Today is the test day. On the way to the classroom, I meet Hirata. He looked nervous. He's one of those people who extremely worried about others. I kind of respect him for being so selfless but at the same time, I find his selfless attitude naive and pointless. Maybe because of this attitude he was placed in Class D, who knows?
"Good Morning, Hirata," I greet him as usual.
"Good Morning, Ayanokouji-Kun," Hirata replied.
"So did anyone agreed to our plan," I asked him about the plan to lowering the passing grade by intentionally scoring less. For this plan to succeed we needed the cooperation of top scorers.
"I did talk to some students but only a few agreed to it," Hirata said as he sighed. Well, that was expected, nobody wants to sacrifice their good grades for some weak students. But it's okay, we didn't need many students. Even with few students, we still able to drag down the average score by few points, just enough for weak students to pass.
When I arrived at the class, I saw Horikita still giving Sudou last-minute revisions. Sudou now accepted Horikita's personality. He didn't antagonists Horikita anymore. I looked around the classroom, everyone was present and had a confident look. A small thanks to those old test papers which I asked Kushida to reveal the day before the test.
Soon Chiyabashira-sensei entered the classroom strode through the room with a bold smile. Everyone got their test papers. On the teacher's signal, we all began.
First, I checked if the questions are the same as the old ones and despite my second thoughts, they were identical. I looked at others. I didn't see any students looking bothered or anxious. We did everything we could do, now it all depends on the individual's abilities. I picked up my pen and slowly went through each question.
After the last test, we all gathered around. I can see from everyone face that they all did well on their test but Sodou had trouble look at his face.
"Are you okay, Sodou?" Ike asked.
"I don't know, I did everything I could do but I have no idea how well I did...," Sodou grumbled.
"Don't worry. Considering how much effort you put into it, I said you did well," Horikita said. I can't believe it on my ears. She genuinely praising Sodou. Everyone else was shocked too.
"Earlier I said that your dream of becoming a professional basketball player was foolish. I did some research. I learned that becoming a professional player is very hard and despite knowing that you didn't give up. I sorry for what I said back then," Horikita apologised and then leaves. Her expression was the same as always.
Ike and Yamauchi were stunned. I and Kushida were surprised and Sodou was dumbfounded.
A few days later, our results were announced. I scored 50 in every subject as I intended to do. By scoring less we managed to bring down the average score to 34.8 which means anyone who scored 34.8 or more would be considered as a pass.
Even though most of the students was relieved that they didn't fail the test, the whole classroom was silent. And the reason for this is the red line above Sodou's name. He failed the English test. He scored 34 on the English test. He barely misses the passing grade.
"Sodou, you failed, as a result, you have to drop out from this school," Chiyabashira-sensei words echo throughout the room. Nobody said anything. They were unable to do anything at this point except witness the scene as it unfolds. Horikita tries to argue about the decimal cutoff point. Although there is a possibility of it but Sensei still rejected it. Sudou just stares at his grades helplessly.
"Pack your things Sodou and accompany me to the staff room, there some paperwork to do. After that, I'll contact your legal guardian to pick you up from the school," Sensei said that without a hint of sympathy. I looked at Sudou. He still had a disbelief look on his face. His dream of becoming a professional basketball player over before it even started.
"Dreams," I thought.
Flashback
It's been two weeks since I entered this school and since then I did nothing but waste my time here and there. I didn't join any club and didn't even try to make friends. From an outside perspective I just looked like a fool but for me wasting time is a new thing. My entire life up until now was based on efficiency. So it excites me a lot.
Today was my second weekend in this school and Sudou invited me to play video games in Sotomura's room. Since I had nothing to do, I take Sudou offer. This is also a chance for me to experience normal high school life and to make friends.
For the whole day, we played various video games. 'We' means Sudou, Ike, Yamauchi and Sotomura aka Professor.
I just watched them. Clearly, video games aren't my thing. We had some small talks occasionally which I quite enjoy.
"Why you guys decided to enrol in this school. Is there any special reason for it," Ike asked randomly? Yamauchi and Professor said that they come here because it's free and offers guaranteed placement into the company or university of our choice. I said the same thing although it's a lie. I think it's true for most of the students.
"I did come here to play basketball. I want to become a professional basketball player in the future," Sodou said. He already had a clear goal in his mind. That's impressive.
"But Sudou this school isn't recognised for its sports team. You should join some athlete school," Ike asked.
"I can't afford that. Don't worry, all I need to play well against the other school's teams and gathered as much experience as I can," He said very confidently. It's the first time I see Sudou act so sincerely about something.
"So people can change themselves for their dreams and able to or at least tried to overcome any obstacles in their way. I wonder if I also had some kind of a dream or life goal, will I able to change as well," I thought.
Flashback end
Everyone was looking at Sudou as he slowly puts his books into the bag. The look of disbelief was still on his face.
"I guess, I save him for now," I said to myself. I'm really curious about how much a life dream or life goal can change a person and observing Sudou is the perfect way to experience it since I don't have any dreams or goals.
"Sensei, can I ask you something," I raised my hand. Now everyone I looking at me including Horikita.
"This is such a bad idea. I'm supposed to lay low and tried to not to gain attention," I said to myself and yet I'm doing it. Perhaps I already start changing.
"First Horikita and now you. I doubt anything you want to ask me, is going to help Sudou at this stage," Sensei said. She seems surprised by our intervention. Well, that's only natural, Horikita and I mostly stay quiet and never take part in any discussion.
"I want to confirm something. You said on our first day that through the S-System we can buy anything we want other than a few exceptions which are written in the school's rule book. Is that correct?" I asked. Sensei smiled boldly.
"Yes, that is correct," Sensei answered. Everybody was looking confused.
"Which means that S-System also applies to this test," I said. I took out my phone and continue my statement.
"Then, please sell us one point to add Sudou's result," After I said that Sensei laugh loudly.
"That's an interesting idea. What made you think that this will work," Sensei asked.
"As you said before, we can buy anything with our points and there nothing in the school's rules that contradicts it," I said. The school didn't tell us what could be brought by the points but it clearly told us what couldn't be brought and there is no statement about buying the points for tests.
Everyone was looking hopeful specially Sudou.
"It's certainly true, Ayanokouji. But it doesn't mean that you can afford it," Sensei said. Everyone got worried. I know that buying a test point wasn't going to be cheap.
"How much," I asked. Sensei looked right into my eyes. She still wore her bold smirk.
"100,000 points. Do you have this many points," Sensei said cruelly crushing everyone hopes. I don't think anybody in this school had this many points. It's all for nothing.
"At least I tried to save him. That's enough for me," I thought. I only decided to save Sudou on a whim.
"I pay too," Horikita suddenly spoke up. I can see why she wants to help. She invests so much time and effort into Sidou's studies. She didn't want to waste that.
"We pay too," Hirata and Kushida also spoke up. Well, it's better to have more people so the amount can be divided among us.
"Fine, I accept your deal," Sensei said. I and Horikita pay 35,000 points each since we had lots of points. Hirata and Kushida pay 15,000 points each. They didn't have that many points.
"Alright Sudou, congratulations, your expulsion has to be cancelled," As soon as Sensei announced that, the whole class erupted into a celebration. Sudou even started crying a little bit.
"Horikita, Ayanokouji. Thank you for saving me even after I bad talk to you guys," Sudou bow down and apologised for his previous rude behaviour. Others students also apologised for talking behind our backs.
With this Horikita and I able to clear any suspicion our classmates had about us. After school Sudou and others invite us to the cafeteria and surprisingly Horikita accepts their invitation. This is a sign that she started to acknowledge her shortcomings and working towards improving her relationship with other classmates. I also joined the party.
On my way to the dorms, I bump into Koenji in the elevator. He had his usual arrogant look on his face.
"To the second floor, Elevator boy," Koenji said mockingly while combing his hair. I looked at him through the corner of my eyes. He had a smirk on his face which for some reason I don't like.
"I really don't want to involved with him," I sighed as I do what he said.
"I didn't expect you to help those peasants," He said.
"Peasants is that he thinks of others," I thought.
Others may think of him as self-entitled and overconfident, a rich boy who grew up with a silver spoon. But I know he has abilities to back up his attitude. I needed to pick my words carefully, if not it'll be dangerous for me.
"I just find them interesting, that's all. What about you Koenji? If you keep that attitude of yours, you not going to advance. I'm sure you smart enough to figure it out l," I asked.
"I simply don't care about it. There is no need for me to get serious about this little game," He said. If he didn't care about school evaluation and test then why he came to this school. His line of thinking didn't make any sense.
The elevator arrived on the second floor. I was waiting for him to get off the elevator but he didn't move from his spot.
"But I'm interested in one thing," He said as come next to me.
"What would happen if someone told your father about you. I'm very excited to see that," He said.
"Are you threating me," I asked as I looked at him with my cold eyes.
"Take it as you want," He replied with the same mocking manner as before not affected by my sharp gaze.
When he about to leave the elevator I spoke.
"Don't get in my way, Koenji. It will not end well for you," I warned him. He simply laughed at me then leave the elevator.
"I need to something about Koenji before it too late" With that thought, I walked towards my room.
To be continue