Celebration Party

The day after the Midterm Results Announcement, Konoe was dragged by Horikita to Ayanokoji's room for a celebration party.

He had already refused Ike's invitation before, but Horikita threatened him with that incident when she asked him this time.

Konoe said impatiently, "Let me be clear, I'm only here because this matter is related to that. If you think you can get away with this every time, then I'll be troubled."

"It's just a celebration party, are you trying to go to war with that expression?" Horikita stopped with Konoe at the door and said.

Konoe heard this and composed himself, "But I didn't expect you to come too."

"After all, everyone worked hard, even I have to admit it." Horikita stepped forward, opened the door, and walked in.

"Who do you think you are?"

As they bickered, they entered Room 401. Konoe realized that Ayanokoji's room was on the same floor as his.

"You're finally here. You rejected my invitation, but you came right over when Horikita invited you, Konoe," Ike said, looking towards the entrance and putting on a displeased expression.

"Sorry, Ike, something I was supposed to do just became unnecessary," Konoe gave a casual excuse. Besides Ayanokoji, who was sitting at his desk, the Trio had already found spots on the floor of the room, and Kushida was sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Just kidding, Konoe. You've helped us so much, how could I possibly blame you for this?" Ike stood up, handed Konoe a can of juice, and said, "Cheers!"

"Che... Cheers." Konoe took the juice, while Horikita next to him went to sit at the foot of the bed.

"Sigh." The owner of the room sighed.

"What's wrong, Ayanokoji? Why so gloomy? We all passed this time and increased our points," Sudo said to Ayanokoji.

"I don't mind you having a celebration party, in fact, I fully support it. But why in my room?"

Ike explained, "My room is a mess, and so are Sudo's and Yamauchi's. As for Konoe... it's good enough that he could come. And we can't hold it in a girl's room, right? No, wait, should I have held it in Kushida's room? Speaking of which, your room is really bare, Ayanokoji."

"It's only been two months since school started, it would be strange to have too many things," Ayanokoji replied.

Konoe noticed that besides the school-provided items and essential daily necessities, Ayanokoji's room had no other belongings.

"But this midterm exam was really close. Failing meant expulsion. If I hadn't participated in the study group, even if I was fine, Ike and Sudo would have definitely failed," Yamauchi said, popping a piece of chocolate into his mouth.

Ike immediately objected when he heard this, "What? Didn't you lose to me twice in the last mock exam, Yamauchi! You're about the same level as us."

Yamauchi said confidently, "No, no, no. If I were serious, I might have gotten full marks. I'm telling the truth."

Ayanokoji interjected, "This is all thanks to Horikita and Konoe."

Horikita, who had been reading a novel from the beginning, looked up when her name was called and said, "I only did it for myself. If any student from Class D were expelled, the class evaluation would decrease."

Konoe also replied, "What are you talking about, Ayanokoji? Didn't we get the old exam papers thanks to you and Kushida?"

"That was also under your instruction," Ayanokoji said.

Ike asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I'm really curious. How did Kushida find the past exam papers?"

Kushida recalled for a few seconds and replied, "Um... Ayanokoji-kun took me to buy them from a senior in Class D."

"Under Konoe's instruction," Ayanokoji repeated.

Konoe glanced at Ayanokoji and said, "Do you have anything else to say? Then I instructed Ayanokoji under Horikita's instruction."

"You..." Horikita was about to say something but was interrupted.

"Buy them? Seriously? How many points was it?" Ike was a little surprised to hear that the exam papers were bought.

Kushida said dejectedly, "15,000 points. Horikita-san paid for it. I wanted to contribute some, but Horikita-san refused..."

Konoe took a sip of his juice and said with emotion, "Actually, you probably would have passed even without the old exam papers, right? So it's still thanks to Horikita. She also called me to help with the study group for your sake."

"That's true! Our scores in the mock exam were enough to pass. Thinking about it, we really owe Horikita-san."

"It seems we misunderstood Horikita-san before."

"I knew all along that Horikita was actually a good person."

The Trio praised and thanked Horikita in unison.

"...I just... acted for myself," Horikita's tone became strange, as if she was not good at being thanked.

After the celebration party ended, Kushida stayed behind to help Ayanokoji clean up the room. Konoe thought that since the room was on the same floor, he might as well stay and help.

"I'm really sorry to trouble you with cleaning up," Ayanokoji said in a flat tone.

Kushida thanked him, "I should be thanking you for providing the room."

"Yes, you should thank me properly," Konoe nodded.

"No need," Ayanokoji ignored him.

As they were almost done cleaning, Kushida suddenly said with her head down, "...Do boys generally prefer girls like Horikita-san?"

"I can only say that her appearance is certainly appealing. I can't comment on anything else. But Ayanokoji is often with her, maybe he likes her," Konoe said deliberately.

"Horikita and I are just friends... No, just desk mates."

"Is that so? I'm going back then." Kushida turned and left without even saying goodbye to Konoe.

Seeing this, Konoe also bid farewell to Ayanokoji and left with Kushida.

Kushida tilted her head and said to Konoe in a cute tone, "Eh? Aren't you going this way, Konoe-kun? The elevator is this way."

"I'm going back to the dorms, it's on this floor."

"Oh really?" Kushida quickly walked up to Konoe and said with a smile, "Can I come over and take a look?"