Chapter 80 – Hidden Secret

Yukio asked a very insightful question: "I imagine you must find it tedious, Chabashira-sensei? Having to explain the same content every twenty minutes to just a few students at a time, and doing so continuously for four hours."

"With such inefficiency, why not gather everyone together, like the briefing for the uninhabited island special test, or explain it by class? Wouldn't that be much more efficient?"

Facing Yukio's inquiry, Chabashira's expression hardly changed, still maintaining her cool demeanor. It was unclear if this was just her personality or if there was something secretive about this special test: "This is the arrangement of the school, and naturally, there are considerations from the school's side."

"The reason you three don't have many doubts about the rules of this special test is because each of you possesses considerable analytical and comprehension abilities."

"But some students can't keep up with you in this regard, do you understand? Therefore, this method of separating and gathering a small group of people is needed for private, detailed explanations."

"This way, when they don't understand something, they can ask all their questions and get as detailed an answer as possible."

Shiina seemed to be daydreaming, not showing any reaction, while Yukio and Ryuuen simultaneously let out a light laugh.

Ryuuen couldn't accept such a laughable reason: "Hey, don't joke around. Even if it's your Class D at the bottom, if many students can't understand the detailed rules, there are more efficient ways."

"Like Yukio said, by class. You, as the class instructor, could gather all of Class D, say what needs to be said, they raise their hands if they have questions, and you answer them. That would be more efficient than this current method, right?"

Chabashira's gaze turned even colder, with no politeness in her clarification towards Ryuuen: "Although this special test won't deduct points based on a student's 'attitude' towards the exam..."

"That's not an excuse for you to behave disrespectfully. As a faculty member, I have the right to record your misconduct, which might affect you later on. Do you understand?"

After rebuking Ryuuen's attitude, Chabashira resumed explaining the rationale behind the arrangement: "The school has arranged it this way for a reason. If you don't understand, that's your issue. Don't question it."

"If we did it your way, with the four classes explained separately, then it would be hard for students to directly know who are the members from other classes in their group."

Ryuuen was unfazed by Chabashira's scolding, his attitude becoming even more defiant.

Yukio also criticized the overly ridiculous arrangement: "Isn't this a joke? No matter the arrangement, you just need to distribute the list for a quick glance, and everyone will know who is grouped with whom. Is there a need for such a time and place-specific explanation?"

"Chabashira-sensei, you were just drinking water. Explaining non-stop for four hours must be very thirsty and tiring, right? Doesn't this precisely highlight the issue with the school's arrangement?"

At this point, Chabashira was too consumed to concern herself with Yukio's comments about her drinking water. Instead, she prioritized reaching out for the list she had handed out earlier: "I forgot to tell you, the list can only stay here, no photos are allowed. After you've seen it, you must memorize it. The list cannot be taken with you."

While she called it an addition, it was actually informing Yukio and the others that the reason for not explaining by class was because the list could not be taken away or photographed.

Yukio raised his eyebrows in amusement. Chabashira, faced with the students' attitude, didn't scold them but chose to protect the list first? It seemed he was beginning to glimpse the secret of this special test!

The reason for not explaining by class was because the list had to stay with the instructor? But was it necessary to keep the list confidential? He only needed to ask his classmates once, and he would immediately know all twelve groups' compositions.

So, this list didn't need to be kept secret at all. Yet, the school insisted on this rule, which might as well be hinting to everyone that this list of groups contained a major secret.

Thus, the inefficiency of this explanation method was actually hinting to the students to pay close attention to the list, to look at it more and think more, to unlock the secret within!

Just as Yukio was concluding, the conference room door was "whooshed" open, and a graceful figure burst in, energetically greeting: "Sae-chan~ It's finally over, let's go for a drink! Explaining the rules non-stop, I'm almost dying of thirst!"

Yukio and the others looked over to find it was Class B's instructor, Hoshinomiya, who seemed to have finished all her explanations and was officially off work, looking to invite her friend out for a drink.

And despite being an adult, she acted almost like a little girl, bursting through the door, hardly what one would expect from an adult.

Yet, what met this energetic entrance was Chabashira's cold face and words: "Hoshinomiya, the explanation isn't over yet, and how many times have I told you? Don't use that nickname to address me!"

"Really?" Hoshinomiya appeared a bit disappointed but her expression remained playful, and she didn't change her way of addressing Chabashira regardless of the protests: "Why so cold, Sae? To think we've known each other for ten years~"

"And besides, it's already 9 p.m., the briefing was supposed to end!" 

Chabashira looked troubled, not wanting to engage further with Hoshinomiya, who, however, ignored Chabashira and went straight to Yukio: "Oh! Isn't this Yukio-kun?"

"The teacher is so sad, you know, you never contacted me even once after I gave you my contact information last time!"

Ryuuen enjoyed the scene, while Shiina seemed to suddenly snap back to reality. She had been zoning out during Chabashira's explanation, letting it go in one ear and out the other. Now, as Hoshinomiya approached Yukio, Shiina immediately turned her head, keeping a close watch on Yukio and Hoshinomiya.

Unruffled by Hoshinomiya's playful words, Yukio responded calmly and rationally: "Hoshinomiya-sensei, last time you mentioned to contact you if any of us from Class C felt unwell after returning from the uninhabited island."

"But after that, all our classmates were quite healthy, so there was no need to bother you."

Hearing this reason, Shiina breathed a sigh of relief, realizing it wasn't the kind of teacher-student relationship she had imagined.

It just goes to show that reading too much can sometimes lead to overthinking. Seeing Hoshinomiya so close to Yukio, Shiina's mind raced back to some of the forbidden teacher-student stories she had read.

Yukio, while outwardly handling the situation well, was secretly observing Chabashira and Hoshinomiya. He hadn't forgotten.

During the uninhabited island special test, when Class C adopted a zero-point strategy and everyone except Ibuki returned, Hoshinomiya had sought out Yukio for a private chat about various things.

It was only then that she indirectly revealed her disdain for Sae Chabashira and Class D.

Yukio still vividly remembers that malice, and he's convinced there must be some old grudge between Hoshinomiya and Chabashira, given Hoshinomiya's overly familiar way of addressing Chabashira now.

Chabashira's response to Hoshinomiya was neither warm nor cold, making it impossible to tell whether their relationship was good or bad.

However, Chabashira's demeanor was somewhat detached, and she left without paying much attention to Hoshinomiya, who was slightly taken aback but quickly masked her surprise with a smile: "Then, Yukio-kun, Ryuuen-kun, Shiina-san~"

"I'll be going after Sae-chan first~ You all should head back too."

***

Enjoyed the chapters? Read 20 chapters ahead on Patreon!

PATREON.COM/METARLN

600 power stones = 1 extra chapter