The Plan Is Underway

The pace of forty-five minutes per subject was stretched to the limit. After five consecutive exams, even with brief breaks in between, by the time Chabashira Sae verbally announced the end of the final exam, the clock on the wall had quietly reached six in the evening.

The atmosphere in the library was complicated, as though everything had been kneaded together. Some students slumped in their chairs and let out long breaths, their eyes filled with the exhaustion and relief of having cast off a heavy burden.

Others gathered together, quietly comparing answers, occasionally letting out regretful sighs or relieved exclamations.

Although these questions were based on the contents of earlier quizzes and merely given a new coat of paint, most students were not completely at a loss. However, Akiyama Shin had revised them with remarkable skill. The wording of the questions, the substituted numbers, the shuffled options, and even adjustments to certain question types clearly distinguished how well each student had mastered the material.

Those who had truly grasped it answered with ease, while those with only a vague understanding got stuck at every turn. The gap was obvious at a glance.

"The exam is over. Everyone, stop writing."

Akiyama Shin's voice was not particularly loud, yet it instantly suppressed the scattered noises in the library. Together with Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie, he began collecting the papers row by row from the back.

As Hoshinomiya Chie bent down to pick up the test papers students had placed on the corners of their desks, she could not help letting out a long yawn, tears of reflexive fatigue squeezing from the corners of her eyes.

"Ahh~ It's finally over~"

"I've been here since the afternoon. Teacher's back is practically unable to straighten anymore. I feel like I'm about to fall apart any second..."

She rubbed her lower back, her tone full of coquettish complaints. It was no different from her usual playful manner, except for the fatigue she could no longer hide.

Chabashira Sae, meanwhile, remained expressionless as ever. Her hands efficiently sorted through the collected papers, aligning their scattered edges as she solemnly announced to the visibly relieved students below.

"All test papers have been collected. This temporary examination is over."

"You may all leave."

"Wait for Akiyama's notice regarding the follow-up tutoring arrangements."

Only after hearing the word "leave" did the students of Class A and Class D finally relax completely. They began packing up the stationery and scratch paper on their desks, and the library immediately filled with rustling noises and overlapping whispers.

Honami Ichinose and Ryuji Kanzaki walked side by side to Akiyama Shin, who was sorting the test papers. The former wore a gentle smile, her voice sincere.

"Akiyama-kun, thank you for your hard work today. You've been busy the whole time, from planning the exam to organizing everyone."

"We'll be heading back first, then. If there's anything you need Class A to cooperate with later, feel free to contact us anytime."

Ryuji Kanzaki also nodded to Akiyama Shin in greeting, his gaze carrying a trace of subtle approval.

No matter what Akiyama Shin's original intentions were.

At the very least, this examination and the tutoring that followed were genuinely for the sake of the students in both classes.

Chihiro Shiranami, who had followed behind the two of them and usually kept quietly tucked away within the crowd, gathered her courage and shuffled over to Akiyama Shin in small steps. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

"A... Akiyama... thank... thank you. Goodbye..."

The moment she finished speaking, she immediately lowered her head. Her fair cheeks flushed crimson, and her white bob swayed gently with the movement. Her hands clenched her bag straps nervously as though she wished she could vanish on the spot.

Akiyama Shin was lowering his head as he swiftly sorted the test papers into piles by subject. His movements were unbelievably efficient. Upon hearing them, he merely gave a brief reply without looking up.

"Mm. Thanks for your hard work. Goodbye."

On the other side, Kushida Kikyo watched Akiyama Shin's busy figure and tactfully did not go over to disturb him. She gently tugged on Horikita Suzune's sleeve and lowered her voice.

"Suzune, let's go first."

"Look at how many papers Akiyama-kun still has to grade. He must be really busy. We'd only disturb him if we went over now."

Horikita Suzune followed her gaze toward the mountain of test papers, her brows knitting slightly before she nodded.

Indeed, grading so many papers would be an enormous workload. It was not the time to disturb him. The two exchanged a glance, quietly packed their things, and turned to leave the library.

Hirata Yosuke, Yukimura Teruhiko, and Wang Meiyu also walked over. Hirata Yosuke wore his usual gentle, sincere expression, his voice full of gratitude.

"Akiyama, thank you so much for everything you've done for the class."

"From the earlier Joint Study Group with Class B to contacting Class A for tutoring and organizing this examination, it was all to help everyone pass the Midterm Exam smoothly and avoid expulsion."

Yukimura Teruhiko pushed up his glasses, his gaze serious.

"Although this examination came very suddenly and disrupted our weekend plans, I have to admit that if our grades can truly improve through this method, it would be a good thing. I'll fully cooperate with the follow-up tutoring arrangements."

Wang Meiyu softly echoed him, her voice gentle and somewhat shy.

"Thank you, Akiyama..."

"I was really worried about the exams before, but now that we have tutoring and this examination, I feel much more at ease."

Only then did Akiyama Shin stop what he was doing and raise his head to look at the three of them. His tone was flat.

"It's nothing. Everyone gets what they need."

His words left the three of them slightly stunned, their faces showing traces of confusion. What did he mean, everyone gets what they need? Did Akiyama have some other purpose behind all this?

But before they could ask, Akiyama Shin had already lowered his head again and continued sorting the papers.

His distant demeanor made them swallow their questions.

They simply said, "Thanks for your hard work," before leaving as well.

Once all the students had gone, only Akiyama Shin, the two homeroom teachers, and the five stacks of test papers piled like small mountains remained in a corner of the empty library.

Akiyama Shin's gaze fell on the stacks of papers, his eyes deep. These were no ordinary test papers. They were the most crucial intelligence in his upcoming plan, and nothing could go wrong. He raised his eyes toward the two teachers who had yet to leave and spoke directly.

"Teacher Chabashira, Teacher Hoshinomiya, could I trouble you to help carry these papers back to my dorm?"

"The grading workload is too large. I can't manage it alone, so I need help."

Chabashira Sae bent down and picked up a stack of papers, their weight making her arms sink slightly.

She glanced at Akiyama Shin, her tone carrying a touch of helplessness and the indulgence of someone accustomed to this sort of thing.

"You really don't hold back, do you? You're actually treating us like free labor?"

Though she said that, her hands held the papers steadily, with no intention of putting them down.

Hoshinomiya Chie blinked, a sly smile appearing on her face as she spoke in a playful tone.

"Helping grade them isn't impossible~ But Shin, you can't expect Teacher to work for free, can you? I sacrificed a rare weekend night. I was planning to curl up at home and watch dramas. Is there any compensation?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Akiyama Shin picked up his Terminal and operated it, his movements swift and decisive.

"One hundred thousand points each. Compensation for your hard work."

[ Ding-dong! ]

[ Ding-dong! ]

Two crisp notifications of points received sounded one after the other, breaking the library's silence.

Chabashira Sae lowered her eyes to the incoming transfer notification on her Terminal. After several seconds of silence, she finally let out a soft sigh, her tone easing somewhat.

"Fine. At least you're generous."

Hoshinomiya Chie immediately swung the Terminal in her hand happily, her eyes sparkling as more than half of her exhaustion vanished in an instant.

"Wow! Shin, you really know what's what! You're so generous!"

"Don't worry! These papers... just leave them to Teacher...! I guarantee they'll be graded perfectly!"

Watching his Personal Points instantly shrink to only six hundred thousand, Akiyama Shin felt a trace of helplessness as well.

From the points he had won earlier, to buying access privileges and providing starting capital, to now paying compensation for grading, points had flowed out like water. Sure enough, no matter when it was, there were never enough points... Still, this operation could already be declared a victory in advance. Once the Midterm Exam ended, he would achieve financial freedom in points.

The three of them carried the heavy test papers and slowly returned to Akiyama Shin's dorm.

The moment they entered, they dumped the papers onto the table, each found a place to sit, picked up a red pen, and threw themselves into the long grading process.

Checking answers, marking right and wrong, calculating scores, recording names and grades—the dorm was filled only with the scratch of pen tips against paper and the occasional rustle of turning pages.

Time flew by amid the tedious and intricate work.

Outside the window, dusk gradually darkened into night, and then deep night fell into utter silence.

Only when the faint chime of midnight drifted over from somewhere in the distance did the three finally finish grading the last paper.

Chabashira Sae and Hoshinomiya Chie put down their red pens almost at the same time, exhausted enough to collapse into their chairs.

Hoshinomiya Chie had even lost all concern for appearances and sprawled across the table, her cheek pressed against the cool surface as she spoke indistinctly.

"I can't... I really can't anymore... It feels like every bit of strength has been drained out of my body... I don't even have the strength to lift my hand..."

Chabashira Sae rubbed her aching wrist, her brows tightly furrowed as heavy weariness showed plainly on her face.

"It's been a long time since I graded this many papers..."

"This really was exhausting."

Akiyama Shin looked at the test papers on the table, now sorted by class and subject, and let out a long breath. His taut nerves finally relaxed somewhat.

These papers were now the most crucial bargaining chips in his hands.

He had to keep them safely by his side.

They absolutely could not be leaked.

Later, he would need to combine them with the students' performances during tutoring in order to accurately identify the first-year Class A and Class D students with the greatest potential to occupy S-Rank and A-Rank.

As for Class B's intelligence, Kamuro Masumi and Morishita Ran would report to him regularly. Once he compiled that information, he could complete the preliminary first-year list.

Only Class C remained an unknown. Its hidden talents still required further investigation.

If someone from Class C suddenly rose to prominence and entered S-Rank or A-Rank, all his previous plans and efforts could very well be rendered useless. That was something he could never accept.

Akiyama Shin looked toward the two homeroom teachers slumped in their chairs, his tone becoming more sincere.

"Thank you for your hard work today. You must be hungry after grading for so long, right? Want to go out for a late-night meal? It's on me."

Hoshinomiya Chie, who had been sprawled across the table, instantly raised her head as though she had been recharged when she heard "late-night meal" and "it's on me." Excited light flashed in her eyes, and all signs of fatigue vanished.

"Really?! Sure, sure! I want grilled meat!"

"No, no, it's already midnight. The barbecue places must be closed... An izakaya! Izakayas should still be open at this hour, and their skewers and snacks are super tasty!"

Chabashira Sae rubbed her throbbing temples. She looked at Hoshinomiya Chie, who was excited like a child, then at the calm-faced Akiyama Shin, and hesitated for a few seconds. They had indeed spent all night grading papers, and she had been hungry for a long time. Besides, staying in the dorm all this time had been stifling. Going out for some air would not be bad.

In the end, she nodded.

"Fine. I am a little hungry."

"Let's go get something to eat."

The three first splashed some cold water on their faces. The chill against their skin drove away much of their fatigue.

Then they put on their coats, locked the dorm door, and headed toward Keyaki Mall.

The campus was especially quiet late at night. Only the dim halos cast by the streetlights stretched out the three of their shadows. The occasional chirp of insects made the atmosphere feel particularly peaceful.

Before long, they arrived before an izakaya that looked rather inviting.

Chabashira Sae looked at the lanterns hanging outside and the sign reading "Izakaya." She could not help twitching her lips as she leaned toward Hoshinomiya Chie and quietly complained.

"Hey... Hoshinomiya... Is it really appropriate for two teachers to bring a student to an izakaya...? Even if Akiyama is already an adult, this still isn't right, is it...?"

Akiyama Shin raised an eyebrow slightly as well. He had no interest in alcohol, but Hoshinomiya Chie waved dismissively and pulled both of them inside.

"It's fine, it's fine~ We're not making Shin drink! We can just order him juice or oolong tea, right?"

"We're just here to eat something, chat a little, and relax. What's inappropriate about that? Come on, come on. I come here all the time—the food is amazing, and the owner is really nice!"

Ultimately, under Hoshinomiya Chie's insistence, the three entered the lively izakaya.

The moment they stepped inside, they smelled the rich fragrance of food mixed with a faint scent of alcohol. Gentle Japanese folk music played in the shop, and scattered customers sat at a few tables, conversing quietly. The atmosphere was especially warm.

To their surprise, Hoshinomiya Chie and Chabashira Sae truly seemed to be regulars here. The proprietress immediately came forward with a smile upon seeing them and greeted them familiarly.

"Oh my, Teacher Hoshinomiya and Teacher Chabashira. It's been a while. The usual today?"

When her gaze fell on Akiyama Shin behind them, who clearly still looked like a student, she merely raised an eyebrow slightly. A trace of understanding flashed through her eyes, but she said nothing and simply smiled as she led them to a relatively secluded booth.

"Sit over here. It's quieter."

Clearly, in this relatively closed-off school, some rules were always tempered by human considerations when enforced. So long as no one crossed the bottom line, nobody would fuss over an occasional exception.

Akiyama Shin looked at the lively yet warm scene before him and listened to Hoshinomiya Chie chatting familiarly with the proprietress beside him.

Along with Chabashira Sae's occasional sarcastic interjections, the nerves that had been taut all day finally relaxed completely.

The first day of his intelligence-gathering plan.

Had ended perfectly.