03x01 - The Strongest Principle of Growth Lies in the Human Choice.

[bunniefuu]

GEORGE ELIOT

ADVANCED NURTURING HIGH SCHOOL

You want some snacks, Airi?

- You want some snacks, Airi? - Oh, what pretty scenery!

- Oh, what pretty scenery! - Oh, thanks, Haruka-san!

- Oh, thanks, Haruka-san! - We're going fairly deep into the mountains.

We're going fairly deep into the mountains.

I bet there's nothing there, like with the island island.

- I bet there's nothing there, like with the island island. - Want to play cards?

- Want to play cards? - Hey, they say the communal bath uses natural hot springs.

Hey, they say the communal bath uses natural hot springs.

- Hey, they say the communal bath uses natural hot springs. - Oh, sure, I've got some.

For real?

Is it mixed bathing?

Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves!

- Hey, let's not get ahead of ourselves! - Hey, someone up front's being really annoying.

- Hey, someone up front's being really annoying. - Keep your voice down, Sudo-kun.

- Keep your voice down, Sudo-kun. - Oh, I bet it's Ike-kun and those guys.

Oh, I bet it's Ike-kun and those guys.

Sorry, Suzune.

I'm nervous having the upperclassmen here, too.

- I'm nervous having the upperclassmen here, too. - Hah, Sudo got yelled at.

- I'm nervous having the upperclassmen here, too. - Stop it, Yamauchi-kun.

Yeah, since we don't interact with them most times.

- Yeah, since we don't interact with them most times. - Ah, what a pleasant nap that was.

Ah, what a pleasant nap that was.

Sounds like they're having fun up there!

Sorry to interrupt the fun,

but I need you to quiet down.

You, the students of Class D...

Excuse me. You're Class C now, aren't you?

Then for you, my newly advanced class,

I'll explain the coming special exam:

the "mixed training camp."

It's so cold!

Wow, check it out!

We're spending a whole week here?

Having to live and work with some other class...

Dunno if I can do it.

The purpose of this special exam is to use a training camp

to inspire, primarily, mental growth.

You'll be grouped with people you wouldn't normally interact with,

and live together there.

"Mixed training camp."

As the name suggests,

it's a special exam in which we're split along class year and gender lines,

then put into small groups of players from mixed classes,

and subsequently graded as those groups.

Whether or not we pass is determined

.) ZEN .) WRITTEN EXAM .) SPEECH .) MARATHON - by four tests conducted on the last day.

.) ZEN .) WRITTEN EXAM .) SPEECH .) MARATHON

High-scoring groups will receive class points and private points.

But that's not the important part.

Yeah.

What you really have to avoid

is falling under the borderline.

Groups that fall short of the borderline will see their leader

and one person named by said leader expelled.

You have to share responsibility and go down with them?!

You might be in trouble, Sudo.

You've got such a bad attitude.

Huh?!

I've been making a real effort lately, all right?

I won't let anyone from our class be expelled.

If you ever find yourself struggling, feel free to talk to me.

But how are we supposed to talk to you?

Boys and girls are separated, except for at dinner.

They'll be confiscating these, too.

Yeah, so I think we should have a central consultant for the girls, as well.

Would you be willing to take that role, Horikita-san?

Very well.

But while I hesitate to admit to it,

I'm not sure I have an appropriate personality for assisting others.

You really shouldn't admit to that, yeah.

So, Kushida-san...

I'd like you to serve as sub-leader.

I-I'm not sure how helpful I could be...

Oh, you'll be helpful.

Everyone in the class trusts you, after all.

Um...

Sure! If I'm the one you want, I'll do my best to help.

There's seriously nothing here.

- And they're taking our phones. - This is nuts.

And they're taking our phones.

I wanna go home!

Keep it going! Keep it going!

Seems like Class A is already arranging something.

Class C, I'm taking your phones.

SENDER: A CANCEL / ACCEPT - I want all of you to hand them over and sign the check sheet.

I want all of you to hand them over and sign the check sheet.

For this exam,

it won't be possible for me to protect everyone in the class

- by myself. - I guess that's when the battle starts, huh?

I guess that's when the battle starts, huh?

- Third-year bus coming in. - I'm nervous being separated from everyone.

- Third-year bus coming in. - I'm nervous being separated from everyone. - I'll have to narrow down who I protect.

- I'm nervous being separated from everyone. - I'll have to narrow down who I protect.

- I'm nervous being separated from everyone. - I'll have to narrow down who I protect. - Students in the parking space, please move!

- I'll have to narrow down who I protect. - Students in the parking space, please move! - Don't worry. I'm sure it'll work out.

We'll do just what you told us, Nagumo-kun.

Thanks, I'm counting on you.

You work hard, too, Nagumo-kun!

We're going to take our luggage into the building.

There, you'll divide along gender lines and break up into groups.

We'll leave the group division up to you.

The school will not get involved.

The group must talk among themselves and choose a leader.

- The group must talk among themselves and choose a leader. - So they're leaving the whole thing to us.

The group must talk among themselves and choose a leader.

- The group must talk among themselves and choose a leader. - I'd rather not be in a group with him.

I'd rather not be in a group with him.

- I'd rather not be in a group with him. - If you're unable to choose a leader, you'll be automatically disqualified,

If you're unable to choose a leader, you'll be automatically disqualified,

meaning you will be expelled.

- meaning you will be expelled. - Ryuen Kakeru.

meaning you will be expelled.

Since that time he lost to me,

the tyrant of the former Class C voluntarily relinquished his throne.

Since then, he's been a pariah to Class D... rather, our entire grade.

Ryuen-san...

We'll start with the first-years. Get that luggage moving.

We gotta climb a mountain carrying all that stuff?

Hey, girls, you'd better help.

Horikita-senpai.

Once the groups are decided, would you like to have a competition?

Don't be ridiculous.

What's the point of a second-year competing with a third-year?

All I want is a battle between the current and former student council presidents.

Before you go on and graduate, I want to find out if I've surpassed you.

What's the nature of the competition?

Horikita-kun?!

Whose group gets the higher average score.

Simple, isn't it?

I see.

I'd be happy to take your wager, then.

But don't get the other students mixed up in it.

An honorable duel, eh?

Sounds good to me.

There'll be no punishment for losing.

We're fighting for pride, nothing more.

My brother accepted his challenge?

The current student council president, Nagumo Miyabi.

He appears rather confident.

Hey, are you kidding me?

It's a pretty small room.

So we're staying in here with nine others?

Well, let's all get along.

I'm taking the end, then.

Hey, wait!

Hey! You can't just call it!

Yeah, we need to talk this over.

Huh? What was that, Yukimura?

Don't order me around just 'cause you got picked for group lea—

I guess that whole thing cowed him somewhat.

I'll gladly take the center, then!

Hey!

He just said we had to talk it out, Koenji!

This is my best position.

The rest of you should choose wherever you like, as well.

What happened to talking it over?

I guess we've got choppy seas ahead.

Something you want to say, Yahiko?

I shouldn't even need to say it, Hashimoto.

We might both be in Class A, but I still don't trust you.

I'm sure.

- I'm sure. - Hey, don't hog all the futons!

- Hey, don't hog all the futons! - But we're currently allies in the same group.

- But we're currently allies in the same group. - The answer is no!

We'll see about that.

- We'll see about that. - At least lay them parallel to the walls.

At least lay them parallel to the walls.

- We're a band of ruffians, unlike the other groups. - That's another no.

- We're a band of ruffians, unlike the other groups. - Don't make trouble for the other classes.

Don't make trouble for the other classes.

I don't wish to have trouble made for me, either.

- I don't wish to have trouble made for me, either. - There's no room to form bonds.

I don't usually see you so tired, Ichinose.

Oh, Ayanokoji-kun.

Hey there.

Sorry. Divvying up the groups was pretty rough.

Girls aren't shy about saying who they don't like, you know?

Don't take on too much.

Hey, it's okay.

My endurance is the one thing I've got going for me.

Speaking of...

Having the boys and girls only get together in the cafeteria...

You can really feel the school's hand at work, huh?

Their hand?

Yeah.

It feels like a field prepared especially for sharing information

and giving directions.

I suppose it does.

Honami-chan!

I could use your advice!

Sure! What is it?

The most powerful students here are those with the best communication skills,

and who others trust the most.

Hey, hey, Kushida-san!

Want to eat with us?

Sorry. I'm talking shop about our class with Horikita-san.

Oh, really?

Another time, then!

So, did you force me into your group to keep an eye on me?

Or because you want me to acknowledge you as an ally?

Yes, I won't deny that being part of my motive.

I don't suppose you'll accept that it's completely futile, then?

I want you to trust me.

That's very honest of you.

Sorry, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I'm never going to tell other people about your past.

I'd have nothing to gain.

Yeah, you might be right.

If I were to get desperate and destroy the class like I did back in middle school,

it'd make it really hard for you to reach Class A.

Then—

Still...

The current situation is very stifling for me.

If someone put a Kn*fe to your throat and said,

"I won't hurt you, so help me out," would you really want to play along?

You're smart.

That's why I think you could be a real asset to the class.

The others would be more grateful—

- The others would be more grateful— - Do you not get how much it ticks me off when you talk down to me like this?

Do you not get how much it ticks me off when you talk down to me like this?

I'll be a good girl for a while, at least.

But until one of us leaves this school, Horikita-san,

we're never going to see eye to eye about this.

I'm powerless, aren't I?

How can I be more like my brother?

The hell?

That's so grating...

They're waking us up this early, huh?

Hey, Koenji's missing.

Where'd he get off to?

If we're missing anyone at morning roll call,

it'll mean a point deduction!

Hey, all! Morning!

Is there anything more refreshing than early morning training?

Training?

You'd better not go running off on your own again.

I'm pretty sick of your high-and-mighty act.

Rather than chastising me, shouldn't you be heading for roll call?

You anachronistic idea of a delinquent.

You want a fight, you got it!

Save your fighting for later!

Shut up! He's the one who's gonna make us late!

You're such a simpleton.

This is why you got demoted to Class D.

What was that?!

Why don't we calm down a bit?

If anything's broken in the fight, we'll be held responsible.

And if anyone gets a black eye, we'll have to account for it.

Right?

Now, the one with the glasses. What was your name?

Yukimura.

Yeah, Yukimura-kun's right. We're low on time.

Let's eat our breakfast, and if you're still unhappy, you can do what you like then.

What do you think?

You've got a stay of execution, Koenji.

Oh, thank heavens!

I'm a pacifist, you know.

C'mon, let's get to roll call.

No wonder he's considered Sakayanagi's right hand.

His leadership is outstanding.

We start with a major cleaning of the facility.

Not just the interior, but the grounds, as well.

Then meditation in the name of spiritual cultivation.

It's only for a short time, but our posture and etiquette are tightly monitored.

Unfamiliar group activities.

Unfamiliar special classes.

It's only natural that it would exhaust some students.

I'm so tired!

Wang Mei-yu-san?

Y-Yes, er...

Shiina-san?

Being nervous is just going to make you more tired.

You're already surrounded with people you rarely interact with.

W-Well, I wouldn't say that...

Even if they've told us to just get along now,

it's bound to be a little disorienting.

Yeah, Shiina-san's right!

If you try to climb a wall before you're ready, you'll just fall off it.

What a funny phrase.

So let's work little by little to match up our paces, okay?

R-Right!

Thanks, Ichinose-san!

Hey, no need to be that formal!

How about if you call me Mii-chan, then?

That's what everyone else calls me.

Sure. Let's get along, Mii-chan.

Let's get along.

Boy, I'm hungry!

- Boy, I'm hungry! - I know. And we finally get to see the girls.

- I know. And we finally get to see the girls. - Seriously, I'm starving!

Hey, sorry.

You okay?

Yes.

No need to worry.

Um, so...

I'm gonna go.

Yes, don't concern yourself with me.

Man, Sakayanagi-chan's pretty cute, but she's also a total klutz.

You're the one who tripped her, man.

Are you all right?

There's no need to worry.

It'll talk to Yamauchi about it later.

Well, I know he didn't do it intentionally.

He just tripped me the one time.

Oh, and although I told you I'd crush you,

that will have to wait until later.

I've decided to crush Class B first.

Class B is a class with strong bonds.

I believe that's the result of the powerful trust

Ichinose Honami-san has earned from her classmates.

I also know the reason she holds a large number of private points

is likely because the class is treating her as a bank vault of sorts.

But should they really be leaving their points with her?

POINT TRANSFER IN PROGRESS: ICHINOSE HONAMI - But should they really be leaving their points with her?

But should they really be leaving their points with her?

I don't really think Ichinose's going to use those points.

Yes, I'm sure she wouldn't.

But every person

has a light side

and a dark side.

I'm looking forward to the time when we can fight directly.

What the heck was that?

You just dropped this note in front of me?

What if someone else had picked it up?

You wouldn't mess up like that, I'm sure.

Well, yeah, I sure wouldn't.

So, what is it?

You want more of my help now, huh?

Something like that.

I'm about to give you some names of people I want you to watch.

It might be tough, but I'll try.

Still, this upcoming exam...

It might get rocky.

In previous special exams, I always found and exploited some loophole in the rules.

On the island, I took Horikita out of the game and took over her role as leader.

On the cruise ship, I pulled some sleight-of-hand with the phones.

At the sports festival, I intentionally stood out to get attention.

In the Paper Shuffle, I arranged things to cancel out Kushida.

But this time...

I'm surprised to see you reaching out to me.

Do you know why I asked to speak to you?

The Nagumo issue?

Yes.

He already has the second-years in the palm of his hand.

What do you want me to do about it?

I believe you owe me a favor.

I want you to pay it back by taking out Nagumo.

You can get Suzune into the student council

and continue directing her behind the scenes.

That's a rather outrageous ask.

Obviously, I don't expect you to do everything I want just because

you owe me a favor.

I don't have much information on the upperclassmen.

Let me introduce you to an informant.

The student council vice president,

Kiriyama Ikuto of Class -B.

On the surface, he serves Nagumo, but he's actually collaborating with me.

Let me make one thing clear, Ayanokoji.

I have serious doubts about your abilities.

But I'll do what Horikita-senpai tells me to.

I'm sorry for all the trouble, Kiriyama.

No, I will protect the traditions you passed on to me.

Nagumo's trying to use his power to overturn the foundations of this school.

I expect an unprecedented number of expulsions next year.

I see.

By the way, what about your competition with Nagumo?

It should work itself out without incident.

How likely is it that Nagumo will keep his promise not to involve third parties?

Nagumo is entirely unprincipled in his methods.

But he's never broken a promise before.

Horikita Manabu might lose this one.