Mid-July.
After a tumultuous first semester at Gao, the First Years were finally nearing the end of it.
All the classes had heard that School Administration had arranged a two-week special study trip for them in August, during summer vacation.
The first week was set: they would take the Luxury Cruise Ship to explore and enjoy a Deserted Island rented by the school from the government.
These were two of the hottest topics lately in First Year Class D.
Kanji Ike chatted excitedly with his friends. "A deserted island! A private beach! A luxury cruise ship! This is going to be awesome. Did you know? I once..."
Ijuin Kou cut in. "All right, we know. How many times have you told us about your camping trips? Why not tell Hirata and the others you'll organize our summer vacation plans?"
"Uh... maybe not. Just pretend I never said anything." Ike laughed awkwardly. He didn't have the guts to make such a bold move.
"Speaking of which, what's her deal? She's, like, super, super, super cute!"
Another boy, Minami Setsuya, couldn't stop himself from looking over at Sakura Airi's seat.
At that moment, a few girls had gathered around her, chatting away.
Kushida Kikyo gave her a radiant smile for the first time in a while. "You've changed so much, Sakura. If you don't mind, let's get along from now on."
Sakura had already been asked similar questions by plenty of people, and her smile was starting to feel like it might split her face.
She'd promised a few friends in Class C that she'd come out of her shell and try to be more confident, but it really was exhausting.
To Sakura's surprise, Tennoji Kaede had shown her the way.
He'd personally told her she could start by getting closer to just a small group of girls in Class D, like Kushida Kikyo, Horikita Suzune, Matsushita Chiaki, and Hasebe Haruka.
Kaede had also given Kushida a heads-up in advance.
He'd asked her to look after the newest member of the Tennoji Group.
What Kushida thought about it wasn't something Kaede was particularly concerned about.
He'd managed to maintain a good balance in his relationship with Sakura.
Kaede wasn't her only savior; Ibuki and Hiyori had helped too, so there was no chance of some ridiculous "she has a crush on him" scenario.
Sakura didn't have romantic feelings for Kaede. She was mostly just grateful to him.
Besides, Sakura was pretty perceptive when it came to romance.
She could probably tell that Kaede's feelings weren't directed at Sakura Airi.
Sakura's true identity had also been revealed, and her popularity had undoubtedly soared.
Even so, a rift still remained between the boys and girls in Class D...
Kushida had gone through something similar before, so the impact of Sakura's changes probably wouldn't last too long.
The real hot topic in every class was how to spend the summer vacation.
"Huh? You're both busy tonight?"
In First Year Class C, Kaede stared wide-eyed at his two besties.
Ibuki, sitting in front of him, snapped, "I don't want to go with you to some weird place again. If we're unlucky, we might get locked up again!"
Seriously, girl!
Was that really his fault last time?
Ibuki, you're the one who can't figure out your own passive ability!
She turned around, pouting. "I'm. Just. Not. Going!"
Kaede turned helplessly to Hiyori on his right.
"Sorry, Kaede. I'm not that close with Class B. And I'm worried about how Airi's doing in her class lately. I hope she isn't under too much pressure... I should invite her out to talk, and maybe we can go shopping for clothes together..."
As Hiyori spoke, her thoughts had already drifted to Little Shizuku, just on the other side of the wall in Class D!
Damn! A plant.
"Fine. I'll go by myself, then."
Ibuki scoffed. "That's what you get for being such a bleeding heart. Honestly, you should just go hang out with Ichinose and the others in Class B from now on. You'd feel right at home."
Hiyori giggled behind her hand. "Come to think of it, the Class Points between our classes haven't changed much lately. I suspect tonight's gathering has something to do with that."
Kaede pondered the matter...
It was probably still about Ryuen, though there could be something else going on.
This time, he'd just happened to be invited by Minami Kosho of Class B. Judging by how she'd acted, it might have been a private request she was keeping from her class.
Could I end up being an unexpected guest tonight?
That would be such a pain...
You little brat!
Fine. I'd go alone tonight!
A girl from Class C came over. It was Yajima Mariko.
Kaede had spoken with her briefly at the Study Session before.
As the First Semester finals approached, more and more students in Class C were once again gravitating toward the "two top students" in the Tennoji Group.
At exactly 7:00 p.m., Kaede arrived alone at another large KTV he wasn't very familiar with.
Fortunately, he'd already coordinated with Minami Kosho. The Class B leaders knew he was coming to the gathering and didn't object.
Minami was just a little displeased that he'd broken his promise and come alone.
Kaede said he had only two close friends in his class, but neither was free. If she kept complaining, he'd invite Ryuen too. That immediately shut Minami up.
"Yo, Loli! So you're the one coming to get me!"
The private room for the Class B gathering was still a long way off, but Kaede had already spotted that familiar pigtail.
"Who are you calling a Loli?!"
"Who said that?" Kaede looked around in confusion.
Minami bristled, chin raised, looking thoroughly indignant.
"Hmph! Hurry up and come in. Ichinose and the others are waiting for you."
Kaede stopped teasing her and followed her into the private room.
Fewer than fifteen students from Class B had shown up.
Kaede wondered if they'd given him this time so they could set aside time for a discussion.
It wasn't unusual for a class gathering like this to be held in batches. Even in close-knit Class B, there were still differences in status, though everyone got along well.
Ichinose, the social butterfly, stepped forward first. "Tennoji, thank you so much for coming today."
"Don't mention it, Ichinose. I'm sorry I'm the only one who could make it, but it would've drawn attention if I brought too many people with me."
"Please don't say that. Come on over and have a seat."
B Class students like Kanzaki Ryuji, Shibata Hayate, Kobashi Yume, and Shiratori Chihiro all looked at him appraisingly.
"Sure... Um, Minami, would you mind coming to sit with me?" Kaede teased.
"Huh?"
Minami Kosho had been about to leave the private room, but Kaede's words left her rooted to the spot.
Everyone's eyes turned to Minami. The top-ranked guy on the Handsome Ranking had invited her, and now they were all entertaining some very impure thoughts.
"N-no! Just talk with Ichinose! I-I-I have homework to do..." The Pigtail Demon Girl was starting to lose it.
Kaede pressed on, perfectly serious. "Minami, I heard your grades aren't very good. What a coincidence—I'm great at tutoring people."
"Everyone here is your classmate, so why avoid them? Come sit beside me. If we have time later, I'll give you a proper lesson. How does that sound?"
Now even Ichinose had a question mark over her head. Kaede had already taken his seat beside her, leaving the seat on his other side empty.
With everyone staring at her so curiously, Minami Kosho was completely at a loss.
Kaede had seized the initiative, and the results were pretty good.
Some of the girls from Class B even looked at him with inexplicable warmth, as if he were one of their own.
Whispers began to spread, and Minami Kosho turned bright red.
In the end, she meekly followed Ichinose's instructions and sat down on Kaede's other side.
The room gradually fell quiet. Ichinose opened the conversation with an awkward but polite smile.
"Tennoji, thank you again for coming."
Kaede returned her thanks with a string of nods.
"I'll skip the formalities."
"I, Ichinose Honami, as the leader of my class, hope you can help us convey our desire to cooperate to Class C!"
Before you continue