"After today's swimming lesson, everyone should have a clear idea by now."
"First place in the swimming lesson earns personal points, and clubs offer even more."
"Could anyone who's joined a club tell us what they've heard?"
Makoto Nishikado looked around, and Hayato Shibata immediately stood up.
"Yeah, yeah! The soccer club's teacher told me that if I make the starting lineup, I'll get a monthly allowance of personal points. It might be twenty or thirty thousand!"
After Hayato answered, the other students who had joined clubs also gradually shared what they'd learned.
Not everyone had received guidance from their club teacher; only those who showed exceptional ability got that kind of treatment.
But it was safe to say that students could earn extra personal points through their clubs.
"Good. This proves that our decision to emphasize club activities was the right one."
"Besides, the swimming teacher has made it clear that swimming is a skill we'll definitely need in the future, and one that everyone will need. That's no ordinary situation."
"Other than the swimming test, it's hard to imagine a school activity that would require everyone to know how to swim. But a swimming test by itself doesn't seem to serve much purpose."
"The most likely explanation is that at some point in the future, we'll be away from school for a while—possibly during something like a school trip—and we'll take a Special Exam that requires swimming skills."
Makoto explained the situation.
Advanced Nurturing was a school, so it wouldn't neglect academics.
But unlike ordinary schools, Advanced Nurturing also valued students' talents in other fields.
That much had already become clear.
The first month of school was a test of students' powers of observation and initiative.
Those without observational skills wouldn't notice anything strange about the school, like most of the students in Class D.
And even if someone noticed something strange, they wouldn't investigate without initiative, like Horikita Suzune.
"Next, we need to get a clear picture of everyone's strengths and weaknesses."
"Anyone with weaknesses should study hard to avoid expulsion. Anyone with talent should practice hard. Even skills that ordinary schools wouldn't use might come in handy at Advanced Nurturing, like camping and wilderness survival."
"Judging by Chie Hoshinomiya's surprised expression, I must be right."
[Chie Hoshinomiya's emotions stirred, earning 311 emotion points.]
"Makoto, please don't test your teachers like that in the future. Teachers can lose personal points too!"
"Every night, I have to go drinking with my friends and boyfriends, so my personal points are pretty tight."
Chie Hoshinomiya said pitifully.
"Teacher, please give up drinking. Aren't you ashamed to teach class while hungover?"
"And you get a new boyfriend every week. Do you really expect us to congratulate you?"
"We're not going to reimburse you for those points."
Makoto glanced at the system notification and immediately turned cold and heartless.
For such a tiny reward, he couldn't justify doing her a favor.
"Anyway, let's ignore Hoshinomiya-sensei and not forget what I just said."
"Everyone, send Himeno a private message with a report on your situation. Himeno, you're in charge of keeping track."
"Ichinose, sorry for the trouble, but could you handle the academic side of things?"
After speaking, Makoto turned to Honami Ichinose.
Honami immediately stood up, a confident smile on her face. "Don't worry. I'll do a good job."
She cleared her throat and addressed the Class B students. "A week has already passed, so everyone should be gradually getting used to life at this school."
"Since expulsion is even a possibility here, we can't stay in this laid-back state forever."
"From now on, I'll organize a long-term study group. I hope students who do well academically and those who are struggling will both join in. Let's all make it to the end together."
"If you want to join, you can sign up now."
As soon as she finished speaking, the Class B students raised their hands, their faces full of enthusiasm.
At this school, academic performance directly affected personal points and class rankings. No one dared to take it lightly.
And as students, of course they should take their studies seriously.
"There are quite a few people. Looks like we'll have to split into several groups."
After Honami spoke, many of the usually easygoing Class B students changed their tune.
They were certainly willing to form small study groups with people they knew better.
But more than anything, everyone wanted to study with Honami.
Amikura Asako: "Honami, my grades aren't very good. You have to help me!"
Yume Kobashi: "Me too, me too! I want to be in the same group as Honami-chan!"
Chihiro Shiranami: "M-me too!"
With the girls so eager, the boys were too embarrassed to compete for a spot and could only look on enviously.
Just as they were feeling down, Ryuji Kanzaki stood up and coolly interrupted the boys' stares.
"Everyone, academics are important, but that doesn't mean everyone needs to put them first."
"Those who can contribute exceptional talent through their clubs should focus on club activities."
"Shibata, I'm talking about you. Put your hand down."
At Kanzaki's words, Hayato awkwardly lowered his hand and scratched his head.
After today's swimming lesson, everyone knew that he had an extraordinary talent for sports.
A classmate in the soccer club had also said that Hayato had the potential to become the soccer team's ace.
If he trained hard, he might even become a professional athlete someday.
Since he had that kind of talent, he should focus his energy on club activities.
As for his grades, it was enough to keep them above the level that would get him expelled.
Spending too much time studying would only waste Hayato's talent.
Hayato's grades weren't especially good, but they weren't especially bad either.
He was never going to achieve much academically, so he might as well devote himself to soccer.
Whether for Class B or for his future, there was little point in making him waste time studying hard.
"Kanzaki, thanks for your effort. Every class needs someone willing to play the bad guy."
Makoto praised Ryuji Kanzaki in front of everyone.
When everyone got carried away with enthusiasm, having someone pour a little cold water on things was actually important.
Kanzaki played that role well, and the Class B students wouldn't resent him for it. That was no small thing.
Especially since he'd singled out Hayato, who was easygoing and outgoing. It showed that Kanzaki knew where to draw the line.
"It's what I'm supposed to do. I'm a member of the class too," Ryuji said matter-of-factly.
He couldn't match Makoto or Honami's abilities, but there were still things he could do.
The discussion in the private room continued, with Makoto and Honami organizing the various tasks in an orderly fashion.
The Class B students responded enthusiastically, and the atmosphere was lively yet organized.
Horikita Suzune sat quietly to the side, listening attentively.
The more she listened, the more conflicted she felt.
If this were Class D, they wouldn't just fail to unite like Class B; they'd probably struggle even to hold an ordinary study group.
The class competition hadn't even officially begun, and Class D was already far behind.
Even if she became Class D's leader later, could she really lead the class in catching up with a Class B this united?
For a brief moment, Horikita Suzune thought of Kushida Kikyo, who had been pestering her lately.
I need her?
Before you continue