The Exam Officially Begins, the First Step Toward Cooperation / The Show Is About to Begin

"..."

"Oh well."

"Uh-huh."

Deep in the forest, far from the school buildings, an incredibly sweet fragrance blooms on the meadow, and enchanting sounds herald a new chapter.

Hashiba Hikaru experienced something completely new.

490

Chapter 490 The exam officially begins, the first step in cooperation.

At 10 p. m., Hashiba Hikaru first escorted the blushing Sakura Airi back to the girls' dormitory, and then returned to her room alone.

Since it was the first day and nothing had started yet, everyone was experiencing a training camp, and the boys' chatter and laughter could be heard in the hallway.

Pushing open her bedroom door, Hashiba Hikaru saw everyone gathered together playing cards. It seemed to be something a boy from Class A had brought with him. Although his cell phone had been confiscated, the school allowed him to bring other items in.

"Classmate Hashiba is back, want to try this?"

Upon seeing Hashiba Hikaru, Shibata immediately extended an invitation with a smile.

The other boys in Class A greeted him as well, but none of them asked him where he was going. This was a consensus, even an unspoken rule, among all the boys in Class A of the First Year.

"What are you guys playing? Has everyone taken a shower?"

"Everyone is taking turns showering. If Classmate Hashiba want to shower, you can join the line."

Kanzaki Ryuji pointed to the bathroom on the left side of the dormitory room. There were fifteen people in total, and it would take quite a while for them to take turns showering.

"I'll go take a shower first. You guys have fun, but remember to rest before midnight. It officially starts tomorrow, so we'll probably need to get up early."

"Um."

The boys in Class A trusted Hashiba Hikaru a lot, while the three students from the other three classes formed a small group within the room. After all, they were students from other classes, so it was normal to instinctively gravitate towards someone who was also alone.

"Come join us! Don't be so nervous; we'll be spending the whole week together."

As the [person in charge], Hashiba Hikaru took the initiative to talk to the three students and extended her goodwill.

"We think it's better to take a shower first. We've been traveling for several hours today and we're really tired."

"Hehe, that works too. It's good to conserve energy."

The boy smiled at the three students from another class, his tone gentle, "In any case, if our group can win, it will be good for all your classes, and we'll also get extra Private Points. You should all understand that."

"Of course, I won't hold anyone back."

"Me too."

"I will act in accordance with the rules, so please rest assured Classmate Hashiba."

"Yes, everyone, please get along well."

Hashiba Hikaru took in the expressions of the three people. As long as they weren't deliberately dragging the class down, it was fine. Otherwise, he would have to use some methods. In the end, if these people weren't stupid, they would probably all choose to earn more class rewards.

After all, winning first place earns a lot of Private Points, and no one would refuse money.

The next morning, at six o'clock.

Suddenly, the speakers mounted on the ceiling began playing upbeat music, shattering the quiet atmosphere of the dormitory.

When the music started, everyone in the dormitory basically understood what it meant. Although some people grumbled, they quickly accepted the fact that they had to get up now.

Shibata, sitting on the bed, rubbed his eyes and turned his head to find that the bed next to him was empty.

"Hey, where's Classmate Hashiba?"

"Oh no, Kanzaki is missing too!"

Just as everyone was in a panic, Kanzaki Ryuji had already finished washing up, pushed open the bathroom door and calmly explained to everyone, "Classmate Hashiba and I woke up a while ago. I've already finished washing up, so please come and wash up."

"Wait, what about Classmate Hashiba?"

"He went for a morning run. Since Classmate Hashiba went to bed early yesterday, I think he woke up around 5:30 this morning."

Kanzaki Ryuji is a light sleeper, and he was woken up when Hashiba Hikaru started showering.

"Are you really that diligent?"

The students in the room looked at each other in disbelief. Although the students in Class A of the First Year knew that Hashiba Hikaru had a habit of morning exercise, they did not expect that he would still insist on doing so during the Special Exam. As for the students in the other three classes, they were completely stunned.

Isn't this guy being way too evasive?

This is what everyone truly thinks.

When everyone got up and washed up, Hashiba Hikaru, who had already finished exercising, returned at that time. He took off his vest and went into the dormitory bathroom to take a shower.

"Tsk tsk, Classmate Hashiba's figure is still so exaggerated."

"No wonder he was able to display such explosive power during the Sports Festival, that's terrifying!"

The students in Class A all laughed and joked, since they had already seen it during swimming class, and this was just a joke.

The three boys from the other class were genuinely surprised. They exchanged glances and realized just how terrifying this person was; you couldn't tell how strong he was when he was dressed.

"Hurry up and get ready, we need to gather for roll call this morning."

"I understand."

After everyone finished, Hashiba Hikaru led his group members to the designated meeting point. Since the group activity required the entire group to be together, when he arrived, Horikita Manabu, a third-year student, and Kiriyama Ikuto, Second Year, had already arrived with their respective group members.

Good morning, seniors.

"Good morning."

After a brief greeting, all members of the large group began to be called on by the teacher. The three subgroups within this group each had about fifteen people, totaling forty-five people, which looked like an ordinary class.

After a while, the teacher in charge of this group arrived in the classroom.

"I'm Onodera, the homeroom teacher of Class 3-B. I'll be taking attendance now. After that, you'll all be going outside to clean your designated areas."

"Then there's the cleaning of the school buildings, which is a fixed task every morning. If it rains, we don't need to do outdoor cleaning, but cleaning the school buildings will take twice as long, so the cleaning time won't be shortened."

The teacher in charge began to explain the rules to everyone in detail, "In addition, today's class will not only have school teachers, but also professionals in charge of various topics. Because it is a special class, everyone must maintain politeness, which is also very important."

After hearing the teacher's explanation, Hashiba Hikaru immediately thought of the previously announced course schedule, because there would be some courses that could not be experienced at school, such as meditation.

He looked up at Horikita Manabu standing next to him. The other man was still listening attentively. But whether it was a coincidence or not, just as Hashiba Hikaru was about to look away, the man wearing glasses suddenly turned his head, and their eyes met in mid-air.

"Hehe, looks like I can have a chat with him later."

"Controlling all members of this large group is the key to victory; that should be fine."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled slightly.

He had great faith in Horikita Manabu's abilities.

Since we have such a great opportunity, let's make the most of it.

491

Chapter 491 The show is about to begin.

After the roll call, Hashiba Hikaru led her group members to a building that resembled Dojo, with rustic wooden floors and the scent of rushes in the air.

"Starting today, everyone should meditate here in the morning and evening."

"I will teach you the specific movements later. You should also try your best to learn the core principles of each movement. This will do you all good."

The teacher in charge of this segment explained to everyone in a solemn tone.

"I'm sure your instructor already explained this on the way here. The theme of this Forest School is to strengthen the students' spirituality, one of which is meditation."

"During meditation, no one is allowed to speak. In order to help the members of the group get along better, each student should try to get along well with their group members. You need to consider other people's thoughts and think about what you can do."

"Then, let's begin."

The group members took their seats one by one, and Hashiba Hikaru sat down like everyone else.

He glanced at the signboard of the place, which read "Meditation Hall." Under the teacher's guidance, everyone assumed their respective postures.

Hashiba Hikaru remembers the rules of the meditation class: in addition to restrictions on posture, this part required students to meditate.

Meditation may have some benefits for the mind, but the ultimate effectiveness depends on the specific circumstances.

Although it was a little complicated, it wasn't difficult for a young man who had been exercising regularly to sit cross-legged and remain still. After about ten seconds, Hashiba Hikaru entered a state of [Zen Meditation].

After witnessing this scene, the other group members all followed Hashiba Hikaru's actions, and as the group's [leader], he began to set an example.

Two hours later, besides meditating, the cleaning task was also successfully completed. Hashiba Hikaru put down the broom and glanced at the surrounding environment.

Such simple activities were indeed not strenuous. After completing all the tasks in the morning, the boy hadn't even broken a sweat. After finishing, it was immediately time for the students' breakfast.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are different, and the teacher in charge explained this after everyone gathered.

"Breakfast will be provided by the school today, but starting tomorrow, you will need to make your own breakfast if it is sunny. The number of people and the division of labor will be decided through group discussion."

"What?"

"Do I have to make my own breakfast? Will the school provide the ingredients?"

"Breakfast is fine, since we'll be eating lunch and dinner in the cafeteria anyway."

Everyone was puzzled by this sudden announcement, but the teacher didn't offer much explanation. Instead, she started distributing a preparation manual for the menu and dishes, which contained many important notes.

Hashiba Hikaru glanced at it briefly. It said that breakfast should be prepared according to the most basic standards. The standard of three dishes and one soup is the daily requirement of high school students. It is not complicated to make. However, since everyone in the group will eat together, at least forty or fifty servings should be prepared at a time.

This is not an easy task; the division of labor and the scheduling of shifts must be discussed and decided upon.

"Do any experienced people have any suggestions for this way of making breakfast?"

The boy put down the handbook and looked up at Horikita Manabu and Kiriyama Ikuto standing beside him. Although he didn't know who the [leaders] of these two groups were, it was definitely okay to ask them for advice on making decisions.

"To be fair, I suggest that students from the three grades take turns doing it."

Horikita Manabu's tone was calm, "We need to prepare forty-five breakfasts each time. Let the specific division of labor be decided by the team on duty."

I think it's fine.

Kiriyama did not express any opinion.

"Alright then, which group should we start with?"

Hashiba Hikaru thought for a moment. If we start counting from tomorrow, there are still six days to arrange breakfast. No matter how we arrange it, we will prepare two rounds. If it rains, the school will prepare the food.

"We are the seniors, so let us set an example."

Horikita Manabu and Hashiba Hikaru exchanged a glance, and he voiced his thoughts. "Let's have the third-year students do the first round, then the Second Year, and finally the last-year students, and so on, in a cycle."

"Can."

"We have no objections, thank you for your help Horikita-senpai."

A consensus was reached almost quickly on this issue, and after breakfast, the morning classes officially began, with everyone in the group gathered in the same classroom.

Since there are no restrictions on seating, it doesn't matter who sits next to whom.

Everyone is used to acting according to the atmosphere, so it's unlikely that someone would end up sitting with students from other grades.

While students from all three grades were looking for their seats, Hashiba Hikaru, Horikita Manabu, and Kiriyama Ikuto remained standing at the very front of the classroom, without moving.

"Classmate Hashiba?"

Kanzaki Ryuji and Shibata Sou sat side by side. He looked at the boy who was standing at the front without moving, with a puzzled expression.

"I'll sit with the seniors; please make room for three people."

Hashiba Hikaru looked back and pointed to the front row of seats.

Although the second and third-year students in the group were somewhat puzzled, they saw that Horikita Manabu and Kiriyama Ikuto, who were standing next to them, nodded, so they left the three seats at the front empty.

Hashiba Hikaru sat in the same row as his two seniors, with Horikita Manabu to his left and Kiriyama Ikuto to his right.

Because students from all three grades attend classes together, the course content is carefully selected by the school, and everyone studies very diligently.

During the break between classes, the main event took place.

"Have they found a breakthrough over there?"

Hashiba Hikaru looked at Kiriyama, who was sitting to her right. After their cooperation last time, Kiriyama had officially joined the boy's camp. He Miyabi Nagumo were both Second Year, making him the most suitable intelligence agent.