Finally! The day of the Four-Choice Mismatch Exam has arrived!...

"Ichika-chan! Let’s absolutely win this special exam!"

"Ichika-chan! Let’s do our best!"

"Of course! Kasuga-chan! Tetsuko-chan!"

Together with Kasuga-chan, Tetsuko-chan and the others from the [Answering Questions] group, I was waiting in the classroom that served as the exam venue for the start of the test.

Unlike Kiyotaka-senpai, I’m not going to hide my abilities or hold back... I plan to go all out.

After all, carrying the name of Class A, there’s no way we can come in last here!

"I didn’t expect both you and Ishigami-kun to be in this group, Ichika-san."

"Really? I thought you would’ve figured it out, Tsubasa-chan?"

It seems that Class D’s [Answering Questions] group is centered around top-performing students like Tsubasa-chan and Shiratori-kun~

And among them, there’s no sign of their leader, Hōsen-kun.

This likely isn’t because he’s bad at studying, but because he’s leading the [Choice Acquisition] group instead.

In fact, Hōsen-kun’s academic OAA score is surprisingly a B...

"Ah! You’re Tsubaki-chan, right? Let’s have a good match today!"

"Yeah... this special exam... our class will definitely win..."

Class C’s [Answering Questions] group is centered around Tsubaki-chan and has a higher number of girls.

"........."

Meanwhile... the members of Class B’s [Answering Questions] group are quiet.

Unlike the other classes, they don’t have an absolute leader, and since their leader candidate Takuya is in the [Choice Acquisition] group, it seems no one has the courage to jump into our conversation...

"Now then... the Four-Choice Mismatch Exam will begin."

As soon as the supervising teacher announced the start of the exam, the monitor in the classroom activated.

'Oh... Takuya being in the [Choice Acquisition] group is kind of unexpected~! In the original world, he should’ve been in the [Answering Questions] group...'

On the monitor... the members of each class’s [Choice Acquisition] group could be seen lined up in the gymnasium.

By the way... it seems our voices cannot be heard by the [Choice Acquisition] group members.

Furthermore... while the [Answering Questions] group can observe the [Choice Acquisition] group, the reverse isn’t possible.

As proof, even after the monitor activated, none of the [Choice Acquisition] group members showed any sign of looking toward us, the [Answering Questions] group.

'So that means? The [Choice Acquisition] group is only told when the task begins... until the final result comes out, they can’t grasp the situation of their own class...'

Even though I’ve gone through this exam once in the original world... quite some time has passed for me. Regardless of the results, I don’t remember what kinds of questions were asked...

"Each class’s first representative respondent, step forward."

With that call, the respondents from each class began to move.

"Kasuga-chan! Don’t be nervous! Just keep your usual pace!"

"Yeah... I’ll do my best!"

Our class’s first representative respondent is Kasuga-chan, who looks a little nervous.

As for the other classes... Class B has Shimazaki-san, Class C has Katagiri-kun and Class D has Kajiwara-kun.

Once all representatives had gathered, the teacher reached into a box, shuffled something around, and then pulled out a single sheet of paper...

"The subject for Question 1 is... ‘Social Studies.’"

I see... since the subject is decided by drawing lots, it means some people might get their strong subjects consecutively!

And then... the first question appeared on the large monitor in the classroom.

[Question] Which of the following is the capital of Australia?

① Sydney

② Canberra

③ Melbourne

④ Brisbane

At the same time the question was displayed, the task for the [Choice Acquisition] group shown on another monitor began.

'They’re all holding basketballs... so maybe it’s based on who makes a three-point shot first?'

Unfortunately, since we can’t hear them... we have to rely on guesses to some extent.

"Kajiwara! Do your best!"

"Shimazaki-san, you can do it~!"

Meanwhile, on our side, the [Answering Questions] group...

Kasuga-chan looks hesitant... Shimazaki-san looks composed... Katagiri-kun shows signs of panic... and Kajiwara-kun hasn’t changed his expression much.

'It’s ②! Kasuga-chan, please! Choose ②!'

Since I already know the answer, I desperately try to signal Kasuga-chan with my eyes.

It’s forbidden for members of the [Answering Questions] group to tell the representative the answer, so all I can do is pray.

Looking back at the [Choice Acquisition] group, everyone is desperately trying to make their shots.

Then, a Class B student successfully made a three-point shot.

At that moment, one of the four supervising teachers in the gym—standing near Class B—raised the flag in their hand.

"Class B is permitted to choose."

Seeing that, the teacher on our side gave instructions to Shimazaki-san.

"Yes, I choose ②, Canberra."

Without hesitation, Shimazaki-san selected the correct answer.

Seeing that, the other classes’ respondents who knew the answer looked frustrated.

From their perspective... they already understood that their class wouldn’t gain any points from this question...

"Tch... I choose ①, Sydney..."

"Um, I choose ④, Brisbane..."

"Ugh... I choose ③, Melbourne."

After that... Class D, Class A and then Class C obtained selection rights in that order.

Also, it was confirmed that the Class C male student who placed last in obtaining selection rights left the gymnasium.

"The correct answer is... ②, Canberra."

After confirming everyone’s selections, the correct answer was announced.

"Yay!"

"Shimazaki-san! That was amazing!"

Class A: 39 remaining.

Class B: 40 remaining.

Class C: 38 remaining.

Class D: 39 remaining.

With this, Shimazaki-san remains... and the representative respondents from Class A, Class C and Class D are eliminated.

"Um... I’m sorry I couldn’t be helpful!"

"Don’t worry about it! I’ll do my best for your share too, Kasuga-chan!"

"Ichika-chan..."

That’s what I said, but... I’m worried about how this exam will turn out from here...