Each class had different experiences with the special exams. Yukio's class went on a group outing, enjoying themselves immensely and being so happy they didn't want to return.
Ichinose's class, though busy, found joy in their work. Even though it was exhausting, they felt it was better than the hellish life on the deserted island because classmates would always lend a hand.
Meanwhile, Sakayanagi's class and Class D finally faced their workplace challenge.
Their location was more remote compared to the others, almost reaching the outskirts near the port. They found several distinct large ponds, accompanied by special pipelines bringing in seawater.
When the students got off the bus, they were immediately astonished by the scene. Even though they had been prepared to work hard at the eel farm, seeing it in person caused some mental adjustment.
The salty sea breeze was tolerable, but the fishy smell of the seafood was a bit hard for the students to handle.
Perhaps sensing the emotions of her classmates, Matsushita stepped forward, her expression full of relief: "No matter what, these conditions are much better than the deserted island, right?"
Without comparison, there's no harm. Recalling the life on the deserted island, the students of Class D seemed much less resistant. The ponds started to look more appealing.
Standing at the back of the group was Horikita, with Ike and Yamauchi, who seemed somewhat ostracized by the class.
Horikita, however, didn't care about being excluded. It didn't bother her at all.
She just focused on Matsushita, thinking that having someone like Matsushita to boost class morale made it more appropriate for her to give orders.
But Horikita didn't realize that if Matsushita heard her thoughts, cooperation might no longer be possible.
In contrast to the silent Horikita, her best friend, Karuizawa, was very supportive of Matsushita. She took the lead with a commanding presence: "That's right, we survived the deserted island, so what's a small fishpond?"
With Karuizawa's influence among the girls and Matsushita's recently established respect among the boys, Class D's spirit was noticeably different this time, looking much more cohesive compared to their previously disjointed state.
The neighboring formation belonged to Sakayanagi's class. Sakayanagi lightly tilted her head, glancing at Matsushita and Class D, secretly amused. Wasn't it a bit too late for Ayanokouji to start unifying the class?
Retracting her gaze, Sakayanagi, leaning on her cane, walked towards the person in charge of the eel farm, Fujii, with Kamuro and Hashimoto flanking her on both sides.
Seeing Sakayanagi's movements, Matsushita didn't gamble to be careless. Her eyes narrowed as she quickly followed.
Fujii, the manager of the eel farm, was the quintessential businessman, with a beer belly cinched by his trousers' belt and a businessman's amiable smile.
Seeing Sakayanagi approach first, his smile broadened: "Are you here to apply for a specific job, or...?"
Sakayanagi's initial strategy was quite similar to Horikita's—securing a large number of important positions first: "Fujii-san, our class thoroughly studied the materials before coming."
"We are very confident in the areas of eel seed placement and water quality management."
These were both crucial tasks, and Sakayanagi surmised that they held significant scoring weight. Securing them could yield a substantial amount of points.
"Sakayanagi, that doesn't seem right," Matsushita interjected just in time, promptly rebutting Sakayanagi's statement: "Overall, your class may excel in academic performance compared to our Class D."
"But when it comes to practical operations, your class falls short. How can such important tasks be entrusted to you?"
"Fujii-san," Matsushita continued, shifting to introduce her own class, "I am Matsushita from Year 1 Class D."
"While our class may not match Sakayanagi's in terms of academic grades, in practical skills, we far surpass them. Entrusting these two roles to our class ensures they will be done well."
Before coming, Matsushita had also reviewed extensive materials, concluding that these two roles were highly valuable. How could she let Sakayanagi take them so easily?
Moreover, her confidence in declaring Class D's superior practical skills stemmed from the information asymmetry.
With Advanced Nurturing High School's information lockdown, students couldn't contact the outside world. Conversely, the outside world couldn't get insight into the school's internal workings.
In other words, even people from the outside, including Fujii right in front of them, didn't know that Class D was the bottom of the barrel at Advanced Nurturing High School. So when Matsushita was bluffing, she exhibited extreme confidence, openly boasting about how great Class D was, since Fujii didn't know the truth.
Even if Sakayanagi tried to undermine her halfway, Matsushita could counter it. She had already mentioned that while Sakayanagi's class excelled academically, Class D excelled in practical skills.
During the uninhabited island special exam, Sakayanagi's class didn't do much and just used the resources provided by Yukio. In contrast, Class D had purchased many small items, made their own vines and various other things, and also outperformed Sakayanagi's class in the sports festival. She could argue these points easily.
Sakayanagi observed Matsushita with interest and then glanced back at Ayanokouji hiding among the Class D students, silently contemplating if this was Ayanokouji's move to intercept her class from scoring.
Fujii was somewhat stunned, looking back and forth, unable to react immediately.
Even the third-year Class D and second-year Class D students were caught off guard. Dear heavens, were first-year students this impressive now?
It was one thing to move faster than them, but to be so sharp with words? Sakayanagi's class was one thing, as they started as Class A. But why was Class D, which was in the same position as them, so strong? Were there differences even among Class D?
Fortunately, Fujii didn't stay dazed for long. He smoothly played along, mediating the situation: "No problem, no problem. Given the circumstances, we'll split the tasks between you."
"Uh, Sakayanagi, right? Your class will handle the eel seed placement, and Matsushita, your class can manage the water quality. How does that sound?"
"Of course," Matsushita readily agreed. Instead of getting stuck here and letting the senior classes take advantage, it was better to secure at least one important task.
Her agreement left Sakayanagi with no choice but to agree as well; otherwise, she would get nothing.
Seeing this, the Class D students finally understood: "Did we just suppress Sakayanagi? Matsushita, you're amazing!"
"Was Matsushita always this capable? How did we not notice?"
"With Matsushita here, maybe we really can win this special exam. We might actually win!"
Sakayanagi didn't care about this minor gain or loss; instead, she revealed her true objective: "By the way, Fujii-san, I've been learning related information with my family since I was about five years old."
"For this project, since the core is to increase revenue, can I look at the accounting books, specific business details, and related bank transactions first?"
The three projects all focused on revenue growth. The other tasks were just supplementary. Like Yukio, Sakayanagi always understood what was truly important.
***
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