3rd Person POV
"And that's the gist of it," said Chabashira sensei, finishing her explanation.
The students of Class C were in a daze, processing what they just heard.
Hirata Yousuke raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"So what you are saying sensei...is that all of us will rate each other without any definite categories?" asked Hirata, incredulously. The class had the same thought.
"You are right. You could rate the other person out of 10 based on their first impressions, looks, abilites, or anything that comes to mind. It's completely up to you."
It was almost the end of their first year. Next week is the event selection exam. So the students were mentally preparing themselves for it. It was already a tense enough situation, when suddenly, an absurd task is given upon them. To rate the students among themselves based on anything.
"This game will be conducted in all three years and there won't be penalties as well."
Some students heaved a sigh of relief when she said that.
"However, the students with the highest average rating will be given private points as a reward."
There were murmurs inside the classroom.
"So...what is the amount?" Ike hesitantly asked.
Chabashira paused a bit before replying.
"One million points."
"WHAT?!"
It wasn't Ike who screamed, but his soon to be unfortunate friend, Yamauchi Haruki.
"Is something wrong?" Chabashira glared at him.
"U-uh no...I mean...isn't it kinda unfair?"
Everybody knew what he meant. Because every class had at least one popular person, it was easily predictable who would get the highest rating.
"It is, but think about it this way."
Everyone paid attention to her next words.
"You can make sure to get enough votes for your class from the whole school. If the number of students who passes the threshold is more than once in a single class, what do you think would happen?"
"....we would get more private points?" Kushida asked.
"Exactly. So this game is basically about which class secures the most amount of private points while rating each other."
There was now a wave of excitement among the students.
"Heck yeah, this will be fun!" Sudou exclaimed.
"I know right?"
"Those one million points are coming to me!"
"Yeah right. Have you seen your face?"
The increasing noise gradually died down when Chabashira signalled to stop.
"Now, I'll be explaining the rating system."
2
After class, everyone got ready to head to their clubs or hangouts.
Kiyotaka was packing up his stuff when the Ayanokoji group approached him.
"This exam is pretty interesting, right?" Haruka posed the question.
"I wouldn't call it an exam," Keisei muttered.
"It's pretty unique I would say," Akito commented.
"Yeah. Rating others seems like fun!"
"It actually depends on the perspective," Keisei interjected.
"What do you mean Keisei-kun?" Airi curiously asked.
"I think he means it can be fun for some people and hell for others," Akito guessed.
"Ah...I see what you mean," Haruka nodded.
Each of the students were given a tablet, which contained a list of all the students. When the rating starts, students can approach each other and discuss about who to rate and who to not.
"There is definitely going to be trouble by giving this sort of freedom to the students," Keisei criticized.
"Yeah, it honestly doesn't make sense," agreed Akito.
"Aw c'mon guys. I think it's going to be fun. What do you say Kiyopon?"
"Yeah. It definitely is an interesting event," Kiyotaka expressed his honest opinion.
"Well, they said it would begin tomorrow morning. And only half of our classes will be held. That's a win already in my opinion," Akito smiled as he said that.
"I agree," nodded Kiyotaka.
"Yeah, you two always look so sleepy in the class," Keisei pointed out with a smirk.
"I-I think we should rate ourselves highly," Airi suggested.
"Of course! Let's all agree to give ourselves a ten, alright?" Haruka asked, as the rest of the group nodded.
"With that out of the way, let's hangout as a group today. It's really been a while," Haruka demanded.
Akito thought about his club, but decided not to spoil the mood. His seniors are pretty lenient anyways.
Kiyotaka didn't have anything to do as always, so all of them left the school together.
After their hangout, Kiyotaka entered his room. He put his bag on the chair and laid down in the comfort of his bed.
He glanced at his phone, but there wasn't any message from the leader of their class. She didn't give any concrete instructions in the class nor asked him for his opinion.
He would have personally advised to join forces with Ichinose's class. By giving the highest rating to the students of each class, both classes would be benefited with private points. But there was a rule restricting from doing such an action. It was all in all, an individual exam about who would gain the most favourable outcome.
One's own freedom of approach.
Kiyotaka liked that idea.
Thinking that tomorrow would be a long day, Kiyotaka went to bed early that night.
3
The next morning, Kiyotaka found his tab screen glowing.
He checked it to see that someone has already gave him a rating.
✅ Karuizawa Kei from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
He was a bit surprised, that she would give him a rating so early. It also makes sense since the exam has already started.
Kiyotaka also gave a full rating to Kei in return.
On the way to school, he got a few more messages on his tab.
✅ Horikita Suzune from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Hirata Yousuke from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Miyake Akito from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Yukimura Keisei from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Hasebe Haruka from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Sakura Airi from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
For a moment, he was stunned.
Even though they were more or less predictable, seeing so many high ratings at once was bound make someone feel good, even if it was Kiyotaka.
Kiyotaka quickly made sure to return those ratings exactly as they were, before he made his way to the classroom.
As he entered, he could feel the rush and excitement in the atmosphere of the class.
A game where they would be rated on anything from others and probably be rewarded as well?
It's enough to entice any teenager.
Kiyotaka took his seat silently, as always. He exchanged greetings with Akito and Horikita.
"Thanks for the rating," Kiyotaka said.
Horikita looked at him and softly nodded.
"It was only the truth, nothing else."
Times like this reminded Kiyotaka about how honest she was about her feelings, whether it was good or bad.
It was right then, Kiyotaka's tab notified him of another message. He curiously looked at it.
✅ Satou Maya from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
He quickly looked at Satou, who was smiling at him with a wave. Kiyotaka nodded in gratitude and gave her a similar rating in respond. He suddenly wondered, if it was all Horikita's plan for everyone in the class to give each other a full rating. He was contemplating whether to ask her or not.
However, the next few messages on his tab cleared his doubts.
✅ Ike Kanji from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 6/10
✅ Yamauchi Haruki from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 4/10
✅ Hondo Ryotarou from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 5/10
✅ Miyamoto Soshi from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 5/10
A hard reality check for our protagonist, as he once again realized that people are not equal.
He sighed, and started to give them the same rating.
Just as he finished, two more messages came to his tab.
✅ Kushida Kikyou from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Ichinose Honami from Year 1 Class B has given you a rating : 10/10
Kiyotaka quickly glanced around to see if anyone was watching. It would have turned pretty troublesome if one were to even accidentally see his tab.
For Kushida's case, she had been giving everyone in the school a full rating, since she was sure that 95% of them would return the same. The points were already in her account the moment this game was announced yesterday.
Knowing her mindset, Kiyotaka quickly rated her and Ichinose with a full number. He could see Kushida smiling at him in the corner of his eye. Kiyotaka mentally reminded himself not to get on her bad side.
"Hey! What the hell! Why are all of you rating me so low?!" Yamauchi's repulsive voice rang across the classroom as everyone looked at his direction.
"Duh. Cause you haven't gave anyone a high rating either," Sonoda pointed out as everyone agreed with him.
"H-huh? But...Kushida-chan-"
"Don't be an idiot Haruki. She has been giving everyone a full rating," Sudou reasoned.
After a flurry of arguments and insults, Yamauchi sat down disappointedly.
Kiyotaka shook his head as stared at his tab. In the meantime, Professor has rated him 10/10 and Sudou gave him a 9/10. He was confused as to why they would rate him so highly, but then decided to give both of them a 10 anyway. Mii-chan and Matsushita both gave him a 9/10. Again, he was confused about being rated high by the latter one.
Kiyotaka was already rated by almost half of his class before homeroom began. When Chabashira sensei entered, everyone quickly became silent and put away their tabs on Horikita's instructions, as to not hamper their class points.
4
After the third period, classes were officially over for the day, and students were free to carry on with their game. They could even decide to quit, and no one would stop them nor there will be any punishment. So, the over all mood around the school was peaceful and a bit playful as well.
Keisei and Akito already had quit for the day, as they wanted to study and go to club respectively. Haruka and Airi also wanted to hangout, so Kiyotaka was free for the day as well. He took his bag and was preparing himself to go out, when his tab glowed. He found himself with a new message.
✅ Kouenji Rokusuke from Year 1 Class C has given you a rating : 8/10
Kiyotaka almost pinched himself to see if he was dreaming or not. He looked around, but Kouenji wasn't in the classroom. He had heard from the others that only Kouenji hasn't rated anyone in the class, even though some people rated him. He wondered if it was only a rumour. Without thinking much, Kiyotaka gave him a 9/10, before heading out.
He went to the cafeteria since he was feeling hungry. When he got there, he noticed a very unusual scenery.
Hirata was sitting alone at a table.
Kiyotaka scratched his eyes, to make sure he was seeing it right. But yes, the Hirata Yousuke was indeed sitting alone. But he could also be waiting for someone, which crossed Kiyotaka's mind, but something told him that it wasn't the case.
He quickly got his food in a tray and approached Hirata curiously, after making sure no one was around him.
"Hey."
"H-huh? Oh... it's you Ayanokoji-kun," Hirata was surprised at first, but quickly composed himself.
"Is something wrong?"
"No. Well, it's nothing you need to concern about..."
Kiyotaka sat beside him.
"You can share if something's troubling you. Only if I am okay with you," Kiyotaka said, reassuringly. Hirata looked at him for a moment, before smiling and nodding his head.
"Alright. Well, you see..."
After hearing the situation, Kiyotaka was wondering if it was a good idea to come here.
The summary was basically: Some of the guys in their class forced Hirata to gather ratings for them. By guilt tripping Hirata saying that he will obviously have the highest rating and others wouldn't get a chance, they managed to push this troublesome task on Hirata alone.
'He can refu- no, who I am kidding. This is Hirata we are talking about.'
Kiyotaka thought, before deciding to give him a helping hand.
"Please Ayanokoji-kun. I know you are going to help me, but let me do this at least," Hirata requested with a firm determination in his eyes.
"I don't mind Hirata. I am basically free and barely help out with the class matters. So I feel like I should lend a hand."
Hirata was surprised hearing his statement.
"What do you mean barely? You-"
Realization hit him suddenly, as Hirata started to chuckle.
"...I see. I almost forgot the type of person you are," Hirata muttered before smiling.
"Alright. Let's do this Ayanokoji-kun."
Kiyotaka nodded, as both of them soon separated to fulfill the task.
In reality, Kiyotaka wanted to observe something, as well as kill some time.
-------------
The first group Kiyotaka approached was a bunch of third year girls. There were four of them, chatting and relaxing in the cafeteria. They looked like they were just about to leave.
"Excuse me."
Hearing his monotonic voice, the girls stopped talking and looked at him. Kiyotaka saw curiosity in their eyes. He quickly took out a picture of Hondo in his tab and showed it to them.
"You don't have to rate him. Could you please just tell me your honest impression and how much would he get out of 10?" Kiyotaka asked.
He decided on this approach earlier. Instead of persuading, asking for their opinion should be good enough. If their opinion is high, then he could try and persuade them.
"Hmmmm...." the first girl looked intently for a moment, before giving a reply.
"I guess a four, if I am being generous."
The second girl looked at the tab and instantly showed a '3' with her fingers. The third one took a few seconds and hesitantly gave a '2'. Finally, the last girl grabbed the tab and stared at it for a while, before her face morphed into disgust.
"What the hell?! You guys actually rated this mob?" she threw the question towards her friends, who all just shrugged in response.
"I guess, it's a no?" Kiyotaka asked, confused.
"Hell no!"
He nodded and silently took his tab, while giving Hondo a funeral in his mind.
"Wait!"
Before he could walk away, one of the girls called for him. Kiyotaka looked back and curiously titled his head.
"What's your name?"
"Ayanokouji Kiyotaka from first year Class C, senpais," he politely introduced.
The girls giggled, as they took out their tabs, quickly typing on it. Kiyotaka's tab vibrated showing four new messages.
✅ Izanami Yui from Year 3 Class B has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Watanabe Fumiko from Year 3 Class B has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Kanata Chiyo from Year 3 Class B has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Takahashi Sayoko from Year 3 Class B has given you a rating : 10/10
"See you around Kohai~"
"Bye bye~"
The group of girls walked away giggling and laughing, as our protagonist stood there like a wall.
'...what just happened?' he thought as he looked down on his tab.
For now, we can conclude that Kiyotaka had failed his first task....successfully.
------------
After exiting the cafeteria, Kiyotaka was looking to see if he can find anyone else.
In the meanwhile, he received more messages.
✅ Ishizaki Daichi from Year 1 Class D has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Yamada Albert from Year 1 Class D has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Shiina Hiyori from Year 1 Class D has given you a rating : 10/10
He more or less expected Hiyori's, but a full rating from the former two? He honestly had no idea.
While thinking about it, he saw Manabe Shiho of Class D walking towards him. Kiyotaka remembered seeing her friends in the cafe, so he figured she must be going there to meet them. He thought this was a good opportunity.
"Hello."
"H-huh?!" Manabe was surprised initially, but rolled her eyes in annoyance when she recognized him.
"What?"
"Could you give me your honest opinion on this guy?" Kiyotaka showed a picture of Miyamoto.
"Huh? Are you asking for-"
"No. I just want your opinion. Nothing else," he ensured.
Manabe gave him a suspicious look as she looked at the tab. After staring for a few seconds, she spoke.
"Ten."
"Huh?"
Kiyotaka was genuinely baffled for a moment.
"...times zero."
Saying so, Manabe huffed and quickly walked away.
Giving a second funeral in his mind, Kiyotaka looked for his next target.
Looking around aimlessly, he found himself face to face with a familiar person.
"Ara~ if it isn’t Ayanokoji-kun?"
Kiyotaka silently cursed his luck as Sakayanagi Arisu, leader of Class A smiled at him. Hashimoto and Kamuro were also with her.
"Oh, hello," Kiyotaka curtly replied and was about to walk away.
"Hey King, Since we met anyway, let's rate each other," Hashimoti suggested with a sly smirk.
"....king?" Kamuro muttered in confusion, but decided not to poke her nose.
Kiyotaka nodded, while silently cursing Hashimoto in his mind for that stupid nickname.
Hashimoto immediately brought out his tab. Arisu followed his actions and used hers as well.
"Aren’t you going to rate too, Masumi-san?" Arisu asked.
"Don't wanna."
"C'mon, don't be so stiff. It's just a silly game anyways. Why don't you take this chance to show your true feeli- Ouch!" Hashimoto screamed as Kamuro twisted his ear. She never got a good feeling whenever Hashimoto opened his mouth.
Watching their antics, Kiyotaka felt a vibration as he looked at his tab.
✅ Sakayanagi Arisu from Year 1 Class A has given you a rating : 10/10
✅ Hashimoto Masayoshi from Year 1 Class A has given you a rating : 9/10
✅ Kamuro Masumi from Year 1 Class A has given you a rating : 8/10
Kiyotaka reciprocated their ratings as well.
'Hm, since they are here...'
Kiyotaka opened the casket and brought out Miyamoto again.
He explained the situation to them before showing the tab.
"Hmm, seems pretty average, no maybe lower...." Hashimoto mumbled a bit before deciding.
"Four, I guess?" he said.
"I will be neutral and say five," Arisu followed.
The two of them looked at Kamuro, as if telling her to give a rating.
"Ugh, fine." She properly looked at the picture this time and told Kiyotaka.
"Two. Take it or leave."
"Damn, brutal..." Hashimoto whistled.
Kiyotaka slowly put back Miyamoto inside the casket and closed the lid. At least, it seemed a little better than ten times zero.
After parting with them, Kiyotaka continued on his little mission. This was starting to get a little fun.
He approached another female senpai this
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