Chapter 193 – Workplace Special exam

With the sound of a bell, the proctor left the classroom, and the students of Yukio's class burst into joyful cheers after finishing their last exam: "Oh! Finally done with the exams!"

"Damn! Time to go home and play games! Anyone up for online team play? I've been holding back for so long, tonight I'm buying three bottles of coffee and playing all night!"

"Count me in! I'm a sharp shooter! Also, buy a few extra bottles of coffee for me, will you?"

"Get lost!"

The classroom was instantly filled with cheerful chatter and laughter; no one had a worried face, thinking they might fail.

If this were last semester, there might still be some concern, but this semester, the students in Yukio's class were confident they wouldn't score high marks. While their academic strength wasn't yet comparable to Sakayanagi's or Ichinose's classes, they were sure they'd at least pass.

"Well, I'm afraid to disappoint you all." Just as the students were celebrating, the classroom door opened again. Homeroom teacher Sakagami, with documents under his arm, walked to the podium, clearly about to make an impromptu announcement.

The room fell silent, and everyone sat down without complaint, though their faces showed clear disappointment.

After all, they had just thought about having some fun, only to see Sakagami walk in with that look and talk about disappointment. What kind of new hassle had the school arranged this time?

Their expressions were much like office workers, eager to go home, suddenly seeing their boss walk in to announce overtime.

Only a few students, including Yukio, Ryuen, and Shiina, who knew the inside scoop, understood: the Special Workplace Exam had arrived.

Sakagami looked around the class, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. When he first saw this class full of delinquents, he thought there was no hope for them to reach Class A.

But he hadn't expected that with outstanding students like Yukio and Ryuen, the entire class's spirit had been uplifted, growing to this point. How could any homeroom teacher not be pleased?

Sakagami gave a particularly approving glance at Yukio and Ryuen before tapping the blackboard: "Let's take a little bit of your time to hold a class meeting and discuss the most important special exam for this year's final term."

"I knew it, it's really a special exam. The school sure loves these sudden attacks; we just finished the midterms."

"Wait, Sakagami-sensei, if there's a special exam, does that mean we won't have final exams?"

Hearing the students' thoughts, Sakagami immediately responded, giving them a bit of motivation: "That's right, this special exam will replace the final exams. At least you won't have to go to the library so often for study sessions."

As soon as he said this, Ishizaki immediately brightened up, his face no longer wearing a pained expression: "That's awesome! No more piles of test papers!" Many others echoed Ishizaki's shout.

They were confident about passing, but that confidence was built on hard study before exams. If they could avoid facing test papers, they certainly preferred to.

"Alright, that's enough chit-chat." Sakagami tapped the podium again, signaling everyone to quiet down: "This special exam is quite unique. Originally, it was meant for the third-year graduates as a workplace special exam."

"However..." Sakagami paused, ultimately deciding not to mention that it was due to the student council: "Well, you'll all have to enter society eventually, so experiencing it in advance will be beneficial for you."

"In short, this workplace special exam consists of three projects. Each project will have four classes participating, and it will be across different grades, with the groups randomly assigned by the school and the student council."

"The three projects are similar, as every workplace, aside from administrative tasks, aims to generate profit. So, the projects are all about increasing revenue."

"The only difference is the industry. For this project, your task is to increase the revenue of a yukata workshop."

"To explain briefly, the workshop's income has been declining year by year. You will go there to work, handle some basic tasks, and eventually devise strategies to increase its revenue."

"During the special exam, there will be school staff secretly assessing your efforts and the strategies you come up with, so don't worry about upperclassmen giving you a hard time."

"The school is being considerate towards you first-years in this special exam; all your scores will have a 30% increase." After saying this, Sakagami pinned the documents he was holding onto the blackboard.

 [Yukata Workshop Project Group]

Participating Classes:

- 3rd Year Class A

- 3rd Year Class B

- 3rd Year Class C

- 1st Year Class A (Yukio's Class)

Rewards and Penalties:

- 1st Place: 500 class points

- 2nd Place: 200 class points

- 3rd Place: Deduction of 100 class points

- 4th Place: Deduction of 400 class points

 Individual Scores:

- 1st Place: 100,000 private points

- 2nd Place: 80,000 private points

- 3rd Place: 50,000 private points

- 4th Place: 30,000 private points

- 5th Place: 10,000 private points

Aside from the Yukata Workshop project, the other two projects are a food street and an eel farming pond. Upon hearing the detailed rules, the class members were completely bewildered. This seemed even more absurd than the deserted island special exam.

"Um, Sensei?" The top student, Kaneda, was the first to raise his hand: "It's fine to work part-time and do some basic tasks, but creating strategies to increase revenue? That seems beyond what we high school students can do, doesn't it?"

"Exactly," many class members echoed Kaneda's sentiment: "If adults can't solve the declining revenue issue, how can we?"

"If we were that capable, we wouldn't need to study. We'd just go out and make money."

"What are you all saying?" The always earnest Ishizaki wasn't happy with the complaints. While everyone else sat, he stood up to rally them: "With Big Brother Yukio and Brother Ryuen here, no special exam is too difficult! There's no need to worry!"

The class paused for a moment, then realized that Ishizaki had a point. The workplace special exam might seem unmanageable to them, but surely Yukio could handle it, right? Yes, they had their boss! They could just rely on him, couldn't they? But, was that really the right thing to do?

Several members wanted to contribute their own efforts. During the sports festival, they trained diligently so that Yukio wouldn't have to fight alone.

The high authority of the student council only allowed them to modify a few minor aspects. The full details of the special exam would only become clear when it officially started.

Yukio was analyzing the rules when he saw Ishizaki enthusiastically advocating for "relying on their big brother." His face twitched involuntarily. "Kaneda, give Ishizaki some extra practice papers."

"He might be confident about the midterm exam this time, but he might not be as confident for the next one. Give him more work."

Kaneda adjusted his glasses silently. "Understood."

"Huh? What?" Ishizaki was bewildered, panicked, and heartbroken. "Yukio-san, Yukio-san!" He called out pitifully as he approached Yukio, looking like a drenched puppy.

"Sigh." Yukio, feeling soft-hearted towards his own people, relented. "Alright, alright, go back and sit down. No need for the extra papers."

"Yay!" Ishizaki's expression brightened up immediately. He cheerfully ran back to his seat, causing the whole class to burst into laughter. The previously tense atmosphere due to the difficult workplace special exam gradually dissipated.

"Ishizaki is both right and wrong! We have Yukio Big Brother and Ryuen Brother to strategize, but we can't be a burden!"

"That's right! Yukio-san, if there's anything you need us to do, please instruct us. We'll definitely do it perfectly!"

"Your willingness is appreciated." Yukio looked at the united class, feeling a sense of gratitude. They were reliable. Once they saw the actual yukata workshop, they could devise a comprehensive plan.

Sakagami watched this class with growing satisfaction. This year's batch was truly a treasure.

"Alright, the class meeting is over. Everyone, go back and rest well. Enjoy your two-day break."

"Starting next Monday, until early December, the one-and-a-half-month workplace special exam will officially begin. Prepare some spare clothes and other necessities. The school will take you out for the exam."

***

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