"Senpaku, I am Sakamoto. What brings you here?"

The plan begins.

"Really?"

He spoke casually, his voice low, but everyone present could hear him clearly.

"Then I seem to have heard... that your Class D has found some special method that guarantees victory in the midterm exam?"

Horikita's heart skipped a beat.

These words suddenly struck her thoughts.

Does he know?

Does he know about the exam paper?

How could this unfamiliar boy from another class know?

What does he mean?

Is it a test, or is there a specific target?

Countless questions flooded my mind in an instant.

For a moment, she couldn't help but look stunned.

But she quickly forced herself to calm down.

We must not lose our composure.

"What do you mean?"

Horikita tried to keep her voice steady.

It even carried a hint of retaliation.

"We only rely on our own efforts to pass the exams. It's you guys who seem more like the class that would resort to such underhanded tactics, right?"

Longyuan was pleased to see the reaction he wanted at that exact moment.

enough.

He didn't respond to Horikita's rebuttal, but only let out a low chuckle.

He then gestured to Ishizaki and Yamawaki before turning and leaving with his men.

His purpose has been achieved.

That moment of shock and disbelief

That's enough to illustrate the point—Class D.

They did indeed receive that exam paper of dubious origin.

Those second-year students, their methods are really "thoughtful".

They gave a "big gift" to almost every target class.

Long Yuan sneered inwardly.

This basically confirms the distribution range of the exam papers.

Left behind were only Sudo, his face flushed, and Horikita, whose heart was churning with turmoil.

as well as……

They followed silently from behind.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had witnessed everything that had just happened.

He calmly watched the departing figures of Long Yuan and his group.

She glanced again at Horikita, who was composing himself and reprimanding Sudo.

Horikita handled the situation surprisingly well.

They calmly and effectively used the rules to counterattack.

Sudo was still somewhat dazed, partly from lingering fear, and partly from being troubled by Ryuen's last two sentences:

"Hey, Horikita, what exactly did that guy mean by his last words? What 'special method'?"

"It's meaningless, just a gimmick."

Horikita quickly interrupted him, unwilling to discuss the matter further.

"Let's go to the library. Studying is more important. Midterm exams are just around the corner, so don't cause any more trouble."

She turned and walked towards the library first.

However, his mind was far from as calm as it appeared.

Ayanokouji followed slowly, watching Horikita's retreating figure.

It seems it's time to tell Horikita about the authenticity of that exam paper.

Ayanokouji confirmed this at noon today.

That exam paper is indeed genuine.

Moreover, it seems that every year's midterm exams...

The questions are all... pretty much the same.

First Year Midterm Exam: Chapter 064: Sakamoto Begins His Actions

The low-key atmosphere at the library study session continued until its end.

Horikita Suzune packed up her books and glanced expressionlessly at Yamauchi Kazuike, who was still scratching his head and complaining that the questions were too difficult.

And Sudo, who was quieter but clearly distracted,

That feeling of helplessness welled up in my heart again.

She was the first to get up and leave.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji followed silently behind her.

The two of them were in tandem,

Walking on the somewhat deserted road in the evening.

"Horikita."

Ayanokouji's calm voice broke the silence.

Horikita's steps did not stop.

He simply tilted his head slightly to indicate that he was listening.

"About that exam paper,"

Ayanokouji's voice was completely flat:

"I've checked. It's real."

Horikita abruptly stopped, then turned around abruptly.

His sharp gaze was fixed on Ayanokoji:

How did you confirm that?

"It's very simple, just apply what you've learned to other situations."

“Since there are second-year students who can sell exam papers, then it’s natural that third-year students could too. I found a third-year student from Class D and bought a copy of their midterm exam paper using my personal points.”

He paused, looked at Horikita's slightly widened eyes, and continued:

"The question types, test points, and even some specific questions overlap very closely with the ones we have. This is enough to prove two points: First, the ones we have are indeed valid past exam questions. Second, the rumors that schools are using old questions or highly similar question types are most likely true."

The air froze for a few seconds.

A lifeline...it's real.

"so,"

Ayanokouji asked,

"Should we spread this message? To Yamauchi and the others, even the whole class. This might be Class D's only chance to turn things around in the midterm exams, or even earn extra class points."

Horikita fell silent.

She was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

Reason told her that this was the most effective and direct way to avoid dropping out of school and to improve her class's grades.

The value of that exam paper was so heavy that her palms felt hot at that moment.

But another emotion, more strongly, stopped her—humiliation.

The source of this exam paper, that "Sakamoto's charity," was like a thorn stuck in her proud self-esteem.

She felt extremely uncomfortable about winning through such a seemingly merciful tactic by her opponent.

After a long silence, she took a deep breath, her gaze hardening once more.

No. Let's forget about it.

A hint of surprise flashed in Ayanokouji's eyes.

"Points obtained through such dubious means are ultimately not a reflection of our own strength."

Horikita's voice was clear and calm.

"To improve the class, we must rely on down-to-earth efforts. Although learning sessions may be slow to produce results, this is the right way."

She seemed to be trying to convince Ayanokouji, but more like she was trying to convince herself.

Ayanokouji didn't try to persuade her further, but simply watched her quietly.

Horikita... seems to be really starting to change?

It's because of... the existence of someone.

Did it unknowingly set a benchmark that she was unwilling to surpass?

"And one more thing,"

Horikita seemed to want to change the subject.

But as if seeking analysis, she told Ayanokouji about the conflict with Ryuen during the day and his cryptic last words, unaware that Ayanokouji had witnessed the entire event.

"That boy in Class B, he was acting strangely. He seemed to know something about the exam papers. I suspect... other classes might have received similar things as well."

Ayanokouji played the role of a good listener, showing a thoughtful expression at appropriate times, as if he were hearing the news for the first time.

He didn't comment on it, but simply nodded to indicate that he understood.

Horikita glanced at him, seemingly not expecting any constructive advice.

Turned and left.

Ayanokouji stood there, watching Horikita's departing figure.

The two parted ways at the fork in the road.

Ayanokouji sighed.

Refusing to use exam papers...

Although it is inefficient, this may be the only way to bring about a fundamental change in Class D.

But is there still enough time?

And at this moment,

The omnipresent yet seemingly detached focal point of their conversation—

Sakamoto stood alone on the corridor of the top floor of the school building.

Overlooking the campus gradually being dyed red by the setting sun.

With only one week left until the midterm exams, the campus is filled with a tense atmosphere of exam preparation.

But he still walked with ease and grace.

He seemed completely oblivious to the anxiety around him.