As Chabashira Sae left after dropping the bombshell, a wave of unrest swept through the classroom.
Kure Ragna leaned back in his seat, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
The announcement sounded terrifying at first—expulsion, class points deducted—but when broken down logically, it wasn't that bad.
The passing criteria were based on the class's average score. If everyone performed similarly, then technically, no one was failing.
In other words:
If everyone does well, it's like no one did well.
If everyone does poorly, it's like no one did poorly.
Simple.
Besides, the maximum gain was capped. Even if the entire class scored full marks in every subject, they'd only gain a limited number of class points. On the flip side, if everyone bombed the test, the worst that would happen was missing out on potential gains—no actual deductions.
No reason to panic.
Of course, not everyone saw it that way.
"Everyone, please calm down. I have something to say."
The moment Chabashira left, Yukinoshita Haruno stood up and walked to the front of the classroom.
Before the morning bell rang, she pressed her hands down slightly, signaling for silence. Her composed, elegant voice carried through the room, gradually settling the commotion.
"I understand the anxiety everyone is feeling about the upcoming midterms," she began. "No one wants to see a classmate expelled or our class points drop. But we still have time—nearly three weeks to prepare. Just like at the start of the year, we can overcome this challenge together."
She glanced around the room before continuing.
"I'd like to ask those who ranked high in the previous tests to tutor classmates struggling with certain subjects. If we work together, we can ensure no one fails."
"I agree with Yukinoshita girl's suggestion."
The first to respond was Hirata Yosuke, raising his hand with a warm smile.
"I don't want to see any of our classmates expelled. Even setting aside class points, I believe it's important to help each other. I'll do my best to assist with tutoring."
His words were met with murmurs of admiration.
"Wow..."
"That's so kind of him..."
The girls sitting near him clapped lightly, impressed by his ever-reliable demeanor.
Kure Ragna, however, had a different focus. His gaze drifted toward Kushida Kikyo.
As expected, she remained seated, still wearing her usual pure and gentle smile. But if one looked closely, they'd notice her hands clenched tightly beneath the desk.
She must be fuming inside.
Once again, at a crucial moment, someone else had stolen the spotlight from her.
...He wouldn't be surprised if she went to the seaside tonight to kick the railing again.
As Kure entertained that amusing thought, a familiar voice broke through the classroom chatter.
"Let me confirm one thing, Yukinoshita girl," Kouenji Rokusuke spoke with his usual self-assured tone. "Surely, when you say 'high-ranking classmates,' you don't mean to include me, correct?"
"If you wish to participate, Kouenji-san," Haruno answered with a polite smile.
She knew better than to waste energy persuading him. Someone as unpredictable as Kouenji would either help on a whim or ignore the entire thing. It was best to let him decide on his own.
Those willing to help would be appreciated. Those who didn't want to weren't worth chasing after.
"Good. That settles it."
Kouenji pulled out a comb from his uniform pocket, carefully fixing his hair.
"However, I must admit, I'm surprised. Has the Yukinoshita family's education declined to such a degree?"
At the direct mention of her family name, Haruno's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh?" she responded.
"To think that the heir of a mere county councilor's family would lack even the most basic understanding of risk control," Kouenji continued, his tone laced with amusement.
"..."
"Am I wrong?" He smirked.
"The simplest solution," he continued, "if we truly want to ensure no one is expelled, is to submit blank papers. If everyone hands in a blank sheet, no one fails. At worst, we lose a few class points, which is far preferable to someone dropping out and costing us even more."
His logic was blunt but not entirely wrong.
"Even if everyone aces the exam, we only gain a limited number of points. But if even one student fails, we lose a significant amount. Any rational person would see which option makes more sense."
Then, as if to emphasize his point, Kouenji turned toward Kure Ragna.
"I imagine Kure Ragna has already considered this method as well."
Kure met his gaze. Without hesitation, he responded with a firm middle finger.
"Oh, of course," he said sarcastically. "Because nothing screams 'elite education' like proudly failing on purpose."
Despite her proposal being shot down with sharp logic, Haruno maintained her calm expression.
"That's certainly an option," she acknowledged. "But don't forget, this school aims to cultivate elite talents. The administration creates the rules, and they can change them at any time."
Kouenji raised an eyebrow, listening.
"If we exploit this loophole now, they could easily modify the rules in the future. And even if they don't, the gap between us and other classes will only widen. If we keep relying on this method, we'll eventually fall so far behind that we won't be able to catch up."
She exhaled softly, then declared with quiet determination:
"That's why I'll make sure everyone passes the next midterm. No exceptions."
She met Kouenji's gaze again, silently challenging him to counter her reasoning.
After a brief pause, he chuckled.
"Well, do as you like, Yukinoshita girl," he said, standing up from his seat. "But I'll be taking the exam seriously. Handing in blank papers is far too unbecoming for someone as beautiful as me."
And with that, he walked toward the back door just as the bell rang, perfectly timed.
Half a minute later, as Haruno returned to her seat with a tired sigh, Kure Ragna leaned in slightly.
"Hey," he whispered. "So, uh… how exactly are you planning to get guys like Sudō to pass? I mean, let's be real—if someone didn't even grasp basic English in middle school, three weeks won't magically fix that."
"...Yeah," Haruno muttered, rubbing her temples. "I have absolutely no idea."
Kure blinked.
"So you made that speech without a plan?"
"...I figured I'd think of something along the way."
Kure stared at her in disbelief.
Bold move.
Haruno, despite her confident declaration, was just as lost as the rest of them.
"In any case," she sighed, "we'll just have to take it one step at a time..."
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