The day before the midterm exam.

As the final class of the day ended, sighs could be heard here and there. Relief from tension mixed with the pressure of tomorrow’s test. Especially for those at risk of failing, the weight bearing down on their shoulders must be immense. In this school, failing means immediate expulsion.

“Everyone, can I have a moment before you leave?”

As the class began to buzz, Hirata, standing near the podium, raised his voice. At his call, the entire class stopped. Being the day before the midterm, they likely assumed it was an announcement related to the test.

“It’s about tomorrow’s test. Ayanokōji-kun and Matsushita-san have something to say. Please listen.”

Following Hirata’s words, murmurs spread and eyes turned toward us. Perhaps because I’ve been acting like an unremarkable student, it seems to have made them suspicious.

Still, I can’t worry about that now. I stood up and walked with Matsushita to where Hirata was.

“Sorry to hold you up. About tomorrow’s test, I managed to obtain something useful. I’d like to share it with everyone.”

Together with Matsushita, I handed out printed past exam questions to the students in the front row.

“These… are questions? Did you make them, Ayanokōji-kun?”

“No, these are past exams I got from a third-year. Apparently, tomorrow’s midterm will have almost identical questions.”

The murmuring grew louder. Especially the at-risk students, who started shouting things like “No way!” and “Seriously!?” in excitement.

“You saved us, Ayanokōji! You’re seriously a great guy!”

“Yeah! You could’ve just used these yourself and gotten a good score!”

Even though their classmates’ futures are on the line, who would do something that pointless, Yamauchi?

As I was being surrounded and patted on the shoulders, someone stepped in to interrupt.

“But can we really trust these past exams Ayanokōji-kun brought?”

It was a girl from our class, Shinohara.

At her words, the at-risk group froze. From their perspective, it’s hard to believe these questions would appear exactly as-is on tomorrow’s test.

“I can’t say it’s 100%, but the probability is pretty high. Right, Hirata-kun?”

Matsushita passed the conversation to Hirata. He nodded and pulled out another sheet—the past quiz questions from last time.

“Ayanokōji-kun also got past questions from the previous quiz to confirm. Take a look. They match the last quiz perfectly.”

Students like Yukimura and other high achievers gathered to check. After confirming the questions matched exactly, they nodded in astonishment.

“They’re identical. Then there’s a good chance these will be the same too.”

“B-But if all test content is the same, wouldn’t getting past exams from seniors always guarantee good scores?”

“No, it’s probably just this midterm. Remember the last math quiz? There were three unusually difficult questions. Those weren’t solvable by normal first-year methods.”

At my words, Yukimura and Horikita nodded strongly. The better students clearly understood how difficult those problems were.

…At the same time, Horikita gave me a sharp look, as if to say, ‘But you solved them, didn’t you?’

“I think it was a hint that there’s some kind of loophole for the midterm. What Chabashira-sensei said also stood out. ‘I’m confident there’s a way for you all to pass without failing.’ She said something like that. Of course, it’s not guaranteed, but at least the quiz matched the past exam exactly. And the content is within the test scope, so it’s worth memorizing.”

After hearing our explanation, the class gradually began to accept it.

“I see. You really thought this through, Ayanokōji-kun. Sorry for doubting you.”

“It’s fine. Shinohara’s question was natural. It gave me a good chance to explain things properly. Thanks.”

When I thanked her, Shinohara blushed and waved her hands frantically.

I could feel a sharp gaze from Matsushita. It seems I messed something up again.

“Nice one, Ayanokōji! You really thought this through!”

“That’s amazing! Maybe you’re actually pretty sharp?”

Even Kushida and others praised me.

After receiving thanks and returning to my seat, Horikita, who had come back at some point, spoke to me.

“That was impressive—for you. I never would’ve thought to obtain past exams. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I did it for the class and my friends.”

“…That line doesn’t suit you at all.”

“Hey now…”

Horikita let out a small laugh.

This might be the first time I’ve seen her make that expression.

“But why did Matsushita-san come up with you?”

“Because we got the exams from the senior together.”

“I see… well, whatever.”

She fixates on strange things.

While talking with Horikita and receiving more thanks from classmates, time after school passed.

Eventually, only Matsushita, Hirata and I remained in the classroom.

“Thank you, Ayanokōji-kun, Matsushita-san. Honestly, I was worried. Whether everyone could get through tomorrow’s test safely.”

“No need to thank me. I did it for the class and my friends.”

When I repeated the same words I told Horikita, Hirata’s eyes lit up more than ever.

“I’m really glad to hear you say that, Ayanokōji-kun. Ah, well… I thought you weren’t very interested in the class.”

“That’s true. I only started caring because Matsushita influenced me.”

“Ayanokōji-kun and Matsushita-san are…”

“Yeah. We just started dating recently.”

Before Hirata could awkwardly ask, Matsushita answered for him.

Since it’s Hirata, she must’ve judged he wouldn’t spread it carelessly. I agree.

“I see. Ayanokōji-kun and Matsushita-san… now that I think about it, you two suit each other. Both calm and intelligent.”

“Intelligent? My test scores aren’t that good.”

“Intelligence isn’t just test scores. Flexible thinking like this also counts. Having people like you two in the class is reassuring.”

What a good guy Hirata Yōsuke is.

He’s been trying to unite the class for a while now. It might be wise to stay on good terms with him.

“If possible, would you help lead the class? If you cooperate, we might actually see hope of reaching a higher class.”

“Well… I’m not very good at leading others. Sorry, but I’ll have to decline that. However, I don’t mind contributing as one piece for the class.”

“I see. Even that helps a lot. Thanks for today. Let’s both do our best tomorrow.”

Hirata looked a bit disappointed, but he accepted it and left.

“You could be a class leader, Ayanokōji-kun. Is it just too much trouble?”

“I’ll cooperate if needed. That’s enough, right?”

“You’re keeping your promise to use your ability. I can expect something from tomorrow’s test too, right?”

“Yeah. Except for certain cases.”

“Certain cases?”

Matsushita tilted her head. Seems she didn’t notice that far.

“For example, the failing line in English last time was below 32 points. That’s half the average of 64.4. It seems this school sets the failing line at half the average.”

“…I see. So if everyone’s scores go up from the past exams…”

She understood what I meant. I nodded.

“There’s a high chance the actual failing line will exceed the expected 32.”

“I see… so if others do too well, it actually hurts the weaker students. Still, we have to distribute the exams… it’s tricky. But if it’s based on half the average, we can control the failing line somewhat. The ‘certain case’ you mentioned is…”

“Yeah. If the at-risk group hasn’t memorized enough, I’ll lower my score to adjust the failing line.”

“Then I’ll adjust mine too.”

Matsushita offered, but I shook my head.

“No. Intentionally lowering your score risks expulsion. You don’t need to take that risk.”

“But that applies to you too, right?”

A fair argument, but I don’t intend to burden her with unnecessary risk.

Still, rejecting her outright feels wrong. She likely memorized everything thoroughly, so I’ll rely on her a bit.

“Alright. But don’t take too much risk. You could probably get 100 now, but aim for around 70.”

“That’s fine… but I could go as low as 49.”

If failing is below half the average, 49 would be completely safe. But one careless mistake could mean expulsion. With Sudō, Ike and Yamauchi around, there’s no guarantee everyone scores high. There’s no need to take that risk.

Careless mistakes are hard to avoid. Humans make them.

“No, that’s too risky. If needed, I’ll have Horikita and Hirata adjust too. You don’t need to take on that burden alone.”

She understood logically, but emotionally she seemed dissatisfied, pouting slightly.

That’s rare. Matsushita is usually calm and logical, always convinced by proper reasoning.

But not now. That’s… interesting.

“You’re too overprotective, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“Sorry. I just got a girlfriend—I’d rather not lose her yet.”

“…That’s unfair. If you say that, I can’t argue.”

Though not entirely displeased, she accepted the plan.

Now then, how much will Sudō manage to memorize? Surely he won’t fail all subjects… but falling asleep and missing a couple sounds likely.

* * *

On the day of the midterm, my prediction was partially correct.

Most students were fine, but Sudō apparently fell asleep and couldn’t memorize English. Ike and Yamauchi panicked while Horikita coached him.

“A-Ayanokōji… do something!”

Ike called out desperately. It seems he’s begun to see me as someone reliable after yesterday. Troublesome.

Still, even if they’re friends, whether Sudō fails or not shouldn’t concern him directly. Yet he asks for help like it’s his own problem.

He’s a good guy.

“Leave it to me. I’ll do what I can. But what matters most is Sudō’s effort. Use the remaining minutes to memorize everything you can. Got it?”

“Y-Yeah… thanks, Ayanokōji.”

“Don’t worry. We’re friends.”

““Ayanokōji…””

Ike and Sudō looked moved.

The word ‘friend’ seems quite effective for winning people over. Though it didn’t work on Horikita, so it depends on the person.

“Horikita, a moment.”

“About the average score? I’ll adjust as much as I can.”

“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”

I left Sudō to Horikita and went to speak with Hirata.

“…So could you help adjust the failing line?”

“Of course. Helping classmates is only natural. I’ll ask others who can adjust too.”

Only a few minutes remained. Announcing it to everyone risks confusion. We’ll have to explain individually, meaning only a few will adjust.

Well, if this fails, it can’t be helped. Sudō will have to accept it. It’s his own fault after all.

…That’s what I thought, but after the tests ended, the results showed almost everyone scored well, and everyone avoided failing.

“Thanks, Horikita, Ayanokōji! You saved me!”

“It won’t always work like this. Keep studying.”

At Horikita’s cold response, Sudō shrank back. Unexpected—he’d usually argue.

If Horikita is the stick, I’ll be the carrot. Might as well use her attitude to improve my standing.

“Sudō worked hard. I just helped a little.”

“Ayanokōji… you’re a great guy! Let’s keep it up!”

He happily slapped my shoulder. Easygoing guy.

“And you should thank Hirata and Wang too. The failing line was half the average. They lowered their scores for you.”

“What? For me… Got it, I’ll thank them!”

Sudō immediately went to thank Hirata and Wang Mei-Yu. He has good initiative. If he applies that to studying, he’ll avoid failing next time.

“Not just Sudō, but your past exams really helped, Ayanokōji-kun.”

“With Hirata-kun and Ayanokōji-kun, we might even reach Class B!”

Girls gathered around saying such things. Being compared to Hirata—my reputation has improved.

While chatting, I felt a gaze from the front. Matsushita.

I see—she’s warning me not to talk too much with other girls while having a girlfriend.

As I was thinking how to wrap things up, a perfect question came from Sonoda in front of me.

“Ayanokōji-kun, do you have a girlfriend?”

Without hesitation, I answered.

“Yeah. I’m dating Matsushita.”

The classroom froze.