By now, the entire school has taken to calling this even the "Preliminary Exams". It does fit the theme, and I quite like it. After all, this will be nothing compared to how the school is later on.
Largely though, I wasn't sure what score I should get. Scoring a 50 on every test would net me 220 points and a Class C placement. However, doing it that way would probably seem suspicious in the long run. Regardless, I would probably shoot for Class B or C. Class F and D would probably be too competitive. I suspect the Class F students will desperately attempt to enter Class D.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I pulled it out. I was still sitting in the classroom contemplating. Everyone else had left at this point.
[From: Horishia Ayume
I have an idea, if you're interested. It should prove fun. Meet you at your room?]
I instantly regretted showing her where I was located. I sighed, knowing she wouldn't take no for an answer. I deflected the question.
[Have you given up on trying to date me?]
Her reply was instant:
[If you agree to hear me out, yes.]
I sighed, responding instantly.
[Meet me tonight.]
My phone buzzed again, but I didn't bother checking it. I stood up and headed for the library.
I returned Laches by Plato and began browsing the mystery section. The novel selections were pretty good overall. I settled on an Agatha Christie novel and went to check it out. The librarian seemed even more confused. I can only imagine what he thinks. One day I check out a Socratic dialogue by Plato and the next I'm reading Agatha Christie. He didn't say anything though. I returned to my room, reading until Horishia knocked on my door.
It took a few hours, at least, I think it was hours. I lose track of time easily when I get absorbed in books. Eventually, there was a soft knock and I opened the door. Only to find an angry Akamine standing in front of me. I slammed the door in her face and returned to my bed.
What is with these people recently? I've had so many people thinking I would be a good life partner. I couldn't even begin to fathom how one would come to such a conclusion. Opening the book, I once again began to read, only to be interrupted by even more fervent, angry knocking.
I opened the door, and it was, once again Akamine. She spoke hastily, she was clearly angry. "Apologize to Suzumi."
It sounded like a demand, and I thought about it for a moment. What did I have to apologize for? It would be pointless. I spoke my mind in this instance. "My apology wouldn't be sincere. I would be lying to her. I'm not sorry for what I did."
Akamine looked even more angry and she was about to speak before I cut her off. "Could you even accept responsibility if I told her I was sorry? It would be your fault for pressuring me into it, you know. You'd be blatantly lying to her."
I had decided to perform some subtle manipulation. I wanted this "incident" to be buried. I hadn't forgotten her attempt to slap me, and in time, she would be punished for it.
Akamine seemed to take on an air of contemplation before she stormed off. Perhaps this was a good time for the punishment, I closed my door and wrote a brief letter addressed to Suzumi.
It took another few hours for the knocking to start again. It was well into 10 PM. Much later than my normal sleep schedule. I opened the, finding the obscured form of Horishia wearing a white hoodie. The sight blindsided me for a moment. She looked at me curiously before I motioned for her to enter.
I had given away a bit too much. I'd have to be more cautious. She sat down on my bed as I moved to grab a bottle of water. Out of hospitality, I tossed her one as well.
I spoke first. "So what's your plan, Horishia?"
She sighed. "I hate that name. You should call me Ayume."
I couldn't tell if she was serious, or just messing with me. I had to reluctantly agree before she would tell me anything. Eventually, she began to explain.
"Isn't this school a bit...boring?" She sounded genuine, and i noticed that her facade had dropped. She grinned wildly "I think we could...spice it up."
I thought about it for a moment. It was indeed boring, even with the challenges and changes being implemented, I would have little to no trouble gliding by in the background. I was only here for entertainment and the way she was speaking intrigued me.
"I suppose. Even with the changes, it'll be largely easy to float by. Did you have an idea?"
She nodded. "We could spice things up a bit. Sow discord in our class, ruin friendships, and break up couples. Here's my offer: You and I form a coalition, a secret one of course. We could manipulate the class into falling apart. Working behind the scenes to cause a lot of infighting. Wouldn't it be entertaining?"
I spoke quickly, quirking and eyebrow. "Oh? What makes you think I won't tell anyone?"
She scoffed. "You won't, besides, you and me? We're alike in this. I have a sneaking suspicion that you'd enjoy some good old-fashioned chaos."
I thought about it for a moment. On one hand, her idea would be interesting. However, it might be a bit hard to implement. I might have to put in actual effort. Well, that would be fine. As unpredictable as Horish- Ayame was, I could tell she was serious about this.
"This does indeed interest me. What class are you going to be in?"
She thought for a moment. "Class C should be the easiest starting point. D would be a bit hard with the eventual influx of students from Class F. Class F itself will probably be perpetually falling apart.
I nodded. This was my conclusion as well. I reached out to shake her hand. "I've got one condition."
She raised her eyes as she reached out to take my hand. "What's that?"
"No pushy maneuvers. I don't care if you flirt with me, but don't be pushy about things. It annoys me."
"Tch. Fine, I guess."
She shook my hand, and the two of us parted ways for the time being. As I lay down to sleep, I thought to myself. 'That girl might actually be growing on me. She'll be an entertaining partner in crime.'
....
Preliminary Exam Results
1st Place: Yoshikawa Yui-495
2nd Place: Kanata Keiji-451
3rd Place: Tomura Izumi-447
...
66th Place: Mizune Akari-228
67th Place: Enomoto Mitsuri-220
68th Place: Horishia Ayume-205
.....
The announcement for placements came from an email. It seemed the school was adamant about using that feature. Well, it was pretty convenient. I nodded to myself, both of us getting into the same class was pretty much a guarantee, so no surprises there.
Just doing a basic scan-through of all the test scores, there were 20 students in Class A, 30 students in Class B, 25 students in Class C, 37 Students in Class D, and 13 students in Class F. No students were expelled for getting a 0, which was to be expected. Even answering one question correctly would be enough to avoid expulsion.
I woke up on Friday morning and performed my daily routine. I mostly stuck around the dormitory, waiting for Akamine to leave without Suzumi. They had decided to pair up and get a dorm room. That was an option I hadn't thought about much, but thinking back, It was definitely offered to us.
I lingered around the area for quite some time before I saw Akamine leave. She glared at me, but I shrugged it off and performed my morning workout. I had stepped up the game a bit, so I was now sweating. I paid close attention as I watched her head toward the shopping area.
Once she was gone, I made my way up to their room, placing the sealed letter in the door jam, I knocked hard enough to get Suzumi's attention and quickly ducked into the elevator, heading toward my singular room.
This would be punishment enough. Ruining their friendship and driving a strong wedge between them was perfect for revenge. People stricken with love are so easy to predict.