A few days later.
The exam officially began.
During this period.
Hikigaya and the others learned a lot of knowledge related to interviews through online videos.
From written tests, physical fitness, etiquette, to posture.
They tested various interests and hobbies, making every aspect of the interview as perfect as possible.
Whether one could achieve a high score depended entirely on destiny.
There was only one tenet.
It was fine to make mistakes; just show the best version of yourself and do your absolute best.
That would be enough!
On the other hand, things were left entirely to Hikigaya.
Early morning.
Dormitory building.
Ichinose stood before a full-length mirror wearing a women's business suit.
Suits for boys and knee-length business attire for girls; these clothes were distributed for free by the school.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Ichinose was somewhat dissatisfied.
Although it looked decent, the youthfulness on her face could not be hidden.
In contrast.
Horikita Suzune seemed much more suited for business attire.
"You really suit this set; you look just like a cold female CEO on television."
Kamuro Masumi sized up the girl in front of her.
With that cold expression, she truly didn't look like an 18-year-old.
"This person has been studying makeup from videos every day recently, so this performance is only natural."
Kushida Kikyo spoke with sarcasm, and those around her had already grown used to it.
This girl specialized in going against Horikita Suzune; one couldn't tell if their relationship was good or bad.
However.
Though they all looked good in the clothes, they still appeared somewhat youthful.
Only Horikita Suzune looked like a professional career woman.
It was truly a bit enviable.
"Speaking of which, Kikyo, haven't you been researching makeup as well?"
Horikita Suzune didn't pay it much mind.
Perhaps liking makeup was a girl's nature; during this recent period, the girls seemed to be having a lot of fun.
"By the way."
Horikita Suzune turned to look at Hikigaya, who was dressed in a suit, and said:
"hachiman, it seems only your class hasn't been scouting for information lately. Is that okay?"
During this time.
The other three classes had more or less scouted each other for information.
Only Hikigaya's class went their own way and did their own thing.
Originally, since Hikigaya didn't ask them, Horikita Suzune didn't intend to pry.
Even.
Neither side knew if the other was participating as an interviewee or acting as an interviewer.
But on the final day.
It was hard to suppress the inner curiosity.
After all.
Horikita Suzune and Kushida Kikyo, who stayed in the class, knew best.
Exactly how terrifying Ayanokouji's strength was.
They fully considered every process and detail from the interview to the end.
Until the end.
Even to the point where no one could think of a single flaw, and they even anticipated various possibilities that might occur.
If one had to explain.
It was that Horikita Suzune could consider twenty questions at most.
While Ayanokouji could consider hundreds, even accounting for various possibilities arising from unexpected situations, and handed these things to them.
From grand things like etiquette, demeanor, standing posture, and speech, down to small details like the number of times to knock and the control of distance from the seat.
How much they could absorb naturally depended on individual ability.
But this was already terrifying enough.
Horikita Suzune could even assert.
No class could be as well-prepared as them, and it was even more impossible for others to be as skilled at interviewing as they were.
Like machines born for interviewing, with the only differences being between the machines themselves.
"Well, just do your best."
Hikigaya took a deep breath.
Actually...
Although he didn't know the detailed configuration of Ayanokouji's class, he had heard from that little traitor Karuizawa...
Ayanokouji's comprehensive thinking was frighteningly thorough...
Arriving at the school's multimedia room.
Ichinose, Horikita Suzune, and others drew lots to be interviewed on the first day, and then drew lots again to go to the first interview venue.
Seeing Horikita Suzune standing alone to the side, while Hondo and Mori Nene nearby had no intention of talking to her.
Ichinose then stepped forward and said:
"Suzune, is your first session also for the Ryuen class interview?"
"Yes, are you alone on your side?"
Horikita Suzune looked behind Ichinose; she was indeed alone.
Although Kobashi Yume and others were also taking the exam on the first day, they were assigned to other interviews first.
Having a friend by one's side would make things much easier.
It was simply... bad luck...
"Yes, it seems Yume and the others have to take Katsuragi's class exam first. Shall we head over together?"
According to the instructions, the two arrived at the playground.
Responsible for the interview were five Ryuen class students, including Kondo, Komiya, and Ishizaki, with twelve teachers nearby acting as referees.
Horikita Suzune took a brief look.
Besides Onodera-sensei and Shiba-sensei in the referee group.
One was a former third-year homeroom teacher, and the other was a current second-year homeroom teacher; she had some impression of the others.
Long before the exam.
Ayanokouji had already bought information on all the homeroom teachers from Chabashira Sae.
By information.
It was roughly about the subjects they taught, their personality preferences, and so on.
Therefore, Horikita Suzune and the others were very clear.
For example, Onodera-sensei had given a speech during the forest camp; her personality leaned towards friendliness, and showing a side of unity and mutual assistance might result in a high score.
While Shiba-sensei was relatively indifferent and valued individual strength more; showing strong and excellent qualities was more likely to get a high score.
"Excuse me, then I'll head over first."
After a simple farewell, Horikita Suzune walked toward Hondo and the others.
Others might not remember, but Horikita Suzune had already memorized this information by heart.
Reminding Hondo and the others was the best choice.
Even if Hondo and the others didn't welcome her, Horikita Suzune still wanted to do this, to improve everyone's grades as much as possible.
Unexpectedly.
With over ten people standing together, the surroundings were exceptionally quiet, as they were clearly all prepared.
Soon.
Under the supervision of the referee group.
Ishizaki held a megaphone high and came before everyone.
"Shut up! Separate by gender and line up in four rows from tallest to shortest."
Upon hearing this.
Someone frowned.
But they still followed Ishizaki's instructions and quickly formed four rows.
Although they all knew each other, it was a bit much not to even have a self-introduction.
But now.
Since they didn't even know what the class theme was, everyone could only obey honestly.
Horikita Suzune's cold gaze observed Ishizaki and the others.
Though it was unpleasant, after watching videos these few days, she knew that exams existed in various forms.
As it seemed now.
The first test site was the playground, so the test might be physical fitness.
And the behavior of Ishizaki and the others was likely testing obedience, discipline, or other qualities.
Or... they were all smoke screens.
One should say as expected of Ryuen's class; they tested physical fitness and repulsive things.
Having Ishizaki and the others serve as examiners meant that Ryuen was not needed here.
"Remember..."
Gazing at the orderly scene before him, Ishizaki suddenly shouted into the megaphone.
"If you want to join our company, get your posture right! Don't bring those bad school habits here!"
"Right now, you are all just a bunch of losers, a bunch of trash, a bunch of useless scum, understand?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Matoba Shinji of Katsuragi's class turned red in the face.
What kind of interview was this? Wasn't this just completely PUA-ing (Pick-Up Artist/Manipulation) them? It was a bit too disgusting...
The referee group on the sidelines watched the scene with indifferent eyes.
Watching several students with flushed faces.
They could roughly guess the thoughts at this moment; most probably thought Ryuen was using this exam to do as he pleased.
However.
Not to mention some military forces, similar interviews exist for things like security companies, high-end residential security, or even food and beverage industries with excellent service.
This was exactly a manifestation of shallow knowledge.