The classroom atmosphere instantly turned icy. The mood, which had eased slightly after they received 75,000 points, shattered completely at the words "expulsion."
Chazhu Zuo Zhi suddenly remembered something and stole a sidelong glance at Hoshida No.
This Special Exam would be a midterm exam. She then pinned five report cards to the blackboard. "These are the results from last month's exams."
"Midterm exam rules: for each subject in which a student earns 100 points, their class earns 10 Class Points."
Chazhu Zuo Zhi displayed Hoshida No's scores. "For example, Hoshida scored 100 in every subject, so he'll earn Class D 50 Class Points."
The entire class turned to look at Hoshida No at the back of the room, their eyes filled with admiration. The second-highest scorer in the class was Horikita Suzune, whose scores hovered around 95.
Chazhu Zuo Zhi tapped the blackboard lightly, drawing everyone's attention back to her. "Conversely, half the average score in each subject across the entire class will be the expulsion threshold. Anyone who scores below it will be expelled."
Chazhu Zuo Zhi then specifically compared Sudo's English score with the expulsion threshold. As it happened, he had scored just half a point above it this time.
Horikita Suzune raised her hand, her cool voice cutting through the commotion. "Teacher, if we can earn Class Points through Special Exams, is there a chance Class D could rise to Class A in the short term?"
Chazhu Zuo Zhi finally showed the faintest smile. There was no warmth in it, only scrutiny. "In theory, yes. But since the school was founded, no Class D has ever made a comeback and reached Class A. Class A started with more points, and it also has the best students in the entire school. Their teamwork, knowledge, and strategic planning are all beyond what Class D can manage right now."
"Then let's give it a try." Horikita's tone was firm, without a trace of hesitation. "I'll get Class D into Class A."
Her words silenced the classroom for a moment. Many wore doubtful expressions, but some were moved by her resolve, their eyes gradually filling with determination.
Watching her stand ramrod straight, Hoshida No could only shake his head helplessly.
Horikita Suzune noticed his subtle movement and assumed he was mocking her. Her expression darkened, and she glared at Hoshida No.
Hoshida No turned away from her. His gaze happened to meet Ayanokoji's.
Ayanokoji's expression remained calm and impassive, as if he had merely glanced over by chance. Yet Hoshida No caught a trace of faint amusement in his eyes, as if he were saying, So you've finally had your day.
As soon as Chazhu Zuo Zhi left the classroom, the students began gathering around the report cards on the podium. Hirata Yousuke started organizing everyone. "Now that we know what the next Special Exam will be, why don't we first list everyone's strongest subjects and then focus our studying accordingly?"
Kushida Kikyo immediately agreed, speaking gently. "Hirata's right. If we work together, we can do this! I'll organize a study session, and I hope everyone can come."
As soon as she finished speaking, a chorus of agreement rose around the room.
Those who had been hovering near the threshold seemed to have found a lifeline, and a little hope returned to their eyes.
After all, Kushida Kikyo was very popular in class and always seemed eager to help. She was the perfect person to organize a study group.
During lunch break, sunlight slanted through the windows, casting patches of light and shadow across the floor.
Hirata Yousuke and Kushida Kikyo approached the back of the classroom together, walking softly so they wouldn't disturb Hoshida No, who was resting with his eyes closed.
"Hoshida," Hirata began, wearing his usual warm smile. "We're planning to use club time to organize a study group and help everyone fill in the gaps. Your grades are so good—could you come and give everyone some pointers?"
Hoshida No slowly opened his eyes. The daylight outside was reflected in his dark pupils. He gave a slight nod. "Sure."
Hirata breathed a sigh of relief at his answer. Beside him, Kushida Kikyo immediately turned to Horikita Suzune, who was tidying her school supplies nearby. Her tone grew even gentler. "Horikita, why don't you join us too? With you and Hoshida there, everyone will be even more motivated."
Horikita Suzune didn't even look up. Her slender fingers traced the words on the page, and her voice was as cold as ice. "Now that Hoshida No is joining the study session, it shouldn't make much difference whether I, the second-highest scorer, go or not."
Her blunt refusal made the air around them feel heavy.
A barely perceptible flicker crossed Kushida's smile, too brief for anyone to notice. It was quickly replaced by a perfectly polite, apologetic grin. "I see. That's too bad. But if you change your mind, you can come anytime."
With that, she and Hirata turned and left without pressing the matter.
In the corner of the classroom, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka kept his eyes lowered. He, too, had just declined Hirata's invitation to join the study session.
Hoshida No glanced at Horikita Suzune's stubborn profile. He knew perfectly well that she hadn't refused because she thought she was unnecessary. Her pride simply wouldn't let her band together with everyone else for support.
As for Ayanokoji... maybe he just didn't like crowds.
Just then, Sudo, who was known for his bad temper, suddenly came over and slapped Hoshida No on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.
"Hey, Hoshida! You'd better teach me lots of English when the time comes. I was only half a point away from expulsion—I don't want to screw up over something like this!"
His voice was loud enough to make several nearby students turn and look.
Hoshida No glanced at him without saying a word, then gave a slight nod.
At that, Sudo grinned and left the classroom noisily with Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki.
The study session was held in the classroom, with 20 people attending.
Hoshida No noticed that none of the people he'd been watching had come to the study session. Sakura Airi was absent too. His impression of her was that she was a socially anxious girl who was always looking down.
Hirata Yousuke arranged the desks into several large tables, thoughtfully seating the lower-scoring students near Hoshida No.
Kushida Kikyo handed out a stack of printed study materials. She'd marked the key points and common mistakes on each page in different colors, clearly putting a lot of effort into them.
"Okay, first write down the subjects you're struggling with. Once we've collected everyone's answers, we can have students who are strong in those subjects help out." Kushida clapped her hands, smiling brightly.
"Hoshida, could you look over everyone's answers and put together a rough study plan?"
Hoshida No accepted the paper and pen she handed him. The moment his fingers touched the paper, he heard Sato Maya let out an exaggerated sigh.
She rested the end of her pen against her chin and drawled, "Ugh, if I'd known the study session was going to be so serious, I wouldn't have come. I thought I'd get to chat with Hoshida or Hirata."
Her remark drew a few quiet laughs, easing the slightly stuffy mood.
Hoshida No said nothing. He quickly scanned the slips everyone had turned in. Most of them struggled with English and math, and English listening and reading were especially difficult for almost everyone.
He started jotting things down, sorting the students into groups for each subject. Then he wrote his own name next to the person in charge of English.
"I'll handle English," Hoshida No said. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear him. "Let's spend thirty minutes a day practicing listening, then do two reading passages. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask me."
As soon as he finished, Sudo shot his hand up. His eyes were shining. "Hoshida! Sign me up first! I'm not scared of anything else, but I don't want my English score to be right on the passing line again!"
Another girl with good English scores raised her hand. "Me too!"
Hoshida No looked at the growing number of students who wanted to study English, then finally turned to the first girl and said, "Motoizumi, your English score is already pretty good. It's math you're struggling with, so you don't need to focus on English."
Called out by name, Motoizumi had no choice but to nod reluctantly. Hoshida No then pointed out a few students whose English scores were relatively better than their marks in other subjects and assigned them to Hirata and Kushida.
Sunlight streamed through the window and settled on his hair, tracing it with a faint golden edge.
He could tell that most of the students gathered here sincerely wanted to escape the threat of expulsion, but people's hearts were never so easily united.
Just then, Horikita Suzune was standing against the wall in the hallway outside the classroom, holding an English dictionary and staring coldly through the window.
She didn't go inside. She only watched Hoshida No arrange everything in an orderly fashion, Kushida Kikyo deftly keep the mood upbeat, and Hirata Yousuke patiently calm the students who were growing anxious.
Her fingers gripped the edge of the dictionary so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Only then did she release it.
"A bunch of people who can only rely on others," Horikita muttered, with a stubbornness she barely concealed. "True strength never needs to huddle together for warmth."
With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps fading down the empty hallway.
Hoshida No seemed to sense something. He looked out the window and caught sight of only a resolute figure walking away. Then he lowered his gaze and continued writing the study plan.