Nakamura-sensei's Hope

"You have started a new task: [Nakamura-sensei's Hope (0/1)]."

"Task: Please rank in the top 20 in your class on this semester's midterm test."

"Task reward: 1000 points, memory potion*1."

"Hasn't it been only a month!"

Kato Yusuke flipped through the calendar, somewhat speechless at this realization.

The entire academic year of a Japanese high school consists of three semesters.

They are:

First semester from April to July. Second semester from September to December. Third semester from January to March of the following year.

Summer vacation, winter vacation, and spring vacation are interspersed between these periods.

Each semester includes a mid-term and an end-of-term quiz.

And now Kato Yusuke is in the first semester. It's mid-April, and the midterm test is scheduled for May 31, the last day of the month.

The test will cover five subjects: Japanese, social studies, mathematics, science, and English.

The final exam adds four subjects to the previous five: music, art, health and physical education, and home economics, totaling nine subjects.

There are 40 students in the first-year E class, and Kato Yusuke's current ranking is—

40/40.

That is, the last place.

Just like other protagonists featured in shonen manga, such as Uzumaki Naruto, Kamijou Touma, and Shiba Tatsuya.

But Yusuke Kato doesn't see himself as part of this group. As he's mentioned before, he's just too busy to study.

With enough time, mastering the content in the books is not a challenge for him.

And the task?

"It's like handing out points... No, handing out money."

And it's still worth 100,000 yen, more than 80 hours of part-time work, not to mention a magical potion that's evidently powerful.

He wouldn't mind more tasks like this one.

Top 20 in the class?

He's aiming for the stars!

"Don't just talk big, breaking into the top three shouldn't be a problem..."

"Hey Kato—!"

The rebuke from the front of the classroom interrupted his daydream.

Three people in the classroom, including him, turned their attention to the podium. It's hard to ignore such a straightforward name.

Matsumoto-sensei at the podium glared at him with fiery eyes... Kato Yusuke?

Relieved, the other two exhaled softly.

"What have you been muttering about over there? Stand up and solve this problem for me!"

Matsumoto pointed at Kato Yusuke, then turned to write a problem on the blackboard.

[Under a system where n (n is an integer and ≥ 4):]

[2 to the 12th power = 1331 (where 2, 12, and 1331 are in base n).]

[Find the value of n. (Please express the value of n in decimal form)]

After writing, he tossed the chalk aside, clapped his hands, and fixed Kato Yusuke with a stern look.

"Come on, answer it."

Glancing at the problem and the <Mathematics I> textbook in his hand, Kato Yusuke paused.

"...Teacher, I don't think we've covered this yet."

"You should've prepared for this, since you dare to daydream in my class."

Matsumoto retorted angrily.

Damn!

This is clearly a setup.

Indeed, but what can be done when caught off-guard?

With a sigh, he shook his head and admitted, "I can't."

"Then just stand and pay attention to the lecture." Matsumoto snorted, adjusted his glasses, picked up the textbook, and continued, "Next, we'll discuss the definition of irrational numbers."

Laughter erupted around the classroom.

Kato Yusuke, struggling to control his expression, realized something.

"Before achieving success, one must maintain calm on the outside and excitement on the inside."

First, set a modest goal—make the top 20... no, 30.

—From "The Self-Cultivation of Kato Yusuke"

...

Jingle bell bell bell.

The school bell rang.

"That concludes today's class," Matsumoto announced and left the classroom, textbook in hand.

Kato Yusuke relaxed in his seat, flexing his stiff limbs.

"You really are something, Kato."

Takei, his classmate, approached with a grin: "To tune out during Matsumoto's class, I'm impressed. You truly deserve the throne!"

"Have you been watching too many ridiculous anime?"

Kato Yusuke responded dryly.

"I'd agree with that."

Yamaguchi chimed in.

"But Kato-"

He looked at Kato Yusuke, a wry smile on his face.

"You're on Matsumoto's radar now. With his personality, he'll probably call on you next time, okay?"

Takei fell silent.

As Kato Yusuke's classmates and friends, Takei Ichiro and Yamaguchi Takashi were somewhat aware of his home situation and his need to work part-time.

"It's fine, I was planning to study harder anyway."

Kato Yusuke reassured them.

"Even Matsumoto can't always ask questions outside the syllabus, so as long as I master the key points, I'll be fine."

"I see,"

Yamaguchi nodded. "In that case, wanna grab dinner together?"

Takei immediately agreed.

"Ah! Then it's ramen for me."

He raised his arms excitedly.

"Ramen again... You really should try something else; it's been a week."

Yamaguchi sighed, then turned to Kato Yusuke.

"What about you, Kato?"

Kato Yusuke shook his head, pulling out a wooden box wrapped in blue flannel from his bag.

"I brought a bento today."

"Rare! Did you make it yourself? What's inside?"

"Beef donburi...probably."

"Probably? So you didn't make it yourself...? Let's see?"

Curiosity tinged Yamaguchi's voice, and even Takei looked intrigued.

Reluctantly, Kato Yusuke unwrapped the flannel, revealing the black wooden box, then lifted the lid.

---------------

Support me here and get up to 25 chapters early patreon.com/MuddyTL