The girls had gone on ahead, chattering about Clubs and other unrelated topics, while Hirata and I trudged along behind them.
"So, Takeyama-kun, did you decide to join any clubs after all?", Hirata asked.
"Mhm. Not really. None of the clubs appealed to me."
"Oh, that's too bad I guess. I applied to the Soccer Club. The senpais seemed to be very friendly as well."
I nodded, and we slipped into a comfortable silence. Hirata continued to walk forward, gazing at seemingly nothing in front of him.
"Hey, Hirata, can I ask you for a favor?"
Hirata seemed to be momentarily stunned at the fact that I had started the conversation, but nevertheless smiled and welcomed the suggestion.
"Sure! What's bothering you, Takeyama-kun?"
"You can call me Keisuke. No need to be so formal."
"Alright then. You can call me Yosuke then", Hirata said brightly.
After a few seconds of silence, I finally spoke.
"Did you notice anything off about the Point System?"
Hirata looked at me with worried eyes. My guess was correct. Hirata was a perceptive and intelligent individual. He would have definitely caught up on some mischief that was the so-called Point System. After thinking for a few moments, Hirata spoke up.
"I have indeed. It seems very unlikely that the school would be willing to spend so much money on each student. It worries me. I don't think many of our classmates have really understood that. They seem to think that they'd get 100,000 points irrespective of what they do. It scares me, maybe it isn't like that. It seems you've noticed it too, Keisuke."
"Yes. I seem to have come to a logical conclusion though."
Hirata's eyes widened at my comment. "You mean you've successfully figured out the Point System?"
"I have a theory, but I doubt it is wrong.". With that, I began to explain the Point System that I had thought up then. It seemed Hirata was extremely confused at one point, but after some explanation, it seemed he had caught up on what I was trying to convey.
"That does seem like a good possibility, Keisuke. But may I ask how you figured out this information?", Hirata asked me.
"It was a no-brainer, really. I think there were several hints left behind my Chabashira-sensei in her opening homeroom speech. Also, my discovery of the camera hidden in the back of class also seemed to serve the purpose."
Hirata was thinking really hard. I understood it would be hard on him. This could be a major turning point in our future lives at ANHS. If Hirata, as a class mediator and leader, is unable to resolve this issue rather comfortably, I'd say he's not suitable to lead Class 1-D.
"What do you recommend, Keisuke? Shouldn't we inform the class of your suspicions and try to help everyone save their points?"
"I don't really want to stand out. You'd be the best person to relay the information to the class. I don't want any more attention on myself than I already have."
"So you're asking me to take credit for figuring out the Point System? I cannot possible do that, when I know you were the one who painstakingly figured it out."
"It's no big deal. As I said, it was a no-brainer. It didn't take me much time."
Hirata continued to stare at me for a while, then turned his head and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Alright. I'll inform the class about this first thing tomorrow."
"No."
Hirata was surprised at my contradiction. "But you just asked me to share it with the rest of the class, did you not?"
"I want to wait for a while. In case, just in case, my assumption is wrong, our classmates will blame you for acting stringently when they could have easily spent all their points. I cannot have my classmates lose trust in their leader because of me. Also, I want to see the behaviors of our classmates over the course of the next 2 weeks. I don't see why they need something like a warning just for them to pay attention in class. You should be naturally attentive."
Hirata remained silent at my reasoning. He tried to process the information I had dumped on him. He looked a bit tense at the thought, but he straightened up soon.
"Done. I'll inform the class later. When do you think I should let it open to the class?"
"The middle or end of the month, maybe. Around the 20th to 25th of April."
Hirata nodded at my words, and we continued to back to the dormitory in a comfortable silence.
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The next 2 weeks didn't seem to do any better for Class 1-D. Sudo was still sleeping in class, Ike and Yamauchi were comparing the sizes of the breasts of all girls in the class, Kouenji was admiring himself in his mirror, and combing his hair. Overall, the rest of the class didn't seem to be very attentive. Hirata looked back at me, and gave me a non-verbal confirmation that he would be giving out the information today, as no one in class seemed to have understood anything.
As class ended, Hirata stood up and proceeded to the front of the class.
"Everyone, I have a very important announcement to make. I'd suggest listening." Chabashira-sensei stopped at the door, rather interested.
The entire class turned to look at Hirata. Even Sudo, Ike and Yamauchi, who had been collectively given the name 'Idiot Trio', turned and stopped to listen. This was why I didn't want to be the one to break the information. For those tedious 10 minutes, you'd be the prime center of attention in the classroom.
"What is it, Hirata-boy? I would suggest you finish this off fast. It is bad manners to keep senior girls waiting, after all", Kouenji said, flipping his hair in tandem to his statement.
"I promise it will not take long, Kouenji-kun", Hirata said, "but it is of prime importance. It's about the Point System that the school has imposed upon us."
Several heads turned inquisitively at Hirata's statement. Most of them absolutely dumbfounded, while a select few seemed to have some sort of idea about what Hirata was going to say. The one that caught my eye was however, my neighbor to my right, Chiaki Matsushita. She seemed to be the one least fazed by this development. It felt like maybe she knew what was going on.
Hirata gave a glance for a second, before continuing.
"I was a bit skeptical when it came to the Point System. It just feels so out of place to get 100,000 Yen every month. Hasn't this thought crossed anyone's mind?"
"Get to the point Hirata!", Ike shouted impatiently. A few of the girls cast him disgusting looks. Hirata, however, continued with a smile.
"Definitely, Ike-kun. What I meant was that I don't think we'll get 100,000 points next month."
"Huh!? Stop messing around with me! What do you mean we won't get points next month?!", Sudo bellowed, causing half of the the class to flinch at this rage.
"It doesn't mean we won't get any points. We might get lesser points, is what I'm saying. I think all our actions are being monitored. Our behavior, academic excellence, physical activities, they're all taken into account when we're given the Private Points. Don't you think it's rather suspicious that Chabashira-sensei doesn't reprimand any of us for acting out of order in class? In my opinion, it is highly surprising. It would only make sense if this was the case. I have also contacted my seniors in the soccer club, and they have refused to give me any information on this topic. Why would they not be willing to give any information? You hide information only if it is worth hiding. I think there definitely is a deeper system than we understand yet."
The class fell silent, and there were frantic whispers throughout the class, trying to digest the situation. Chabashira-sensei, having heard Hirata's words, snickered to herself, and walked out of class.
"What should we do then, Hirata-kun?", Wang-san asked nervously.
"I'd recommend first paying attention in class. If any of you have noticed, there is a small camera lodged into the back of the class", the entire class turned to look, and gasped at the inconspicuous looking device recording every movement from the back of the classroom, "they probably use it to keep an eye on us. Fixing our behavior should be of number on priority. Scoring well in tests, and making sure to attentively listen and take notes, all of these come under a model student's values."
"How can you be so sure about this, Hirata? Maybe we will get a 100,000 points next month anyways.", Yamauchi asked.
"There is always that possibility, Yamauchi-kun. However, I don't think it hurts to take a few precautionary measures just in case. It is beneficial for ourselves and is for the greater good as well". Hirata reasoned out a well played argument, and Yamauchi fell silent at this reply.
"I think what Hirata-kun said is correct", Kushida chimed in. This was great. Kushida was seen as an angel in the class. She'd be able to rope in the entire class into the plan. "We must act like model students, and make sure we don't lose any more points in the future!"
None of the students in class could refute Hirata's statement any longer. Even Sudo, who looked rather pissed at the turn of events, complied with Kushida's request. This was the power Kikyo Kushida wielded. It would definitely be handy later on.
The class ended, and all students left for either Club activities, or headed out with their friends, discussing the new Point System. I waited a bit longer to leave, and I had to turn down Sato-san, Inogashira-san and Karuizawa-san in their attempts to walk home with me. Soon, I saw Hirata turn to look at me, and we left the class together.
"How did I do?", he asked, after making sure we were out of earshot.
"Perfect", I replied, "this is what the class needed. A push the right way. It was a good decision to let you do the talking."
"I still feel bad for taking credit in figuring it out though", Hirata said.
"That's alright", I said with a smile, "I wouldn't have been able to do it the way you handled it."
Hirata bid me farewell and headed down to the soccer field, while I decided to head back to my room.
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The class mood had greatly improved the next day. Several more students were paying attention in class now. Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun were also taking down notes. Sudo, although not taking down notes, was at least not sleeping, and this was a major improvement.
It was the 30th of April. One more day, and I would be able to confirm the entire system. On the first day of each month, points should be added to every student's account.
Chabashira-sensei walked into class, with a solemn look on her face.
"We'll be having a surprise test today. Put your books away."
The class went into uproar. Several students were panicking at the thought of the test. Of course, no one had been studying properly, let alone give a test.
"That's so unfair, Sae-chan-sensei!", Ike cried out, "you can't suddenly spring a test on us!"
"Of course I can, you're all students, you must be prepared for all sorts of predicaments", Chabashira-sensei replied sharply. "However, these marks will not be reflected in your final grades, so you can take this test easy."
The class heaved a sigh of relief, and decided to take the test lightly.
I, Keisuke Takeyama, however, had different plans.
The timings of this test alerted me.
Was there a specific reason sensei had chosen 30th April as the test date? It seemed a little surprising that she wouldn't take this test later, say in the first week of May. Most tests are conducted in the first week of the month. Conducting it right on the last day seemed too out of character. Should I take the test seriously? Or should I half-ass it? Or maybe I should get an average score? I wasn't very sure of the academic capabilities of my class, so I couldn't possibly know what the average score would be.
As the tests were passed out, I decided to get 80 marks in the test. It seemed like a good score. Not too high, not too low. It was a necessary measure to hide one's abilities in this school, from what I've seen. The Point System being the way it is, asked for it. Keeping a hidden weapon would always serve for you in the end.
The test was absolute trash. I could solve the entire paper in my head. As I continued to write down the answers, skipping the easy ones just for fun, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.
Chiaki Matsushita has just erased a correct answer on her paper, and written an incorrect one.
Was it a silly error? No, I didn't think so. She had gotten one of the harder questions right. She was purposely lowering her score to meet a certain average, just like I was. I was rather surprised that someone of my caliber could possibly be in this school.
Was she the other student Nagumo was talking about? I couldn't be sure. Regardless, I handed in my paper at the 45 minute mark and left homeroom.
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Author's Note:
Hello everyone! I finally know the feeling of having someone add your story into their reading list, and actually getting my first vote on a story. It feels phenomenal. Thank you!
I don't really have much to add here. OC seems to be wary of Chiaki now as well. We'll see how this one pans out.
Have a great week folks.