I'm Not Slacking Off-This Is Strategic Reconnaissance!

May 15th, early morning.

There was only one week left until the midterm exams. Perhaps because they were so close, the atmosphere in Class 1-D was even tenser than usual.

The usual sounds of horseplay and laughter had vanished completely. Everywhere in the classroom, students huddled together to discuss problems or buried their heads in practice exercises, presenting a scene of diligent striving.

Fragmented discussions rose and fell, mingling with the rustle of turning pages and filling every corner of the classroom.

"Abandon..."

Someone muttered vocabulary words, mechanically repeating ineffective memorization.

Several students nearby gathered to chat, their tones full of wishful hope.

"Do you think the school might base the questions on previous years' midterm papers? The exam would be much easier if they did."

"No idea."

As soon as the words fell, a voice shattered everyone's illusions.

"We can't put all our hopes on past exam papers. The proper path is to settle down and study hard according to the stated exam range."

The one who said that was Yukimura Teruhiko.

He was one of the few people in Class 1-D who did not go with the flow. Deep down, he believed in genuine hard work and rejected shortcuts based on opportunism.

As the class's undisputed top student, Yukimura Teruhiko's grades had always ranked near the top of Class 1-D. His ability was steady enough to rival even the top students of the year.

Tatsuya Sakuya rested his chin on one hand and looked out the window. He did not particularly care. He studied regularly anyway, and his academic ability was not inferior to anyone's.

Since he had not slept very well last night, he was just about to lie down on his desk and rest for a while, gathering his energy before class.

"Morning, Shiba."

Hirata Yousuke's