"Ayanokoji, you've got a plan, right?"
Hirata excitedly gripped Ayanokoji's shoulders, his voice loud and urgent.
"Hirata, could you please calm down a little first?"
Ayanokoji's calm tone brought Hirata back from his agitated excitement.
"Sorry, I lost my composure there. Ayanokoji, is it true? Do you really have a way to get everyone through the exam safely?"
Get through the exam safely?
Inside, Ayanokoji shook his head. Given Class D's current situation, it was impossible for everyone to come out unscathed. His idea was just a temporary fix.
"I bought copies of the upperclassmen's first-term midterm exams."
At those words, the hope in Hirata's eyes vanished completely. Still, he kept a smile on his face.
After all, Ayanokoji was the first to step up with a suggestion while he was struggling. No matter how disappointed he felt, he couldn't take it out on him.
"So, what did you find out? Even if we know the key topics now, it's already too late."
Hirata glanced at the clock. Less than three minutes remained before the next exam started. There was no time to review, even if they pinpointed the main subjects.
"The first-term midterm exams they took are exactly the same as the ones we just sat for."
Ayanokoji's words hit like a thunderclap out of the blue, leaving Hirata bewildered.
"What? Exactly the same? You're not joking, are you, Ayanokoji?"
Hirata pressed urgently for confirmation. Unexpectedly, Ayanokoji pulled several test papers right out of his pocket. Hirata took them and immediately located the history exam.
"They really are identical! But why didn't you tell me earlier, Ayanokoji? If we'd had these beforehand, we could've—"
"If I had told you earlier, would you have believed me?"
Ayanokoji's counter-question caught Hirata off guard. Then, he smiled.
"That's on me. I guess not being close enough created some misunderstanding. I know this might sound insincere, but I'll say it anyway—I would have chosen to believe you."
Hirata's earnest expression struck a chord in Ayanokoji. So there really were people in this world who would trust others so readily.
"But you have to understand—I couldn't be sure you'd believe me. And the questions here differ completely from what was mentioned before. I didn't even know if these would help you… Besides, if word got out I bought these, it could cause trouble."
Thinking quickly, Ayanokoji used Chabashira as an excuse to defend himself.
Hirata nodded in understanding. Handing over something like this so suddenly—if the other person leaked it—could indeed bring unnecessary trouble to Ayanokoji.
"That was my oversight. But the next exam is Japanese. There's no time to show everyone the answers now, and explaining would take time too."
Hirata grew anxious. The hope to revive the class was right in his hands, yet he couldn't make full use of it. The frustration burned inside him.
"Then let everyone score poorly in this one. Because failing is determined by the class average."
The class average!
Hirata's eyes lit up.
"I understand. Let's hurry back."
Thirty seconds left—it should be enough.
Hirata sprinted into the classroom, moving so swiftly he even sidestepped Karuizawa when she came up to ask what was happening.
"Everyone, listen! I know the answers for the upcoming exams! I need everyone to deliberately lower your scores in this one—that way we bring down the average so no one will—"
"Hirata, the exam is about to start. Return to your seat."
Chabashira coldly cut him off and drove him from the podium. Unwilling to give up, Hirata saw that the class was still stunned and confused—and then he did something that shocked them all.
Thud.
Hirata dropped to his knees in a dogeza, bowing deeply before everyone.
"Please… believe me this once."
"Hirata, what are you doing?"
"Hirata, get up!"
"I believe you, okay? Just get up, Hirata!"
Clap, clap, clap.
Koenji, who was closest, started applauding.
"Hirata-boy, I'm not sure what you're attempting, but your courage is admirable. I quite appreciate such a display. However… kneeling for the sake of incompetents only diminishes your value as a man."
Koenji's words seemed cryptic, but Hirata understood.
"I don't want to lose a single comrade here."
Several girls pulled Hirata firmly to his feet. His resolute gaze met Koenji's.
Koenji adjusted his posture slightly.
"You are no saint—no need to bear a saint's duty. But then… perhaps saints are worshipped precisely because they carry everyone in their hearts? Ha… How amusing, truly amusing. I can't wait to see the look of despair on your face, Hirata-boy. Do your best. Struggle with all your might, then kneel again and weep for your folly."
Koenji's laughter, unlike his usual frivolous tone, carried a heavy, oppressive force.
Karuizawa, hearing him mock Hirata, wanted to defend him—but the moment her eyes met Koenji's, she felt as if a vicious wolf had locked onto her. A chilling dread seized her, and not a single word made it out.
"I don't know what's going on, but from now on, everyone quiet! The exam has started! Hirata, return to your seat at once, unless you want to be disqualified!"
Chabashira coldly ordered Hirata back to his desk, though the corner of her mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.
Just as Koenji said—things had indeed become interesting.
Amane's gaze shifted to Koenji. This was a man usually easy to overlook, yet he possessed such formidable presence.
Koenji… She vaguely recalled him.
It seemed Hirata had found a way to save Class D.
But…
Wasn't it too late to bring it out now?
Amane stole a glance at Horikita.
Horikita was biting her lip, her face filled with frustration.
If it were her in that situation, would she have knelt before everyone and begged for their cooperation?
Horikita couldn't imagine herself doing such a thing. Even if she had to kneel, she could never accept doing something so humiliating in public.
Yet Hirata had done it.
Maybe, as her brother said, she still had a long way to go.
But as long as Amane was by her side, she could keep moving forward…
The moment she thought of Amane, Horikita suddenly sensed something off. Hadn't Amane been acting a little too well-behaved lately?
Could she be hiding something from her?
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.