Season 3, Episode 3: New Special Exam

________________________

There are some things people would find strange if they were to hear about it.

The truth is, I didn't choose this school because I had something I wanted to carry out or anything.

Politician, doctor, researcher, I didn't aim for any of that.

I've lived my life making sure to not stir anything up. I indifferently complete my assignments and spent my days that way. Being a 'role model'.

I believed that to be the right thing to do and never once questioned it.

However, Nagumo Miyabi took one action after another as though to directly oppose me. A person who cuts their way through, that may how that man can be described.

As a matter of fact, until I graduate, I had already given up on taking action. I had failed to make a friend I could say I trust from the bottom of my heart.

After 3 years, I've finally realized. My own 'mistake' and 'regret' it led to.. And, that this is the 'beginning'.

_________________________

On a Thursday morning not too long after the 3rd semester began, several buses travelled on a highway.

All 1st, 2nd and 3rd years were on the bus. In other words, it's a migration for the entire student body of the school.

Actually, none were instructed about what to do as there were ushers and whispers as the bus travel about 3 hours.

The seats were labeled according to the names so Karma was seated with a background character.

It was boring, he could break the awkward silence and talk to the person beside him but Karma blame himself for excluding unimportant people to his problem so he didn't say anything.

Karma lean backwards as he balance a pen on his nose. His eyes then turn to Chabashira-sensei who were observing the students near the driver's seat.

The bus now arrived through a very long tunnel, the long isn't exaggerated since it's been 2-3 minutes since they've been inside the tunnel.

" Sorry about cutting your fun short but pipe down. " Chabashira-sensei announce as she held a microphone. " I thought you lot might like to know where this bus is going and what we'll do then. "

" Don't tell me it's the uninhabited island again, are you? " Ike was heard muttering.

" Seems that exam is still embedded to your memory. But calm yourselves. An exam of that scale isn't something that can be held frequently. It means we're not cruel enough to force you into now that summer is over you lot. But a new special exam is held. Your living standards will be extremely high compared to the uninhabited island. " Chabashira-sensei replied.

' There we go again, sensei's explanation that leads to plenty of holes.. ' But Karma hummed at the idea of the new exam.

Chabashira-sensei stopped speaking as Karma's fellow classmates retained their proud smiles. She then apologized and bowed her head respectfully. " My apologies. Your already students of 'Class C.' I'll then explain the special exams to you lot. "

Karma let out a sigh.

Even when their class is already ranking high, he felt a bit disappointed that he's not in the bottom class anymore, that doesn't mean that it would be remained. Maybe because his Class just stays Class 3-E.

But at least their proud of themselves, not that they deserve it anyway.

But if the announcement were discussed in the bus, does that mean the special exam starts directly if the bus arrive at their location?

Karma's heart rise from elation.

Even Ike and the others who are usually very rowdy stayed quiet as they listened. Karma can see they've grown somewhat, getting used to how things work in the school.

" Taking place mainly in summer, it commonly takes place on a day with with pleasant weather in places like mountains or other locations where greenery is abundant. "

So it usually takes place in the summer, specifically that season?

" Opportunities to meet their senior students normally are limited. But at the outdoors school, we'll be taking collective action that goes beyond school years for 7 nights and 8 days. It's like something beyond even what the sports festival offered. This exam is 'Mixed Training Camp'. I'll be distributing the materials now. "

Chabashira-sensei began walking and handed over a bundle of materials to the student in the front row seat, then each student took one and passed the rest behind.

Karma quickly took his and examine the object which is a book with a lot of pages. A guidebook.

Inside is images of the location where they will sleep, bathe and eat.

" Feel free to read ahead as I begin explaining the 'Mixed Training Camp'. Make sure to understand, I'll be accepting questions at the very end so make sure to shut up and listen. Do you understand? " Chabashira-sensei said as she looked at Ike who made two or three zipping motions over his mouth.

Chabashira-sensei then begin explaining.

Just like during the sports festival, students will probably keep their distance.

" First off, once you lot arrive at the destination, I'll have you split up based on gender. Then you'll hold a discussion across all school years and then you'll divide yourselves up into six groups. "

Karma took note in his head, six groups, based on genders.

The teacher then continued. " The limits for the the number of people in a group have already been decided. Look at the fifth page of the material in your hands and have a good look. "

Flipping the pages up to page 5, rules are written for the groups in the training camp.

That's what's stated in the book. Karma continue to read as he slowly digest the instructions.

" I think your already aware of it but the fact that the division into six is based on gender means that you'll have students from other classes mixed in. You'll have to overcome the special exam with that group. It means your fates are tied to one another. Each group must have students from at least two or more classes as a prerequisite. "

Karma can hear Chabashira-sensei smirk as she said that.

" Do you mean we'll be forced to work together with the enemy? " Ike ask.

Chabashira-sensei looked slightly irritated but answered. " That would be what it means. "

So it might be possible that they could form a group that is mostly Class C.

" Is it better for a group to have many people? Or few people? That will have a significant impact on the 'outcome' I am going to explain now. " Saying that Chabashira-sensei laughed lightly.

It gives off a nervous atmosphere between the students.

" Could you please continue the explanation of the rules? " Hirata Yosuke, who felt uneasy urged the teacher.

" Members of the group will take lessons together, will cook and wash together and will bathe and got to bed together. You will experience daily life of all different kinds together. "

' Sounds like fun. ' Karma thought sarcastically as Ike could be heard mumbling about the other classes.

Chabashira-sensei then instruct the students as Karma look through the schedule.

He frown, lessons will still be active on Saturdays, Sunday was only shown to be a rest day.

He then take notice of the subject 'Zazen', he anticipate it to be part of the exams. Could posture and attitude be marked as well?

" Deciding your groups is important. All six groups must be capable of overcoming a week of camp. Withdraw or change members is not allowed. If a student is forced to retire from either sickness or injury, then the group must deal with the gap on their own. "

' It doesn't matter if we antagonise with the other class, associating is associating. ' Karma then look around to observe his classmate's faces. ' We won't be able to proceed if there's no real connection, the key towards that is conflict. '

" Six groups will have formed numbering around 30 to 45 people composed to 1st years up to 3rd years. " The teacher said.

Karma let out an audible sigh, ' It was chaotic enough during the island exam even when we're all classmates, how much more with other classes, unlike last exams, it's all for one and one for all. '

" Next, the talents of the other school years will also play an important role. " Chabashira-sensei continued. " For large groups whose average points put them in 1st place through 3rd place, all their students will receive private points as well as class points. "

Karma look down to the rules and spot the details of the outcome.

And other rewards stated below, no place would be rewards with 0 but it will still remain behind.

" Also, the large group that comes in at last place will incur a massive penalty. "

And there it is.

" Penalty.. it can't be. " One student whispers.

" That's right. It's 'expulsion'. " Chabashira-sensei said. " Still, it's not like we're going to expel everyone in the large group that places last. Because if we did that then we'd have approximately expelled 40 students. If a small group should happen to fall below that border, then their leader will be expelled. "

" How exactly will their leader be chosen? "

" You will discuss it with your group in advance, that's it. "

" The hell? Who the hell would want to be leader if expulsion is coming for them? "

' That's what makes it more amusing. ' Karma silently prodded through the other rules.

" There are upsides to it too. Students that are classmates of the leader will receive double of the reward. " Chabashira-sensei said.

" ..Double, you say? " Suzune who had been silent muttered in surprise.

" That's right. " The teacher then continued. " On top of that, if the leader happens to become from Class C and you manage to take 1st then.. "

" W-What'll happen then? " Yamauchi ask.

" 1.08 million private points. 336 class points. Is what you stand to gain. "

The final sentence she said struck the students.

" T-Three hundred sixty-six! "

Karma did his little calculations. ' In one stroke, our class will change greatly. It depends on the scores the other groups receive but to be able to reach Class A in this exam, is impossible. '

" Hehe.. " His smile grew wider. ' But the more risks you take, the greater the rewards. '

" After the small group is decided, you'll need to discuss amongst yourselves and decide on a leader before daybreak of the next day. If your group is unable decide on a leader then your group will be immediately disqualified, in other words forcibly expelled. "

So it's all up to the students themselves. Karma guess it's participation. It will also be an easy way to build a quarrel. If it comes to that, a lottery, vote or a game of rock-paper-scissors would be the way to pick a leader.

" Also, if the leader is to be expelled, they can choose another person from their group to bear the responsibility and be expelled alongside them, you can say it's sort of dragging you them down with you. " Chabashira said.

And the bus became destructive again, filled with whines and complaints.

" H-Huh?! That's so fucked up! Does it mean we'd be able to crush the leaders of the other classes that way? "

Their teacher didn't react as she berates her students.

Karma let out a hum as he turn his head to where Kiyotaka is sitted, he'll leave all the matters that he slightly worry about on his hands.

" One more important thing, expellee's class will be receiving a proportionate penalty as well. The details of the penalty change depending of the exam but for this exam, in the case of expulsion, 100 points per person will be deducted. Until then it will naturally remain zero. " Chabashira-sensei ended. " And with that, the explanation ends. I'll be accepting questions. "

Hinata Yosuke immediately raise his hand. " If an expulsion occurs.. is there a way to extend a lifeline? "

" If your expelled, your expelled. Nothing to do about it, right? " Sudou ask as his arms rest behind his head.

Yosuke denied his words. " That's not true. Sudou-kun was almost expelled once by Chabashira-sensei but thanks to Horikita-san's quick wittedness you were saved. It'd be strange if there isn't anything we can do. "

" That's right. " Chabashira sensei answered with a smile. " You can cancel the expulsion with private points but the price will be high. To extend a lifeline of a single person, 20 million private points and a further 300 class points must be paid. Of course, if either of the points required happen to be insufficient then you cannot use a lifeline. "

' Then the 20 million points doesn't matter. ' Karma speculates.

" There isn't much time left until we reach our destination. " The teacher concludes the document. " Once we arrived, I will be collecting the materials I've handed out. The use of cell phones will be forbidden for a week. Other than that, you're free to bring along daily necessities and gaming equipment but not foodstuff. Things that cannot be stored long term like meat will ghave to be eaten before arrival or thrown away. "

The students soon remain on their whiny stages.

Karma sympathize with them since even on the uninhabited island, a week of no cell phones is difficult for teenagers.

" I have a question! " Ike excitedly raise his hand at Chabashira sensei who gives a bitter smile. " You said boys and girls will be separated but exactly how far apart will we be? "

Karma roll his eyes.

The teacher answered his question and add. " You won't be allowed to go outside without persmission during recess and after school either. "

" So that means we won't be able to talk to one another? "

" No, in the cafeteria each day after an hour, you're only free to do whatever you want. Do you understand? "

" Yes! " Ike rejoiced, hearing a chance to talk to girls.

Karma stared at Ike with a sigh before staring at Shinohara who tried to hide her happy expression from hearing Ike's words.

His smile curled upwards.

Perhaps something happened to the both of them during Christmas.

" Sensei. May I borrow your microphone? " Yosuke cut the teacher when she tried to wrap things up.

" Of course, do as you wish. " Chabashira said as she took a seat letting the microphone rest on Yosuke's hold.

" From what sensei said, we don't have much time. " Yosuke spoke up infront of his classmates. " I'd like to hear everyone's opinion. On how to overcome this exam. What sort of partition we should aim for in groups. "

Sudo was the first to suggest. " Wouldn't it be best if we could get as much of our classmates in it as possible? We select our best and form a small group of 12 and the rest we can bring it one from each of the other classes. Ain't that perfect? "

" That would be ideal but I wonder if those 3 students from other classes would be will to join our small group of 12. They'd naturally be on their guard. " Yosuke murmured.

' It'd be like a group shamelessly aiming to win. The damage if we lose would be considerable as well. '

" But- if the smart ones end up forming a group then we'll lose all chances of winning. " Yamauchi muttered. " We'd also like a chance to obtain private points for ourselves. "

" I'd like to go with a way that allows equal distribution. " Yosuke announce. " We don't know which group will come out on top. Once the the exam is underway, and we can confirm that private points will increase for the entire class, then we can divide them up bwtween ourselves. Since transfer of points is permitted there shouldn't be a problem. "

' Even if we get points deducted, if everyone shares the burden then the risk would also decrease. '

" Fufu.. "

Hearing Yosuke's plan, Chabashira-sensei turned away and laughed as well. " I wasn't able to answer before since you lot didn't ask me any questions but as a reward for your promotion to Class C I'll give you just one, good advice. "

" Advice? " Yosuke as with caution.

" Whenever you aren't bound by the rules, you're free to transfer private points. Just one thing, private points aren't the same thing as simple pocket money. Keep that in mind. " Chabashira sensei explain.

" Let's say Ike made a mistake and he'll be expelled unless a million points are paid right away. And if a transfer isn't allowed right and he'd be expelled uless he has a million private points, what'll you do then? If you adopt the strategy of sharing equally amongst yourselves, you may be doing something you cannot take back. "

Ike was heard gulping hearing his name as an example.

" Besides, when that happens, there's no guarantee the other students will save you because it may yet be themselves who fall into a predicament next. The only one capable of protecting you would be you yourself. "

It would make sense. The ones who work hard will be rewarded with success. Once you enter society, sharing their salary with their friends would be very rare.

" Shall we put it to a majority vote then? I'd like to know what everyone thinks after hearing that just now. " Chabashira sensei said. " Can the people who'd prefer to share evenly amongst ourselves during the special exam from now on please raise your hands? Of course I don't mind even if you change your mind later. "

Youske was the first to raise his hand.

Most of the students were troubled and can only raise their hands bit by bit.

" Thank you. "

' Guess the majority of the class doesn't want an equal sharing of the points. ' Karma note.

" Was it unnecessary advice, Hirata? " Chabashira sensei ask Yosuke.

" No, I'm grateful for it. It's valuable information for us at this stage. "

From right behind Kiyotaka sends a text towards Suzune who in return answer back.

Suzune: "Do you have any complaints,"

Kiyotaka: "Not really."

Kiyotaka: "I just have a problem I'm hoping I could share to you."

Suzune: "What is it?"

Kiyotaka: "It's concerning of Karma."

Kiyotaka could feel a wave of confusion shadowing Suzune's face.

Suzune: "What of him?"

Kiyotaka: "Since boys and girls are separated, just in case as a suspect, Karma would plan something."

Suzune: "Something?"

Kiyotaka: "Against me."

Suzune: "I don't understand."

It would feel that Kiyotaka should put this matter with Kei but considering the problem, he doesn't want to dump the heavy weight on her shoulders.

Kiyotaka: "Exactly as it sounds, if Karma approaches you, do be discreet."

A theory pass over to his head, Kiyotaka feels as if Karma wants to dig deeper unto Nagumo from former student council president during the walk with Kei on Christmas.

And by having information, Suzune could be another route.

Suzune: " What do you mean? Karma has been loyal to you since day one. "