Construction

He let go of her hand,

Since the first matter was settled, it was time to move on to the next topic.

"How much do you know about the school, Gojo-kun?

Back in the library, why did you say in front of everyone that I didn't need tutoring?

My last test score should've only just met the passing mark. It wasn't much higher than that.

If you knew my situation, then what did you mean when you added, 'Anyway, according to the school rules, passing should be pretty easy, right?'"

"Just call me Satoru. I've been calling you Kiyotaka-kun, after all.

You've probably figured out a little of it by now, haven't you?

Chabashira said it from the very beginning: anything in the school can be traded for points. The only differences are the people involved, the terms, and the amount."

I see.

Just as I'd thought, if anything could be traded, then scores and answers were fair game too.

And since the Special Exam could increase Class Points, there had to be a special way to pass it.

After all, it was difficult for an individual to improve rapidly in less than a month, let alone an entire class.

If nothing unexpected happened, the test papers could probably be obtained through special channels.

But if that was the case, why had he stayed inactive this month?

"If there's a way to pass the Midterm Exam safely, why not do anything about it?

According to what the teacher said at the start of the school year, this school operates on the principle of meritocracy.

So if a student were expelled, would that mean the class lacked ability, resulting in a reduction in Class Points?"

He'd thought it through carefully. With the information he had so far, he'd already managed to connect the dots and infer several rules that were difficult to notice.

"That's right. If a student is expelled, the class's points will indeed go down.

But not right now. And even if they really are deducted, it doesn't matter. Class Points can't go below zero.

The only drawback to doing nothing is that the class won't gain many points, since the students won't make any sudden, major improvements.

But it'll weed out some people I can't stand, along with the useless students who don't even have basic academic skills and still refuse to study.

Of course, if you want the class to improve faster, you can buy the test papers as you suggested. Just don't give them to Yamauchi or Ike.

That's the best solution for now. The people I hate will be eliminated, the class can gain points, and I'll have a few people left over to use as sacrifices in future Special Exams."

He'd already figured out that much?

Even though there was a way to let everyone pass safely, he still intended to eliminate the people he disliked.

He'd even factored in sacrifices to prevent unforeseen problems during future Special Exams.

He was a fellow egoist, just like me, but he let his emotions influence him. He was the sort to do whatever he pleased.

"In that case, I know what to do.

I'll buy the test papers as usual, but I'll have Horikita distribute them.

I promised Chabashira-sensei I'd help Class D move up in exchange for information about you.

So I'll give it a try."

I hadn't expected that choice. It wasn't the little angel from the original story.

"I see. But why have Horikita distribute the test papers?

Wouldn't Kushida Kikyo be a better fit?"

"She's in a somewhat difficult position. If she distributed them, she'd have to deliberately exclude two students. If that came to light, it would seriously damage her reputation, and she'd be of little use afterward."

I see.

He'd thought it through pretty thoroughly. But as long as someone was willing to do it, that was enough. My plan had become irrelevant.

If he was willing to let me do as I pleased while giving his all to improve the class, then even if I did nothing, the class would probably move up in the end.

That meant the outcome for those class deadweights wouldn't affect my mood. I wouldn't have to waste my time on them.

Instead of pointless squabbles, finding a partner was far more important.

"If that's what you think, fine. But I should warn you: Horikita might not be as smart as you think."

With that, he turned and left. There was nothing else to discuss now.

Still, Chabashira's actions had left me a little disheartened. I'd have to collect a little interest.

Watching him walk away, I thought about his final words.

Is she even less capable than I thought?

But surely she could handle distributing test papers, couldn't she?

She was a little hard to get along with, but she was still one of the more capable students in the class.

It was just that the gap between her and the top few students was enormous.

Still, there was no denying she had considerable ability and potential.

Bang!

The teachers' lounge door suddenly swung open, and someone dashed inside.

"Sae! I'm here to see you!"

Gojo Satoru leaped in, calling out with a cheerful grin.

But something seemed off.

It wasn't just Chabashira Sae who was there; Hoshinomiya Chie, Class B's homeroom teacher, was there too.

The situation was awkward only from their perspective. Gojo had known from the start that there were two people inside, thanks to his senses.

He didn't care who the other person was. He only needed to make sure one of them was Chabashira Sae.

At that moment, Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie stared blankly at the student who had suddenly barged in.

"Wait!

You call me by the same name!

Sae, is he your boyfriend?!"

Once she'd recovered, Hoshinomiya Chie grabbed Chabashira Sae by the shoulders and shook her excitedly as she asked.

But before Chabashira Sae could answer, she continued,

"A student-teacher romance! I'm so jealous. But I remember you, don't I? You're dating Amikura from my class, right?

And you're also dating Kamuro-san from Class A!

I never expected you to have a thing going on with Sae in private, too!

You really are a heartbreaker."

Her words sounded exaggerated and serious, but her face was still full of excitement, as if she found the whole thing incredibly entertaining.

But Chabashira Sae wasn't about to let her keep talking nonsense. She immediately set the record straight.

"You're mistaken. We have a normal teacher-student relationship. Gojo-kun just has an unusual personality.

Of course, it's true that he's dating two girls at the same time."

Before Hoshinomiya Chie could respond, Gojo Satoru put on a wounded expression.

He planted his left hand on the desk beside him, brought the fingers of his right hand together in front of his lips, and spoke sadly.

"I can't believe Sae thinks I have an unusual personality.

Have you forgotten our promise beneath the cherry trees?

Boohoohoo..."

What was that about a promise beneath the cherry trees?!

This time, not only Chabashira Sae but Hoshinomiya Chie fell silent too.

She'd been about to tease Chabashira Sae some more, but this student was on another level.

Give me back the handsome, high-quality guy from my first impression!

How could someone like him date two beautiful girls at once? Was it just because he was good-looking?

His appearance really was heart-stopping, but that personality was just...

Ignoring their stunned expressions, Gojo straightened up and asked with a smile,

"When will you be free, Sae? I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

Chabashira Sae felt a little nervous at the question.

Has that guy already laid his cards on the table?

She'd thought his personality meant there wouldn't be any trouble for a while, and that he'd be able to help Class D quickly. She hadn't expected him to give in to the temptation of freedom so soon.

But it shouldn't be a big problem, right?

To be honest, she'd found Gojo a powerful ally. Her condition had only been that he stay in Class A. If Ayanokoji joined them as well,

then even graduating from Class A might not be a problem.

Neither of them was any less capable than Horikita Manabu had shown himself to be. If they could work together, Class A would be within their grasp!

While she was still thinking, Hoshinomiya Chie beside her couldn't hold back. She spoke up with a wounded little pout.