Chapter 003 Does Shiranami Chihiro like Shimizu Akira? / Nanase Tsubasa: Shimizu-senpai is so pitiful.
Shimizu Akira and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka exchanged a glance before walking toward the underclassman girl chewing on a lollipop. When they were about two meters away, a boy with deep blue hair and a cold aura suddenly stepped out from beside her, bowing slightly.
"Shimizu-senpai, and the other senpai, hello. May I ask what business you have with Tsubaki from our class?"
The two stopped in their tracks. They actually have a bodyguard?
Of course, asking directly if they were from the White Room was inappropriate. Shimizu naturally explained, "It's just regarding this cross-grade exam. I wanted to communicate more with the first-year students to find a suitable partner."
This was, in fact, the goal of the vast majority of students present.
"Kouhai, do you know Shimizu?" Ayanokouji Kiyotaka noted the way the boy addressed him.
"Because Shimizu-senpai is very famous," the blue-haired boy replied calmly. "In the entire grade, he is the only one with an A+ overall ability, with no single stat lower than an A. Many in our class believe Shimizu-senpai is the strongest person in the entire second year."
True. As Shimizu Akira walked over, he indeed felt the gazes of many freshmen falling upon him. It seemed that due to the public OAA, he had become a focus of attention.
"Hello. I'm Shimizu Akira from Second Year Class B, and this is my classmate, Ayanokouji Kiyotaka," Shimizu introduced himself formally.
"I am Utomiya Riku, and this is Tsubaki Sakurako," the blue-haired boy responded politely.
Tsubaki Sakurako finally took the lollipop out of her mouth and spoke her first words: "Hello senpais, I'm Tsubaki." Her tone was cold, but her use of honorifics was proper. She truly seemed to be a girl with a chilly personality.
"Sorry, Tsubaki has been like this with everyone since the start of school. Please don't mind her," Utomiya Riku smoothed things over before bringing the topic back on track. "Since you two are looking for partners, I'll be direct: my Academic Ability is B, and Tsubaki's is C-. I know Shimizu-senpai's Academic Ability is A, but I wonder what Senpai Ayanokouji's is?"
"C," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka replied.
Utomiya Riku nodded thoughtfully. "In that case, if I team up with Senpai Ayanokouji and Shimizu-senpai teams up with Tsubaki, we could form two pairs with high win rates. What do you both think?"
Shimizu Akira and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka exchanged another look. These two freshmen were quite proactive, jumping straight to an invitation.
"Utomiya-kouhai, I'm sorry," Shimizu Akira declined tactfully. "The exam has just begun, after all. We still need a few days to observe."
Tsubaki Sakurako rolled her eyes at Utomiya Riku, removed her lollipop again, and said, "Senpai is an A-rank. He'll definitely aim for someone with higher Academic Ability first. From an academic standpoint, we're the ones benefiting here. Let's not waste the senpais' time."
Utomiya Riku looked a bit embarrassed. "I was too impatient. My apologies to the senpais. We'll take our leave then."
With that, the two turned and walked away, naturally striking up conversations with other senpai.
"What do you think?" Shimizu Akira asked, looking at Ayanokouji.
"On the surface, no different from ordinary freshmen," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka summarized.
Although Utomiya Riku had been proactive, Tsubaki Sakurako pulled him away in time without insisting on teaming up.
"And in reality?"
"That Utomiya Riku had already observed us several times before coming over. When he heard I had C-rank academic ability, neither he nor Tsubaki showed any surprise. It seems they already knew who we were."
"But they put on a good act," Shimizu Akira shook his head slightly.
Regardless, their surface-level etiquette was impeccable, and their departure was clean enough that no fault could be found. Shimizu set the matter aside for now and turned his gaze elsewhere. "Honami's side is almost finished. I'll go say hello."
"Understood," Ayanokouji Kiyotaka nodded knowingly and turned to leave. It was common knowledge that "girlfriend" had more weight than "friend"; the latter naturally couldn't compare to the former.
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By the time Shimizu Akira reached Ichinose Honami, she was waving goodbye to the last few freshmen.
"Akira-kun, you're here!" Ichinose Honami saw him and greeted him with a smile. Kobashi Yume, Shiranami Chihiro, and a few other classmates were with her, but Kanzaki Ryuji was nowhere to be seen.
'Is he still depressed because of last semester's Project Voting Exam?'
"Shimizu!"
"Shimizu, good afternoon!"
"Shimizu-kun... good afternoon."
The last, faint greeting came from Shiranami Chihiro. Since the Sports Festival Special Exam, she no longer seemed hostile toward the contact between Shimizu Akira and Ichinose Honami. Previous intel suggested she no longer liked Ichinose from a romantic perspective. In short, as long as she wasn't a love rival, it was fine.
"How is it? Did you find any suitable partners?" Shimizu Akira asked casually.
"Well... everyone is very nice, but most of those who came are students with Academic Ability C or below," Ichinose Honami looked a bit troubled. "They are all people who aren't very confident in their grades."
"Sigh, it can't be helped. This kind of gathering naturally attracts students with average grades," Kobashi Yume sighed.
"Ichinose, do you mean... you want to cooperate with these low-achieving students?" a classmate couldn't help but ask. "We are Class D now. Although the class points for this exam are few, every bit counts! We should at least aim to overtake Class C first!"
"Exactly, that way our class can at least return to Class C."
"This..." Ichinose Honami didn't know what to do. Since her boyfriend was right there, she instinctively looked toward Shimizu Akira. She felt inclined to agree—to protect the weak freshmen—but doing so would significantly increase the difficulty of winning the exam.
"I think... agreeing right now is a good choice," Shimizu Akira said after thinking for ten seconds.
"Really?" "Shimizu, what's your reasoning?" "Everyone else, don't rush. Let Shimizu finish; he surely has his own considerations."
Even though the two classes were no longer in a formal cooperative relationship, out of trust for Shimizu Akira, everyone settled into a listening posture.
"I don't know if you've noticed one thing," Shimizu Akira said slowly. "The freshmen are taking the same five subjects as us: Math, Japanese, English, Social Studies, and Chemistry. I checked the school forums; their exam difficulty is comparable to ours, but the scope is limited to the content of their first month. However, our second-year scope covers all of last year plus this month.
So, second-year students can completely take their first-year partners through review sessions. Teaching them first-year knowledge isn't hard. If we improve their grades through concentrated tutoring, it will inversely pull up our own averages."
Ichinose Honami and Kobashi Yume's eyes lit up.
Of course! The freshmen's exam scope was small and the content foundational. Second-years could use study groups to tutor their first-year partners, quickly boosting their scores. Other classes hadn't made a move yet; they would likely wait at least a week, and they might not settle on a scope of cooperation so quickly. The strategy Shimizu proposed was direct and suited Class D's current situation perfectly—organizing study groups now would give them the lead.
"I see! Thank you, Shimizu!"
"It's definitely a good method!"
"You're welcome. I'll be going now. See you later," Shimizu Akira waved to them and turned to leave.
Kobashi Yume watched his back and couldn't help but lean into Ichinose Honami's ear. "I feel like he came specifically to help our class... Honami, did you do something beforehand?"
A faint, hard-to-detect trace of embarrassment appeared on Ichinose Honami's face.
"Well... I did ask him."
In reality, it was just that morning after the event, as she snuggled beside him, she had mentioned, "The class's current situation is so difficult." And Shimizu Akira had simply replied with a soft, "Mhm, I'll help you." It was that simple. Her boyfriend just quietly kept her concerns in his heart.
Ichinose Honami couldn't help but purse her lips and smile. Kobashi Yume leaned in closer. "Yo, you've grown up fast! You've learned to proactively ask Shimizu for favors?"
"It wasn't a favor," Ichinose Honami shook her head with a smile. "It's because Akira-kun loves me that he's willing to do these things for me. We're a couple now, after all."
Kobashi Yume froze. No wonder Ichinose had matured so quickly lately—it turned out these two had already gotten together.
However, Ichinose Honami also noticed that the moment she said those words, Shiranami Chihiro, standing beside her, wore an unmistakable, devastated expression.
Eh? Hadn't Shiranami said long ago that she no longer held those special feelings for her?
'Wait... don't tell me it's shifted to Shimizu Akira!'
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Tuesday at noon, Shimizu Akira was having lunch in Horikita Suzune's dorm. As agreed yesterday, she would be responsible for the cooking this month. Last night, he had casually mentioned wanting Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and today the dish appeared on the table. It
was perfectly sweet and sour with a rich sauce—it really went well with rice. Shimizu Akira unknowingly reached for a second bowl.
Fairly speaking, among his seven girlfriends, Suzune's cooking skills were the undisputed number one. After the meal, Shimizu leaned back on Suzune's bed, naturally pulling her into his arms and twining her smooth long hair around his fingers. Suzune gave him a faint glare, but her body instinctively nestled closer into his chest.
Clearly, her decision to grow her hair out was correct. Her boyfriend really had a thing for it. However, she couldn't always be this passive. Thinking this, Suzune raised her hand and gave his arm a light pinch.
Shimizu Akira was slightly startled, then turned her face toward him and leaned down for a kiss. Suzune's body stiffened, but her resistance gradually softened until she unconsciously began to respond.
"Idiot... what are you doing?" she glared at him after it ended.
"Didn't you proactively invite me?"
"Who invited you!"
"Oh, I misunderstood then. Sorry, Suzune. Next time before I kiss you, I'll tell you beforehand."
"...Hmph." Suzune turned her face away, not wanting to look at him for the moment.
To be honest, does a light pinch on a boyfriend's arm while hugging really count as an invitation? Suzune didn't quite understand. Now that Tachibana Akane had left the school, there was no one left to answer these subtle questions for her.
Noticing a flash of loneliness in her expression, Shimizu Akira asked softly, "Thinking about your brother and Tachibana?"
"A little," Suzune nodded, then cheered herself up. "But it's fine. Before my brother left, he messaged me saying that on my graduation day, he would come to pick me up with Tachibana-senpai."
It seemed Horikita Manabu had left a warm promise for his sister. Shimizu intentionally changed the subject to keep her from dwelling on her emotions. "By the way, you said you visited the other classes yesterday. How did it go?"
Horikita Suzune's expression returned to normal as she recalled and answered, "In First Year Class A, there's someone named Shiratori who proposed a minimum of 500,000 points to cooperate with students from our class with Academic Ability E. Class B is similar. Most of Class C went to the gymnasium yesterday, so I didn't meet them. But Class D... is a bit strange."
'Well, that reaction is normal.'
The freshmen were adapting quickly; they already knew how to use points as leverage. However, 500,000 for a single partnership was indeed on the high side.
"What's wrong with Class D?" Shimizu Akira asked.
"When I went, their classroom was empty, as if they had gone to a meeting as a group," Suzune said, pursing her lips.
"Empty? Now that you mention it, I didn't see anyone from Class D at the gymnasium yesterday either," Shimizu mused.
"It seems that class already has a leader organizing them."
Once they tidied up the room and returned to their class near the end of lunch break, they found the classroom entrance exceptionally lively. Two first-year students were standing there. Leading them was a burly boy with spiky blonde hair, looking like a golden gorilla. Beside him stood a girl with long blonde hair; she was cute, had a figure that stood out among freshmen, and a gentle, docile aura that brought to mind a quiet, obedient golden retriever.
"You two, what business do you have with our class?" Horikita Suzune stepped forward, her tone cold.
"Hmph! You're Horikita Suzune from Second Year Class B, right? I've seen you on the OAA; your overall ability is pretty high," the spiky-haired blonde boy grinned, showing none of the respect due to a senpai.
The girl on the other side looked at Shimizu Akira and bowed politely. "Shimizu-senpai, Horikita-senpai, hello. I am Nanase Tsubasa, and this is Housen Kazuomi. We are here to discuss cooperation."
"To put it simply!" Housen Kazuomi crossed his arms, acting as if it were only natural. "The fastest way to clear this special exam is class cooperation! Therefore, I have chosen your Second Year Class B as our partner. Be grateful!"
"What are you being so arrogant for! Show some respect to Shimizu! And show some respect to us second-years!"
"Exactly! You're just a Kouhai from the bottom-ranked class, and we are now Second Year Class B!"
Sudo Ken, Ike Kanji, and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka also stepped out of the classroom. The first two looked annoyed, while the latter maintained his usual deadpan face. In Japan, senpai-Kouhai relationships and honorifics are highly valued. This guy not only didn't use honorifics but acted superior; Sudo Ken almost felt like throwing a punch.
"Heh! Our homeroom teacher already lectured about your class as a case study. Didn't you start as First Year Class D too? You only got lucky to move up to Class B. In my eyes, it's nothing special!" Housen Kazuomi continued arrogantly.
"Also, don't you senpais forget that the initiative for this exam is in our hands. The price for failing is completely different for both sides: we at most lose three months of individual points, but you guys face expulsion."
Ike Kanji took a step forward in anger but was lightly held back by Ayanokouji Kiyotaka's hand on his shoulder. Sudo Ken clenched his fists, but seeing Shimizu Akira's calm gaze, he suppressed his temper.
Horikita Suzune stared coldly at Housen Kazuomi.
"So, your so-called cooperation is just a show of force?"
"No, I'm here to negotiate terms." Housen Kazuomi grinned, his eyes sweeping over Shimizu Akira. "How about this: as long as every person in your class pays our First Year Class D 100,000 individual points as a 'sincerity fee' for cooperation, I'll guarantee everyone in my class cooperates perfectly and doesn't drag you down."
"100,000? Per person?" Ike Kanji's eyes widened. "Are you crazy! There are 39 of us—that's 3.9 million!"
"Or..." Housen Kazuomi's grin became even more predatory. "You can choose not to pay. But when the exam comes, if you happen to be randomly paired with someone from our class, and they 'accidentally' fail the exam... well, I can't guarantee anything. After all... we have nothing to lose."
A blatant threat.
Nanase Tsubasa coughed lightly from the side. "Housen, isn't this going too far...?"
"What's too far! It's just reasonable compensation." Housen Kazuomi's eyes locked onto Shimizu Akira.
"So, Shimizu-senpai? I hear you're quite capable—the only one in the second year with an A+ overall ability. Surely you don't want anyone in your class to be expelled?"
Shimizu Akira, who hadn't spoken the entire time, finally opened his mouth softly.
"Housen Kazuomi, are you an idiot?"
"Huh? You bastard!" Housen Kazuomi's eyes widened instantly as he glared over.
"Didn't your homeroom teacher explain clearly? There are surveillance cameras everywhere in this school." Shimizu pointed to the camera on the hallway ceiling. "You are openly threatening senpai here and stating the disparity in treatment for the cross-grade exam so bluntly. All of this has been recorded clearly on video."
He said calmly, "Coincidentally, I personally have some issues with the unfair treatment between the first and second years in this exam. Thank you for providing such direct material. With this, the Student Council and the school administration probably won't be able to ignore it, right?"
Having said that, he turned to Horikita Suzune. "Suzune, how do you think the Student Council will handle this?"
Horikita Suzune glanced coldly at Housen Kazuomi.
"According to School Rule Chapter 3, Article 12, those who interfere with the normal conduct of a special exam through coercion or threats may be subject to point deductions, restricted activities, or even expulsion, depending on the severity. Publicly threatening senpais under surveillance and trying to use rule loopholes to pressure others constitutes a serious disciplinary violation. Regardless, you must come to the Student Council for questioning in the next few days."
Housen Kazuomi's face turned from red to white. He clearly hadn't expected the other party to throw the school rules and cameras in his face immediately.
'Wait, according to the script he imagined, shouldn't that guy named Sudo have lost his cool and charged at him, only to be beaten down instead?'
"You..."
"Furthermore, regarding your threat using the disparity in punishments between the grades, I will report this to the Student Council and the administration to push for a rule amendment to ensure expulsion conditions are consistent for both parties," Suzune said coldly.
"This surveillance footage will serve as crucial evidence."
She continued, "Also, you mentioned your homeroom teacher used our class as a case study. I will relay that sentence to Ms. Chabashira as well. Privately leaking information about other classes, especially with derogatory remarks—your homeroom teacher will also need to explain themselves to the school."
Nanase Tsubasa hurriedly urged in a low voice, "Housen, don't be too impulsive..."
Housen Kazuomi gritted his teeth, staring death at Shimizu Akira. To be honest, he wanted to hit someone too. But with so many people watching, and... he might not even win.
The other guy's 100-score Physical Ability wasn't a joke. Eventually, he swung his arm violently and stormed off without looking back.
Nanase Tsubasa didn't follow immediately. Instead, she turned to Shimizu Akira and bowed deeply. "I am sorry, Shimizu-senpai. This matter is entirely Housen's fault. We originally only hoped for fair cooperation with Class B and had no intention of threatening you... please forgive our rudeness."
Shimizu Akira looked at her sincere expression; it didn't seem faked. He waved his hand.
"The one in the wrong isn't you; it's Housen Kazuomi."
"Is that so..." Nanase Tsubasa seemed relieved. Then, as if making small talk, she cast her gaze toward Ayanokouji Kiyotaka and the other two, her eyes lingering on Ayanokouji's face for
a split second. "Shimizu-senpai, are you friends with those three? Everyone seems very protective of you."
"We are friends, yes," Shimizu Akira nodded, then asked in return, "And what is your relationship with Housen? I feel your styles don't quite match. Are you friends?"
"No, he and I are not friends," Nanase Tsubasa shook her head, her gaze falling back on Shimizu Akira.
"I only followed him to stop him from doing things disadvantageous to the class. In reality, he integrated the class through force."
She thought for a moment and suddenly asked, "Shimizu-senpai, if possible... could we exchange contact information? Regarding this rude incident, I am willing to transfer all 80,000 of my individual points to you as an apology."
80,000 points? Shimizu Akira raised an eyebrow slightly. If he remembered correctly, during the first few days of school, several of his girlfriends had transferred 80,000 points to him. (Except Sakayanagi Arisu, of course!) And now this freshman, Nanase Tsubasa, was also offering him 80,000. Quite a coincidence.
He observed her expression closely and felt a hidden sense of pity, as if she were looking at someone who was being used without knowing it. And then, in a flash that no one else noticed, this underclassman girl named Nanase Tsubasa cast a swift, extremely cold glare at Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
'Wait! Did this Kouhai misunderstand something?'
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