Paper Shuffle

However, the whispers from the audience quickly ceased as the ceremony began.

The students all looked drowsy, but everyone held their breath to avoid being targeted by the teachers and others, including older students.

"Now, please let Horikita, the Student Council President, give his final remarks."

As the emcee began speaking, Horikita Manabu, who was standing at the very front, walked up from next to Shuichi Kanda and then onto the microphone on the stage.

"I am proud to have led the Student Council for about two years, and I am also very grateful. Thank you."

"What a simple and convenient statement," Shuichi Kanda thought to himself, but inwardly he was very pleased and hoped that others would do the same.

However, things didn't go as planned. After a very brief exchange of pleasantries, Horikita Manabu quietly stepped back and returned to his original position.

"Thank you for your hard work, Horikita Student Council President. Now, let's hear from the newly elected Student Council President, Miyabi Nagumo from Class 2-A."

Then, another student next to Shuichi Kanda also walked out of the Student Council's group as the emcee finished speaking.

"I am Nagumo Horikita, Student Council President of Class 2-A. I am truly grateful for your strict yet kind guidance over the years. It is an honor to have mentored one of the best Student Council President presidents in history, and I would also like to express my respect."

After saying this, Nagumo bowed deeply in Horikita Manabu's direction, then straightened up and turned back to face the students below.

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Miyabi Nagumo. I will be taking on the role of Student Council President at Advanced Nurturing High School. I look forward to working with you in the future."

Nagumo behaved very gently and politely, which made the first-year students think that the Student Council President seemed like a good person.

However, the third-year and second-year students didn't seem to think that way. Their expressions remained serious, as if Nagumo was some kind of terrifying guy.

"I'll get straight to the point. First, I promise to change the term limits and appointments of the Student Council, as well as the general election process..."

Nagumo spoke at length about his direction for Student Council reform, which included a proposal previously put forward by Shuichi Kanda.

"I originally wanted to implement the new system I envisioned immediately, but unfortunately, I can't. The newly appointed Student Council President will face all sorts of constraints."

As he spoke, Nagumo glanced sideways at former Student Council President Horikita, then turned to the students.

"I promise to start a major revolution soon. Students with ability will climb to the top, while those without will fall to the bottom. I will transform this school into a true meritocratic institution. Please guide me."

The Gymnasium fell silent for a moment after the declaration. But then, almost all the second-year students erupted in joyful screams and cheers.

Is this the guarantee he made to the outstanding students in other second-grade classes?

However, Shuichi Kanda felt they were celebrating too soon.

Nagumo made it very clear: those with the ability should climb the ranks; they are capable!

So, how do you define "capable"? Isn't that Nagumo to decide?

Besides, even if we take it literally, there are only a handful of people with real ability, so why are you all so happy?

You don't really think you can stand out from over a hundred students outside of Class A, do you?

Why do some people lack self-awareness?

Pitiful...

The cake for the second graders has already been devoured by Nagumo and several top students from other classes. You guys won't even get a scrap, you idiots.

Those with real talent might be able to use this rule to advance to Class A, but most people still need to rely on teamwork to succeed.

However, these things are obviously irrelevant to Shuichi Kanda, because Nagumo's system is definitely useless for this year's first-year students.

Only when a class loses its competitiveness, and outstanding students are extremely unwilling to accept this, will they try to go solo.

But after that, it's hard to say.

It's likely that things will descend into chaos eventually. Hopefully, the school will be able to maintain its composure. If even class competition disappears from this school, then it will probably become a laughing stock.

Hopefully, by then, the school's graduates will still meet the requirements of external companies; otherwise, there will be no need for the school to continue operating.

After the leadership transition ceremony, all students were free to leave. Shuichi Kanda immediately stepped down from the podium and was then surrounded by the students of Class D.

No, it wasn't just first-year students; students from other classes were also looking in Shuichi Kanda's direction.

Why is Kanda- san standing up there?

"Could it be that Kanda is a member of the Student Council?"

"And she's standing with both the former and current Student Council President, does that mean Kanda is the vice Student Council President?"

Shuichi Kanda never imagined he would find himself in this situation, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer these people's questions.

"That's right, Kanda was personally invited by Horikita-senpai to serve as the Student Council vice president."

A little later, Ichinose, who came down from the podium with Shuichi Kanda, noticed Shuichi Kanda's awkward expression and immediately came out to help him out of the predicament.

Ichinose, you're such a good person!

I'll definitely give you a hair clip that you care about as a thank you for your birthday!

Don't think that hair clip is cheap. It's the same style worn by a certain celebrity, and it's been popular for over a year. The price is still high, reaching tens of thousands of points.

With Ichinose's help, Shuichi Kanda finally managed to deal with those idiots.

"Thank you very much, Ichinose."

"No, I didn't expect Kanda to be so bad at handling these kinds of situations."

"I guess I'm not good at it, because everyone keeps asking questions, and I don't know which one to answer. If this keeps up, I might start snapping at people."

Although he managed to get rid of the others, a few people were still standing around, watching Shuichi Kanda.

"When did you join the Student Council, and become the vice president?" Horikita Suzune looked at Shuichi Kanda with envy in her eyes.

Although she knew beforehand that Shuichi Kanda had joined the Student Council, she hadn't had a chance to ask him about it in detail. After all, she thought Shuichi Kanda was just holding an ordinary position and never expected him to be the vice president.

"I have many reasons on my end too, why don't you ask your brother?"

Horikita Suzune's problem was solved by Shuichi Kanda sentence, little brat.

"Shuichi joined the Student Council during summer vacation, but it was supposed to be kept secret at the time, so it was never made public."

Kushida answered the question for Shuichi Kanda, and then she felt like she had won against Horikita again! Her mood changed.

Back in his dorm, Shuichi Kanda took out his phone and found Kanzaki Ryuji's contact information from Class A, intending to ask Ichinose birthday.

But stopping the operation before the message was sent feels a bit inappropriate.

Then he dialed Kushida's number.

"Hey, Shuichi, what's up?"

"I wanted to ask if you know Ichinose's birthday."

Silence fell on the other end of the phone.

Why ask her birthday?

"Because she took care of me when it came to Student Council matters."

"Okay, then I'll ask Shuichi a question. If you can answer it, I'll tell you."

Shuichi Kanda sensed something was off about Kushida's voice. He really shouldn't have asked one woman for another woman's birthday.

"Does Shuichi know when my birthday is?"

"Your birthday? Isn't it January 23rd?"

Shuichi Kanda had made thorough preparations for this long ago. Not only was it January 23rd in Kushida, but it was February 20th in Kamuro, and March 8th in Karuizawa. Isn't that Women's Day?

But speaking of which, these people's birthdays are quite close to mine, February 1st. Hmm, we really are destined to meet!

"Hmph, at least you have a conscience. But if you want to give Ichinose birthday present to thank her, it's a bit late. Ichinose's birthday is July 20th, which has already passed."

On the other end of the phone came Kushida Kikyo's merciless mockery.

July 20th has indeed passed.

There's no way I can give her a birthday present now, so I'll just make up an excuse.

Well, let's say after the next Special Exam, if Class A wins, it's a congratulatory gift; if they lose, it's a consolation gift!

I'm so smart!

Speaking of birthdays, Sakura's birthday seems to be recently. I took advantage of her once before, so I'll give her a birthday present as compensation.

Sakura Airi's birthday is October 15th, which is today!?

Looking at the already darkening sky outside, Shuichi Kanda was speechless. What to do?

Well... I'll start by sending my best wishes.

So Shuichi Kanda took out his phone and opened his chat with Sakura.

[Happy birthday, Sakura! I was busy with Student Council matters these past few days and forgot. Sorry.]

These words didn't seem very sincere at all. After sending them out, Shuichi Kanda felt they were a bit fake, and he felt quite embarrassed.

However, when Sakura Airi, who was alone in her room, saw the birthday wishes from Shuichi Kanda, she immediately blushed with excitement and rolled around on the bed.

Then, with a thud...

"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts..."

Looking at that short sentence, Sakura felt very happy today.

Kanda- kun remembered my birthday.

She didn't care at all that Shuichi Kanda hadn't given her a birthday present.

Yes, we must reply as soon as possible.

Then I started typing out a long string of text on my phone, but then I felt it wasn't right, so I kept deleting and rewriting it.

After nearly half an hour, Sakura Airi finally managed to send a reply to Shuichi Kanda.

Thank you, Kanda- kun.

Looking at the brief reply, Shuichi Kanda lowered his head and began to ponder.

Sure enough, I didn't send a gift on their birthday, only an insincere email, so they probably disliked me.

Chapter 195 Paper Shuffle

In late October, students at Advanced Nurturing High School faced their Midterm Exam for the second semester.

Although it's just a regular competition, failing the exam can still result in expulsion. For details, please refer to the Midterm Exam from last semester.

Moreover, there won't be any archaeology questions for them this time, so the students in Class D didn't relax at all during this period. Even Sudo, who received a lot of compensation points, was honestly and seriously participating in the study sessions held by Horikita.

However, because everyone hadn't studied properly during the month of preparation for the Sports Festival, many students were still nervous even though they tried harder afterwards.

Finally, all the students had made it through the Midterm Exam and the day the results were announced arrived.

"Alright, everyone back to your seats... Hmm? You're being unusually well-behaved today."

As soon as she stepped into the classroom, Chabashira-sensei sensed something unusual in the air. This was to be expected, since the exam results to be announced today were a matter of life and death, potentially leading to expulsion.

"You all look so serious, I can't believe you're from Class D."

"Because today is the day the midterm exam results are announced, right?"

Upon hearing the students' questions, Chabashira-sensei smiled in a way that was different from usual.

"That's right, anyone who fails the midterm or final exams will be expelled immediately. However..." Chabashira-sensei paused for a moment, "Seeing how nervous yet composed you all are now, I can feel your progress."

"Chabashira-sensei, please stop saying these things. You're making me a little flustered."

Chabashira-sensei's talkativeness made Ike restless, and his legs kept trembling.

"Don't panic, Chi, we'll announce the results now."

Then, Chabashira-sensei posted the report cards on the blackboard.

"These are the results of the Midterm Exam. Even if you all passed, please check your scores. It will be beneficial for you all."

"Huh? Do exam results really have to be made public?"

"Of course, this is a school regulation, and it's also a necessary measure to help you understand your shortcomings and then make up for them."

Clearly, this explanation won't convince the students. If the goal was simply to make them understand their shortcomings, they could have just sent the grades out privately.

However, making exam results public actually has its benefits, since shame can motivate people to improve.