When the preliminary bell rang, everyone packed up their study materials. We were obligated to store anything unnecessary for the exams in the lockers at the back of the classroom. The only thing we were allowed to leave at our desks was a writing utensil. Additional supplies could be obtained if, for example, a pencil gets too short or breaks, a mechanical pencil runs out of lead, or an eraser gets used up. The only thing we would need to do is report it to Chabashira-sensei.

Youll take your first end of term exam after this: Modern Japanese. Its forbidden to turn your paper over until I give the signal to start. Pay attention to this.

Chabashira-sensei didnt have the student at the front of each row pass the exams backward but instead placed the exam sheets on each desk one at a time.

The exam lasts for fifty minutes. Try to avoid calling in sick or the need to use the restroom as much as possible. If you arent able to wait it out whatsoever, please let me know by raising your hand. You arent allowed to leave the classroom for any other reason after the start of the exam.

She told us about the rules for the conduct of the exam as she finished handing out the exam papers to everyone.

None of the students were whispering to each other anymore. Everyones attention had been set on their exam sheets.

Shortly after, the next bell rang, announcing the beginning of the exam.

Well then, you can start.

As soon as she spoke, everyone turned the exam over at the same time.

If everything goes according to Keiseis prediction, the questions will have an overall trend so our countermeasures will hit right on the mark.

I skimmed through the questions from top to bottom to see whether my classmates would be able to solve them.

There were merciless questions lined up, starting from the very first one. Despite this, there wasnt anything unsolvable. There were quite a few questions that had already been predicted with pinpoint accuracy and quite a few that could be solved as long as you remained calm.

In other words, this means that Keiseis objective was successful.

Moreover, there were large revisions to the content as instructed by the school.

Although there are traces that show attempts at making misleading questions, there are also traces of these questions being forcibly corrected.

Nonetheless, its unlikely that well be able to stop our average grade from falling lower than the last midterm exam. If theres a student whos behind in their studies, they might end up with 10 to 20 points. Taking this into consideration, the supporting partner definitely needs to take more than 50 points, or preferably more than 60 points, if possible.

If its the skilled people in the class, it seems like theyll be able to pass the 60-point hurdle, but they still cant be careless.

The largest problem in this situation is the groups of students in the middle like Haruka and Akito. Theyll have to stand firm in this situation. Their weak point, the humanities, absolutely must be defended as if their lives depended on it.

From the seat next to me, Horikita immediately picked up her pen and started on the first question.

Horikita was investing herself into a fight she absolutely couldnt afford to lose.

I spun my pen in circles as I thought about what I should do.

Relative to other students, Sat was enthusiastic about attending the study sessions, so I anticipate that shell score higher than Ike and Yamauchi. However, theres also a need to compliment her score with a suitable score of my own.

This time around, individual scores wont inadvertently raise the classes failing line. So after considering the future, I decided to take the exam on a 60 point basis.

More than that, the important thing is-

I raised my head.

My eyes crossed with Chabashira-sensei who was watching the class from the podium.

However, Chabashira-sensei wasnt the one I was paying attention to.

Instead, I took note of how Kushida Kiky was handling the exam in front of her.

Even though the exam had started, there was no indication that her arm was moving. She appeared to be checking something as she went over the questions several times.

She made sure of everything for two or three minutes before she finally began to solve the exam questions.

In this way, the tense exams continued past the first without any time for leisure or idle chatter.

However, there was a slight incident during the fourth exam.

It happened during the math exam, which is supposed to be when Horikita and Kushidas direct confrontation would be decided.

It was immediately after we turned our exams over after the start signal.

Why

Kushidas voice leaked out despite her attempt to suppress it.

Whats wrong Kushida?

N-no, Im sorry. Its nothing.

Our classmates expressed their concern for Kushida, whose voice leaked out for a moment, but she started on the questions immediately anyways.

I looked carefully and understood.

Her unrest was an unimaginable appearance compared to Kushidas usual composure.

It appears that man decided to make that choice.

Horikita worked on the math problems without being distracted by Kushidas agitation.

Its a straight and proper matchup, just to demonstrate the fruits of this last months effort.

Its powerful because its simple.

Well. Should I concentrate on the exam now that the source of my troubles has faded away?