Classroom of the Elite

Part 4

"What do you think about this test, Miyachhi?"

We were currently inside the Keyaki mall. It was Sunday and the café was fairly packed. But we had managed to find some seats to ourselves.

We had decided to hang out all day. We had gone to watch a new movie that had recently premiered. It was an anime movie "Your Name" by, what his name again, ah, Makoto Shinkai. I didn't know much about anime and the sort but he was a fairly popular figure in the anime industry. And I felt he was really talented. I enjoyed watching the movie and the staircase scene at the last was quite amazing. After that, we just roamed around and did some window-shopping.

After a while of wandering aimlessly, we had decided to go to the café and have some drinks.

It was there where Haruka broached the topic of the special exam.

"What do I think, huh? I don't know myself but this one is a bit ridiculous I guess as the name suggests."

"Oh, oh, I feel the same!"

"Yeah. That leader stuff kind of went over my head."

Sipping his drink Keisei said nonchalantly.

"Yeah. It feels really confusing and tricky."

"What do you mean by that, Airi-chan?"

Haruka asked Airi after she said that.

"I mean, you know, the test seems easy like we have to just figure out the code and it's all done. Then there comes the thing with the leader. There's isn't much for the leader to do but just being the leader can give you 'Protection Point'. So, it makes me feel uneasy regarding the exam."

Airi voiced out her thoughts. She was getting better at these sorts of things. Seeing her grow like this made me a bit happy as well; like a father being happy to see his child grow.

"Yeah. I still feel like there's something more to it that we haven't figured out yet."

Akito said. Most of the students had the same thoughts.

"What do you think, Kiyopon?"

Haruka asked me. So, now it was my turn to express my opinions.

"Uh, I feel like this test is trying to toy with us."

"Toy with us?"

Airi slightly tilted her head as she didn't get what I was saying. No, she wasn't the only one. Others had the same expression. So, that means I have to elaborate on it.

"You know, there's this whole thing with the riddle. And there's also the thing with the leader. The leader would get a 'Protection Point'. But can you imagine giving someone a protection point without any downsides or risks?"

"Now you say it...."

Keisei and Akito had expressions that showed that they haven't even entertained that idea at all.

"What's wrong?"

Haruka was looking at me intently as if checking something.

"Ah, you know, when you said that just now it feels so matter-of-factly but actually you think things through. That was why you were able to deduce what you had said just now."

"Kiyopon......"

She continued, still staring at me.

"Are you still hiding your true abilities?"

I was surprised, to be honest. I hadn't expected her to say something like that.

I was about to speak in my defense but she beat me to the punch and continued.