Midterm Exam

"Here, Takahashi-kun, this is the error collection I compiled from all the students in my classes for their first-year midterm exams, just as you requested." Hoshinomiya smiled as she handed a document folder to Takahashi. "The moment I got your message, I organized it right away."

"Thank you, Hoshinomiya-sensei. I've already transferred the points."

"Takahashi-kun, to be honest, I'm starting to admire you more and more. If I could be ten years younger, I'd probably chase after you like crazy."

"Let's not, sensei. I don't want to play around with an eight-year-old girl." With that, Takahashi left the counseling room.

Hearing Takahashi's words, Hoshinomiya froze for a moment. After snapping out of it, she let out two hearty laughs and muttered to herself, "Takahashi, I'll have you."

"Takahashi."

Just as Takahashi reached the classroom door, Ayanokouji and Kushida called out to him. Judging by Kushida's cheerful expression, something good must have happened.

"What's up?"

"Guess what we got?"

"Let me think... Hmm, with how happy you look, it's probably related to this midterm exam, right?"

"Spot on, but no prize." Kushida smiled. "These are the midterm exam papers. We bought them from a senior."

"Awesome." Takahashi placed the document folder he was holding on top of Kushida's head. "This is the error collection from past students' midterms. You and Horikita can reference the mistake rates to create a more effective study plan."

After some discussion, the plan was set. With one week left, Horikita would quickly use the error collection to determine which exam question types to focus on teaching Sudo and the others. Copies of the actual exam papers would be made for every student in the class and distributed the day before the test.

"Judging by your expressions, you all seem pretty confident about this exam." Chabashira-sensei scanned Class D as she held the test papers.

"Sensei, we've all been studying hard this time. I can see everyone's effort, so I don't think anyone will fail."

"That's quite confident." Chabashira-sensei let out a light laugh. "If no one fails this exam and the final exam afterward, I'll take everyone on a trip during summer break."

Hearing Chabashira-sensei's words, the class erupted into chaos.

"Chabashira-sensei, where are we going?"

"Really? Sensei, am I dreaming?"

"Really. And you'll have a dreamlike time there."

"Whoo-hoo!" Ike seemed to have gotten a shot of adrenaline. "I can't wait anymore, little Sae, let's start the exam!"

After the exam, everyone gathered together, excitedly talking about how many points they'd scored and how easy the questions were.

Only Sudo sat in his seat, looking tense.

"Sudo?" Yamauchi walked over and called out.

"Huh? Sorry, I... I..."

"Did something go wrong during the exam?"

"Yeah... I... I accidentally fell asleep yesterday and didn't look at the English exam papers. I only crammed a little before the test today."

"It should be fine. You worked hard this week, and Horikita explained most of the key points using the error collection Takahashi provided. You'll probably pass." Kushida comforted him.

"Sudo-kun."

Seeing Horikita approach and call his name, Sudo gritted his teeth. "What? Are you going to say I'm a defective product again? That even with the exam papers I still bombed it, and I'm not worthy of being in the same class as you?"

"Bombing it even with the exam papers is your own fault. But I can also see the effort you put in during the study period."

"Are you trying to comfort me?"

"Comfort? I'm just stating the facts. Also, I looked into basketball. So I apologize for disrespecting your dream before. I hope the persistence and hard work you cultivated in the study group will carry over to basketball, and that you'll strive to become a professional player." With that, Horikita slowly bowed to Sudo.

Straightening up, she added, "That's all I wanted to say. If there's nothing else, I'll head back to the dorm."

Horikita's actions silenced everyone. No one expected the usually proud Horikita to lower her head and apologize.

"She... she actually looked into basketball just for me." Sudo pressed a hand to his chest. "I think I'm falling for Horikita."

Soon, the day for the exam results to be announced arrived.

"Sensei, when are the results coming out?" As Chabashira-sensei walked into the class, a student asked about the timing.

"Don't rush. I came specifically to announce the results."

With that, Chabashira-sensei took out the recorded grade sheet and posted it on the blackboard. "Honestly, you've all improved a lot this time. Nearly ten people got perfect scores."

"Sensei, did anyone fail?" A classmate asked the question.

Sudo and the others stared nervously at Chabashira-sensei, as if awaiting her verdict.

"No one failed."

"Alright!" Hearing Chabashira-sensei's words, Sudo cheered and jumped up from his seat.

Chabashira-sensei saw Sudo like this, let out a laugh, and left the classroom.

"Awesome, Sudo, you passed English!"

"Haha, I never thought I'd actually pass English either. All thanks to Horikita." Sudo said happily, looking at Horikita.

"That was your own effort. It has little to do with me."

"You really are interesting. You got perfect scores in every other subject, so why did you only score fifty on English?"

Arriving at the guidance office, Chabashira-sensei looked at Takahashi, who was drinking tea before her, and said.

"Everyone has their off days, right?"

"Off days? Your off day was awfully convenient. If it weren't for your mistake, Sudo would have been expelled."

Putting down his tea, Takahashi pursed his lips and thought: I can't exactly tell you that before the exam, I saw him panicking and memorizing the answers to the original English questions, can I? Everyone knows about buying the real exam papers, but no one says anything. If I said it, wouldn't that be handing you the knife handle, letting you take a swing at me to teach me a lesson about pride?

"No one can be expelled right now. But it's only been two months; I can't guarantee they won't prove useful later on."