Horikita Suzune's Study Group (Part 2)

The last class of the morning ended, and the students headed for lunch.

"Konoe, let's go to the cafeteria together! We can go to the library to study afterward." Ike's voice called out, inviting Konoe along with two others.

"You want me to go too?" Konoe asked, surprised.

"Huh? Do you have something else to do? But Ayanokoji said you'd be coming. Kushida will be there too, so we asked you to join us. You explained things so simply and clearly during the break, if we keep this up, we'll definitely pass!" Ike pleaded, clasping his hands together.

"As expected of the top student, quite different from some people over there." Sudo nodded in agreement, subtly mocking Horikita. It seemed he still held a grudge.

"It looks like Konoe is giving his all in his studies, but I think passing is good enough when it comes to academics," Yamauchi commented.

Konoe thought for a few seconds. He had nothing else to do during lunch break, and he could read a novel at the library. He could also help them with their problems, as they would only be there for twenty minutes anyway. "Alright, let's go together. But where did Ayanokoji go?"

"Don't worry about that guy, let's go." Konoe was slung an arm around by the trio and led away.

The trio and Konoe chatted while eating in the cafeteria, but Konoe couldn't really engage in their conversation, mostly just responding when asked a question.

"But I really envy you, Konoe. You have such a handsome and fair face. If I looked like you, I might have already dated several girls."

Konoe couldn't keep up with Yamauchi's conversation and even felt a bit uncomfortable. He endured it and forced an awkward smile.

"Hey, why do you always seem so relaxed? Have you already received love letters from girls? You haven't forgotten our promise, right? If you get any love letters, you have to report them!"

What promise? When was that...? Konoe didn't understand what Ike was talking about.

"Konoe, you don't seem to eat very little, so why are you so slender? Boys should exercise more."

"You're right, Sudo." Konoe finally managed to say something related to himself. "I've been running recently, but I wonder if there are any other training methods."

"Oh! That's good. For now, just do some simple bodyweight exercises. Search for videos on your phone and follow along. Start with easy moves, and make sure your form is correct. You can do fewer reps, but don't let your form break. If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask me anytime!" Sudo seemed to have entered his domain and enthusiastically explained fitness knowledge. Konoe was also moved and decided to try it after returning to the dorm.

After lunch, everyone arrived at the library on time. Konoe went to a familiar bookshelf and picked up the novel he hadn't finished last time. When he returned, the trio had already laid out their textbooks on the table and were discussing problems with Horikita, who had arrived at the library earlier.

Konoe chose a seat in a corner. Horikita glanced at Konoe, then continued explaining the difficult points from the morning's class to the trio.

Two or three minutes later, Ayanokoji and Kushida arrived at the library fashionably late. They went to where Horikita's study group was and sat down.

"You're late."

"Sorry, there were quite a few people at the shop, so it took a bit longer."

"Did you two have lunch together?" Ike asked, staring suspiciously at Ayanokoji.

"Yeah, we did. We had lunch together." As soon as Kushida finished speaking, Ike and the others glared at Ayanokoji with dissatisfaction.

"Don't waste time, hurry up," Horikita said coldly.

"Okay." Ayanokoji replied, sat down, and took out his textbook and notebook.

"After listening to the lecture, I actually feel like studying isn't that difficult anymore," Ike remarked.

Yamauchi nodded. "It would be great if we could look at the books during the exam. It seems like all the answers are in there."

Konoe was dumbfounded. "What kind of nonsense is that... Most exam questions just require memorization. However, without a foundation in English and math, looking at the book won't necessarily help you solve the problems."

"Speaking of which, how far do we need to study before we're done? We can't possibly finish the entire book, can we?" Sudo scratched his head, saying impatiently.

"Chabashira-sensei already set the scope last time, it's much smaller than what we've covered. You don't need to worry about these things, just focus on studying for now," Ayanokoji said reassuringly.

"Time is running out," Konoe reminded them. While they were chatting, time was ticking away.

Kushida raised her hand and asked, "Then I'll ask everyone a question! Who proposed the principle of induction?"

"Ah, I know! We just learned it in class. It was that really delicious thing..." Ike trailed off, deep in thought.

"Francis Xavier! That's it, right?" Unfortunately, Sudo was close but missed it.

"I remember now, it's Francis Bacon!"

"Correct."

"Yay, if it keeps going like this, I'll definitely get full marks."

"No, you're still far from it..."

Although there's only a week left, if things continue like this, the trio should be able to pass. After all, they just need to study hard for the basic points, Konoe mused.

"Everyone, please pay attention to your physical condition, otherwise, your study time will be reduced," Kushida said, as she also understood that time was short.

"That shouldn't be a problem for these three."

"As expected of Little Horikita, you seem to trust us a lot!"

Konoe thought Horikita probably meant that the trio, who were as energetic as monkeys, wouldn't easily get sick.

"Hey, be quiet. You're making too much noise!" A student studying nearby suddenly looked up and shouted. "I get it, you guys are from Class D, aren't you?"

Four or five boys sitting nearby simultaneously looked up and scanned Ike's group. Sudo seemed about to lose his temper but restrained himself, saying, "What do you want? So what if we're from Class D? Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, no, no, I have no objections. I'm Yamawaki from Class C, nice to meet you." Upon hearing "Class D," Yamawaki smiled maliciously. "How should I put it? It's good that this school is divided by ability. If I had to study with bottom-feeders like you, I really couldn't stand it."

"What did you say!" Sudo stood up in anger, his chair scraping loudly as he pushed it back.

"I'm just stating the facts, why are you so angry? If you dare to lay a hand on me here, do you know how many points you'll lose? Oh, I forgot you guys in Class D only have those pathetic few points. It seems like it's more advantageous for us?"

"Bring it on!"

Every time Sudo roared in the quiet library, eyes would turn towards them. If this continued, Class D might be the first to lose points.