The Trap of Deviation Values

In the Class D classroom, Chabashira Sae handed out the test papers with an expressionless face.

"This is this month's subject quiz, and the results will be factored into the class evaluation," she said indifferently, her gaze sweeping over every student. "I hope you won't disappoint me."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took the test paper and quickly scanned through the questions.

(High school math level... no, even simpler than that.)

As a transmigrator, although he had been a shut-in in his past life, he had at least been baptized by the Chinese college entrance examination. He could get a perfect score on this level of questions with his eyes closed.

However—

(Now is not the time to show my true strength.)

I picked up my pencil and began to answer. For the first half, I deliberately slowed down, pretending to be deep in thought and occasionally feigning hesitation while changing my answers. As for the complex problems in the second half, I intentionally left gaps in a few key steps to ensure the final score wouldn't be too high, yet not low enough to arouse suspicion.

(The class average needs to be controlled to be slightly higher than Class C, but it cannot exceed Class B...)

While calculating the possible score distribution, I used my peripheral vision to observe the surrounding classmates.

Horikita Suzune was writing with focus, her pen tip barely pausing; Hirata Yosuke looked up from time to time, seemingly checking the progress of others; and Sudo Ken... was already asleep on his desk.

(Just as it was in the original work, then.)

Ayanokoji's mouth curled up slightly, but he quickly returned to his listless expression.

After the exam ended, Ayanokoji packed up his stationery and was about to leave the classroom when his path was blocked by Horikita Suzune.

"Ayanokoji." Her voice was calm and direct. "Can I take a moment of your time?"

He looked up at her and nodded.

The two walked to a corner of the hallway, and Horikita spoke straight to the point: "You are hiding your strength."

(...I was noticed?)

Ayanokoji feigned confusion: "What do you mean?"

"Don't play dumb." She frowned slightly. "During the exam just now, you could have easily finished, yet you deliberately slowed down and even got a few questions wrong."

(Good observation skills... as expected of Horikita.)

He was silent for a moment, then gave a faint smile: "This school is like a game; those who show their trump cards too early will only become pawns."

A flash of surprise crossed Horikita's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"An interesting way to put it." She stared at him. "However, if you truly have the ability, why not use it to improve the class? You should be very clear about the current situation of Class D."

(As expected, she still cares about the class evaluation.)

He shrugged: "I'm just an ordinary student. It's more appropriate to leave class matters to people like Hirata."

Horikita seemed to want to say something more, but in the end, she just snorted coldly: "Suit yourself. However, if you change your mind, you can come find me."

After saying that, she turned and left, her back still proud and lonely.

(The possibility of cooperation...)

He watched her walk away, lost in thought.

During the lunch break, Ayanokoji walked toward the cafeteria alone.

"Ayanokoji-kun!"

A sweet voice came from behind. He turned around and saw Kushida Kikyo jogging to catch up, holding an exquisite bento box in her hand.

"What a coincidence, are you going to the cafeteria too?" Her smile was bright, as dazzling as the sun.

(Coincidence? No, she was clearly waiting here on purpose.)

She nodded: "Yeah."

"Then let's go together!" She naturally walked to his side. "By the way, I made some cookies, do you want to try one?"

She opened the bento box, which contained a few cookies in cute shapes.

(...Testing me? Trying to win me over?)

I picked one up and thanked her politely: "Thank you."

Kushida blinked and asked in a relaxed tone: "Ayanokoji-kun seems very busy lately; you haven't really participated in class activities."

"I'm just not very good at socializing," I replied evasively.

"Is that so..." She tilted her head slightly. "However, would you like to come along for the next group activity? Everyone is looking forward to your participation."

("Everyone"? I'm afraid that's just her excuse.)

I was silent for a moment, then nodded: "...I'll consider it."

Kushida's smile deepened: "That's great! I'll be waiting for you then!"

(...A troublesome person.)

I watched her departing back, my vigilance silently increasing.

At this moment, Sato walked over from behind a nearby building, clearly having heard the entire conversation between me and Kushida.

"Ayanokoji-kun, that was Kushida just now, right? Were you two talking about something interesting?"

I didn't hold anything back, repeating what I had just said more or less as it was; even though Sato already knew, I had to pretend she didn't.

The psychology of a young girl is truly easy to understand; right now, I am essentially a dimension-breaking threat to them.

Deep in the dead of night, inside the school's surveillance room, Acting Director Tsukishiro sat before the screens, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk.

On the monitor, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was walking alone on the path back to the dorms, his expression as indifferent as always.

Tsukishiro narrowed his eyes and muttered to himself: "Ayanokoji Kiyotaka... your 'deviation value' is quite interesting to calculate."

He pulled up the recent exam data; Class D's average score was subtly wedged between Class B and Class C, while Ayanokoji's individual score was placed right in the middle of the class.

(Too perfect... so perfect that it feels deliberate.)

He chuckled softly and closed the surveillance feed.

"As expected of the White Room's greatest masterpiece. I hope Director Ayanokoji lets me take over as the acting director at Kodo Ikusei soon, so I can have some real fun with him."