To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection.
H. Poincare, "Science and Hypothesis"
I have been proud and grateful, for the past two years,
to have led the student body as your student council president.
Simple though it may be, this concludes my resignation speech.
Thank you all.
Before, she'd have been inconsolable.
Thank you for all your hard work, President Horikita.
We'll now hear a few words from the incoming student council president.
I am your newly instituted student council president,
Nagumo Miyabi of Class 2-A.
I'll get right to the point:
I wish to turn this school into a true meritocracy.
Students with ability will be at the very top,
and those without it at the very bottom.
This is how things should be.
Your performance in the sports festival was a genuine surprise.
Katsuragi.
Please tell Horikita to watch out for Ryuen.
Weren't you working with Ryuen in the past?
To my present chagrin.
I never should have gotten involved with him.
Ryuen is our mutual enemy.
Understood.
I'll let her know.
Please do.
Both sides have our share of worries, it seems.
Hey...
Listen...
Could I talk to you a minute?
I have to say something.
m 0 0 l 27.5 0 l 27.5 27.5 l 0 27.5
2nd Season
Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of
the Elite
m 10 0 l 75 0 l 75 10 l 0 10
This might be a weird question...
But are you...
Are you seeing anyone?
Um...
What do you mean by that?
What do you think I mean?!
I'm asking if you have a girlfriend!
So, do you?
No.
Oh... really?
We can keep it platonic and all...
I'd just like to trade numbers.
That's acceptable.
But why me?
The sports festival relay.
You just looked seriously impressive back there...
I never realized how handsome you are... and laid-back, and nice...
A-Anyway, that's all I wanted!
That's a lot of serious expressions...
I'll now reveal the results of the midterms.
Are you kidding me?
2nd Term Midterm Test
Chemistry Koenji Rokusuke 95 Horikita Suzune 93 Hirata Yosuke 93 Yukimura Teruhiko 90 Kushida Kikyo 85 Ijuin Wataru 80 Matsushita Chiaki 80 Wang Mei-Yu 80 Mori Nene 78 Miyake Akito 78 Hasebe Haruka 77 Hondo Ryotaro 73 Ayanokoji Kiyotaka 65 Miyamoto Soshi 65 Ike Kanji 63 Onodera Kayano 62 Sotomura Hideo 60
Horikita Suzune Yukimura Teruhiko Koenji Rokusuke Wang Mei-Yu Ijuin Wataru Kushida Kikyo Hirata Yosuke Miyamoto Soshi Matsushita Chiaki Hasebe Haruka Miyake Akito Hondo Ryotaro Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Mori Nene Shinohara Satsuki Onodera Kayano Karuizawa Kei
Close damn shave!
Hey! Ken's score!
Sakura Airi 55 Sato Maya 53 Sudo Ken 52 Onodera Kayano 50 Okitani Kyosuke 50 Inogashira Kokoro 50 Hondo Ryotaro 50 Ike Kanji 48 Sotomura Hideo 45 Yamauchi Haruki 43
Sudo Ken 52
Heck yeah!
It's hardly worth shouting over.
R-Right...
Like a loyal dog.
As you can see, no one will be expelled this time.
In my three years leading Class D,
I've never gone this long without a single drop-out before.
Well done.
Is that the first time she's said something nice about us?
Guess we deserve a little praise now and then!
Yeah!
Feels like damning with faint praise, though...
But the danger isn't past just yet.
You'll really have to prove yourselves in the next special exam,
which will serve as your finals.
It's known as Paper Shuffle.
Paper Shuffle?
This exam will have everyone in the class participating in teams of two.
Pairing up, you mean?
I wanna be with Kikyo-chan!
Pairing up...
You'll be with Hirata-kun, right, Karuizawa-san?
Wh-What?
But... do we even get to choose?
Hey! How exactly do the pairs get chosen?
Hold your horses.
The manner in which pairs are chosen will be announced after next week's mini test.
Another test?!
Its purpose will be to ascertain your current academic ability.
You'll receive no penalties for low scores, even for a zero.
Thank goodness!
However, the mini test's results will be crucial to the Paper Shuffle.
If, on the upcoming special exam,
the pair's total score falls below the bar of sixty points,
both students will be expelled.
For instance, if Ike and Hirata are paired up,
even if Ike scores zero, as long as Hirata scores sixty,
you're safe.
There's also a bar for total performance across all subjects.
I'll provide the precise numbers later,
but in a given year, it's around 700 points across a total of eight subjects.
Which suggests a rough average of 44 points per subject is required.
One more thing.
The questions for the upcoming test will be crafted by you yourselves.
Huh?!
And the questions crafted by each class
will be answered by one of the other three classes.
You'll also get to choose which class you hope gets your questions.
In the case of a duplicate request, a lottery will decide.
And whichever class scores higher between the two classes
will steal fifty class points from the other.
Like a direct attack, then.
What if they give you questions that can't possibly be answered?
I'd love to see them try!
No need to worry.
The other teachers and I
will scrutinize the questions to make sure that doesn't happen.
Obviously, cheating will result in instant failure,
and both members of the pair will be expelled.
The Paper Shuffle sees a pair or two expelled every year.
Keep that in mind.
Next exam: Paper Shuffle • Pairs determined by the mini test • Pair's combined score bar • Bar for total score as well • Questions crafted by the students • Generated questions solved by another class • Classes pitted directly against one another • Two or three pairs expelled each year • The system for determining the pairs is key
I'll send an email with detailed rules for how to craft your questions.
I leave the rest for you to consider.
What do you make of this upcoming exam?
I know how to win it.
Our teacher's explanation gave us the hints we need.
Oh?
Call Hirata-kun and the others.
We'll hold a strategy meeting.
Yes, ma'am.
(No Subject)
Got a question for you.
Sato-san asked you out, right?
(No Subject)
Sato-san asked you out, right?
You Have a New Message
(No Subject)
Who gave you that information?
Sato-san herself, of course!
A whole bunch of girls, including me, knew she was gonna ask you out today.
(No Subject)
Sato-san herself, of course! A whole bunch of girls, including me, knew she was gonna ask you out today.
Well, not like he'd know how things work in girl world.
(No Subject)
So you were watching me behind the gym?
He noticed me, huh?
Darn it! Sometimes he's so dense, and sometimes he's so sharp!
Karuizawa-san!
Horikita-san wanted to discuss the upcoming exam.
S-Sure! Got it.
The selected email has been deleted
I'd like to begin the strategy meeting promptly.
What, here?
Big no to that!
Why not a café or something?
Right, Yosuke... kun?
Very well.
Pallet, then.
Excuse me.
Do you think I could join in?
Or would you rather I not?
I'd love to have you!
You know so much about what's going on in the class.
Of course, Kushida-san.
I'd planned on talking to you sooner or later regardless.
Thanks!
Could the rest of you go on ahead?
We need to fetch my bag first.
We'll save you a seat!
Is it all right to let Kushida in on our planning?
It would look suspicious if I turned her down in that context.
And I'm sure there's a reason you sent them on ahead.
I don't care for airing a person's dirty laundry...
But I feel I should tell you...
about Kushida-san's past.
m 6 0 l 45 0 l 45 6 l 0 6
m 0 0 l 16.5 0 l 16.5 16.5 l 0 16.5
2nd Season
Classroom of the Elite
Classroom of
the Elite
Kushida-san and I...
We attended the same middle school.
The school was well attended, and we were never in the same class,
so it took me some time to remember her.
One day, as our middle school graduation drew near,
an incident occurred
that tore one of the classes apart.
And the rumor spread...
that the one who started it all
was a single female student.
And you believe it was Kushida?
It's all rumors, of course.
I don't know exactly what happened,
but the class remained in turmoil until graduation.
But how could a single person destroy an entire class?
I can think of a few ways.
Listen, Horikita...
Do you know what the strongest weapon in this world is?
I'm not sure.
Violence, I suppose.
Nobody can stop violence occurring in front of their eyes.
That's not Kushida's style.
If Kushida wields a power of equal potency to violence...
One way or another,
Kushida-san sees me as an obstacle.
Even though I have no idea what even happened...
I'm sure she doesn't believe that's true.
Direct action might be preferable over trying to convince her.
Get Kushida-san expelled, you mean?
A strong offense is frequently the most effective defense.
You're the one who admonished me for considering cutting Sudo-kun loose.
Kushida will continue to plague us until you're expelled.
Things have only gotten this bad, in part, because I've refused to confront her.
And Kushida-san is quite talented.
She could be a considerable asset to Class D.
You think you can bring her to our side?
Yes.
I'm going to keep talking to her.
And I will make her understand.
Very well.
If you're that determined, I'll watch from afar.
"Watch from afar"?
But I'll ask you to refrain from
protecting me the way you did at the sports festival.
You knew about that?
I had an idea.
I was annoyed that you took action on the assumption that I'd fail,
but I won't argue, given how things turned out.
Sorry about that.
However...
If not for you, right now, I'd...
Thank you.
An extremely roundabout expression of gratitude.
Seems to me there's been too much that's off in these recent exams.
Too much to be a coincidence.
The mastermind pulling Class D's strings...
And the spy helping them out...
I know it's one of you.
You can't be serious!
All right, you lot.
Do you know what the strongest power in this world is?
It's unrestrained violence.
I'll give you one last chance.
Come clean, and I'll let your betrayal slide.
Do exactly as I say, and I'll protect you.
But if you play dumb with me...
What's the matter?
Can't even look me in the eye,
Manabe?
You're the traitor, aren't you?
You think I didn't know the whole time?!
I... I'm sorry...
Don't sweat it. I forgive you.
Just tell me one thing...
Who's the mastermind behind it all?
I see.
Bullying can be a very amusing pastime.
How stupid can you get?
Just for that, you sold us out to their ringleader?
Go easy on them, Ibuki.
I've already said I forgive them.
And you claim Yukimura and Ayanokoji were the only witnesses?
In other words, the mastermind is one of those two?
Hang on a minute.
I've had a few interactions with Ayanokoji,
and he didn't seem like that kind of person to me!
Ayanokoji...
It seems almost too obvious to be plausible...
Maybe I'll use her.
Hey, over here!
Hey, took you long enough!
What've you been up to?
We'll start at once.
Total brush-off, huh?
Typical, I guess...
We're talking about Paper Shuffle, right?
No.
The matter of immediate concern is next week's mini test.
But that don't got squat to do with our grades!
Perhaps I'll see how Horikita does on her own.
If it doesn't influence our academic standing,
then there can be only one reason for it:
The mini test's results will determine the Paper Shuffle pairings.
Remember what our teacher said.
The Paper Shuffle sees a pair or two expelled every year.
Doesn't that number seem a bit low?
If all the poorest-performing students are grouped together,
Are you following this, Sudo?
you'd surely see a dozen or more failures.
Y-Yeah, you bet.
That's right!
Good point!
You think the pairs are designed to create balanced scores?
Yes.
I believe the highest- and lowest-ranking students will be paired together
so that all pairs have roughly the same average score.
I get it!
Which means our goal should be
to precisely pair up those with the highest and lowest academic performance.
We'll divide all members of Class D
into four blocks based on their current academic standing.
Those in the lowest block will leave their test sheets blank.
Oh, I get it!
Then they'll definitely get paired with the highest scorers!
Yes.
Similarly, those in the second-lowest block
will attempt to get only one question right.
I see. That'll reduce accidentally disadvantageous pairings.
Are you keeping up with this, Sudo?
I'm pretty damn clueless.
Just keeping quiet so I don't get in the way.
Hey, you finally get how it works?
Shaddap! Nobody asked you!
This concludes my proposal.
The remaining question is: which class should we request to receive our questions?
Classes A and B are full of students with high academic performance.
So it sounds like...
Yes. Class C is our best bet.
Call Incoming
I told you to limit our contact.
What's the big deal?
I just wanna know what you told Sato-san!
This again?
What does it matter to you what I told her?
It matters a ton!
You threatened me and made me do a bunch of stuff!
So... if Sato-san finds out about that,
it'll lead to some weird rumors about me.
Okay.
I see what you're getting at.
You're worried that if I grow close with Sato,
I'll neglect my promise to protect you.
Why is that your first thought?!
Am I wrong?
Not entirely, but...
I promise, you have nothing to worry about.
So you're going out with her?
I didn't say that.
You basically did!
I'm getting your true colors loud and clear here.
You think this is your big chance to do some dirty stuff with someone.
Why would you assume that?
It's a tremendous leap in logic.
You think?
You leaped right to making me do that weird stuff...
I beg your pardon.
If every interaction I have with a woman is suspect,
what does that mean for Horikita?
I know Horikita-san's not that kind of girl!
She didn't actually ask me out yet, anyway.
Huh?
She said she wanted to keep things platonic,
and requested an exchange of contact information.
Oh... Did she?
So there was nothing to agree to.
But I still bet you hope you get paired up with her, huh?
Certainly not.
Well, I'll let you off the hook for now!
How inexplicably condescending of you.
Not how I meant it!
Anyway, that's all I wanted to know.
See ya!
Wait a minute.
I want to check something.
What is it?
Manabe and the others haven't gone after you since then?
No... Not yet.
If anything does happen, tell me right away.
No matter what happens,
I swear I'll resolve it.
You'd better.
I mean... that was our agreement and all.
And make sure you delete the record—
...of this call, right? I know.
In Call
Perfect. See you later.
Call Ended
The next day, Horikita explained her plan to the class.
They seemed convinced by her explanation,
and agreed to play along.
A Swiss zoologist, Alfred Portmann, once said
that all humans are born premature.
A newborn human can't even walk on its own.
Horikita is the same way.
But that same underdeveloped nature
is an indication of the capacity for infinite potential.
Day of the Mini Test
An unprecedented sense of unity.
It's best when I don't have to get involved.
The Next Day
I will now announce the pairs for Paper Shuffle.
Announcement of Mini Test Results
Heck yeah!
Paper Shuffle Pairs Name | Test Result | Name | Test Result 1 | Horikita Suzune | 100 | Sudo Ken | 0 2 | Yukimura Teruhiko | 100 | Inogashira Kokoro | 0 3 | Koenji Rokusuke | 93 | Okitani Kyosuke | 0 4 | Hirata Yosuke | 90 | Yamauchi Haruki | 0 5 | Kushida Kikyo | 87 | Ike Kanji | 6 | Ijuin Wataru | 85 | Sotomura Hideo |
9 | Mori Nene | 75 | 10 | Matsushita Chiaki | 75 | Hondo Ryotaro | 1 11 | Ayanokoji Kiyotaka | 70 | Sato Maya | 1 12 | Onodera Kayano | 70 | Sakura Airi | 1
Incredible, in the worst possible way...