The days of being buried in studying passed in a flash, and before we knew it the day of the second term final exam, Paper Shuffle, had arrived.

“Ahh, I’m getting nervous!”

“Relax Ike, I’ll get 800 points so take it easy.”

“You’re declaring a perfect score even though Ryūen’s class might throw in some nasty questions… I’ve studied like crazy for this so I’ll at least get half!”

That’s good enthusiasm, but there’s no need to overthink it.

The knowledge and time he’s put in have definitely become his own strength.

“You’re all here.”

Chabashira-sensei stands at the podium, and of course there are no absences in our class.

“We will now begin the second term final exam, Paper Shuffle. As you already know cheating of any kind is strictly prohibited.”

Gulp.

I can hear students swallowing nervously, everyone’s tense, naturally since this is an exam that could lead to expulsion and on top of that the questions were created by other classes, so they’re probably anxious about what kind of exam awaits them.

“…You seem pretty relaxed.”

“I am relaxed.”

“You used to always make sarcastic modest remarks yet now you say that outright. Well since your ability backs it up I have nothing to say.”

“You’ll be fine on this exam too.”

“I’d like to think so… but it’s Ryūen-kun’s class that made the questions, who knows what twisted problems they came up with…”

Just then the test papers are passed forward so idle talk is over.

At the teacher’s signal everyone flips their papers at once, and even without anyone speaking I can tell the entire class is confused.

* * *

“Hello, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“Sakayanagi.”

A small girl with a cane approaches me as I sit on a bench, so I shift slightly to make space for her.

“Thank you for your consideration.”

She sits down gracefully.

“How did you find the exam?”

“Perfect, you?”

“Hehe, the math, English and chemistry questions were yours weren’t they? I enjoyed them greatly.”

“Think you got full marks?”

“I can’t say with absolute certainty but I answered with confidence. Though I doubt anyone besides me could score perfectly on those questions.”

That alone is valuable information.

“I see, that’s unfortunate for you this time Sakayanagi.”

“Hehe, guessing one-third correctly happens often enough. Besides there’s a saying, luck is also part of skill, this time I lose.”

Declaring defeat before results are even out, she’s already grasped our strategy to some extent, as expected of Class A’s leader.

“I don’t mind matches decided by luck… but it’s not satisfying.”

“I agree, I’d love to face you in a perfect-information game like chess.”

“I like chess too, if you’re up for it how about a game now?”

It’s been a while, in the White Room I used to play often but not recently, and no one here plays chess, so now that it’s come up I kind of want to play again.

I don’t have a board but apps exist, though not having real pieces feels a bit lacking.

My proposal seems to surprise her, her eyes widen then she covers her mouth but can’t hold back a smile.

“It’s an extremely, extremely tempting offer… however for our first game I want a serious match, one where a class’s fate is at stake, one where our own destinies are on the line.”

With an almost lovestruck expression she speaks of battle.

“I see, I don’t know if chess will be part of a special exam but if it happens I’d like to face you.”

“…Yes, let’s fight, let’s clash, let’s decide which of us is the true genius with no room for chance. Since entering this school, no, perhaps since I was born I’ve never looked forward to something so much.”

“Sounds like a date, my girlfriend might get mad.”

“Hehe, at that time I hope you’ll look only at me, your worthy rival.”

I don’t respond to that and simply stand up.

“I’ll walk you back.”

“Thank you but I’m meeting Masumi-san and the others, and right now I’m too excited, I might challenge you on the spot.”

“I see, alright.”

I part ways with her and head toward the dorm, but honestly I also feel like playing chess now, maybe I should invite Chiaki.

“Hey, did Matsushita finally dump you? And your secret meeting partner is Sakayanagi, you’ve got terrible taste in women, Ayanokōji.”

Ryūen appears, I knew I was being followed but didn’t expect him to approach.

“Ryūen, how did your exam go?”

“Hah, I never intended to take a paper test seriously, as long as no one gets expelled that’s enough. We threw this exam away from the start, to squeeze money out of you guys.”

“As long as it’s win-win. By the way do you play chess?”

“Hah? Do I look like the type?”

“Your tactics and strategy are impressive so I thought you might.”

“Heh Ayanokōji, are you actually into guys? I don’t need praise from men.”

“More importantly after what happened before you’re talking to me normally?”

“Heh, I’ll crush you eventually but not now. Until then I’ll gather info and analyze you.”

“Come anytime, I’ll welcome it, but first I’ll deal with Sakayanagi, I’ll raise this class to A within the year.”

“You talk big… but a defective class that started at 0 is now Class B, and considering the expected results this time you’re not bluffing. Still the higher you climb the harder you fall, and your class’s rise is basically all thanks to you, if you get expelled your class collapses.”

“No need to worry, you’re only focusing on me, that’ll cost you, this class will grow stronger.”

“…Hah, what are you a teacher?”

* * *

A few days later the Paper Shuffle results were announced.

Overall rankings

1: Class B 'Horikita Class'

2: Class A 'Sakayanagi Class'

3: Class C 'Ichinose Class'

4: Class D 'Ryūen Class'

Class points

A Sakayanagi Class 874

B Horikita Class 761

C Ichinose Class 603

D Ryūen Class 392

Class A is now within reach, the gap is small enough to flip with minor changes.

“Honestly Kiyotaka-kun, that was pretty sneaky, you completely fooled us.”

“To deceive the enemy, start with allies, but really everyone was focused so I didn’t want to disrupt that.”

* * *

“Ayanokōji-kun, what is this?”

“What do you mean?”

“This was your doing again wasn’t it?”

“This test was way too easy.”

“As Chiaki said, the test Ryūen’s class submitted was extremely easy, easy enough for elementary students to ace it. I feel bad for everyone who studied so hard but to ensure victory against Class A I took measures.”

“Horikita, what do you think I did?”

“…You negotiated with Ryūen and bought the right to create our test questions?”

“That’s right, Ryūen got the right to attack us and we got the right to attack Class A, from the start I planned to buy his question rights. The outcome depends on total class scores, and normally we can’t beat Class A academically. So I bought the rights, if we make a test everyone can ace we win unless they do the same.”

“How much did you pay?”

“Two million.”