May 1

On the first day of May, just as the bell rang, Mashima Tomoya walked into the Class A classroom with a folder in hand.

"We'll begin with our morning homeroom, but before that, I imagine many of you have questions. You may raise your hands now, and I'll answer them one by one." He stood at the lectern, looking over the class.

As soon as he finished speaking, several students raised their hands. Mashima Tomoya glanced around and called on a few with representative questions.

"Katsuragi, what would you like to ask?"

"Mr. Mashima, was the first month's evaluation based on our individual conduct?"

"To be precise, it was based on your 'conduct as students,'" Mashima Tomoya explained. "Points are deducted if your behavior doesn't meet the standards expected of a student. For example, being late, being absent, or chatting during class will all cost Class Points. At the end of the month, your remaining Class Points are multiplied by 100, and the result is the Private Points you receive."

"If points can be deducted, are there any actions that earn points?" Katsuragi thought for a moment, then asked.

"There are, but few students in your year have managed to earn any," Mashima Tomoya said. "For example, picking up someone else's litter or volunteering to carry materials for a teacher. These bonus points are only available during the first month. After that, Class Points can only be increased through Special Exams."

"Will those behaviors that cost points continue to be penalized after that?"

"Of course, but the deductions will be significantly smaller."

"Thank you, Mr. Mashima. That's all I wanted to ask." After Katsuragi sat down, Mashima Tomoya turned and wrote several figures on the blackboard:

- Class A: 964

- Class B: 650

- Class C: 490

- Class D: 0

"These are each class's final Class Points for the first month." He put down the chalk and looked at everyone.

Uesugi Hara stared at the "0" on the blackboard and thought, Just as Ayanokoji said. As for Class A, he'd probably contributed the most to the deductions. He'd have to stop spacing out so much in class.

...Class D must be having quite a lively time right now, right?

He'd started daydreaming again.

"Sakayanagi, do you have a question?" Mashima Tomoya asked, looking at Sakayanagi Arisu, who had her hand raised.

"Mr. Mashima, you said our last quiz wouldn't appear on our report cards. I assume that means it's related to the next exam. Am I right?" Sakayanagi Arisu's voice was calm, but certain.

"Mm, a very perceptive deduction." Mashima Tomoya nodded. "You'll have midterms this month, which will also be your first formal Special Exam. The results of your last quiz were meant to help you prepare. One thing to note: any student whose midterm score falls below the passing mark will be expelled."

"Expelled?!" The classroom erupted in an uproar, and someone let out a startled gasp.

Mashima Tomoya paid no attention to their reaction. He took a sheet of paper from his folder and fastened it to the blackboard with a magnet. "The passing mark is half the class average. Fortunately, no one in our class scored below it, but a few students came close and need to be especially careful." He then read out several names and pointed out the subjects in which they were relatively weak. "Now, I'll go over the scope of the next exam..."

After explaining the exam scope, Mashima Tomoya asked again, "Does anyone have any other questions?"

The class fell silent. No one raised a hand, but everyone was waiting for him to explain what "expelled" meant.

"As for expulsion, it was already emphasized at the opening ceremony: this school measures students by their abilities. Those who aren't capable will be weeded out through exams. That's the school's rule."

"But, Mr. Mashima, we've never heard of these rules before." Katsuragi frowned as he struggled to speak.

"Katsuragi, the school can't tell you everything right from the start. Some information is for you to gather yourselves. You could have figured this out by looking at the upperclassmen."

"I understand."

"I'd like to add a few important points." He cleared his throat. "First, Class Points are tied not only to individual conduct but also determine the class rankings. If Class B's Class Points exceed ours, Class A will be demoted to Class B, and the former Class B will rise to become the new Class A. Second, the graduation benefits promised by the school are available only to students who ultimately remain in Class A."

He paused, his tone growing more serious. "You did well in your first month, but don't let your guard down."

"You were placed in Class A because you're among the school's best students, but don't underestimate the other classes. As far as I know, the current second-year Class A rose from Class B."

"So don't let your first month's results make you complacent." Mashima Tomoya gathered up his folder. "There are three weeks until the midterms. I hope you make good use of them."

With that, he turned and left the classroom, leaving the students behind with their own thoughts.

Just as I thought. The winner takes all, and the loser eats dust. Uesugi Hara looked at the cold figure of 1.2 million Points on his Terminal and pondered to himself.

But Mashima Tomoya had said that anything in this school could be bought with Points, and the school's benefits were no exception. The number of Points they'd cost was bound to be astronomical, and his own million-plus Points would probably be nowhere near enough.

At that moment, Katsuragi walked up to the lectern and asked, "What does everyone think?"

At the question, two thoughts immediately crossed Uesugi Hara's mind: either the entire class could work together for Class A's honor, or he could look after himself and collect as many Private Points as possible.

Someone answered, "Of course we should figure out how to get through these midterms first."

"I think we should elect a class leader first. We'll be more efficient if we work together," said a bespectacled boy, rising to his feet. "After all, our goal as Class A is to stay ahead. With a leader coordinating everyone, we'll be better able to assign tasks and distribute resources, whether for the midterms or the Special Exams that follow."

"I agree," another girl chimed in. "Even though we're ahead in Points right now, we can't afford to be careless. If another class overtakes us and we're demoted to Class B, we'll be in trouble. A leader could encourage everyone to study and maintain order in class, preventing any point deductions."

After listening to everyone, Katsuragi nodded. "You all make good points. So who do you think would be suited to take on the role of leader?"

The classroom fell quiet. Everyone looked at one another, apparently considering the question.

Uesugi Hara was thinking it over too. He had no interest in being a leader. He was here to enjoy himself, not to babysit other people.

Besides, most of the students in Class A had minds of their own. Choosing a leader everyone could trust wouldn't be easy.

"I think you'd be perfect for it, Katsuragi." Suddenly, a voice broke the silence. Uesugi Hara looked up. The speaker was a boy sitting in the back row. "You get good grades, you're responsible, and you showed strong analytical skills when you asked your question earlier. You'd be a great leader for our class."

"But I think Classmate Sakayanagi would make a good leader too!" Someone in the crowd spoke up, breaking the momentum in Katsuragi's favor.

Uesugi Hara followed the voice. Sakayanagi Arisu was still sitting quietly in her seat, wearing her usual elegant smile, as if she hadn't heard the discussion at all.

But Uesugi Hara could see the determination in her eyes.

Was she going to vie for the position too? Uesugi Hara turned to Katsuragi, who seemed interested as well.

More people around them clearly supported Katsuragi. After all, he was usually levelheaded and well respected in class.

"Uesugi Hara, do you support Sakayanagi Arisu?" Morishita Ai, sitting in front of him, suddenly turned around and asked. Her tone was calm, though a little curious.

"Me? I'm neutral." Uesugi Hara stretched and leaned back in his chair, looking like he couldn't care less.

"But you seem pretty close to Classmate Sakayanagi." Morishita Ai stared at him, a hint of scrutiny in her eyes.

"She's the one who came to me. I never went out of my way to approach her," Uesugi Hara replied with a raised eyebrow. Then he asked in turn, "Which side do you support, Morishita?"

"I support Uesugi Hara. I think you'd be a good fit." Morishita Ai spoke without changing her expression.

Uesugi Hara blinked, then copied her tone and said with complete seriousness, "Then I support Morishita. I think you'd be a better fit than me."

Morishita Ai: "..."

The tension building in the class didn't bother the two of them at all.