Chapter 353: Multi-player Gameplay with Airi and Haruka / Event Selection Exam
March 8th, Monday.
After a day of rest, students returned to class. Passing the corridor in the morning, Shimizu Akira saw the official notice regarding the final results of the Class Poll.
Praise Awards (Protection Points):
Class A: Sakayanagi Arisu Class B: Ichinose Honami Class C: Shimizu Akira Class D: Shiina Hiyori
Punishment List:
Class A: Totsuka Yahiko Class B: Kanzaki Ryuji Class C: Koenji Rokusuke Class D: Manabe Shiho Result: Pending
The names matched Tsukishiro's announcement in the gymnasium perfectly.
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Class C Classroom.
As soon as Akira sat down, Horikita Suzune raised a question about the notice.
"I thought Tsukishiro would take the opportunity to revoke the Protection Point rewards."
"Rewards given to students aren't that easy to take back," Akira replied.
Tsukishiro wasn't stupid; revoking rewards now would likely spark another collective revolt. He had already been warned by the Board; another riot and his job would truly be over.
"The punishment is still pending... have they not thought of a suitable penalty?"
"Since the reward is the unprecedented Protection Point, the penalty has to be significant, or the exam looks like a joke," Akira said.
"But if the penalty is too heavy, especially for Koenji and Kanzaki, he faces pressure from their families. Tsukishiro is stuck between a rock and a hard place."
Akira felt zero sympathy. Tsukishiro had opened this Pandora's box for his own selfish reasons; he could deal with the headache alone.
Suzune nodded and returned to her books. Although they had officially become a couple yesterday, they had already spent so much time together that their dynamic felt like an "old married couple."
"I've prepared your bento for today," Suzune said suddenly, glancing at him.
"From now on, don't bother crowding into the cafeteria. Eat with me."
'Well, maybe it isn't exactly the same.' Suzune was becoming much more proactive.
She was basically taking over his lunch life. Akira thought about how he'd have to move his social time with Ike, Sudo, Akito, and Keisei to the evenings now.
A few minutes later, Koenji Rokusuke sauntered into the room after bidding a flirtatious farewell to three upperclassmen. He sat down, humming and checking his small mirror.
"Koenji, three senpais this time? It was only two before!" several boys huddled around him, green with envy.
"Hahaha!" Koenji laughed. "After the Class Poll, where Akira-boy and I changed the game, the senpai have realized my true power! They're lining up to date me!"
He turned to Akira. "By the way, Akira-boy, care to join? The third-years graduate soon; this is your last chance to make a move."
Akira felt several icy gazes hit him.
Suzune's eyes could kill; Kushida was smiling, but it didn't reach her eyes; Airi looked worried; Haruka was visibly jealous; and Kei glared at Koenji.
Even Matsushita, Sato, and Ayanokouji were staring.
'Wait, why is even Ayanokouji looking?!'
"No thanks, you enjoy yourself!" Akira waved him off.
"It's 'multi-player' gameplay, you know~" Koenji added with a wink, his opinion of Akira having soared after the exam.
"Really, I'm good," Akira shook his head. He had enough girlfriends as it was; he didn't need to provoke unknown senpais.
Seconds later, his phone buzzed.
Kushida Kikyo: Good job turning him down. Don't you dare go find Koenji in private!
Shimizu Akira: Don't worry, I won't.
Kushida Kikyo: I'm not unreasonable about boys! Tell you what, if you want 'multi-player' gameplay, just look for Haruka and Airi!
Kushida Kikyo: Actually... how about I arrange for them to visit you tonight?
Akira blinked.
'Is she serious?' He hadn't actually "eaten" Airi or Haruka yet because the timing never felt right and they were always worried about Kikyo's reaction.
Was this her official stamp of approval?
Kushida Kikyo: If you perform well in this next special exam, I might even agree... to a four-person session.
Akira felt a sudden surge of motivation. Men are truly simple creatures.
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At 8:00 AM, his daily intel refreshed:
Morishita Ai (Class A) has been interested in Akira since the island exam. She plans to use Yamamura Miki to get closer to him. The "Body Count of 100" rumor regarding Shiraishi Asuka (Class A) is entirely false. Incoming White Room student Amasawa Ichika will thoroughly enjoy teasing Kushida Kikyo in the future.
'Teasing Kikyo?' Akira frowned. Kikyo was the queen of two-faced schemes.
Just how high-level—or how "bad"—of a girl was this Amasawa Ichika? As her boyfriend, he wouldn't let anyone bully Kikyo.
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During the final period, Chabashira Sae's expression turned solemn.
"As I informed you, today, March 8th, begins the final special exam of the first year." She wrote on the board: Event Selection Exam.
The failing students like Ike and Sudo remained calm; they were used to the rhythm by now. Chabashira explained that this was an annual "grand exam" testing intelligence, physical ability, cooperation, and luck.
"The format is class-versus-class," she continued. "Each class will choose an opponent for a one-on-one duel. The grouping is similar to the 'Paper Shuffle'—two pairs of classes will face off."
She posted two sets of cards: 38 white cards (representing the class size, minus one) and 10 yellow cards (representing the events to be proposed). "You must decide on 10 different events. Anything goes—written tests, shogi, poker, soccer..."
She outlined five rules for events:
Must be common knowledge. Rules must be easy to understand. Subject to school approval. Must have a clear win/loss condition (no draws). The school provides backups if the class cannot decide.
The boys whispered about Street Fighter VI. Chabashira confirmed e-sports were acceptable, provided rules on rounds and characters were clearly defined.
Schedule:
March 8: Exam begins. March 15: 10 events finalized; opponents and rules announced. March 22: Exam day.
"One more thing," she said.
"Only 7 events will actually be played. From the 10 events each class prepares, they are categorized into: 2 'Must-Play' events, 3 'Possible' events, and 5 'Dummies.' The final 7 will consist of the 4 'Must-Play' events (2 from each class) and 3 randomly drawn from the 6 'Possible' events."
Rewards:
+30 Class Points per win from the opponent. -30 Class Points per loss to the opponent. +100 Class Points bonus for the overall winner.
The room went silent. Theoretically, a class could gain 310 points. Current Standings:
Class A: 1161 Class B: 932 Class C: 890
Class D: 667
If Class C won big against Class A or B, they could actually take the #1 spot.
"Also," Chabashira continued, "the missing person from the 38 cards is the 'Commander.' This is the highest-risk role. If the class loses, the Commander will be expelled."
The class gasped.
"The Commander can intervene in and assist all events—answering questions, substituting in sports if an injury occurs. They are the 'universal substitute.'
Naturally, for every win, the Commander receives personal points as a reward. Though compared to the risk of expulsion, it may seem trivial."
Akira raised his hand.
"What if both classes propose the same event but with different rules? Like 11-man soccer vs. 5-man soccer?" Chabashira nodded.
"Good question. Common ground is prioritized (e.g., 7 or 8-man soccer). If irreconcilable, the school arbitrates. The side whose rules are adopted usually has the advantage."
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The bell rang. Chabashira left a stack of rulebooks on the podium.
"After school, the Commanders must meet. Opponents will be chosen by lottery. Decide now who you would pick if you win the draw."
As Hirata and Kikyo stood up to organize the discussion, a light cough came from the door. Sakayanagi Arisu was standing there, leaning on her cane, accompanied by Yamamura Miki.
She walked to the front of the room.
"Good afternoon, Class C. I have something to say."
Suzune, Kikyo, and Hirata stood up.
"What is it, Sakayanagi-san?" Hirata asked politely.
Sakayanagi's eyes bypassed them and landed on Akira.
"I'll be direct. If Class C wins the priority draw, I want you to choose Class A as your opponent."
The room was stunned. Choose the #1 class?
"Why?" Suzune asked coldly.
"In exchange," Sakayanagi said smoothly, "I will tell you the content and rules of one of Class A's 'Must-Play' events. Additionally, regardless of the result, Class A will privately pay Class C 1 million private points as a cooperation fee."
1 million points was a lot, but the intel was more valuable.
"Why Class C?" Kikyo asked. Sakayanagi giggled.
"Because Class D is no longer a threat after Ryuen stepped down. Class B is just a friendly family. Crushing the weak is boring."
She looked at Akira provocatively.
"In the first year, only Class C is truly strong. You have Koenji, Ayanokouji, and Shimizu Akira. Such a duel is truly worth watching. I look forward to a head-on clash with Shimizu-kun within the rules. I want to see what brilliance you show on this different stage."
This was her chance to challenge both Ayanokouji and Akira simultaneously, free from the White Room's shadows—just her own competitive spirit.
"And if we refuse?" Hirata asked.
"Then Class A will choose an opponent based on the most advantageous strategy, and you will lose the chance for intel and resources. The choice is yours."
She waited silently. Suzune, Kikyo, and Hirata all turned their heads toward one person.
All eyes were on Akira.
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