Chapter 106: Rin's results are -
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It was the best-case scenario that Chabashira Sae hadn't touched her phone yet. As long as she didn't pick it up, it would stay right where it was on the bed.
Time ticked away while Rin Matsuoka worked on the test paper. After he had turned two pages, Chabashira Sae remembered something she'd been curious about and decided to casually ask.
"Matsuoka, is the atmosphere in the class still that bad?"
"Yeah, it's bad, but honestly, I think it's pretty good."
"Not bad?" Chabashira Sae looked at Rin's back, clearly surprised. "You messaged me on Line this morning saying you wanted to change classes because the atmosphere was so bad!"
If he was so unhappy that he'd been considering switching classes, what did he mean by "pretty good" now?
"Well, actually, it wasn't me," Rin replied casually. "Someone else wanted to switch classes. She knew I had a connection with you, Chabashira-sensei, so she asked if I could ask you about it."
Chabashira Sae finally felt relieved. So, Rin himself had no plans of transferring; it was just a request he was passing on.
Once she figured that out, she looked at Rin with a hint of exasperation and reproach in her gaze.
Why didn't he clarify that in his Line message?
She had been concerned all day!
Chabashira Sae, who held a particular regard for Shirafune, genuinely worried about the thought of him wanting to change classes.
"Matsuoka, if the learning atmosphere in Class D is so bad, why do you still think it's 'pretty good'?" she asked.
"I'm not trying to brag, but I'm a genius. I can get good grades just by skimming through the textbooks, so it doesn't matter what kind of learning atmosphere I'm in."
A class with a strong learning environment would be quiet and focused, so much so that everyone would be intent on studying.
In a class with a bad learning atmosphere, the students would feel relaxed and free, doing as they pleased.
If Rin had to choose between these two types of classes, he would pick the latter since he could easily score full marks.
After all, a relaxed and free environment felt comfortable.
"Matsuoka, you're calling yourself a genius?"
"Chabashira-sensei, why the skeptical tone? If you don't believe me, come and see for yourself—I've already finished the test paper."
Rin, who was still sitting on the stool, waved at Chabashira Sae, motioning her to come over.
"So fast!?" Chabashira Sae looked surprised, quickly putting down the book in her hand as she walked over.
Only about ten minutes had passed since he started. Had he really finished the test paper she'd prepared?
She had assumed he completed it quickly last night because he'd already taken a similar one during his junior high exams.
However, tonight's test paper had been personally prepared by Chabashira Sae herself, and there was no way Rin could have seen it before.
Could he really have finished an unseen test paper in just over ten minutes?
With a mix of doubt and curiosity, Chabashira Sae sat down on the stool Rin had vacated and began reviewing his answers.
Rin, who was standing nearby, subtly remarked, "Chabashira-sensei, don't you think the stool you're sitting on feels a bit warm?"
"…" Chabashira Sae paused. She hadn't noticed it at first, but now that he mentioned it, the stool did feel noticeably warm.
And her face seemed to be heating up slightly too…
The silent Chabashira Sae stood up, her round, peachy silhouette lifting from the books that had retained the warmth of the boy who had been sitting there. She picked up the two books and set them aside.
Chabashira Sae sat back down on the stool and said calmly, "Matsuoka, just stay there for a bit while I grade your paper quickly."
"Alright, Chabashira-sensei, no need to rush. Take your time."
Rin Matsuoka stepped back, stealing a glance at Chabashira Sae's tall and graceful figure. With her attention focused on the grading, Rin discreetly pulled a USB flash drive from his pocket and inserted it into the port of Chabashira Sae's phone, which was still resting on the bed.
Rin watched the phone screen, satisfied to see that everything was proceeding as he had planned.
With a slight smile, Rin slid Chabashira Sae's phone into the pillow on her bed, concealing it. She remained oblivious, completely absorbed in marking his test paper.
The more she reviewed his answers, the more impressed she became. Every answer was correct!
As she graded, her admiration for Rin's academic performance grew. Not a single error appeared on the test paper so far.
With the answers perfectly accurate, Chabashira Sae felt she had fully confirmed Matsuoka's academic abilities.
Having inserted the USB into her phone, Rin didn't linger by the bed. He stood beside Chabashira Sae, observing her as she corrected his test papers.
After about ten minutes, she had finished grading them all.
The result: full marks.
Chabashira Sae looked up at Rin, who stood nearby, and said in an approving tone, "Matsuoka, for you to finish these test papers so quickly with such precision—your academic ability is truly remarkable."
"Well, didn't I just say I was a genius?"
Chabashira Sae glanced at Rin, who was smiling proudly, and couldn't help but smile as well. Although she couldn't be entirely sure whether he was a genius, he was undoubtedly a rare talent.
On just the second day of school, Chabashira Sae had already confirmed that Rin's observational skills, courage, and academic ability were exceptional. The only aspect left to assess was his physical fitness.
Chabashira Sae turned to look at Rin standing beside her. The boy had a slender, well-proportioned build, though he didn't appear especially physically fit.
"It's alright. Even if Matsuoka's physical strength is a bit lacking, it's not a huge concern. After all, most of the school's special exams are intelligence-based."
Rin, noticing a trace of disappointment in her eyes, asked, "Chabashira-sensei, why are you looking at me like that?"
"I was just thinking that physical education is also part of the junior high graduation exams. So, Matsuoka, how about joining me for a couple of laps around the playground?"
"I'll pass. I just took a shower before coming here, and I don't want to sweat!" Rin replied without hesitation.
Chabashira Sae raised an eyebrow. "You accepted 100,000 points from me earlier, remember?"
"…But this is the second time I've taken a test for you, Chabashira-sensei. I could have refused this time!"
Chabashira Sae was momentarily at a loss for words. The kid had a point.
"Fine then." She gave in, deciding that heading out this late at night wasn't appealing. Besides, physical fitness wasn't her top priority at the moment.
Additionally, Class D would have a physical education class in a few days. By then, she only needed to ask the PE teacher in charge to get a fair assessment of Matsuoka's physical condition.