After dinner, Kamio Tatsuya quickly showered and returned to his dormitory.
Around 8 PM, while the second-year students were showering, Kamio Tatsuya seized the opportunity to approach a third-year student, Yoshida Shinta, who had come out to use the restroom alone.
"Good evening, senior Yoshida."
"Oh, it's Kamio, good evening."
After spending a few days together, Kamio Tatsuya and Yoshida had developed a pretty good relationship and understood each other's personalities.
Simply put, Yoshida was similar to Yukimura from Class 1-D – academically brilliant but lacking in other areas.
He was the type who, upon first arriving at the school, believed academic ability was paramount. This flaw of only focusing on academics led to him being assigned to Class D.
"Speaking of which, your academic ability seems to be among the best in the third year, senior Yoshida. Are you aiming for Tokyo University?"
Tokyo University, often shortened to Todai, is the best university in all of Japan.
Mentioning this, Yoshida hesitated.
"Actually, I've been having some worries lately."
"Worries? If you don't mind, could you tell me about them?"
Yoshida hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
Seeing this, Kamio Tatsuya inwardly smiled. This was the benefit of building rapport.
"It's about Saya, actually."
"Saya?"
Kamio Tatsuya feigned surprise. In reality, he was pretending to be clueless, as he had intended to steer the conversation in this direction. He hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.
"Kiuchi Saya, she's my girlfriend," Yoshida said, a hint of shyness on his face. "We're both students in Class D."
Kamio Tatsuya nodded, gesturing for him to continue.
"Even though there are still over two months until graduation, I'm self-aware enough to know that our Class D has no chance of moving up to Class A.
For the upcoming exams, we just need to try our best not to be expelled. The rest is the stage for Class A and Class B."
"It's okay. With your academic ability, senior Yoshida, you'll definitely be able to get into Tokyo University easily," Kamio Tatsuya said, trying to speak encouragingly.
"Tokyo University..." Yoshida sighed. "Don't laugh at me, but based on my understanding of myself, I'm indeed very confident I can get into Tokyo University. However...
Saya can't. I know her academic ability; she's at best on par with Hokkaido University or Kobe University."
Kamio Tatsuya didn't know what to say. Should he call him out for bragging sarcastically?
While Tokyo University was indeed the best in Japan, Hokkaido University and Kobe University were not bad either.
Nationally, they were ranked around tenth.
This surprised Kamio Tatsuya. Was the academically gifted student's girlfriend also academically gifted?
And both of them were in Class D, which was quite something.
"I don't want to be separated from Saya. I'm afraid if we're apart, we won't be able to see each other again in this lifetime."
As graduation approached, it wasn't just Ishikura in Class B who felt pressure; students in the lower classes also had various worries.
Not only did they have to survive the final trial, but they also had to think about their future paths, as they had lost their chance to graduate from Class A.
To have a better life in the future, they would have to rely on themselves.
"So if you don't want to be separated, why not just have senior Kiuchi also enroll in Tokyo University? Or perhaps you could go to the same school as senior Kiuchi?"
Hearing this, Yoshida gave a wry smile.
"If Saya knew I gave up my chance at Tokyo University for her, she'd kill me."
It seemed this senior Kiuchi genuinely cared about senior Yoshida.
Yoshida looked out at the night sky and sighed.
"So I'm torn about whether to secretly apply to the same school as her."
Hearing Yoshida's words, Kamio Tatsuya fell silent for a moment.
Their relationship was truly deep. He also wondered if Saya appearing in senior Ikari's group was planned from the start.
Although he had come up with the plan, things were going too smoothly.
But he soon relaxed. Perhaps he was just scaring himself. If they were truly capable of calculating this far ahead,
then Class 3-D wouldn't still be Class 3-D.
"As for Saya going to Tokyo University, that's even more difficult. Academic ability can't be improved overnight."
"Senior Yoshida, generally, the only way to enroll in Tokyo University is through exams, right? But this school is different. If senior Kiuchi can graduate from Class A, wouldn't it be very easy for her to enroll in Tokyo University?"
At this, Yoshida showed a helpless expression.
"Given the current situation, Class D has no hope of catching up to Class A. The gap between us is over a thousand points.
As for the other method, gathering twenty million to transfer to Class A..."
Yoshida shook his head with a smile.
Although Yoshida appeared this way, Kamio Tatsuya could see that he wanted his girlfriend to graduate from Class A.
Good. As long as he had that idea, it was fine.
"Senior Yoshida, something happened in senior Kiuchi's group. Do you know about it?"
Faced with Kamio Tatsuya's sudden question, Yoshida looked bewildered and confused, with a hint of nervousness.
Because this exam might actually result in someone being expelled.
"Huh? Saya didn't tell me anything about this. Did something happen?"
"You know that senior Kiuchi's group is senior Ikari's group, right?"
"I do know that. She told me the first night at dinner," Yoshida nodded.
"Senior Ikari, along with everyone in her group except for senior Tachibana Akane, plans to deliberately underperform during the exam, causing them to fail."
Kamio Tatsuya's words startled Yoshida.
"H-how is that possible? Has Ikari gone mad? If they truly fail, she'll be expelled as the person in charge."
"That's right. It's a strategy to drag the enemy down with them, even if it means sacrificing herself."
Yoshida was silent for a moment, then sighed after some thought.
"Ikari isn't someone who would give up at this point. If I'm not mistaken, even if Ikari is expelled, Ishikura will use a large number of points to save her, right?"
"I think so. After all, at this final juncture, no one wants to be expelled, especially students from Class B who still have a chance to move up to Class A."
Kamio Tatsuya said calmly, "Moreover, it's not just Class B that will take rescue measures. Senior Horikita Manabu will also use points to save senior Tachibana after Ikari drags people down with her."
"But what's the point of doing that? Trading twenty million from their class and 400 class points for Class A's twenty million and 400 class points."
"That alone wouldn't make sense. But what if someone else pays for Class B's personal points used to save their companions?"
Yoshida's heart skipped a beat, and a name popped into his mind.
"Are you saying Nagumo?"
Kamio Tatsuya was slightly surprised. This guy had actually guessed Nagumo's involvement.
"That's right, it's him. He will cover the twenty million in personal points required for Class B to save their companions. This way, Class B will have an advantage of twenty million personal points over Class A."
Hearing this, Yoshida felt a pang of unease.
Not only did saving classmates require class points, but the personal points alone amounted to twenty million. These two rescues could allow two students from the lower classes to be promoted to Class A, gaining the graduation benefits of Class A.
Although Yoshida didn't need a Class A graduation slot, he wanted his girlfriend, Kiuchi, to graduate from Class A.
Because only then would Kiuchi have a chance to enroll in Tokyo University; otherwise, with her grades, it was impossible.
However, Yoshida quickly began to think about how it might be possible to obtain these points.
Then, he noticed something: Horikita Manabu would use points to save Tachibana Akane after she was dragged down by Ikari.
This meant that if Tachibana Akane was not successfully dragged down, Horikita Manabu's points might be saved.
The current situation was that Ikari was rallying her entire group against Tachibana Akane alone, so Tachibana Akane would inevitably be dragged down.
Horikita Manabu would have to use a large sum of points.
If Tachibana Akane's being dragged down could be prevented, perhaps those points could be obtained from Horikita Manabu.
As for whether Horikita Manabu would agree...
Yoshida thought he would.
With this thought, Yoshida glanced at Kamio Tatsuya.
This junior might have had this goal from the beginning. Otherwise, why would he have steered the conversation this way? Because, strictly speaking, these matters didn't concern him much.
After all this talk, the only potential connection... was Kiuchi Saya.
Because Kiuchi Saya was currently in Ikari's group, and if Ikari's strategy was to drag Tachibana Akane down with her, then everyone in the group had to have the same story to make it happen.
Once one person sided with Tachibana Akane, the plan would fall apart.
Because when the school investigated, the testimonies would conflict, and the school wouldn't be able to identify Tachibana Akane as a factor contributing to the group's average score being insufficient.
"Junior Kamio, do you think it's better for Class A to prevent Ikari from dragging Tachibana Akane down with her, or to save her after she's dragged down?"
Kamio Tatsuya looked at Yoshida with surprise in his eyes.
As expected, students who had been in this school for almost three years without being expelled had some skills.
He had already thought this far.
It wasn't a waste of my time guiding you.
Indeed, Kamio Tatsuya hadn't brought up this matter earlier precisely to let Yoshida figure it out. He had initially thought he would need to guide him further, but he hadn't expected him to guess it already.
That's good.
People are always suspicious of cooperation that is offered to them, but they have unwavering faith in opportunities they discover themselves.
Just like now, Yoshida felt he had found a loophole.
"For Class A, it's naturally best to prevent Ikari from dragging Tachibana Akane down with her. Using points for expulsion rescue is a last resort," Kamio Tatsuya said, spreading his hands helplessly. "Of course, it's basically impossible to stop Ikari in the current situation."
Hearing this, Yoshida shook his head.
"Junior Kamio, there's no need to test me anymore. The reason you met me alone at this time is that the second-year students are all showering, right?
Because the second-year students are almost all Nagumo's eyes and ears, you probably want to finish this conversation quickly, right?
So you don't have much time. Let's get straight to business. It might be problematic if they come back and find out."
Kamio Tatsuya looked at Yoshida. This senior might need to re-evaluate him.
"You're right. But it's getting late. So, senior Yoshida, how about we meet again at one in the morning tonight to talk?"
"Okay."
Given the gravity of the matter, Yoshida agreed without hesitation.
After discussing with Yoshida, Kamio Tatsuya didn't return to his dormitory but headed directly towards the third-year dormitory floors. Kamio Tatsuya was merely acting as a go-between in this matter; the actual decision-maker was Horikita Manabu.
At one in the morning, at the usual spot, Kamio Tatsuya met with Horikita Manabu again.
"What do you need me for?"
Horikita Manabu's expression was still as stern as ever, making one wonder if he ever joked. He was far inferior to Nagumo in this regard.
Setting aside who was better, Nagumo's appearance was at least more approachable.
"There's one more person. Please wait a moment."
Before long, another figure emerged from the dormitory building.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, junior Kamio, Horikita."
Seeing the person, Horikita Manabu was somewhat surprised.
"I remember you. You're Yoshida from Class D."
"I'm surprised you remember me."
Yoshida smiled, but he didn't seem overly flattered.
"I don't forget anyone I've met," Horikita Manabu said calmly. "Speak. Why did you call me out so late?"
"Time is short, so I'll be direct. Horikita, I want the twenty million in personal points you have."
Most people, upon hearing such an exorbitant request, would either leave immediately or let out a cold laugh and call the requester delusional.
However, Horikita Manabu did not do that. He simply looked at Yoshida for a moment, then spoke quietly.
"What can you offer?"
"I heard from junior Kamio that student Ikari's group is conspiring to isolate student Tachibana. If nothing unexpected happens, Ikari will likely use a mutually destructive approach to drag Tachibana down with her."
"Yes, I already know about this."
Horikita Manabu nodded.
"I can help you prevent Ikari's plan from succeeding," Yoshida said without hesitation. "My girlfriend, Kiuchi Saya, is in Ikari's group."
After hearing this, Horikita Manabu pondered for a moment, then looked at Kamio Tatsuya.
"Kamio, what do you think?"
"If there's an ally in the same group, then senior Ikari's plan to drag others down will naturally fail. So I have an idea."
Both Horikita Manabu and Yoshida turned their gaze to Kamio Tatsuya.
Kamio Tatsuya explained his plan to the two of them. Yoshida had no objections, while Horikita Manabu frowned.
"Headmaster Horikita Manabu, now is not the time for mercy. They made the first move; we are merely reacting."
"I understand. If it succeeds, I will pay twenty million to have Kiuchi promoted to Class A. If it fails, the matter will be dropped."
Horikita Manabu made a promise to Yoshida.
"If you're not reassured, we can sign a contract."
"No need. I trust your character, Horikita. If you go back on your word now, it would likely become a stain on your life. If there's nothing else, I'll be going back."
Yoshida's trust earned Kamio Tatsuya's admiration.
Watching Yoshida's retreating back, Horikita Manabu suddenly said, "I thought most students in the lower classes had given up. I didn't expect them to be working hard in their own ways."
"There isn't only one path to graduating from Class A. The people at this school place too much importance on graduating from Class A."
Kamio Tatsuya smiled. In fact, allowing certain individuals to graduate from Class A was not necessarily a good thing, nor was it beneficial for society.
Giving those who lack the ability the right to graduate from Class A and the freedom to work or pursue further education anywhere – would that lead to a perfect life?
Don't be ridiculous. You can't earn money beyond your understanding.
Even if you suddenly gain a large amount of resources, when your abilities don't match your assets, those assets will return to the market in various strange ways.
Therefore, the most important thing to do during your three years at this school is not to deliberately pursue graduation from Class A, but to steadily improve yourself.
If you have enough ability, being promoted to Class A will be a natural consequence.
Even if you're unlucky and don't get promoted to Class A, you can still use your abilities to lead a good life later on.
It was for this reason that Kamio Tatsuya immediately increased the intensity for the students in Class C after arriving, hoping they would at least improve their academic knowledge.
Isn't there a saying?
Studying isn't about becoming smarter, but simply about not being deceived.
The exam is on Thursday, so it's Monday now, leaving only three days until the exam.
On Monday morning, instead of having students train in the school buildings, the school took the students out to familiarize them with the mountain paths.
This is because one of the events on the final day's exam is a road relay race, covering a total distance of 18 kilometers.
Kamio Tatsuya's group has twelve people. If divided equally, each person would need to run 1.5 kilometers. However, the school requires a minimum of 1.2 kilometers per person.
Therefore, there can be flexible distribution, as some students in the group may not be good at sports.
The exam route will be in the mountains, so the paths are generally quite undulating.
Going uphill will be very tiring, and going downhill requires controlling your speed. Falling is a minor concern; the person might get seriously injured.
Therefore, confirming the route is crucial. Students who are weaker in sports should run on flatter sections or gentle slopes, while stronger students should run more uphill sections.
Initially, when they left the school buildings, everyone was relatively relaxed. But as they entered the mountains and looked at the road ahead, their expressions changed from cheerful to grim.
The second and third-year students were mostly fine. Their bodies had largely finished developing, and they had likely participated in similar exams before, so they could generally manage.
But for the first-year students...
It could be said that some were already close to their breaking point.
------
You can read 50+ more chapter on patreon com/JYouyi