Opportunity

That evening, Kazama In returned to his dormitory without a moment's delay. He pulled out his phone, scrolled to Takahashi Kengo's contact, and dialed.

The call connected quickly.

"Hello? Kazama-kun?" Takahashi Kengo's voice carried a hint of surprise, but his tone was friendly. His crushing defeat last time, coupled with Kazama In's subsequent apology, had left him with a favorable impression of this remarkably skilled yet courteous junior from Class D.

"Takahashi-senpai, good evening." Kazama In's voice was as calm as ever. "Sorry to intrude. There's something I'd like to ask you and the seniors of the Kendo Club."

"Oh? Go ahead." Takahashi replied readily.

"About the midterms. I've heard the school's core knowledge points are relatively fixed, making past exam papers highly valuable for reference. I was wondering if you or any seniors in the club could provide last year's or the year before's first-year midterm exam papers? As study material." Kazama In got straight to the point, without beating around the bush.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end, followed by Takahashi's hearty laughter: "Hahaha! So that's it! Kazama-kun, you've come to the right place! The Kendo Club may not have much else, but we've got a spirit of unity and mutual help! Hold on, I'll ask the seniors right away!"

A few minutes later, Kazama In's phone received several clear electronic scans of exam papers, covering all major subjects: math, Japanese, English, social studies, and science. Takahashi even sent an extra message:

[Kazama-kun, sent them your way. Everyone volunteered these, so no need to be polite! But well... hehe, the guys in the club are all itching to spar with you again! Whenever you're free, you're always welcome to come to the dojo and give everyone some pointers! (smiley face)]

The terms were clear: the papers were free, but they hoped Kazama In would find time to act as a practice partner—or rather, a "sparring dummy" for everyone to gain experience.

Kazama In looked at the message, the corner of his mouth curving almost imperceptibly. This trade was fair, even leaning slightly in his favor.

[Thank you, senpai, and everyone. Papers received, deeply grateful. As for the sparring, once the exams are over, I'll definitely find time to come and bother you all.] He replied succinctly.

With the papers secured, Kazama In immediately contacted Ayanokoji Kiyotaka.

[Papers obtained. After school tomorrow, meet with Hirata together?] Kazama In's message was concise.

Soon, Ayanokoji's reply came:

[Go alone. I'm not suited for this kind of "credit" distribution. Drawing unnecessary attention and speculation is inefficient. Hirata Yosuke is the right person to release them.]

Kazama In looked at the reply, a glimmer of understanding passing through his jet-black pupils. As always, Ayanokoji chose to stay hidden in the shadows, avoiding the spotlight. This fit his "background character" modus operandi. So be it. He'd go see Hirata himself.

The next day, as the after-school bell rang, the classroom erupted into noise. Karuizawa Kei immediately sidled up to Hirata Yosuke, linking her arm through his, her voice carrying a hint of a pout: "Yosuke~ Let's hurry to the convenience store? I heard there's a new flavor of pudding out today!"

Hirata Yosuke smiled gently and was about to agree when he saw Kazama In walking straight toward them.

"Hirata-kun, can I have a word in private? It's important." Kazama In's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a weight that couldn't be ignored.

Karuizawa Kei's pretty brows immediately furrowed, and she muttered discontentedly, "Him again... What's with all the mystery! Yosuke, we..."

"Kei, wait for me a moment." Hirata Yosuke gently patted Karuizawa Kei's hand, soothing her. "If Kazama-kun is looking for me, it must be something serious. I'll be right back." He nodded at Kazama In. "Kazama-kun, let's talk outside."

Karuizawa Kei watched the two leave, stomping her foot in frustration but having no choice, she sat back down in her seat, pouting.

Kazama In and Hirata walked to a relatively secluded corner at the end of the hallway. Without any preamble, Kazama In pulled a thick, unmarked file folder from his bag and handed it to Hirata Yosuke.

"What's this?" Hirata asked, puzzled, taking the heavy folder.

"Last year's and the year before's first-year midterm exam papers." Kazama In's voice was very low, ensuring only the two of them could hear. "Obtained through some channels. The authenticity is reliable."

Hirata Yosuke's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with shock and disbelief! "Midterm papers?! Kazama-kun, you... this is too..." He was so excited he stumbled over his words. With Class D's points at zero and the study atmosphere at a low, this material was a godsend!

"Calm down, Hirata-kun." Kazama In's voice remained steady. "I want you to distribute this to everyone on the day before the midterms, after school."

"Why not now?" Hirata Yosuke asked, confused.

"If we hand it out now, everyone might just get excited, toss the papers aside, or only memorize the answers by rote." Kazama In's jet-black eyes gleamed with a cool light. "Releasing it on the last day before the exam creates time pressure. It will force everyone to take it seriously, focus on understanding the knowledge points behind the questions, and the effect will be better. It also minimizes the risk of the material leaking to other classes too early." He had thought it through thoroughly, balancing maximum efficiency with confidentiality.

Hirata Yosuke thought it over and immediately grasped Kazama In's deeper intent. He nodded firmly, his eyes filled with admiration: "I understand! Kazama-kun, you've thought of everything! This is... thank you so much! This is incredibly important for our Class D!" He clutched the file folder tightly, as if holding the hope of Class D's comeback.

"It's for the class, it's only right." Kazama In replied flatly. "The material is in your hands. How you use it is up to you. I'm off." With that, he turned and left, leaving Hirata Yosuke standing alone, staring excitedly at the file folder in his hands as if it were a priceless treasure.

Time flew by, and soon it was the afternoon before the midterm exams. The atmosphere in Class D's classroom was a mix of anxiety and last-minute tension.

Before school ended, Hirata Yosuke stood at the podium, took a deep breath, his face bearing an unprecedented solemnity and a hint of barely contained excitement.

"Everyone, please quiet down! Before the exams, I have a very important set of materials to distribute!"

All eyes instantly focused on him. Hirata Yosuke pulled out the thick file folder.

"Inside here are the actual midterm exam papers from last year and the year before for our first-year students!"

"What?!"

"Real papers?!"

"No way?!"

"Where did you get those?!"

The classroom exploded! Shouts of shock, ecstasy, and disbelief rang out! Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki, who had been dejected, jumped up as if injected with adrenaline. Sudo Ken's eyes went wide, and Karuizawa Kei covered her mouth in surprise.

"Quiet! Let me finish!" Hirata Yosuke raised his voice to suppress the noise. "This precious material was obtained by Kazama In-kun, through his own efforts and connections, for our Class D!"

Swish!

The entire class's gaze, like a spotlight, instantly turned to Kazama In, who was sitting in his seat!

Kazama In remained as composed as ever, as if the commotion around him had nothing to do with him. He merely gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of everyone's stares. The few strands of silver-white and dark red hair at his temples caught the sunlight streaming through the window, standing out strikingly.

Horikita Suzune snapped her head toward Kazama In, her cold, phoenix-like eyes filled with intense shock and scrutiny! Actual exam papers?! How did he get them? That was no easy feat! Her gaze then unconsciously swept toward Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was sitting behind Kazama In. Ayanokoji still wore that expressionless poker face, as if everything happening was unrelated to him. But Horikita Suzune's intuition told her that Ayanokoji Kiyotaka definitely played some role in this! Otherwise, Kazama In wouldn't have specifically mentioned "our" plan that day! Her sharp eyes lingered on Ayanokoji's bland face for a few seconds, trying to find a flaw, but found nothing.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts: "Highly efficient. Kazama In made good use of his channels and connections. Hirata is a suitable distributor. Horikita Suzune's suspicion is on the right track, but she has no evidence. Currently the optimal solution."

"Kazama-kun! Thank you so much!"

"Kazama! You're amazing!"

"We're saved!"

Waves of gratitude and admiration instantly engulfed Kazama In. Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki practically lunged forward to embrace him, but a calm look from Kazama In stopped them.

Hirata Yosuke began distributing the test papers. Those who received them clutched them like treasures, immediately burying their heads in study. The classroom filled with the rustle of pages and low discussion, the atmosphere more positive than ever before.

After school, just as Kazama In finished packing up to leave, three figures blocked his path—Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Yamauchi Haruki!

All three wore rare expressions of earnestness and pleading.

"Kazama!" Sudo Ken scratched the back of his head, speaking awkwardly. "So... we looked at the test papers, but there's still a lot we don't get... The exam's tomorrow... Could you... give us some emergency tutoring?"

"Yeah, Kazama-kun! Please! Even last-minute cramming is better than nothing!" Ike Kanji pressed his palms together in a prayer gesture.

"Kazama the Great! We're counting on you!" Yamauchi Haruki stared at him with puppy-dog eyes.

Kazama In looked at the three "underachievers" who had finally realized the urgency. His ink-black eyes showed no ripple. He didn't agree immediately but asked instead, "When you got the test papers, what was your first reaction? Was it to understand the knowledge behind the questions, or just to memorize the answers?"

The three were taken aback.

"Uh... memorize the answers, of course! Time's so tight!" Ike Kanji blurted out.

"Yeah! Isn't remembering the answers enough?" Yamauchi chimed in.

Kazama In shook his head slightly, tapping the test paper on the desk with his finger. "Rote memorization isn't a cure-all. Exam questions change, but the core knowledge points and problem-solving approaches are interconnected. If you only memorize answers, you'll still be lost when faced with variations. What you need is to understand the formulas and learn how to apply them to different problems."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three before landing on Horikita Suzune, who was packing her bag on the other side of the classroom.

"Moreover," Kazama In's voice was clear and calm, "Horikita-san's explanations of the basics are actually very solid. Her previous methods might have been too hasty, but her logic and organization are clear. If she guides you through the knowledge points on these test papers—especially the derivation and application of formulas—it will be more efficient."

At these words, not only Sudo and the others froze, but even Horikita Suzune stopped in her tracks, looking up at Kazama In in shock.

Have Horikita Suzune teach them?!

Sudo Ken's face instantly turned sour, clearly recalling the unpleasant experience of having his tie grabbed.

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki exchanged glances, their reluctance plain.

Kazama In acted as if he hadn't seen their expressions and continued, "What you need is genuine understanding, not last-minute cramming. Horikita-san has the ability to help you achieve that. As for the previous conflict..." He looked at Sudo. "Sudo, you resorted to violence first. Horikita-san's words were harsh, but her intention was to make you understand. To improve your strength—whether on the court or in the exam hall—you need to face your own shortcomings and also need a 'strict teacher' who can point them out."

His words highlighted Horikita Suzune's strengths, tactfully pointed out Sudo's issues, and offered both sides a way to save face.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka stood to the side, silently watching this scene. Pushing Horikita Suzune to tutor? Killing two birds with one stone. It solves the immediate tutoring need with maximum efficiency—Horikita Suzune's foundational teaching ability is indeed strong—and tries to mend the rift from the previous study session, promoting reconciliation within the class. Kazama In... is beginning to consciously integrate Class D's internal resources. He's fulfilling his promise to Chabashira and Horikita Manabu, but his approach... focuses more on practical results and long-term benefits.

Sudo Ken was left speechless by Kazama In's words, his face cycling through red and pale. He looked at Kazama In's calm yet unyielding gaze, then at Ike and Yamauchi's expectant (or rather, resigned) looks, and finally glanced at Horikita Suzune, whose expression was complicated, as if she wanted to say something but pressed her lips together. He let out a heavy sigh, as if making some kind of decision, scratched his unruly red hair, and spoke gruffly in Horikita Suzune's direction:

"Hey! Horikita! Last time... it was my fault! I shouldn't have thrown a punch! So... um... if you're free... could you... teach us again?" The words came out haltingly, full of awkwardness, but it was indeed an apology and a request.

Horikita Suzune hadn't expected things to turn out this way at all. She looked at Kazama In, then at Sudo, who was awkwardly apologizing, and at Ike and Yamauchi, who were staring at her with pleading eyes. Kazama In's words, and his push for her to tutor now, left her with mixed feelings. Was it an acknowledgment of her ability? Or did he think her previous failure needed "redemption"? Either way, this was indeed... an opportunity for reconciliation and proving herself.

She took a deep breath, straightened her back, and her face resumed its usual coolness, though the sharpness in her eyes seemed to soften slightly. She picked up her notebook and the real exam paper, walked over to the three, and spoke in a voice that still held no warmth but lacked the previous mockery:

"You want to learn? Then don't waste time. To the library. Start from the most basic formula derivations. I'll only explain it once. If you don't get it, that's your problem." With that, she turned and headed for the door.

Though her tone remained harsh, this was her greatest concession and "invitation."

Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki felt as if they had been granted a reprieve and quickly followed. Sudo Ken scratched his head, glanced at Kazama In, and muttered something as he trailed after them.

Kazama In watched the four leave, his ink-black eyes calm and unruffled. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka walked up beside him, and the two exchanged a glance, no words needed.

Under the library lights, a pre-exam tutoring session—sparked by the real test papers, laced with awkward apologies, forced reconciliation, and a final sprint—began. Horikita Suzune's cool voice explained the formulas, Sudo Ken struggled to suppress his impatience as he tried to understand, and Ike and Yamauchi buried their heads in frantic note-taking. Kazama In's seemingly casual push, like a pebble dropped into still water, quietly stirred new ripples across the stagnant surface of Class D.