COTE: Popularity System

The school only gave the students half an hour, so the timing was quite tight.

After separating from Kushida Kikyo, Takada Hikaru returned to his dorm room and quickly packed his luggage.

"It looks like we're about to start the Special Exam. I'm really nervous." Watanabe Norihito, who lived in the same dorm, said.

He grabbed the hair on his forehead as if trying to ease his inner anxiety.

The cabin arrangement on the luxury cruise ship was basically a four-person dorm. Those assigned with Takada Hikaru were his usual friends, Watanabe Norihito and Hamaguchi Tetsuya. In addition, there was the class's second-in-command, Kanzaki Ryūji.

"Takada-san, do you have any thoughts on the upcoming Special Exam?" Kanzaki Ryūji's sharp gaze looked over.

Although the school hadn't announced it yet, the students of Class A all knew that a Special Exam was waiting for them.

Currently, the difference in class points between Class A and Class B is only 26 points. This slight difference could be reversed with just one Special Exam.

Not to mention Watanabe Norihito, even Kanzaki Ryūji felt nervous.

"If there are people in the class with camping experience, they should have an advantage."

After finishing packing, Takada Hikaru said this while continuing to tidy his luggage.

"Why do you think that?" Kanzaki Ryūji was somewhat puzzled.

"You just need to look at the school's external promotions. The school usually takes students to an island every year, and they stay for quite a while. Considering this, camping experience should be somewhat useful." Takada Hikaru said.

In order to increase its appeal, Advanced Nurturing High School, besides stating in its promotional material that students can choose their own careers and freely select the university they wish to attend, also demonstrates aspects far superior to other schools in the country.

For example, the small commercial district built next to the school, or for instance, taking students on a luxury cruise ship to an island for activities during long holidays.

The content of the activities naturally cannot be disclosed. But the actions of chartering a luxury cruise ship and an uninhabited island are definitely reported.

"You can learn about it from this perspective?" Kanzaki Ryūji was surprised.

Based on Takada Hikaru's explanation, he did recall seeing similar benefits in the school's enrollment promotion before entering. He just hadn't paid attention at the time, and he certainly hadn't realized that this thing was actually related to the Special Exam.

"Your observational skills are truly amazing." Kanzaki Ryūji praised.

"It's nothing remarkable." Takada Hikaru smiled.

If he hadn't read the original series, he probably wouldn't have connected the enrollment promotions with the Special Exam.

After finishing packing their luggage, everyone in the dorm came to the deck, preparing to welcome the first Special Exam.

The luxury cruise ship docked by the shore.

Under the guidance of the teachers, the first-year students of Advanced Nurturing High School High School arrived on the island.

"Class 1-A students, gather here!" Hoshinomiya Chie waved her hand high, a brilliant smile on her face.

Compared to being a teacher in her late twenties, she undoubtedly gave the impression of an unreliable older sister from next door.

As he went to gather, Watanabe Norihito said thankfully, "We're really lucky to have Hoshinomiya-sensei as our homeroom teacher. After seeing her, I felt a sense of relief."

Among the four first-year homeroom teachers, Hoshinomiya Chie was undoubtedly the most approachable. The homeroom teachers of the other classes all seemed a bit cold and unapproachable, especially Class 1-D's homeroom teacher, Chabashira Sae. Her mouth seemed to be laced with poison, almost every sentence could be sarcastic. It was simply terrifying.

The first-year classes quickly lined up.

Seeing this, Hoshinomiya Chie instructed her class, "I need to go give a speech on behalf of the faculty first. Everyone, please stay here quietly and don't make any noise."

After the class she was responsible for became Class 1-A, Hoshinomiya Chie's status among the first-year teachers also rose. The task of announcing matters related to the special exam to the first-year students fell upon her.

Ichinose Honami, who was at the forefront, said with a smile, "Hoshinomiya-sensei, please rest assured. We won't cause any trouble for you."

"If only students from other classes were as well-behaved as you."

Hoshinomiya Chie picked up the megaphone somewhat helplessly and walked to the front of all the classes.

"Cough, cough!"

After a few coughs, Hoshinomiya Chie spoke into the megaphone, "Hello everyone. I am your Hoshinomiya Chie, and currently, I am the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A."

"Normally, I stay in the infirmary and rarely teach classes, so some of you might not know me. I'll introduce myself here."

Hearing her speech, Ike Kanji of Class 1-D widened his eyes. "What a cute teacher."

"Much cuter than Chabashira-sensei."

Look at the teachers of other classes, then look at their own Chabashira. Both were beautiful teachers, but the other one was clearly much more likable.

"Although this might sound sudden, the school is being unreasonable and doesn't consider our feelings at all."

"So, the first special exam for the first-years will begin here."

Hoshinomiya Chie announced to everyone in a soft and sweet voice, "From now on, you will spend an unforgettable seven days on this island. Unless you withdraw from the exam, you can only return to the luxury cruise ship to enjoy yourselves after the exam ends."

"Next is…"

"Wait a minute!"

Just then, Ike Kanji's dissatisfied voice rang out from Class 1-D, so loud that everyone in the grade could hear it, "Didn't you say you were taking us to have fun? I've never heard anything about holding a special exam!"

Hearing his dissatisfied words, students from other classes showed expressions of disdain.

They already looked down on the students of Class 1-D's abilities, and now they felt even more that their strength was poor. They had been at this school for nearly a semester. Did they still not know that the selling point of this school was special exams?

The school spent so much money bringing students over, did they really think it was just for fun?

Hoshinomiya Chie knitted her brows. "I can understand your feelings. If I could, I'd also want to go back to the luxury cruise ship to enjoy a spa service right now."

"Exactly!"

"The school is being too unreasonable!"

"They're occupying our precious summer vacation time! I'm going to complain to the Ministry of Education!"

Seeing that Class 1-A's homeroom teacher was on their side, the students of Class 1-D were immediately led into a rhythm, beginning to loudly protest their dissatisfaction with the school.

Hoshinomiya Chie's lips gently pursed as she watched the chaotic Class 1-D students with satisfaction.

It wasn't until she felt the dissatisfaction rising from the two male teachers beside her that she picked up the megaphone again.

"Sae-chan, discipline your students. If this continues, no one in the entire grade will be able to hear the rules."

Hearing what her colleague said, Chabashira Sae's already cold face now held even more chill. "You… you rascal…"

Calling her Sae-chan in private was one thing. But calling her that in front of the entire grade, doesn't she have any dignity? Where would the teachers' authority go after this?

Chabashira Sae could clearly see that several students in her class immediately broke into smiles after hearing their homeroom teacher being called "Sae-chan."