Another Like Me - Part I (CoTE x OC) ?

Chapter 38 - Exposed, Part 1

Everyone released their breaths that they had been subconsciously holding in. Looks like we had managed to scrape past the White Team this time.

"And for the individual class standings for the First Years — "

I squinted my eyes to look at the screen.

1st Place   — Class 1-B
2nd Place — Class 1-D
3rd Place  — Class 1-A
4th Place  — Class 1-C

(in the novels, class D came last. But since Takeyama gave it his all and actually secured 1st place in quite a few events, the ranking has changed)

The placements were satisfactory for Class 1-D. We were the only Class in our year to not enter into negative Points. Class 1-B had come in first place, and hence received 50 Points, but their loss as the White Team was a minus 100 Points, which was a net loss of 50 Points.

Class A had a net loss of 50 Points, while Class C would be hit the hardest, with a net loss of 200 Points.

I quickly did a mental calculation of the Class Rankings in my head —

Class 1-A ----->     minus 50 CP -----> 874 CP (led by Katsuragi/Sakayanagi)
Class 1-B ----->     minus 50 CP -----> 753 CP (led by Ichinose/Kanzaki)
Class 1-C ----->   minus 200 CP -----> 442 CP (led by Ryuuen)
Class 1-D ----->        minus 0 CP -----> 433 CP (led by Takeyama/Horikita)

We were abnormally close to Class 1-C now. A single digit difference — we were only 9 Class Points away from being promoted to Class C. This was exceptional growth on our part. Depending on the next Special Exam, it would not be impossible for us to even close the gap with Ichinose's Class and jump up to Class B.

"What are you grinning about? It's creepy," Horikita said, as she took a few steps back from me.

"You've always got to be there to ruin the moment," I said. "We're pretty close to getting promoted now. These last few special exams have ended in Class D's favor. Though we didn't get any points this time, the other classes lost Points. So I guess it's okay."

"We're only 9 Class Points away from Class C," Horikita said. She also must have calculated the new standings. "The next Special Exam could be a game-changer."

"It will be the game-changer. I'm sure of it."

The screen display burst to life once again, to announce the MVP of each year.

"The MVP of the First Years is....."

"I'm 100% sure it's Shibata," I said nonchalantly to Horikita.

"Sho Shibata, Class 1-B."

Horikita let out a sigh for the 100th time. "I don't understand. Why do you know everything?"

"Wasn't it kind of obvious? Sudo and I missed out on a few events because of stuff, and Shibata has been consistently getting 1st place or 2nd place. It's definitely got to be him," I gave a detailed analysis.

"Stuff that is obvious to you isn't obvious to the rest of us," said Horikita. "I hate to admit it, but you're someone who's definitely better than me."

"Haw~~? Horikita-chan herself telling me that I'm better? Now, now, I'm not ready for such flattery~~"

"I take back my words."

I slowly let a genuine smile creep up on my lips, and I turned back to face the Class. The Class was in an overall good mood, since Sudo had apologized and we had managed to come in 2nd place in the event.