Midterm Exam

Early in the morning, before the class meeting even began, the classroom was already packed. The students of Class D were constantly flipping through their textbooks, seizing every moment to review.

After Hirata learned about the change in the exam scope from Kushida, he immediately notified his classmates. This cast a heavy atmosphere over the classroom.

Konoe called Horikita aside and said helplessly outside the classroom, "Horikita, we've all gotten that thing. Is there still a need for the study group to continue?"

Every time class ended, a member of the Idiot Trio would be assigned to study the day's lesson, they had to go to the library for tutoring during lunch, and they had to stay in the classroom for tutoring in the afternoon. Konoe was starting to feel exhausted. Moreover, with only a week left until the exam, the Idiot Trio simply didn't have time to learn new material.

Horikita sighed and said coldly, "Are you studying just for the exam?"

"...Then what else?"

"Besides, this isn't the only test we'll face. If we easily help them pass this exam, will you be responsible for all their future trials?"

"I understand what you mean, but there isn't enough time to start studying from scratch now, is there? So I have a suggestion: for the upcoming study sessions, let's focus all our efforts on the exam questions."

"What's the point of that? You might as well just give them the test papers now."

"Of course, there's a point. Don't you want them to learn to handle assessments independently? We'll spend this week teaching them only the questions that will appear on the midterm exam, but we won't give them the actual test papers. After they complete the midterm, they'll feel like their own efforts produced results, and perhaps that will lead to some change in them later on. Besides, time doesn't allow us to teach normally like before."

"...While I don't think they'll change at all, you're right, there really isn't enough time. To be safe, let's proceed with your method for now. But what about Hirata?"

"I'll have Hirata proceed in the same way. I'll be teaching the students on his side, so I'll temporarily step away from the Idiot Trio. In the last three days before the exam, we'll conduct a few mock exams each day using the obtained test papers, just in case."

"Wait, don't tell me you've said all this just to slack off..."

Konoe immediately interrupted him, "I'm a good student who tutors classmates every noon and afternoon. Please be considerate, okay?"

"...I feel like something's strange, but fine, let's do as you say." With that, Horikita turned and returned to the classroom.

Konoe quickly took out his mobile phone and immediately reported the good news to Ayanokoji: he was passing the responsibility of the break-time study sessions for the Idiot Trio back to him. Konoe then took a deep breath, feeling a bit more relaxed.

"...What are you doing? Sneaking around outside. The class meeting is about to start."

"...Good morning, Chabashira-sensei." Konoe greeted the person behind him and quickly returned to his seat in the classroom.

Later, after school, Konoe found Hirata, sent him a photo of the actual exam questions, and asked him to keep it a secret. Then, he rephrased what he had told Horikita that morning and told it to Hirata again.

"...So, I'll be focusing on the Idiot Trio from now on and temporarily stepping away from the study sessions for the class. You'll need to find a few reliable, academically strong students to proceed according to the plan. Is that okay?"

"That's great! I was at a loss when I heard the exam scope had changed. Konoe, you've been a huge help."

"No, no, Kushida and the others found the actual exam questions. If you want to thank someone, thank them. I'll be going now, then?"

After school on Tuesday, with three days left until the midterm exam.

Since Hirata had already informed the classmates about a mock exam after school today, everyone sat quietly in the classroom. After all, the penalty for failing was too great.

The Idiot Trio had been persuaded by Ayanokoji and the others to stay in the classroom as well.

Kushida walked to the podium with a stack of test papers, ready to distribute them. At this moment, someone got up from their seat.

Kogenji, with his blond hair, slung his school bag over his shoulder and prepared to leave without a word.

Hirata stepped forward and said, "Could you please wait a moment, Kogenji-kun? We've created a mock exam based on the exam scope. Would you like to try it? You can take it home if you prefer."

"Unfortunately, I don't need such things. I have a date next. I'm leaving now."

Hirata couldn't do anything about him and returned to his seat. The test papers were slowly passed down from the front.

More than ten minutes later, Konoe finished a test paper, took out a novel from his bag, and patiently waited for the mock exam to end.

An hour passed, and the students who performed well gradually finished the test. Kushida said, "Students who have completed the test can come to me to get an answer key. Compare it yourself when you get back, and make sure you understand your mistakes!"

"What? If you had the answers, you should have given them to us from the start. You made me think for so long," Yamauchi said with his mouth wide open.

Ike scoffed, "Idiot, that defeats the purpose of a mock exam. Don't tell me you couldn't do it, Yamauchi?"

"Of course, I could do these simple questions! Ike, you're the one who'll be laughed at if you fail the mock exam."

"What did you say? Yamauchi, let's swap papers after we're done! The one with the lower score buys the other a meal!"

"I couldn't agree more!"

It seemed Horikita's teaching methods were effective, as both of them were confident in their scores.

Thus, three days quickly passed, and the midterm exam officially began.

"Is everyone present?" In the morning, Chabashira-sensei entered the classroom with her characteristic disdainful smile. "For you stragglers, this is the first hurdle. Do you have any questions?"

"We've been studying very diligently during this period. I don't think any of our classmates will fail."

"So confident, Hirata."

The other students were also full of confidence. Chabashira neatly organized the test papers and distributed them.

"If no one fails this exam and the final exam in July, I'll take everyone on a vacation during the summer break."

"A vacation?"

"That's right. I'll let you live a dream-like life on an island surrounded by the blue sea."

'There's such a good thing? But I'd rather stay at school...' Konoe thought.

Soon, Konoe received his test paper. The questions were indeed the same as the ones Kushida had obtained earlier. Konoe finally felt relieved.

"What's going on!" Sudo suddenly shouted.

Chabashira looked at Sudo. "What's wrong, Sudo?"

"...No, it's nothing."

"The moment you receive the exam paper is the moment the exam begins. Serious violations of discipline will result in a score of zero. I'll let this slide with just a warning this time, Sudo."

"Sorry."

Konoe quietly observed his surroundings. Most of his classmates were in a state of surprise and secret delight, just like Sudo.

The first subject finished quickly. Two more subjects were scheduled for the morning, but everyone was gathered around Kushida at this moment.

"What's going on, Kushida?"

"Yeah, Kushida, you said your practice test was a simulation, so how could it..."

Hirata stepped forward to maintain order. "Everyone, let's let Kushida explain after the midterm exams are over. For now, let's focus on the upcoming tests."

"Right, I need to go back and review..." Hearing Hirata's words, the students returned to their seats.

As the last exam concluded, everyone gathered around Kushida again.

Kushida stood up, preparing to deliver the explanation she had long prepared. "I'm sorry, everyone. I didn't explain clearly at first. Actually, the previous practice exams were all past exam papers."

"Past exam papers?"

"That's right. I didn't expect the questions to be exactly the same. I apologize."

"There's no need to apologize, Kushida! Rather, we're grateful! Luckily, I went back and understood my mistakes last time. I'm sure I'll pass this time... No, I might even get an unprecedented high score!"

"Calm down, Ike. I knew you idiot never studied before. My grades were always very good."

"How could I believe you were good at studying before, Yamauchi?"

"What did you say!"

The two started bickering again. The classmates were all very grateful to Kushida, but Horikita called Kushida aside privately. Konoe and Ayanokoji exchanged a glance, then curiously followed them.