Observation of Potential Talents

On Wednesday afternoon, Sudo Ken was practicing shooting alone on the basketball court. His movements were standard and powerful, the ball swishing through the net with precision every time. But Hanyu Xiuyi, standing at the sidelines watching for ten minutes, spotted a serious problem—this guy had zero passing awareness.

Once again, Sudo chose to force his way through an imaginary defense instead of passing to an "open teammate." This style might work in individual matches, but in a special exam requiring teamwork, it would be a disaster.

"Yo, Sudo." Hanyu Xiuyi walked onto the court. "Nice shooting."

Sudo stopped, gave him a look, his expression wary. "Hanyu. What do you want?"

"Want to discuss something with you." Hanyu Xiuyi picked up the rolling ball. "Class D needs to step up physical training, especially to prepare for the special exam. You've got the best athletic ability—I'd like to ask for your guidance."

Sudo snorted. "Why should I? I don't even have enough time for my own training."

"There's a reward." Hanyu Xiuyi said calmly. "Five thousand points per training session. Three times a week, for four weeks."

That offer made Sudo pause. Fifteen thousand points a week, sixty thousand over four weeks. It was a decent chunk of change for him.

But he quickly put on his arrogant expression again. "Like I need that pocket change? Besides, what's the point of training a bunch of dead weight?"

"If you think they're too weak, then prove you're strong enough to train them into something less weak." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "A real strong man doesn't just complain about his teammates—he makes them stronger."

Sudo was silent for a few seconds, as if mulling over those words. But in the end, he shook his head. "Not interested. I need to practice. Don't bother me."

First attempt failed. But Hanyu Xiuyi wasn't discouraged—he'd expected it wouldn't be that easy. Sudo's pride was too strong; he'd need a cleverer approach to get close.

Thursday lunch break, the library.

Yukimura Teruhiko sat alone in a corner, three reference books and a thick notebook spread out before him. He was working on a complex math problem, brow furrowed, completely absorbed in thought.

Hanyu Xiuyi didn't interrupt directly. Instead, he sat down across from him and pulled out a book to read. Ten minutes later, Yukimura finally cracked the problem and let out a sigh.

"Need any help?" Hanyu Xiuyi spoke up at the right moment.

Yukimura looked up, adjusted his glasses. "Hanyu? No need, I've already solved it."

"Let me see your solution." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "Maybe there's a simpler way."

Yukimura hesitated, then pushed the notebook over. Hanyu Xiuyi skimmed through it—a perfectly standard solution, but with too many steps.

"Here." Hanyu Xiuyi pointed at a spot. "You can use this theorem to derive it directly, saving at least five steps."

He wrote down a simplified proof on the paper. Yukimura watched, his eyes gradually lighting up.

"I see... I didn't think of that approach." Yukimura looked at Hanyu Xiuyi anew. "You're good at math."

"Not bad." Hanyu Xiuyi said modestly. "Yukimura, what do you think about the special exam? I heard it might be the uninhabited island survival type."

Yukimura immediately perked up. "Based on data from three years ago, if it really is an uninhabited island, we need to focus on a few core variables: environmental parameters, resource distribution, teamwork efficiency..."

He launched into a nonstop analysis, logical and meticulous. Hanyu Xiuyi listened attentively, occasionally asking questions to steer the discussion.

Twenty minutes later, Yukimura finally stopped. "Sorry, once I start talking, I can't stop."

"No problem. Your analysis is valuable." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "I think you could serve as the class's strategy consultant. Of course, with compensation."

Yukimura didn't agree immediately, but asked cautiously, "What do you want?"

"Before the special exam, help me gather and analyze intel." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "During the exam, provide logical support and suggestions."

"I can do the analysis." Yukimura said. "But I'm not good at directing others, and I don't like taking responsibility."

"You just need to deliver the analysis results." Hanyu Xiuyi said understandingly. "I'll make the decisions."

Yukimura thought for a long time. "Ten thousand points per week. And I'll only handle things within my ability."

"Deal." Hanyu Xiuyi extended his hand.

Yukimura hesitated, then grasped it.

First talent tentatively secured. But Hanyu Xiuyi knew this was just a transaction—far from truly "winning him over."

Next was Kushida Kikyo. This girl, always wearing a sweet smile, seemed harmless on the surface, but Hanyu Xiuyi had noticed her subtle position in the class's relationships.

After school, he "accidentally" ran into Kushida in the hallway, who was talking with a few girls.

"Kushida, can I have a minute?"

Kushida's smile didn't waver. "Of course! You guys go ahead, I'll talk with Hanyu for a bit."

Once the other girls left, her smile faded slightly. "Hanyu, what's up?"

"About class unity." Hanyu Xiuyi met her eyes. "I think you've done a great job fostering relationships among classmates."

Kushida's gaze flickered. "I just hope everyone can get along..."

"That's important." Hanyu Xiuyi said. "A divided class has little chance of winning in the special exam. I hope you can keep playing that role."

Kushida didn't answer right away, but studied Hanyu Xiuyi carefully. "Why are you doing this? For the class? Or for yourself?"

"Both." Hanyu Xiuyi said honestly. "A class upgrade benefits me, but I genuinely think Class D has potential—it just needs someone to bring everyone together."

"I see..." Kushida's smile returned. "Then I'm willing to help. But what do I get out of it?"

The question was blunt. Hanyu Xiuyi had his answer ready. "If you help the class perform better in the special exam, everyone will thank you. And I'll make sure your contributions are recognized."

"Sounds good." Kushida said. "But I have one condition—don't force me to do anything. I'll only do what I'm willing to."

"Of course."

On the surface, an agreement seemed to have been reached, but Hanyu Xiuyi knew that Kushida Kikyo's "willingness" came with conditions. She wasn't the type to be easily won over.

Friday's cooking classroom. Hasebe Haruka was preparing a complex French dish. Her movements were precise and elegant, clearly the result of professional training.

Hanyu Xiuyi stood at the doorway watching for a long time, until she finished the final plating step.

"Impressive." He walked into the classroom.

Hasebe was startled: "Ah! Hanyu-kun... what are you doing here?"

"Passing by and caught the scent." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "Can I have a taste?"

Hasebe hesitated for a moment, then cut a small piece and handed it to him. The flavor was indeed excellent, even surpassing the level of the school cafeteria.

"You have the skill of a professional chef." Hanyu Xiuyi evaluated.

"It's just a hobby..." Hasebe said quietly.

"If the Special Exam requires wilderness cooking, your skill will be very valuable." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "Would you be willing to take charge of that area?"

Hasebe didn't agree immediately, but instead asked back: "Why me? There are other people in the class who can cook."

"Because they just know how to cook." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "You truly understand cuisine. Besides, I heard you also have knowledge of edible plants?"

Hasebe's expression shifted: "How do you know?"

"A guess." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "People who love cooking usually know a lot about ingredient characteristics. If you can find edible plants in the wild, that would be a huge advantage."

Hasebe was silent for a long time: "I can help identify plants and prepare food. But I don't want to be a leader, and I don't want to be responsible for too many things."

"No problem." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "You just need to do what you're good at."

It seemed like she agreed, but Hanyu Xiuyi noticed that Hasebe's eyes flickered when she mentioned "wild plants." She seemed to be hiding something.

Saturday morning, training hike on the school back mountain.

Sugino-sensei led about twenty students along the mountain path. Sudo Ken, with the best stamina, took the lead. Horikita Suzune and Hirata Yousuke stayed in the middle. Ayanokoji Kiyonaga, as always, kept an unhurried pace at the very back of the group.

Hanyu Xiuyi deliberately slowed down to walk alongside Sotomura Hideo.

"Sotomura-kun, I heard you have a good sense of direction?"

Sotomura was startled and stammered: "It's, it's okay..."

"Can you remember the path we're taking right now?"

Sotomura looked around, then nodded: "Yes. About three hundred meters up from here, there's a fork. The left leads to a mountain spring, the right to a cliff. We passed three different tree species just now, and the one under our feet now is the fourth..."

He described the terrain, vegetation, and landmarks along the way in detail, with an astonishing memory.

"You're amazing." Hanyu Xiuyi said sincerely.

Sotomura's face reddened: "Th-this is nothing... I just like observing."

"This skill is very important in wilderness survival." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "If the Special Exam is in an unfamiliar environment, we'll need you as a guide."

Sotomura waved his hands nervously: "No way! I'm not good at directing others..."

"You don't need to direct." Hanyu Xiuyi said, "You just need to tell us where to go and what to watch out for. Leave the rest to me and Hirata and the others."

This arrangement put Sotomura slightly at ease: "Then... I can give it a try."

Another potential talent, but severely lacking in confidence.

During a break in the training, Hanyu Xiuyi found Matsushita Chiaki drinking water under a tree. This girl was always very quiet, almost never voicing opinions, but Hanyu Xiuyi had noticed her strong observation skills.

"Matsushita-san, what do you think of today's training?"

Matsushita gave him a look and said calmly: "Sugino-sensei's route choice has problems. He avoided the most efficient shortcut and chose a safer path. But if it were the Special Exam, we might need to take risks."

This analysis was sharp. Hanyu Xiuyi asked: "What do you think we should choose?"

"Depends on the situation." Matsushita said, "If time is plentiful, safety first. If time is tight, we can take risks. But we need to send someone to scout the route's dangers first."

A very pragmatic suggestion. Hanyu Xiuyi noted this evaluation.

"Would you be willing to take on a reconnaissance role in the Special Exam?"

Matsushita thought for a moment: "I can. But I want the right to make my own decisions. If I think it's too dangerous, I can refuse to carry it out."

"A reasonable request." Hanyu Xiuyi nodded.

Another talent, but one who demanded clear boundaries of authority.

Back in the dormitory that evening, Hanyu Xiuyi began organizing today's observation record:

Sudo Ken: Top-tier athletic ability, but severely individualistic, doesn't trust teammates. Need to find a way to make him recognize the value of the team.

Yukimura Teruhiko: Strong logical analysis ability, willing to trade but unwilling to take responsibility. Need to attract him with professional challenges.

Kushida Kikyo: Interpersonal relationship expert, motives unclear. Need to establish a mutually beneficial relationship.

Hasebe Haruka: Professional cooking skills, extensive plant knowledge but hiding something. Need to find out what she's concealing.

Sotomura Hideo: Exceptional sense of direction and observation skills, but severely lacks self-confidence. Need to build his confidence.

Matsushita Chiaki: Calm and pragmatic, strong observation skills, but demands autonomy. Can be trusted but clear boundaries must be set.

Kouenji Rokutaro: Not yet contacted. According to Ayanokoji, highly capable but difficult to control.

Ike Kanji & Yamauchi Haruki: Not yet assessed. May be used as sources of information.

Karuizawa Kei: Center of the Girls Group. Need to win her support but direct contact is inadvisable.

Sakura Airi: Extremely shy, abilities unknown. Need to observe.

Ayanokoji Kiyonaga: Mysterious, astonishing observation skills, proactively offered help but motives unclear.

The list is long, the problems many. Class D truly is, as Chabashira Sae said, a group of "flawed goods." Everyone has obvious shortcomings, but also unique strengths.

Winning these people over isn't something that can be done in a day or two. It requires patience, strategy, and a bit of luck.

Hanyu Xiuyi looked out the window. The campus in the night scenery was quiet and deep. The Special Exam was drawing closer, and his team-building had only just begun.

But that was the challenge.

If everything were easy, it would be meaningless.

He opened his notebook and began formulating specific strategies for each person. Everyone needed a different approach, a different timing, a different bargaining chip.

It was like a complex game of chess, where each piece had its own will.

And what he needed to do was find the right way to move these pieces.

The night was still long. But time was already running out.