Mini-Exam, A Chat with the Little Loli

In the blink of an eye, the end of April had arrived in silence.

On the podium, Mashima Tomoya was clearly explaining the details regarding the upcoming quiz: "The school will be holding a quiz this Wednesday. Everyone can relax—the results of this test are for 'reference' only and will not be recorded on your final transcripts. However, one point must be emphasized: cheating is absolutely forbidden, and any instance will be dealt with severely.

The scope of this quiz covers the material learned thus far; as long as you have listened attentively in class, you could pass it with your eyes closed.

Although the grades won't be recorded, I still hope everyone will take this exam seriously."

After speaking, Mashima Tomoya left the classroom directly.

The moment he stepped out the door, Katsuragi rose from his seat. He walked to the podium with steady steps, his gaze sweeping across the classroom before he spoke: "Teacher Mashima just said the results are for 'reference,' but he didn't clarify what they are a reference for. I suspect there might be an important exam next month, and this performance could be linked to the next one. Therefore—" He paused, his voice clearer than before, "I hope everyone will still take this quiz seriously."

At this moment, Sakayanagi Arisu lifted her eyes slightly, her voice ringing out clear and light: "I think Katsuragi-kun's analysis is very thorough, and I am inclined to support it."

As soon as she finished speaking, the murmurs that had been echoing in the classroom suddenly ceased. Someone who had been clutching their pen, intending to speak up, saw that even Sakayanagi, who was usually the most meticulous, had taken a stance; their fingers paused, and they ultimately swallowed their words.

Several girls in the front row who had been hesitating exchanged glances and quietly tucked their open manga books into their desks—since both Katsuragi and Sakayanagi had said as much, it seemed they really ought to take this quiz seriously.

Ring, ring, ring—

The Thursday afternoon dismissal bell sounded like a string that had been pulled too tight for too long, releasing with a slightly joyful tremor.

With the final subject finished, everyone let out a sigh of relief. After all, the past few days of review had left everyone quite exhausted, and it was time to relax.

Uesugi Hara looked at Sakayanagi Arisu, whose posture remained as upright as ever amidst the crowd, thinking it was time to have a chat with this little girl.

He stepped forward and began, "Sakayanagi-san, could we talk? About class matters."

Sakayanagi Arisu turned her head, her silver-white hair catching the sunlight with a soft luster, and a faint smile curled at the corners of her lips: "Oh? Since when has Uesugi-kun become so concerned about the class?" Her tone carried a hint of imperceptible teasing.

"As a member of the class, it is only natural to be concerned," Uesugi Hara replied, his tone calm, devoid of any excess emotion.

"Hehe~" Sakayanagi Arisu laughed softly, the sound as crisp as wind chimes. "Since Uesugi-kun has taken the initiative to invite me, how could I refuse? How about the library? It's quieter there, just right for a conversation." As she spoke, she had already begun walking toward the classroom door, her steps light and elegant, with her little maid Kamuro Masumi following closely behind.

The library was filled with the scent of old pages and wooden bookshelves. The afternoon sun filtered through the high windows, casting long, thin patches of light onto the floor.

Sakayanagi Arisu chose a seat by the window, her fingertips gently stroking the patterns on her cane as she turned to look at Uesugi Hara, who had followed her: "Speak, Uesugi-kun. You went out of your way to ask me to talk about class matters; surely it isn't just to discuss the quiz?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Kamuro Masumi, with great perceptiveness, placed a steaming cup of coffee by Sakayanagi's side, her movements so light they didn't make a sound.

Uesugi Hara sat down opposite them, his gaze sweeping over the coffee in front of the little girl and then glancing at Kamuro, his expression clearly saying, "Where is mine?"

Kamuro seemed to receive the signal, but she deliberately lifted her chin and glared at him, her eyes retorting, "If you want a drink, can't you pour it yourself?"

Sakayanagi Arisu watched this exchange, a faint smile blooming on her lips, and even the light in her eyes softened a fraction.

Uesugi Hara stopped bickering with Kamuro and turned to her, asking earnestly: "I want to ask, if you were to become the class leader, what would you do?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's fingers, holding the coffee cup, paused. The steam from the rim blurred half her face, but her tone carried a knowing chuckle: "Uesugi-kun, you want to ask if I would harm the class's interests, right?"

She placed the cup gently on the table, the metal coaster clinking against the surface.

"Look, just like this quiz—some think that because it 'won't be recorded,' they should slack off, while others think there is a trap hidden behind the word 'reference.' There are always two voices in the class, aren't there?"

She traced the patterns on her cane with her fingertip. "If I were to become the leader, I wouldn't rush to turn everyone into 'serious types,' but at the very least, I would make everyone understand: every choice becomes a bargaining chip for the next round."

Uesugi Hara raised an eyebrow: "So you're going to keep an eye on everyone?"

"How could I?" She looked out the window, where the late April sun was washing over the library roof. "I only need to keep those who should be awake, awake—like Katsuragi, who can lead half the class, or you, who seem laid-back but are exceptionally clever."

At this, she suddenly turned to meet his gaze, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "After all, if you get the smart ones moving first, the rest will eventually follow, won't they?"

Uesugi Hara tapped his fingers unconsciously on his knee, his gaze falling on the intricate patterns of her cane: "You certainly know how to save your energy." His tone was ambiguous, neither mocking nor approving.

Sakayanagi Arisu laughed softly and reached up to tuck a stray lock of hair blown by the breeze behind her ear: "Saving energy doesn't mean being ineffective. Look at Katsuragi; he always likes to keep 'seriousness' on his lips, but the only ones who truly listen are those already willing to work hard." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the figures buried in their studies throughout the library. "But if even those people lose their drive, the class will truly start to slide."

"So what you need to do is keep a firm grip on these 'people who can set the pace'?" Uesugi Hara pressed.

"You could say that." She tapped the head of her cane. "It's like playing chess; there's no need to watch every single piece move. Once you place the rooks, knights, and bishops in their proper positions, the pawns naturally know where to move forward."

As she said this, she tilted her head, her light-colored pupils clear and bright in the sunlight. "Does Uesugi-kun think he is a rook, or a knight?"

Uesugi Hara met her gaze, and after a moment of silence, he curled his lips: "Probably a pawn that doesn't want to move from its spot for the time being." (Whatever he is, at least he isn't a beast of burden like Kamuro!)

"That's not necessarily true." Sakayanagi Arisu's laughter was as light as a feather. "A pawn that has crossed the river can sometimes be harder to block than a rook." The wind outside the window suddenly picked up, rustling the pages of books, as if adding a layer of profound meaning to the words left unsaid.

"I can get Katsuragi to give up his bid for class leadership, but you have to leave him a position as a deputy—I'm afraid you might do something reckless in the future." Uesugi Hara's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable earnestness.

Sakayanagi Arisu's fingers, gripping her cane, paused slightly. When she looked up, a knowing smile had bloomed in her eyes: "This is what Uesugi-kun discussed with Katsuragi-kun at Palette last week, isn't it?" She even remembered the name of that cafe perfectly.

Uesugi Hara tapped his finger on the edge of the table, not intending to hide it anymore: "I suppose so." As expected, nothing could be hidden from her.

"Very well." Sakayanagi Arisu agreed readily, then shifted the subject, a flash of mischief in her light-colored pupils: "But I have a condition as well—you have to come over and serve as a deputy, too."

Uesugi Hara's mouth twitched imperceptibly—this little girl was clearly up to no good.

He glanced at Sakayanagi Arisu; she was propping her chin on her hand, watching him, the knowing smile in her eyes impossible to hide. It was clear she wouldn't back down.

Uesugi Hara finally sighed helplessly and rubbed his fingertips against the edge of the table: "Fine, I agree. But it's settled: I won't do anything too troublesome."

"Easily done."

With this, the power structure of Class A was finally settled for the time being after these two conversations.

What kind of new path would this trajectory, so different from the original story, carve out for this tale? And how many unforeseen changes would it brew? I have already started to look forward to it.

Uesugi Hara thought to himself.