You Want to Do It Again, Too?

"Then it's not a big problem."

"Wow," Xue added again.

"Of course, I'm not saying Arisu might disagree; on the contrary, I think Ayanokoji doesn't really want me to join the Student Council."

"That's normal, because the Student Council only recruits a limited number of people each year. If you come and take up a spot, then the other First Year students in his camp will be squeezed out."

He casually pulled out a chair and sat down. After hesitating for a moment, Kitagawa Ryo finally decided to ask:

"How was it like meeting Arisu again?"

Why do I feel so nervous and a little cold? Is it because I feel guilty?

Instead of finding a seat like Kitagawa Ryo, Yuki walked up behind him, wrapped her arms around Kitagawa Ryo neck, and rested her chin on his forehead. As she spoke, she deliberately applied a little pressure, as if she were simultaneously putting pressure on him.

"However, I don't think Ryo has any reason to feel guilty. In fact, I've always believed that it's because Ryo always tries to interfere in the things between me and Arisu that my various issues with her have dragged on until today without being truly resolved."

Kitagawa Ryo couldn't immediately discern the true meaning behind Yuki's words, but he still replied according to his own honest thoughts:

"But Xue also knew that this was impossible."

"Yeah, that's impossible."

Xue nodded in agreement.

"Actually, I knew it all along."

"But I still don't think this is Ryo's problem. It's Arisu and I who deliberately exploited this aspect of Ryo's personality."

Although she had just told Sakayanagi Arisu and Horikita Suzune a few minutes earlier that "things couldn't be better now," Yuki was not entirely unaware that there was still a huge flaw in her current personality. This was due to both self-awareness and the constant emphasis and reminders from her younger sister, Tsubaki Sakurako.

However, recognizing something is one thing, but actually finding a way to solve it is another.

Sakayanagi Arisu and Yuki have undoubtedly fallen into a protracted tug-of-war so long that they have almost forgotten their original intentions, and both are convinced that if they take a step back, the other will take two steps forward without hesitation.

It's like a prisoner's dilemma; no one is willing to be the first to make a change.

"Arisu and I have similar personalities, so if you categorize me as abnormal, you shouldn't treat her as normal."

Kitagawa Ryo could hear her muttering to herself.

The Ichinose Honami inevitably put Yuki in a state of imbalance. Even though the matter itself Sakayanagi Arisu, her thought process could easily sway her to the other party's side.

"Actually, something similar happened to Arisu as well."

Whether out of a desire to comfort him or for some other reason, Kitagawa Ryo recounted the events that had occurred earlier this year during the Mixed Training Camp Special Exam, and the events related to Arisu. He didn't offer any subjective personal opinions; he simply recounted everything in a plain and unassuming manner.

"It's perfectly normal for her to do something like this."

As expected, as soon as Kitagawa Ryo finished speaking, Yuki simultaneously showed an expression of complete unsurprise and utter nonchalance:

"Extreme personality traits and psychological problems are not unique to the test subjects from the White Room. Moreover, to become like this even in an environment outside the White Room, I have never felt that Arisu is any different from me in this respect."

"It's cold? What do you think?"

"I think the most important thing we should do now is to call Arisu over as well, and have the three of us have a heart-to-heart talk."

"I can't do that."

Xue raised her chin, leaning forward slightly, casting her shadow from above onto Kitagawa Ryo's face, obscuring his entire field of vision, and retorted without hesitation:

"Have the three of us not talked enough before?"

"Like I just said, it's precisely because Ryo is always there that the problems between Arisu and me can't be truly resolved."

"This is the clearest fact."

"Because neither Arisu nor I can express our true feelings to Ryo, it's all in vain no matter how many times we come."

Although the meaning of the snow was quite clear, Kitagawa Ryo still firmly gave his answer:

"Because once some words are impulsively spoken, there is no possibility or room for reconciliation in the relationship, whether it is between you or between you and me, which is why I don't want such a situation to occur."

"But that's just self-deception, because some thoughts are just real, and no one can deny them, even if they are ugly and unreasonable. In the end, what emotion will turn out like this when it reaches its extreme?"

"Does Xue think that's how it is between us?"

After a series of questions exchanged, when Kitagawa Ryo uttered this question, Yuki finally froze for the first time, as if caught in some kind of paradox. Her beautiful face was contorted with emotion, and her words were fragmented and incoherent.

"No, it wasn't... me and Ryo."

Seeing that Yuki's face was contorted in a state of contradictory denial and embellishment, Kitagawa Ryo felt that things had gone a bit too far. He hadn't planned to confront her directly here anyway, so he ultimately decided to reach out and hug the girl tightly.

Their relationship was inherently a twisted one of mutual conjugation.

Now it's his turn to take on the role of that Cloth Mother.

Different periods always bring different troubles.

Having the experience and wisdom of a 27-year-old at seventeen might easily solve the troubles of a seventeen-year-old, but at the same time, it will also bring with it the troubles of a 27-year-old.

Thought has no end; shortcomings are always in the past, and answers are always in the future.

The reality that is passing by second by second always feels unreal.

So, half the days are always spent reflecting and reminiscing, and the other half are always spent weaving hopes. Living is like merely sleepwalking between the past and the future.

The Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School acted faster than expected. The final round of Student Council interviews hadn't even started yet; just over a week after the new students started school, the first Special Exam of the academic year was officially announced.

"As previously announced, this Special Exam will be a cooperative competition between second-year and First Year."

Since being promoted to Class A, Hoshinomiya Chie's enthusiasm has reached a new level, and she's full of energy when explaining the rules of this Special Exam:

"This Special Exam is actually Written Exam just like the midterm and Final Exam, but you will be paired up with First Year students to participate."

"Simply put, this exam tests your academic ability as well as your interpersonal and communication skills."

"In the future, there will likely be competition with First Year- or third-grade students, but this time it will be entirely about establishing a cooperative relationship. Please remember this."

"The specific rules are quite simple. Second-year students will go to the First Year' area and form 1+1 teams with freshmen to take the Written Exam together. The test will be held at the end of April, about two weeks from now. The time to confirm partners is within this week. If a partner cannot be found within the specified time, the system will randomly assign one."

"That being said, the school doesn't treat students who can't find a partner the same as other students. So, for pairs formed due to running out of time, the school punishes both by deducting five percent of their total score."

"On the day of the exam, there will be five subjects. Each subject is worth 100 points, for a total of 500 points. The final scores will be ranked by class and group, just like last year's Uninhabited Island Special Exam."

As she spoke, Hoshinomiya Chie pulled up the specific reward and punishment rules on the whiteboard behind her:

Class Groups:

The ranking is based on the average score calculated from the total score of the class and the scores of all partners.

Based on the average score from highest to lowest, reward Class Points are awarded in the following order: 100 points, 50 points, 30 points, and 0 points.

Individual Groups:

The team is ranked based on the combined score of themselves and their partner.

First place group: Each member receives one million Private Points.

The second-place group: Each member receives 500,000 Private Points.

The third-place group: Each member receives 100,000 Private Points.

The top 30% of groups will each receive 30,000 Private Points.

The top 70% of groups will each receive 10,000 Private Points.

Second-year students will be expelled if their total score is below 500. First Year students will not have their Private Points added to their class points for the next three months, regardless of how many Class Points they maintain.

Furthermore, any student found to have deliberately answered questions incorrectly and intentionally manipulated or lowered their scores will be expelled from school, regardless of grade level.

If a third party is forced to take a low-scoring test, that student will also be expelled.

It must be said that it is immediately recognizable as the style of Sakayanagi Narimori, who has returned to his position as Chairman of the ANHS.

Completely different from Tsukishiro.

The rewards are generous, the punishments are not harsh, and most groups receive encouraging Private Points. There are even thoughtful clauses at the end guaranteeing fairness. If it were Tsukishiro, let alone those last few clauses, the Investment and Finance Classroom at the Keyaki Mall would probably be opening a new property guessing game right away.

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, there should be fewer second-year students than First Year students, right? What will happen to the Na Duo First Year students?"

Karuizawa Kei raised her hand to ask a question.

After a year at ANHS, quite a few students have dropped out of the second grade, which is indeed fewer than the First Year, which was full when it first enrolled.

"Yes, according to the school's supplementary rules, the test scores of First Year students who ultimately fail to form a group will be multiplied by two, and they can receive two rewards. However, if they fail to reach 500 points, they will have to bear the penalty of expulsion themselves."

After explaining this hidden rule, Hoshinomiya Chie added:

"I hope everyone can make good use of the OAA; this should make it easier to pass this Special Exam."

Undoubtedly, this Special Exam puts more pressure on second-year students than on first -First Year students. After all, apart from those who are forced to team up alone, the other First Year students would only lose three months' worth of Private Points if they failed. With just 100,000 Private Points, it's hardly a severe punishment.

This is normal, after all, compared to the second-year students who have been working at this school for a year, the freshmen have only been here for about ten days, and they haven't adapted to the rules and haven't fully adjusted their mindset.

So ultimately, the pressure will still fall on the second-year students.

As Kitagawa Ryo thoughtfully considered the rules of this newly released Special Exam, Hoshinomiya Chie continued to add more details:

"Partnerships are formed with the mutual consent of both parties, and logging into OAA will complete the team formation. Although you can team up from this moment today, once you commit to a partnership, you cannot cancel the pairing for any reason. Please be sure to remember this."

"At the same time, once the two partners are confirmed, their information on the OAA will be updated simultaneously at 8:00 AM the following morning, making it impossible to accept new applications, but the specific name of the partner will not be disclosed."

"Hoshinomiya-sensei, how difficult will this exam be?"

After thinking for a while, Kitagawa Ryo raised his hand and asked Hoshinomiya Chie about the part that was most important to the other students.

"To be frank, there were many very difficult questions. Judging by the difficulty alone, it probably exceeded any Written Exam you've ever taken, but this is with the goal of getting a high score. The school did prepare a lot of basic questions, although they weren't completely accurate, but you can still use them as a reference."

Kitagawa Ryo Hoshinomiya Chie's question very seriously and quickly wrote the following on the blackboard:

Academic ability E: 150 to 200 points.

Academic ability D: 200 to 250 points.

Academic ability C: 250 to 300 points.

Academic Ability B: Around 350 points.

Academic Ability A: Around 400 points.

It does seem quite difficult. With a maximum score of 500, even the top student in the grade, who is considered to be academically gifted (A), can only get around 400 points.

If judged according to this table, to pass this Special Exam, without a mentor, students with an academic level of C or above would need to team up to pass.

"That concludes the summary of the Special Exam to be held in April. Good luck to everyone!"

With Hoshinomiya Chie's words finished, all the rules for this Special Exam were explained.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was about to lean over a little to say a few words to Ichinose Honami and Karuizawa Kei beside him, his cell phone in his pocket suddenly started vibrating violently, as if it had been powered by some kind of electric motor and was about to jump out of his pocket.

Within just one or two minutes, he received over fifty team-up requests, forty friend requests, and anonymous text messages. Even after Kitagawa Ryo picked up his phone and woke up the screen, the verification and notification messages continued to scroll and refresh.

Kitagawa Ryo immediately put his phone into completely silent mode.

However, he wasn't surprised.

Because in the OAA's client application, if you sort by academic ability from highest to lowest, his photo is the first thing you see.

That's a score of 99, almost at the system's maximum, rated A+.

It's safe to say that it's not just the female First Year who are going crazy for him.

The younger students are coming too.

Chapter Thirteen: You want to do it too?

"Is Ryo planning to team up with Yuki for this Special Exam?"

Just as Kitagawa Ryo turned off all the notification sounds on his phone, he heard Ichinose Honami asking him a question. Unlike Karuizawa Kei, who didn't seem to care much about the situation of the First Year students, Ichinose Honami's attention to the First Year students and Yuki was even beyond his imagination. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he was on high alert.

"Yes, I'll partner with Xue."

Kitagawa Ryo nodded and readily admitted it.

Although the other student had been enrolled for some time, they were not in the same year, and their classrooms and schedules were all different. In addition, Xue had joined the Student Council, not the Drama Club, so they didn't have much time to spend together, and opportunities to be alone together were even rarer.

Whether it was because Ichinose Honami's warning had really worked, or because Yuki herself was caught in some kind of mental struggle, apart from being caught off guard by a security chain on the first night of school, she never visited room 408 at night again. Their relationship fell into an even more strange silence after the start of the school year.

That is why, for Kitagawa Ryo, this Special Exam with his first and second-year partners is definitely a good opportunity.

"I see... I was originally thinking of having Ryo make such a small sacrifice for the class."

Upon hearing Ichinose Honami also showed a somewhat regretful expression:

"If possible, Ryo should confirm his partner with Yuki as late as possible. This will be beneficial for negotiations with the class and the First Year."