Chapter 341: Having Nagumo is a Blessing / Honami: I'm Heading to Akira-kun's Dorm at 8:00 PM
February 28th, a morning at the end of the month.
Students were gathered in the classroom in small groups, chatting.
"Hey, how'd you do on the finals?"
"Hard to say... but passing shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Shimizu Akira took his math textbook out of his bag, pre-reading the day's material.
"How did you do?" his desk-mate, Horikita Suzune, suddenly asked.
"Alright, I guess," Shimizu replied casually.
"You said the same thing during the mock exams ten days ago," Suzune rolled her eyes. Before the mock results came out, Shimizu had acted just as nonchalant, yet he ended up fourth in the class.
"At the start of school, you only got 29 in Japanese Literature."
"Well, I've been cramming literature lately." Seeing Suzune's slight defiance, Shimizu pulled out his study notebook. It was filled with quotes he had transcribed from classic masterpieces. Thanks to his diligence, he scored an 88 in Literature during the midterms. While not breaking 90, it was no longer dragging down his other subjects, boosting his overall rank.
For context, Horikita Suzune scored 96 in Literature and ranked second overall.
"The ranking for the finals should be similar to the midterms. No one should fail," Shimizu added. Chabashira-sensei had mentioned that some questions from the mock exam would reappear in the finals. While some had failed the mocks, the last two weeks of intensive study groups should have mitigated that risk.
"There's supposed to be one more Special Exam this semester. What do you think it'll be?"
"I'm not sure. Suzune, aren't you in the Student Council? Why are you asking me?"
"...Like that woman (Kushida), I'm currently just a probationary member," Suzune explained. "There's a one-month observation period, and you need more than half of the formal members to vote 'yes' to actually join."
'Both Suzune and Kikyo are still just probationary?' Shimizu twitched his lip.
With the third semester ending, that meant they wouldn't be formal members until the summer. He felt like the 1 million points he spent were a bit of a waste—likely Nagumo Miyabi pulling strings in the background.
"Tachibana-senpai said she could introduce me to other members before the semester ends to help secure votes," Suzune looked at him.
"Should I... take that woman with me?"
"No need. Just the two of you." Shimizu waved it off.
Adding someone last minute would be disrespectful to Tachibana, and with Kushida's social skills, she didn't need an introduction anyway. It seemed Tachibana was looking out for her junior by using her old connections.
Fresh Intelligence
At 8:00 AM, the daily intelligence arrived:
Motodoi Chikako (Class 1-A) gave a Honmei (true love) chocolate to her classmate Hashimoto Masayoshi. Shiina Hiyori (Class 1-D) is very interested in the Great Wall of China. Shimizu Naoki (Class 1-A) failed his confession to classmate Nishikawa Ryoko.
'Motodoi Chikako? Never heard of her.'
But Shimizu knew Hashimoto. The guy had helped a bit during the training camp. It made sense he was popular; he was handsome, capable, and from Class A. A Honmei chocolate meant a month-long consideration period until White Day on March 14th.
As for the second one, Hiyori liked Chinese culture. No wonder she got along with Wang Mei-yu. He'd have to chat with her about it later.
As for the third...
'There's another Shimizu in this school?' And he got rejected.
'Nishikawa Ryoko... that name sounds familiar.'
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In class, Chabashira-sensei kept things brief.
"Sensei, aren't the final exam results being announced today?"
"It's the last day of February!"
"And what about the second Special Exam?"
"Don't rush," Chabashira coughed. "Tomorrow, March 1st, I will explain both the grades and the Special Exam. But for now, follow me to the gymnasium. The Acting Chairman has something to say to the entire student body."
Shimizu exchanged a look with Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. He had a bad feeling.
In the gym, a man about fifty years old with a sturdy build and a natural-looking gentle smile took the stage. He bowed politely.
"Good morning, students. First, I regret to inform you that Chairman Sakayanagi has been suspended pending investigation for alleged embezzlement and dereliction of duty."
The gym erupted.
"Embezzlement? Chairman Sakayanagi?!"
The teachers remained calm; they clearly already knew.
"I am Tsukishiro Tokinari, the Acting Chairman. I look forward to working with you."
Tsukishiro bowed after every sentence, projecting the image of a humble educator.
"I've heard much about the special exams here. By the way, the Student Council President is Nagumo-kun, correct?" Tsukishiro suddenly called him out.
"I heard you've pushed for many reforms regarding class treatment."
Nagumo was startled but quickly recovered.
"Yes, Acting Chairman. I may have acted too hastily in the past, causing negative impacts. I apologize for my lack of foresight."
"Ho ho, no need for that," Tsukishiro waved it off, praising him.
"The previous Chairman may not have agreed with your vision, but I personally feel your ideas are correct—you were just too fast. This school is an experimental site supported by the government. We should be active in trying new things, shouldn't we?"
Nagumo's face lit up with a smile.
"You are right, Chairman Tsukishiro."
"A school is blessed to have a student like President Nagumo," Tsukishiro replied with a look of trust. He then announced: "The school officially plans to hold a Cultural Festival this year or next! Details will be discussed with the Student Council. You are dismissed."
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As students left, whispering about the cultural festival, Shimizu and Ayanokouji slowed their pace.
"Is he... related to your father?" Shimizu whispered.
"Most likely," Ayanokouji replied.
"That man looked at me several times when he took the stage."
Shimizu grimaced. He thought "that man" (Ayanokouji's father) would wait until the end of the year, but he was already moving.
"Chairman Sakayanagi was suspended because of me," Ayanokouji noted after a silence.
"Don't say that," Shimizu patted his shoulder. "It's a temporary suspension. Once the investigation is clear, he might return." He paused.
"How much of what he said do you believe?"
"It's the same playbook Nagumo used—dangling a carrot. I don't think this school will actually hold a cultural festival," Ayanokouji replied.
Shimizu agreed. A closed, competitive environment like this wouldn't just open its doors to the public. If they did, it would likely be restricted to government officials.
"He publicly supported Nagumo to win him over as an ally," Shimizu noted.
A President Nagumo was headache enough. Adding an Acting Chairman as his backing made things exponentially worse.
Ayanokouji saw Shimizu's worried face and, rarely, patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry about me."
'Who's worried about you?' Shimizu rolled his eyes.
Previous intel suggested Ayanokouji's father wanted him (Shimizu) expelled too to "stimulate" Ayanokouji's potential.
Tsukishiro had glanced at Shimizu several times. He was worried about himself!
"This guy feels like bad news," Shimizu concluded. "Be careful."
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In Class B, Ichinose Honami was packing up. Kobashi Yume leaned in.
"Honami, it seems no one is talking about that incident anymore."
It had been ten days since the public apology. The gossip had faded, especially since the final exams started.
"Probably because of the finals," Honami smiled. "Everyone is busy making sure they don't get expelled."
"Are you really okay now?"
"Yes. Ever since the apology, I've completely moved on." Her smile was bright and natural.
"That's good..." Yume winked. "So, Shimizu-kun definitely went to your dorm that day, right?"
Honami blushed and nodded.
"Yes. Thanks to Akira-kun, I had the courage to face everyone and Sakayanagi-san."
Yume laughed.
"He really cares about you. He handled the Class A troublemakers at the door and then rushed to see you... have you thought about how to 'reward' him?"
"Yume!" Honami shoved a book into her bag.
"Haha, okay, I'm done teasing! But seriously—what do you think about the Acting Chairman?"
Honami turned serious.
"Chairman Sakayanagi would never take a bribe. There must be another reason. And Hoshinomiya-sensei told me that tomorrow's Special Exam was personally designed by this Acting Chairman. He doesn't seem to care about expulsions; we have to be careful."
Just then, Himeno Yuki dragged her chair back with a screech and left the room without a word.
"Himeno-san is always alone," some classmates noted.
Honami sighed. She still didn't know how to handle Himeno after their previous disagreement in class.
"Don't worry about it," Yume said. "A few of us are going to Karaoke to relax before the exam. Want to come?"
"Will it be late?"
"Maybe until 9:00 or 10:00 PM."
"Sorry," Honami pressed her hands together.
"I have plans tonight. Next time!"
"Hehe... definitely related to rewarding Shimizu-kun, right?"
Honami's face turned beet-red.
Standing alone after her friends left, she exhaled softly. She picked up her phone and sent a message.
Ichinose Honami: Akira-kun, I'll be over at your place at 8:00 PM.
A few seconds later:
Shimizu Akira: Okay.
Looking at the simple reply, she smiled.
At Christmas, Shimizu had taken care of her every need. This time, he had pulled her out of the abyss again.
She had been asking Hoshinomiya-sensei for "advice" privately these past few days—tonight, she had to perform well.
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