Vol. 6 Ch. 3 Ep. 9: Exam Prep

How are you doin', Saori? How's life been treating you?!

Thanks for your concern. I've been doing well. Deputy Director Konoka...was it?

Aw, aw, drop all those stiff titles! Just call me Konoka!

You're a year older than me anyway, aren't you? Even if we're in the same grade.

Understood, Konoka.

However, I've been in a cell until now. Is there a reason I've been called to the interrogation room?

Nah, not really. I just wanted to see how you were doing. And you're kinda famous within Valkyrie, you know that?

...Is that so? I hardly think one should want to be famously known at Valkyrie.

...Still better than being famous all across Kivotos, right...

That's true. It's strange for me to be the one saying this, but...that sounds rather rough.

All right, all right. Feels like that cleared out the awkward air, so let's get to the point.

You girls...are the Arius Squad, right? I'm here to update you on an official notice for the Arius Squad that just released.

I presume that would be our sentencing.

Yeah, something like that.

Our sentence was already finalized in a formal trial... Have they discovered some additional crime? Regardless, I'm prepared to accept it.

You really are something, Saori. Most people react the exact opposite way, y'know.

I-Is that so? I suppose people consider Arius to be the opposite of "normal."

Yeah, yeah. The General Student Council's also relieved they finally nailed down the location of the Arius Satellite School. Ah, that part's not that important, though.

If it's about my school, it's all important to me. Like it or not, it's where I come from.

...Even though it's known for producing some of the worst terrorists, I won't try to deny that fact.

I'll never move forward unless I accept my own mistakes.

That's a nice way of putting it! And on that note...

...Do you regret it?

Regret...the terrorist attack?

What else would I mean?

Aha...

Huh? Why are you laughing?

Ah, my apologies. I wasn't trying to laugh at you, Konoka, or at Valkyrie...or even at Trinity.

It's just... this reminds me of a conversation I had with someone long ago.

You asked if I regretted it. The answer is simple.

I've regretted it every day since it happened.

An immature, stupid rookie, huh?

Yes. A rookie that's part of my past now.

But that past is undeniably a part of who I am.

...

All righty, then. Just as I thought.

What do you mean?

Oh, nothing important.

Still, there are some things I'm supposed to say. Tradition, procedure, all that.

Congratulations, Saori. And to the Arius Squad as well.

Pack your things. You're being released on parole.

What...?

I'm not sure I understand, Konoka. Is this...some kind of joke?

To be fair, I did figure your reaction would be something like that.

I'll explain, so try to keep up.

The crimes and sentences of Arius Squad still stand, but you've been given a suspended sentence.

A suspended...sentence? But terrorists don't get suspended sentences.

Yeah, I mean, that's true.

But honestly, the stuff you all did, blowing up buildings, setting off explosions, so on and so forth, they're pretty par for the course here.

...Which is why construction is one of Kivotos' top industries.

R-Right...

So when it comes to crime in Kivotos, what we care about most is intent to kill, malice, things like that.

Is that so? That's the first I've heard of that standard. But if that's the case, then all the more...

Yes, that attack definitely involved both of those. You admit to that much yourselves.

But, you know, from what I've seen, you've all really reflected on what you did.

H-Huh?

Plus, you even turned yourselves in, didn't you? Some of our problem children waltzing in and ASKING to be arrested... That was the first time I've seen that since I became Deputy Director!

Students who can reflect on their own mistakes and seek out punishment... Maybe Kivotos' future isn't as dull and hopeless as I thought!

Th-Thank you...

(It's not really my place to say this, but...isn't this very sloppy procedure?)

And above all, the ones who suffered at your hands the most were, in the end, Sensei and Trinity. But...

We got a mountain of petitions from them.

From Gehenna, even.

Oh, this one was kinda funny, so I'll pass it along.

Right, that happened.

Those kinds of injuries didn't faze me, but I was angry Sensei was caught in the crossfire.

But even on that note...

...Sensei personally asked me to forgive you, for their sake, if nothing else. So I suppose that's the only comment I have on that topic.

So all that's left is covering Makoto's hair styling expenses...

...

That's it. None of it is of any importance anymore.

Just like that...?

Seems like it.

Anyway, given how things have turned out, we don't really have a reason not to show some leniency.

Valkyrie is an academy primarily meant for guidance and rehabilitation.

And the maintenance costs for the Corrections Bureau aren't exactly cheap either...

Above all, Sensei said they'd take responsibility for you. So don't go disappointing them, okay?

Understood. I'll keep that firmly in mind.

Just to clarify, a suspended sentence doesn't mean you're innocent. If you cause trouble during your parole, we'll have no choice but to hit you with a harsher punishment.

Right. Understood. If we cause any trouble, you can shatter my halo.

H-Hey! You can't just drop that out of nowhere! Geez! You Arius kids are scary!

S-Sorry...

So... We're really...out on parole...?

Yes.

Given that, why don't you go get ready for your exams?

R-Right! Our exams!

Welcome!

...

H-Hi, everyone!

So, this classroom might not be the most up-to-date one out there...

...but let's put our all into studying and ace the mock exams together!

Wow... This classroom is amazing...

In a place like this, you could really get into studying...

...Wh-What?

Yeah. I understand your reactions.

Compared to the types of classrooms we come from, it's only natural.

R-Right. that's true...

Thank you, Hifumi. And everyone else.

I'm grateful to all of you for helping with their supplemental lessons.

Oh, think nothing of it. We're happy we can help you, and Sensei.

But... not mentioning our school, or club names, is harder than I thought... If I let my guard down even a little, I feel like I'll just blurt it out...

...

...

Oh, it's been a while, Azusa.

Yeah, long time no see, Maia.

I hope what I am about to say is acceptable to you.

Currently, I feel happy to see you.

Y-You sure haven't changed...

I'm glad... You look like you've been well...

...

Yeah...

Everyone can find a way to live happily.

You only need to make it happen.

So if there's anything I can help you with, I'd like you to tell me.

Then, could you take our exam for us?!

I can't do that.

Uwaaah...

And this is Koharu...right? The elite one...

H-Heh! You've got a good eye! That's right! I'm the great...

U-Um! Anyways! I'm considered one of the elite, so you can count on me!

Then how do you solve this problem?

H-Huh?

(Huh? I definitely know how to do this one...?)

(Why can't I remember right now? I even remember taking the notes!)

S-So, you see! This... This is...!

Y-Yes!

U-Ugh...

It's not on the test, so you don't need to worry about it!

Huh?! Really?!

You shouldn't think like that, Koharu. The point of studying isn't just to memorize things to do well on a test.

In that case, wouldn't it mean that you've been...studying for a "special test" yourself, haven't you?

KYAAAH?!

Wh-What are you talking about?! That's totally off! You're purposefully misunderstanding EVERYTHING!

Fufu. Are we, now?

More importantly, it's true that this type of problem isn't on the exam. However, you won't be able to understand the concepts without mastering it first.

So, how about we approach it like this? Look, here...

Urawa Hanako... She really is exceptional.

...So exceptional, she's impossible to predict.

I wonder if there's anything Hanako doesn't know...

I don't know everything, you know. I can only know what I know.

Uwaaah! Y-You heard that?! I'm sooo sorry! WAAAHHH!

Don't worry yourself over something like that. Tsuchinaga Hiyori, correct? May I call you Hiyori?

Huh? Y-Yes! Yesyesyesyes. I-It's an honor...

And this young lady... You're Hakari Atsuko, yes? My, my...

Yes, Hanako?

...Hm?

...

...

Heehee!

Fufu.

It seems I've met someone interesting. I'm sure I'll be counting on you for many different things from now on, Atsuko.

I have the same feeling. I'll be in your hands, Hanako.

My, oh my.

Heeheehee.

What's going on, Atsuko? Did you know Urawa Hanako beforehand as well?

Not at all, Sao-Sao. I just got a feeling. Like I'd met a kindred spirit.

And I do believe she felt the same way.

...What is going on right now?

Let's leave it for me to know.

I totally don't get it, but okay...

Then, back to studying, everyone! Let's leave it to the professional, shall we?

...By the way, what are these weird, fluffy things, Hifumi?

Ah! These are...

...prizes! Momo Friends for students who get good grades!

We're back to this...?

"Momo Friends"?

Yes! Not everyone loves them, but they have a really loyal fanbase! And it's been trending more and more lately!

"Not everyone loves them"... We've come so far...

Momo Friends are the best. I personally love Skullman. These rewards will motivate every single student here!

Why...would they do that?

O-Oh! Because in our supplemental classes, they were really effective.

...Really? Is there some kind of mysterious "angel phenomenon" at work here too?

Huh? N-No, nothing like that. They're just really cute, so people work extra-hard because they want to earn one...

Exactly. What more reason do you need?

...

(There must be something strange in the water here. Azusa's tastes have grown weird.)

Um, so, we honestly weren't really good at studying at first, either.

But studying is more about building systems. If you keep repeating and practicing them...

You'll definitely be able to raise your score!

And besides, even someone as average and unremarkable as me was able to pass the supplemental classes!

...

...

Um, Azusa...?

Yes, Maia?

Is Hifumi really...average?

...

From what I've observed, there are two kinds of average.

One is the average you claim for yourself, and the other is the average seen by others.

Which one is Hifumi?

...

No comment.

That answer says a lot, though...

Memorize! Memorize it, you stupid brain! Why can't you just learn?!

I think I just realized a huge truth about this "exam season" thing...

What's that?

That it's a time when everything BESIDES studying suddenly sounds really fun...

Ooh! My motivation to study is burning up!

Really?

Yeap. It burned so hot that it turned to ash.

Sensei, I think I've come down with something. Can I take a break?

An illness that makes it hurt when I study.

You're a monster...

Whoa! This problem is amazing!

"Amazing"? What could possibly be so amazing about it?

I'm serious! It's so good, I don't even want to solve it, so I don't ruin it!

What the...? I think all the studying made her lose it...