Kobashi Honami?
Toudou Shizuka immediately pictured the short-haired girl who was always full of energy and wore a bright, cheerful smile.
The prompt for her C-rank Speed Reading skill, which the system had briefly scanned the last time they passed each other in the hallway, still seemed to flicker before his eyes.
Five Simulation Points wasn't much, but every little bit counted. More importantly, this was undoubtedly a perfect chance to get to know her and earn her favor!
"Sure, Kanzaki. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Toudou. Thanks again for your support!"
The call ended, and the line went dead.
Toudou Shizuka set down the receiver. His earlier irritation had vanished, replaced by a clear plan and a trace of anticipation.
[Kanzaki Ryuji Favorability +3 (Current: 38/100 - Friendly)]
[Unlock "Efficient Learning Method (A-rank)" scanning permission at Favorability ≥50.]
[Unlock "Team Coordination (B-rank)" scanning permission at Favorability ≥40.]
The system notifications appeared right on cue.
Kanzaki's favorability had indeed increased! He was still twelve points away from scanning the A-rank skill, but the B-rank Team Coordination was already within reach!
Tomorrow was the perfect opportunity.
He walked to the window and gazed toward the library. Its lights looked especially bright against the night sky. The A3 Seminar Room... that would be his new "battleground."
Kanzaki's steadiness and reliability, Kobashi Honami's lively efficiency, and the classmates who needed help... A wide range of people meant a wide range of possible skills.
He brought up the system panel. His gaze lingered on [Dynamic Vision (Fine-Tuning) Lv. 1: 120 points] before moving to [Energy Recovery (Beginner): 80 points]. He had 115 Simulation Points; he was just five points short of unlocking his first key talent! Kobashi Honami's C-rank Speed Reading skill was worth five points, the final push he needed!
"Speed reading... huh." The corner of Toudou Shizuka's mouth curved almost imperceptibly.
Tomorrow's tutoring session didn't look like it would be boring.
He needed more than just Kanzaki's favorability. Kobashi Honami and the "classmates from other classes" on the list, who might hold unexpected surprises, were all potential "sources of Simulation Points."
In his eyes, the library lights seemed to shimmer with the tempting glow of Simulation Points.
He closed the system panel and began sorting through the math notes and exercise books he might need tomorrow.
Improving the class ranking, helping classmates, earning Simulation Points and skills, building Connections and favorability... all his goals would converge in that little seminar room.
The next day, the dismissal bell rang with an almost special rhythm.
Toudou Shizuka packed his bag and made sure to bring along several carefully organized Basic Math Exercise Books, with key points highlighted and room left for students to work through problems. They were the "weapons" he had prepared.
On the library's second floor, the door to the A3 Seminar Room stood ajar. Quiet voices could already be heard inside.
He pushed open the door and entered the spacious, brightly lit room, where several long tables had been pushed together.
Kanzaki Ryuji stood by the Whiteboard, writing something in clear, strong strokes, his profile intent.
Nearby, Ichinose Honami—the undisputed leader of Class B—was leaning slightly forward, speaking in hushed tones with several classmates seated around the table.
The gentle lines of her profile looked especially warm in the daylight from the window, and her lips held her trademark faint, reassuring smile.
Kobashi Honami sat in a chair a little farther away, a thick English notebook open in front of her.
She twirled her pen deftly between her fingers and murmured to herself, apparently memorizing something. Her energy was palpable even from several meters away.
"Toudou, welcome!" Kanzaki heard him enter and turned, giving him a steady smile.
Ichinose looked up too, her bright eyes curving into a smile. "Toudou, thanks for taking time out of your schedule to help us."
"It's the least I can do." Toudou Shizuka nodded and quickly surveyed everyone present.
Besides Kanzaki, Ichinose, and Kobashi, there were two boys and a girl who all looked a little nervous and uneasy. They were clearly the focus of this tutoring effort.
His gaze paused on Kobashi Honami for 0.1 seconds, and a system prompt silently appeared:
[Scan Target: Kobashi Honami]
[Skill List:]
[- Speed Reading (C-rank): Uses a self-developed Symbol System to quickly record large amounts of spoken information with a high degree of accuracy. Improves information organization efficiency.]
[- English Speaking (C-rank): Fairly accurate pronunciation and fluent in everyday conversation.]
[- Vitality Infection (D-rank): Has a cheerful personality and can lift the spirits of those around her to some extent.]
[- Basic Housekeeping (D-rank): Knows simple household skills.]
Among the C-rank skills with modest favorability requirements, Speed Reading was quite practical. It would also bring his total to 120 Simulation Points. Toudou Shizuka's heart skipped a beat. His target was clear and within reach!
"Now that everyone's here, let's briefly go over the schedule and divide up the work."
Kanzaki tapped the Whiteboard, drawing everyone's attention. A chart had already been drawn on it.
"The Midterm Exam covers a lot of subjects, and we're short on time. Starting today, we'll meet here every day after school from 4:30 to 6:00, and on weekends from 9:00 to 12:00, to study together.
"Our principle is to 'identify gaps and focus on key areas.' We'll reinforce the subjects where each of you is weakest."
He pointed to the chart. "Class Representative Ichinose will coordinate everything and focus on Japanese and Modern Society.
"Kobashi Honami will cover English and speed-reading techniques.
"Toudou," Kanzaki said, turning to Toudou Shizuka, "sorry for the trouble, but could you handle the math and some basic physics review, as well as explaining typical problems? In particular, please cover algebra and the logic behind geometric proofs."
Toudou Shizuka nodded. "No problem. I'll take care of the math."
This was exactly his area of expertise, as well as a chance to show what he could do and earn his classmates' favor.
Kanzaki continued, "I'll go over the basic concepts in physics and chemistry.
"Also," he said, turning to the three classmates who needed help, "Shibata, the boy with thick glasses; Sato, the short-haired girl; and Kobayashi, the boy who looks a little low on energy—you three are our focus this time.
"Please be honest about which subjects and specific chapters you find the hardest and feel least confident about. That'll help us figure out how best to organize the materials you need."
Ichinose chimed in at the right moment, her voice gentle but convincing. "Kanzaki's plan makes a lot of sense.
"Don't feel too much pressure. We're all in this together.
"This tutoring isn't just about helping you get through the exams ahead. We also want to help everyone find a study method that works for them and build their confidence.
"If there's anything you don't understand, or if you feel the pace is too fast to keep up, be sure to speak up right away, all right?"
Her encouraging gaze swept over the three classmates.
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