'Nah, no way this is happening for the third time. What did I ever do to deserve this?' Yamauchi thought, tired.
"Sigh… Yeah, no, I wasn't looking at you."
The magenta-haired boy smirked and said, "I never said you were, though."
Relieved and surprised simultaneously, Yamauchi asked without thinking, "Why did you call me then?"
The self-proclaimed leader of class C laughed.
"To ask why you were looking at me."
"..." Yamauchi stared at him. "I think you've got your answer then?"
"Indeed," Ryueen chuckled. "And who might-"
"Good, I am in a bit of a hurry. Maybe we'll meet later, goodbye."
Yamauchi had no intention to introduce himself to Ryueen already. He had learnt enough about him to know not to catch his attention, though he already did… So he could at least hide his identity as much as he could.
Well, Ryueen wouldn't be able to attack him like he did to his classmates since Yamauchi can just complain to the school and get him expelled as long as there is any evidence.
Sadly, things weren't so simple for class C. Ever since the school had revealed the points system, which was only two days ago, Ryueen had gone far more offensive on his class, knowing they wouldn't try and expel him to save their class points.
Moreover, more than a few students had realised that only Ryueen seemed capable of leading their class and chose to side with the tyrant.
———
[Suzune got bullied by Manabu, and Ayanokoji interfered just like in LN with no changes on 2nd May itself (I made that date up, since I had no idea about the actual one.)
Also, since Kushida hadn't been involved in the study groups with Horikita and others, Ayanokoji doesn't know her true nature yet (At least according to his oh-so-realiable-narration, who knows when he figured out her nature?)]
3rd May, Friday
"So, are you gonna just keep me thinking how you managed to solve that question, or do you have any explanations?"
Yamauchi asked Ayanokoji while walking towards the class in a low voice.
"Uh, that? Well, I just got lucky."
Ayanokoji decided to continue once he got a sharp glare from Yamauchi.
"I mean, that question was from the first entrance exam for the best university in Japan, wasn't it? I was interested in that question since only 4 out of thousands of students managed to solve it. So yeah, I just memorised it word for word to impress my father. It didn't work though…"
Yamauchi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
'Well, when he puts it that way, it makes much more sense than him being able to solve it like a walk in the park… But this seems too oddly specific.'
Since it wasn't the first time he was helpless in getting more information about Ayanokoji, he let it slide. Not like he had many other options.
'Memorising whole answers, huh…'
As they entered the class, they saw Horikita talking with Ike. Yamauchi couldn't exactly tell what, but he could tell there was something different about her when she glanced back at Ayanokoji.
"No thanks! I am done with you. I'll just study by myself or join Yamauchi's group."
Ike shooed Horikita away while using his phone with the other hand.
"Hmph, fine then. Suit yourselves."
Saying that, Horikita turned towards Ayanokoji and Yamauchi.
"Yamauchi, would you mind if we merge our group? You can teach the ones about to get expelled, while I'll teach the other ones. Hasebe in your group doesn't fit well with the other three, right?"
'So she's asking to take away Hasebe and give me Ike? How troublesome…'
"No thanks, I already have my hands full since Ayanokoji is now helping you, and then there's Kikuchi too. Putting Ike and Sudou together will make things even worse."
Before Horikita could say anything more, Yamauchi continued.
"However, if you truly want to merge, then you can help the ones on the verge of getting expelled, while I'll teach Hasebe, Ayanokoji, and the other two of your group. But, we'll need to be at the same table. I need to know that you guys just don't waste all the time arguing with each other."
After thinking a bit, Horikita agreed with a nod. It was quite beneficial for her too.
"So, who are the other two students in your group?" Yamauchi asked.
"Well… about that… I don't know their names." Horkita said hesitantly.
"Heh, they were Akito and Onodera."
Ike, who was listening to their conversation, said.
———
After the lessons, Yamauchi found himself leaving the Library quickly, trying not to even glance at anyone.
Akito had somehow answered everything similarly to Hasebe in the test, making it as if someone was teaching the same student. While Onodera had strong basics in all subjects, it was all she had learned.
'Well, not like I am complaining, that just makes it much easier.'
[Mission: 'No one left behind'
Description: Ensure that everyone from your class passes the test.
Difficulty: B+
Rewards:
New ability - [(C+ Grade) Wilderness Survival]
+20 available points
Penalty: -1 point from each stat.]
This mission had appeared on his status screen this morning, which he welcomed quite happily.
Though he was a bit disappointed by the ability based on its name, it was still basically free. Since he wanted to save his classmates, the rewards were simply a cherry on top of the cake.
"What are you smiling about?"
Yamauchi was pulled out of his thoughts by Horikita's voice.
"Nothing much, just thinking about how I got lucky in the first exam. Don't you think there's some type of pattern about it? 17 questions far below our grade and the remaining 3 far above. How would they even expect us to solve university-grade questions?"
Although Yamauchi had just made up a convenient lie, he realised that it indeed was something important.
"Yeah, there's some type of pattern. More to that, Chabashira-sensei said, "I am sure everyone here can survive without getting any red marks." I don't think she would be this sure unless there is some kind of pattern to the tests which we can exploit."
Yamauchi looked at Horikita with a surprised expression. He didn't remember the exact words of Chabashira, but he did remember hearing something like that.
Before he could say anything, he got a call from Kaito.
Excusing himself, he picked up the call.
"Yo, Yamauchi! Are you free? We are planning to meet at Keyaki Mall."
"Alright, give me 15 minutes, I'll be there. Is everyone coming?"
"Well, Yuna is asking Hana about it right now, though she'll probably not come. Can you ask Mii-chan about it?"
The civil war in class A had turned a bit serious, so even though Hana wasn't part of any faction, she would likely stay in the discussions. Since she's in class A, which all three classes would love to target, she'll have to distance herself at least until the factions have a stable balance.
———
"Damn, I already miss the first month of school."
Yamauchi sighed, holding a glass of water, the only free thing in the cafe.
"It must be tough for you two, huh? I can only imagine living with zero points. But you know, I won't mind paying for two coffees…"
Yuna offered Yamauchi and Mii-chan while savouring her latte.
"Don't fret it. Anyways, what happened to this guy?"
Yamauchi asked, looking at Kaito, who sat with a worn-out expression.
"Heh, nothing much. He didn't bother to study when I told him to, and now, with a mere 17 points away from passing marks, he is being bombarded by everyone to help him."
"The test was quite easy, though. Only 49 marks is quite concerning…"
Mii-chan chimed in, concerned, stealing Yamauchi's question, albeit with less harsh words.
"Wha- 49? I scored 60, 17 more than 43, the passing mark. Though I could probably get around 80 if I did take it seriously."
Yamauchi and Mii-chan glanced at each other, equally confused.
"Huh? The passing marks were 32. At 43, a whole quarter of our class would have failed."
Since they had the marks of all students, it didn't take long to figure out what the passing marks were.
"So half of average marks, rounded off… If this holds for the midterms, we can easily avoid anyone from getting expelled."
Yamauchi thought out loud.
'No wonder Chabashira was so sure that everyone could survive…'
"So all we had to do was just give a blank paper and pass? See, I was right about not taking this seriously."
Kaito chuckled.
"Although this information seems easily obtainable, I think it is still quite important. Let's keep this a secret among our classes, we compete in the end."
Yuna said in a serious tone. Yamauchi, who was about to propose the same thing, agreed with a nod.
"Are any of you planning to come to the club in a few days? I think I'll just have dinner there from now on, it feels like such a waste to not take advantage."
Yamauchi said, trying to change the topic.
Sadly, others had no plans to start using the club already. After they talked a bit more with each other for nearly half an hour, they finally decided to part ways.
———
Yamauchi finally opened his eyes, exiting an extended meditation as his alarm rang.
"Ah… I thought this was never gonna end."
After stretching, Yamauchi decided to visit the clubroom for his dinner.
But to his surprise, it was not empty.