Part 4

Although it had taken some time, thanks to Nanases everlasting cooperation, it had been decided that we would attempt to hold a discussion with Hsen, albeit a bit forcefully. There was no way to tell where things would go from here, but it was definitely a step in the right direction.

Shortly before 6:00 PM, my doorbell rang.

Kei arrived, donned in her school uniform instead of casual clothes, perhaps because she had only just gotten back to the dorms.

You know, theres a lotta people around at this time of day, so I had to be like, super careful. I even used the stairs.

There probably werent very many girls who would visit a boys room all by themselves, and even fewer who would stay there for a long period of time.

That type of behavior didnt happen very often unless the boy and girl were in a relationship.

Well then, how about we get started?

Huh? Cant we like, do somethin else first?

Instead of taking out her study materials, Kei voiced her desire to chat with me.

However, time was limited. The later in the day it got, the less time there would be left to study.

If there are no problems with your academics, Id be glad to chat with you as much as youd like.

Hmph

To start out, we need to find out where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

How do we find out?

With these.

I took out five test sheets. Keisei had created them for the Ayanokji Group to check our strengths and weaknesses. They were extremely convenient, given how much time it would take to go and pick out questions to get everything prepared. Horikita and Ysuke often made use of them during their study sessions as well.

Most of our classmates have been tested with these already.

Really

Theres a time limit of 10 minutes per sheet. Go ahead and get started.

Fiiine.

Although reluctant, Kei began to work on the first sheet.

And then, 50 minutes later, she collapsed onto the table listlessly.

Im soooooo tired of this!

Good work. Though, Im surprised you actually manage to concentrate on normal tests.

Its cuz I already had a full day of classes. Its not easy for me to like, switch back into study mode.

I quickly finished grading the last sheet as I listened to her complain.

I see. I think I have a grasp at where your abilities lie.

H-how did I do?

She didnt seem to know what she herself was capable of, as she looked at me with eyes filled with both anticipation and anxiety.

Youll definitely be attending Ysukes study sessions starting tomorrow.

Eeeh!?

Its nothing worth panicking over. However, if you dont study, youll only be a stones throw from being expelled.

B-but like, my partner, Shimazaki-san, has a B-. Shouldnt I be fine?

You need to score 501 points to pass this special exam. You havent studied enough, but youre expected to score around 200 points. Shimazaki will get around 350. A total of 550 is hardly enough to put you into the safe zone. Furthermore, if Shimazaki hates studying just as much as you do, theres a good chance that they might score less than 300 points.

If that were to happen, the two of them would probably fall below the 501 point safety line.

I think Im like, gettin a little scared all of a sudden

Thats why its important that you get yourself into a position where you can score 250 points on the exam as soon as possible.

This test was designed so that even D+ students could score that well. That is, as long as they studied properly.

Uhm, well, Ive got a question for you.

A question?

Youre tryin to tutor me and all, but Kiyotaka, youve got a C rating right now, right? It looks ordinary, but you can actually, like score way better than that, right?

Something like that.

Youre like this with your fighting skills too. Why do you go so far to hide everything?

I dont want to stand out, so I dont put in the effort with my grades.

Well then, like, how many points could you get if you got serious?

Who knows.

Stop avoiding the question and tell me already~!

She pushed my shoulder and asked me with a smile on her face.

Ill gladly answer your question as long as you attend the study sessions starting tomorrow.

Ill go Ill go. I felt like, a sense of danger from what you said earlier anyway.

Instead of telling you how many points I could get, Ill tell you how many points Ive decided to get.

W-what the heck? Youre saying some crazy stuff.

The exam had five subjects in total. Since one subject had to be saved for my competition with Horikita, I had no intention of cutting any corners at all.

However, if I went all out in all five subjects, my reputation among others would change completely.

400 points.

Seriously? Wait a sec, 400 points is

The equivalent of an A rating in Academic Ability.

Even amongst our classmates, it was a domain that only a few honor students like Keisei and Horikita could hope to reach.

To be precise, it wouldve been more accurate to say nearly 400 points, but I felt no need to correct myself.

And youre sayin you think you can score that well?

Of course. There hasnt been a problem I couldnt solve ever since I enrolled here.

I didnt know how many high-difficulty questions this exam would contain, but compared to what I studied back in the White Room, it seemed fair to assume the exam wouldnt be that difficult.

After noticing that she looked physically incapable of understanding what I was talking about, I decided to call Kei back to reality.

Now that Ive seen what youre working with, I want you to keep that sense of danger of yours in mind and concentrate on your studies.

Well I guess Ill study with you for a bit and then head back home

It was only just past 7:00, so I didnt think there was an issue with working hard for another hour or so.

It would probably be useful to see more so that I could tell Ysuke about Keis current skill level tomorrow.

Alright. Ready to get started then?

Right here, right here.

Hm?

I had intended to get into it right away, but Kei began patting the floor right next to her with her hand.

Come sit here and teach me.