The Day the Results Were Announced

On Wednesday morning, when Hanyu Xiuyi walked into the classroom, he immediately sensed an unusual atmosphere.

Everyone was present, but not a single person spoke. Forty pairs of eyes fixed on him simultaneously, a gaze that made his heart tighten.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

Hirata Yousuke stood up, his blond hair shining under the fluorescent light, his expression complex. "Hanyu... the results are out."

Hanyu's heart skipped a beat. He quickly walked to his seat and saw a report card on his desk.

He picked it up, his gaze falling on the top line—

Class Average Score: 86.3 Points

"86.3..." he murmured.

"Yes, 86.3 points." Yukimura Teruhiko adjusted his glasses, his voice trembling slightly. "That's 1.3 points higher than our target of 85 points."

The classroom was silent for a second, and then—

"Waaaaaaaah!"

A cheer erupted instantly, almost strong enough to blow off the roof. Sudo Ken jumped up, his red hair like a ball of burning flame, hugging Ike Kanji next to him and bouncing. Ike Kanji was also laughing, tears streaming from his eyes. Yamauchi Haruki was slumped over his desk, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably, it was unclear if he was crying or laughing.

"We did it! We really did it!" Karuizawa Kei hugged Kushida Kikyo, and the two jumped together, her golden ponytail swinging in the air.

"86.3 points! 0.7 points higher than Class A!" Yukimura Teruhiko was rarely so excited, his eyes behind his glasses shining. "We're first in the grade!"

"First in the grade!" everyone cheered in unison.

Hirata Yousuke's eye sockets reddened. He blinked hard, trying to hide his emotions, but the smile on his lips couldn't be concealed.

Horikita Suzune sat in her seat, her black hair neatly draped over her shoulders, her expression still calm. But if one looked closely, the corner of her mouth had lifted slightly—a rare smile.

Hasebe Haruka and Sakura Airi hugged each other. The two usually shy girls now disregarded their reserve, crying and laughing. Sotomura Hideo was pulled by Ike Kanji, clumsily dancing a bizarre dance, but with a bright smile on his face he had never shown before.

Matsushita Chiaki stood by the window, the corner of his mouth slightly upturned, a look of relief in his eyes.

Hanyu Xiuyi looked at the scene, a complex emotion welling up inside him. There was joy, gratitude, and a hint of... relief.

He looked at Ayanokoji Kiyonaga. That person sat in the corner, holding a book, his expression as plain as ever. But when Hanyu looked over, he nodded slightly.

That glance was worth more than a thousand words.

"Quiet, quiet!" Hirata said with a smile, trying to maintain order. "Chabashira-sensei will be here soon, everyone calm down!"

As soon as he spoke, the classroom door was pushed open. Chabashira Sae walked in, holding a document. Her expression was still cold, but as her gaze behind her glasses swept across the class, it seemed a little gentler than usual.

"You all know already?" she asked.

"We know!" everyone replied in unison.

Chabashira Sae nodded, walked to the lectern, and opened the document.

"The midterm exam results are officially announced," her voice was as plain as ever. "Class D, with an average score of 86.3 points, ranks first in the grade."

Although they already knew the result, hearing the teacher announce it personally still caused a burst of cheers in the classroom.

"Quiet, I'm not finished yet," Chabashira Sae said.

Everyone immediately quieted down.

"In terms of individual scores, Class D has four people in the top ten of the grade." She paused. "Horikita Suzune, second in the grade. Hanyu Xiuyi, third in the grade. Yukimura Teruhiko, seventh in the grade. Kushida Kikyo, ninth in the grade."

The classroom erupted in cheers again. Horikita remained composed, but a hint of pride flashed in her eyes. Hanyu smiled slightly, looking at Yukimura and Kushida, both of whom showed rare smiles.

"Additionally," Chabashira Sae continued, "Sudo Ken, improved by 127 places. Ike Kanji, improved by 98 places. Yamauchi Haruki, improved by 86 places. Karuizawa Kei, improved by 72 places. Sakura Airi, improved by 54 places..."

She read out a long list of names, each having improved by dozens or even hundreds of places. Cheers erupted from the classroom again and again, everyone proud of their own progress.

Finally, Chabashira Sae closed the document and looked at the whole class.

"For this exam, Class D has proven your abilities." Her voice was still plain, but Hanyu heard the hidden approval within. "Keep it up."

She turned and left the classroom. But at the doorway, she paused and looked back.

That look, Hanyu would never forget in his lifetime.

It was a look of approval.

During the Lunch Break, Hanyu Xiuyi encountered Ayanokoji Kiyonaga on the rooftop of the Teaching Building.

"Congratulations," Ayanokoji said plainly, drinking his coffee.

"Thank you," Hanyu stood beside him. "But it's everyone's contribution."

Ayanokoji looked at him. "You always say that."

"Because it's the truth."

Ayanokoji was silent for a few seconds, then said, "You know, Hanyu? You have a characteristic."

"What characteristic?"

"You always attribute the credit to others and take the blame yourself," Ayanokoji said. "That must be tiring."

Hanyu stunned for a moment, then smiled: "Perhaps. But I'm used to it."

The two stood in silence, looking at the campus in the distance. Sunlight fell on them, warm and bright.

"Any news from Ryuen?" Hanyu asked.

"Yes," Ayanokoji said. "He's been throwing tantrums in class these past few days. Class C's average score is only 78.6, putting them in last place."

Hanyu raised an eyebrow: "Last place?"

"That's right," Ayanokoji nodded. "0.8 points lower than Class B. Ryuen's authority in Class C has completely wavered now."

Hanyu pondered. Ryuen losing influence was a good thing for Class D. But he knew that person wouldn't give up easily.

"What about Nagumo?"

"No movement," Ayanokoji said. "But he must be watching us. Class D got first place this time; he can't be indifferent."

Hanyu nodded.

They chatted for a few more sentences. Ayanokoji finished his last sip of coffee and prepared to leave. After taking two steps, he turned back and said, "Hanyu, there's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?"

"About Karuizawa."

Hanyu's heart stirred: "What about her?"

"She came to find me today," Ayanokoji said. "She asked if I had a way to deal with Ryuen."

Hanyu stunned: "She..."

"She wants to protect the class," Ayanokoji said. "She said she doesn't want to be protected anymore; she wants to become someone who can protect others."

Hanyu fell silent. He remembered Karuizawa's pale face in the exam hall, her trembling hands, and the deep fear in her eyes. But now, she had stepped out of that shadow.

"How did you answer her?"

"I said, yes," Ayanokoji said. "Then I told her that true strength isn't about not being afraid, but about being able to stand up even when you are afraid."

Hanyu looked at him, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

"Thank you, Ayanokoji."

"You're welcome," Ayanokoji turned to leave. "She's a good girl, worthy of protection. But more importantly, she's worthy of being believed in."

He left, leaving Hanyu alone standing on the rooftop.

The sun set, painting the horizon a fiery red.

Hanyu gazed at the campus in the distance, a complex emotion welling up in his heart.

Karuizawa Kei, the girl once shrouded in fear, was slowly growing stronger.

Kushida Kikyo, the girl who once betrayed the class, was proving herself through her actions.

Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, Yamauchi Haruki – those "problem students" once mocked were earning respect through their own efforts.

And Horikita, Hirata, Yukimura, Sakura, Hasebe, Sotomura, Matsushita... everyone was growing, everyone was getting stronger.

This was Class D.

This was his class.

He clenched his fist, a determined light flashing in his eyes.

No matter what lay ahead, he would keep going.

He would keep going with these people.