"Ah, it gets cold at night this time of year."
"That's right. I should have prepared a scarf."
On a Thursday night before my exam next week, Hiyori and I are walking down the street at night.
I've already finished creating the test questions and submitted them to Horikita, and Matsushita's grades aren't bad either, so I've completed all the preparations I need to do for this exam.
All that's left now is to show off the fruits of your efforts in the actual performance.
Arisu and Masumi are not here. Arisu is putting the finishing touches on the test she will be testing against Archangel Ichinose's C class, and Masumi is helping with that.
As expected, the leader seems to be busy.
That's why today I spent some time alone with Hiyori at the library for the first time in a while.
"Next year is just over a month away, but I want to have a happy time next year as well."
Hiyori says that and squeezes my hand, but I also want to have a happy time.
Well, in my case, the last year was the worst, so I don't think most things are unfortunate.
While thinking about this, I headed to the dormitory and found that many people had gathered in the lobby.
It's rare to see so many people gathered in the dormitory lobby.
As I approached the dormitory with a question mark on my face, I saw Ryuen and Ichinose facing each other in the center of the lobby.
And behind Ichinose was Ichinose's little angels, glaring at Ryuen.
I don't know what the situation is...
"You're in the way, Ryuen. I don't know what you did, but don't create a crowd at the lobby entrance."
From a third party's point of view, it's extremely annoying, so I call it that.
Then Ryuen turns to me and smiles.
"Hiyori and Hikigaya? I'm not doing anything big."
"Don't be silly! You're writing such a malicious letter!"
That voice came from the boy behind Ichinose. Is it a malicious letter?
If you look, most of the students in the lobby are holding letters. Judging from that, Ryuen probably put the letter in the student's mailbox.
Then, there was a piece of paper at my feet, so I picked it up...
Honami Ichinose may be collecting points fraudulently - Ryuen Kakeru
That's what was written. I see, Ichinose's classmates will be angry.
(But did Ryuen really write this?)
I don't know how many points Ichinose has, but I wonder how Ryuen found out.
Besides, it's impossible for him to write his own name honestly.
In my opinion, the person who wrote the letter wasn't Ryuen, but one of Ichinose's classmates.
It would be more believable to deliberately write Ryuen's name on it to make people think it was Ryuen's work.
Considering Ryuen's personality, even if he were to be questioned about who sent the letter, he might dare to admit it.
Well, I guess that's why it's such a hassle right now.
"So, Hikigaya. What do you think?"
"I'm not interested. Most of the time, I earn points in a way that can't be called "Illegal.''
"Really? I know how you make money, but you're not cheating, so there's no problem."
Well, from Ryuen's point of view, who has no interest in ethics at all, I guess so.
"This is way off topic. I don't know what your intention was when you wrote the letter, but the person you're dealing with is Ichinose, not me."
"That's right. So, Ichinose. Back to the topic, how do you prove that it's not fraud?"
In response to Ryuen's question, Ichinose opens her mouth in a dignified manner.
"Of course, I will tell the school the details. How many points I have and how to earn them."
"Can't you explain it here?"
"I don't think Ryuen-kun would believe it in this situation. If the school stands between us, there's no room for fraud, so I'll just do that."
"I see. But maybe they'll come up with some kind of cover-up now, right?"
Ryuen persistently blames Ichinose like a snake, but from my point of view, I no longer believe that Ryuen was the one who wrote the letter.
This letter was probably written by someone else using Ryūen.
Then, I saw Ayanokoji looking at me with no expression on his face. I don't think so, but Ayanokoji... no, I don't think Ayanokoji knows Ichinose's point, and after all, are there any students in C class who have a connection to Ryuen like Kushida?
"Then how can I make you believe me?"
"Explain everything here. After that, if you report the same thing to the school, I'm sure the students here will understand."
That's a fair argument, but there's no way Ichinose would agree.
"That's impossible."
"Are you admitting wrongdoing?"
"That's not true. I can't show my secrets because I haven't earned any points fraudulently. Private points are important for strategy. Tomorrow, if I explain it to the school, it will be investigated. If there is any fraud, everything will be made public. I wonder if it will?"
"There's no evidence that you're going to report it to the school."
"Then you can report it Ryuen-kun as written in the letter."
Ichinose's attitude is dignified. I don't see any fear or nervousness in her, and I'm pretty sure she's not cheating.
"I'm looking forward to that...by the way, Hikigaya."
"What?"
"What do you think will happen tomorrow?"
So why do you talk to me...Koenji sometimes talks to me in class, but he doesn't talk to me.
"No matter what happens, I think it will be announced that there is no wrongdoing. Judging from Ichinose's attitude, I think it's a fair way to earn money."
"Then, what is the legitimate way to earn money that you are talking about?"
"I'm afraid I have no idea."
I can pretty much guess, but if I explain how to earn money here, I might antagonize the C class, so I'll pretend I don't know.
"There's no need to lie to me. You probably don't want to be in a hostile relationship with the C-class, but to you, the C-class are small fry, right?"
Those words make the C-class people angry, but I neither care about the situation nor want to pick a fight.
Well, in reality, the C-class doesn't feel that much of a threat compared to the A-class and B-class. They are all little angels.
"Well, anyway, we'll just have to wait for tomorrow's results. Let's go, Hiyori."
"Yes. See you tomorrow, Ryuen-kun."
After confirming that Hiyori bowed, I grabbed her hand and headed to my room on the first floor.
At that time, a lot of people looked at me with a mixture of wariness and jealousy, but I didn't worry about it because it happened all the time.
When I entered the room, the light was on and Arisu and Masumi were in the living room.
"I'm home"
"Welcome home. It's cold, so I'll make some tea."
After saying that, Masumi gets up and heads to the kitchen. On the other hand, as I sit on the floor, Arisu produces the same letter that Hiyori and I saw earlier in the lobby of the dormitory.
"Hachiman-kun. Actually, a letter like this arrived in the mailbox a while ago. What do you think about it?"
"I see. Ryuen and Ichinose were clashing just now, but Ichinose is planning to report it to the school. Judging from her attitude, I don't think she's doing anything wrong."
"Oh, did I miss an interesting scene? Well, that can't be helped, but if it wasn't cheating, how did Ichinose-san get the points?"
Arisu asks the same question as Ryuen, but since Ichinose and her classmates aren't here, it's probably okay to talk.
"By the way, what do you think about Arisu?"
"That's right. Ichinose-san hasn't gone wild in the special exams like Hachiman-kun and Ryuen-kun, and she hasn't joined any club activities. Therefore, if Ichinose-san really has a lot of points, she should be the class safekeeper like a bank."
It's not an unlikely story. It's a golden rule to save up private points in case you're in a pinch during a special exam, and it's a good strategy to receive points from your classmates little by little every month and save them up.
Then, when it comes to managing the points, it's inevitable that the student will be trusted by her classmates, so it's no surprise that Ichinose becomes the keeper of the safe.
"Or maybe she's getting paid by the student council...well, I don't think this is possible, but maybe she's prostituted?"
"The former is fine, but the latter is unlikely. Ichinose-san is definitely a virgin."
I guess so. If a student council officer committed prostitution, she would probably be expelled from the school without any questions asked.
but...
"How can you say she's a virgin?"
"It's simple. Hachiman-kun, now that I know men, I can now tell the difference between girls who know men and girls who don't."
Oh, is that so? Well, if the discerning Arisu were held in my arms three days a week, maybe she would be able to see right through it.
"By the way, don't you get points from your classmates?"
If you were in Arisu's position, it wouldn't be impossible to collect points from your classmates as tax.
"I don't have to go out of my way to collect them. They'll give them to me if I need them."
I see. Judging from that, Class A is completely under Arisu's dictatorship.
"In fact, there is a possibility that Ryuen-kun is the one collecting taxes."
Well, it's not impossible. Ryuen is even more of a dictator than Arisu.
However, Ryuen receives hundreds of thousands of points every month from A-class, and even though he is strong, he is hated.
It's possible that he doesn't collect taxes because he's worried about being stabbed in the back because tax collection is a pretty difficult issue.
"I guess. Well, in any case, I think there will be an announcement from the school tomorrow, so I wonder what will happen..."
"That's right. Maybe this matter will be the key to Ichinose-san's strategy."
"In moderation."
"What do you think? I won't compromise on the match or Hachiman-kun."
Please don't mention my name there.
Because I'm happy and embarrassed.
"I agree with the latter. I'm the one who wins most of the time, though."
Then Hiyori hugs me and presses her breasts into my face. Hiyori's overwhelming motherly nature envelops me.
At the same time, Masumi comes out of the kitchen with a cup of tea. Then, when she saw me and Hiyori, she started to feel displeased, put the tea on the table, hugged me like Hiyori, and pressed her breasts against my face.
"Mmm..."
At the end, Arisu hugs me and does the same thing as the two of them.
That warmth soothes my cold body and gives me happiness.
I guess I made the right decision by enrolling in this school. If I had gone to Sobu High School, I might have committed suicide by now.
The next day...
"It looks like she's not doing anything wrong."
I muttered as I looked at the poster posted on the school bulletin board. The school investigated Ichinose's points and announced that there was no wrongdoing.
With this, Ichinose cleared her suspicions.
"I see. Well, as expected."
Ryuen says this while looking at the poster on the school bulletin board just like me, but if that's the case, don't start picking fights all the time.
"By the way, Hikigaya, You seems to be in a really good mood. Was it some kind of good money deal?"
Ryuen says so, but I'm certainly in a good mood. But there is a reason why I am in a good mood.
"I'm not talking about making money, but I'll tell you something good, Ryuen. Triple Puff Puff is the best."
"Die"
I was looked at with extremely cold eyes and insulted. I don't understand.
________________
Even though there are many things going on, the day to submit the exam questions arrives. However, there's nothing I can do.
A large number of questions were created, but it was Horikita and Hirata's job to select the number specified by the school.
Actually, since my class suspects me of being a spy for other classes, it's more accurate to say that I shouldn't do it.
I go home and go back to my room.
All I can do now is study for the test.
This time too, I have to get the top grades in my grade and get bonus points.
When I returned to my room, Arisu and Masumi had already returned and were sitting around my desk.
There is a workbook on the table, and since Arisu is across from Masumi, it can be assumed that Masumi is being taught.
Masumi's grades are a little above average, and Arisu has been at the top for the past year.
"Hey, Hachiman-kun, welcome home."
Arisu is the first to notice and greets me with a smile.
"I'm home. But is it okay for you to stay here? It's the test submission date, right?"
"I've already submitted it. Unlike Ryuen-kun, I don't think Ichinose-san will interfere with this test, so there's no need to be careful."
Well, I guess so. Personally, Ichinose's tactics are basic, such as "holding study sessions'' and "receiving advice from seniors when writing questions,'' and I don't think she would do anything like obtain information on A-class tests.
Arisu says that, but it seems boring.
She, who is strong-willed, probably prefers someone like Ryuen who uses cunning or bold moves over someone as stupid as Ichinose.
"Do you have study sessions for your classmates?"
Hiyori is probably participating in the class study session.
"I've prepared the countermeasure handouts, and Katsuragi-kun is there, so it should be fine. Katsuragi-kun is weak against tricks, but when it comes to simple academic ability, he's one of the best in the first year."
Well, I guess so. In other words, most of the A-class students have high academic ability, and as long as their opponents don't use any tricks, they can concentrate on their studies.
"That would be great. Masumi doesn't seem to like it."
Masumi, who was facing the table, clearly looked disgusted.
"Of course. My grades are above average, and my partner is Hashimoto, so I won't fall below the border, so I have no motivation to study."
"No. If it's just a simple competition of academic ability with Ichinose-san and the rest of Class C, then we won't be able to let our guard down, so I guess I'm teaching her one-on-one out of good faith."
"Isn't it because I'm harassed when it's one-on-one?"
Because Masumi hates studying. Well, I'm just trying my best because I have bonus points, but I don't actually like studying.
"Then find a way to increase your motivation. Isn't there any bonus points for A class?"
"No, I don't think so. I asked Mashima-sensei before, but he refused. I guess it depends on the teacher."
"I see. Well then, Masumi. Shall I give you some kind of bonus instead?"
It's impossible to be too high, but when I see Masumi with a disgusted expression on her face, I want to erase those unpleasant feelings.
When I asked her, Masumi pretended to be thinking about it, but then her expression became shocked and she opened her mouth.
"Well then, if the average for all subjects in this test is above 80...Is it okay if I have Hachiman all to myself, just for one day?"
"Huh?"
Before responding to Masumi's request. Arisu looks at Masumi, a blue streak appearing on her forehead. Scary, scary?
"What do you mean, Masumi-san?"
"It's fine, right? You were able to have Hachiman all to yourself the other day, and I want to have him all to myself."
"...Well, that's fine. But, Hachiman-kun, I want a reward too. If my average score is above 95 on the final exam, I'll have Hachiman-kun all to myself for a day, too. That would be great."
"Okay, okay. Good luck then."
In fact, I don't mind even if the number of people is less than the goal, as long as it's just the two of us.
I don't like spending time alone, but as long as one of Hiyori, Arisu, or Masumi is with me, it won't be a problem.
Well, I won't say that to increase motivation.
"It's a deal."
When I say that, Masumi looks at the notebooks and textbooks on the table with a completely different and serious expression, but I'm embarrassed and happy that she's using this as a way to motivate herself.
Anyway, I have to study too, so I head to my desk so as not to disturb Masumi.
I have to set a timer before I start studying. There are things I have to do at 6 o'clock.
pipipipipipi
While I was studying, my alarm went off, so when I looked up my problem book and notebook, it was already 6 o'clock.
This means that the deadline for submitting questions for the final exam has already passed.
When I turned around, I saw Masumi with a serious expression as she was being taught by Arisu. I talk to them while looking at them.
"I'm done. I have something to do so I'm going out."
When I say that, Arisu nods with an amused smile.
"Okay, but did you have any plans for going out when the alarm went off on the deadline for submitting questions on the final exam?"
"Well, that's about it. I'll go outside for 5 to 10 minutes, then see you later."
After saying that, I leave the room, take out my cell phone, and make a call.
The person on the phone is Horikita.
"Hello, Horikita. How's the plan?"
"Success. Kushida-san submitted the problem in secret, but I asked Chabashira-sensei to pretend to accept it in advance, so her problem was not accepted and the problem I created was accepted.''
It seems like Kushida submitted the issue before Horikita. Kushida was probably planning to turn off her cell phone and hide until the submission deadline to avoid having her submission withdrawn after submitting the question.
If this is successful, the problem that will be given to Class B will become a problem created by Kushida, and Kushida will be able to successfully give Ryuen the problem and make Class D lose.
However, since Kushida's problem has not been accepted, B class does not have an advantage.
"Good then. That's all I have to say."
After saying that, I hung up the call.
I don't know if we won or lost in this exam.
However, in Horikita's case, she is still in a pinch as she is competing with Kushida for test scores.
In terms of simple academic ability, Horikita is probably better, but Kushida is probably learning from Ryuen the problems that B class faces against D class, so she's bound to have a hard time.
Well, I don't care about winning or losing. Whether Horikita wins or loses, it won't hurt me.
However, it would be bad if Horikita's strategy continued to be successful.
If I don't take action, the B-class students won't know that they've fallen into Horikita's trap, and there's a chance they'll focus on memorizing the questions Kushida has prepared and neglect their studies.
I don't particularly care about B-class students being expelled, but Hiyori is a different story.
It wouldn't be a problem if it was just Hiyori, but this test will share the fate of the pair, so it would be bad if Hiyori's pair, Ishizaki, messed up.
Therefore, I will tell Ryuen this fact so that B class will not neglect their studies.
From the D-class's point of view, it's a betrayal, but it doesn't matter if they don't find out, and even if they do, I can just pay the penalty of 500,000 points.
To me, 500,000 points is too cheap if Hiyori doesn't have to be expelled.
I get on the elevator and head to the floor where Ryuen's room is.
Then, as I walked down the hallway and stood in front of Ryuen's room, I took out a notepad from my pocket...
"The problems that Kushida created are not accepted due to Horikita's strategy. So even if Kushida hands over problems, don't trust them, and increase the number of study sessions. By Mr. MAX."
I wrote this, folded it in four, and pasted it on the door of Ryuen's room, then got on the elevator and went back to the first floor.
Maybe with this Ryuen will make his classmates study. The reason why I wrote Mr. MAX is to make Ryuen think that he is the mastermind that Ryuen is looking for.
If he thinks it's me, I'll be in a lot of trouble. I don't know if Ryuen will see through it, but I'm sure he won't point the finger at me.
When I returned to the first floor and entered my room, Masumi was in the kitchen cooking.
"Masumi, I've finished my business so I'll help you."
"Then please cook the rice and make the salad."
"Understood"
While saying this, I take out the rice from the shelf, wash it, put it in the rice cooker, and start cooking.
Then Arisu, who was facing a set of problems, spoke to me.
"Welcome home. What were you doing?"
"I have put in place some measures to prevent Hiyori from being expelled."
"So you betrayed the D-class, right?"
Arisu laughs happily. This girl is always looking for something exciting.
"Well, that's about it. I wouldn't want it if Hiyori were to be expelled."
While saying this, I return to the kitchen and start preparing the salad.
"Hey, Hachiman. It's fine to do your best for Hiyori, but are you okay?"
"Ah. I'm studying properly."
"That's fine, but... if by some chance you drop out of school, I'll drop out voluntarily as well."
"Are you serious?"
Dropping out of high school is a huge penalty in life. Despite this, Masumi's eyes are serious.
"Of course. To be honest, the only fun I have at this school is spending time with Hachiman. Besides, I've grown to love him so much that I can't live without him..."
Masumi says that while fidgeting.
"...Don't worry. I have no intention of dropping out of school. I like this life."
I can't let Masumi drop out of school voluntarily.
"Thank you... hmm"
Masumi said that and kissed me, and I stroked her head lovingly...! Killing intent?!
"You seem to be having a lot of fun cooking, aren't you?"
"I never thought I'd see you kissing so soon after I got home."
Arisu and Hiyori, who had just returned home, were looking at us with big smiles on their faces.
danger!... I sense danger?!
Run for your life!!!
As I expected, I was squeezed to the fullest that night. Poor bed-chan.