"Controlling scores?" Hirata asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Exactly."
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath and wrote four numbers on the paper: 0, 1, and so on.
"To ensure nothing goes wrong, I've devised a 'Four-Stage Score Control Strategy'."
She pointed at those numbers and explained in detail:
"We will divide the class members into four groups."
"The first group consists of those with the worst grades who need the most care, like Yamauchi and the others. We'll have them turn in completely blank papers for the quiz, scoring 0."
"The second group is the second-to-last tier. We'll have them answer only one question, or write just a little bit, to get a single-digit score."
"The third group is the middle-tier, stable students. We'll have them control their scores to around 60 points."
"The fourth group, the top honor students, will perform freely and try to get as high a score as possible."
Both Hirata and Kushida were stunned; they hadn't expected Horikita to think things through so meticulously.
"Why divide it so finely?" Kushida asked curiously.
"For 'anchoring'."
A flash of confidence flickered in Horikita's eyes.
"If all the poor students score 0 and all the top students score 100, the pairings in the middle will still be chaotic. But if we create distinct'score steps,' we can force specific pairing relationships."
"Sudo and the others scoring 0 will inevitably be paired with the highest scorers like me and Yukimura-kun. Students scoring 1 point will be paired with the next-best students. This way, we can precisely allocate scores to those who need them most, avoiding wasted resources and preventing the tragedy of two lower-middle students being lumped together by bad luck."
After hearing Horikita's explanation, Hirata's eyes showed sincere admiration: "Amazing... Truly amazing, Horikita-san! With this, the initiative is firmly in our hands!"
"I think it's wonderful too!" Kushida added with a smile.
"The defensive issue is solved; next is the 'offense'."
Horikita Suzune's expression turned serious as she wrote the letters A, B, and C on the paper.
"Which class should we nominate as our opponent?"
"If we're playing it safe, avoiding Class A is a given," Hirata analyzed. "Class A's academic ability is too strong; no matter what questions we set, they'll likely get high scores. Meanwhile, the risk of us taking their test is very high."
"Correct," Horikita nodded. "While Class B is slightly weaker than Class A, they are very united and their average academic ability is high. Furthermore, Ichinose-san is our ally, so unless it's a last resort, we shouldn't choose Class B."
Her pen tip finally landed on the letter 'C', drawing a circle around it.
"Therefore, the most logical choice is Class C."
"Class C, huh..." Kushida said thoughtfully.
"I agree with Horikita-san's view," Hirata nodded. "Choosing Class C is indeed the optimal solution at the moment."
The strategic policy was set.
Horikita Suzune closed her notebook and subconsciously looked to the other side.
Because it was after school when they arrived, the group couldn't find a large enough table in the cafe and only found a 4-seater. Natsukawa had proactively suggested they discuss while he acted as background scenery. Hirata had initially wanted Natsukawa to take his seat while he stood, but Natsukawa talked him out of it.
At this moment, Natsukawa was sitting in a single booth, drinking coffee while playing on his phone. Horikita hesitated for a moment before standing up and walking over.
"Natsukawa."
Natsukawa turned his head and looked at Horikita, who had walked up to him.
"What? Is the strategy meeting over?"
"Yes." Horikita nodded and explained the 'Four-Stage Score Control Strategy' in detail.
After finishing, she looked at Natsukawa with a hint of nervousness.
Once upon a time, she was so full of confidence in her own judgment that she never felt the need to seek anyone's opinion. But after experiencing the crushing defeat at the Sports Festival and Natsukawa's harsh wake-up call, she finally realized she wasn't omniscient. She needed confirmation—confirmation that her thinking this time was rigorous, and confirmation that she had truly grown.
Natsukawa looked into her eyes, which were slightly anxious yet hid a sliver of anticipation, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
"Using 0s and 1s to lock in the pairing ranges... that is indeed a great move."
He gave her an affirmative evaluation.
"If it were the old you, you probably would have only thought of the vague concept of'strong carrying the weak' while ignoring the risks of random pairings for tied scores. Or perhaps you would have tried to find some way to get Class C's test paper or leak a fake one to them. It seems you've finally learned how to lay out a rigorous and honorable plan."
Regardless of whether it was true or not, it was never wrong to take credit for himself (laughs).
Hearing these words, Horikita Suzune's tense shoulders finally relaxed.
"...Thank you."
"Go on, do what you need to do," Natsukawa waved his hand. "This time, don't mess it up again."
"Naturally."
Horikita Suzune turned around, her long black hair tracing an arc in the air. This time, her tone became light and determined... The next day, at the morning homeroom.
Horikita Suzune stood on the podium, facing the whole class, and announced the 'Four-Stage Score Control Strategy' in detail.
"...Chabashira-sensei said that this quiz doesn't count toward our grades and has no negative impact on us. This is precisely our chance to take advantage of the rules."
"To ensure everyone passes, I need everyone to strictly follow this score allocation."
She posted a table on the blackboard with names and corresponding target scores (0 points, 1 point, etc.).
"Sudo-kun, Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun... you are responsible for scoring 0. That means turning in a blank paper."
"Sato-san, Shinohara-san... you'll write just a little and get 1 point."
"The rest of you..."
In the past, this proposal would have certainly caused a stir. After all, even if Chabashira-sensei said it wouldn't affect the final exams, what if it affected something else?
But the class atmosphere had already changed. After going through the shared struggles since the deserted island, everyone acknowledged Horikita's decisiveness as a leader and showed no resistance.
"Since the teacher said it doesn't count, turning in a blank paper doesn't matter, right?"
"If Horikita-san arranged it this way, she must have her reasons."
"As long as I don't get expelled, I don't care if I get a 0. I'm like that anyway."
Ike, Yamauchi, and the others even felt this was a benefit; getting through the quiz without any effort was a total win.
Seeing the unanimous approval, a faint look of relief appeared on Horikita Suzune's face.
"Also," she continued, "to ensure everyone avoids expulsion while getting the highest possible score in the official final exams, Hirata-kun and I have discussed it, and we will organize study groups again."
"In addition to the lunch break, Hirata-kun will be responsible for tutoring club members after their activities end. And I..."
She took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping across the class.
"I will organize a study session in the Library after school. It will mainly target those with weak foundations who need to catch up from the beginning."
"I will do everything in my power to help everyone pass the exam. So... I hope everyone will participate as much as possible."
This was the first time she had proactively lowered her guard to take on the responsibility of being a class leader.
It was no longer condescending instruction, but equal mutual aid.
"I'll help too!" Kushida Kikyo raised her hand, an angelic smile on her face. "Whether it's for Hirata-kun's group or Horikita-san's, I'll be there to help! Let's all do our best together!"
"Ohhh—!!!"
...
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