Rising to Class C

The Class Points update was announced early in the morning.

A: 1176

B: 913

C: 678

D: 870

With 870 points, Class D surpassed Class C's 678 and officially became the new Class C of the first years. The news caused quite a stir in the class.

Hirata Yousuke stood at the front of the classroom with a smile. "Everyone, this is the result of our hard work together. We've only taken a small step forward, but it proves that as long as we stand united, Class D—no, our Class C now—has limitless potential."

Kushida Kikyo stood beside him, smiling as she clasped her hands together. "That's right! This proves how hard everyone worked. Especially Hoshida, Horikita, and Hirata. You all did so much for everyone during the exam!"

Her gaze swept across the classroom, pausing briefly on Hoshida No before naturally moving on.

Hoshida No sat at his desk, calmly flipping through a book. Moving up to Class C didn't stir much of a reaction in him.

Chazhu Zuo Zhi appeared during morning homeroom. Her expression remained cool, though she couldn't hide the satisfaction in her eyes.

"Starting today, you're Class C. Don't celebrate too soon; this is only the beginning. The next Special Exam will arrive before long. If you let your guard down, you could be back in Class D in the blink of an eye."

After homeroom, Kushida Kikyo stopped Hoshida No.

"Hoshida!" She jogged over, looking a little reproachful. "Why did you leave so quickly after school yesterday? I wanted to ask you about the next study group."

"A study group?" Hoshida No closed his book.

"Yeah." Kushida nodded, her light-brown hair swaying. "Even though we've moved up to Class C, the midterms showed that a lot of students still have shaky fundamentals. Hirata and I talked about continuing to organize study groups before the next Special Exam, and we'd like you to keep leading them... Would that be okay?"

She clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, her eyes shining as she looked at him.

"Sure," he answered simply.

Kushida's smile grew brighter. "That's great! Thank you, Hoshida. With you there, everyone's sure to improve even faster!"

She paused, as if bringing it up casually. "By the way, we have swimming class again this afternoon. Want to practice together?"

"Either way is fine." Hoshida No neither agreed nor refused.

"Then it's a deal. If you need any help, just come find me!" Kushida waved and headed off with light steps toward another group of girls who were cheering.

During lunch break, Horikita Suzune blocked Hoshida No's way in a quiet corridor leading to the library.

She stood straight, staring intently at him, her expression as cold as ever.

"Hoshida No."

"What is it, Horikita?"

She stepped closer. "I recognize your abilities. Chabashira-sensei says everyone in Class D is defective, but I don't think you or I belong in Class D."

Hoshida No didn't deny it. He simply waited for her to continue.

"My goal is to lead the class to Class A and catch up to my brother, then surpass him." Horikita Suzune spoke bluntly. "I want to work with you to make that happen."

Hoshida No nodded. "Why not ask Ayanokoji?"

"I did, but he only wants to get through high school in peace. So what do you think?"

"When it comes to class matters, I'll do what I believe is necessary and efficient. That may not fit your way of leading," Hoshida No replied firmly.

Horikita Suzune frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Ayanokoji doesn't want to get involved with people. He may be keeping his abilities hidden because he doesn't want someone like you, who needs capable people, to rely on him too much. I'm the same."

Horikita Suzune's expression darkened. She still couldn't understand why someone capable of leading the class to promotion wouldn't step in.

"Then what do you mean by necessary and efficient?" she pressed.

"You'll find out when the time comes." Hoshida No walked past her. "We can work together if you want. But you'll have to understand and accept my approach. Otherwise, things are better left as they are—for both of us."

Horikita Suzune remained where she was, watching him walk away, her hands clenching slightly.

She felt frustrated, but an even stronger competitive spirit began to stir within her.

The fog surrounding Hoshida No and Ayanokoji, and the ways they used their abilities so differently from what she knew, left her confused—and all the more eager to understand them.

After school, Hoshida No didn't go straight back to the dorms. Instead, he went to the supermarket.

In the drinks aisle, he ran into Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, who was also choosing a drink.

They nodded to each other across the shelves in greeting.

"How does it feel to be in Class C?" Ayanokoji picked up a bottle of tea.

"It's just a change in name." Hoshida No picked up a can of sugar-free cola and checked the ingredients. "No sucrose, but there are still artificial sweeteners."

"True." Ayanokoji agreed. "Ryuen took a major hit this time, and he won't let it go. Sakayanagi Arisu is probably even more interested in you now, too. Class C is going to be in the spotlight."

"I expected as much." Hoshida No put the drink in his basket. "The next exam will be crucial. Chabashira-sensei has already hinted that it's coming soon."

Ayanokoji glanced at him. "Do you have a plan?"

"A preliminary idea. I need more information." Hoshida No looked at him. "What do you think about Horikita coming to see me today?"

Ayanokoji didn't seem surprised that Hoshida No knew Horikita had approached him too. "She's in too much of a hurry. She wants to put all the pieces where she thinks they belong. But people aren't chess pieces."

He paused. "Still, sometimes she can be a pretty good catalyst."

Hoshida No understood what he meant. Horikita Suzune's bluntness and clear goals could, in certain situations, break a deadlock or spur others into action.

"Catalysts need the right dose and reaction conditions," Hoshida No said. "Otherwise, they can cause an explosion."

"That's why someone needs to keep an eye on things." Ayanokoji picked up a second bottle of tea. "You or me?"

"Depends on the situation." Hoshida No didn't give him a clear answer.

Just as they finished their brief conversation and were about to part ways, Hoshida No happened to glance toward the magazine section in the corner of the supermarket.

A familiar figure stood with her back to them, hurriedly slipping a magazine with an idol in a swimsuit on the cover into her basket, then quickly covering it with other items.

Her bright orange-red hair stood out even in the crowd. It was Sakura Airi.

She seemed unusually nervous and flustered. After putting the magazine away, she glanced around to make sure no one had noticed, then lowered her head and practically jogged away from the magazine section toward the checkout. All the while, she tried to hide her face with her hair and shopping basket.

Hoshida No calmly followed her with his eyes for a few seconds, until she left the supermarket.

"See something interesting?" Ayanokoji followed his gaze, but only caught a glimpse of Sakura Airi hurrying away.

"I'm not sure." Hoshida No looked away. "I just saw a possible... other side of a Class C student."

He filed the matter away. It seemed everyone at this school wore more than one mask, or had some side they didn't want others to know about.

(Guess why Hoshida No will switch classes! And tell me which heroine you'd like to see. I can work her into the everyday scenes.)