Versus Tsukishiro

AYANOKOJI POV

For these past weeks, we had been doing everything to save the entire student body.

Though we still felt that Horikita wasn't being confident like her usual self, Yosuke was happy seeing us working together again. Horikita simply set aside whatever misunderstanding we had and was openly discussing everything about the exam with me, finally deciding to work with everyone.

We burned everyone in our class in their studies in preparation for the fabrication of the results like what Tsukishiro would do. We could still use the answer sheets as evidence that the students indeed passed, just like what Horikita mentioned before.

I gave Sakayanagi a warning, who wasn't surprised at all, so as Ryuen, who did not bother asking what was it all about and just accepted it like it was nothing to get scared of, while Horikita was the one who gave Nanase a heads up about what to do with her class.

I also offered some thought and said that we should prioritize the new first years as they have the highest possibility of getting attacked by Tsukishiro because they are still clueless of how the school works which Horikita strongly agreed. And her reason was...... she was suspicious of the same level of penalty the first years will face just like us higher years.

And so, Yosuke and Ichinose, who accepted the job without any questions and even Nanase, who already had a clue of what's going on, each of them secretly called each first year class leaders and gave them freely the questionnaires which contained not just the questions that we had before but advance topics too as their basis on what to study. Everything in disguise of wanting to have a cooperative relationship.

Of course it wasn't that easy as problematic first years are already expected to appear every year, therefore, Horikita and I were the ones who dealt with the first year class D. 

Though we made it seem like we wanted a cooperative relationship also, we scared them slightly by telling a little about how the school works. Causing the hard headed class D students who are afraid of expulsion to obey. Hopefully though.

While it made Horikita became suspicious of me, I managed to make her stay away from the second years, while also reassuring that they will be fine, as there are white room students in each class. Though Shiba is in class D, Nanase knew what she had to do.

A day before the exam, I contacted Chabashira, asking if she noticed something unusual in the faculty but she only replied that she felt nothing strange.

How should I say this? Tsukishiro really started to use his power properly huh.

*****************

Today is the exam day. Everyone is already inside the room, including Horikita who was looking uneasy since she arrived.

And I understand her uneasiness..... because something inevitable will happen today.

Not any longer, the bell rang. Chabashira then entered the classroom at the exact moment. As she stood on the podium, I was the first person she looked at, wearing an uncomfortable look on her face.

Not being surprised by her expression, I only accepted her gaze without showing any reaction at all. 

After a moment, for some reason, Chabashira suddenly averted her gaze to the girl in the front row. She must have felt the pressure from Horikita's stare as she was watching her intently.

Upon realizing that she was showing unnecessary emotions that might cause inconvenience to the students, Chabashira started speaking.

".....Uhm.... In this exam..... you will be tackling it differently unlike the previous written examinations."

Her pausing mid sentence wasn't helping at all and only made Horikita become more anxious. 

"It doesn't make much difference though..... The only thing that changed was you will write your answers on a different answer sheet."

While saying that, she took a piece of the said answer sheet and showed it to the whole class.

This sudden change was probably announced just this morning by Tsukishiro to prevent Chabashira from leaking the information.

"It's called bubble sheet or optical answer sheet."

Everyone's eyes were only fixed to the unfamiliar answer sheet that Chabashira was holding. 

"I don't know if some of you have seen this before but this was mostly used during major exams. Annual Licensure examinations which involve a large number of examinees across the nation could be a good example."

For fast, efficient and accurate checking of answer sheets, I guess.

Well, we're only high schoolers. From elementary until last semester, we only wrote our answers on the questionnaire itself.

This prestigious school might have used that for the entrance exam for efficiency but I don't think they need it at all as I doubt they bother checking the answer sheets of those examinees that weren't part of the list.

"As you can see, it's a special pre-printed form that has numbers one to fifty that represents the total number of questions in each subject with letters A, B, C and D beside each number. Basically, you will have a multiple choice exam in all subjects."

"Woah! Seriously? Even in Math?"

Ike asked excitedly. 

"That's right...... For the Math subject, I will provide a scratch paper for your solutions."

A few of my classmates, especially the non-academic ones, showed happiness on their faces after hearing Chabashira's confirmation

Certainly. This type of exam raises the passing rate as the right answer is already presented within the multiple choice. A blank answer sheet could also be avoided. There might be instances that we forget the answers but we often remember it just by reading the choices. And even if we don't have any idea what's the right answer, we can still rely on luck from choosing the correct letter.

After setting it up, a video was played on the monitor showing the correct way of shading the letter inside the circle.

"Just like what you have watched just now, keep in mind to mark your answers completely and properly using lead pencils with the correct amount of shade. If you won't, chances are your answer sheet won't be accepted as we teachers won't check it manually..... but by machines."

And so, the word that Horikita was scared of hearing finally came out of Chabashira's mouth. She then turned her head slightly on her right and gave me, who was at the back, a side glance. Her side profile clearly showed how worried she is.

These machines and new answer sheets..... Tsukishiro already set everything to make Horikita surrender. 

I wonder how many students' high school journey would end in this exam.

"Since changes are only announced today, lead pencils will be distributed as well."

Explanations were done. Answer sheets, lead pencils, and questionnaires were distributed to us and the exam started.

First subject, Economics.

Everyone was quiet, completely focused. But after a while, a heavy atmosphere was slowly filling the classroom as they noticed the questions.

".... Oi.... Aren't the questions much more complicated than before?"

Sudo voiced his complaints upon reading the further questions that are much harder than we thought. 

Yes. Most of it still covered the chapters that we studied but the way the questions were constructed wasn't simple at all. This exam was clearly testing if the student really understood the topics completely.

"No talking during exams."

But Chabashira only indirectly called Sudo's attention.

"The school thought that multiple choice examinations made this exam easier. Basically, the school just tried to make everything balanced..... Now, focus."

I see. So the questionnaires were not made by the teachers but by Tsukishiro's lackeys huh.

*****************

All non-academic students let out a sigh of relief as the exam finally ended.

While Chabashira was collecting the answer sheets, an unusual sound echoed through the hallway, causing everyone in the classroom to turn our heads in unison and look outside.

Shortly after, a chaperone of men pushing a cart with a machine on top of it, the creator of the noise, appeared.

For every eight of them had passed, there's a man in a suit behind them. 

Everyone was confused, including Chabashira.

Not any longer, another set of these people came but this time, they entered inside our classroom one after another. 

Eight machines were lined up in front of us while the men who brought them went out of the room.

"Good afternoon everyone."

A second later, acting director Tsukishiro came in, wearing his usual smile.

Everyone greeted him back, except me, Chabashira and Horikita, but with a confused and weak voice. Aside from me, these two ladies couldn't utter a word as their minds were only focusing on what's about to happen, frightened.

"Hm? What's up with that nonchalant greeting?"

"...Ah.... We're sorry, Acting Director. It's just that-"

"It's okay."

Smiling wider than usual, Tsukishiro lifted his right hand slightly and interrupted Yosuke's explanation.

"I'm just kidding. I completely understand as you just had an exam. All of you must be so exhausted."

Tsukishiro then scanned the faces of my tired classmates.

"I know that you want to go home immediately and take a rest but can I ask for a little of your time? I just wanted to introduce and show you this machine called Optical Mark Reader also known as OMR."

While putting his hand on the OMR on his left, he said...

"In every written exam starting today, all answer sheets will no longer be checked by the teachers manually but by these machines."

Though slightly amazed, students only stared at him.

"I know, I know. All of you are confused on why I have to make an effort of showing you these when I can just let the teachers announce that the school had once again changed one of its policies. But you see, I have my reasons for personally coming here."

Slowly walking to the other side of the room while putting his hands together, Tsukishiro explained.

"With this new way of checking the answer sheets, it's understandable if some of you will doubt the results of the exam..... Are these machines even reliable?.... Won't there be a mistake as my high school life is at stake? And any other questions..."

And then, he turned on his heel and once again walked slowly to the other side.

"As the home of the leading Optical Mark Reader manufacturer in the whole world with an accuracy of 99.9%, it is only right to show you with your own eyes how true this is.... But most importantly, I don't want the number one school in Japan to get accused of unfairness and injustice."

Utter disbelief was written all over Chabashira's face as she listened to him, disgusted by his guts of saying it with a straight face.

Tsukishiro noticed her expression but he simply brushed it off and looked to his real target, Horikita. 

To prevent the students from doubting the reliability of OMR, Tsukishiro decided to explain it beforehand. This way, Horikita suspecting the school of fraud would only appear outrageous and nonsense.

Stopping on his tracks, which was exactly in front of Horikita, he faced the class.

"To prevent this, we decided to check all the answer sheets at this exact moment and show you how accurate the OMR is as evidence. Meaning, your test results will be announced today which also indicates that expelled students will leave today."

A considerable amount of students gasped from the unexpected news, creating a noise inside the room.

Just then, Tsukishiro looked down and made eye contact with the girl in front of him.

"With this, you can also have the opportunity to check your answer sheet if you feel that something was wrong and voice your complaints directly, am I right?"

That's what he said, but he was actually trying to play with Horikita mentally. Pressuring her. Testing if she's strong enough to accuse the acting director of fabrication in front of everyone.

Tsukishiro was hiding it from everyone with his smile but he was actually looking at her with a stern gaze saying 'I dare you'.

If Horikita only had to save the student body, of course she would dare to accuse even the acting director himself, but since her brother's future is also on the line..... hesitation is inevitable.

Seeing Horikita's expression and Tsukishiro's behaviour, Chabashira glanced at me, wondering what's the deal between the two. 

But it wasn't just her. Yosuke as well, who was in the front row, showed concern on his face as he noticed the tension between Horikita and Tsukishiro. 

"Each subject's answer key is already uploaded to each OMR. So Chabashira sensei, if you please check carefully if there's no mistakes....."

Chabashira did what Tsukishiro told her. Holding the answer key in her right hand, she checked each OMR one by one. 

After a few minutes, though somewhat tense, she confirmed that everything was right and no mistakes were seen.

Tsukishiro called for assistance from one of the people who brought the OMR that was waiting outside and then....

"Class B's leader, Horikita-san, if you want, you can watch it closely and represent the whole class."

He once again called Horikita's attention.

"All my staff are actually told to let each class leader check carefully and see it from their own eyes."

Seeing his hand motioning her to go beside the OMR, she slowly stood up and followed his instruction anxiously.

********************

A couple of minutes had passed and they were already on the sixth subject. Everyone was nervous but so far so good, no one had fallen under the red line yet.

Horikita probably already noticed the obvious. 

Tsukishiro won't attack this class. No, that's not it. No fabrication will happen in this exam, opposite to what he had threatened her. Instead, he planned to expel students by other means which we're gonna know later.

After a few more minutes , everything was done and then....

"Congratulations. All class B students passed the exam."

Clapping his hands lightly, Tsukishiro praised the class which made everyone happy. 

Clap!Clap!Clap!

As if he forgot that the acting director was present, overjoyed, Ike stood up and clapped his hands loudly. But upon noticing Chabashira's sharp eyes, he sat down in a hurry.

Though she's also glad about the results, Horikita returns to her seat, still looking concerned.

"Since the results are already announced, it's time to tell you the real point of the exam."

As if he doesn't want everyone's mind to take a rest, Tsukishiro said something surprising again. Seeing my classmates' reaction, he smiled and said...

"I'm sorry. Did that make you nervous?.... Don't worry. What I'm about to say won't change the outcome. Everyone in Class B is already safe from expulsion. I will only tell you the lesson of this exam just like always."

Hearing it, a few let out a sigh of relief.

"Let's see......"

Looking through the class.....

".... Matsushita-san..?"

Tsukishiro called Matsushita and told her that it's okay to stay seated.

"Just wanted to ask..... What have you noticed since this morning?"

"...Uhm... A lot of unexpected things happened?"

"Unexpected things...... that's right. Will you narrate it one by one?"

"The new answer sheet, test questions that were constructed differently unlike usual which made it more difficult and announcing the exam results on the exact day."

"Hm, Hm....... And despite this, your class amazingly overcame this. Will you please tell me how, Hirata-kun?"

This time, Tsukishiro turned his attention to Yosuke.

"Well, ever since first year, we constantly had study sessions. All of us are slowly and surely used to studying. I believe that's the biggest reason why all of us successfully passed the exam."

"That only means you understand so well what it means to be a student right from the start."

Satisfied, Tsukishiro went back facing the whole class.

"Unforeseen events..... That's what this exam is called."

By purposely saying it in a strong tone, he got everyone's attention, including the uninterested ones like Koenji and Ike, who really wanted to leave and Chabashira who was looking like she's not aware of what Tsukishiro just said.

"Future is uncertain. No, even next month or next week, all of us don't know what's gonna happen. But we're living and doing our usual like everything is going to be okay.... When you first heard about the exam, you thought that it was just a piece of cake, right?.... Until the exam day came. You realized that it wasn't as easy as you expected. But because of your past experiences and preparedness like the constant study session, you magnificently overcame it. Though some of you almost, almost fell under the red line."

Him saying 'almost' twice, implying how close it was, students who almost failed fidgeted slightly, except Ike who was feeling proud of himself after letting out a sigh of relief.

"By the time you enrol in college or get employed in a company, yes, some of you are probably making yourself ready for everything that might happen, but most of the time..... we are either already looking at the finish line or just living our life today. We often overlook and don't consider the possible unfortunate events that might come along the way. And oftentimes, that's one of the reasons why we fell before even reaching our dreams."

Eyes filled with sincerity, he continued.

"So I hope that this exam will serve as your lesson to always prepare yourself as life is full of unexpected, uncertain things..... Of course, avoid being paranoid. That's too much. Mental health is very important..... If I'm going to give you a simple, understandable example, then it would be.... 'having a good work record since day one could save you if the company that you're working for decided to downsize it's workforce'...... Or even a good moral record could save you one day."

So it's just like 'Correct handling of your finances and not waste it like a one day millionaire would definitely make you thank yourself later'. Something everyone could relate to.

Then I guess, that constant study session since first year by Horikita and others really paid off, especially to our non-academic classmates.

"Students, remember.... 'a good future is a result of good decisions you have made in the past'. If you won't start it by now, then I hope.... you'll start it by tomorrow?"

He was wearing a teasing smile as if his question was just a joke.

But before anyone in the class could respond, Tsukishiro's phone rang. Not a call but just an email.

After excusing himself, he opened the mail. And then........ the right corner of his lips raised slightly. It's as if it contained such an interesting message.

Satisfied, he put his phone back in his pocket and took a quick glance at Horikita before facing the class once again.

"It's unfortunate but.... six students from class D and four from class C, a total of ten students from first year..... failed to pass the exam."

"... Woah... Ten?...."

".....Seriously?"

".... Right from the start?..."

My unprepared classmates were surprised by that out of the blue news. Ten is not small but not that big either compared to the number of third year students that got expelled in the previous island exam. Everyone just got caught off guard because Tsukishiro just said it out of nowhere and the fact that it's the first exam of the school year.

The questionnaires that we gave freely weren't as helpful as we thought. The new first year class D, who has more hard headed students than ours before probably just memorized the answers, not expecting the questions where full understanding of the topics were needed. Though it still might have saved two or three.

Announcing the expelled students here was probably not necessary but in order to increase Horikita's mental burden even more, his real intention, he had to.

I couldn't see her face, but I could imagine her expression just from looking at Tsukishiro's face who was looking at her satisfyingly.

Yeah, Horikita could be feeling so defeated by now but the Horikita I know would definitely.....

"..... Acting director, may I say something?"

Mustering her courage, Horikita raised her right hand, causing my talkative classmates to stop whispering at each other.

"Yes, you may, Horikita-san."

"..... After hearing the point of the exam about unforeseen events, I do understand that I, the student council president and the faculty members, who usually have prior knowledge regarding the exam should be kept in the dark about it. But since the exam has already ended, will it be okay if I'll ask for some clarifications?"

"Of course."

"..... Apart from the new answer sheet, do the first years also have the same type of questionnaire like us seniors? The differently constructed questions?"

"Yes. Though the lower years don't have to compete with the higher year, all year levels have the same type of exam."

"...... I see... but.... from what I've seen, the first years have the same level of penalty just like us... Does that mean that we were tackling this exam equally?"

As if she realized something from Tsukishiro's answer, Horikita replied with a hint of hesitation from her voice.

"Exactly."

Clenching her fist, she responded with...

"..... Let me apologized Acting director Tsukishiro but, I don't quite see it that way"

Seeing no reaction from him, Horikita continued.

"..... You asked us what was the reason why we successfully passed the exam. Yes, it was because we were able to prepare ourselves since first year while the newly enrolled students haven't. That alone already puts them at great disadvantage.... Moreover, every time there's an all year level exam, the school would always give the first years a lower punishment as they have no experience at all. Like when we had to team up with them last year in the first special exam, unlike us who will face expulsion, losing private points for three months was their only penalty. And even facing a lesser punishment, they were given a little knowledge about the school as well..... But acting director, I got to talk with the new first years and it seemed like they were clueless about everything."

Simply speaking, the new first years were not granted with the same privilege as the previous generation and were treated cruelly in this exam, thus the reason for the absurd number of expelled students.

Now that Horikita couldn't accuse Tsukishiro of fabrication unlike she expected since no such thing happened.... no, even if he included dirty tricks, she still wouldn't be able to complain about it as Tsukishiro made her see it herself of how reliable the OMR is in front of everyone. Moreover, Tsukishiro also mentioned that every class leader was told to witness it themselves. But still, she eventually found another reason to question him as she complained about the unequal punishment of the exam.

"Are you saying that I'm being unfair?"

Getting straight to the point, Tsukishiro asked Horikita.

"... I don't know exactly if that's the right term but...... yes."

Gasped.

A few here like Yosuke would probably agree with Horikita's point but they couldn't help but get shocked at her bold answer. 

Judging from Tsukishiro's eyes, it didn't seem like a miscalculation on his part but rather, he knew exactly what was his mistake here.

He purposely ignored one of the school policies just to get the number of expelled students that he desired.

I don't know the reason why but with the right creation of an exam, he could still expel as many students as he wanted even by still following the rules completely. Even so, he chose to ignore one rule. Why?

I would probably think that it was a must strategy in consideration of me as he knows that Horikita and I were working together. Thinking that I would do everything to save the student body as my way of pulling Horikita on my side which made him resort to such a method.

But it seemed like that deduction was wrong, 'cause judging from his face, I think not.

Despite Horikita boldly pointing it out, Tsukishiro..... was not bothered by it at all.

Which only means....

".... I see..... I do understand why you would think that. At first glance, it really seemed unfair. But Horikita-san... you're quite wrong there.... Lowering the punishments of first years only applies if all year levels will go against each other as this is the only time when the inexperienced students will be at disadvantage. Yes, all of you were indeed tackling the same exam but you were not competing against them and so were they. In fact, everyone had its common enemy which was the exam itself, the Unforeseen events."

....there's a rule that could refute her complaints.

"Furthermore, they are not totally considered inexperienced. It was just a written exam. Not an uninhabited island exam nor sports festival.... Before they came here, they were once an elementary and middle school students. And for sure, for nine years, they definitely know that if there's an exam, studying is common sense. The main reason why everyone in this class managed to avoid expulsion."

Well, he got a point. But still, those questionnaires were just too hard. 

We were only able to survive as everyone in this class grew a lot for the past two years.

If we try to go back to the time we entered here, even if I was able to predict the real point of the exam, we would still lose a couple of our classmates. There's just no way that our non-academic students, especially the three idiots, would be able to answer those questions.

"If you neglect the new answer sheet, that does not make that much difference and announcing the results today, that only made the expelled students leave much earlier.... differently constructed questions was the only unforeseen event in this exam. A problem that simple solution like studying hard was needed. A solution that brainstorming is not a must... Besides, facing expulsion as a penalty right at the very first exam should have made the first years realize how serious the exam and unordinary this school is. Knowing even just a little bit about the school system is not needed at all."

Looking straight into Horikita's eyes, he added.

"It's unfortunate but.... they got expelled because they failed to realize that, Horikita-san."

After those back to back explanations from Tsukishiro, Horikita wasn't able to answer.

"The truth is, I was a little surprised by your question as I thought you already knew it, student council president."

Her hesitation a while ago made me think that she indeed knew it right from the start.

It's just that, the Horikita I know would definitely try despite knowing how futile her effort is going to be. Hoping that it could make a difference.... even just a little bit.

"To make it more understandable, can I ask you a question, Horikita-san?"

Seeing no reaction from her, Tsukishiro continued.

"Do you think unfortunate things only befall to experienced people?"

"...... N-no... Acting director..."

Hearing Horikita's answer, he smiled.

"Exactly. Unfortunate things don't choose their target, whether you're a veteran in life or a child who's still clueless at everything."

Using the cruel reality as an excuse, everyone fell silent, especially Horikita, who couldn't help but accept the fate of the expelled first year students.

"... I understand..."

Breaking the silence with a faint voice, Horikita spoke weakly.

".... It's just that.... those expelled students could have become someone great in the future. Someone the class needed for the upcoming exams, to come back on their feet... It was such a waste that their worth was only judged by a single written exam."

I could feel from my back the air of someone who was a little surprised yet super delighted after hearing Horikita's statement.

It's no question that she was able to reach that conclusion after witnessing Sudo's growth for the past two years which Sudo himself knows.

Though I already know that Horikita really matured a lot, I still couldn't help but get surprised whenever she shows this gentle side of her. Something she hardly exposed to anyone.

While almost everyone was looking at her in amazement, including Chabashira, Tsukishiro's eyes were looking pleased as Horikita unknowingly showed her fragile side. A possible weakness that Tsukishiro might use against her later.

"I also understand your compassion towards the student body, Horikita-san. You're the student council president after all."

Not really. Showing compassion towards the other year level or even to other classes isn't something a student council president should feel. They're supposed to see everyone neutrally and Horikita knows it herself that getting expelled through exams is something inevitable as it is part of the school system. Her mind was just preoccupied with the thought that Tsukishiro unjustifiably expelled them for the sake of their personal fight. 

Well, though Tsukishiro followed the rules, it's not like she was wrong.

Still looking at Horikita, Tsukishiro continued.

"But rest assured as I already took into account the result of this exam for the next special exam. In consideration of it, I will grant the first year the privilege that they deserved. So if I were you, Horikita-san, I would change the type of worry in my heart towards the possible formidable enemies in the next special exam. Because I believe, the loss of the first years definitely made them realize what it means to be a challenger in a competitive environment."

And then, he showed a smile as if he did not just warn her.

Now, did you finally get it, Horikita? The differences between the powerful and the weak. Between an adult and a kid. Out of everyone, it's you who should be able to fully understand that as you were exposed to power yourself. 

Tsukishiro had been using his power the way he wanted. As long as he follows the rules, he will continue to expel students on the pretext of an exam.

The help that I lent wasn't to stop the mass expulsion. I was only trying to lessen the mental burden that it will cause to Horikita, who was trying to save the student body all by herself as it was the real intention of Tsukishiro just like what I told Horikita before.

Hopefully, this could help Horikita realize what I'm really trying to convey. 

At the end of the day, we are just helpless kids who can't do anything against adults who hold authority that leaves us no choice but to follow them. The cruel reality of influential people who are abusing their power for their own good.

Clap! Clap!

Clapping his hands twice, Tsukishiro took the attention of everyone after facing the class that also helped lighten up the heavy atmosphere inside the room.

"That's enough explanation and once again I congratulate all of you for passing the exam."

Everyone followed and clapped their hands lightly as well. As soon as it ended, Tsukishiro put his hands behind him and said.

"I know I already took so much of your time and I understand if some of you already want to go home. That's why for the next segment, everyone has the will to join or not."

Next segment?

Everyone became restless once again as they heard those words.

"Since we don't have enough time, I'm hoping that no one will interrupt me, understand?"

Though he made it seem like he was saying that condition to the whole class, those words were actually specifically directed to Horikita and to the woman behind him.

"The next segment will be..... a Bonus special exam."

A special exam right after a special exam?

"Wait a minute, Acting Director Tsukishiro. You just can't announce an exam in my class without my knowledge."

This time, Chabashira was the one who complained.

"Didn't I say just a second ago to not interrupt me, Chabashira-sensei? You know that condition also applies to you, right?"

"Still-."

Chabashira wasn't able to continue when Tsukishiro raised his left hand, telling her to shut up.

Turning his head slightly on the left, he said...

"Know your place sensei. I am the Acting director who has the authority to propose an exam when needed. Your role in this school is to obey the higher ups."

By pointing out the differences of their position, Chabashira only held her tongue. And it wasn't just her, it left no room for Horikita to complain as well.

Putting back his left hand behind him and facing the class once again, he added.

"Well, to make you feel less agitated, I can guarantee that this exam won't lead to any expulsion. This exam will only test the student's memory skills and the class's teamwork or should I say, the students' trust towards each other."

Despite Tsukishiro's assurance, Chabashira still wasn't convinced and was looking tense.

But still.... memory skills? Trust? 

What type of exam is it?

Just then, noise started filling in the hallway as the other classes started dismissing.

Students like Ike couldn't help but look at the students from Class C and D passing by outside our room in envy.

Well, Tsukishiro said that it depends on us if we want to join the exam or not, therefore, he definitely wouldn't call our attention if we decided to join the students outside. We're certainly free to go home now.

To be honest, I also want to leave the room and not join the exam but since no one, like literally no one including Koenji stood up, I decided to stay.

While some of my classmates didn't have the courage to leave, imagining the possible consequences in their head, Koenji probably just stayed for fun, thinking that he would see something interesting in this Bonus special exam.

When the hallway started to get quiet, Tsukishiro then spoke.

"Can I assume that all of you wanted to join?"

No one answered but just like what they say 'Silence means yes'.

"Then I'll take that as a 'yes'..... Before I state the exam, I would like to commend you for staying despite feeling tired and wanting to go home. And I tell you, you made the right decision as aside that this exam doesn't have a penalty, the student who will perfectly state my request will be rewarded with one protection point."

"...For real?"

The class gasped in amazement.

A special exam with no penalty and a big reward like protection point. What a lenient yet probably a very hard exam.

"Raise your right hand if you know the answer. So everyone....."

Before completing his sentence, Tsukishiro looked at me for the first time since he entered the room and asked...

"... are you ready?"

..... a question that's specifically directed to me.

That concludes that this exam was meant to provoke me.

My competitive classmates, minus Horikita, who was suspicious about the whole point of this bonus exam, started to prepare themselves.

Seeing my classmates' expressions, Tsukishiro smiled and then.....

"Excluding this Bonus special exam, narrate all eighteen special exams your class got involved in starting from first year."

Almost everyone, including Chabashira, hung their mouths open upon hearing how easy the exam was.

Seriously, just narrating all the special exams and you'll get a protection point.

While everyone was either caught off guard or their mind was still trying to remember the past exams, our most competitive classmate already raised his right hand.

"Yes, Yukimura-kun."

Called out, Keisei stood up, and just by hearing his name, my classmates already felt defeated. Acknowledging that Keisei already won the protection point even before hearing his answer.

While sticking out his fingers one by one, Keisei mentioned each special exam starting from the first year.

But after reaching the 16th special exam, Keisei stopped and was staring at his fingers. Doubting if he counted it right.

"... and... and the Unforeseen events exam."

Feeling uncertain, Keisei looked up and faced Tsukishiro.

"You only narrated seventeen. I said eighteen special exams."

Keisei went back narrating the exams in his mind but no matter what, he could only remember seventeen of them.

".... Uhm.... Isn't it only seventeen?"

"I'm sorry, but it's eighteen.... Someone else?"

Tsukishiro tried to call for someone else but no one raised their hand anymore as they had the same count as Keisei's.

At this exact moment, I realized why this Bonus special exam relates to me.

I see. This is what you're after huh.

Out of everyone, there's only five of us who knew the 18th special exam. Three of them surely won't mention it despite knowing that they'll acquire the tempting protection point reward.

Except for this one person.

"Yes, Kushida-san."

Upon noticing Kushida slowly raising her hand, Tsukishiro called her.

Seeing her standing up, I could only close my eyes as I'm already imagining what my high school life is going to be after this.

The whole class paid full attention towards Kushida as she was narrating the special exams, wondering what they missed out.

"... unforeseen events exam and ...... 20 million bounty special exam."

"20 million?"

"Bounty? What's that?"

Ike, followed by Keisei, asked in confusion.

"I see. Only a few of you know..... Will you please explain and illuminate your classmates, Kushida-san?"

"At the start of our second year, six first year students, namely Takahashi Osamu and Ishigami Kyou from Class A, Yagami Takuya from Class B, Utomiya Riku from Class C, and Housen Kazuomi and Nanase Tsubasa from Class D were given a special exam. With the duration of one whole semester, students who could expel Ayanokoji Kiyotaka from 2nd year class D will be rewarded with 20 million private points."

Shocked, everyone turned their heads towards me in a flash, intently staring.

"....K-Kiyotaka's expulsion.... worth 20 million points?

"Wait. Aren't those first year students mentioned mostly class leaders?

"... There's even Housen...."

"Everyone, the exam has already reached its conclusion."

Stopping the commotion, Tsukishiro spoke with a strong tone.

"Congratulations, Kushida-san. You'll receive your protection point shortly after."

"... I-I'm sorry, Acting director, but aren't those bounty exam's participants not from our class?"

But then, Keisei voiced his complaints.

"As far as I can remember, I said special exams your class got involved in. Since Ayanokoji-kun from your class defended himself from the attacks of those said students only counts that your class got involved. Moreover, Kushida-san here knew, which only means a couple of students from this class definitely got involved in that exam, whether it was attacking or defending."

And that single explanation was enough to make Keisei understand. However, he wasn't looking satisfied and only asked.

"Is there anyone else who knows about that bounty exam here?"

Taking advantage of this opening, Tsukishiro replied.

"Your class leader, Horikita-san, definitely knows. If you were not included in the people she told about that certain exam, perhaps it signifies that she doesn't trust you?"

Acting like a child, he really said something that could cause chaos in the class.

As everything was already heading to the way he intended, Tsukishiro and the men who brought the OMR left.

And then, the room was filled with silence. 

And it wasn't just that, everyone, excluding Horikita who was only sitting motionless, kept on staring at me. Eyes filled with questions like, 'How was I able to defend myself from the known dangerous lower year class leaders?"

Authors Note:Sorry if it took me more than one month to update.

Personal life aside, this chapter made me lose interest writing because it's about an exam.🤣 I once said before that I don't like writing exams because it would only turned out funny. I literally stopped midway and just watched anime with my sister cause I don't know what to write especially the debates. I only made Horikita look dumb. I even made my own rule. LOL

Anyway, it wasn't executed well but what I really wanted to show was that Tsukishiro finally used his power and position properly and expelled students while still following the rules as I think that's way much cooler than using dirty tricks.

I was actually hoping that you still enjoyed this chapter even without any Ayanokoji action. LOL.

Anyway, thank you very much for still coming back and hope you'll stay until the end.😊😊