Chapter 49: At Last, I Know the Angel's Name!

“The next question is how to swap out her test paper right under the angel’s nose. Yuriko, do you have any good ideas?” For once, Hinata, usually the fool, raised a crucial point.

Upon hearing Hinata’s question, Yuriko gave him an approving look, then pointed at his nose and said, “That’s why you need to seize the right moment during paper submission. Make a big scene and draw everyone’s attention to yourself—give Takebayashi the chance he needs!”

“I really don’t want to do that!” As soon as he understood his role, Hinata immediately regretted opening his mouth earlier. He grumbled silently to himself but did not dare to protest out loud, making one last feeble attempt: “But I have no idea what to do!”

“Tsk!” Yuriko looked at Hinata with disdain at his reluctance, but then her face broke into a mischievous smile. “Why do you think I called you all here? Whether it’s streaking across the classroom or flipping desks—whatever it takes, just draw everyone’s attention. If you can’t do it, don’t worry—I’ll help you~.”

She drew out the last sentence, word by word, her smile sending chills down everyone’s spine as they imagined the consequences of failure. Tearfully, they could only vow with utmost sincerity that they would definitely capture everyone’s attention, while inwardly lamenting their fate.

Only Takebayashi felt lucky this time—his only task was to secretly forge and swap the answer sheet, nothing more. Meanwhile, Oyama, who had just refused, was now green with regret.

As Yuriko and the others enthusiastically mapped out their operation, three pairs of eyes watched their noisy plotting. It was Yoruya, bored while waiting for the exam to start, with Shiro curled up on his shoulder and Shiina sitting primly beside him. Watching the commotion, Yoruya remarked, “Looks like they’re up to something interesting again. Maybe this exam won’t be so boring after all. By the way, Shiina, isn’t your seat up front? Why are you here next to me?”

“How superficial… Yuriko insisted on swapping numbers with me.” Naturally, Shiina wouldn’t admit she’d wanted to sit beside him herself, so she omitted her part and pushed all the blame onto Yuriko.

“What!?” Suddenly, a few shrill screams rang out in the classroom, the piercing noise distracting other students who were studying for the exam. All eyes turned toward Yuriko and her group in the corner, clearly the source of the outburst.

Earlier, when Takebayashi asked for the angel’s name, everyone had either answered “Angel” or “Student Council President.” No one could give a proper answer, not even a name. Who would know whose test paper it was? They’d just assume the angel’s test paper had gone missing.

The battle-front members scratched their heads in anxious frustration, dredging up all sorts of jumbled memories, but the more they tried to recall, the less they could remember the angel’s name. Finally, some gave up and looked to Yuriko in hope that she could remember. Under their expectant gazes, Yuriko reopened her eyes, which sparkled with sudden inspiration, a confident smile spreading across her face. Then, sticking out her tongue and tapping her head playfully, she said, “Hehe, I forgot~.” For a moment, chaos reigned, and an uproar spread through the entire classroom.

“Wait! Everyone, let’s not lose our heads. Unexpected things happen. For now, we need someone to go to the faculty office and check the roster. Takamatsu, you go!” After her little act, Yuriko regained her composure, realizing they’d overreacted, and proposed what seemed like a reasonable plan to Takamatsu.

Just as Takamatsu was about to agree to go to the faculty office, a long-haired girl with silvery-white hair, very familiar to them from many previous encounters, walked toward them. Otonashi and the others froze—had their plan been discovered? Was Angel here to cause trouble? Thoughts of what would happen if a fight broke out flashed through their minds.

“You’re disturbing the others.” Standing before them, Kanade Tachibana looked at them calmly, her cool voice a gentle reprimand.

Relieved to find that Angel was only there because they were too loud, Yuriko put on a smile she’d never managed before and apologized with surprising sincerity, “Sorry, I was nervous about the exam and shouted to let off steam. I’m really sorry for disturbing everyone. I promise it won’t happen again!”

It was the first time Yuriko had apologized instead of starting a fight or pulling a gun. Even Kanade, with her naturally aloof character, was taken aback, replying only with a reminder to be more careful next time before turning to leave.

“Wait! What’s your name?” As Angel turned away, Yuriko realized this might be their chance and called out.

Kanade turned back, tilting her head slightly, her face expressionless. “My surname is Tachibana.”

“And your given name?” Yuriko pressed on, her smile a bit forced—just knowing the surname wasn’t enough.

“My name is Kanade,” she answered honestly, as always.

“Ah, thank you!” At last, Yuriko had the angel’s name. She almost cheered, but managed to restrain herself with Kanade still right in front of her.

“Good luck, then.” The kind-hearted Kanade even offered them encouragement before leaving, leaving the battle-front members with odd expressions. Did she know what they were planning? They were about to sabotage her grades, yet she cheered them on. Could that really be all right? For some reason, a wave of guilt swept through them, as if they were unforgivable villains.

In any case, they had finally learned Kanade Tachibana’s full name. So much had happened unexpectedly that the members’ emotions were in turmoil—by now, utterly exhausted, as if they’d fought a battle. To them, thinking up schemes was even more draining than facing Kanade head-on.

Only when Kanade had returned to her seat did Yuriko turn back to the others, suddenly realizing, “She really is called that. I just forgot for a moment.”

Even Hinata and the others couldn’t resist the urge to retort, but just as they were about to speak, a teacher NPC entered the classroom with a folder, announcing, “All right, the exam is about to begin! Everyone, please return to your seats!”

Instantly, Hinata and the others exchanged glances with Yuriko, nodded, and returned to their seats, ready to put their plan into action.