Prelude to the Midterm Exam

On Monday morning, as Hanyu Xiuyi walked into the classroom, he immediately felt an unusual atmosphere.

Large characters were written on the blackboard in chalk: "Two Weeks Until the Midterm Exam." Below it was a line of smaller text: "Class Average Score Target: 85 Points."

"Who wrote this?" Hanyu asked Hirata Yousuke next to him.

"Chabashira-sensei," Hirata gave a wry smile. "She wrote it when she came in this morning. She also said that if we don't reach the target, the whole class will have points deducted."

The classroom erupted in groans.

"85 points? Are you kidding me!" Sudo Ken slammed his desk. "I'll be lucky if I can pass math!"

"Me too..." Ike Kanji chimed in.

Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses and calmly analyzed, "An average score of 85 points is indeed not low. According to last year's data, the school's average score was around 78 points. 85 points means we need to be 7 points above the average."

"Can we do it?" Karuizawa Kei asked worriedly.

Yukimura thought for a moment, "If everyone gives their all, it's theoretically possible. But it requires a very systematic review plan."

Hanyu stood up and walked to the lectern. The classroom fell silent, all eyes on him.

"Listen to me, everyone," his voice was calm and powerful. "85 points is indeed not easy, but it's not impossible. Starting today, we need to enter exam preparation mode. Yukimura will be responsible for the review plan, Horikita for explaining difficult points, and Hirata and I will handle overall coordination."

He looked around, "Everyone must participate, everyone must work hard. This is not a one-person battle, it's a battle of forty people."

"But..." someone hesitated, "I really can't do it..."

"There's no one who can't," Hanyu interrupted him. "Only those who don't try hard enough. Starting today, we will have two hours of group review after school every day, and all day on weekends. Ask questions anytime you have them, speak up anytime you have difficulties. We'll solve them together."

The classroom was silent for a few seconds, then someone started clapping. The applause grew louder and louder, eventually filling the entire classroom.

Sudo Ken stood up, his red hair like a ball of flame, "Alright! Let's go for it! I don't believe I can't score 85 points!"

"Me too!" Ike Kanji shouted, following suit.

"Then I'll try hard too..." Yamauchi Haruki said softly.

Karuizawa Kei smiled, "This is our Class D!"

Kushida Kikyo watched the scene, a warm smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. She looked at Hanyu, just as their eyes met. The two looked at each other and smiled.

At that moment, she was even more convinced—returning to Class D was the most correct choice she had ever made.

During the lunch break, Hanyu Xiuyi encountered Ayanokoji Kiyonaga on the rooftop of the teaching building.

"What do you think about the review plan?" Hanyu asked.

Ayanokoji took a sip of his coffee and said plainly, "It's feasible, but there are risks."

"What risks?"

"It's too tiring," Ayanokoji said. "Two weeks of high-intensity review will be too much for many people. Especially those with a weak foundation to begin with might break down due to excessive pressure."

Hanyu fell silent. Ayanokoji was right; this was what he was most worried about.

"Then do you have any suggestions?"

"Phased approach," Ayanokoji said. "The first week focuses on the basics, the second week tackles the difficult points. Don't exceed three hours a day, and no more than six hours on the weekend. There should be breaks in between, and relaxing activities."

Hanyu nodded. "Okay, I'll discuss it with Yukimura."

The two were silent for a few seconds. Ayanokoji suddenly spoke, "Any trends from Nagumo's side?"

"Not yet," Hanyu said. "But Kushida said Ryuen has been holding meetings in the class recently, seemingly planning something."

"He's preparing for the midterm exam."

"Midterm exam?" Hanyu was taken aback. "Someone like him cares about exams?"

Ayanokoji Gave Him a Look. "Although Ryuen's methods are dirty, he's not stupid. He knows that if his midterm exam scores are too poor, his status in Class C will be further shaken. So he will definitely Give His All."

Hanyu was lost in thought. This was something he hadn't considered.

"Also," Ayanokoji continued, "Nagumo won't act directly. He will act through Ryuen. So as long as we keep an eye on Ryuen, we can grasp their trends."

"Understood."

Ayanokoji finished his coffee and Stood Up to leave. After taking a couple of steps, he turned back and said, "Hanyu, this exam might be an opportunity."

"What opportunity?"

"An opportunity for Class D to truly unite," Ayanokoji said. "To work hard together, strive together, and achieve results together. After experiencing this, Class D will no longer be just 'a collection of Flawed Goods,' but a real class."

He left, leaving Hanyu Standing Alone on the Rooftop.

The sunlight shone on him, warm and bright.

An opportunity for Class D to truly unite...

He Clenched His Fist, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

Then let it come.

After school in the Afternoon, the Class D classroom turned into a temporary study room.

Yukimura Teruhiko stood before the blackboard, a densely packed Study Plan Chart laid out before him. He adjusted glasses and cleared his throat.

"Everyone listen up, this is the study plan for the next two weeks."

He pointed to the plan chart: "First week, two hours after school every day, divided by subject. Monday math, Tuesday English, Wednesday National Language, Thursday science, Friday social studies. The weekend is all day, morning for weak subjects, afternoon for mock tests."

"Second week, three hours after school every day, focusing on difficult areas. The weekend is all day, full subject mock tests, identifying and filling gaps."

He surveyed the room: "Everyone must participate, unless there are special circumstances. Anyone have questions?"

"I do!" Sudo Ken raised his hand, "Math is too hard, I don't understand anything!"

"Then we'll start from the basics," Yukimura said, "I've already prepared basic math materials from elementary to high school, one copy for each person. We'll build a solid foundation first, then tackle the difficult parts."

Sudo scratched his head: "Okay..."

"I'd like to ask too," Sakura Airi said softly, "What about English listening comprehension..."

"Listen to the English broadcast every morning and evening," Yukimura said, "I've already downloaded listening materials suitable for high school students and will send them to the class group. Every morning at seven, we'll all listen together for half an hour."

Sakura nodded, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes.

For the next two hours, the classroom was filled with the Sound of Flipping Pages and the Sound of Discussion. Yukimura and Horikita moved between the various groups, answering questions. Hanyu and Hirata were responsible for maintaining order, ensuring everyone was studying diligently.

Karuizawa Kei and several Girls were gathered, discussing English Grammar, Laughter occasionally breaking out. Kushida Kikyo patiently explained a Math Problem to Ike Kanji, the usually carefree boy listening intently for once. Sudo Ken bit his pen, pondering a Math Problem, while Yamauchi Haruki beside him also scratched his head.

Sotomura Hideo and Hasebe Haruka studied science together, the two usually shy individuals cooperating quite well. Matsushita Chiaki quietly worked on problems alone, occasionally looking up at his surroundings, a Faint Smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

At six o'clock sharp, Yukimura announced the end of class.

"That's all for today. We'll continue at the Same Time tomorrow."

A collective sigh of relief echoed through the classroom. Everyone packed their things and began to leave.

Hanyu Xiuyi was the last to exit the classroom. In the Corridor, Horikita Suzune was waiting for him.

"How do you feel about it?" she asked.

"Not bad," Hanyu said, "Everyone was very serious."

Horikita nodded, falling silent for a few seconds, then said: "Hanyu, thank you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for making Class D become like this," Horikita looked at His Eyes, "The Class D of the past was like Loose Sand. The Class D of today is a true collective."

Hanyu smiled: "It's not my accomplishment alone. It's the result of everyone's hard work."

Horikita looked at him, and on that always Indifferent Face, Rarely Showed a Hint of a Smile.

"Perhaps. But without you, none of this would have happened."

She turned and left, her black hair gently swaying behind her.

Hanyu stood in place, looking at her back view, a complex emotion surging in his heart.

Eight in the evening, Hanyu Xiuyi was reviewing in his dormitory when his mobile phone suddenly vibrated.

It was a message from an unknown number:

"Hanyu Xiuyi, interested in talking? Tomorrow afternoon at three, Student Council Office.--Nagumo Miyabi"

Hanyu stared at this message, his heart rate accelerating.

Nagumo Miyabi was finally coming to find him.

He thought for a few seconds, then replied: "Okay."

Whether this was a trap or an opportunity, he had to go.

Because he needed to figure out what Nagumo Miyabi wanted to do.

Outside the window, moonlight filled the campus, and everything appeared so quiet and peaceful.

But he knew this peace was only temporary.

The real storm was about to arrive.