Chapter 362: Two Bad Women / The Exam Officially Begins / The Seventh Event: XX
After more than ten days of intense preparation, the day of the Project Selection Special Exam finally arrived.
Haruka and Airi left quietly around six in the morning. Akira dressed, drew the curtains, and pushed open the window. A crisp morning breeze rushed in; March mornings still carried a lingering chill. He carefully packed away the evidence of last night's mischief into a black trash bag, intending to dispose of it on his way out.
Just then, his phone lit up with a message from Kushida Kikyo.
Kushida Kikyo: Felt pretty good last night, didn't it?
"Pretty good" was an understatement... it had far exceeded expectations.
Akira suddenly remembered Haruka mentioning they had her "permission." This was likely the fulfillment of the promise Kikyo had made to him a few days ago. His number-one girlfriend really did plan everything to perfection.
Kushida Kikyo: After this special exam ends, how about we gather all your girlfriends for a dinner party?
Shimizu Akira: Where did this sudden idea come from?
Kushida Kikyo: Nothing much. I just feel that since we all share the same man, it's necessary to meet formally. Aside from the ones in our class, I've barely spoken to Kamuro-san or Ichinose-san.
Akira thought for about ten seconds and realized Kikyo had a point.
Among his seven girlfriends, there truly hadn't been much communication.
Furthermore, he hadn't fully disclosed the information regarding the White Room to everyone yet. Explaining it individually was a hassle; gathering them to explain everything at once and perhaps starting a group chat would indeed be efficient.
But! The suggestion came from Kikyo. He knew exactly how many schemes were swirling inside his primary girlfriend's head. Besides, this would be the first meeting of all seven... who could guarantee no accidents would happen? What if they started fighting? Who would he help? Who would he protect?
Just imagining the scene gave Akira a faint headache.
Shimizu Akira: Are you sure this is a good idea? Won't it turn into some... Shura Field (catfight)?
He stared at the screen. He could almost visualize Kikyo on the other end wearing her signature smile—that blend of innocence and craftiness.
Kushida Kikyo: How could it? Everyone is a sensible girl, and... don't we all love the same Akira-kun? I believe everyone will get along just fine~ (^o^)
That emoticon made Akira even more uneasy. The more innocent Kikyo acted, the more "surprises" were usually hidden behind the curtain.
On the other hand, since he had taken so many girlfriends, the lack of communication between them was a long-term liability. A meeting was inevitable. Better a controlled gathering than an accidental collision in the future.
Shimizu Akira: Time and place? And how do you plan to tell the others?
Kushida Kikyo: How about the evening of the second day after the exam? As for the location... how about your dorm? It's private and has enough space. As for notifying the others~ leave it to me! I guarantee I'll get everyone to show up!
Shimizu Akira: ...Don't use any weird methods. Especially with Masumi and Honami.
Kushida Kikyo: Don't worry, don't worry~ I know my limits. Then it's a deal! Focus on the exam today, Akira-kun! Good luck! (~ ̄)~
The conversation ended. Akira put down his phone and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Kikyo's "limits"... why did they feel increasingly unreliable? But at this point, he had no better reason to object. He was the one who chose to have a harem, after all. This was something he had to face eventually. Better to have a quick pain than a long one.
He tied the black trash bag, picked it up, and left the dorm. The hallway was quiet; most students were either preparing for the exam or still asleep. He reached the waste disposal area, tossed the bag into the designated bin, and headed toward the teaching building.
"Good morning, Shimizu-kun!"
A light, pleasant voice reached him. At the entrance of the teaching building, Akira encountered the duo of Sakayanagi Arisu and Yamamura Miki.
"Shimizu-kun, good morning!" Yamamura bowed slightly in greeting.
The two stood together in a subtle contrast. Although Sakayanagi used a cane, she habitually held her chin up; Yamamura, despite being a few centimeters taller, kept her head down and stayed silent.
Compared to when Sakayanagi walked with Kamuro, her height disadvantage was even more apparent here. They looked like sisters. If she took off that beret... she probably wouldn't even reach 1.5 meters.
Akira nodded to them. "Good morning, Yamamura, Sakayanagi."
"Wait!" Sakayanagi paused, her brow furrowing imperceptibly.
"Shimizu-kun, why is my name... mentioned after Yamamura's?"
This childish interrogation stunned the already nervous Yamamura, who looked at Akira before hurriedly looking down.
Akira hadn't expected her to obsess over the order, but the truth was simple enough.
"Because in my heart, my favorability for Yamamura is higher than for you. It's that simple."
Sakayanagi's eyes widened slightly. Yamamura's cheeks flushed instantly as she looked at Akira in a panic.
After a few seconds, Sakayanagi chuckled. "I see... favorability, is it?"
Then, as if remembering something amusing, she added, "But speaking of which, didn't you send Morishita Ai to me to 'play with'? I thought you had already forgiven me for what I did to Ichinose-san."
"You're mistaken," Akira denied firmly. Letting this woman make unnecessary associations would lead to trouble; he had to draw a clear line from the start.
"I simply judged that you were the opponent Morishita Ai would find hardest to deal with in Class A, so I sent her to you. Nothing more."
Sakayanagi blinked. "Is that so? Then, guess what happened to Morishita Ai?"
Since they were talking, Akira asked, "So, did she honestly serve as your lackey for three days?"
"Hmph~" Sakayanagi let out a slight huff of regret.
"Unfortunately, she had no intention of following my orders at all. A few days ago, I asked her to buy me a coffee. Guess what? She immediately turned around and made Miki run the errand for her."
She glanced at the wood-still Yamamura beside her.
"She even called it 'letting Miki fulfill the promise of being a lackey on her behalf,' while she herself... disappeared to who-knows-where to enjoy herself."
Akira's lip twitched. As expected.
Expecting Morishita Ai to be obedient was wishful thinking. She even pulled a "cicada shedding its skin" trick, using Yamamura as a shield.
"So, Yamamura really served as your lackey for three days?" Akira looked at Yamamura, who still had her head down.
"Indeed," Sakayanagi didn't seem to mind being outplayed by Morishita.
"Miki is a very serious and responsible girl; much cuter than certain willful individuals."
Hearing this, Yamamura cautiously lifted her eyes, glancing between Akira and Sakayanagi with a polite, bewildered expression.
Sakayanagi laughed softly.
"She's in the classroom now, behaving herself. But Shimizu-kun, since you're the one who sent her over, shouldn't you take some responsibility for her behavior? How about... you serve as my lackey for three days instead?"
"Dream on," Akira shot her a dry look. This Mesugaki was always looking for an advantage. He sent Morishita over, and Sakayanagi got a "gift" for free. Now she wanted "after-sales compensation"?
"Alright, alright, no more jokes." Sakayanagi stopped while she was ahead, giving an elegant bow.
"I appreciate you helping me discipline Morishita. As for the specifics of the special exam, let's discuss them when we formally meet as Commanders. Goodbye."
With that, she turned and walked away with her cane.
Yamamura watched her leave, hesitated, then turned back to Akira. She looked up slightly. "Morishita-san... must have caused you a lot of trouble, right? I'm sorry... it's all my fault. If she hadn't insisted on betting with me, it wouldn't have... caused you so much bother."
Looking at her sincere, apologetic eyes, Akira reached out and gently patted the back of her hand.
"It's fine, it's not your fault. You were just dragged into it. Don't worry, I'll find an opportunity later... to help you get revenge."
Morishita Ai really did need a lesson; Yamamura had cleaned up after her too many times. Without some real hardship, she wouldn't settle down.
"Mmm... Mmm! Thank you, Shimizu-kun." Yamamura's cheeks flushed slightly.
"I will definitely repay you."
After saying that, like a startled deer, she hurriedly lowered her head and ran to catch up with Sakayanagi. Akira watched her frantic retreat, somewhat speechless.
'It was just a pat on the back of the hand... is it necessary to be that shy?'
Yamamura Miki was simply too good-natured, the kind of person you instinctively wanted to protect. She reminded him of Sakura Airi.
But... "repay"? She made it sound like he had saved her life.
.
.
.
9:00 AM.
Class C had just finished a brief class meeting. Chabashira Sae checked her watch and clapped her hands.
"According to school rules, students without designated events must remain in the classroom on standby, waiting for instructions from the Commander. The Commander may proceed to the multi-purpose room in about ten minutes. Shimizu, as the Commander, do you have anything to say to the class?"
Akira stood to face his classmates.
"I will follow the original plan as much as possible for the event assignments. If unexpected situations arise, don't panic. The order of events is currently unclear, especially the unknown seventh event, which may cause unplanned changes. In short, stay as calm as possible and follow my lead."
"Understood!"
"We're counting on you, Shimizu!"
"Leave it to us!"
The students responded with high morale. This was partly because the Commander was Akira, and partly because—as Kikyo had reassured them—as long as they secured three wins, even a loss to Class A would only result in a 30-point loss.
Seeing everyone in good spirits, Akira exchanged a nod with Horikita and Kikyo before leaving the room. When he arrived at the multi-purpose room, Sakayanagi hadn't arrived yet, but Shiina Hiyori and Ichinose Honami were already waiting.
"Akira-kun, good morning."
"Shimizu-kun, good morning."
The two greeted him almost simultaneously.
"I wonder what the final seventh event will be... I wonder if our two groups will have the exact same one?" Ichinose asked with a smile.
"Since the school said it would be adjusted based on previous projects, and the personnel and chosen events of our two groups are significantly different, I think they will be completely different," Hiyori analyzed calmly.
"Hiyori, I thought Ryuen-kun would be the Commander for Class D," Ichinose turned to Hiyori curiously.
"No, I declined him," Hiyori shook her head gently.
"It's safer for me to be the Commander, as I possess Protection Points."
Ichinose visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Facing Hiyori was much less stressful than facing Ryuen.
Akira stepped beside Honami and whispered a reminder: "Watch out for Shiina; she might be plotting something. I think she took the Commander role specifically to make you and Class B lower your guard."
"Eh? I-Is that so?" Honami instinctively covered her mouth. Given the warning from her boyfriend, her gaze toward Hiyori gained a hint of wariness.
Hiyori pursed her lips and cast a slightly reproachful look at Akira.
"Shimizu-kun, you should watch the game in silence."
Akira replied helplessly, "Sorry, Shiina. Honami is my girlfriend, and the two of you are opponents."
Hiyori was left speechless.
'Book friends really can't compete with a girlfriend, can they?'
A few minutes later, Sakayanagi appeared. The four of them entered the multi-purpose room together. The interior was split in two by an opaque partition.
At the door, the four teachers—Chabashira Sae, Hoshinomiya Chie, Sakagami Kazuma, and Mashima Tomonari—were waiting.
Mashima-sensei stepped forward. "You're all here. Place your phones in this box. During the exam, no communication tools are allowed except for the designated intercoms."
The four surrendered their phones, labeled with their names.
Hoshinomiya-sensei looked at Akira with a smile.
"Since homeroom teachers are barred from supervising their own students, Sakagami-sensei and I will oversee this side. Shimizu Akira, Sakayanagi Arisu, please follow me."
Akira and Sakayanagi followed Hoshinomiya and Sakagami to the left partition; Ichinose and Hiyori followed Mashima and Chabashira to the right.
"You two take your seats as Commanders. Sakagami-sensei and I need to calibrate the equipment," Hoshinomiya said before walking to the screen area.
The partitioned space wasn't large, set up as a concise command center. In front was a monitoring wall made of multiple screens, currently dark. Below were two command seats equipped with walkie-talkies, communication gear, and control panels. Akira and Sakayanagi sat side-by-side. The teachers worked at the podium with their backs to them.
The soundproofing was excellent; Akira couldn't hear a thing from the next room.
Sakayanagi broke the silence. "Shimizu-kun, the two of us have become deskmates."
Akira glanced at her. "We're just taking an exam in the same room."
"But it gives me a feeling... like studying in a classroom with you." Sakayanagi sat with her hands folded neatly on her lap, looking like a model primary school student.
" I was wondering, if you had given your all during the entrance exams, would you have been placed in Class A with me?"
" I told you," Akira turned back to the screens as they began to light up, "I did give my all back then. And you don't actually wish we were in the same class."
Sakayanagi laughed immediately.
"Correct! I have no desire to be your classmate! It's much more interesting to be in different classes. That way, we can continue to compete and clash through one special exam after another."
Then, her tone took on a rare touch of sentiment. "But, Shimizu-kun, you are exceptional. When I first enrolled, the only 'special' existence in my eyes was Ayanokouji Kiyotaka. It was you who forced me to turn my gaze toward you. Before I knew it, at the end of the first year, I realized... my obsession with Ayanokouji has faded. I actually didn't sleep well last night. Thinking that my opponents are the two of you... really, it's wonderful."
Akira remained silent for a few seconds. "What if you lose to us this time?"
"Hmm..." Sakayanagi pretended to think seriously, then smiled brilliantly.
"Lose? Then I'll just win it back next time."
She didn't make an arrogant claim like "I will never lose"; she calmly accepted the possibility of defeat.
This attitude was different from her usual absolute confidence. It was quite novel.
Before Akira could respond, the screens flared to life. Hoshinomiya clapped her hands. "Alright, everyone! Equipment is calibrated! The special exam officially begins now!"
The main screen displayed the ID photos of the thirty-eight members of Class C (excluding Akira). Then, it listed the ten candidate events prepared by Class C.
"I am Hoshinomiya Chie, the supervisor for this exam," her voice came through the speakers. "Commanders, please first select your class's two mandatory events."
Without hesitation, Akira chose Sotomura Hideo's Typing Speed and Miyake Akito's Fixed Target Archery.
A thick anti-peeping partition rose between the two command seats, preventing them from seeing each other's screens.
"Next, from the remaining projects, select three events you predict might be chosen."
Akira followed the plan: Onodera Kayano's 200m Swimming, Sudo Ken's Basketball, and Miyamoto Soshi's Street Fighter 6. All preset projects were entered into the system.
Hoshinomiya spoke again: "Finally, the reveal of the seventh event selected by the school!"
Akira watched the screen. The next second, two bold characters popped up:
BOXING.
'Huh?' Akira thought.
'Fighting?! Is the school serious?!'
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