In the Class D classroom, Chabashira Sae handed out the tests without expression.
"This is this month's subject quiz. Your scores will count toward the class evaluation," she said coolly, looking over each student. "I hope you don't disappoint me."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took the test and quickly skimmed through the questions.
High school-level math... no, even easier than that.
As someone who had crossed over from another world, he might have been a shut-in in his previous life, but at least he'd survived China's college entrance exams. He could get a perfect score on questions of this difficulty with his eyes closed.
But—
Now isn't the time to show what I can do.
I picked up my pencil and began answering. I deliberately slowed down through the first half, pretending to think, and occasionally acted uncertain as I changed an answer. For the longer questions in the second half, I intentionally left out a few key steps, making sure my final score wouldn't be too high, but not so low that it would raise suspicions.
The class average needs to be a little higher than Class C's, but not higher than Class B's...
As I worked out the likely score distribution, I watched the other students out of the corner of my eye.
Horikita Suzune was writing intently, barely pausing between strokes. Hirata Yosuke looked up now and then, seemingly checking on everyone else's progress. And Ken Sudō... was already asleep with his head on his desk.
Just like in the original story.
Ayanokoji's lips twitched into a faint smile, but he quickly returned to his usual listless expression.
After the test, Ayanokoji put away his stationery and was about to leave the classroom when Horikita Suzune blocked his way.
"Ayanokoji." Her voice was calm and direct. "Could I have a moment of your time?"
He looked up at her and nodded.
They walked to a corner of the hallway, where Horikita got straight to the point. "You're hiding your abilities."
...She noticed?
Ayanokoji feigned confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb." She frowned slightly. "You could have finished that test easily, but you deliberately slowed down and even got several questions wrong."
Good observational skills... No wonder she's Horikita.
He was silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile. "This school is like a game. Anyone who shows their hand too early will only become a pawn."
A flicker of surprise passed through Horikita's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Interesting way to put it." She stared at him. "But if you really have the ability, why not use it to improve the class? You should know what Class D's situation is like right now."
As expected, she still cares about the class evaluation.
He shrugged. "I'm just an ordinary student. It's better to leave class matters to Hirata and the others."
Horikita seemed about to say something more, but in the end, she only let out a cold snort. "Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, you can come find me."
With that, she turned and walked away, her back as proud and lonely as ever.
The possibility of working together...
He watched her go, lost in thought.
At lunchtime, Ayanokoji headed to the cafeteria alone.
"Ayanokoji-kun!"
A sweet voice called from behind him. He turned and saw Kushida Kikyo jogging up, a delicate lunchbox in her hands.
"What a coincidence! Are you going to the cafeteria too?" she said with a dazzling smile, bright as sunshine.
Coincidence? No, she was clearly waiting here on purpose.
She nodded. "Mm-hm."
"Then let's go together!" She fell naturally into step beside him. "Oh, I made some cookies. Want to try one?"
She opened the lunchbox, revealing several cute little cookies.
Is she testing me? Trying to win me over?
I picked one up and thanked her politely. "Thanks."
Kushida blinked and asked casually, "Ayanokoji-kun, you seem pretty busy lately. You haven't been joining in on many class activities."
"I'm just not very good at socializing," I replied evasively.
"I see..." She tilted her head slightly. "But would you like to join us for the next group activity? Everyone's looking forward to having you there."
"Everyone"? That's probably just an excuse.
I was quiet for a moment, then nodded. "...I'll think about it."
Kushida's smile widened. "Great! I'll be waiting for you!"
What a troublesome person.
I watched her walk away, silently raising my guard.
Just then, Sato came around from behind a nearby building. She'd clearly heard my conversation with Kushida.
"Ayanokoji-kun, that was Kushida, right? Were you two talking about anything interesting?"
I didn't hide anything and more or less repeated what we'd just discussed. Sato already knew, of course, but I had to pretend she didn't.
The psychology of teenage girls was so easy to understand. Compared to them, I was operating on a completely different level.
Late at night, in the school's surveillance room, Chairman Tsukishiro sat before the monitors, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk.
On the screen, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was walking back to the dormitory alone, his expression as calm as ever.
Tsukishiro narrowed his eyes and murmured, "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... Your 'deviation score' is quite interesting to calculate."
He pulled up the latest test results. Class D's average was positioned delicately between Class B's and Class C's, while Ayanokoji's individual scores sat right around the middle of his class.
Too perfect... Perfect enough to look deliberate.
He chuckled and turned off the monitor.
"As expected of the White Room's greatest masterpiece. I hope Ayanokoji's father will let me go to Kodo Ikusei as chairman soon. Then I'll be able to have some fun with him."
Before you continue