The End of the Midterm Exam

On Monday morning, as the First Ray of Sunlight spilled onto the campus, the students of Class D were gradually walking into the classroom.

Today was the last day of the Midterm Exam. After two days of intense effort, everyone's face was etched with fatigue, but their eyes twinkled with anticipation.

"It's the last day!" Sudo Ken stretched his arms wide, his Red Hair messy. "After this, I'm sleeping all day!"

"Me too..." Ike Kanji said weakly, slumping onto his desk.

Yukimura Teruhiko Adjusted Glasses and said calmly, "Don't celebrate too early. There are still two subjects today—Science and Social Studies. These two are also key for widening the score gap."

"Yukimura is right." Hanyu Xiuyi Stood Up and surveyed the room. "It's the last day, everyone, hang in there a little longer. After it's over, I'll treat everyone to a meal."

"Really?" Yamauchi Haruki's eyes lit up.

"Really." Hanyu nodded. "You guys pick the place."

A cheer erupted in the classroom. The Atmosphere instantly became much more relaxed.

Karuizawa Kei sat in her seat, watching the scene unfold, a Warm Smile appearing at the Corner of Her Mouth. After the Weekend's rest, she had regained her usual Vitality. Her Golden Ponytail was tied high, and her face wore a brilliant smile.

Kushida Kikyo sat beside her and asked softly, "Are you nervous?"

"A little," Karuizawa replied. "But much better than yesterday."

"That's good," Kushida smiled. "Let's work hard together."

The Two exchanged a smile.

At nine in the morning, the Science exam began.

After the Exam Papers were distributed, Hanyu quickly scanned them. The questions were a bit harder than expected, but they were all within the scope of their Review. He took a Deep Breath and started answering.

Time ticked by. The only sounds in the classroom were the rustling of papers and the scratching of pens.

About halfway through, Hanyu suddenly heard a faint noise from behind him. He Looked Back—it was Sudo Ken, scratching his head in frustration at his Exam Paper, clearly stuck on a difficult problem.

Hanyu withdrew his gaze and continued answering.

Another half hour passed, and he finished all the questions. After checking them over and Confirmed there were no omissions, he Put Down his pen and checked the time—there were still twenty minutes left.

He Looked Up, his gaze sweeping across the classroom. Everyone was still engrossed in their work, including Sudo Ken, who was biting his pen, Staring at his Exam Paper blankly.

Come on, Sudo. Hanyu thought silently.

The bell signaling the end of the exam rang.

"Stop writing, hand in your papers," the Invigilator announced.

A collective sigh of relief echoed through the classroom. Some were excited, some dejected, but more than anything, they felt relieved.

"Finally done with exams!" Sudo Ken slumped over his desk. "I feel completely drained."

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

Yukimura Teruhiko walked over and looked at Sudo. "Did you do the last question?"

"I wrote something," Sudo replied, "but I don't know if it's right."

"Which one?"

The two began to discuss. Hanyu watched the scene, the corner of his mouth curving up slightly.

At one in the afternoon, the final subject, Social Studies, exam ended.

The moment the invigilator announced, "The exam is over," the entire teaching building erupted. Cheers, laughter, and groans mingled together, forming a peculiar symphony.

In the Class D classroom, students returned one after another. Each person wore a different expression – some excited, some exhausted, some anxious, but more than anything, a sense of relief washed over them.

"It's all over!" Hirata Yousuke stood on the lectern, his blond hair shining. "You all worked hard!"

"Worked hard for what? My life is hard!" Sudo Ken slumped over his desk. "I never want to take another exam as long as I live."

"Don't say that," Yukimura pushed up his glasses. "The results aren't out yet. What if you did really well?"

"Is that possible?" Sudo looked up, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"It's possible," Horikita Suzune spoke up, a rare occurrence. "You've been working hard recently; you should have made progress."

Sudo blinked, then chuckled. "If Horikita says so, then I must have done pretty well!"

Laughter rippled through the room.

Hanyu Xiuyi stood by the window, watching the scene unfold. An ineffable sense of satisfaction welled up within him.

"Hanyu-kun," a voice called from behind him.

He turned and saw Karuizawa Kei standing behind him, holding two cans of beverages.

"Here," she handed him one.

"Thanks," Hanyu took it and took a sip.

The two stood side by side by the window, gazing out at the campus. Sunlight bathed them, warm and bright.

"How did you do?" Hanyu asked.

"Not bad," Karuizawa said. "Better than I imagined. Thanks to Kushida, she kept helping me review."

"That's good."

Karuizawa was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Hanyu, I want to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"About that note." Her voice turned serious. "I thought about it later, and I don't think Ryuen just wanted to scare me."

Hanyu turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"

"He wanted me to break down during the exam, and then..." She paused. "Then use me to strike a blow against the entire class."

Hanyu fell silent. This analysis was exactly the same as what Ayanokoji had said.

"But you didn't let him succeed," he said.

"Because you guys were there," Karuizawa looked at him, her eyes shining. "Because you guys were there, I didn't break down."

Hanyu looked at her, those eyes sincere and warm.

"Karuizawa, you are already very strong," he said. "You will be even stronger in the future."

Karuizawa was stunned for a moment, then she smiled. That smile was brighter than ever.

"Thank you, Hanyu."

At three in the afternoon, Hanyu Xiuyi encountered Ayanokoji Kiyonaga on the rooftop of the Teaching Building.

He was leaning against the railing, holding a can of coffee, and looking out at the campus in the distance.

"Finished?" Ayanokoji asked.

"Yeah." Hanyu walked over and stood beside him. "You?"

"Not bad." Ayanokoji took a sip of coffee. "The questions were as expected."

Hanyu looked at him, a complex emotion surging in his heart. This person was always so plain, so calm, as if everything was under his control.

"Ayanokoji, I have a question for you."

"What question?"

"Why aren't you afraid?" Hanyu said. "Ryuen is targeting us, Nagumo is staring at us, and there are other unknown dangers... Why aren't you afraid?"

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, then said, "Because being afraid is useless."

"What do you mean?"

"Afraid that I can't solve problems, can't change the status quo, can't protect anyone." Ayanokoji looked at his eyes. "So I'm not afraid. I only think, only prepare, only respond."

Hanyu was stunned.

"Hanyu," Ayanokoji continued, "Do you know why you've been able to get this far?"

"Why?"

"Because you care," Ayanokoji said. "Because you care about your companions, care about the class, care about the things others don't. This care is your weakness, and also your strength."

He took a sip of coffee. "Ryuen and Nagumo, they only care about themselves. So they will never understand why so many people are willing to follow you."

Hanyu fell silent.

"Keep going," Ayanokoji turned around, preparing to leave. "No matter what lies ahead, you are not alone."

He left, leaving Hanyu alone standing on the rooftop.

The sunset was setting, the horizon a fiery red.

Hanyu looked at the campus in the distance, an unprecedented determination surging in his heart.

Yes, he was not alone.

He had Horikita, Hirata, Sudo, Karuizawa, Kushida, Ayanokoji, and the entire Class D.

That was enough.

No matter what lay ahead, he would keep going.

He would keep going with these people.