Perfect Student

 It has been two weeks since then, and our first test for the quarter has arrived. I heard some complaints about it, but they resigned to the fact that the academy has always been challenging.

For me, however, it was alarming. My junior high school didn’t make us take the test two weeks into the new school year. If I weren’t studying diligently, I might have been struggling. But the fact that I was, and the academy was using fifty percent of my learning power was worrying.

It was worrying because there might be a time when I would lag, but looking around my mostly idle classmates, maybe I’ve been taking it too seriously.

No, that was a fact; I took this way seriously. This was noted by the fact that I have read through all of my textbooks and answered half of my workbooks and homework.

Who wouldn’t take advantage of answering homework in advance when they were provided in the book? These books had a high potential of being self-learned, but, as I thought, it was still better for someone to teach you.

Speaking of teachers, Teacher Jitan One has not taught a single word for the past two weeks. He mostly napped throughout the class, and if he wasn’t feeling sleepy, he would scroll his phone like an indolent person, complete with his feet resting atop his desk.

Maybe if he was a better role model, the class would improve.

But, I was determined to end this. It may have seemed like I did nothing to remedy the situation, but I was executing my plan to unite the class.

I tried my best to display my reliability and ingenuity. When they asked me for a favor, I would serve my best. When they asked me a question, I thoroughly explained it. When they asked me for help, I readily assisted, letting them finish their problems.

Gradually, various classmates came closer to me, and sometimes, a small conversation would start. Though, I felt like I wasn’t able to carry the conversation due to my lack of experience—no, the lack of focus on my surroundings when I was younger.

But, there were some disagreeable groups——the more intense groups. These people refused upon their pride to look for help. They wanted to do things on their own. Other than the mysterious Eriki and the diligent male student, Ren Kaneshiro, those people were the gaudy, narcissistic ‘gals,’ and the uncongenial, privileged girls, both of which had their respective groups.

Concisely, there were four ‘groups’ who were reserved about the idea of befriending anyone else in the class.

But, what can I do? I cannot just force them into uniting with the rest of the class lest I cause strife. I’d rather let them fain join forces later.

With that in mind, I had to be careful with my words, pleasing everybody with my neutral stance on things. If there was a widely-accepted opinion, I’d state it, but if it was vague, even if it was correct, I kept my mouth shut. And, I tried to set a time for everybody. It was exhausting.

However, there was a ‘fifth’ group, the Student Council President, whom I would not like further conflicts with. He routinely checked in our class, wasted our time in the assembly hall, insulted us with his speech, and assigned us demeaning chores. So far, so bad, and I wished not to associate myself with him. The feelings of hatred among my classmates were mutual. But, I don’t want to be beaten to blood again. So, I ignored him as much as I could and obeyed their rules.

Sloppily, the teacher distributed the tests to the front row.

“You know what to do.”

The students in front took the stapled test and passed the remaining behind them.

It seemed like even if they didn’t participate in class, they had to participate in the test. The credits were the only thing that mattered after all.

“Begin,” he said as he sat behind his desk.

I waited for everyone to bow their heads to the paper. I observed the teacher if he would supervise, and—

“Hey! Eyes and face on the paper!” he yelled at me.

—he did.

Forty minutes were provided to complete a test per subject. I finished the first test in ten and double-checked in five. Following what was ordered, I rested my head on the table.

I heard footsteps approach my table. I also sensed some glances in my direction. There were some gasps of surprise and mutters of jealousy. Someone cast a shadow over me, I looked up as Teacher Jitan called me.

“You done already?”

I sat up straight, “Yes, teacher.”

“You sure you’re finished?”

With a lower degree of confidence, I replied, “Yes.”

“Alright,” he swiped the papers under my arms, “I’ll check these then.” He scanned the first page for a few moments. Then, he turned to the next.

I was surprised that he didn’t return to his desk to cross-check with an answer key. He may have the answers memorized in his head——something shocking from a lazy teacher.

Every page, progressing from two to four, his eyes widened. His face expressed disbelief. Then, he stared at me. “Y—you…” Suddenly, he pulled me out of my chair and sat on it. He inspected my desk’s every inch and crevice. He then stood up and hastily flipped the chair and inspected.

But discovering nothing, he brought his heavy hands on my shoulders, “Be honest. Did you…?”

I only tilted my head in confusion.

“Alright, have a seat. Also, I’ll have these papers.”

Diligently obeying his order, I calmly took a seat and rested my head again. Teacher Jitan returned to his desk with my test.

The time for the next test has come. This time Teacher Jitan personally distributed the papers. While he was doing this, I noticed some of my classmates, particularly the ‘privileged’ girls, fussing about something.

I suspected something, so I called the teacher’s attention. “Teacher Jitan,” I pointed in the group’s direction, when I did so, they froze in place, staring wide-eyed at me. “Could you check there?”

“Check what?” he started to turn his head, but he quickly retracted. “I’m not falling for that!” He angrily pointed at me, “Put your finger down! Don’t play tricks on me!”

I was confused by his statements and slowly returned my finger. After that, he slammed the paper on my desk. I jolted, but I had no idea how to react. The only reaction I had was to stay calm and stare at the paper.

It felt like the slam hit me. And with the trauma of the beating a few days ago, my body froze helplessly. Blood rushed to my head, and my vision blurred. I tried clearing my head and focusing. I can’t blank out in the middle of the test.

Before I knew it, the teacher said, “Begin” in a slightly more enthusiastic voice.

The test’s subject was history——a fairly easy one for it was only about memorization, but somehow, I was a little more nervous than before. I felt someone boring a hole into my head causing my entire body to tremble——my hand was the most affected, so my penmanship worsened. I glanced up to confirm that it was the teacher’s vigilant gaze.

When I thought this treatment was unfair, I started thinking of making excuses, and distractions to stop him from observing only me. And when I started thinking that, I noticed the previous group making a fuss.

This only strengthened my suspicion, but I wanted evidence, so I positioned my head to make me seem focused on the test when I was spying on them.

And I confirmed my suspicion. I saw them passing around some kind of paper. I thought this was a great opportunity to catch them red-handed, so instantly, I stood up and pointed at them and shouted.

“They’re cheating!!”

“Huh!?” Teacher Jitan reacted.

I reiterated, “I saw them passing codigos just now!”

One of the accused gasped, “W—wha—!?”

“Stop lying!” shrieked another.

The rest followed suit in their countercharge.

I smirked, “The offenders have revealed themselves!”

When they realized what they had done, they meekly returned to their awkward composure.

“Ha!” the teacher sneered.

My hopes had gone fulfilled. He has figured it out.

“You think I’ll fall for that?” He went to my desk and took my papers. “You’re done. You won’t be taking any more tests for the day. You can leave, you cheating brat!”

And my hopes were dashed. “What—”

“Get out of here! I’ll have you expelled!” he yelled.

What… What… What?

What…What…What!?

What!!!

I stood up, but no words came out of my mouth. I was shaking in controlled rage, gritting my teeth, gazing in wrath. I furiously threw my books out of my desk compartment to the floor.

When the textbooks flew out, my words flew out too, “You worthless teacher! You accuse me of cheating!? Well, what have you done!? Would it be our fault if we cheated because of your carelessness!? I thought teaching didn’t matter to you that much, but you force us to take a test we’ll fail!? You are a ruthless, unworthy person of a teacher—no, you’re a failure!!”

My outburst echoed in an otherwise silent classroom. This time, I have lost face. I rebelled against the student president and now yelled at a teacher. My words may be right, but my actions weren’t. So, with having nothing else to say and expecting nothing else, I quickly retreated from the room.

Even if I was absolved from cheating, I would be expelled because of insulting the teacher.