Chapter 078 Shimizu Has Me in His Heart / Special Exam Teaser / Morishita Ai Demands a Date
Sakayanagi Arisu had learned from Kamuro Masumi that the next special exam would involve an expulsion mechanism, but she did not inform her classmates during the afternoon homeroom. After all, everyone was currently preparing happily for the Cultural Festival; speaking out abruptly would only cause unnecessary panic.
Moreover, for the current Sakayanagi Arisu, class matters could wait. What she was truly struggling with was the decision of whether or not to undergo surgery.
"I definitely won't die... but I haven't even been in a relationship, haven't had a first kiss, and haven't even done that kind of thing yet," Sakayanagi Arisu muttered to herself while lying in bed.
The problem was that if she continued living like this, those things seemed impossible to achieve anyway. Normally she could have asked her father for advice, but her father cared about her too much and respected her autonomy to a fault, having stated beforehand that he would not interfere with her decisions.
As for the others she knew... Miki and Masumi weren't exactly suitable for discussing such heavy matters. She was friends with Hiyori, but they weren't close enough to discuss life-and-death choices. Consequently, she had no one to consult and could only toss and turn in bed.
It was then that she thought of a person: Shimizu Akira. He had always been steady and rational; he should be able to come up with a good solution for her.
The person she wanted to date was Shimizu Akira. If he gave her even a little encouragement, perhaps she would find the courage to go through with the surgery.
Acting on her impulse, Sakayanagi Arisu picked up her phone and called him. He didn't seem busy and answered quickly.
"Shimizu-kun, can you come to my dorm room for a moment?"
"What is it?"
"It's about my heart condition. My father mentioned it when he called you a few days ago. Is it convenient for you to come over and give me some advice?"
"Sure, I got it."
Sakayanagi Arisu stared blankly for a while. It was that simple? She thought he would ask more questions or at least hesitate. After all, their relationship wasn't particularly close. He was the boyfriend of Kushida Kikyo, Kamuro Masumi, Ichinose Honami—essentially, he was the boyfriend of many people.
Inviting a man to her room with such a phone call was somewhat inappropriate. But he agreed, and very decisively at that.
'Could it be that he also has feelings for me?'
Sakayanagi sent her room number, put her phone on the bed, and walked to the mirror. Her complexion was a bit pale, and her hair was messy. She smoothed her hair and patted her cheeks to bring some color back to her face.
"What am I doing?"
It was just for advice, not a date. Why was she nervous? With her heart condition, she couldn't exactly do anything intimate anyway.
'Calm down, calm down!'
Arisu sat back on the edge of the bed and waited. About ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. She stood up, took her cane, walked to the door, and opened it. Shimizu Akira was standing outside.
"Is it convenient to come in?"
"Please, come in," Sakayanagi Arisu stepped aside.
Shimizu Akira entered the room. "Have a seat." Sakayanagi pointed to the chair in front of the desk while she sat on the edge of the bed.
Shimizu sat down. "About your heart condition. I heard the success rate is eighty percent."
Sakayanagi nodded. "Yes, theoretically the success rate is high, but the possibility of failure cannot be ignored."
"Which way are you currently leaning?" Shimizu asked.
"I don't know," Sakayanagi said with a rare trace of distress. "There are too many things I want to do. I want to experience the life of a normal person, but I don't want to take the risk. Am I being too greedy?"
"Everyone is greedy. When you have 100,000, you want 200,000. When you have 200,000, you want 500,000. Desires are endless. However, if you want my opinion, I suggest waiting two more years. After all, heart surgery technology only gets better, right? In two or three years, it won't be too late to act when the success rate is closer to one hundred percent. Your family is wealthy, and you aren't showing any adverse reactions now. Just stall."
Shimizu didn't plan to tell her about his information system, but he gave her a subtle hint. While they weren't lovers, they had been friends for over a year. If she agreed to the surgery and died, he would be genuinely sad. It was human nature to help where one could.
Sakayanagi Arisu fell silent for a moment after hearing his words.
"Wait two years..." she repeated.
"You're unwilling to wait?"
"It's not that." Sakayanagi laid her cane across her knees. "It just feels strange. Even though I'm living every day, I have this feeling that if I don't hurry, it will be too late."
Shimizu looked at her. The lighting in the room was soft; the orange desk lamp illuminated half her face while the other half remained in shadow. Her expression was much softer than usual, lacking her strategic composure and showing the confusion of an ordinary girl.
It made sense. Even Sakayanagi Arisu was just a sixteen-year-old girl.
"That's because you're constantly staring at the finish line," Shimizu said.
Sakayanagi rested her chin on her hand and looked at him.
"If you treat life as a race and keep staring at the finish line, of course you'll feel like you're running out of time," Shimizu said calmly. "But if you don't look at the end and only look at the path beneath your feet, you'll find the days are actually quite long."
"Are you comforting me?" Sakayanagi asked.
"I'm telling the truth," Shimizu replied. "Regarding the surgery, I'm not a doctor, so I can't give professional advice. But from a decision-making standpoint, if something can be delayed, delay it. Time will solve many problems for you."
"What if time can't solve it?"
"It will," Shimizu said with absolute certainty.
Sakayanagi was stunned. Shimizu's words sounded exceptionally confident, and it actually lightened her gloomy mood.
"So," Shimizu stood up, walked to the window, and spoke with his back to her, "if you really want the surgery, I won't stop you. But if you're willing to wait two years, I think that's the better choice. At least in these two years, you can continue to plague a few more classes."
"...I don't 'plague' classes," Sakayanagi protested.
"Don't you?" Shimizu turned back with a smirk. "Class 2-B has been put through the wringer by you, hasn't it?"
Sakayanagi opened her mouth to argue but eventually just huffed. The room fell silent for a few seconds.
"Shimizu-kun."
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
Shimizu turned to face her. Sakayanagi was sitting on the edge of the bed, her cane to the side, hands folded on her knees, looking uncharacteristically well-behaved like an elementary school student.
"It's nothing," Shimizu said. "After all, if you were gone, Masumi would be sad too."
"And if I died," Sakayanagi chuckled, "would you be sad?"
"Hard to say." Shimizu checked the time. "Alright, I've said what needed to be said. If there's nothing else, I'm heading out."
"Okay."
He walked to the door and was about to step out when Sakayanagi's voice came from behind him.
"Shimizu-kun."
"Yeah?"
"If my heart condition is cured, will you go on a date with me?"
"500,000 personal points per session."
The door closed.
Sakayanagi Arisu was alone again. She sat back on the bed, picked up the book on heart disease, flipped through it, closed it, and set it on the table. Shimizu was right. She had no symptoms now; she might as well stall and wait for medical technology to advance until the surgery was a sure thing.
She lay down, turned off the light, and closed her eyes.
'500,000 isn't expensive; it's quite cheap. I have 5 million in class funds. Once my heart is better, I'll book five sessions to test the waters.'
This time, she fell asleep very easily.
.
.
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The next day, Thursday, the final period of the afternoon.
Chabashira Sae entered the classroom with a grim expression and got straight to the point: "Before the Sports Festival in October, the school requires you to challenge a new special exam."
The class erupted instantly.
"Wait! Weren't we supposed to be preparing for the Sports Festival?"
"Exactly, and there's the Cultural Festival! Aren't those the only two activities this semester? Chabashira-sensei, you said there would be at most two special exams a semester!"
Chabashira coughed twice. "The school never stipulated that the Sports Festival and Cultural Festival are considered 'special exams.' The rules are very clear."
Hirata Yousuke asked, confused, "But last year in the second semester, we only had one Class Pairing special exam and the Sports Festival."
"The senpais I know said they haven't received word of extra exams," a student said, raising their hand. "Is it possible only our second-year is taking this?"
Chabashira explained, "The administration says it's because the second-year students are exceptionally talented, so an additional special exam was added."
"We have to take more exams because we're talented? What logic is that?"
"Last year they added the Class Poll exam because the expulsion rate was too low. Now it's because we're 'excellent.' What is the school thinking?"
"Isn't Tsukishiro gone? Chairman Sakayanagi is in power now; why would he agree to such a nonsensical arrangement?"
Shimizu Akira also found it strange. This didn't fit Chairman Sakayanagi's personality. Was the White Room influence on the Board of Directors pushing this?
"Complaining is useless," Chabashira rubbed her temples. "By the rules, this is the first special exam of the semester. I've voiced my objections to the school, but this is the final answer."
Everyone instinctively looked at Shimizu Akira. Their class was currently Class A. The fewer special exams there were, the fewer chances other classes had to overtake them. Canceling the exam would be the best result. They could only hope their resident "Shimizu" could do something.
Shimizu quickly held up his hands. "It won't be that easy this time. Last time was an exam meant to force expulsions; the nature was different. Besides, Koenji won't agree to cooperate."
The person in question, Koenji Rokusuke, was fixing his hair in a mirror. Sensing the eyes on him, he unhurriedly put the mirror down. "Regrettably, I intend to enjoy my freedom this semester and have no desire to meddle in class decisions. This is something Hirata-boy promised me."
Hirata Yousuke nodded. "Everyone, Koenji-kun did indeed play a major role on the island, which is why we reached Class A. This is the price of that deal."
The class was left speechless.
"So, Chabashira-sensei, what kind of exam is it?"
Chabashira showed a complex expression. "The Unanimous Decision Special Exam.
The rules are simple. You will vote repeatedly within your class until you reach a unanimous decision among multiple options. The exam will be held this Saturday."
"The day after tomorrow? That's too sudden!" Ike Kanji shouted.
"The school originally planned for it to be tomorrow. It was only after Chairman Sakayanagi's heated discussion with the Board that you were granted a one-day buffer," Chabashira said calmly.
Shimizu heard this and realized it was indeed the Board's arrangement. If Tsukishiro hadn't left, they probably wouldn't have even had that one day.
"The exam only requires internal discussion; there is no competition with other classes. Five tasks will be issued that day. All classes receive the same tasks; there is no difference."
Seeing that some were still confused, Chabashira used the screen to show an example question from a few years ago.
Question 1: Every person loses 50,000 personal points, and the class gains 50 class points. Options: Favor / Oppose.
"Trading personal points for class points? For real?" Sudo Ken asked in disbelief.
Chabashira explained, "Under normal rules, this is impossible, but it is allowed in the Unanimous Decision exam. Alright, I'll give you three minutes to make a choice."
Shimizu looked at his tablet, which had forced him into a voting interface. 50,000 points were nothing to him, so he casually tapped "Favor."
Three minutes later, the results were announced: 12 in Favor, 27 Opposed.
Hirata Yousuke raised his hand. "I voted Favor. This is a rare chance to gain class points outside of a standard special exam."
Yukimura Teruhiko uncharacteristically disagreed with Hirata. "50,000 per person for 39 people is 1.95 million. Gaining 50 class points means the class receives an extra 195,000 personal points per month. It would take 10 months to break even. we only have a year and a half left; it's not worth it."
Horikita Suzune also opposed it. "While 50 points are useful, the payback period is too long."
Kushida Kikyo, whether sincerely or just to oppose Horikita, expressed favor: "We are in first place; getting these 50 points helps stabilize our ranking."
Chabashira clapped her hands. "Since unanimity was not reached, we will re-vote. During the formal exam, there is a ten-minute break between votes for free discussion. Continue now."
Second round results: 22 in Favor, 17 Opposed.
"Why did 'Favor' votes increase? That's nearly two million points!"
"Well, Hirata and Kushida both favor it."
"I don't want to pay."
They discussed until the fifth round and still reached no conclusion.
Chabashira coughed. "Time is limited. In short, that is the process of the exam. Next, I'll give an example focused on an individual."
Question: Give a protection point to someone in the class. Options: Favor / Oppose.
"Discussion is prohibited before the first vote. It is a completely anonymous vote."
Shimizu clicked "Favor" without hesitation.
Results: 39 in Favor, 0 Opposed. Passed unanimously.
"Welfare questions like this are usually unanimous," Chabashira said. "During the actual exam, if a task requires designating someone, you first reach unanimity on whether to favor or oppose. If unanimous against, the task ends. If unanimous in favor, you move to the next step: a break to discuss who to recommend. The tablet will show all classmates' names except your own. The order is randomized and shuffled every vote to prevent peeking."
"Assume Karuizawa Kei gets over 20 recommendation votes. The task becomes 'Whether to give Karuizawa Kei a protection point.' Vote now."
Since it was his girlfriend, Shimizu naturally chose Favor.
Three minutes later, results: 9 in Favor, 30 Opposed.
"Why?! Who rejected me? There were thirty of you!" Karuizawa Kei's cheeks puffed out in anger.
"Karuizawa is a classmate, but protection points are too important. Your contribution isn't quite enough.
It should go to Shimizu, Hirata, Horikita, or Kushida.
I'd agree with any of those four."
Chabashira intervened again. "If the vote for Karuizawa is unanimously opposed, you start over and pick a new person from the 39. If no one can be decided upon by the end of the time limit, the exam fails and no one gets the point."
"Furthermore, if someone receives zero 'Favor' votes during the recommendation phase, they are removed from the list. Candidates can also volunteer; each task accepts only one volunteer at a time."
Seeing that the students understood the two examples, she posted the summary of the Unanimous Decision Special Exam on the board.
Exam Rules
All classmates must vote on the options provided for each task. (5 tasks total, up to 4 options per task.) If unanimity is not reached for one option, the same task will be repeated. If time runs out during a task, it will not be recognized regardless of progress. Tasks that reach unanimity will be recognized regardless of overall success or failure. Completing all tasks rewards the class with 50 class points. If no one receives a majority of recommendation votes within 10 minutes and no one volunteers, a candidate will be chosen randomly. Task types vary and may target the class, individuals, the school, or even the homeroom teacher. Three years ago, tasks included "Whether to change the homeroom teacher" or "Adding school welfare facilities." Failure to complete all tasks within five hours results in a penalty of -300 class points.
Exam Flow
Task issued; first vote (within 60 seconds). If unanimous, move to the next task. If not, go to step 3. Ten-minute interval (restricted to the classroom; free movement and discussion allowed). Sixty-second voting period (no discussion allowed). o (Students failing to vote within 60 seconds receive a cumulative penalty.)
o (If the cumulative penalty exceeds 90 seconds, the student is expelled.)
Results announced. If unanimous, move to the next task. If not, return to step 3.
Currently, the rules were clear: the class had to ensure their goals were aligned. Whether choosing to reject or agree, they had to finish within five hours. Otherwise, they wouldn't just miss the 50 points; they would lose 300. The total swing would be 350 class points. Even as Class A, they could be overtaken at any moment.
"Four more points to remember: First, it is strictly forbidden to restrict others' voting through contracts or financial transactions; this applies to classmates as well.
Second, the school will thoroughly monitor compliance. If it is found that someone consistently chooses a specific option due to contact with a third party outside the class, all involved parties may face expulsion.
"Third, 'Protection Points' are temporarily invalid during the exam. If a student holding one is expelled, it cannot be used to cancel the expulsion.
Fourth, all communication devices, including phones, will be collected. Contact with the outside is prohibited. Possession of a hidden device results in immediate expulsion."
After finishing the rules in one breath, Chabashira nodded. "That's it for the rules. Any questions?"
The class felt the restrictions were heavy, but the school was just trying to ensure a fair vote. Regarding protection points, only Shimizu Akira and Koenji Rokusuke had them. Shimizu felt fine, and Koenji looked unbothered.
"Huh? I feel like this exam is actually quite easy!" Ike Kanji said cheerfully. "It's just choosing who gets a bonus, giving the school some suggestions, or making team choices. No class points are deducted; we just have to decide within the time limit. I heard we can even change teachers? Chabashira-sensei, are you nervous?"
'The person getting expelled is likely you, yet you're still laughing.'
As the homeroom teacher, Chabashira could only say cryptically, "This Unanimous Decision exam is not as simple as you imagine. In short, you'd better use tomorrow to run some mock votes, or you'll regret it."
Seeing no more questions, she turned and left.
Hirata Yousuke walked to the podium with a frown. "According to Chabashira-sensei, there might be something unexpected in this exam. Don't you think it's strange? The school suddenly rewarding protection points... surely there's a cost?"
"It should be personal points, class points, or a portion of our monthly points as the cost, right? Like trading class points for personal points?" a student guessed.
"Either way, don't we have all of tomorrow to prepare? It's Friday; we can continue the discussion in the afternoon and try some mock votes."
As it was time to head home, everyone agreed to meet tomorrow afternoon and began leaving the room.
Shimizu felt Chabashira's hint was obvious. If there were reward tasks, there would definitely be punishment tasks. The cost of rewarding a protection point in last year's poll was the expulsion of one student. The subconscious message was that an individual option for expelling someone would appear. Ike Kanji was dead last in OAA; he was the most endangered person, yet there he was jumping around mocking the teacher.
However, the "Change Homeroom Teacher" task was a wildcard with strong potential.
Shimizu packed his things and prepared to leave. Just as he stepped out of the building, Morishita Ai grabbed his arm.
"Shimizu Akira, let's go. Take me on a date!"
Shimizu froze. He looked down at his gripped arm, then up at Morishita Ai's "matter-of-fact" expression, and his lip twitched.
"We aren't that close, are we? Suddenly saying 'date' only causes me trouble. Let go!"
"No!"
Shimizu used brute force to pull his arm away. "Sorry, I'm going to the boxing club to train."
"The boxing club is resting today! I already asked!"
"You actually did your homework in advance?"
"Of course!" Morishita Ai tilted her chin up proudly. "I, Morishita Ai, always come prepared."
"Even so, I have my own business. Find someone else." Shimizu turned to leave.
To his surprise, Morishita stuck to him again. "Shimizu Akira! We are people who have mutually gifted each other 'little umbrellas' (condoms)! You can't be so heartless!"
Shimizu quickly looked around. Luckily, no one was there. He said speechlessly, "Who 'mutually gifted' umbrellas with you? You stole that from my pocket, didn't you? Can you stop lying through your teeth?"
Morishita Ai said righteously, "That counts! After this date, we'll exchange gifts, and then it'll count, right?" After checking her surroundings, she whispered, "By the way, that manager kouhai of yours in the boxing club hasn't asked you any strange questions lately, has she?"
Shimizu thought for a moment. "Nothing strange, just the usual."
Except for that day when he was on a date with Shiina Hiyori, and she suddenly said "Morishita Ai will proactively deliver herself to you to be eaten." Wait, this Morishita Ai really had proactively come to him with a date request.
Shimizu asked curiously, "Morishita, regardless of whether I go or not, why the sudden invitation? What's the reason? Does it have anything to do with Amasawa Ichika?"
Morishita didn't expect him to guess it correctly, but she certainly wouldn't admit it. She lied, "It has nothing to do with her. Stop worrying so much and just come with me. I won't screw you over."
'You won't screw people over? Look at how Yamamura Miki, that honest kid, was teased by you.'
Shimizu squinted at her. "Morishita-san, a 'date' is for a man and a woman who have a certain level of affection for each other. Do you think we currently have feelings for each other? What stage are we at?"
Morishita Ai herself only felt that he was a good fighter, was always "bullying" her (in her mind), was very smart, and was hard to prank—instead, she had been punished several times. She truly didn't have any special romantic thoughts about Shimizu Akira. However, Amasawa Ichika was very annoying. A few days ago was fine, but this afternoon she actually sent a message saying that since Shimizu's girlfriends had so many photos taken on the cruise ship, why didn't she? Morishita was afraid she'd get suspicious and come beat her up again, so she came to find Shimizu for a date to manufacture some material.
"Just because there's no affection now doesn't mean there won't be in the future! Memories and feelings are cultivated and increased; they aren't innate! Shimizu Akira, don't you understand such a simple principle?"
True enough, but it sounded weird coming from her mouth!
Shimizu told the truth: "But I don't have much affection for you, so I don't want to go on a date. What now?"
Morishita Ai was cute and had a decent figure, but due to her erratic thinking, Shimizu had never considered her a romantic prospect.
Morishita was about to explode. "You!"
"What 'you'?" Shimizu laughed at her teeth-gritting expression. "I'm telling the truth. You don't feel for me, I don't feel for you. Isn't it awkward to force a date together?"
"Who... who said I don't have feelings for you!" Morishita stuck her neck out. "I just... haven't thought it through yet!"
"Then go back and think it through before talking."
"No!" Morishita grabbed his sleeve. "We have to go today!"
"Why?"
"Because..." Morishita's brain spun rapidly, and she had a flash of inspiration. "Because today is White Valentine's Day!"
Shimizu was stunned. "White Valentine's is in March. It's October."
"Then it's... Blue Valentine's Day!"
"You're just making up holidays using your own name. I've never heard of it."
"Since you won't go on a date with me, I'll just follow you until you agree. It doesn't violate school rules anyway," Morishita huffed.
Shimizu gave her an extra look. "You're sure?"
Morishita puffed out her chest. "I'm sure!"
"Fine then, you can follow along." Shimizu didn't refuse this time and walked straight ahead.
Morishita didn't understand why he suddenly relented, thinking he simply couldn't shake her off. She waved her hand happily. "I win!"
She followed behind Shimizu all the way to the sports field. Then, Shimizu began a simple warm-up.
"What are you doing?" Morishita's eyes widened. "It's only 3:30 PM and you're starting a run to train? The boxing club is resting! Isn't it better to go shopping and eat? Can't you take a day off?"
Shimizu spoke without looking back. "The boxing club is resting, but that doesn't mean I am resting. Training the body is important. Rest? If you stop training for even one day, there will be a second day. Consistency is vital."
With that, he began running laps around the field. He thought that the energetic Morishita, who was interested in everything except hard work, would lose interest and leave. To his surprise, when he turned his head, she was running right behind him.
"Even if you want to watch me, wouldn't it be better to stay in one spot?"
Morishita said proudly, "What if you secretly slip away? Huff... I'm not stupid!"
'Did she think he couldn't just lose her out in the open?'
She had a little wit, but not much.
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