After carefully icing Sakura's injury, Hashima stood with a smile.
"Rest well now. Remember to ice it tonight."
"I will."
Meeting his gaze, Sakura's newly acknowledged feelings surged anew.
"I'll head out then." He returned the towel, adding, "Call me immediately if anything happens."
"Mm."
She nodded firmly, smiling.
I'll create more chances to be with him... until I can confess.
"Bye, Sakura-san."
Outside her door, Hashima checked his system notifications—one had appeared during the icing.
[Sakura Airi has confirmed her feelings for you. Sakura Airi stock rises by 30. Current price: 150.]
"Whoa, such a jump?"
This single day had boosted her stock to match Ichinose's.
Non-competition stocks really are easier. Just care and companionship.
His full investment in Sakura was now highly profitable—perfect for the next [Shop] refresh.
Humming, he rode the elevator down, future plans taking shape.
---
Wednesday arrived swiftly.
Hashima had checked on Sakura twice—she'd only missed one day before recovering.
Now, his focus shifted to the impending exams. Today, they'd unveil the test papers to Class A—their secret weapon.
Entering the classroom, he found Ichinose already at her desk, the copied papers in her drawer.
"Morning, Hashima-kun!"
"Morning."
She showed him the stacks. Their plan: announce today, memorize tomorrow, ace exams Friday.
"You'll handle the announcement after class," he said, running a hand over the papers.
"Mm!"
Classes passed quickly. At dismissal, no one left—per their midday request.
With Class A unified, their authority went unchallenged.
"Your turn, Ichinose-san."
Taking a deep breath, she approached the podium while Hashima distributed papers.
"Everyone, we've discovered critical intel about the midterms."
He began passing out sets—five subjects per person.
"These are last year's first-term exams. The school reuses them!"
Gasps filled the room as students scanned the papers.
"How'd you get these?" Shibata asked.
"We purchased them from upperclassmen," Ichinose explained. "After verifying with a quiz, we confirmed they're identical."
"So memorizing these guarantees perfect scores?"
"Math's my weak spot—this saves me!"
"However!" Ichinose raised a hand. "Hashima-kun and I advise spending tomorrow memorizing, but continuing normal review today."
"Just because past exams were reused doesn't mean this year's will be. If Friday's tests differ, we can't be caught off guard."
"Understood!"
"Thanks, Ichinose-san! Hashima-kun!"
"With you two leading, Class A's unstoppable!"
...
May 26, Friday – Exam Day
Five subjects tested two months' progress: morning (Society, Japanese), afternoon (Chemistry, Math, English).
Results would post next Monday.
At 9 a.m., Hoshizizuki Chie entered Class A, her usual cheer subdued as she distributed papers.
"No talking. No cheating. Penalties are severe."
"Begin!"
Students flipped their papers—identical to yesterday's copies. Relief washed over them.
We've got this.
Hashima exchanged a glance with Ichinose before diving in.
That 15,000-point investment paid off.
---
Class B
In his suit, Mashima Tetsuya monitored his divided class.
Faction leaders—bald, steadfast Kanzaki Ryōji and silver-haired genius Ichijō Raku—sat worlds apart despite shared brilliance.
A clash of titans... What a waste.
---
Class C
Chabashira Sae's stern gaze swept over her underachievers.
A few stood out:
- Aloof honors student Horikita Suzune (flawed but talented)
- Spineless leader Hirata Yōsuke
- Social butterfly Kushida Kikyō
- Enigmatic Ayanokōji Kiyotaka (perfectly average, suspiciously so)
Her eyes narrowed.
Where's our Hashima?
---
Class D
Glasses-adorned Sakagami Kazuma grimaced at his last-place class.
Leader Karuizawa Kei had organized study groups, but their point gap seemed insurmountable.
Then there was wildcard Ryūen Kakeru—his violent gambit had backfired, leaving two followers suspended.
Yet the boy showed no concern.
Planning something new?
---
As exams proceeded across classrooms, one truth became clear:
In this high-stakes game, no one intends to lose.