Bleep, Bleep, Bleep, Blee–
Smack.
I slammed hard on my alarm radio to stop the 'bleeping' that abruptly woke me up.
It was quite a loud one that even on its first 'bleep', I was awake but tried to endure it but eventually fully woke up.
Anyway, with that done, I quickly arranged my bed and arranged my room before taking a shower.
While my hair dried, I read my textbooks in preparation for the special test.
Unfortunately, without my hair gel, my hair would cover my eyes, making me adjust every few seconds.
"Heugh," I sighed, repositioning my hair. "Why couldn't I just have been born with transparent hair instead of green hair, especially for today of all days?"
After a quick study session I put on my hair gel and uniform before packing my bag with most of my academic materials and leaving my room.
I headed earlier than most times because of the upcoming exam—today was the first day of the special test.
I really hope everyone in class read enough on Saturday and Sunday. Should I have reminded them to? Nah, they're not kids.
At any rate, it felt weird to be leaving the dorms this early because normally I left late so girls wouldn't flock around me, saying something like "Ito-kun, look over here!" or so.
They did so even when I left class but it was a reduced amount and was fairly manageable.
Though today no one flocked around me because today I did something different.
However, today I used the Class Epsilon pathway—the reason why I barely used it was because it wasn't taken care of by the groundkeepers and was basically a "no-go area" despite being my class's pathway.
Classic.
I hurriedly ran through it so no one would see and report me.
On entering school, I quickly went to the library and hit the books—reading important subjects like math, Japanese, English, and other subjects.
I did so till I heard the sound of the bell, then I quickly bolted to the class door.
Luckily, I arrived before homeroom.
Everyone seemed engrossed in study materials—well, most of everyone, because some still talked about needless things.
I wanted to tell them to stop but as I was about to head to the class's podium, Jackson-sensei entered the classroom.
"Good morning, class," she said, her tone and expression as dead as ever. "As we all know, today is the start of the special test, and we all know how important that is, right?"
No one had the nerve to answer or even nod but we all understood.
We were all about to give our best—well, except me and maybe even Nakamura, considering how he acted.
"That being said, one of the students is missing."
Hmm...?! Who would miss this?!
I checked left and right—frantically looking for who she was talking about—but I saw no one.
It was then I turned behind and checked a certain person's desk and like I suspected, he wasn't there.
What the hell? Where's Nakamura?
My mind wandered around—was this part of his plan? I couldn't tell yet but I knew he had a plan from when he 'mistakenly' switched the test questions.
It was quite obvious that it was planned but I didn't think much of it because I expected something—no, I hoped for something.
I wanted Nakamura to help the class in an unconventional way, like he did last time when he solved the Class Beta debacle.
I was desperate for a miracle; however, I still knew that I couldn't just hope for one.
Especially when the test had already started so I had to find Nakamura before his reputation got worse from coming late.
"I'm sure you all have noticed but the missing classmate is none other than Nakamura," Jackson-sensei said, sounding a bit bored.
"What the hell?"
"Why's he even doing this?"
"Yeah, even if you don't know squat, at least just come and write."
My classmates were clearly not happy with Nakamura's sdecisions, especially Honochi; she was biting her nails.
Anyway, I had to act now before their irritation and anger turned to resentment.
"Jackson-sensei, can I go call him?" I asked.
My classmates' eyes gleamed at my proposition. They praised me for helping but never did a thing but I could understand.
Everyone loves a hero but no one wants the added struggles that come with being one.
"No, you can't. Just sit and wait for your paper."
"But, I—"
"Just do what I said."
Everyone's expression significantly darkened and so did mine.
We weren't all that good in academics so lacking someone would really be a bust; perhaps that was why Honochi looked worried.
It was a very serious situation but we couldn't do anything but see what happened next.
***
I was in the bushes outside the special building where the test questions were stored.
I was waiting for the people carrying the test questions. When they left, I would enter.
I had to be quick because today's test had started and I was nowhere to be seen.
I wonder what Jackson-sensei thinks.
Anyway, after 3-5 minutes of waiting, staff members left the special building.
It was finally time for step 3 of my strategy. After the people inside all left, I dropped my phone, belt, watch, and bracelet in my schoolbag behind the tree which I hid at and then slipped into the place.
Of course, I didn't wear my uniform but brought a change of clothes as well as a coat and hat so as to obscure my face, though I didn't really have to.
The school discouraged cheating; however, that only applied to the test itself—I had learnt it through a clue.
I happened to remember Jackson-sensei's words that brought said clue to my mind and helped with my train of thought—moreover, if they were against it the cameras would have caught me before I even came here.
Anyway, at the entrance I noticed metal detectors, though I expected that.
It was why I dropped my phone, belt, watch, and bracelet at the tree I hid behind.
They probably did that because they didn't want teachers to bring their phones and help their students cheat when they dropped off the questions; that was also why there was no security personnel.
In fact, there was a box that was set aside to put one's belongings in. I noticed that someone left their ring—it was a wedding ring.
I admired it before quickly slipping into the special building.
At the lobby I noticed some untouched papers; on closer inspection I realised they were test questions. However, if I touched the test scripts directly, I would be leaving a trace.
Of course, I brought gloves for this exact reason, just like my coat and hat. Luckily, I packed them in my travelling box (suitcase) when I came to this school.
The papers were wrapped by grade and date. I ignored the test scripts of other grade levels except my own.
I searched for the paper we had today but there were no sheets there.
It was then I realized that they made a sheet for each person—meaning there was no extra sheet that I could carry away.
It was quite the revelation, though it didn't really affect me because I simply just checked through the other sheets, reading every single question and answer for each day, and then I left.
With my job done, I quickly left the special building and went back to the tree to pick my stuff up.
Unbeknownst to me, after I left, someone came in—the owner of the wedding ring.
I was about to go when the person was leaving but the rustling I made while changing to my uniform drowned the sound until the person heard it and by then it was too late.
"Come out," the mysterious person said.
Shit.
***
Author's Note:
Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.