As the midterm exams approached, each class settled on its own strategy for getting through them.
Class A.
Thanks to Sakayanagi Arisu's earlier remarks-"Is devoting our precious personal time to so-called group study really a mature choice for those of us who are supposed to be at the forefront? I believe it's more efficient to recognize our own shortcomings clearly and make precise efforts to address them."
Few responded to Katsuragi Kohei's study sessions. Only a handful of his most devoted core supporters and a few middle-ranking students who genuinely felt anxious showed up on time.
"Big brother, isn't that Sakayanagi just looking down on our stupid methods because she's smart? She's way too arrogant!" Totsuka Yahiko was always the first to complain.
Katsuragi Kohei looked at the agitated Yahiko and fell silent for a few seconds. He didn't scold Yahiko for losing his temper, nor did he agree with his criticism of Sakayanagi. He simply spoke in a calm, firm voice:
"Yahiko, calm down."
"It's true that few people came to the study sessions, but that doesn't mean what we're doing has no value."
"Some people choose a more independent path, while others choose to trust their own abilities. That's everyone's personal freedom. As for us, we just have to stay on the path we believe is right and do our best. If even one person improves because of these study sessions, then our time hasn't been wasted."
The middle-ranking students in the back stared blankly at Katsuragi Kohei's broad, straight-backed figure at the front of the room. They thought again of Sakayanagi Arisu's elegant yet distant remarks, and the invisible scales in their hearts seemed to tremble slightly.
Compared to the prodigy's hands-off approach, Katsuragi Kohei, who was willing to spend his time and make an effort, seemed so dependable in that moment.
Class B.
Ichinose Honami walked to the front of the room and gently tapped the blackboard, drawing everyone's attention.
Behind her, Kanzaki Ryūji and Shibata Sō each held a thick stack of freshly copied exam papers.
"Everyone, with the midterms approaching, Kanzaki, Shibata, Kitagawa-kun, and I put together this set of practice papers based on the scope our teachers gave us and the trends in past exams."
She gestured to the side, and Kanzaki and Shibata began handing out the papers to the first student in each row, indicating that they should pass them back.
Ichinose Honami's gaze swept over the varied expressions below as she continued, "These questions cover the core concepts and frequently tested material in every subject. The question types and difficulty are based on the actual exams from the past few years. Mastering this set will be a big help in passing."
She paused briefly, and her tone took on a rare seriousness:
"Especially since Kitagawa-kun specifically asked me to tell you all to take this seriously. It would be best to memorize both the questions and the answers."
"Kitagawa-kun said that?"
A few whispers rose from the room, full of curiosity and respect. Kitagawa Kai was already quite popular in Class B, and everyone trusted his intelligence and judgment.
"That's right." Ichinose nodded firmly. She didn't elaborate, only looked at everyone sincerely.
"I believe that as long as Class B stands united and prepares diligently, we'll get good results! This isn't just for ourselves; it's also for the future and Class Points of our class! Let's do our best together!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's give it everything we've got!"
Motivated cheers rang out from the class. The students who had received the papers had already begun looking through them, while some of the weaker students gazed pleadingly toward Kanzaki Ryūji.
Kanzaki, we're counting on you.
Class C.
An oppressive, tense silence filled the room. There was no discussion or sound of pages turning. Most students kept their heads down or anxiously sneaked glances at the figure at the front.
Ryuen Kakeru leaned against the edge of the teacher's desk, one hand in his pocket as he casually toyed with a piece of chalk in the other.
"Did you all hear me?"
"For the midterms, every subject, everyone-I want to see zeros. Zeros across the board."
A deathly silence fell. Even their breathing grew deliberately quiet.
"Big brother Ryuen... If everyone gets zero, our Class Points won't increase. The other classes..." A bespectacled boy sitting in the back raised his hand, his face pale.
He didn't get to finish.
"Thwack!"
The piece of chalk struck him squarely in the forehead, leaving a white mark. Ryuen Kakeru didn't even look toward where he'd thrown it. He scoffed.
"Idiot!!!"
"Come on, use those brains you still have and think. Is there anyone among you who can confidently swear that they'll pass every subject this time, huh?"
No one dared answer. Even the students who usually got decent grades guiltily looked away under Ryuen's gaze.
"No one can guarantee it, right?"
Ryuen's grin widened, filled with cruel delight.
"Then think about this: under this damn school's rules, how many Class Points do we lose if someone drops out? The points lost when one person drops out are probably far more than what all you good-for-nothings could earn by desperately scraping together passing grades, right?"
He paused. His gaze swept once more over the quiet, silver-haired figure reading in the corner, then over Ibuki's expressionless face and Kaneda, who was taking notes with his head down. Finally, it settled on the whole class.
"So put away those little thoughts of yours. During the exam, sleep if you should sleep, daydream if you should daydream. I want to see spotless answer sheets. If anyone gets an itch to write..."
Class D.
One week before the exams.
"Chabashira-sensei, why is the exam scope different for the other classes than it is for ours?" Despite Chabashira Sae's icy expression, Hirata Yōsuke voiced a discovery that had made him and some of his hardworking classmates uneasy.
The information had come from Kushida Kikyo. Thanks to her excellent people skills, she'd easily struck up casual conversations about exam prep with students from other classes and noticed the huge difference in the review material.
Chabashira Sae sat there with her back straight and barely any expression on her face.
"Oh-so I got it wrong."
"..."
Got it wrong?
The classroom fell silent in an instant.
Even Ken Sudō, who had been sleeping with his head on his desk in the back, instinctively lifted it a little.
Hirata was stunned too. All the follow-up remarks he'd prepared caught in his throat, and he could only stare blankly at Chabashira-sensei.
"Since there's a problem with the scope, I'll give you a new one."
As Chabashira Sae spoke, she stood up and picked up a piece of chalk. Her movements were smooth and natural, without the slightest embarrassment or apology.
"Write this down." With her back to everyone, she began writing the new topic headings on the blackboard. "The third chapter I emphasized earlier..."
The new scope appeared one item at a time, almost completely at odds with what she'd emphasized before. The initial shock among the students quickly gave way to panic.
The scratch of pens grew chaotic, mingled with disbelieving gasps and desperate whispers.
"T-teacher!" Kanji Ike couldn't help raising his hand. "This... this is completely different from what you said before! There's only a week left. How can we possibly get through all this new material in time..."
His protest gave voice to what most of the class was thinking.
"Oh, then I'll apologize to you."
"Everyone, do your best from here on out. It looks like there's quite a lot to cover in this final week, but I believe you still have a chance."
After saying that, Chabashira Sae left the classroom in her high heels.
"What do we do?"
"There's no time. We might as well just do what we can."
"Looks like we can only drop out."
"Everyone, don't give up yet. Let's make the most of the time we have and study. We still have a chance..."
Horikita Suzune sat in her seat with her head held high and her back straight, completely at odds with the chaotic, dejected atmosphere around her.
Her gaze passed over the classmates who were ready to give up before they'd even begun, then settled on the now-empty doorway through which Chabashira Sae had left.
What a ridiculous teacher. There's no saving this. Let it all fall apart.
Just then, her deskmate Ayanokoji poked her with a finger.