Chapter 007 Harem Harmony / Nanase Tsubasa's Face-Swap
As of now, 93 pairs have successfully matched for the Cross-Grade Partner Exam. In this exam, the total number of first-years is 160, and second-years total 159; thus, a maximum of 159 pairs can be formed. Consequently, about half of the students have secured their partners within these four days.
Students of Class 2-B also noticed the pairing situations of other classes through the OAA:
Class 2-D, led by Ichinose, has already completed all 40 pairings. Class 2-A and Class 2-C each have over twenty successful pairings. Class 2-B is currently making the slowest progress, with only five or six people having found partners.
The class includes students like Hirata Yosuke and Shimizu Akira, who possess outstanding comprehensive abilities and receive plenty of invitations from kouhais but have yet to commit.
On the other hand, there are students like Sudo Ken and Ike Kanji, whose low comprehensive ratings make it difficult to find a partner even if they take the initiative.
At noon on Thursday, Class 2-B held another class meeting regarding the special exam.
"We can't just keep waiting like this! The number of available partners is only going to get smaller!"
"Exactly. The class next door has already started organizing study groups. Class A and Class C are all fighting over the remaining honor students."
"Do we really have to 'bleed' some points this time?"
Initially, Class 2-B wasn't in a hurry, but the daily updates on the school forum's pairing data acted like a death knell, making everyone gradually restless—especially the group of students with poor grades.
"I suggest that students with Academic Ability of Grade D or below use personal points to trade for cooperation with first-year honor students if necessary," Kushida Kikyo said with a smile.
"After all, this school advertises that personal points can buy anything; it's only normal to use them to buy a reliable partner. However, from what I know, the current asking price from the first-years isn't low. Ryuen Kakeru's Class C next door is offering 200,000 points per person. Does everyone still have that kind of budget?"
"200,000?!"
"That much?"
"But everyone should still be able to take 200,000 out of their accounts, right?"
After the last special exam, Class 2-B's class points reached 1,080, breaking one thousand for the first time. At the start of this month, 108,000 personal points were deposited into each person's account. For the vast majority of students, producing 200,000 points wouldn't be much of a problem.
"It's not that simple," Horikita Suzune shook her head.
"I looked closely at the OAA data a few days ago. Among first-year students with Academic Ability B or higher, there are 17 in Class A, 13 in Class B, 13 in Class C, and 11 in Class D. Currently, except for Class D and Class A, these slots have been snatched up by other classes. You all saw Class D a few days ago—they just want to extort us. Meanwhile, first-year Class A is insisting on 500,000 points per slot, not a single point less."
"Class D? I don't want to deal with that blonde gorilla!"
"Class A still has that many slots? But 500,000 is way too high!"
"Is there no room for negotiation at all?"
Shimizu Akira stroked his chin. Setting Class D aside for a moment, first-year Class A's strategy this time was quite interesting. By setting a high price of 500,000 from the start, were they confident that the Class A "brand" was strong enough that they wouldn't lack buyers?
"But since Ryuen is also using points to buy people, how about we raise the price slightly and snatch them from him?" someone suggested.
"Is... is that okay? Isn't it a bit underhanded?"
"Underhanded? It's just fair competition. Ryuen Kakeru did plenty of things like this last year; we're just giving him a taste of his own medicine."
Several students in the class started plotting against Ryuen Kakeru.
"I don't think it's necessary for our class to do that," Horikita Suzune vetoed the proposal with a serious expression.
"Setting aside whether we could actually snatch them, even if we did, would you really feel safe partnering with someone whose loyalty is so easily swayed by money?"
The students of Class 2-B frowned immediately. True, when it came to class finances, no one could likely beat Ryuen Kakeru. His class had never collected class fees to date; if it turned into a financial competition, Class B would undoubtedly lose.
Just as everyone was at their wits' end, Hirata Yosuke walked to the podium with a gentle smile.
"Everyone, actually, thanks to Shimizu's introduction yesterday, I met with several students from first-year Class A. They expressed an interest in collaborating with our class and are willing to exchange the 500,000-point condition for other requirements."
"Really? Shimizu made a move?"
"If it drops to 200,000 or 250,000, that's actually acceptable."
"Class A! That's definitely good."
After all, as the newly enrolled Class A, their abilities were beyond doubt. If they could collaborate with them, the probability of Class B achieving a high rank in the exam would increase significantly.
Shimizu Akira was also somewhat surprised.
'Wait, I only asked Hirata to go deal with Amasawa Ichika yesterday because I knew he had no intention of dating. In the end, Hirata actually managed to negotiate a cooperation out of it? Truly a lucky mistake.'
Hirata Yosuke nodded and continued explaining: "Class A's demand for personal points isn't that urgent. Their meaning is that they hope we can compile the rules and contents of all special exams from the past year, as well as our class's response strategies and all the rules we know about the S-System. If we give this information to first-year Class A, they are willing to collaborate with us for free."
"The contents of all special exams? That's what they want?"
"Wait, that information itself is very valuable! If we had known all that when school started, we definitely could have avoided many pitfalls."
"This year's Class A is quite shrewd."
First-year Class A's appetite was indeed large. This information and data were much more important than 500,000 personal points.
Shimizu Akira vaguely remembered that first-year Class A included Amasawa Ichika and Ishigami Kyo. This idea was likely proposed by the latter.
Indeed clever.
"No," Kushida Kikyo glanced at Shimizu Akira and shook her head without hesitation.
"We even have to hand over our response strategies? That's equivalent to exposing all of our class's performances and weaknesses from last year to the opponent. If we encounter a cross-grade competition exam in the future, it's like handing intelligence to the enemy with our own hands."
"Correct. Other conditions can be discussed, but this one is absolutely not okay," Karuizawa Kei also agreed.
"Instead of handing over this information, I'd rather just give 500,000 points," Haruka couldn't help but add.
During the several special exams last year, it was almost Shimizu Akira alone who carried the whole class through. If this core intelligence was made public, they would likely be targeted in the future.
"Rest assured, I didn't agree to this point either," Hirata Yosuke nodded seriously.
"However, the other party said the conditions can be negotiated further. I will continue to communicate with them over the next few days."
Shimizu Akira thought for a moment, raised his hand, and said, "In addition, Nanase Tsubasa from first-year Class D also contacted me proactively to express an interest in cooperation. I will talk with her this afternoon."
The class meeting ended there.
Currently, it seemed both Class D and Class A were willing to cooperate. Class A was making an exorbitant demand for key intelligence, while Class D simply wanted personal points. Everyone decided to wait and see for two more days, and make a final decision after Hirata Yosuke and Shimizu Akira had negotiated their respective results.
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Beside him, Sakura Airi turned to look at Shimizu Akira and asked, "Akira-kun... is it my imagination? I feel like you're being especially active regarding this class meeting. Did... did Chabashira-sensei give you class fees again?"
In the past, her boyfriend would usually leave such matters to Kikyo to speak on his behalf. To see him proactively raise his hand like today was indeed rare. The only reason she could think of was that he had received a reward again.
"Well, Airi is quite sharp," Shimizu Akira took the opportunity to gently squeeze her hand and said with a smile, "Chabashira-sensei indeed gave 2 million personal points as a reward for Class B's promotion, hoping I would be more active for this special exam."
Shimizu Akira was self-aware; he rarely took the initiative when he lacked motivation. With Chabashira-sensei providing points as motivation for every special exam, life was quite comfortable. He just wondered how many points she could still give for the next exam... surely she wouldn't run out?
Just then, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Kamuro Masumi, inviting him to lunch and specifically reminding him to bring Sakura Airi.
"Airi, Masumi invited us to eat together. Do you want to go?" he asked.
Sakura Airi lowered her head and thought for a few seconds: "Um... Akira-kun, I want to go."
"Is it really okay? Don't force yourself. If you don't want to go, neither Masumi nor I will mind."
Shimizu Akira knew she mostly only ate with Haruka or himself, so he asked once more.
"Yes, it's fine! Kamuro is a good person and very gentle to me... having a meal together is no problem," Sakura Airi's tone gradually became firm.
"Okay, then let's go together," Shimizu Akira nodded, and the two walked out of the classroom side by side.
It seemed the relationship between the two of them was developing quite well. Shimizu Akira's mood also improved.
Seeing his girlfriends get along harmoniously was the scenario he most liked to see—especially with two people like Sakura Airi and Kamuro Masumi, who originally didn't have many friends and were naturally introverted.
Upon reaching the second-floor cafeteria, Kamuro Masumi was indeed sitting at a window seat.
'Hm? Yamamura Miki is there too.'
Shimizu Akira and Sakura Airi each ordered a chicken cutlet rice bowl and walked over.
"Airi, this is Yamamura Miki, my classmate," Kamuro Masumi introduced her to Sakura Airi, her tone indeed much gentler than usual.
Yamamura Miki stood up somewhat stiffly: "H-hello, I am Yamamura..."
"H-hello, I am Sakura Airi..." Airi responded softly.
The two glanced at each other and then lowered their heads simultaneously; the atmosphere became quiet for a moment. But unexpectedly, this silence didn't last long.
Perhaps sensing each other's similar shyness, Yamamura Miki hesitated and asked softly, "Sakura-san... what do you usually like to do?"
"I-I like photography," Airi took a small camera out of her bag that she carried with her.
"Occasionally I take pictures of the scenery around campus."
"Photography?" Yamamura Miki's eyes lit up slightly.
"I like it too... but I just take random photos with my phone."
"Phones can also take very beautiful photos!" Airi said proactively for once.
"Lighting and composition are more important!"
"Really? I always feel like the photos I take look gray and dull..."
"Maybe it's because the white balance wasn't adjusted properly, or it was backlit..."
The two introverted girls gradually opened up because of the topic of photography.
Although they spoke very softly, the rhythm of the conversation became more and more natural.
Watching this scene, the corner of Kamuro Masumi's mouth involuntarily curled into an arc.
She turned to Shimizu Akira and whispered, "Just as I expected. I knew these two would get along."
"It's good. Thank you, Masumi," Shimizu Akira smiled.
"Airi indeed needs more friends she can be natural with."
"Yamamura needs them too," Kamuro Masumi replied.
"She doesn't have anyone to talk to in class; most of the time she just sits quietly. It's a good thing for her to find a friend."
Kamuro Masumi and Shimizu Akira were in a relationship.
A portion of private time would be given to her lover, and lately, Yamamura Miki had been visibly lonely and bored.
Today, Masumi introducing Airi to her wasn't just for Airi's sake, but also for Yamamura's.
At this time, Yamamura Miki was asking Airi softly: "Um... Sakura-san, can I go take photos with you next time? I want to learn how to adjust the parameters."
"Y-yes!" Airi nodded, her cheeks turning slightly red. "If you don't mind..."
"How could I mind!" Yamamura Miki waved her hands hurriedly.
"I-I'm just afraid of bothering you..."
Seeing the two of them being polite yet unable to hide their anticipation, Kamuro Masumi curled her lip slightly: "Alright, stop going back and forth! This weekend, I'll take both of you out to take photos. It's settled." Only then did Airi and Miki nod in unison and agree.
It would be good for these two introverted girls to go out together, and with someone with a strong personality like Kamuro Masumi accompanying them, at least there would be no need to worry about them being bullied by outsiders.
Shimizu Akira turned his gaze to Kamuro Masumi and Yamamura Miki: "Masumi, Yamamura, how are your partner searches going? Do you have suitable candidates?"
Yamamura Miki raised her hand and said softly: "Um... I was assigned a kouhai with low academic ability by Sakayanagi-san."
"I don't have one yet," Kamuro Masumi took over.
"After all, my academic ability is only Grade C. But that woman Sakayanagi said she would arrange a first-year with Academic B or higher for me."
Shimizu Akira nodded thoughtfully. Sakayanagi Arisu had indeed started systematically arranging class pairings—combining second-years with high academic ability with low-ability first-years, and then using average second-years to pair with excellent freshmen.
This ensured the overall score wouldn't be too low. It was logical and efficient. However, it also meant that Class A's pairings were basically controlled by Sakayanagi's hand, making it difficult for individuals to choose freely.
"Do you plan to accept her arrangement?" Shimizu Akira asked Kamuro Masumi.
"What else?" Kamuro Masumi shrugged. "Anyway, I'm not good at finding people. It saves trouble if someone helps arrange it."
She spoke nonchalantly, but Shimizu Akira heard a trace of helplessness.
"Do you want me to help you find a partner with high academic ability? I can afford the 500,000 points; it's a right to ensure you pass this exam safely," Shimizu Akira proposed. Yamamura Miki's academic ability wasn't low, so there wasn't much to worry about, but Masumi's situation was indeed a bit risky.
Although the number of first-years he could contact was limited, spending 500,000 to buy insurance was worth it.
"Not just you—for Airi, Haruka, and Kei, I also plan to ensure their safety the same way." He patted Airi's head again.
"Well... I don't need to go through all that trouble." Kamuro Masumi still shook her head.
"Even though that woman Sakayanagi is very arrogant, she usually does what she promises. Whether you arrange it or she arranges it, the result is about the same. I'll just go with Class A's arrangement." She wasn't ungrateful; she simply found it troublesome and would have to specifically explain the change to Sakayanagi Arisu.
Regardless, although Sakayanagi Arisu was a bit of a "mesugaki," she wasn't bad to her.
"Fine, I understand," Shimizu Akira nodded and stopped insisting.
After school, Shimizu Akira arrived at the cafe near the school as agreed. Nanase Tsubasa was already waiting at a window booth, a latte that was almost untouched sitting in front of her. Seeing Shimizu Akira, she immediately stood up and nodded politely: "Shimizu-senpai."
"Have you been waiting long?" Shimizu Akira sat across from her.
"No, I just arrived too." Nanase Tsubasa pushed the menu over.
"What would you like to drink, senpai?"
"Iced Americano is fine."
After ordering, the blonde kouhai lowered her head, revealing a look of apology: "Senpai, please allow me to apologize once more for Housen-kun's rude behavior."
As she bowed, the curves of her chest trembled slightly. Only then did Shimizu Akira notice that Nanase Tsubasa's figure was unexpectedly good—curvy and well-proportioned; among this year's freshmen, she was likely among the best.
He froze for a second or two before coming back to his senses, hurriedly waving his hand: "I'm fine; he also got the punishment he deserved. Speaking of which, your class should have had 50 class points deducted, right? Do you have a grudge against me?"
"No, none at all! Senpai only did what should be done. These are all reasonable punishments; I think it's very fair." Nanase Tsubasa shook her head immediately.
Shimizu Akira's impression of her improved significantly.
Sensible, reasonable, clear-headed, and polite—who wouldn't like such a cute kouhai? She was the complete opposite of that Amasawa Ichika next door.
He thought of her data he had seen before coming:
Academic Ability: B (74) Physical Ability: B+ (78) Adaptability: B (71) Social Contribution: B+ (59) Overall: B (72)
Her comprehensive ability was very good, almost at the same level as Hirata Yosuke. She was a very rare talent.
"Senpai," Nanase cleared her throat, pulling his attention back. "Back to the topic, I came this time to discuss cooperation between our two classes."
"I know, you sent a message before. Your class previously proposed that our class provide 3.9 million personal points, which we explicitly refused. Have you modified the conditions?" Shimizu Akira asked directly.
"Yes," Nanase Tsubasa nodded. "I believe cooperation doesn't need to involve points. Both of our classes have students with weaker academic abilities. Having honor students and underperformers complement each other is beneficial to both sides."
"The logic is indeed fair, but why the sudden change in your story?" Shimizu Akira asked.
"Because Senpai has already modified the rules of this exam. If the pair's total score doesn't reach 501 points, the freshmen will receive a penalty. Although we are Class D, we've only just started school; we really can't afford to have more class points deducted," Nanase Tsubasa explained.
Their Class D had already lost 50 class points due to Housen Kazuomi's unauthorized actions. Class points not only related to class status but also directly affected the monthly personal points. Even for Class D, it was now difficult to implement methods that would drag the seniors down.
"I see. But if I remember correctly, the overt leader of your class should be Housen Kazuomi, right? Has he agreed to this?" Shimizu Akira took a sip of coffee and continued asking.
"That..." Nanase Tsubasa suddenly showed a slightly troubled expression.
"The majority of students do follow Housen-kun's instructions. Please wait a moment; I will call him right now."
Having said that, Nanase Tsubasa took out her phone on the spot, dialed the other party's number, and repeated the cooperation matter exactly as it was.
"Hah! You docked 50 class points from our Class D, made me hated by the other freshmen, and now you want a free cooperation? Shimizu Akira, you're dreaming! Nanase you must have 'love-brain' syndrome! I'm the one who calls the shots in Class D! Get your ass back here right now!"
On the other end of the phone, Housen Kazuomi roared in rage as expected.
"I'm not coming back. And, I currently have no romantic feelings for Shimizu-senpai. Also, let me warn you: don't curse at me, or I will leak everything about your affairs."
Nanase Tsubasa's expression instantly turned cold.
"The deduction of class points was a consequence caused by yourself. The increased penalty for freshmen failing is also due to your unauthorized actions. Please do not push all the responsibility onto Shimizu-senpai. People in class are already very dissatisfied with you; are you sure you want to continue like this?"
Shimizu Akira, sitting opposite her, was privately amazed.
This kouhai really knew how to "swap faces." Just a moment ago, she was a well-behaved, polite, and cute kouhai toward him, but facing that "gorilla," she immediately revealed a cold and forceful side.
She was a bit like his "No. 1 Girlfriend," Kikyo.
However, what did she mean by "leaking"? It seemed there was indeed more to the story behind the scenes.
"Tsk! Troublesome woman!" After several seconds of silence on the other end, Housen Kazuomi gave a frustrated snort.
"Fine! Cooperation with second-year Class B isn't impossible. Since you people are stingy and won't give points, and even call it extortion, I just won't ask for them! But the specific pairing list must be decided by me! I will decide who among us partners with whom from your class!"
"Senpai, what do you think?" Nanase Tsubasa immediately retracted her coldness and looked at Shimizu Akira with well-behaved and expectant eyes again.
Unexpectedly, Shimizu Akira rejected her without even thinking: "You're dreaming. You want to decide the pairing list? Keep dreaming. I think I'll just cooperate with first-year Class A instead."
Housen Kazuomi on the other end of the phone was stunned: "Wait, what do you mean? You've already made a deal with Class A?!"
What was going on? Class A? Wasn't Amasawa Ichika in Class A?
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