And So, I Step in Hell
The usual afternoon light spilled in through the window, casting long shadows across the clubroom. The faint hum of the distant schoolyard was the only sound filling the space. At least that was until Yuigahama broke the silence with a dramatic sigh.
"Man… I seriously thought I was gonna pass out back there," she groaned, flopping into her chair with a theatrical flair that felt out of place in the suffocating atmosphere left behind by the earlier meeting.
Yukinoshita, seated across from her, glanced up from the papers she'd been meticulously organizing. Her expression softened just slightly, a rare but fleeting moment of empathy.
"It was certainly… intense," Yukinoshita replied, carefully choosing her words. "But you seem fine now. I doubt you were in any real danger."
Yuigahama puffed her cheeks, clearly not buying it.
"That's easy for you to say, Yukinon! You looked totally calm the whole time. Meanwhile, I thought I was gonna melt right there."
Hah. I highly doubted Yukinoshita was as composed as she appeared. Beneath that cool exterior was the same tension we all felt that she just had the self-control to wear it like armor. But pointing that out seemed unnecessary. After all, even if I said it out loud, it's not like Yukinoshita would admit it.
Yukinoshita tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her eyes momentarily flicking to the side, perhaps sensing the skepticism hanging in the air.
"Appearances can be deceiving," she said quietly but didn't elaborate further.
Yuigahama leaned back, letting out another sigh, this one lighter, more thoughtful. Her gaze drifted to the ceiling, lost somewhere in the pattern of the tiles before she tilted her head slightly.
"Actually… I've been wondering," she began, her brow furrowing. "What even is this Advanced High School thing, anyway?"
Huh? Is she for real?
Yukinoshita's hand froze mid-motion, hovering above the paper stack. Slowly, her eyes lifted to meet Yuigahama's, the faintest hint of disbelief flickering across her usually controlled features.
"…You don't know what ANHS is, Yuigahama-san?" Yukinoshita's tone didn't change, but something about the way she said it made it feel like Yuigahama had just confessed to not knowing how to read.
Yuigahama blinked. "Uh… no? Should I?"
For a long second, Yukinoshita just stared at her, the silence stretching out uncomfortably. I almost felt bad for Yuigahama. Almost.
"It's one of the most renowned institutions in the country," Yukinoshita finally said, her voice carrying that faint edge of exasperation she usually reserved for dealing with me, "or at least it was supposed to be."
"Oh… well, I mean, I kinda heard of it, but, like… not really," Yuigahama admitted, laughing nervously as she scratched the back of her head. "I thought it was just some fancy prep school or something?"
I could almost see Yukinoshita's patience wearing thin, though, to her credit, she restrained herself. Barely.
"Advanced Nurturing High School was originally meant to be constructed in Tokyo," Yukinoshita explained, her tone shifting into something more formal like she was giving a lecture. "It was designed to serve as the next step in elevating national education standards. A flagship institution with its own regulatory system—The S-System—that was supposed to introduce new principles of academic rigor and discipline."
System S. Even though I'd never heard the exact details, I always thought it was more like a government experiment than an ordinary school.
"But that didn't happen," Yukinoshita continued, "because the funding required to build and maintain such a large-scale project far exceeded what the government could support at the time. In the end, the school was established, but on a smaller scale, which limited its capacity and turned it into what it is today—an elite institution with strict policies and high expectations."
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle before adding, "Though it's smaller, ANHS remains highly selective. For those who endure its conditions, the rewards are substantial. Graduates are practically guaranteed scholarships or direct paths into prestigious universities."
"…So, like… super fancy," Yuigahama summarized, blinking slowly as if processing all of it at once.
Yukinoshita's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she closed her eyes with a small sigh as if deciding it wasn't worth pressing further.
"Yes. Super fancy."
Yuigahama grinned sheepishly. "Heh… guess I should've paid more attention."
It wasn't that Yuigahama was ignorant, far from it, but sometimes her obliviousness had a way of slipping through the cracks. Though to be fair, ANHS did seem like one of those places that existed just far enough out of reach that people didn't need to know the finer details.
I watched the exchange unfold, arms crossed as I leaned back in my chair. Honestly, I shouldn't have been surprised. This was Yuigahama we were talking about. The same person who thought political philosophy was something you picked off a café menu.
"Yuigahama," I said flatly, breaking the awkward silence, "you've been in school for years. How have you managed to sidestep literally anything related to education?"
She sulked at me. "Hey, that's not fair! I know plenty of stuff."
"Hah. Only if you consider 'one of the country's top academic institutions' important," I replied, deadpan.
Yuigahama slumped further into her chair, defeated. "Ugh… I get it. I messed up, okay? Idiot Hikki."
Well, at least you're consistent. Can't fault you for that.
Yukinoshita's eyes flicked toward me briefly. I wasn't sure if she approved of my commentary or was letting it slide because Yuigahama had already embarrassed herself enough. Either way, I wasn't about to ask.
"…I was originally supposed to attend ANHS," Yukinoshita said quietly, her voice measured, yet holding a faint note of something distant. "But circumstances within my family prevented it."
Yuigahama straightened slightly, blinking in surprise. "Oh… I didn't know that. Is it, like… something personal?"
Yukinoshita didn't respond immediately. Instead, she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, her expression unreadable.
"It's not important," she said, cutting off any further questions with the finality of those words.
If Yukinoshita wasn't elaborating, then there was no way I was about to pry. I liked to think I'd learned at least that much about her by now.
Yuigahama, either miraculously sensing the shift or simply not wanting to pry, shifted the topic. Her lips curled into a slight pout as she leaned forward over the table.
"But do we really have to go along with what that scary guy said?" Yuigahama mumbled, her voice dropping slightly as if Horikita Manabu could somehow hear her from across the school grounds.
Yukinoshita's eyes flickered toward Yuigahama, and though her tone remained polite, there was a sharpness beneath it.
"Whether we accepted or not, we would have been involved sooner or later. This just expedites the inevitable."
Yuigahama groaned, clearly not thrilled by the answer.
"Haa… I guess that makes sense, but still…"
I let the conversation drift over me, but Yukinoshita's words lingered longer than they should have.
The scene shifted in my mind, taking me back to that Student Council Room. The faint ticking of the clock was the only sound breaking the silence as Yukinoshita asked the final question.
The Student Council Room was no longer crowded.
"Then if I may ask," Yukinoshita's firm voice cut through the room like the snap of a whip, "What exactly is your interest in us?"
Horikita Manabu remained unfazed, which honestly wasn't surprising. The guy had the emotional range of an ice sculpture.
"I've heard about the Service Club," he replied as if reading off a list. "It was brought to my attention by Hiratsuka-sensei. She spoke highly of its results in the past."
My eyes drifted toward Hiratsuka-sensei on instinct, and sure enough, there she was, standing off to the side with her arms crossed. Her gaze, however, suddenly found the floor to be far more interesting than the conversation happening right in front of her.
Oh, that's not suspicious at all.
For someone who could probably bulldoze through a classroom full of delinquents without breaking a sweat, she seemed weirdly uncomfortable.
Yeah, this was definitely one of those "didn't think this through" situations. Her gaze shifted, and for the briefest moment, our eyes met. Hiratsuka-sensei's subtle nervous glance practically screamed "Oops."
I glared at her.
Horikita Manabu, of course, wasn't finished.
"I want to see if you're truly capable of teaching others," he continued, his voice cutting through my silent exchange with Hiratsuka-sensei. "Your club philosophy seems very interesting."
His next words struck a chord, like a phrase pulled from a memory I couldn't quite shake.
"To teach a starving man how to fish."
My eyes widened. That phrase…
It wasn't new. In fact, it was so familiar it practically echoed in the room. Yukinoshita had said it so many times that it might as well have been printed on our nonexistent club flyers.
Yukinoshita didn't move, but I could tell she recognized it immediately. There was no hiding from it now.
I knew exactly what it meant, too.
Yukinoshita Yukino wouldn't refuse this. She couldn't.
"Since you've accepted," Horikita Manabu pressed on, glancing briefly at Yukinoshita because the decision had already been finalized, "I'd like you to begin by familiarizing yourselves with Class D."
Yukinoshita arched an eyebrow ever so slightly. "Class D?"
"Yes," he answered, without missing a beat. "It's where the disparity between students is most apparent. If you intend to make an impact, you'll find no better starting point."
I frowned. "So let me get this straight," I said, letting my words hang for a moment. "We have to participate in this Special Exam—which, by the way, can apparently result in the expulsion of these guys—and at the same time, we're supposed to fix whatever's going on in Class D?"
Horikita Manabu's gaze locked onto mine, "Not to fix it. My request for Service Club is to guide Class D onto the right path. I'm curious how you will handle it."
Yuigahama shifted beside me, tilting her head with that familiar expression she wore whenever things started sounding too complicated. "Wait, wait. Isn't that, like… a lot? I mean, we barely know anything about this Special Exam thing, and now we have to deal with another school's problems too?"
Good point. It was rare, but sometimes Yuigahama really hit the nail on the head.
Horikita Manabu's expression didn't budge. Not even a flicker of sympathy. The guy could probably outstare a statue.
"Managing multiple tasks is part of academics," he stated.
Now it was a multitasking lesson. I was starting to think that word might actually kill me one day.
"Right…" I lamented, "And here I thought high school was supposed to prepare us for university, not turn us into contestants on Takeshi's Castle."
Nothing says 'academic growth' like dodging metaphorical boulders and pit traps disguised as club assignments.
Yukinoshita shot me a brief glance, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.
"Hikigaya-kun, if it's too much for you, you can always stay behind," she said, her voice cool as ever. "I'm sure Yuigahama-san and I can handle it."
I knew that tone. It was the "I dare you to argue" tone.
"I didn't say I wouldn't do it," I replied. "I just want to know how exactly we're supposed to pull this off without spontaneously combusting from the workload."
Horikita Manabu adjusted his glasses, collected and composed as ever.
"That's for you to determine."
He placed a neatly bound stack of papers on the table in front of us.
"You shouldn't be receiving this so soon," he said, tapping the top page lightly. "But nothing in life is free. Since you've agreed to take my request, I see no reason to withhold it." He shifted his gaze toward his secretary. "Tachibana, bring the copies."
Without a word, Secretary Tachibana opened her briefcase and pulled out several envelopes, placing them carefully on the table.
"This is the preliminary outline for the first part of the Special Exam," Horikita continued. "It will be officially distributed via message after the weekend. However, I trust you'll find it useful to review in advance. I expect you not to abuse it."
Color me surprised.
"Very well," Yukinoshita stood up, picking up the stack without hesitation.
Without wasting another second, Yukinoshita turned toward the door. "We should begin reviewing this as soon as possible."
Yuigahama followed closely behind her but hesitated at the threshold. She glanced over her shoulder, her eyes landing squarely on me.
"Uh… Hikki?" she tilted her head, confusion written all over her face. "Aren't you coming?"
I waved a hand lazily, leaning back in my chair. "I'll catch up. Someone has to stay behind and bask in the afterglow of this inspirational meeting."
She stood a little awkwardly but finally left.
And just like that, I was alone. Well, not entirely. Horikita Manabu and Secretary Tachibana remained. The room was unnervingly quiet.
I asked the question gnawing at my mind.
Horikita Manabu's hands paused mid-motion as he stacked the remaining papers. He didn't look up immediately, but I caught the faintest flicker of something in his eyes. Recognition, maybe?
The Student Council President met my gaze and spoke, his answer causing my blood to run cold.
"That student left ANHS voluntarily a month after attending the school."
I blinked, shaking the memory from my mind as I refocused on the present.
Yuigahama was still frowning, clearly not thrilled by the situation.
"It's necessary," Yukinoshita replied smoothly, though the faintest flicker of something unreadable passed through her eyes.
Yuigahama's brows furrowed as she glanced in my direction. "Hikki, you've been quiet for a while. Usually, you'd be complaining by now."
"Just trying to process the sudden life-or-death assignment. You know, mentally preparing myself for the mountain of work we didn't sign up for."
"Woah, I regret saying that! You sound like your trash self again."
Pain.
Yukinoshita didn't say anything, but I caught the subtle way her eyes flicked toward me as if she'd noticed too.
I brushed it off. On the surface, everything was business as usual, my typical dry commentary.
I made sure of that.
ㅤ
ᛚᛟᚾᛖᛚᚤᚲᚤᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛋᛟᚢᛚ
ㅤ
I sat at the kitchen table, papers scattered around me like some kind of maze I had to navigate through. Every single one of them felt like a puzzle that didn't make sense. And the more I looked at them, the worse my headache got.
The door creaked open, and Komachi walked in, her usual cheerful self, though her eyes immediately landed on the mess in front of me.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her tone light but curious.
I didn't look up, "Just going through some paperwork," I muttered, not in the mood to elaborate. The less she knew, the better.
"Really?" She tilted her head slightly, stepping closer. "Doesn't look like any homework I've seen before."
I let out a sigh and glanced at her from the corner of my eye. "No, it's... something else. More demanding, I guess." I didn't know why I even said that. It wasn't like she'd understand what this was.
Komachi gave me a knowing look as if she could tell this wasn't some regular assignment. But instead of pressing further, she just smiled and shook her head. "Well, okay then. Looks like you've got your hands full, Onii-chan. Want to talk about it?"
I wanted to tell her it wasn't worth it, that she'd only get frustrated if I tried to explain. But I didn't say anything. "Not really. Your Onii-chan just needs to go through all of this stuff. Figure out how to survive it.."
Komachi took a step back, glancing at the papers for a moment before giving me a grin. "Sounds like you're in for a real treat if you talk in the third person. Please don't let me find my Onii-chan sleeping on that table tomorrow!"
"Yeah, sure... unless I lose my head before that," I muttered, watching her walk out.
The door clicked shut behind her, and I was left alone with this mess. I shifted the papers around again, but it felt like I was just rearranging confusion. Rules, regulations, and what felt like endless obligations. None of it was my usual work, and the more I read, the more frustrated I got.
"Why do I always end up in the middle of this nonsense?" I muttered to myself, running a hand through my hair. It was like no matter what I did, I kept getting dragged into situations I had no business being in.
I glanced at the clock. Barely an hour had passed.
I scanned the cursed object again.
The Pairs of Fate Special Exam.
SPECIAL EXAM STRUCTURE:
This Special Exam requires students from Advanced Nurturing High School to be partnered with students from Sobu High School. The goal of this exam is to foster cooperative relationships between students from different schools, testing their ability to communicate, strategize, and problem-solve as a team.
Students will have two days to interact, prepare, and familiarize themselves with their assigned partners before taking the first part of the Special Exam on Wednesday at 8:45 AM.
PAIRING AND SUBJECT BREAKDOWN:
The Special Exam is divided into three parts. Each subsequent part will be revealed progressively—several hours after the completion of the prior section. This means that after the first part concludes on Wednesday, details regarding the second part will be announced later that day, with the second part commencing the following day. The same applies to the final section.
Pairing information will be distributed to all participating students from Advanced Nurturing High School and Sobu High School on Monday at 8:00 AM.
Students not selected from Sobu High School will receive the entire week off from their regular classes while those selected are complied to focus on preparation and participation in the exam.
Students from Advanced Nurturing High School and Sobu High School will be randomly paired.
Together, each pair will complete written tests covering the following subjects:
Japanese.
English.
Social Sciences (Liberal Arts).
Mathematics.
Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology)
Pairs have the option to divide the workload. Each student may choose which test he wishes to take, while their partner may opt out of certain sections. However, this distribution will not be explicitly outlined. The division of responsibilities is left to the discretion of each pair.
REWARDS:
The results of each pair in the Special Exam will be summed up and then averaged across the five tests.
Once the average score for each pair is determined, these scores will be added to their respective class's overall score.
This collective performance will directly influence class rankings, with higher pair scores significantly boosting the class's standing. A stronger overall performance in the Special Exam will positively affect both individual evaluations and the future progression of the class as a whole.
For the first part of the Special Exam, Class Points will be awarded based on the overall ranking of each class:
1st Place: 150 Class Points.
2nd Place: 100 Class Points.
3rd Place: 50 Class Points.
4th Place: 0 Class Points.
These rewards reflect the importance of cooperation and high performance, ensuring that classes are motivated to strive for excellence and foster collaboration between paired students.
PENALTIES:
In each class, the pair with the lowest average score will face penalties. The Advanced Nurturing High School student in that pair will be expelled while Sobu High School students will face lowered grades.
In the event that no pair within a specific class has an average score below 51 points, the expulsion of the Advanced Nurturing High School student will be avoided.
If a pair with an average score below 51 points does exist and holds the lowest average score within the class, the situation will be subject to further action.
In such a case, a majority vote from the class members will allow for the expulsion of a different student from the class, thus preventing the expulsion of the student with the lowest average score. This vote shall serve as a mechanism by which the class can collectively mitigate the consequences associated with failing to meet the minimum required performance standards.
Any form of cheating, including but not limited to:
Impersonation of another student.
Copying answers.
Communicating during the exam through unauthorized means and receiving external assistance
Switching test papers or altering submitted answers
...will result in immediate disqualification of the pair.
The Advanced Nurturing High School student involved will be expelled from the school without exception.
The Sobu High School student will have their grades and conduct records severely downgraded.
In addition, 50 Class Points will be deducted from the class of the expelled Advanced Nurturing High School student.
In cases where more than one pair holds the lowest average test score of 0 points, or if multiple pairs share the same lowest score, all involved Advanced Nurturing High School students will face expulsion. The corresponding Sobu High School students will receive the same penalties for their grades and conduct records.
If any third party is found to have influenced, coerced, or facilitated cheating, they will be subject to the same penalties.
Failure to attend the exam without a valid reason will result in:
A score of 0 points for the absent student and pair.
If the absent student is from Sobu High School, then 10 Class Points deducted from their partner's respective class.
Expulsion of the absent Advanced Nurturing High School student.
Further details regarding scoring, penalties, rewards, and additional regulations will be disclosed at a later stage.
Hell.
ㅤ
ᛚᛟᚾᛖᛚᚤᚲᚤᚾᛁᚲᚨᛚᛋᛟᚢᛚ
ㅤ
Monday came faster than I expected.
I pedaled my way to school, the morning air crisp but not enough to fully shake off the weekend's exhaustion. The streets blurred past me in a monotonous rhythm, and before I knew it, I was locking up my bike and trudging toward the clubroom.
Sliding the door open, I stepped inside the familiar quiet space. Yukinoshita was already seated by the window, her fingers lightly tapping against the desk as if deep in thought. Yuigahama sat beside her, slouched over with her phone in hand, idly scrolling through something.
The second the door closed behind me, Yukinoshita's eyes flicked up.
"I assume you've received the message as well?" she asked, her tone as cold and sharp as ever.
I nodded.
Yuigahama straightened a little and nodded as well. "Yeah, I saw it this morning. I'm a little scared."
After greeting them, I dropped my bag by the chair and slumped into my seat. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and lazily powered it on.
A soft vibration and a familiar notification glowed on the screen.
[New Message – Advanced Nurturing High School Student Council]
Subject: Special Exam Assignment
I tapped the screen, half-listening to Yukinoshita and Yuigahama's ongoing conversation.
[You are participating in the Pairs of Fate Special Exam. Please review the exam guidelines carefully.]
I skimmed past it without much thought. I'd already gone over the entire thing days ago.
Just more rules, and more complications. Nothing new there.
But as my thumb scrolled down lazily, another message caught my eye—one I hadn't seen yet.
[Your assigned partner for this exam is]
I slowed down. My eyes lingered just below that line.
...
...
[Class D, Horikita Suzune.]