Cote: Retelling

Chapter 10: The Fourth

Hirata POV:

On the morning of Thursday, May 27, I received an email from an unknown sender. I read it while brushing my teeth, and if it wasn't for the foam that dripped onto my toe a few minutes later, I might've just stood there, completely engrossed, for the whole morning.

Subject: Saving Class D

Sender: Anonymous                                Sent: [Thurs, May 27, 6:34 am]

Dear Yosuke Hirata

The situation for academically inept students has plummeted with the change in test material. Even from the outside looking in, it is obvious there isn't enough time. However, there may be a way to save them.

If the school prioritized only academics, the academically lacking would've never gotten admitted in the first place. However, not only are they now risking expulsion, but the covered material has been switched without notice a week before the tests. This is completely unfair towards the academically lacking that the school themselves have admitted, to the point of guaranteeing expulsion.

In other words, there may be a separate solution-one that guarantees their survival.

I believe I may have discovered such a solution.

I didn't know what to think—I realized how unfair the school was being, but my thoughts only lead to frustration at my powerlessness, hatred for the school for their nonsensical actions and endless worry that I would once again fail... I had been thinking of solutions myself, but nothing appeared feasible. Reading this, I couldn't help but get my hopes up as I went on.

To begin, the faculty are of no help. Our classmates, including you, have no doubt questioned them regarding this, all to no avail. The store owners no doubt follow a similar code of conduct.

The others in our year are also of no help—they are all in the same situation as us.

That just leaves our Upperclassmen.

By this point, I had all but forgotten to move and was completely focused on the thought process laid out in front of me.

No institution benefits from admitting their students only to immediately expel them.

Therefore, I believe the change in material is simply a test imposed by the school. However, the school can be cruel, but any institution must impose a certain degree of fairness. Everyone started out with 1,000 class points. The behavioural deductions were applied to all. Everyone had a chance for extra points in the special exam.

It is unfair for the material to change a week before the exam, especially in the 'defective' class. Therefore, a solution must exist. What can our upperclassmen provide us that can reverse this situation? Something that does not go against the school's rules and makes use of their status as upperclassmen? Old test questions.

I have already procured a copy of the surprise test and midterm test questions a third year senpai experienced in their first year. The surprise exam had the same five absurdly difficult questions, and the midterm questions cover the material sensei stated. It stands to reason these questions will be the same ones that we will receive.

I would like you to procure old questions from a second year senpai. That way, we can compare the questions I received with yours. This is to guarantee the validity of this solution.

As I have already completed a similar transaction, I do not believe this is against the rules. Additionally, I do not think studying using these problems to study will count as cheating: nothing regarding this was stated in the rules.