Kansuke exclaims in dismay while Yoshiki and Usami's eyes widen.
"It's like you think we're that desperate. Forget our offer. Guys, we've humiliated ourselves enough in front of this little aristocrat. We'll figure out another way."
Kansuke urges his friends to leave, but oddly, Yoshiki and Usami stay put, which shocks him.
"Guys, don't tell me…"
"What do you mean by 'give you our lives,' Kōenji-san?"
Cutting Kansuke off, Yoshiki asks me directly.
"Exactly what I said, senpai. I want you to give me your lives."
"Why are you all still listening to him? He's clearly screwing with us!"
"Kansuke-senpai, don't you think *you're* the one screwing yourself?"
"What'd you just say?"
Feeling insulted, Kansuke steps toward me and grabs my collar.
Despite our height difference, he's not intimidated. He pulls me down to his level.
I'll admit, he's got some strength. But it wouldn't mean anything if I hadn't let this happen.
"Just because we asked for your help doesn't mean you get to look down on us."
"Ebisawa, enough! Let him go!"
Yoshiki steps in, grabbing Kansuke's arm.
After glaring at me for a moment, Kansuke releases me and turns to leave.
Through it all, I keep my smile. After fixing my shirt, I speak again.
"You want to be my employees in the future, but you're hesitating to start now? Isn't that nonsense?"
"Kōenji-san, can you be clearer?"
Usami pleads for clarification.
"Haven't I been clear enough, senpai? I don't need your points, but I *do* need your services."
"Our services?"
Yoshiki asks, still not fully getting it.
"If it's true this school has mechanics I don't yet understand, I might need your help from time to time. So here's the deal: you promise to provide any support I need, and in return, you'll each get a position in one of my subsidiaries. Sound good, dear senpais?"
Now everything clicks for them.
"Well, I don't see any issue with that."
Yoshiki is the first to respond.
"Me neither. As long as it's within my ability, I'll help."
Usami follows.
"Kansuke-senpai, are you in too?"
I turn to the last holdout.
He stares at me, scratches his scalp, and sighs.
"As long as it doesn't jeopardize my diploma, I'll do whatever you want."
'Perfect!'
I bow respectfully, surprising them.
"Please forgive my earlier attitude, senpais. As a company heir, I had to act that way. I hope you won't think ill of me."
"N-no, you don't need to apologize. Your attitude was perfectly normal."
"I got a bit carried away. Sorry."
"The important thing is we've reached an agreement, right?"
Yoshiki, Kansuke, and Usami urge me to stand.
At their words, I straighten up, widening my cheerful smile.
"Thrilled to have you at my service, dear senpais."
"Pleasure's mutual."
"Don't ask too much of us."
"I'm in your hands."
---
And just like that, another week passes.
Thursday.
Classes are in full swing. During third period, Ms. Chabashira enters the classroom. It's her time to teach Japanese history.
"Good morning, everyone."
With her usual dry tone, Chabashira greets the class.
"Clear your desks. We're having a short test to evaluate your performance this month."
She hands stacks of test sheets to the front row, instructing them to pass the extras back. After some shuffling, everyone has a sheet.
The entire quiz fits on one page.
It contains questions across five core subjects: math, English, Japanese, science, and social studies.
"You may begin. I'll collect your papers in one hour."
Checking her watch, Chabashira signals the start.
There are four questions per subject, totaling twenty. Each is worth five points, for a maximum of one hundred. Most questions seem manageable for an average or even below-average student. However, the last three math questions are notably tougher, requiring concepts beyond the first-year curriculum. Clearly, they're designed to separate the sharpest minds.
That's how a typical student might see it. By my current standards—those of this body—this test doesn't even demand 1% of my ability. That might sound arrogant, but it'd be more insulting if such trivial questions required more effort. In short, a perfect score is the only logical outcome for me.
'That said, the real issue is the rest of my class…'
The room buzzes with focus. I don't need to glance at my classmates to know they're taking it seriously. The silence, unbroken by complaints, proves it.
Chabashira patrols slowly, eyeing us to deter cheating.
She pauses at my desk, her gaze lingering on me and my paper. I act oblivious, answering questions casually. After a while, she moves on.
Fifteen minutes in, I'm done.
Bored, I sneak a peek at my neighbor to the right. Hasebe's calm, her pen dancing across the paper as she answers. I'd guess she'll score around average.
According to Yukimura and my observations these past weeks, her lazy attitude has softened. She used to dread studying, but now she sees it as a necessary evil to tackle early for later rest.
'Yup, still lazy.'
Time ticks by, and the hour ends.
As promised, Chabashira collects our papers and leaves, marking the end of her period.
The moment she's gone, the room's tension drops.
"Ugh, I'm dead. What were those last three questions?"
Ike groans loudly, rubbing his temples.
"What? You actually tried them? I gave up instantly."
Yamauchi retorts.
"Those weren't questions first-years like us could answer."
A tanned guy with short black hair chimes in—Nishimura Ryuko, an extra the novel never mentioned.
"Kōenji-kun, what's your score gonna be?"
Hondō Ryotarō, a gray-haired guy, suddenly asks me. Since we're not close seatmates, he speaks loudly, drawing eyes my way.
He's in my study group. In the novel, he was a close friend of the idiot trio, flawed himself. But he's solid academically, and with my guidance, he's improving fast.
"I'll get 100."
Unfazed by the attention, I answer confidently, with a hint of arrogance.
Though I'm just stating facts, my response stirs a reaction.
"100? So you solved the last three questions?"
Ike's the first to jump on it.
"They just required more complex operations."
I keep my answer short and sweet.
"And you managed to solve them in time?"
Yukimura asks this time.
"It was tight, but I finished."
'If I said I actually finished in 15 minutes, it'd cause a riot. Better not.'
"Kōenji-kun is amazing!"
Mei exclaims, praising me before results are even out.
Not that I doubt myself—I'm just surprised she took my word for it. Judging by the wave of praise from the girls in our class following Mei's, my words are like gospel to most of the female crowd… well, most of them.
"It's ridiculous to celebrate now. Only the results matter."
A sharp, unfriendly voice cuts through.
As usual, Horikita's reading during downtime, joining the conversation in her own way.
Her words douse the class's excitement like cold water.
I turn to Hasebe, who's slumped her head on her desk.
"So, Haruka, how'd the test go for you?"
I ask, prompting her to tilt her head toward me, still resting on the desk.
"Eh, doable, but I'm not cocky like you about 100. I'm sure I secured at least 60, though."
"That's solid then."
"Vacation's next, right?"
"Nah, this was probably just a monthly assessment. The real exam's later."
"Damn, I busted my ass for nothing? Rokuu, tell me we can rewind time."
'This girl…'
"It's not wasted effort. This test shows your current level and where you can improve. And no, as far as I know, time travel's not a thing yet."
'I say that, but here I am in another world. Wouldn't be shocked if time travel's possible.'
Hasebe sighs dramatically, burying her face in her desk.
"Bring on the break already."
As if her prayers were heard, the bell rings minutes later, signaling lunch.
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