Houtarou Oreki Classroom of the Elite

And so, things became simple.

The school conducts written exams in the second month — a regular assessment that doesn't worry the older students but is new territory for first-years.

Some clever first-years discovered that this exam's questions are recycled from ten years ago.

So why study? What's the point of reviewing? The current textbooks are several versions newer, with updated content. How could they possibly take an exam with such outdated questions?

And little Kikyō earned 100,000 points because of this revelation.

On the 7th, the first-year Class D received the exam papers.

According to Kikyō:

"I've been having meals with the upperclassmen lately and got these study materials from them. They mentioned they always have written exams around this time. One senpai still had her exam papers from when she was a first-year — apparently, they used previous years' questions back then too. So hopefully these will be useful."

She distributed copies of the papers she'd purchased.

Her classmates were puzzled at first.

"Are you saying this exam will use these exact papers?" A boy named Kanji jumped to his feet, "Is... is that right?"

Before this, Class D students had been struggling to find a solution, and Yōsuke had decided they needed to organize group study sessions.

He didn't want anyone falling behind — they were all one team. But now, could they take this shortcut for the exam?

On the 1st, their class had received 0 Points.

When they first entered this school, he had been among those who paid 10,000 points to get information from Class A's Oriki. He couldn't convince everyone to follow his lead, and he never imagined the class would lose so many points in just one month.

While still worrying about the Class Evaluation Score, he was now troubled by the threat of expulsion for failing the written exam on the 24th.

"That's just what senpai said." Kikyō replied without elaborating, "So we can only treat them as study materials."

"Hirata, let's investigate!"

Haruki and Kanji were already pressing Yōsuke. They had spent all their Points, and with no income this month, they couldn't even afford instant noodles.

{T/N: Haruki is the guy who was talking about Airi Sakura's boobs before.}

They were surviving by selling the gaming consoles they'd bought at inflated prices last month.

They'd discovered the school provides free necessities and food, but it tastes awful. Still, facing unpalatable mountain vegetable meals was preferable to expulsion.

With free tuition and so many cute girls at this school, they were determined to stick it out!

But studying was something they neither wanted to do nor felt capable of. Now there was talk of passing without studying?

"I see... well, let's look into this together." Yōsuke said as Haruki hugged him.

Though his own grades were decent and he'd considered organizing study sessions, he worried his classmates wouldn't participate. He was concerned about their situation.

Moreover, if they were using old exam questions, the current course content might not match. They needed to be cautious.

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The next day at lunch break, after investigating, Yōsuke reported back: the exam questions were indeed identical to those from the previous two years.

Furthermore, 30% of the material differed from their current textbooks. This confirmed what Kikyō had learned — they really were recycling old exam questions.

This revelation turned Kikyō into their savior, their angel.

Study sessions? Why bother?

Class D students breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Rather than explaining everything herself, Kikyō maintained her angelic smile while letting Yōsuke's group investigate and reach their own conclusions about memorizing the old questions.

She was being strategic. While she wanted to win everyone's favor, she was also wary of potential problems. Now Yōsuke's group was making the decisions.

If anything went wrong, they would take the blame.

And if everything worked out, everyone would remember that she had been the first to suggest this approach and share the exam papers.

No wonder Kikyō was pleased.

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The same situation occurred in Class B and Class C.

Class C, consisting mostly of struggling students, acted quickly. As soon as Kakeru received the information, he purchased the exam papers without a second thought.

He also noticed something interesting.

"Class D is selling exam papers this time — since when did that garbage heap start having competent people?"

His investigation revealed that certain Class D students excelled at building relationships with upperclassmen.

Social skills? Could they really be that valuable?

Previously, after his students were deceived by Houtarou and others from Class A, he had strictly prohibited any interaction with other classes.

Now he wondered: should he allow his students to start building connections too?

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As for Class B.

"Ichinose-san — thank you for holding study sessions. After participating this week, I feel like I've improved in many areas."

A month later, Class B had chosen their representatives: Honami Ichinose and Ryūji Kanzaki.

Honami, who ranked first in the entrance exam, possessed excellent academic ability and was widely popular. All Class B students respected her.

Ryūji excelled in both physical and academic pursuits. Though introverted, his thoughtful nature drove him to help improve the class.

Their approach to this exam was to hold tutoring sessions.

Through her friend Kikyō in Class D, Honami learned that first-year exams in the second month always used questions from ten years ago.

Taking an exam with decade-old questions while using current textbooks seemed both stressful and risky.

Yet she refrained from directly telling her classmates to memorize the purchased old questions.

"Maybe I'm overthinking this." Said the pink-haired Honami, "If they use these purchased questions, we're fine. But if there's even a small chance they don't — our class will be completely unprepared. So I think we should continue our study sessions to solidify everyone's knowledge."

"No, it's absolutely necessary." Ryūji agreed, "Though we're far behind Class A, we have 570 Class Points to Class C's 390 — only a 180-point gap. This could be our chance to widen that lead. From a safety perspective, we must do this."

So Class B adopted a dual strategy: continuing their study sessions while using the old exam papers as practice problems. This way, they could master both the previous questions and current course material.

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Finally, Class A.

"Katsuragi-kun... it seems the old exam papers are spreading like wildfire through the other classes." Said Kōhei's devoted follower Yahiko, "Should we really continue with the study sessions?"

The class was divided: 25 members in the Kōhei faction and 15 in the Arisu faction.

Hmm. Their numbers had actually decreased.

Kōhei had spent 1 million points to join the Student Council, securing the position of Secretary.

Meanwhile, Arisu had obtained the Treasurer (Accountant) position from the Student Council President without spending any Points, then handed it over to someone from her faction.

This display of generosity had drawn more people to her side, at least for a time.

The two factions now totaled 40 people. But both Kōhei and Arisu knew that some of their members were hedging their bets by also backing Houtarou.

As for Houtarou himself, he was more part of Kōhei's small group.

But since Arisu sat next to him and they often talked, no one believed there wasn't some connection between them.

However, since both sides wanted to win over the excellent guy, no one dared bring up such potentially offensive topics.

"I think the study sessions are necessary." Kōhei said, "This information is from the past. We can't be certain the school won't change their minds. If they suddenly change the exam questions, we'll be in trouble. Though we can still distribute the old questions a week before the exam for everyone to familiarize themselves with. We should prepare for both possibilities."

"Katsuragi-kun is really prudent." Yahiko nodded.

Meanwhile, by the window — the other faction's territory — Masumi sat behind Arisu.

"Sakayanagi-san, you already know, right? This regular exam follows a pattern. They use questions from 10 years ago. Isn't it stupid that we started study sessions half a month early?" She complained.

She was referring to how last month, during the behavioral exam, Arisu had already organized study sessions for her faction.

They had been studying longer than any other first-years, yet now everyone was taking shortcuts, making their effort seem pointless.

"How foolish you are, Kamuro-san." Arisu said, "Do you think the school will continue allowing such opportunistic shortcuts? By holding study sessions, we're building our knowledge. If the school uses old questions, that's fine — we have those too. But what if they don't?"

"Kamuro-san, do you want to fail? If we build our knowledge, we can handle whatever tests the school gives us, but without studying, we'll be finished if they deviate from the pattern just once. Kamuro-san, you're quite useful to me, and I'd hate to lose you. Don't you know that?"

"..." Masumi deliberately ignored her comment about not wanting to lose her.

After all, if Arisu truly valued her, she wouldn't make her hold two umbrellas alone in the rain.

Arisu's explanation had been excessive, claiming that sharing one umbrella would be boring. So Masumi had to use two umbrellas by herself in the rain.

But given what she said, it meant they still needed to improve their grades. So today would be another day of studying, studying, studying...

"..."

And so Masumi, who had been in a good mood today, suddenly wore a stern expression.

As for Houtarou...

Interestingly, despite being classmates for a month and a half, no one had ever seen him study — he simply absorbed everything during class.

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The date reached February 14th.

As the fourth period ended and lunch break began, Arisu turned to her neighbor in Class A.

"You seem to be in a good mood today." She observed.

"Do I?" Houtarou put his textbook back in the drawer and took out the book for the first period after lunch.

With today's lessons finished, there was no need to review.

As he was about to get up, Arisu spoke again.

"Usually you leave right away at lunch break. But when you're in a good mood, you take out the textbook for the afternoon class."

Oh. He was that transparent.

"I am in a good mood." Houtarou admitted, "Starting today, I can get my lifeline."

A lifeline... could that mean he was going to collect 20 million Points?

Today?

"Should I follow him?" Masumi asked as she watched him leave the classroom, ready to spring into action.

"No need." Arisu said, "Also..."

She turned, fixing Masumi with a piercing gaze.

"Kamuro-san, you belong to me. Don't think about leaving my side. You're thinking Oriki-kun is going to make money and you want a piece of it, right?"

"Hmph—" Masumi shot her a haughty glance.

She wasn't anyone's possession — she belonged to herself.

This little girl was insufferable!

Besides, she did want to follow him...

Initially, she had worked with Houtarou before he handed her over to Arisu. But any way she looked at it, sticking with him seemed like the better choice.

Masumi thought to herself.

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Meanwhile.

Houtarou first met with Suzune to take her phone, then headed to the school building's rooftop.

This appeared to be Sae's regular spot — there was an ashtray placed to one side for the cigarette butts from her stress-induced smoking sessions.

Lately, there were fewer cigarette butts. She probably believed Class D was finally improving, now that Suzune had taken initiative by having Kikyō distribute the old exam questions.

But unfortunately... Teacher Sae, did you really believe your student was doing this work honestly?

Suzune's phone lay in his hands, unlocked — she hadn't been careful enough to set up a screen lock. It was completely accessible.

Houtarou located the homeroom teacher's contact and began typing a message.

| Suzune Horikita — Me |

| Chabashira-sensei, after thinking it over, I really can't accept your task. |

| So, I'm going to defeat you. |

| Sae Chabashira — Homeroom Teacher |

| ?? |

Ring Ring!

About twenty seconds later, Suzune's phone lit up with an incoming call from Sae Chabashira.

Houtarou promptly rejected it.

Ring Ring!

She called twice more. Both times, he hung up immediately.

Then he typed another message.

| Suzune Horikita — Me |

| Please look toward the physics lab building now. Don't worry, it will be over soon. |

Houtarou moved to power off Suzune's phone, but before he could—

"What a surprise! I can't believe you called us both here at the same time."

The rooftop door swung open. Two unexpected visitors appeared.

One was the Student Council President, Manabu Horikita — a man with short black hair, perfect posture, and black-rimmed glasses. He stood at the pinnacle of all students in the school.

The other was Miyabi Nagumo, the Student Council Treasurer and ruler of the second years. The Class 2-A representative wore a white tracksuit, having apparently just finished PE class.

"Well, it's an urgent matter." Houtarou said, handing them two exam papers.

Miyabi glanced at Manabu, who maintained his stoic expression.

"Oreki, are you trying to report this to the Student Council?"

"Report?"

"Don't play innocent. You've given me the second-year exam paper and Horikita-senpai the third-year paper. Are you trying to report that students are using old exam papers?" Miyabi demanded.

"If we're talking about reporting, then yes, that's exactly what I want to do." Houtarou replied, "Have you noticed what's happening with the first years? There's a written exam on the 24th, but instead of studying, they're just memorizing exam papers bought from upperclassmen."

"The seniors say there's always a regular exam in the second month after enrollment, and they recycle questions from ten years ago. So anyone can pass just by buying and memorizing the old papers."

Miyabi chuckled softly, beginning to grasp Houtarou's intentions.

He felt relieved.

On the 1st of the month, Houtarou's visit to the Student Council had left him on edge. Wary of his cunning nature, he'd kept his distance.

As part of his larger strategy, he'd deliberately told Houtarou about having 2 million Points — a calculated sacrifice.

But Houtarou hadn't pursued the matter further, which struck Miyabi as odd.

So this was his real plan?

"If you think threatening to report this will work, you're mistaken. The Student Council won't accept it." Miyabi declared, "This school operates differently — you can't apply normal standards here. Besides, you must know the school has always quietly permitted the buying and selling of exam papers. For these tests, it's actually the accepted way to pass."

As he spoke, he glanced at the man beside him. Manabu remained expressionless.

This put him at ease. Such matters weren't usually discussed openly, but it needed to be said — Miyabi considered Houtarou dangerous, which was why he'd aligned Manabu with his side.

After all, everyone — first years, second years, and even Manabu's third years — had purchased exam papers this way.

It was all within the accepted practice, so who was Houtarou to challenge the entire system?

"But Nagumo-senpai, what about the students who study earnestly? They work hard but can't match the scores of those who simply memorize purchased papers. It's unfair to dedicated students." Houtarou said, "Since arriving at this school, I've wanted to bring fairness."

"I understand your perspective." Manabu adjusted his glasses, "But this school's philosophy isn't so straightforward. Even if you report this, the Student Council won't act. The exam hasn't happened yet, so you can't prove these are leaked questions. They're merely past papers — study materials."

"If you're dissatisfied, wait until after the exam. If the papers prove identical, bring your evidence to the Student Council then. With concrete proof, we'll address it." He concluded.

Manabu's words carried subtle complexity.

Reporting after the exam would be disastrous — it would turn the entire student body against you.

He was speaking in hints: the school wouldn't accept official complaints, nor would they change the questions.

Houtarou understood and replied.

"Yes, since official channels won't work, I've devised an alternative method." He raised his left hand, then lowered it.

The gesture looked suspiciously like a signal.

"What are you planning?" Miyabi felt uneasy, struck by an inexplicable sense of dread.

"Nothing much." Houtarou said, "My arm was getting stiff, so I needed to stretch."

Miyabi didn't buy it. Then he watched as the guy pulled out his phone.

Houtarou displayed what looked like a stopwatch.

"I'm counting down ten seconds. And Nagumo-senpai, I want you to transfer 5.2 million points from the second years within one minute."

"..." Miyabi gaped, "What?? You want my second years to give you 5 million? This is robbery!"

He was furious. His personal savings were exactly 5.2 million — he'd deliberately understated it as 2 million when speaking to Houtarou earlier.

Now this guy wanted to steal his savings? Absolutely not!

"Well then, please observe." Houtarou said.

He gestured ahead. From their position on the rooftop, they could see the physics lab building's roof.

Wait — something was there. Three boxes, rigged with what appeared to be a remote-controlled tipping mechanism using ropes.

"Don't tell me—" Miyabi's sense of foreboding intensified.

Houtarou continued.

"If everyone sees the purchased exam papers scattered in public, won't the school have to create new questions? It's the 14th now, with the exam on the 24th — plenty of time to write new ones."

"..." Miyabi.

"..." Manabu.

"You son of a bi**!! Motherfu***!!" Miyabi exploded into refined profanity.

Because.

Boom—

The boxes toppled. First-year or third-year exam papers cascaded down.

This guy Houtarou Oreki... had absolutely no sense of honor!

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