I'm currently in the lobby of Dorm Building 2, waiting for Hasebe so we can head to class together.
While waiting, I've had time for a very long internal monologue. Good thing this isn't a fanfic where readers would have to slog through my thoughts…
"Good morning, Haruka."
I greet Hasebe as she arrives.
She's breathing so hard you'd think she ran a marathon.
'You had over an hour to get ready. Isn't that enough for a woman?'
"What time is it?"
After catching her breath, Hasebe asks.
I pull out my phone and check the clock.
"5:40."
I reply.
"New record, huh?"
"Indeed."
"So I've got…"
"There's no reward for being late, Haruka."
"Tch."
With the sulky vibe of a pouting kid, Hasebe follows me to class.
Despite her tardiness, we're still the first to arrive.
Soon after, the classroom fills up, and by 7:30, with everyone present, classes begin.
"Good morning."
It's the third period of the morning—Japanese history class.
Chabashira graces us with her presence, greeting us as we stand to return the gesture before sitting once she reaches the podium.
She stands there silently, just observing us. The quiet stretches for over ten minutes—okay, I'm exaggerating. It lasts exactly one minute and twenty-two seconds.
"Are you going to keep admiring us, sensei?"
Hondō, unable to stand the wait, breaks the silence.
"No need to get so worked up, Hondō-san."
Chabashira unfreezes, responding with a faint smile.
"Then why aren't we starting class?"
"Easy, Hondō. Sensei has something to announce. Am I right, sensei?"
I step in.
"Indeed, I have news to share."
Chabashira confirms my words.
"If I'm not mistaken, today's when the mid-term exam results come out."
Yukimura thinks aloud.
"Oh yeah, totally forgot!"
Ike chimes in.
His comment sparks some light chatter.
"Is sensei announcing the results?"
Hirata asks Chabashira.
"That's correct."
Chabashira replies without delay.
"But I'm surprised I don't see any tension on your faces. Some of you even forgot the results were today. Are you that confident no one failed?"
Chabashira adds.
"We said it on exam day, sensei. It was just a formality."
I say with a slight smile.
The class backs me up with affirmations from all sides.
"Well, let's see if that confidence holds."
After saying this, Chabashira tapes a large white sheet with everyone's names and test scores to the board.
"Honestly, I'm impressed. I knew you'd do your best, but not to this extent. One perfect score across all subjects and twenty-nine perfect scores in all five core subjects."
Some students cheer and whoop when they see the 100s lined up on the results sheet.
The perfect score across all subjects is, of course, mine.
Yukimura gives me a silent look, nodding in approval.
I check my group's results.
Hondō got an overall 85: 85 in math, 100 in social studies, 89 in science. He didn't slack in other subjects either, with no score below 80.
Sonoda got 83: 80 in math, 100 in social studies, 91 in science.
Airi got 82: 86 in math, 100 in social studies, 90 in science.
Sudō matched Hondō's 85: 87 in math, 100 in social studies, 85 in social studies. In English, he scored a 98.
Yamauchi pulled a surprising overall 84: 88 in math, 100 in social studies, 86 in science. I didn't expect that from him.
'You've leveled up. Well done.'
Now for Ike… This guy…
He's among those with perfect scores in all five core subjects, with an overall 94! To put it in perspective, he's currently in the class's top ten.
For the rest, no one's overall score is below 80. The highest is mine at 100, and the lowest is Tanaki Koyasu's 80. He's a teen with slightly spiked dark brown hair and two small hair antennas on top. His looks rival Hirata's.
'I wonder why he never appeared in the novel…'
"No one fell below the elimination threshold in any subject. Congratulations—you've passed this exam with no expulsions. Your confidence wasn't just talk after all."
Chabashira congratulates us again.
"Does that mean we get the dream vacation?"
Ike asks eagerly.
You can see most of the class's eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Chabashira just nods.
"To the beach and girls in swimsuits!"
Ike shouts, not holding back.
The other boys want to join in, but the girls' dark glares shut them down.
"However…"
Chabashira's voice quiets the room.
"I'll never stop saying this, but don't rest on your laurels. You performed well today, but tougher exams await. Once again, congratulations, and I hope you keep this momentum."
Chabashira's words, though stern, carry a hint of appreciation.
"Now, let's start the lesson."
The actual class begins. Everyone listens attentively.
"Kōenji-san, please help me pack up and come with me."
After her class ends, Chabashira requests my assistance.
I stand.
At the podium, I start gathering the materials she brought.
Meanwhile, Chabashira's already left.
Once I'm done, I follow her to the faculty office.
When I arrive, the room's no longer empty like last time.
Not seeing Chabashira, I head to her assigned door.
I'm about to enter when…
"Oh! Who do we have here?"
A young woman with wavy hair approaches me.
I turn and start to bow in greeting—or I would've.
"Hey, no need to be so formal. I'm still super young, you know."
She stops me from bowing.
"I'm Hoshinomiya Chie, in charge of Class C. Sae and I have been besties since high school."
'So this is her…'
Standing before me is the homeroom teacher of Class C, formerly Class B.
In the novel, she's described as an outgoing woman who loves teasing young people—especially boys she finds cute.
'Not bad… Anyway…'
"Hey, why'd Sae-chan call you? Huh? Huh? Why?"
She asks with some insistence.
"I'm helping carry class materials."
I reply calmly.
"Hmm. I don't know why, but your eyes aren't those of a teenager. You didn't fake your age, did you?"
Hoshinomiya completely switches topics.
She leans closer, studying my face.
'This woman really loves kids, doesn't she? Do I have a shot? No, now's not the time to slack off.'
"What are you doing, Hoshinomiya?"
As if sensing my discomfort, Chabashira appears from behind her door.
With a thud, she smacks Hoshinomiya on the head with her clipboard.
Hoshinomiya crouches, clutching her head in apparent pain.
"Ow! What was that for?"
"For messing with one of my students."
"I was just saying hi, Sae-chan."
"Would've been better if you left him alone. Kōenji-san, I don't recall asking you to wait at the door."
Chabashira turns to me.
"I was just greeting Hoshinomiya-sensei."
I defend myself with an excuse similar to Hoshinomiya's.
"Whatever, come in."
I follow Chabashira as she invites me into her office.
"See you later, Kōenji-kun."
Before we part, Hoshinomiya gives me a sweet goodbye.
'Should I reply? No, I can feel Chabashira's dark aura. Better act like I didn't hear.'
And so, I enter Chabashira's office, closing the door behind me.
"Where should I put these, sensei?"
I ask.
She points to a corner of the room.
I head there and organize the materials.
Done, I move toward the door.
"Sit down, Kōenji-san."
But Chabashira asks me to take a seat.
'Here I was hoping… Never mind.'
I comply and sit.
"Sensei, the next class must've already started. May I know what you want?"
Not wanting a pointless staring contest, I speak first.
"Missing one class won't hurt you, Kōenji-san."
"True, but it might penalize the class."
"If that's your concern, you've got nothing to worry about."
"If you say so, I'm all ears, sensei."
Settling more comfortably, I wait for Chabashira's next words.
"How'd you do it?"
Her next words form a question.
"Could you clarify what you mean, sensei?"
I ask back, feigning confusion.
"Drop the act."
Her tone turns stern.
"Your question's a bit vague, sensei."
"I want to know how you got the class to perform like that. Clear enough?"
I smile.
"Oh, and why assume I had anything to do with it? I can't take the tests for everyone."
"You won't spill?"
"Nope, nothing to hide. If you're that curious, I just told everyone to study past years' exams. The rest is their hard work."
Chabashira smiles.
"Interesting. Well thought out. So you've built ties with upperclassmen?"
I just smile without answering.
"Doesn't matter. As long as it benefits the class, it's fine."
She says.
"Alright, if that's all you wanted to discuss, I'll head back to class."
I stand.
"The other classes did pretty well too. No expulsions."
Chabashira throws out.
I stay silent and head for the door.
"Not curious about the details on the capable students in other classes?"
Chabashira asks next.
I stop, already at the door.
"When you aim for the top, your eyes look up, not down."
I leave those words and exit.
My destiny is the top. Be it this school or the world.
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