The entire school was buzzing with anticipation. The results of the first exam were about to be revealed, and the tension in the air was palpable. Rumors were spreading fast, and every student in Class C knew what was at stake: failure meant expulsion, and the difference between staying or leaving was a thin line.
Waskuruni walked into the classroom, his face expressionless as always, completely unfazed by the chatter around him. His poker face was so perfect that no one could tell what he was thinking. Was he nervous? Confident? It was impossible to know.
Sayuri sat a few rows away, glancing at him from time to time. She had begun to understand Waskuruni's nature. He never showed his cards, never revealed what he was truly capable of. That's what made him both intriguing and dangerous. She had her own suspicions about his strategy—why he purposely kept his performance low, why he avoided standing out—but she couldn't fully grasp his endgame yet.
Miss Matsuba entered the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. She stood at the front, holding a stack of results. "I hope you're all prepared," she began, her cold gaze sweeping across the room. "This exam wasn't just a test of your knowledge. It was a test of your ability to adapt, to strategize, and to survive."
The room fell silent as Miss Matsuba continued, her voice sharp and unforgiving. "Those who fail to meet the 40-point mark will be expelled immediately. There are no exceptions."
The Reveal
As Miss Matsuba began calling out names, the tension grew thicker. Nina, one of the more influential students in the class, was smiling confidently. She had breezed through the exam and was sure of her place at the top. Haruka, on the other hand, was pale and sweating, his hands trembling as he waited for his name to be called.
"Waskuruni Mohammad," Miss Matsuba finally called out.
Waskuruni stood up, his face still a mask of indifference. No one could read him, not even Sayuri. As he walked to the front to receive his results, whispers filled the room.
"He's so quiet," someone murmured. "I bet he failed."
"He's too calm," another whispered. "He probably didn't even try."
But Sayuri knew better. She watched him carefully, waiting to see how this moment would unfold.
Miss Matsuba handed Waskuruni his result slip without a word. He glanced at it, his expression unchanged, then quietly returned to his seat. He had scored exactly 51 points—just above the average, just enough to avoid attention. It was a calculated move, designed to keep him under the radar.
Sayuri smiled to herself. He really is playing a different game, she thought.
The Class Leader
After the results were distributed, Miss Matsuba turned back to the class. "Now, let's talk about leadership," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Every class needs a leader, someone who can guide the rest and ensure their survival in this system. Class C will be no exception."
Instantly, the room was filled with murmurs. Nina, with her outgoing and influential personality, seemed like the obvious choice. She was already popular among the students, and she carried herself with the confidence of someone who was used to getting her way.
But Waskuruni, sitting silently at his desk, knew better. While everyone's eyes were on Nina, Sayuri quietly observed him. She could sense that Waskuruni was more than capable of leading the class, but he would never step forward willingly. He was a master of staying hidden, of letting others take the spotlight.
"Sayuri," Miss Matsuba called out suddenly, snapping everyone's attention to her. "You seem like a capable student. Why don't you take on the role of class leader?"
Sayuri blinked in surprise. She wasn't expecting this. While she was strategic and intelligent, she knew that leading the class in this school would be far from easy. But before she could respond, she noticed Waskuruni's subtle glance, a barely noticeable nod. It was almost like he was giving her silent approval.
Why? she wondered. Why would he want me in this position?
But Sayuri was no fool. She knew Waskuruni was pushing her into the leadership role because it allowed him to remain in the shadows, controlling things from behind the scenes.
"I accept," Sayuri said, standing up. Her voice was calm, but inside, she was already calculating how this new role would change the dynamics in the class.
The Influence of Power
As the class ended, Nina approached Sayuri with her usual charm. "Congratulations, Sayuri! You'll make a great leader."
Sayuri smiled back politely, but she could sense Nina's hidden agenda. Nina wanted influence, and being close to the class leader was a way to maintain her power. But Sayuri knew that this school was not about friendships or alliances—it was about survival. Everyone had their own motives.
Waskuruni, as usual, remained in the background, unnoticed. But he was always watching, always calculating. Sayuri's acceptance of the leader role played perfectly into his plan. With her as the face of Class C, he could work quietly behind the scenes, manipulating the system without drawing attention.
An Unseen Threat
Later that day, Sayuri invited Waskuruni to her room. They sat down, discussing the recent events and the upcoming challenges. "You pushed me into this role, didn't you?" Sayuri asked, her voice calm but curious.
Waskuruni leaned back in his chair, his face expressionless. "You were the logical choice," he said simply.
Sayuri wasn't convinced. "And what do you gain from this? Why stay in the shadows?"
Waskuruni didn't answer right away. He stared out of the window, his mind clearly working through a thousand thoughts. Finally, he spoke, his voice soft but firm. "This school isn't what it seems. There's more going on here than just exams and points. I'm not interested in leading the class—I'm interested in surviving. And that's easier when no one is watching you."
Sayuri studied him for a moment, realizing that Waskuruni was playing a much deeper game than she initially thought. He wasn't just surviving—he was planning, strategizing, and positioning himself for something bigger.
As they talked late into the night, Sayuri began to understand that Waskuruni wasn't someone who could be easily figured out. He was a genius, yes, but more than that, he was dangerous. He saw through people, through systems, and he knew how to bend them to his will.
And for now, she would follow his lead, even if she didn't fully understand where it was taking them.