Homeroom
Everyone was sitting down as Chabashira walked up to the front.
"Well, you've done well so far. While you don't have a substantial lead you have been promoted to Class C. Well the next exam will test you."
Everyone paid attention as some of the boys made a devastated face.
"Another Special Exam? Already?"
Chabashira chuckled.
"You should be happy. You'll get promoted faster this way. Well if you win this exam that is."
Suzuki then put his hand up.
"What is it Horikita?"
"How many points can we earn exactly?'
"100 Class Points."
Suzuki's eyes widened as he considered it.
"That would mean in the best circumstance where Ichinose's Class loses we could close the gap between out classes by maybe 40 or so Class Points."
Chabashira smirked.
"Exactly. Unfortunately you guys won't be facing off against Class B. You'll be fighting Class D."
Everyone heard this as Ike complained.
"Ryuen again? Seriously? Didn't we beat him already?"
Suzuki sighed.
"Don't be stupid. There are only a few points in difference between us. if we're sloppy we could easily lose our position to Ryuen's Class."
Ike sweated as Sudo, then, having finished thinking about all this, spoke.
"So hold on. If we win wouldn't Ryuen's Class lose 100 Class Points? We have the chance to leave him in the dust!"
Many people heard this and looked excited, but Suzuki was not completely happy with this.
'Our Class aren't exactly academic buds. Even if Ryuen's Class is about the same this is not a done deal.'
Suzuki sighed.
'I'm almost certain that Ryuen will use dirty tricks. But how would he do that? I have to learn the rules of the Exam first."
"Sensei. What are the rules of the Exam?"
Chabashira sighed.
"Finally one of you asks. This Exam is the Paper Shuffle. Two Classes are paired. Class A and B are paired which is why Class C and Class D are paired. Each Class comes up with questions for the other class. Each question must be academic and will be checked over by the teachers to be at an appropriate level for this level of study before submission. Whichever class has the higher average score will win this exam."
'This kind of exam... There's no knowing what kind of question that will be thrown at us.'
Suzuki walked out of the classroom and walked up to Kiyomi.
"So I'm assuming you're going to be fine for this exam."
"I should be alright."
"Can I ask you to host a study group?"
"You know I don't want to gain notoriety."
"I think you already have considering that Ryuen knows about you."
"Even still."
"Well alright. It's fine."
Kiyomi sighs.
"Fine."
"Huh? But you said..."
"It's okay. I'll help out."
Suzuki then pulled up a list.
"Then can you handle... Haruka Haesebe, Sakura Airi and Akito Miyake with Yukimura? They're the most problematic ones."
"What about Ike, Sudo and Yamauchi?"
"Kushida and I will be handling them."
"Oh... that's a good idea actually."
Suzuki sighed.
"She's earned my trust, even if only a little."
Kiyomi smiled slightly.
"It's good to see my boyfriend and best friend getting along."
"I wouldn't take it that far."
"Okay. Um. Suzuki. About our relationship. Do you want to be open about it now?"
"Not everyone needs to know our business but... I don't mind if you tell people."
Kiyomi nodded.
"Well, I'll handle those three with Yukimura. I'll see you later."
Suzuki nodded.
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With Suzuki
Suzuki stood with Kushida outside the library.
"Are you ready Kushida?"
"Yeah. I am. Let's just get this fucking over with."
Suzuki nodded as they entered, and Kushida put on her facade as she and Suzuki sat down. Ike and Yamauchi began fawning over her.
"Kushida-Chan! Thank you for teaching us."
"Yeah! You're the best."
Kushida scratched her chin cutely.
"Um actually Suzuki-Kun here is the one who's going to tutor you. I'm here as a support."
Those two looked disappointed as Suzuki gave them workbooks.
"Work through these."
Sudo picked up the workbook.
"Hey Horiktia. I don't really know much about this. Give me a hand alright?"
"Alright."
Suzuki and Kushida moved over as Suzuki would explain the theory. Kushida did her best to simplify the content so that Sudo would have an easier time understanding it. The three idiots then began working through it.
'They're at the very least working hard. Hopefully their results will be good.'
The three finished their workbook as Suzuki checked over them.
"Sudo... hm. Not bad. A 50 out of 100. Ike... ... 41... sigh... it's okay. You have room to improve. Yamauchi..."
Suzuki felt like barfing from seeing his scores.
"You can't be serious. 23? You didn't even answer all the questions!"
Suzuki looked back through the workbook.
"Did you even try? There's no working out for most of the workbook."
Yamauchi wasn't paying attention as he was busy staring at Kushida. Suzuki slammed his hand on the table in front of Yamauchi.
"Will you pay attention?"
"Eh!? Um... yeah. What is it? I'm sill working on it okay?"
Suzuki showed him the paper.
"Huh!? I wasn't finished!"
Suzuki turned to Sudo and Ike.
"You two have potential. The chance to become good students. In fact I'm starting to think that the reason you're below average right now is because you two spend too much time with people like him."
Suzuki pointed at Yamauchi.
"Ditch this waste of space."
Sudo and Ike sweated as Yamauchi got annoyed.
"Hey! Who the hell do you think you are?"
"You never learn so I'm sick of dealing with you."
"Fuck off man. I'm fine."
He said this as his attention turned back to Kushida. Kushida then spoke up.
"Yamauchi-Kun. Will you stop staring at my breasts?"
"Oh yeah. I will try harder to study Kushida-Chan."
"You're not listening to me Yamauchi-Kun."
Ike stood up and punched Yamauchi in the head.
"What the fuck is wrong with you man? Just look at Kushida-Chan's face."
Yamauchi looked up as Kushida made a hurt face.
"Eh? Kushida-Chan?"
Ike sighed.
"Haruki. I don't want anything to do with you anymore man."
Ike walked over to Kushida.
"Do you want to get some water Kushida-Chan? Maybe you'll feel a bit better?"
Kushida looked surprised as she seemed to be surprised by Ike's behaviour.
'Ike Kanji. I underestimated you. It seems Kiyomi was able to fix you.'
Kushida stood up as she and Ike walked away. Ike bowed to Kushida.
"I'm sorry. All this time I've been very disrespectful to you. I was an idiot and it took Ayanokoji-San talking some sense into me to realise it. All this time I haven't considered your feelings been though I've expected you to do that for me. I'm so sorry."
Kushida was genuinely shocked.
"Ike-Kun... thank you. I usually don't mind letting go when boys do that to me but I guess I boiled over a little."
Ike smiled.
"It's okay. I hope you're feeling a bit better."
"I think I'd like some space from Yamauchi-Kun, honestly."
Ike burst into the room.
"Haruki get lost man."
Yamauchi looked enraged.
"Why the hell should I? I came here to help the class. How can you treat me like this?
Sudo then grabbed his shoulder.
"That's a lie. You came here to oggle Kushida-San."
Yamauchi looked at Suzuki.
"Don't look at me. You're the one who refuses to learn anything. If you have no desire to earn then I have nothing to teach you."
Yamauchi got up.
"Screw you guys!"
Yamauchi walked past them, storming out of the room. Ike and Kushida sat back down.
"Thank you for standing up for me Ike-Kun."
"Of course Kushida-Chan. You can rely on me."
After the session ended, Suzuki confronted Kushida.
"Gained yourself a loyal dog have you?"
"Oh fuck off. He's useful to an extent. Besides... he was kind of cool for a second. Ugh. What about I saying. Bleugh."
'Same as always.'
"He's improved a good degree so just don't do anything that will jeperdize his abilities."
"Yeah yeah. Whatever."
"It would be pretty funny..."
"What would?"
"If someone like him managed to steal your heart."
"Fuck no!"
Suzuki laughed.
"Weren't you the one that said he looked cool?"
"Shut the fuck up Horikita!"
Suzuki left her there as Kushida was fuming with rage.
'Seeing something like that would definitely make my day.'
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With Kiyomi
Kiyomi sat down next to Yukimura, across from the three problem children.
"So are you three ready?"
The three nodded. Kiyomi looked at Yukimura.
"Is there a problem?"
Yukimura had a slight blush on his face. He had clearly never sat next to a girl before, and he could smell her perfume. (Also, Kiyomi unintentionally mogs him)
"Um no. Nothing."
Kiyomi took out some workbooks.
"Let's get started... Yukimura-San? Can you get out the other half of the workbooks from your bag?"
"... Oh yeah! Sorry."
Yukimura took out the books and accidentally spilled them onto the floor. Haruka looked at this suspiciously.
"Um... Sakura-San. Akito-Kun. Do you guys want to quickly get a drink before we start?"
Akito looked confused.
"Why would...?"
Haruka kicked his shin under the table.
"Ow! I mean um. Yeah. Okay."
The three of them got up and left. Kiyomi turned to Yukimura.
"Is everything alright with you?"
"Um. Yeah... I... wanted to... apologize."
"Hm?"
"For on the island. You were right. It was my own emotions that made me say all of that."
"It's okay. Humans are emotional creatures. It's only natural."
Yukimura's sweat dropped seeing Kiyomi's blank face.
"Um. How about... I... um... treat you to something.... to apologize?"
"But... you already did?"
"Properly I mean."
"Um... that's not a good idea."
"Why..."
The three problem children returned as Haruka sat down.
"So are you two dating?"
Yukimura blushed furiously.
"Haesebe-San!"
"No. We're not."
Kiyomi said this without hesitation as Haruka looked surprised.
"You two kind of looked like a new couple. The boy being all skitterish and the more experienced girl being used to having a boyfriend. That kind of thing."
"Not at all. I'm dating someone else."
"Huh? Really? Who?"
"Horikita-Kun."
Everyone seemed to make a face that seemed to say Ah, yes, that sounds right.
"Why are you all looking at me like that?'
Haruka shook her hands.
"Ah. It's nothing."
"Well alright..."
Kiyomi pointed at the workbooks.
"Then let's get back on topic."
They started working through the workbooks as Kiyomi and Yukimura looked through the results. Yukimura straightened his glasses as he put down Haruka's workbook.
"Haesebe-San. You got a 67 out of 100. It's not bad."
Kiyomi put down Akito's workbook.
"73. There's room for improvement."
Haruka gave Akito a hi-five. Then Kiyomi and Yukimura looked at Sakura's workbook as Yukimura sweated.
"Um... Sakura-San... you got a... 32."
Haruka and Akito felt bad about the timing of their high-five as Sakura looked devastated, but Kiyomi stepped in.
"Most of this is because you don't understand the questions. You hesitate because of this causing you to lose time and then you start rushing the later questions. Your answers for the first few questions are actually quite well answered."
Sakura looked a bit hopeful as Yukimura looked surprised. Kiyomi then sat next to Sakura.
"I'll help you through it okay?"
Sakura nodded.
"Thank you... Ayanokoji-San."
Eventually, they got through another workbook each as the session came to an end, and they started walking out. Haruka then smiled.
"Alright! We did great! From now on we should hang out more."
Akito agreed as Haruka went on.
"Then from this point we'll be Ayanokoji-Group."
Kiyomi looked confused.
"Why are we naming it after me?"
"Cause it sounds better."
"Fair enough."
"Alright Kiyomi... Kiyo... Kiyo-Pon! That's it!"
"... Haruka-San please no."
"Then it's Me, Kiyo-Pon, Miyake, Airi and Teruhiko."
Yukimura looked upset.
"Um can you please not use that name? My mother named me and then left my father and me."
Kiyomi looked the Yukimura.
"About the same for me."
Haruka seemed surprised.
"Seriously? Was your mom jealous of how cute you are?"
"... I'm pretty sure it was because she's wasn't in love with my dad."
"Oh."
"But I was just a baby so I don't know."
"..."
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Night Time
Kiyomi was walking around when Ryuen, Ishizaki, Albert and Ibuki confronted her.
"Hey there Kiyomi."
"Ryuen?"
"Yeah. It's me."
"So. You decided to take me out of commission so I can't involve myself in this exam."
"Not true. We can organize a deal."
"A deal?"
"Beg."
"..."
"What?"
"Just... no?"
"What do you mean no? You know that there's four of us against one of you right?"
"So?"
"Are you dense? We're going to beat you up. You know you're little boyfriend is next."
"That... sounds so childish though? What's the point?"
"What?"
"I mean it's not like you're going to be able to do it. I mean there are only 4 of you."
"Are you crazy? Ishizaki teach this girl a lesson."
"But she's a girl. Send Ibuki."
Ryuen sighed.
"Fine, you useless fuck. Ibuki. Teach her a lesson."
Ibuki sighed.
"Alright alright."
Ibuki walked over.
"Just surrender already."
Kiyomi stepped closer as Ibuki's eyes widened before flickering and then closing as she fell to the floor unconscious. Ryuen looked stunned.
"What the? Ibuki?"
Ishizaki walked over, kneeling down and checking on her.
"Boss she's out..."
Thwack! Ishizaki falls to his side unconscious, having been kicked in the face.
"Two down. Two to go."
Albert walked towards her as Ryuen smirked.
"You know what happens most of the time when a Black Guy meets a Japanese woman in a manga?"
"...No?"
Ryuen pointed at Albert's junk, emphasising with his hands the point of what he was saying. Albert looked at Ryuen, a bit apprehensive about what he was implying.
"But boss that's rasci..."
"Just shut up and do your job, Albert."
Albert walked over as Kiyomi dodged an attack and proceeded to kick Albert in the balls as Albert fell over in tears.
"You do know the bigger something is the easier it is to hit right?"
Kiyomi then kicked Albert in the face, knocking him out as Ryuen sweated.
"Um, Ryuen... is this all you can muster?"
"You're a monster."
"Um no. Also I'm a bit disappointed."
Ryuen got pissed as he ran at Kiyomi.
—————————————————————————————————————
Next Day
Suzuki walked around when he saw Ryuen with bandages over his face. It looked like he had been beaten to a pulp.
"What the hell happened to you?"
"Fell down a bunch of stairs."
Suzuki pointed to Ishizaki and Albert.
"All three of you?"
Ryuen laughed.
"Your girl is a real monster ya know."
"Kiyomi did this?"
Ryuen laughed.
"We cornered her. Us and Ibuki. Ibuki is still in the infirmary so it didn't end well. I feel sorry for you. Try not to piss her off unless you wanna die."
"Kiyomi isn't the type to get angry."
"You better hope so."
Suzuki sweated.
'If it was anyone else I'd scoff at such a situation but it's Kiyomi.'
Then Suzuki's eyes widened as he rushed to her dorm.
—————————————————————————————————————
Kiyomi's Dorm
Kiyomi opened the door as Suzuki checked her over for injuries.
"Um Suzuki. Are you in heat or something?"
"Wha?"
"You're staring at me all over. Pervert."
Suzuki sighed.
'No injuries. How is that possible though? Is she really that strong? Those dumb boys might have been right. She might actually be an assassin or something.'
There was a slight blush on her face.
"While I don't mind I don't think we're at that stage yet..."
"What? No! I was just checking in."
"Alright."
Suzuki sighed when Kiyomi gave him a hug.
"Kiyomi-San?"
"I'm alright. Sverything is okay."
She said this while stroking his hair, having understood his panic.
"Yeah I'm glad you're okay."
—————————————————————————————————————
Homeroom
Suzuki sat down as he looked at Kiyomi sitting beside him and felt embarrassed.
'Ugh I was acting like such a child yesterday. So embarassing.'
Chabashira stepped out.
"The results of the Paper Shuffle have come in.
Class A: +100
Class B: -100
Class C: +100
Class D: -100
Chabashira smiled.
"You're all one step closer."
Class A (Sakayanagi): 1024
Class B (Ichinose): 653
Class C: (Horikita): 612
Class D (Ryuen): 392
Suzuki saw this.
'Just one more push... and it's all thanks to Kiyomi.' (I couldn't find a way to add the title card at the end of the chapter. I'm sorry, guys. I'm a fraud.)
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To Be Continued
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Rating Out Of 10 For This Part:
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