Midterm Exams, the Expectation in Chabashira's Eyes

In a corner where no one was paying attention.

Horikita Suzune looked at Ayanokoji, who was sitting next to her, with a puzzled expression.

At this moment, Ayanokoji was reviewing the test paper he had just received with a look of intense seriousness.

He was acting as if it were the real deal!

Horikita Suzune's passive ability triggered on the spot; she couldn't stand it when others played dumb.

She stood up, took a stride to Ayanokoji's side, and said unhappily:

"Why did you give the credit to Kushida? You were the one who came up with this strategy first, weren't you?"

"Not really."

Ayanokoji replied flatly, not intending to look up and meet the girl's gaze.

However, he regretted it the next second; a compass suddenly appeared in the air before him, its sharp point aimed at his body, ready to descend at any moment.

This woman... she really would go through with it!

Realizing this, Ayanokoji lifted his head to look at Horikita, his expression somewhat helpless.

"Honestly, why give the credit to Kushida? You shouldn't have any reason to do that... or are you plotting something else?"

Ayanokoji shook his head, glanced at Kushida, who was currently surrounded by the crowd, and then spoke: "Horikita, do you think the test paper will be one hundred percent the same as in previous years? There is no such thing as an absolute in this world."

Ayanokoji lifted his eyes slightly, looking directly at Horikita, his attempt at manipulation obvious!

"Are you saying the school might make changes? Indeed, no matter how you look at it, it makes no sense to keep using the same set of test papers. What could possibly be the school's reason for doing this?"

Horikita's delicate brows furrowed, her gaze unfocused as she fell into deep thought.

The fish, it had taken the bait just like that!

Ayanokoji shifted his gaze and continued: "If the school didn't change the test questions, then our class would inevitably get high scores this time. How would the class view the person who proposed the strategy then?"

"They would be showered with praise, perhaps even pushed to become the new leader, surpassing Hirata," Horikita said after a moment of contemplation.

"And conversely?"

"..."

Horikita felt a bit annoyed; this guy's tone was just like a teacher trying his best to lead a not-so-bright student to the answer during class.

But in order to gain insight into Ayanokoji's deeper thoughts, she held that breath back.

"Conversely, they would be blamed and criticized by everyone. So, is that why you transferred the credit to Kushida?"

"You really did leave yourself completely out of it!"

Ayanokoji nodded slightly.

Not bad, her self-righteous cleverness made her surprisingly easy to deceive.

In truth, after hearing the news about previous years and seeing the test papers with his own eyes, Ayanokoji was already certain that the test papers were the same every year. This exam wasn't testing knowledge, but intelligence.

Your intelligence might manifest in the acquisition of knowledge, while his might manifest in the study of rules. Everyone has a way to pass the exam; no one is necessarily superior to anyone else.

And a clever operator always adopts the method most beneficial to the overall situation.

However, he still underestimated Horikita.

Horikita knew that if Ayanokoji didn't have absolute certainty, he would never choose such a risky approach.

If the test papers had changed, there would be a massive polarization between the students with good grades and those with bad ones. At that point, even if they took the average, a large number of students would be expelled, and the scene would be too horrific to witness.

Ayanokoji must have had absolute certainty.

She just couldn't understand why he would give the credit to Kushida.

Could it really just be to avoid attracting attention?

You really can't say otherwise; she guessed it right.

Ayanokoji looked at Kushida, who was surrounded by the students of Class D and was exhausted from having to keep a smile on her face, and felt his scalp tingle just imagining himself in her shoes.

At this very moment, his thoughts were highly aligned with a blonde-haired boy in the front row.

He only wanted to be beautiful on his own and didn't want to get stained by the stupidity of others.

Soon, the day of the exam arrived.

With the ringing of a bell, Chabashira Sae walked into the classroom with a briefcase, her expression cold and glamorous.

"I don't think I need to explain the rules of the exam again... In any case, do your best to get points. Perhaps this is your last chance, who knows."

After finishing, Chabashira revealed a cold smirk, looking as if she had already seen the outcome.

Her black-stockinged legs, crossed while sitting, shimmered under the sunlight.

Good grief, as expected of you.

Useless, only good at belittling your own teammates.

Ayanokoji complained inwardly.

However, the expressions on everyone's faces the next second slapped her hard in the face.

The moment they saw the test papers, everyone let out a sigh of relief, their faces showing ease and joy.

This question... I've seen it in my dreams! Choose D; this question... I had it in elementary school! Choose C; this question... I learned it during my driving test! Choose A; this question... I don't know how to do it! But choose B!

No more pretending!

For a moment, ease and confidence were reflected in the pens in their hands, their self-assured gazes, and their upturned lips.

Chabashira was shocked. Was this still the Class D she knew?

Witnessing this scene, Chabashira Sae's pupils trembled. While shocked, a hint of secret joy flashed across her brows.

Perhaps this year's Class D could create a miracle.

The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, her smile devoid of its usual coldness.

Of course, not all students were sailing smoothly down the path of what was ostensibly an exam but was actually a transcription.

Memorization also requires talent.

Students like Yamauchi, Ike, and Shinohara were sweating profusely.

Ayanokoji looked indifferent, as if he had already guessed the outcome, and after writing his name on the test paper, he handed it in.

The exam ended, and most people wore smiles, encouraging one another; some were even celebrating as if they had already won the game.

Hasebe: "That's great! The questions really were exactly the same. I finished the whole paper; I might even get a perfect score this time!"

Karuizawa Kei: "Eh~ that's amazing. I forgot the answers to a few questions, though."

Sato Maya: "Hey, hey, maybe our scores will even surpass Class A~"

Miyake Akito: "We really owe it to Kushida. We definitely have to thank her properly later."

Ayanokoji watched them with indifference, his face as calm as an ancient well.

"That's great, isn't it, Ayanokoji-kun~"

A sweet voice came from the orange-haired girl beside him.

Ayanokoji raised his eyes, gazing calmly into her wine-red pupils.

"Yeah."

Indeed.

Having the tumor removed at the first opportunity was not a bad thing after all.