In order to make the Make-Up Work Club fail, at least on the surface, Nagisa had to follow the rules even more strictly.
Moreover, from her narrow-minded perspective, even if the Make-Up Work Club's exam papers survived, it wouldn't affect the outcome of this test.
Looking for the Hot Spring Department was only a way to instill the idea that "everything is in vain," encouraging the students to give up early.
At this point, Nagisa's plan had failed. To prevent me from taking advantage of the situation and securing a fourth evaluation exam for the Make-Up Work Club, she had no choice but to tell me the locations of the specially reinforced surveillance devices within the building.
After placing the shell containing the girls' hard work, I glanced at the little time remaining and decided to leave the building first. This avoided further damage, excessive battery drain, or being trapped under collapsing debris.
Just as I stepped out, I heard an urgent call:
"Sensei! Get on the bike!"
Looking over, I saw Hifumi wearing a safety helmet, straddling the Make-Up Work Club's small motorbike.
Without a word, I leapt on, and Hifumi twisted the throttle, speeding out toward the street.
The wind hit me hard, and as I held Hifumi's slender waist, I realized an important fact:
A Kivotos student's body is far sturdier than a motorcycle.
Had I stayed in the ruins, Hifumi outside might have been unharmed, but the only remaining vehicle from the supply department would likely have been wrecked.
Kaede might have fainted on the spot if she had seen it.
In short, just seconds before the Hot Spring Department Club's bomb detonated, Hifumi and I escaped the blast and reunited with the other three Make-Up Work Club girls.
The girls gazed at the devastation of the abandoned street and fell silent.
By now, it was 4AM. After everything that had happened, I told the girls to return to the annex to rest, surrender calmly if questioned by the Prefect Team, and sleep. I rode the scooter to Gehenna Academy to hand it over personally to Juri, who had already woken up.
I also learned from Juri that Fuuka and the Gourmet Research Society had already been retrieved from the river by the Prefect Team, all were safe.
After finishing all this, I returned to the annex, checked that the Make-Up Work Club girls were asleep, and went to my own room.
When I woke, it was already noon.
No matter what setbacks or blows had occurred yesterday, the new day had arrived. The girls had accepted reality and gathered in the classroom, though the atmosphere remained heavy.
"Ahem." I cleared my throat, shook the folder in my hand, and said, "In any case, the results of the second evaluation exam have been sent by the Tea Party."
Hanako exclaimed: "Ah… they survived even after that explosion…?"
As she spoke, the pink-haired girl seemed to understand why, and gave me a deep look.
Hifumi drew a deep breath, her expression serious: "Sensei, please announce the results."
I nodded and took out the exam papers.
This time, Hanako showed her true ability and scored a perfect mark. But the other three, aside from Hanako, couldn't even reach the previous 60-point passing line, let alone the current 90-point threshold, due to the expanded scope of the exam.
Judging by the results alone, things had essentially returned to square one… maybe even worse.
With a week until the third evaluation exam, raising their academic ability in such a short time to pass this harder exam would be extremely difficult, especially while guarding against any underhanded tricks Nagisa might use.
As expected… we still had to—
"I've had enough!"
Suddenly, Koharu stood up from the silence, erupting: "I've had enough of this! I don't understand! It's so boring! It's such a pain! This is all your fault, Sensei!"
Why am I being blamed!?
"Really, Koharu-chan, saying such selfish things will trouble Sensei, you know?" Hanako said objectively. "Sensei is here only to help us… And anyway, whether you don't understand the material or fail the test, that's your own problem, not Sensei's…"
Honestly, for being selfish and causing trouble, Hanako wasn't really in a position to scold anyone else.
"Ugh…!" Koharu flushed red, defending herself: "I-I'm a member of the Justice Task Force! So I often can't attend lessons… That's why! Exactly because of that!"
Azusa pointed out the biggest flaw in this argument: "Other Justice Task Force members are in the same situation. But only you came here."
Koharu was momentarily speechless.
"I see now," Hanako said, nodding with realization. "So what you mean, Azusa-chan, is… just because Koharu-chan is a fool, right?"
Honest Azusa admitted: "Well, more or less. Some things just can't be helped. Life is often futile."
Hanako agreed: "Indeed, life is an ongoing pain… things like that happen."
Their back-and-forth made Koharu furious:
"Ahhh, really, that's so annoying!? Then all of you here are fools too! If I'm a fool, then you're all fools too, fools—!!"
Azusa hadn't studied, Hanako had intentionally scored low, and Hifumi had skipped…
Koharu's conclusion was a bit biased.
"Ah… haha… um, you see…"
Hifumi, who had said nothing before, scratched her face awkwardly.
"Isn't it true? We're here because we're fools, right!? You too! You too! You too!"
Pointing at the three companions in sequence, Koharu wasn't done, she turned to me:
"You too!!!"
"…You know I'm just the advisor, right?"
"Ahhh…" Hifumi tried to calm her. "K-Koharu-chan, take it easy…"
"How could I stay calm!? When everyone's about to get expelled together…!"
Koharu started sobbing, voice trembling: "If we get expelled… I won't be Justice Task Force member anymore… ugh…"
Azusa seemed touched as well: "Of course I don't want to be expelled either. Whatever it takes, even if it leaves painful memories, I'll get through this."
Hanako took a more relaxed view: "Well, being expelled doesn't mean everything ends. Just relax a little. Rather…"
"Th-Then!"
Hifumi suddenly shouted, stopping everyone's discussion. All eyes turned to her.
Under the gaze of the group, the Make-Up Work Club's president drew a deep breath.