like you've been getting her to spend a lot of time with Hirata."

"Of course not. How could I make her do anything?" Ayanokoji shook his head.