Three days after Chabashira Sae announced that their points had been reduced to zero, Class D's predicament had become painfully clear.
The cafeteria at lunchtime seemed like an exhibition of the class hierarchy. Students from Classes A and B chatted happily as they picked out all kinds of dishes at the paid counter. Students from Class C were strapped for cash, but at least they could occasionally buy a drink. The students of Class D, meanwhile, could only line up silently at the free-food counter and collect the same old Mountain Vegetable Set Meal.
"Mashed potatoes and greens again..." Kanji Ike prodded his tray with a miserable look. "I'm going to turn into a rabbit."
Ken Sudō chewed his whole-grain bread viciously, his eyes straying now and then to the students from Class B at the next table, sharing a pizza. His basketball training had already been noticeably affected by his poor nutrition.
Amid the gloom, Fūki Ran began putting his plan into action.
After school, he claimed a long table in a corner of the Library, then began inviting the people he had selected in advance, one by one. The first to arrive was Hirata Yousuke, who pushed up his glasses and looked a little uneasy.
"Feng Qi, you said you had an important study plan?"
"That's right." Feng Qi slid a carefully organized set of math notes in front of him. "I'd like you to help me tutor the classmates who are struggling with their studies."
Hirata looked through the notes in surprise. "You... put these together?"
"We all need to do our part to improve the class's evaluation," Feng Qi said calmly.
Next to arrive was Kushida Kikyo. She still wore her trademark smile, but the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion.
"Did you need something, Feng Qi?" she asked curiously.
Feng Qi handed her a small notebook. "These are some recipes I came up with using free ingredients. If you could share them with the girls in our class, it might make our meals a little better."
Kushida opened the notebook, and her eyes immediately lit up. "A substitute for Korokke made with mashed potatoes? A rice seasoning sauce made with greens and free condiments? These ideas are amazing!"
"The wisdom of a group is always greater than that of an individual," Feng Qi said meaningfully.
The most important invitation took place at the Basketball Court. Ken Sudō had just finished practice and was sitting on a bench, exhausted.
"What do you want now?" he grumbled as Feng Qi approached.
Feng Qi placed a small paper packet beside him. "I made these Energy Bars with free ingredients. They don't taste great, but at least they'll give you some energy."
Sudō stared at the packet for a long time before finally asking in a hoarse voice, "Why are you doing all this?"
"Because the Midterm Exam is next week." Feng Qi looked him straight in the eye. "If you mess up the physical fitness test because you're worn out, or get suspended from the team for failing your academic classes, that'll be a loss for Class D."
"I've told you, I'm not cut out for studying..."
"That's why I organized a study group," Feng Qi interrupted. "Seven o'clock tonight, at the Library. It's up to you whether you come."
That evening at seven, when Feng Qi met up with Horikita at the Library, they were surprised to find that Sudō had actually come. He stood awkwardly by the entrance, as if ready to bolt at any moment.
"Since you're here, sit down," Horikita said coldly, sliding a math test in front of him. "Let's see what you can do."
For the next two hours, a strange scene played out in the Library. Horikita explained math problems to Sudō in her uniquely unsparing manner; Hirata helped clarify the technical terms; Kushida occasionally brought over snacks made with free ingredients; and Feng Qi coordinated everything, offering encouragement and guidance when appropriate.
"I've explained this problem three times already!" Horikita's voice carried restrained fury.
"S-sorry..." Sudō looked flustered, an unusual sight.
"Try explaining it another way." Feng Qi stepped in and went over the problem again using a more intuitive method. To everyone's surprise, Sudō actually understood this time.
"Oh, now I get it!" he exclaimed.
Horikita looked at Feng Qi, her expression complicated. "You're pretty good at teaching people."
"I just know how to tailor my approach to the person," Feng Qi said lightly, brushing off the compliment.
As the night wore on, the atmosphere in the study group gradually grew more relaxed. Even Sudō, the most reluctant of them all, began working seriously and occasionally asked questions on his own.
"I didn't realize you guys were so good at this." During a break, Sudō munched on the homemade vegetable crackers Kushida had brought and couldn't help remarking, "I always thought top students were arrogant."
Horikita gave a cold snort but didn't argue.
"Everyone has their strengths," Feng Qi said. "For example, the way you play basketball is beyond anything we could hope to match."
Sudō sat up straighter at that, his confidence returning.
After the study group ended that night, Feng Qi and Horikita were the last to leave the Library.
"I didn't think you'd actually persuade Sudō," Horikita said, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
"Everyone has something they want to protect." Feng Qi gazed up at the night sky. "Sudō wants to prove his worth on the basketball court. We just gave him a reason."
"You're better at manipulating people than I thought." Horikita stopped and looked Feng Qi straight in the eye.
"That's not manipulation," Feng Qi replied calmly. "It's guidance. Besides, weren't you involved too?"
Horikita fell silent. It was true. That night, she had broken with her usual principles and actually helped someone she considered "incompetent."
"If Class D's scores improve on this Midterm Exam," Feng Qi continued, "we might get points again next month. More importantly, we'll be able to prove Class D's worth to the school."
"You seem very concerned with proving Class D's worth," Horikita observed shrewdly.
"Because I believe there's a reason we were placed in Class D." Feng Qi's gaze grew profound. "This school is testing us in its own way. And I'm going to prove its judgment wrong."
His words struck Horikita deeply. As she watched Feng Qi walk away, she felt genuine curiosity toward the mysterious boy for the first time.
Meanwhile, in the Girls' Dormitory, Kushida Kikyo was sharing her creative recipes for free ingredients with the other girls.
"If you just mix mashed potatoes with chopped greens and add free salt and pepper, you can make delicious vegetable patties!"
"Really? I'll try that tomorrow!"
And in the Boys' Dormitory, Ken Sudō was doing something unprecedented: reviewing the math formulas from that day, with the homemade Energy Bar Feng Qi had given him sitting beside him.
Hirata Yousuke noticed all these changes. During the break the next day, he made a point of finding Feng Qi.
"I heard you organized a study group. Would you like me to help?"
"Of course." Feng Qi smiled. "In fact, I was just about to ask you about something..."
Under the surface, the currents within Class D were quietly shifting direction. At the center of it all was the transfer student who always wore a mysterious smile.
The Midterm Exam would be the first test of all their efforts.
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