─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Kiyotaka's Point of View

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! You're too funny, stupid!"

During 2nd period math class, Ike was loudly chatting with Yamauchi. It had been three weeks since the entrance ceremony; in that time, those two, along with Sudou, were given the name "The stupid trio".

"Ne ne, do you want to go sing some karaoke?"

"Yea, let's go—"

Nearby, a group of girls were making after school plans.

"Even though people were nervous for a while, it seems like everyone opened up to each other quickly..."

"Ayanokouji-kun, haven't you also made more friends?" Horikita asked me while she was writing down notes from the blackboard.

"Eh, somewhat."

"What do you mean, Kiyo? You just keep hanging out to the Stupid Trio, is that even a counted?" Axel said while grinning.

"Yeah. That's not counted Ayanokouji-kun."

"It hurts." I said with my monotone voice while doing a dramatic hand gesture in my chest. Axel just chuckles while Horikita is... yeah it's glaring at me.

Although I was anxious at first, I got to know Sudou from meeting at the convenience store, and Ike and Yamauchi from the incident at the pool. We occasionally eat lunch together too.

Even though I was far from having "close" friends, I was happy to have some friends.

However, human relations are mysterious things, so it isn't clear when they became my friends.

"Yo."

Halfway through the class, Sudou barged through the door of the class with a bang.

Ignoring the fact that it was the middle of class, he plopped down on his seat with a big yawn.

"Hey, Sudou. Ah, do you want to eat lunch later?"

Ike said in a loud voice from across the room.

The teacher continued the lesson without saying anything about Sudou. A piece of chalk would've been sent flying in a normal classroom, but this teacher seems to be completely tolerant of their behavior. At first, the class was much quieter and reserved, but these days everyone is overly relaxed.

Of course, there are a few people like Horikita who diligently study and pay attention. While Axel, yeah he's also studying and paying attention. I remember our conversation regarding the S-System and this room.

He said that there are 4 CCTVs in the room, which certainly gives us a hint. Though we just discuss it with each other. We didn't tell anyone, we just want to make sure if our theory is correct.

While I am in deep thought, my pocket vibrated, indicating that I received a text message. It's a group chat. Looks like they decided to go to the dining hall during lunch.

After all, when the boys are alone, all they talk about are girls or dirty jokes. Who's cute, who's dating who, and all that stuff. It's probably bad to add girls to this kind of conversation.

"Wow... he's already done it with her? Amazing."

From their conversation, it sounds like Hirata is dating Karuizawa. Looking at her from afar, it was obvious that she was sending Hirata lovey-dovey gazes.

She's definitely cute, but she has a hard-to-approach air about her that's not indicative of a beginner in love. In other words, she's the "gal" type of girl.

In middle school, she probably went out with an ikemen just like HIrata. It's a big leap, but I'm pretty sure I'm not far off. Oops, I accidentally badmouthed her.

I apologized to her in my head.

"I hate that expression on your face."

Horikita looked at me with a cold gaze. Looks like she saw through me.

What do you have to do in order to become a couple right after the entrance ceremony? I'm still having a hard time making friends.

If I went up to Horikita and said, "Will you go out with me?"—I'd get punched immediately. But what if I tell that to Axel? I look at Axel who is having a chit chat with other girls in the room.

"Axel." I called him, and he immediately came to me with a puppy and confused face. 'Cute' I said in my thoughts.

"Will you go out with me?" I whisper in his ear. His face immediately burns and becomes redder than tomato.

"Uhmmm O-of–"

"I'm just kidding."

"POINK Ittai Axel."

"DUMMY!"

And that day I concluded that if I asked someone either boy or girl I'd get punched immediately in my face.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Axel's Point of View

THIRD PERIOD, HISTORY. Chabashira-sensei's class. She walked in as the bell signaling the start of class rang. The student's attitudes didn't change, though.

"Everyone, be quiet— Today's class will be more serious."

"What do you mean~ Sae-chan-sensei~"

She was already given a nickname by the class. It's cute though and she didn't even mind the nickname.

"It's the end of the month. We will have a short test. Pass these to the back."

She handed out papers to the first row. Eventually, the test reached my desk. The test had several questions from each of the 5 major topics.

"Eh~ I didn't hear anything~. I don't wanna take it~"

"Calm down. This test is only for future reference. It will not be reflected on your report card. There's no risk, so be at ease. However, cheating is naturally prohibited."

There was a slightly strange phrase included in her words. Normally, grades are reflected only in the report card. However, Chiyabashira-sensei's words are a bit different. It looks like she's implying that these grades won't be reported on our report card, but will be reported in some other way. Well... maybe I'm worrying too much. Since it won't be included in the report card, there's nothing to be cautious about.

I look around it's like they start answering. I looked through the questions. 20 questions, 4 per section, and 5 points per question for a total of a 100 points. However, the questions were extraordinarily easy, and so it felt anticlimactic.

The questions on this test are about 2 levels below the entrance exam questions. Everything here is too simple.

I thought that, but about 3 questions on the test were harder than the others. The last math problem probably can't be solved without using complicated formulas.

"No... Why are these problems so hard..."

These are clearly not for first year high school students. The last three questions are of a different nature; it wouldn't be surprising if they were put on by mistake.

Why are they measuring our ability with this test?

Well, should I just solve these problems the same way I did on the entrance exam?

Or maybe I take this exam seriously? But.. uhmmm then I will score 80 in each subject.

Chiyabashira-sensei was monitoring the students as she walked around the classroom. I glanced at Horikita, watching her steadily fill in the answers to the questions. Looks like she'll get perfect marks.

While Kiyo, I think he will score on average. I kept looking at the test until the final bell sounded.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Kiyotaka's Point of View

"HEY, IF YOU TELL ME HONESTLY, I'll forgive you, ok?"

"What do you mean by 'honestly'?"

After finishing lunch, I was chatting with Sudou and the others in front of the vending machine.

Suddenly, Ike came close.

"... We're friends, right? Buddies that'll stick together for the next 3 years?"

"Uh... yea. That's right, but..."

"Then... you'll tell us when you get a girlfriend, right?"

"Hah? Girlfriend? Well, if that ever happens."

Ike put his arm on my shoulder.

"You're dating Horikita, aren't you? We won't forgive you if you steal a march on us."

"... Ha?"

I noticed that Sudou and Yamauchi were looking at me suspiciously. I looked to Axel to seek help but it looked like the Vending machine hypnotized him.

"Stupid, we're not dating. Not at all. No, seriously."

"Then what were you guys talking about stealthily during class? It was something we're not allowed to hear about, isn't it. It was about dates, or about dates, or about a promise to go on a date, right!? Aahh, I'm jealous!"

"No, no. Horikita isn't that kind of girl anyway."

"I don't know that. We've never had the chance to talk anyway. If it wasn't for Kushida, we might not even know her name. She has no presence, and doesn't talk at all."

Is that so? Well, I've also never seen her talk to anyone other than me or Kushida.

"Not even knowing her name, that's cruel."

"Then do you know all of your classmate's names?"

... I tried to recall, but I could only remember half of my classmate's names. Point taken.

"Her face is cute though, right? So we were paying attention to her."

They were nodding their heads.

"Her personality is difficult, though. I don't like that kind of girl."

Sudou said after drinking his coffee.

"Yea, her personality is—how should I put it—harsh and snappy? I'd like to date someone who I can hold a good conversation with. Of course, someone cute. Someone like Kushida-chan."

Of course, Ike's favorite is still Kushida.

"Ah~ Date Kushida-chan—then do ecchi things!"

Yamauchi cried out.

"Stupid, you think you can date Kushida-chan? Fantasies are also prohibited!"

"You also dream about dating her, don't you Ike? In my dreams, I'm already sleeping with Kushida-chan!"

"What! She's doing a sexy pose in cosplay in my dreams!"

The two fought over their delusions. Hey, hey. You can fantasize whatever you want as a high school student, but that's just being disrespectful to Kushida.

"Sudou, who are you aiming for? Are there any rumors of cute girls in the basketball club?"

"Huh? Oh, there's no one. There isn't much room for girls in the club anyway."

"Really... ? You better not be hiding that you're dating someone, absolutely not!"

"Yea, yea."

He just nodded his head at his disgusting words. Talking about girlfriends, I remembered Hirata.

"Hey, isn't Hirata dating Karuizawa now?"

"Oh, right. The other day Hondou saw the two of them holding hands."

"Damn, those two really are dating. Walking with shoulders touching."

"So they were, huh. I wonder if they did ecchi things already."

"Of course they did. Ah, I'm so jealous~!"

It feels unbelievable that first year high school students are already being ecchi. But I guess it's true.

... I feel embarrassed for thinking the same way as these guys.

"Hey, you better listen to what I'm about to say—I'm the most experienced in that sort of thing."

Yamauchi sprawled on the ground and started to talk.

"Let's listen to Hirata instead."

"Do you even think Hirata will tell us truthfully when we ask?" 'How are her breasts, is she a virgin, or did you like that?'—did you really think he'd answer?"

What kind of experiences did you want to hear about...

I went to the vending machine to buy a drink, and tapped the shoulder of Axel. He looked at me.

Yamauchi called out with a request.

"Get me cocoa—"

"Don't push that onto Kiyo. Buy that yourself." Axel said, I sigh.

"No, I've almost used up all my points. I have about 2,000 left."

"Ehh you should not use it, what if they will not give us a point next month. What will you do?" Axel is literally giving them a hint but they are idiots. I sighed.

"Axel is right, Yamauchi."

"... How the hell did you use up more than 90,000 points in 3 weeks?" I said, Axel also likes how idiot Yamauchi can be.

"That's because I bought what I wanted. Here, look. Isn't it great?" Right they didn't listen to Axel.

Yamauchi took out a handheld gaming device.

"I went to buy this with Ike. It's a PS Vita, a PS Vita. It's amazing that the school sells these things too."

"How much are they?"

"About 20k points. With all options included, about 25k."

"Hey, don't spend your points that quickly." Axel said.

"Usually I don't play games, but since we now live in the dorms, I can play with others. Also, you know that guy Miyamoto in our class, right? He's really good at games."

Miyamoto is the slightly chubby boy in our class. I've never talked to him, but he seems like the guy to talk about games and anime all the time.

"You should also buy one and join us. Sudou said he'll be buying one as soon as he gets next month's allowance."

They started to gang up on me and Axel. Yamauchi handed me his game console to try it out, Axel was also curious so he gave it a look.. It's a lot lighter than I thought it would be. On the monitor, there was a soldier carrying a big katana while stroking a pig. What a weird world...

"Eh, to be honest, I'm not really interested. Is this... a fighting game of sorts?"

"Same same." Axel said, while sipping his coke.

"By any chance, have you never heard of Hunter Watch? It sold 4.8 million copies around the world! Ever since I was young, I've always had a really good game sense, so I've been scouted by pros overseas. Well, I've refused those offers though."

I'm not sure whether 4.8 million is something amazing or not. There's about 7 billion people in the world.

In other words, the people who have bought this game account for less than 0.1% of the population.

"Also, why is that dainty girl wearing all that heavy equipment? Is that stuff made of plastic? If it was made of iron, even Sudou would have trouble with it."

"... Ayanokouji and Arison, you both seem to want a realistic aspect to your games.Are you two both both foreigners? Then, are both of you ok with automatic life regen? Do both like those Western games where you shoot someone, hide somewhere, and instantly get your stamina back? Those games are even more unrealistic."

I could not understand anything Yamauchi was saying. Axel also seems like his mind is exploding in that explanation.

After that long chit chat with them we went to the cafeteria.

"... Hey, there are quite a few people that eat the free meal."

Since we went to the cafeteria often, I remember seeing a lot of students eating the vegetables.

"It's probably because it's the end of the month."

"If that was the case, it would be fine..."

"Why can't it become any faster next month? I want my dream-like school life back!"

The three of them shouted in frustration. While me and Axel give them a deadpan expression.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

I'M HERE IN FRONT OF AXEL'S ROOM. I knocked and he immediately opened the door of his room. He smiled at me, I nodded and I entered his room and as expected it was messy.

"You should clean your room, you know."

"Ehh but I'm tir–"

"No you are not tired, you're just lazy." he gave me a soft punch in my chest and he laughed.

"Then can you help me?" Of course, I'll help you. I pick all the plastic and arrange the books in the bookshelf and I mop the floor, while Axel is cleaning the kitchen.

After 10 minutes.

"It's done! Thank you Kiyo!"

"Welcome." I said and sat on his bed. I looked around, he just like me didn't buy any appliances, he literally just bought snacks.

"Kiyo, should we warn them? It's almost the end of the month." he said and sat on his bed, staring at me. I shook my head.

"We should not, we give them a hint and that is already fine."

"But how on earth does the school see potential in those people?" He said while having a crying face.

"I told you we should score well in the entrance exam." I patted his head.

"Anyways, how did you do the exam earlier?" I ask him.

"I think my score is around 80's, how about you?"

"Hmm, maybe 60's?" He laughed when I said that.

"Holding back huh, should I do that?"

"It's your choice, besides I don't want to stand out too much."

"But can I use my potential?"

"Hmm, next month you can, we should stay low profile for now."

"Hm Okeh."

He said and after that he told me that I should sleep beside him, well I cannot refuse him. So I sleep on his bed while cuddling with him.

So warm..

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Axel's Point of View

THE MORNING BELL, for the first school day of May.. Soon after, Chiyabashira-sensei walked in, holding a poster rolled into a tube. Her face is always grim and serious.

Are you in menopause?

"Sensei~, are you in menopause?"

Ike really asked that out loud. However, I'm shocked that we were thinking the same thing. I chuckle a bit.

"Alright, morning homeroom is starting. Are there any questions before we start? If there's something on your mind, feel free to speak up."

Chiyabashira-sensei completely ignored Ike and continued to talk. She talked as if she was completely convinced that the students had something to ask. Immediately, several people raised their hands.

"Um, I checked my point balance this morning, and no points were deposited. Weren't they supposed to be provided on the first day of the month, every month? I was impatient because I couldn't buy the juice I wanted."

"Hondou, I explained it before, didn't I? Points are wired to student's accounts on the first day of the month, every month. They were wired without any problems this month as well."

"Uh, but... I didn't get any points."

Hondou and Yamauchi exchanged looks. Ike was too surprised to notice their looks. Certainly, I went to check my points this morning too, but my point balance hadn't changed from yesterday.

So our theory is correct. It's good that I just spend my points on snacks hehe. Can I hack the school and take some points? Hm, I'll try that later.

"... Are you guys really that stupid?"

Eh! Is she angry? Delighted? Chiyabashira-sensei had an ominous feeling about her.

"Stupid? What?"

Chiyabashira-sensei had a sharp glint in her eyes as Hondou repeated her words like an idiot.

"Sit, Hondou. I'll explain it again."

"S-sae-chan sensei?"

Surprised by her strict tone, Hondou slumped down into his seat.

"Points were deposited. Without fail. The likelihood that this class was left out is very low. Do you understand?"

"No, even if I say I do understand, we haven't received our points...

"This class is really the worst." I mumbled.

Hondou had a dissatisfied expression on his face.

"Hahaha, I see, it was like that, teacher. I've understood this riddle now."

Koenji said in a loud voice while laughing. Putting his feet on the table, he pointed at Hondou with his self-important attitude.

"We didn't receive any points because we're in class D."

"Hah? What's that supposed to mean? They said we'd get 100,000 points every month..."

"I don't remember hearing that. Right?"

Smirking, Koenji then turned and pointed his finger to Chiyabashira-sensei.

"Your attitude has some problems, but what Koenji is saying is on the right track. Not many people seem to have noticed my hint. How sad."

The classroom erupted in uproar and confusion.

"... Sensei, can I ask a question? I still don't understand."

Hirata raised his hand. Rather than being concerned about his own points, it looks like he's asking to help the worried students in the room. As expected of the class leader. He's taking the initiative again.

"Please tell me why we didn't get any points. If that's not possible, we can never understand."

After all, we were never given the reason for why we were never given points.

"98 total absences and tardies. 391 incidences of talking or using cellphones in class. I counted every infraction. In this school, your class performance is reflected in the amount points received. As a result of your behavior, the 100,000 points you could've gotten went down the drain. That's all that happened.

I explained this all on the day of the entrance ceremony. That this school measures the abilities of its students. This time around, you guys were valued to be worth 0. There's nothing more than that."

Chiyabashira-sensei talked mechanically, without any expression. My initial doubts after coming to my school were finally answered. The worst way possible, but answered nonetheless.

In other words, even though we were given a great advantage of 100,000 points at the beginning, our class D lost all of it in a single month.

I heard the sound of a pencil on paper. Horikita was calmly trying to get the grasp of the situation as she noted the number of absences, tardies, and infractions of talking during class.

"Chiyabashira-sensei, I don't remember ever hearing that explanation before..."

"What? Are you people incapable of understanding without any explanations?"

"Naturally. There was no mention of reducing the number of points transferred to us at the beginning of each month. If it was explained before, I'm sure that we would've tried not to be late and not to talk during class."

"An interesting argument, Hirata. Arison gave y'all a hint. I also don't remember explaining the rules about the points received at the beginning of each month. However, haven't you guys learned not to talk in class and get to class on time since elementary school?" After sensei said that all my classmates stared at me, of course I didn't even look at them directly, I stayed silent and listened to each word that Chabashira-sensei was saying.

"That is..."

"I'm pretty sure you guys have learned. In the 9 years of compulsory education, they've always told you that such things are frowned upon. Talking in class and being late to class is bad. Also, did you say that you couldn't understand because I didn't explain it? That excuse doesn't fly. If you behaved as a student should, your points wouldn't have dropped to 0. It's your own self-responsibility."

Without any room for rebuttal, her argument was completely sound. Everyone knows what is good and bad behavior, after all.

"After becoming first year high schoolers, did you really think that you would get 100,000 points every month without any restrictions? In this school created by the Japanese government to train excellent people? That's impossible, just use your common sense. Why leave doubts as doubts?"

Although Hirata looked frustrated by her sound argument, he recovered and immediately looked her in the eye.

"Well then, can you at least tell us the details about how points are increased or decreased? We will always try to do our best from now on."

"That's not possible. We are not allowed to divulge the details of how we assess merit to the students. It's the same as the real world. When all of you enter society, and find work in some kind of business, they probably won't tell you how you're assessed—that's up to the company, though. However... I'm not trying to be cold, nor do I hate you guys. This is such a pitiful sight that I'll tell everyone here one thing."

For the first time today, I saw a faint smile on Chiyabashira-sensei's face.

"For argument's sake, if we say that everyone stopped being late and stopped talking in class... your deduction would be zero, but that doesn't mean you'll get more points. In other words, next month's allowance is also 0 points. Not being late or not talking to class won't help you get back up from the bottom.Keep that in mind—it'll help you."

I sighed, I will definitely steal some points then.

"Tsu..."

Hirata's face got even darker. A part of the class still failed to understand; her explanation had the opposite effect. The students who wanted to change their bad behavior had their mood dampened. That is Chiyabashira-sensei's; no, the school's aim.

The bell rang, signaling the end of homeroom.

"Looks like we had too much idle chit-chat. Hopefully you understood. Anyway, let's move onto the main issue at hand."

She spread out the white poster that was rolled into a tube. Taking a magnet, she stuck it onto the board. The students looked at the paper, still confused.

"Is this... the results of each class?"

Horikita tried to explain the paper even though she was only half sure. Perhaps it's true.

Classes A to D were listed on the paper, with numbers right next to them.

Our class D with 0.

Class C with 490.

Class B with 650. And

Class A had the highest number with 940.

I guess 1000 points would mean 100,000 yen? All the classes lost points in some way.

"Hey, don't you think this is strange?"

"Yea... the numbers are too clean."

"For the first month, all of you have been doing as you please. Now, the school's not saying that this is prohibited. Your actions, such as talking during class and being late to class, just affects the number of points you get. It's the same with how you use points. You have the freedom to use points how you want. We haven't restricted how you use your points."

"This isn't fair! We can't lead a normal school life like that!"

Ike, who had stayed quiet until now, shouted out.

Yamauchi was also crying out in agony. That guy already used up all his points...

"Look carefully, you stupid kids. Every other class except class D got some points. The amount of points you guys have should still be plenty enough to last for a month."

"H-how do the other classes have any points left? That's strange..."

"I'll tell you, but it's not like this is some kind of fraud. For this past month, all the classes were judged by the same rules. Nevertheless, they didn't lose as many points as you guys did. That's a fact."

"How... how is there so much difference in points between the classes?"

Hirata also noticed something odd about the numbers. The differences in points were too clean.

"Did you guys finally understand? Why were you put in class D."

"The reason we were put in class D? Isn't that because we were appropriate for this school?"

"Eh? That's how ordinary classes work, you know?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

"In this school, all the students are divided into classes by merit. The best students are put in class A. The worst in class D. Well, it's a system that's found in major cram schools. In other words, class D is the collection of leftovers. That also means that you are the worst students, the defective products of this school. This is really an outcome worthy of defective students."

Horikita's face stiffened. Looks like the reason behind the class division really shocked her.

Certainly, it's better to put smart people with other smart people, and incapable people with other incapable people. If you put rotten mandarins with good mandarins, the good mandarins will rot faster. It's inevitable that the superior Horikita is in shock at this sort of division.

"However, this class D is the first one to lose all their points in the first month. On the contrary, I applaud you for living so lavishly until now. How praiseworthy."

Chiyabashira-sensei's unnatural applause reverberated in the classroom.

"After hitting zero points, does that mean we will always stay at zero points forever?"

"Yea. Your points will stay at 0 until graduation. However, be at ease, since you can still use your dorms, and there are free meals in the cafeteria. You won't die."

Although a student life with only the bare minimum is possible, a lot of the students probably won't like it. After all, the students lived their lives this month while indulging in every single possible luxury. Suddenly, having to live a life of self-control looks really hard for a lot of the students.

"... Will we be made fun of by the other classes now?"

Sudou kicked his desk with a bang. After having learned that the classes are divided by merit, everyone will probably make fun of class D as the group of idiots. It's not unreasonable to be despairing.

"What, you're still holding onto your pride, Sudou? Then do your best and try to make the worst class the best class."

"Huh?"

"These class points aren't just linked to the amount of money you get each month. It's also indicative of the class rank."

So, in other words... if, for example, class D had held onto 500 points, they would be promoted to being class C. This is really like a company assessment.

"All right, I have one more piece of bad news I have to tell you guys."

She put one more piece of paper onto the blackboard. The names of all the classmates were listed. Next to everyone's name was a number.

"From looking at these numbers, I came to understand that there are a lot of idiots in this class."

She glanced at the students as her heels clacked against the floor.

"These are the scores from the test a few days back. Sensei was glad after seeing your wonderful performance. Seriously, what the hell did you guys study in middle school?"

Except for the top students in the class, almost everyone got below a 60. Ignoring Sudou's wonderful score of 14 points, the next lowest was Ike's score of 24.

The average score was about 65. It looks like Kiyo has an average score. And My score, Looks like the score of 80 is not a good choice. I was just literally placed 4th in the class!

Well it's already May, I remember saying to Kiyo that I will show some of my abilities and I will not hold back.

"If this test was actually recorded, seven of you would already have to drop out of school. Good thing it wasn't, right?"

"D-drop out? What do you mean?"

"Why did I not explain? If you get a failing mark on either a midterm or a final exam in any subject, you have to drop out of school. On this test, that would be everyone who got below a 32. Man, you guys are really foolish and stupid."

"W-whaaaaat!?"

The seven people who failed, or in other words, Ike and his group, let out a surprised voice.

On the paper, there was a red line separating the rest of the class and the seven people, the highest of which was Kikuchi with a score of 31 points. In other words, everyone after Kikuchi failed.

"Don't fuck with me Sae-chan-sensei! Don't joke about dropping out of school!"

"I'm also at a loss for words. It's the school's rules, so prepare for the worst."

"As the teacher said, there seem to be a lot of fools here."

While polishing his nails with his feet on the desk, Koenji had a smug smirk on his face.

"What's that, Koenji!? Your marks are in the red too!"

"Fu. Where are your eyes looking, boy? Look carefully."

"H-huh? Hey, Koenji's name is... huh?"

Scanning from the bottom, his eyes gradually reached the top. And then—he finally saw the name Koenji Rokusuke.

To his disbelief, Koenji had tied for the top score in the class. 90 points. That means that he was able to solve one of the super hard problems. Well I can also answer that question but, I just stay low profile in the exam.

"I never thought that Sudou would be a stupid character like me...!"

Ike said out loud with sarcasm in his tone.

"Oh, and one more thing. This school, which is under the control of the country, boasts a high percentage of alumni going to higher education and a high employment rate. That's a well-known fact. Most likely, many people in this class will go on to college or find work at a company."

That's obvious. As she said, this school has the highest employment and college acceptance rate. There are rumors that if you successfully graduate from this school, a usually difficult college or company will become a lot easier to join. Other rumors say that graduating from this school is like getting a recommendation to be admitted to Tokyo University.

"But... things aren't that easy in the world. People like you guys, who are of a really low level, will probably have trouble getting into college or getting a job."

Chiyabashira-sensei's words echoed in the classroom.

"In other words, in order to make our dreams of getting a job or getting into college a reality, surpassing class C is probably a minimum."

"That's also slightly incorrect, Hirata. There's no way to achieve your dreams except for surpassing class A. The school doesn't guarantee anything for all the other students."

"T-that's... that's something I never heard about! This is absurd!"

Yukimura, who wore glasses, stood up. He was the person who tied Koenji's score.

"How shameful. There's nothing as pitiful as boys making a commotion and panicking."

As if he felt something from Yukimura's words, Koenji let out a sigh.

"... Koenji, do you not feel any resentment from being in class D?"

"Resentment? Why would I feel any resentment? I don't understand."

"Because we've been told that our class is the collection of leftovers, and that our chances of getting into higher education or getting a job are slim!"

"Fu. That's nonsense. I can't even respond to that sheer stupidity."

Koenji didn't stop polishing his nails. He didn't even face Yukimura as he talked.

"This school just hasn't seen my full potential yet. I value, respect, and regard myself greatly, more than any other person. Even if the school puts me in class D, it means nothing to me. If, for example, I have to drop out of school, it's completely fine. After all, it's the school that will come crawling back for me."

Sounds like something Koenji would say. Is it masculinity, or is it self-conceit? Certainly, if you don't care about the school's class rankings, it doesn't matter at all. Considering his high intellect and physical ability, it is difficult to think that the students of class A are all better than Koenji. Or perhaps he was assigned to class D because of his personality.

"However, I'm not looking to go to college or find a job somewhere after I graduate. It's been decided that I will lead the Koenji Conglomerate in the future. It doesn't matter whether I'm in class A or class D."

For someone whose future has been guaranteed, there certainly is no need to be concerned about the class.

Without any words to retort, Yukimura sat back down.

"Looks like your happy mood has been dampened. If you guys understood the harsh environment you were put in from the start, we wouldn't have needed this long homeroom. The midterm is in three weeks, so please avoid getting kicked out of school. I'm sure everyone here can survive without getting any red marks. If possible, please challenge your situation with a behavior appropriate for a capable person."

Closing the door for emphasis, Chiyabashira-sensei walked out of the classroom.

The red-mark students were crestfallen. Even the normally proud Sudou hung his head down in shame.

I smirk, this school is really interesting.