Chapter 330 Class Points Announced / You Two Are Pursuing Shimizu Too?
Monday.
After a three-day break, the third semester officially kicked off, and classes returned to their daily routine.
"Ike Kanji, Sudo Ken... your Japanese History assignments are almost blank." Ms. Chabashira Sae arrived early at the Class C classroom. After a brief check of the winter break homework, she announced coldly, "According to school rules, each of you will be deducted 10,000 personal points. You must resubmit everything by this weekend, or the deduction will increase to 30,000. If you don't want your balance to hit zero, remember this well."
"No way—!"
"The special exam just ended! Why is sensei being so strict about homework? I performed so well in the speech during the training camp!"
The two cried out in despair, holding their heads as if struck by lightning.
"You are students," Chabashira tapped the blackboard with her knuckles.
"Barring any accidents, a special exam happens twice a semester at most. The vast majority of your time must be spent learning academic knowledge in the classroom. The rest of you as well—it's time to snap out of the special exam atmosphere."
In his seat, Akira Shimizu silently counted in his head:
First Semester: Island Special Exam, V.I.P. Special Exam. Second Semester: Sports Festival, Paper Shuffle (Pairing Exam). Third Semester: Training Camp Exam.
The numbers matched perfectly. It seemed there was only one special exam left for this semester.
" Chabashira-sensei! Forget the homework, are the results from the training camp out?"
"Yeah! Did our class ranking change at all?"
Some impatient students couldn't help but ask.
"First, I'll tell you that the overall rankings of the four first-year classes have not changed," Chabashira gave the conclusion first.
"Personal points have been distributed to your phones. As for the specific gains and losses of Class Points, I will announce them briefly here."
She turned and picked up the chalk, listing the final rankings and point calculations for the boys' and girls' groups on the blackboard.
Boys' Group Results
1st Place: Miyake Group (A: 2, B: 1, C: 5, D: 3) o Base Bonus: 3 (4 Classes) * 3 (1st Place) * 1.1 (11-member coefficient) = 10 pts (rounded) * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A +20, B +10, C +100 (Leader double), D +30
2nd Place: Kaneda Group (A: 1, B: 1, C: 1, D: 11) o Base Bonus: 3 (4 Classes) * 1 (2nd Place) * 1.4 (14-member coefficient) = 4 pts (rounded) * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A +4, B +4, C +4, D +88 (Leader double)
5th Place: Hirata Group (A: 1, B: 1, C: 11, D: 1) o Deduction: 3 pts * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A -3, B -3, C -33, D -3
6th Place: Takemoto Group (A: 4, B: 2, C: 2, D: 2) o Deduction: 5 pts * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A -20, B -10, C -10, D -10
Girls' Group Results
1st Place: Kobashi Group (A: 2, B: 3, C: 3, D: 2) o Base Bonus: 3 (4 Classes) * 3 (1st Place) * 1 (10-member coefficient) = 9 pts (rounded) * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A +18, B +54 (Leader double), C +27, D +18
2nd Place: Kushida Group (A: 1, B: 1, C: 12, D: 1) o Base Bonus: 3 (4 Classes) * 1 (2nd Place) * 1.5 (15-member coefficient) = 5 pts (rounded) * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A +5, B +5, C +120 (Leader double), D +5
...
5th Place: (Ibuki Group) o Deduction: 3 pts * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A -3, B -3, C -3, D -36
6th Place: (Tanihara Group) o Deduction: 5 pts * person
o Class Gains/Losses: A -20, B -10, C -10, D -15
Final Class Points:
1st Year Class A: 1161 (1160 + 1) pts 1st Year Class B: 932 (885 + 47) pts 1st Year Class C: 890 (695 + 195) pts 1st Year Class D: 667 (590 + 77) pts
"Our class got nearly 200 Class Points from the last exam!"
"Wow! So many!"
"It's all thanks to Miyake's group and Kushida's group! One contributed 100 points, the other 120. That's insane!"
"No, no, it's the result of everyone's hard work," Kushida Kikyo modestled as she basked in the spotlight with her sweet smile.
Miyake Akito looked away immediately.
"The credit isn't mine. Everyone knows it was Shimizu who led the group to victory."
"Exactly! Shimizu won so many points for Class C again!"
"Right, you make a huge contribution every single time!"
Akira waved his hand.
"The group's overall strength was just high." If it weren't for the 8 million point bet, he might not have pushed the group so hard.
Purely by Class Points, Class C was the winner. In contrast, Class D did well with a net gain of 77 points, while B got 47. The most amusing part was Class A, which only increased by a single point. After all, they were targeted by the other three classes. Akira imagined Sakayanagi Arisu's heart might ache with frustration upon hearing this.
"You did well," Chabashira nodded.
"You are now just one step away from overtaking Class B. Now that dead weight like Yamauchi Haruki is gone, you can set Class B as your next target. If you can successfully reduce their points, you will become the new Class B!"
"But... we've always been partners with Class B."
"Yeah, since the first island exam, we've cooperated so many times. Targeting them now feels a bit..."
"Hey! You idiots, we're here for school, not to play house!" a student retorted. "We don't owe Class B anything. What's wrong with normal competition?"
"He's right!"
The classroom fell silent. The tug-of-war between friendship and the temptation of promotion played out in everyone's hearts.
"I am merely providing the most efficient strategic option," Chabashira scanned the room. "The choice is yours. But don't forget, the only currency in this school is points, and the ladder of promotion is always paved with them. Cooperation is based on interest, and so is competition. If Class B had a chance to surpass us, they wouldn't hesitate either. Sentimentality is a luxury here."
Even Hirata Yosuke opened his mouth but eventually said nothing. Akira, resting his chin on his hand, knew that the partnership between the classes was only to counter Class A. They were rivals after all; they couldn't hold hands forever.
.
.
.
One week later, in the gymnasium.
The entire 3rd-year student body was gathered. Nagumo Miyabi offered a public apology:
"To stimulate motivation for class promotion, I unilaterally decided to lower the treatment of Class D—using damaged furniture and cutting off air conditioning. This led to multiple illnesses. I take full responsibility and sincerely apologize to all Class D students.
This was my individual decision and has nothing to do with other Student Council members. As a way to take responsibility, I will pay each Class D student 200,000 personal points as compensation. Those who caught colds will receive an additional 500,000 points. These points have been distributed to your accounts."
Phones across the Class D section chimed. Ryuen Kakeru checked his screen—200,000 points had arrived. He kicked Komiya Kyogo in the front row.
"Did yours arrive?"
"Ah, Ryuen-san... yes, yes!" Komiya handed over his phone. He had 700,000 points.
"That guy keeps his word," Ryuen sneered. With 200k per person for 40 people, that was 8 million. Across three years, the total was 24 million. Plus medical bonuses, Nagumo had just dropped nearly 40 million points. Combined with the 20 million to save Ikari Momoko and 8 million to Akira, he had paid out nearly 70 million points.
Ryuen's eyes gleamed. No wonder "that woman" called Nagumo a fat sheep.
There probably wasn't a second student this rich.
Shiina Hiyori walked up to him.
"Kaneda told me our class fund is currently 14.5 million. If everyone turns in their compensation, we'll reach 30.1 million."
Ryuen frowned. "Wait, Kaneda, your math is off. When I handed it to Ishizaki, it was 15.4 million. How did we lose a million in a month?"
Kaneda explained, "Ryuen, we had to pay the promised bonuses to those who joined your subgroup—especially Miyake Akito, who got 200k as agreed."
Ryuen snorted. Back then, he was indeed an outcast. Even if it was partly an act, he couldn't take that money back. After all, Miyake had truly tried to protect him, hadn't he?
"So, Ryuen, that depressed look was an act, right?" Kaneda pushed his glasses up.
"To bait Nagumo into paying out. Now that you've secured this much funding and we got 2nd in the last exam... will you consider returning to the leadership position?"
Act? Ryuen thought. He had been genuinely crushed at first. If it weren't for Akira's sharp words, he might still be moping.
Now he wondered if Akira had said those things specifically to set up their cooperation.
"Kaneda, I thought you wanted me out forever."
"I respect your '800 Million Plan,' but offending Nagumo wasn't wise. He is the Student Council President."
"I think Ryuen did the right thing," Hiyori added.
"Nagumo caused the illness, and now we have compensation. Based on my deduction, his reputation is poor right now, so he will focus on saving face and likely won't move against Class D for a while."
Ryuen sneered and suddenly shouted toward the stage: "President! You won't hold a grudge against Class D for taking this money, will you? If you use underhanded methods later, how will you explain yourself?"
Nagumo's face darkened, but he maintained his tone.
"Rest assured, Ryuen-kun, and all of Class D. I, Nagumo Miyabi, guarantee I will not interfere with class treatment or target Class D again. I give you my solemn promise."
"Shiina," Ryuen looked at her. "If you lead in the future, remember: don't just rely on deduction. Some things must be confirmed through action." He walked to the back of the line alone.
"That guy... he was beaten so badly yet he's still so arrogant," Ibuki Mio muttered.
"Don't say that, Ibuki," Hiyori shook her head. "Ryuen's move was smart. By questioning him publicly, he made it much harder for Nagumo to target us."
Still, Ryuen didn't seem ready to take back the class. Did he think acting alone was more convenient?
"If a similar incident occurs, I will resign from the Student Council!" Nagumo bowed again. "Please give me a chance to correct my path. My original intention was only to make this school more logical."
The 2nd and 3rd years began to respond.
"Since we got the compensation..."
"If the President says so..."
"We'll forgive you this time!"
"Tch, he slipped through again," someone spat quietly.
"Everyone knows the senpais are mostly his people anyway."
"Wait until the new students arrive in April. He won't find it so easy to control the board."
There were two months left in the third semester. Nagumo wouldn't have it this easy forever.
.
.
.
In a Karaoke box, the disco ball spun slowly. Karuizawa Kei put down the mic and handed it to Sato Maya.
Maya didn't sing; she placed it on the table.
"Kei, Chiaki," she said seriously, "I've decided. Starting today, I am officially pursuing Shimizu Akira."
Kei, who had just taken a sip of mango juice, nearly choked. She coughed and stared at Maya. "Wait! Didn't you give up during the training camp?!"
"Second day of the exam, you and Chiaki were smiling like proud aunts while watching me and Akira return to the dorm! You haven't sought him out since!"
"Kei, that was a gender-segregated exam. We didn't have phones. How could I contact him?" Maya sighed.
Matsushita Chiaki added, "Everyone was busy during the exam. I was just worried about your state, not smiling... and you were always missing after training. What were you doing?"
Maya and Chiaki exchanged a look of "I give up." Their friend was a total romantic. Kei probably treated the whole special exam as an opportunity to be near Akira. But then again, Kei had
connections—boxing club seniors and upperclassmen were looking out for her. Her group hitting 4th place probably wasn't an accident.
"I wasn't..." Kei's voice got smaller. She was too busy gathering intel for Akira to focus on the exam itself.
"Kei, we agreed: I gave you the entire second semester and winter break, but you haven't made any progress," Maya looked at her.
"Just... a little more time! I'm almost there!" Kei argued.
"You said that last time. The internet says it takes 14 to 28 days to pursue someone. It's been over 100 days! Half a month into the new term! That's enough time to chase six people," Maya questioned her soul.
"What have you even done? Ask him out and confess. What are you hesitating for?!"
Kei was speechless. Only God knew how busy she had been! She wasn't good at self-reflection, but realized it was already February. Confessing wasn't that easy! She had failed twice already. If she failed a third time...
"We are friends, but I can't yield in matters of the heart. Kei, I'm serious. I'm asking him out."
"I... I understand," Kei looked down, depressed. Maya had given her enough time. She could only blame herself for being useless.
"Chiaki, what about you?" Maya turned to the silent Matsushita Chiaki. Chiaki seemed to have been zoning out, but she smiled when her name was called.
"I think it's fair. Kei has stalled too long. It's logical for you to pursue him, Maya."
"Heh! Since you both agree, I'm relieved," Maya exhaled.
Kei walked to the song machine to pick a sad ballad. Suddenly, Chiaki spoke softly: "Kei, Maya... if possible, can you include me too?"
"?"
"You don't mean..."
"Yes," Chiaki nodded. "I've always had a good impression of Shimizu-kun. He's mature and reliable—exactly my type. If possible... I intend to express my feelings as well."
Kei's finger hovered over the screen. She turned around, eyes darting between Maya and Chiaki in shock. Maya was stunned too; her newfound resolve was shaken by Chiaki's casual words.
"...Chiaki? Are you serious?"
"Yes," Chiaki maintained her calm demeanor.
"I was hesitating, but seeing Maya be so decisive made me realize I should face my feelings too."
"Unexpected, yet logical! You did mention your standards," Maya crossed her arms. "When did you start having feelings for him? You never mentioned it."
Chiaki tilted her head. "I can't pinpoint the time. Maybe after the island exam. I watched how he handled things—calm and responsible. Then during various exams, seeing how he treated Kei... and others. He's a kind, dependable person."
She looked at Kei, who had buried her face in a pillow.
"Kei, I'm not trying to 'steal' him. I just think since we all have feelings, we should be open. Feelings can't be forced or hidden."
Kei lifted half her face from the pillow, her eyes complex. There had been signs. During the island exam, Chiaki had sought him out. During the V.I.P. exam, she was often lost in thought looking at him.
"I..." Kei sighed. "I understand..."
Maya looked at the dejected Kei and the calm Chiaki, then laughed.
"Fine! It's settled. Fair competition, may the best woman win." She twirled the mic. "But before that—" She went to the machine and picked an upbeat song.
"Let's finish the songs we came to sing! Save the worries for tomorrow!"
The music flared up, clearing the tension. Maya shook her shoulders to the beat and shoved a mic into Kei's hand. Kei looked at the mic, then at the humming Maya and the smiling Chiaki. It felt absurd, yet strangely real. She took a deep breath and started singing.
As Maya said, worries could wait. At least tonight, in this small room filled with lights and music, they were still best friends who could laugh and sing together.
The sun would rise on a brand new day.
Read ahead (160 chapters) by supporting me on buymeacoffee com/varietl or ko-fi edwriting