Part 3
"Shall we move onto the next question or do you guys require another toilet break?"
Chabashira asked the class as soon as the results disappeared from the screen. Her demeanour hadn't changed since the start of the exam, but Kiyotaka noticed there was a slight change of tone in her voice.
He remembered that the expulsion question that came up in her exam ended up being the last question. While they were getting closer to the last question, Chabashira's slight change in voice didn't exactly make sense to Kiyotaka.
[Is there something wrong with the third question that I don't know about?] He asked himself.
"OK... let's move on to the third question."
Kiyotaka did not have time to think about it too much as the next question appeared on the front screen.
QUESTION THREE:
Either the private points that are paid out according to class points each month are reduced to zero and three random students in the class will be given protection points.
Alternatively, the number of private points awarded could be halved, and a specific student could be awarded a protection point.
If neither of these options is desired, the bottom five students in the next written exam will receive zero private points.
Note: No matter which option is chosen, the period of private point forfeiture will continue for six months.
Unlike the previous two questions, this one encompassed major advantages and disadvantages within the class. In option one, the payback was greater because of the larger number of private points you lose, but they also couldn't overlook the fact that 3 protection points would be given to random students. Protection points were a very powerful ally but it was important that they were given to students who needed them most and not random.
Option two was also not cheap, as the amount of private points transferred to students every month for the next 6 months would be halved. Moreover, only one student would be granted a protection point. It was important that if this option was chosen that they had to carefully choose the selected student.
Option three existed as a means to minimise the loss of private points as much as possible. This would be the option one would choose if they found the protection points too expensive or if they didn't need them in the first place. However, there were still disadvantages here. Five students who get the lowest scores in the next exam would not be awarded any private points for 6 months.
In addition to calculating the profit and loss of each option, Kiyotaka noted that it was also necessary to consider the class situation. Some students may have a lot to say, but there is no other way but to vote first.
"Before you all vote, let's talk about the case where there is unanimity on option two, the option to grant to a particular student. If the vote is unanimous on this choice, we will move on to the next option where we will continue to determine one person without clearing question three. You remember the practice example we did a few days ago, don't you?"
To recap, the small 10 minute interval between answering the first part of the question and the next part would be used to select one student and collect votes for or against granting it to that student. If the vote is unanimous in favour, the student will receive a protection point. But if the vote is unanimous against, the student will no longer have a chance in that question. Then, the remaining 38 students will discuss and select one candidate.
When the buttons to vote appeared on the tablets, Kiyotaka and the rest of Class B quickly put their votes in.
"Based on those results, we will announce the results of the first round of voting."
Results of the first round of voting:
12 votes to grant three random people
5 votes to select and grant one person
22 votes to not grant anyone
The results seemed to indicate that the majority of people were willing to sacrifice the bottom 5 students from not getting private points and give up on the protection points. For those who weren't in the bottom five rankings, the option was risk-free. On the other hand, the rest believed that gaining protection points was more beneficial even if they know that they won't get private points for six months.
"Hey, wait a minute! There is something about this!"
"Yeah! If we don't get protection points, we'll lose five people!"
Ike and Satou were the first to protest against the majority choice. As students who seemed to fall into the bracket for lowest grades, it was to the surprise of no one that they disagreed with the option.
"Well, it can't be helped, can it? It's a bit like... not getting your private points transferred for six months. Also, the random option has low probability, and the specific option is unlikely to be given to me so... Please sacrifice yourself, Kanji."
Sudou was the one to answer their concerns. His tone voiced his outward confidence at no longer being in the bottom academics rankings. Understandably, Ike showed annoyance and slight anger in his expression at this.
"That's bullshit! So not fair! Even I need a lot of private points right now!"
"You're not going to tell me you need money to go on dates with Shinohara, are you?"
"Well... I mean... Hey, what does it matter to you?!"
Despite being caught for his reason for wanting lots of private points, Ike didn't seem particularly bothered by it. He was more focused on winning the fight against his friend as it appeared to be a matter of life and death.
"If you really disagree with us, then you should study more. That will help solve your problem, right?"
"H-hey... I just can't agree with what Ken says! He's asking too much."
Sudou had once been at the very bottom of the academic barrel because he refused to study. But after vowing to be better and putting all his effort into studying a lot, he broke out of it and made his way into the majority of Class B's academic ability. In this situation, it was definitely important to study as much as possible, but it appeared that seemed too much for Ike.
"I understand what you're saying, but it's too early to be pessimistic. We just need to minimise the number of private points we lose and we can all make up for the burden. The remaining 34 students should be able to make up for the bottom five's private points that will be lost each month. This way, only certain students won't feel dissatisfied, right?"
Surprising everyone with his explanation, Sudou explained the situation from his point of view and even proposed a solution to help Ike and the other bottom students if they chose the option.
If one student earned 50,000 points per month, then 250,000 points for five students would be lost in this example. The remaining 34 students would get 1.7 million points, and, if divided by 39 and rounded down to the nearest whole number, would come to 43589 points per student if they went with Sudou's plan. The loss of points would be unavoidable, but each person would only lose about 6500 points which wasn't too much considering their current position of Class B.
"Well, that's fine then..."
"To be honest, I don't really want to share... but we're getting closer to Class A and that means we need to help each other more. I could help Kanji if he really needs it," Sudou's change towards helping others more surprised everyone, but it was a welcome that Class B needed.
Even if he seemed to be dissatisfied with his own proposal, he was willing to help Ike in any way he could, whether he was a friend or not.
As many of the students voted to not be granted any protection points, they naturally began to agree on the direction to stick with option three. However, in the midst of all this, Hirata raised his voice.
"Horikita-san, do you think it's best to choose the no protection point distribution option?"
Following his position as the second leader, mediator, and bias reducer of the class, Hirata turned to the leader for their class's exam, Horikita.
"That's a tough one. It's a pretty troubling option, to be honest. Protection points can be a very powerful tool to prevent expulsion. But the same can be said for private points. I wonder if Hirata-kun thinks differently?"
"It's only one opinion and it's my own too, but I think we should get protection points for this question. For all three of us, of course."
"If you don't get any private points for six months, it's going to hurt a lot. Not only will it put a lot of stress on your daily life, but it could also affect the special exam if the situation warrants it."
The possibility that private points could make the difference between winning and losing cannot be denied. If no one had something to work for, they would become unmotivated to continue to work for it.
"If something unforeseen happens, we can protect three people. The timing of when you can get protection points is quite limited, plus this is a valuable commodity that can't be taken lightly."
Hirata's reasoning made sense. The value of the protection points that can prevent expulsion is actually up to 20 million private points. It was not often that three protection points for three different people in a class were available. In Hirata's case, who cares about his friends, it's a value that can't be replaced by money. A protection point could save a student's life and future at ANHS.
"Sorry, but can I have a say in this?"
Another student raised his voice for the first time since the exam started. This time, it was Yukimura who stood up and expressed his opinion to Horikita and the class.
"For the next six months, we're going to increase our class points, right?"
"Of course. There's never a good time to stagnate in your quest for a higher class."
Horikita answered with raised eyebrows, as if saying "Yes. That is obvious. Why are you asking that?"
"Fifty for this special exam, and a hundred points if we place first in the cultural festival. Assuming the sports festival increases similar points, by the end of the semester, we might have more than 200 points, or even 300 points depending on the situation. Can I assume that?"
"I suppose we will."
"Then I think that as we aim for this larger growth of class points, I agree with Hirata that we take the opportunity to grab protection points. Grabbing as many private points as we can is important as they can help us greatly in fighting back, but we also need to be aware of attacks on us from normal and special exams. That's why we need a protection point, even if it means sacrificing a bit of our private points."
Class B was slowly rising each time, which meant they were likely more vulnerable to more targeting from people like Sakayanagi and Ryuuen who played dirty. There was also the possibility of outside interference, such as what Kiyotaka had gone through in the end of year 1 exam just many months ago. This was what Yukimura was trying to make everyone aware of.
"So... is Yukimura-kun saying that the idea of prioritising private points is an offensive strategy which is something we're already doing pretty well, while the idea of prioritising protection points is a defensive strategy and something we need to consider a bit more, right?"
Kushida asked that question to understand and defuse the situation. Yukimura nodded at her question, to which she continued on with her point.
"I know what you're going to say. If it doesn't get used, then it may or may not be worthless and expensive. But even if it ends up being unnecessary in its original use, it can be used as a strategy to intentionally consume protection points to launch a surprise attack or to use it as a self-destruct mechanism. You might even be able to use them for offensive purposes, not simply for protection."
Despite having the name "protection point" indicated it as a mere defensive mechanism, there were uses for it to be used offensively. For example, a shield is merely used as a means to protect from a sword or spear hitting you. But there were many other uses a shield could have in offensive terms. As if remembering a certain light novel that covered this topic, a certain student nearby Kiyotaka had his eyes sparkling.
There was no guarantee that they would have the opportunity to use the protection point effectively in the future. However, it was important, especially for the roads ahead, to have everything prepared as they grow as a class.
"Then Yukimura-kun, you are saying that we should grant protection points to three students? Isn't there a risk with it being random?"
In order to make a final confirmation and narrow down the options, Horikita tried to get a word in edgewise.
"No. You misunderstand, Horikita-san. The option I'm recommending is the second. The one that grants a protection point to one student."
Horikita raised her eyebrows at Yukimura's answer of wanting option two, which was thought to be the least likely.
"Does that mean, for lack of a better word, that I should grant it to you?"
"I'd honestly be happy if you did. But that's not realistic. I think you'd want me to grant someone who is more worthy of it, because that's basically what all of us would do. It's hard to pick out a specific person. But no matter how much of a bargain it is, I don't know how well giving protection points to three random people will work."
Hearing Yukimura's statement, some students began nodding in understanding. But that hadn't yet convinced them. Horikita also seemed to notice a small detail in his explanation.
"You seem to have a clear idea of who you should give the protection point to. If it's not you, then who do you really want to have the protection point?"
"If you want me to make a strategic decision, Horikita-san, then the person I believe should have it the most is no one else but you."
"Me?"
Horikita was surprised that she was chosen by Yukimura for the protection point nomination. She didn't seem to understand why that was.
"Yes. Right now, you're the leader of this class, and I have no complaints about your abilities in OAA. Obviously, you'd be targeted by Sakayanagi and Ryuuen at the very least. It's not surprising to think that those two would try to expel you without mercy. It's best if we protect our leader first, then worry about the rest of us later."
It was natural to have animosity going round with who was chosen. But in this situation, there appeared to be none. Considering the reason that Yukimura had, it seemed best for everyone to listen and not argue.
"But that's not the only reason. Normally, when you hold a protection point, there is a risk of loosening up. There is also the risk that you will not take it seriously, thinking that you are safe. I'm sure you're not that kind of person. You're someone who will make use of it carefully and ensure we all get benefits out of it. I feel quite strongly about that."
"I see. I understand what you're saying, but... it's an expensive purchase. Option 2 will result in losing half of our private points for six months."
Class B's current class point situation was already in a decent position, with them standing at 621 class points. And with the extra private points they earned from the Talent Show, they were already in a good position to keep a decent amount of class points for the next 6 months as long as they didn't overspend for that length of time.
"They feel like they're losing money because they think they're just losing private points. This is an upfront investment. Horikita will turn it into more class points than you pay for with this option. It's easier to think that way, isn't it?"
"Even so... it could crash, you know?"
"I don't believe we can beat Class A without taking a risk. I've been fighting at this school for a year and a half myself."
"Hmph. That's valid, isn't it? I agree with your current proposal, Glasses-kun."
Surprisingly, Kouenji showed his agreement to Yukimura's option. Most thought he would never be involved in this special exam, just doing his own thing or following everyone else.
"For the amount of private points we give up, we can have Horikita-girl work harder than anyone else."
"You have a protection point, but you don't seem to be working hard."
"Hard work is something ordinary people do, you know. I'd rather sit back and let you people handle it."
As Kouenji said this, he sneakily sent a glance towards Kiyotaka and gave a smirk. It appeared to Kiyotaka that Kouenji was sending him a message through that smirk. He knew Kouenji was saying that he was an exception so he gave a sigh.
But that wasn't important right now. Kiyotaka focused back on the question, the options and Yukimura's points.
[Personally, I thought the first and final option were best. But Keisei is making pretty good points. I can't find many disadvantages with that option and I don't disagree with it either. Perhaps that might be the best option...]
It was hard to say that it was for the good of the class if it's simply because it has to do with private points. Soon it was time for the next round of voting and the students began putting their votes through. Whether or not Yukimura's reasons changed the mindset of Class B, they were about to find out as the results presented themselves.
Results of the second round of voting:
0 votes to grant three random people
39 votes to select and grant one person
0 votes to not grant anyone
It turned out that Yukimura's idea was adopted after successfully sewing through the gap. As there were no students who objected to the idea of giving the protection point to Horikita, when the time came during the interval to decide who they were going to vote on, all 38 other students voted for her and the question was finally completed.
As Chabashira was conducting her mandatory announcement of the third question's completion, Kiyotaka stole a glance towards a beige short-haired student. Though she looked normal, there were visible twitches and Kiyotaka was sure he could see a vein popping on her head. It was evident to him that while she voted with the rest of the class, she really didn't like that Horikita had managed to grab a protection point for herself.
Kiyotaka noted that from all of this, it was probably best to put his plan into action soon. The question he had been waiting for, the question that brought himself and Chabashira to have a discussion, had still yet to show up. He needed to be ready for it.
3 hours and 55 minutes remained until the end of the exam.
A/N:
Umm... Meh. Whatever. Anyway, have you guys seen the preview illustrations for Volume 0 Kiyotaka's past? The girl next to him is the same girl next to him in the flashback in the anime. If anything, I would almost be inclined to say it's Suzuki Shizuku. The White Room Troubles is about to be CANON! Jokes aside, it will be a little difficult to obtain V0 so I hope we do get to see it soon and I do kind of hope that some of what was in there actually turns out to be similar to TWRT but that's just me. Also, we're getting closer to finishing Volume 1.
- rainy26541 (G-String)