"Thank you, sensei, for giving me the floor. This morning, we checked our points, and there's an increase compared to last month. Also, our class sign has changed. Could you please explain these things, sensei?"
A straightforward question.
As I said, speculation's pointless—better to get a direct answer from the teacher.
A less subtle smile forms on Chabashira's face, though her expression remains only mildly cheerful.
"Good. You may sit, Kōenji-san. I'll explain what's going on."
At her words, I take my seat, waiting with everyone else for Chabashira's explanation.
"First, let me assure you that no mistakes were made, whether in calculating your points or changing the class sign."
A slight murmur ripples through the room.
"Silence."
One word from Chabashira hushes everyone.
"It's unsettling, but before I explain, please direct your attention to this."
She pulls a rolled-up poster from the tube she brought, unfurls it, and sticks it to the board with magnets.
It lists results:
Class D (Former Class C): 490
Class C (Former Class B): 650
Class B (Former Class A): 840 (-100)
Class A (Former Class D): 1100 (+100)
"What does this mean, sensei?"
Hondō asks, confused.
His question seems to echo the whole class.
Even I'm included. While the other classes' results aren't surprising, our class's score exceeds my expectations. Though, looking closer, I think I understand what happened.
"What you see displayed is each class's points for this month. Multiply those numbers by 100, and you get the points each student in that class receives."
Chabashira begins her explanation.
"But sensei, why are the numbers unequal?"
Hirata chimes in, puzzled by this.
"There's nothing odd about it, Hirata-san. What you're seeing is the school's evaluation of each class."
"Evaluation?"
Yukimura lets out a question.
"At this school, students are sorted by their level of excellence—Class A being the top, Class D the least capable. It's the same system you'd find in elite schools."
"What?! So we're the least capable?"
Nishimura exclaims, indignant.
"Indeed, but that was only until yesterday. If you look closely at the poster, you'll see your current rank."
At that, the class studies the poster more intently. Moments later, "Oh!"s escape from among us.
"As you've now noticed, you're ranked as Class A. That's why the class sign changed from D to A. I must say, it's a first in this school's history for a first-year Class D to jump to Class A in just one month. On behalf of the school, I'm impressed and congratulate you."
Chabashira's applause echoes through the room.
"What were the classes graded on to reach this ranking?"
A girl with long brown hair and a right-swept fringe asks. Her name's Matsushita Chiaki, a named character in the novel and my neighbor to the left.
"As for the exact grading methods, the school keeps that confidential. Just know the evaluation was based on your classroom behavior and participation."
"What was the maximum score for this exam?"
Yukimura jumps in again.
"1,000."
Chabashira's answer is short and direct.
"But…"
Yukimura starts to press, but Chabashira cuts him off.
"I know what you're thinking. Again, there's no error. As I said, the school initially judged you as the least capable among first-years, placing you in Class D. However, your attitude and behavior in class were far more commendable than other classes. You had no absences, no disruptive behavior, and active participation. As a result, your points weren't deducted, and you rose to the top. Faced with this, the school had to admit it misjudged you. A one- or even two-class jump would've been impressive, but leaping from the bottom to the top is truly remarkable. As a gesture of congratulations and apology for underestimating you, the school awarded you an extra 100 class points, taken from the former Class A as punishment for losing their title so spectacularly."
This time, Chabashira gives a detailed breakdown.
'I figured as much.'
Still, I didn't expect things to play out like this. When I checked my balance this morning with Hasebe, I briefly thought things had diverged from the novel—a natural fear given the slight changes already seen. Glad to know that's not the case. Everything went as planned, except I didn't anticipate the school's intervention.
"Now, onto the other matter."
Chabashira pulls another roll from the tube, removes the previous poster, and puts up the new one. It lists every student's name with a number beside it.
"These are the results of the test you took a week ago. The class average is good, but compared to other classes, you rank third."
As Chabashira said, the overall work is solid, but there's room to improve.
While I check everyone's scores, I feel all eyes on me. Not without reason.
At the top of the list, a name stands out. The name itself isn't the issue—it's the score next to it: Kōenji Rokusuke – 100.
Here are the scores for Class D, newly promoted to Class A:
KŌENJI Rokusuke – 100
MEI-YU Wang – 90
YUKIMURA Teruhiko – 90
HIRATA Yōsuke – 85
HORIKITA Suzune – 85
KIKUCHI Rina – 80
KUSHIDA Kikyō – 80
MATSUSHITA Chiaki – 80
NISHIMURA Ryuko – 80
KAYO Miyoshi – 75
MINAMI Setsuya – 75
INOGASHIRA Kokoro – 70
MIYAKE Akito – 70
ONODERA Kayano – 70
SATO Maya – 70
TAKANOBU Ritsushima – 70
AZUNA Sana – 65
ISHIKURA Kayoko – 65
NARIHIRA Suto – 65
TANAKI Koyasu – 65
HASEBE Haruka – 60
KAKUEI Miyoko – 60
MIYAMOTO Soshi – 60
MORI Nene – 60
IKE Kanji – 60
KARUIZAWA Kei – 55
MINAMI Hakuo – 55
OKITANI Kyosuke – 55
SAKURA Airi – 55
SHINOHARA Satsuki – 55
SONODA Chiyo – 55
SOTOMURA Hideo – 55
TOMITA Arisa – 55
AYANOKOJI Kiyotaka – 50
HONDO Ryotarō – 50
ICHIHASHI Ruri – 50
IJUIN Wataru – 50
MAKIDA Susumu – 50
SUDO Ken – 50
YAMAUCHI Haruki – 45
The class average is 70. So…
"While there's still room for improvement, I have good news: if you keep this up, there'll be no expulsions in this class."
"What?!"
Ike and the class jolt at this news.
Chabashira grabs a marker and writes a calculation near the list:
(Average score)/2 = Elimination threshold → 70/2 = 35.
"As this shows, the elimination threshold for this mock exam was 35," Chabashira declares.
"Sensei, are you serious?"
Yamauchi groans. Though he escaped, he's the only one below average with a 45.
'Let's hope this lights a fire under him.'
"I sympathize, but it's one of this school's rules. Keep that in mind moving forward."
"Sensei, will there be other special exams that determine class rankings?"
Hirata asks.
"I can't say. All I'll tell you is not to rest on your laurels."
Even the dimmest person would catch the hint in Chabashira's words.
"One more thing. This school, overseen by the government, boasts a high success rate in elite education and workforce placement. That's well-known. Many of you likely have your sights set on a university or future workplace. But nothing comes easy in this world. It's naive to think you'll waltz into your dream university or job."
Chabashira's words fill the room.
"So, does that mean only classes C and above get that opportunity?"
Hirata asks.
"You're mistaken. The dream of a bright future belongs solely to Class A. This school guarantees nothing to the rest."
"S-so…"
As the class reels, Chabashira flashes a broader smile and spreads her arms.
"Yes. Right now, you stand at the top of your year—the target to take down. Whether you hold that spot depends on you alone. In three weeks, you'll have a mid-term exam. I hope you'll prove your position. It may not seem like it, but I'm confident you'll act in a way worthy of your new status. That's the weight on your shoulders now, as students of this year's elite class."
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