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Man is the only animal that makes bargains; no dog exchanges bones with another
Adam Smith
We owe it all to you, Kushida!
Yeah, you really saved our butts this time.
Oh, gosh... I didn't do anything.
Angel...
Kushida, you're our angel!
Ayanokoji.
Exactly what did you do?
{OP}
The butterfly glimmered as it flew
in a dust cloud that danced across the earth
It longed to be in the sky, however far off it might be
I glare at them, but the stars won't fall
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Beneath the fading ultramarine, equality sets a trap
A hook is cast into my room
The shade mixes with the sunlight
Entropy begins to rise
As if to ask me,
"How will you choose to live with so few restrictions on your freedom?"
Step by step, little by little,
We're going to seize the sunlight
Change isn't something to be feared—
let's achieve evolution
Change isn't something to be feared—
let's achieve evolution
We'll crawl back up as many times as needed
The sky will always be waiting for us
We're travelers walking across our room that we call Earth
{Part A}
Three Days
Before the Test
Sounds great to me! Bring it on!
What era did you step out of with that thug act?
So lame.
You are a pathetically ugly creature.
Say that again!
Kushida asked me to invite him to her study group, but...
Let me go!
I can't wait to see how much of your class will be expelled after the upcoming test.
I bet the first will be...
I hope you've said your prayers.
Both sides, stop right there!
The hell do you want?!
Stay out of this!
As a student of this school, I cannot allow violence to pass under my watch.
If you insist on fighting regardless,
I'm going to call security.
Ichinose, this isn't a fight.
We're the victims here.
Are you sure?
It looked to me like you goaded him into it, Ryuen.
If you keep this up, I'll have to report this to the school.
Hey, monkey.
You son of a...
I think you'll make a nice plaything.
Hey!
You running away?
Hey, you!
I told you to—
Sudo.
Listen up.
Don't let Ryuen bait you, okay?
You shut the hell up.
Sorry for the scare! It's okay now!
Ichinose, thanks!
No more causing trouble for others, okay?
That's all!
Damn it!
Sudo, do you have some time now?
Kushida's studying in the—
Pass.
I've got club.
Ike and Yamauchi are both in on it now.
Hey... Will you be all right on your own?
Scrambling at this point won't get me anywhere.
Sudo!
What's wrong with you?
Sorry!
Sudo.
Might I have a minute?
Are you planning to leave school for good?
Give it a rest.
You don't mind not playing basketball anymore?
I've summarized the main topics from class in this notebook.
I'm teaching you for my sake.
You should study for yours.
That way you can continue playing basketball at this school.
Two Days
Before the Test
Ayanokoji, I think this the first time you've ever invited me somewhere!
You must have a reason, right?
Can you promise you won't breathe a word of this to anyone?
Sure!
Let's go.
Excuse me. You're an upperclassman, right?
I'm Ayanokoji from Class 1-D.
You're in D, too, right?
Yeah...
The free stuff must taste pretty bad, huh?
What do you want?
I want to consult with you about something.
Of course, I'll make it worth your while.
Consult?
Do you have the questions from your first midterm two years ago?
I want you to give them to me.
Why are you coming to me about this?
Why else?
Those low in points would be more likely to make a trade.
And I saw you eating that foul-looking wild vegetable lunch set...
How much will you pay?
Ten thousand points. That's my upper limit.
There's risk in this for me, too.
I'd need 30,000 points, at the very least.
I'm afraid that's not possible.
No deal, then.
Wait a minute!
A friend of ours might be expelled.
Please!
Ten thousand.
Twenty-five thousand.
Ten thousand.
Twenty thousand.
The offer is 10,000.
Fifteen thousand.
I can't possibly go any lower.
Very well. It's a deal.
In exchange, please include your quizzes from the first term.
Okay.
Thank you so much!
But do you think it'll be okay?
Don't worry. It's within school rules.
I suppose so...
But using old test questions feels like cheating to me.
I disagree.
Seeing his reaction confirmed to me
that trading old questions between students is nothing unusual.
But they're still just old questions.
They might not have anything to do with this year's test.
It may not contain the exact same questions,
but I don't think they'll be entirely different.
Really?
No need to worry.
Think of it as insurance against the expulsion of Sudo and the others.
First Year World History Quiz
They're here. Let's look at the quiz first.
It's the same.
Right down to the letter.
Wow! What about the midterm, then?
It's likely to have the same questions.
Let's show it to everyone, not just Sudo and the others!
No, we won't show it to them yet.
Why not?
Say we reveal the questions the day before the test.
What will our classmates do then?
They'll work desperately to memorize the questions!
Precisely.
Ayanokoji, are you actually sharper than you let on?
I'm just cunning, that's all.
Hey, I'd like you to do me a favor.
Could you tell them you're the one who got them the questions?
Sure... but are you okay with that?
I don't want to stand out unnecessarily.
And I think our classmates trust you more.
Okay. If that's what you want.
Thanks a lot.
I guess this will be our little secret, then!
Final Day
Before the Test
Hang on, everyone.
There's something I want to give you before you go.
Test questions?
Did you make these?
Actually, they're questions from an earlier test.
A third-year student gave them to me last night.
Past questions?
Yeah.
He said pretty much the same questions have appeared on the test the last two years.
So I bet they'll be useful on our test tomorrow, too!
Are you kidding me?
Heck, I didn't have to run myself ragged studying all this time.
This is great!
Koenji, here.
I beg your pardon, but I need no such thing.
And I have a date to get to. Now, if you'll excuse me.
Kushida.
I know you might not need it, but...
May I ask you a question?
Kushida, thank you!
I shall live forever in your debt!
Test Results Announcement Day
Kushida is well suited to the role.
Not much of a compliment.
To be honest, I'm impressed.
I never thought you'd be able to get such high scores.
I acknowledge your efforts.
However...
Sudo
{=0}Sudo Ken
You got a failing score, Sudo.
Tokyo M
Tokyo Metr
Tokyo Metropoli
Tokyo Metropolitan
Tokyo Metropolitan Adv
Tokyo Metropolitan Advan
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced N
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurt
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing Hi
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High Sc
Tokyo Metropolitan Advanced Nurturing High School
At this school, any student who fails to meet the required score on a midterm or
final exam will be expelled. The threshold for expulsion is 50% of the average score
of the rest of the class in any given subject.
{Part B}
What? You're kidding!
How did I fail?
{=0}Sudo Ken
The threshold for failure on this midterm test was 40.
The average score on the midterm test was 79.6.
Divided by two...
Since we round that up, you needed a score of 40 or higher to pass.
Forty...
We only knew each other a short time, but I appreciate your efforts.
I'll issue your notice of expulsion after class.
I'm gonna be... expelled?
Wait a minute! Isn't there any way to save him?
A failing score means you're finished.
Isn't there anything we can do?
We can't let Sudo be expelled...
Rules are rules.
Give it up.
Homeroom is now over.
Sudo, I'll be waiting in the staff office after classes.
Hey, are we just going to accept this?
Sudo is going to be expelled.
Ayanokoji?
Sorry. Gotta hit the restroom.
What is it?
Class is going to start soon, you know.
May I ask you a question, ma'am?
A question?
In Japan, right now, do you think society is equal?
That's quite a question.
Is there any point in me answering that?
It's important.
Could you answer, please?
From where I stand, I'd say...
Society is certainly not equal.
Not a bit.
I agree. The word "equal" is a lie.
But we humans are thinking creatures.
What's your point?
That rules require at least the appearance of equal application.
Oh?
What's that for?
Sell me one point to add to Sudo's English test score.
You're an interesting one.
You want me to sell you test points?
You told us this on the first day:
To buy things, you'll use points stored in the school's official computer system.
At this school, you can buy anything using points.
Rules must be applied equally, even on this midterm test.
I see. Your idea is indeed plausible.
Then—
However, that doesn't mean you can afford it.
How much, then?
Let me see...
If you can give me 10,000 points right here and now, I'll sell it to you.
That's cruel, ma'am.
That's part of the rules, too.
I'll pay, too.
We don't know what penalty might be enacted on a class that loses students to expulsion.
I've determined there may be considerable merit in keeping him around.
Horikita...
I knew you people would be interesting.
Very well. I'll sell you Sudo's test point.
You can let him know his expulsion has been rescinded yourselves.
You're sure about this?
I agreed to sell it for 10,000 points. I don't have a choice.
In the history of this school, no Class D has ever advanced to a higher tier.
Do you still intend to struggle for it?
I don't know how he feels, but I will ascend to a higher class.
And how do defectives like you, abandoned by the school, expect to aim for the top?
If I may be so bold,
defective merchandise can often be fixed with the slightest of alterations.
That is my feeling on the matter.
I look forward to seeing it, then.
As your teacher, I'll watch over you warmly.
First-year class points list
Class C is gaining.
First-year class points list
Must be Ryuen at work again.
He's a dangerous man.
Isn't it boring?
Class A has 1,004 points.
By comparison, we have 87 points.
Honestly, aiming for Class A feels like a pipe dream.
I won't give up.
I will advance to Class A.
I see.
What?
Well, I owe you one.
Thanks for saving Sudo.
Didn't I tell you?
I did that for my own sake. Nothing more.
Is that really the only reason?
What are you saying?
You knew Sudo's English midterm score would be borderline,
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{=4}Mi{*\c&H636E7F&}d{*\c&H626E7F&}te{*\c&H626E80&}r{*\c&H626F80&}m {*\c&H616F81&}Te{*\c&H617082&}st {*\c&H607083&}R{*\c&H607183&}e{*\c&H607184&}su{*\c&H5F7184&}l{*\c&H5F7285&}ts
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{=2}Horikita Suzune
{=1}English
so you intentionally lowered your score, didn't you?
That's a very nice thing to do for someone you once pushed away.
I told you, I did it to get into Class A.
Yeah, okay. Whatever you say.
Hey.
I don't like your attitude, Ayanokoji.
To regret in suffering,
or to regret in despair...
Which would you prefer?
"I don't want either," would be my answer...
But what's with the compass—
Ow.
Cheers!
Hey, why the long face?
I have no objection to holding a celebration, and I am taking part...
But why is it in my room?
Man, that was close!
If Kushida hadn't gotten those old test questions,
Ike and Sudo would've been out by a mile!
Hey, you just barely passed, too.
I just haven't gotten serious yet.
Sudo, you still failed, even with the old test!
Hey, Ayanokoji!
Yes?
Shut up! I can't help that I dozed off!
How did you get them to rescind Sudo's expulsion?
Horikita had a talk with the school.
She said you can't expel someone without explanation just because they got a failing score.
W-Wait a—
You did that, Horikita?
I've never seen her so serious about anything.
It sure was incredible.
She threw out all these accusations, and not one teacher could fight her.
You're kidding! Horikita, that's amazing!
I guess we had the wrong idea about you!
How about that, Sudo?
Why would you do that for me?
I merely acted for my own benefit.
Wow, beauty and dedication!
Of course, I knew the whole time!
Thanks for helping me out.
I should be thanking you for letting us use your room.
No big deal.
Ayanokoji...
Yes?
Do you like girls like Horikita?
I always see you together.
All the girls in class are talking about it.
Horikita is my friend.
Actually, she's just my neighbor.
I see.
I'm going back to my room.
Okay.
Well, goodnight.
Night...
I thought the girls were on the upper floors...
Where's she going at this hour?
I don't even need to be hiding, really...
What a pain in the ass.
You think you're so great just because you're pretty...
I hate you!
I hate you, hate you, hate you!
Just die, Horikita!
I hate you. I hate you!
Stupid cow!
What?
Is someone there?
It's me.
Ayanokoji.
You forgot your cell pho—
Did you hear?
If I said I didn't, would you believe me?
If you tell anyone about this, you'll pay.
How, exactly?
I'll tell everyone you tried to rape me.
That would be a false accusation.
Oh, no. It's not a false accusation.
Your fingerprints are right there.
See? There's proof.
I'm serious.
I understand.
Let me go, please.
You hear me?
If you betray me, you'll pay.
Ayanokoji.
I want to ask you just one question.
Can you promise me, right now, that you won't tell anyone what you saw?
Yeah.
Very well.
I'll believe you.
Okay!
I guess we've got another secret, huh?
Hey, Kushida...
Tell me...
Which is the real you?
{ED}
{ED Start}
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Horikita Suzune Kushida Kikyo Sudo Ken Hirata Yohei Yamauchi Haruki Ike Kanji Karuizawa Kei Koenji Rokusuke Sotomura Hideo
Ichinose Honami Ryuen Kakeru Komiya Kyogo Ishizaki Daichi Katsuragi Kohei Sakayanagi Arisu
I've locked away the real me with a false smile
Hidden and closed away, visible to no one
I'll be fine alone
The world will continue to test you,
Ripping off your wings of freedom
Now, to your never ending daily life, to your battlefield,
There's no reason to hesitate
In our dreams that we could never give up on
The scenery that we seized together shined so brilliantly
Even if you abandon your solitude, you'll still be you
{Preview}
We should not be upset that others hide the truth from us, when we hide it so often from ourselves.
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La Rochefoucauld