The bell marking the end of the first afternoon class had just rung, but the classroom atmosphere had yet to fully relax from its focus on schoolwork. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting long patches of light across the desks. Shimiya Kuki sat by the window, absently tapping the pen between his fingers against his open notebook. His gaze was calm, as though an invisible barrier had shut out the noise of the break.
Just then, Ichinose Honami stood up and briskly walked to the front of the classroom. She took a deep breath. Her face bore its usual warm smile, but her eyes were brighter and more serious than usual.
"Everyone! Could I have a few minutes of your time?" Her clear, firm voice instantly drew everyone's attention. Students who had just been about to get up and stretch stopped what they were doing, all eyes turning to her.
"Here's the thing," Ichinose Honami said, looking around the class. Her tone was sincere and concerned. "A few of us have noticed that some people in our class might be having trouble with certain subjects and finding them difficult to keep up with. As you all know, the school's evaluations are very strict. We can't let anyone fall behind because of their studies, let alone put themselves at risk!"
Her words struck a chord with some of the students. Shibata Hayato rubbed the back of his head, while Hino Yuki glanced worriedly at Tsubaki Hitomi beside her.
"So," Ichinose continued, her voice rising with determination, "we've decided to organize a class study group! The goal is to help anyone who needs it, strengthen their foundations, overcome difficulties, and make progress together!" She paused, then clearly explained the format: "This time, we're planning to focus on a more efficient approach: individual tutoring. We'll provide targeted help based on each person's specific weaknesses!"
Individual tutoring? A murmur spread through the classroom. That sounded more demanding than a group study session.
"I know some of you might have questions," Ichinose said quickly, putting them at ease. "Individual tutoring requires more tutors. That's exactly where I need everyone's help!" Her gaze swept over several students known for their academic ability, then deliberately lingered on Shimiya Kuki. Her voice held unmistakable gratitude and emphasis.
"First, I want to give special thanks to Kuki-kun! He came up with this more efficient plan and has volunteered to tutor everyone who needs help with math and science! He'll personally handle the subjects that require the most logic and technique!"
"Kuki-kun?!"
Ichinose Honami's familiar form of address landed like a boulder in still water, stirring up a far bigger ripple than the study group itself. Looks of surprise, curiosity, and disbelief all turned toward Shimiya Kuki by the window. The gossip and curiosity were practically spilling over.
Shibata Hayato gaped. "Huh?! Ichinose, you called Shimiya... Kuki-kun?!"
Ando Sayo covered her mouth and whispered to Tsubaki Hitomi, "Hitomi-chan, Kuki-kun... That's such an intimate way to address him!"
Even Hino Yuki, who was usually so aloof, turned to look, curiosity in her eyes.
Tsubaki Hitomi pushed up her glasses. Her face reddened slightly as she murmured, "Th-this is... so unusual..."
A few boys in the back were even more direct. "Whoa! Is there something going on?" "Shimiya actually allows that?" "Ichinose really is something!"
All kinds of quiet murmurs spread through the classroom. The attention had shifted entirely.
Shimiya Kuki remained in the same position, as if the commotion around him had nothing to do with him. But when he heard "Kuki-kun," the fingers holding his pen paused for the slightest moment before returning to normal. He was as calm as a statue.
Just then, Kanzaki Ryuji happened to pass by. He leaned down slightly and spoke in a steady tone only the two of them could hear, with a rare hint of almost imperceptible teasing.
"'Kuki-kun'..." he echoed, the corner of his mouth lifting ever so slightly. His gaze swept over Shimiya's hand, still holding the pen without moving. "Looks like even someone as unflappable as you can't resist Ichinose's enthusiasm."
The teasing landed squarely in Shimiya's ears. The tip of his pen hovered over the page, still for half a second. He didn't turn to look at Kanzaki or respond with any gesture, but his overly straight back and slightly tensed jawline were the most honest answer he could have given. After speaking, Kanzaki straightened up as if he had merely stated a fact. His usual composure returned, as though he hadn't teased Shimiya at all.
Ichinose Honami seemed only then to realize just how much commotion—and a certain someone's close-range teasing—her slip of the tongue had caused. A faint blush flashed across her face, but was quickly covered by an even brighter, more open smile. She cleared her throat and raised her voice, trying to draw everyone's attention back.
"Ahem! Anyway, Shimiya-kun's proposal is very efficient! So we need more people to join the tutoring team!" This time she called him "Shimiya-kun," but her earlier "Kuki-kun" and Kanzaki's reaction had already made quite an impression. Her gaze swept across the others.
"Kanzaki-kun! You're excellent at science and math, too!"
"Hino-kun! Your Japanese and foreign language scores are always near the top!"
"Tsuba-san! You have a great understanding of social studies and the liberal arts!"
"And I'll help, too," Ichinose added, patting her chest. "I'm confident in Japanese, foreign languages, and social studies!"
"So," Ichinose said, looking around the class expectantly, "Kanzaki-kun, Hino-kun, Tsuba-san, and anyone else who feels confident in their strongest subjects—would you be willing to join us? You'd only need to help one or two students at a time, during a time slot we've coordinated!"
Shimiya Kuki, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke. His voice was quiet but clear. "Prioritize efficiency. Start by having friends help each other with the subjects they're good at. If they can't solve something or need specific tutoring, we can collect those requests." His meaning was clear: handle what they could among themselves first, then make arrangements as needed.
"Oh, right! Shimiya-kun is right!" Ichinose immediately agreed. "Everyone, start by helping friends you know! If you come across a problem you really can't solve, let us know!"
Kanzaki Ryuji spoke up at the right moment, his voice steady and reassuring. "Count me in. I can help with math and science whenever anyone needs it." His participation gave the plan a much-needed boost.
"Wonderful! Thank you, Kanzaki-kun!" Ichinose said happily. "Then Shimiya-kun and I will mainly coordinate the difficult questions and tutoring for specific subjects!"
She looked around the class again. "Anyone who needs help or would like to tutor, come find me after school to sign up with your subject and availability! Shibata-kun? Shiratori-san?"
Shibata Kaede scratched his head. "Oh! Math and physics give me a headache! I'm counting on you, Ichinose! Shimiya! Kanzaki!" Shiratori Chihiro quietly said that she needed help with Japanese.
With the initial interest secured, Ichinose breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay! I'll discuss the details with Shimiya-kun and Kanzaki-kun, then let you all know! Thanks, everyone! Let's do our best!"
The bell rang just in time, announcing the end of the short break. Most of the students returned to their seats with various thoughts on their minds, while the discussion continued. Ichinose began quickly noting down subjects and availability with Hino, Tsubaki, Shibata, Shiratori, and the others. Shimiya Kuki calmly put away his pen and notebook, as if the earlier commotion had nothing to do with him.
The afternoon classes seemed like mere background noise to Shimiya. When the final bell finally rang, he didn't linger at all. He picked up his school bag and headed straight for the quietest corner of the library.
He opened his notebook and took out basic textbooks and exercise books for different subjects. His pen touched the page, and he began an astonishing amount of work. It scratched steadily and rapidly, without a single pause or moment of hesitation. Like a precision instrument running at high speed, he efficiently selected, combined, and designed. Core concepts and typical problems in math, physics, chemistry, and biology were broken down and rearranged into a series of tests with clearly graded difficulty. He quickly distilled the fundamentals of Japanese, English, and social studies as well. In just one afternoon of independent study, he had produced five clearly structured, thorough diagnostic tests that targeted the most important material.
He put down his pen just as the dismissal bell rang. Closing his notebook, he picked up the test drafts and headed to the Print Room.
There weren't many people in the Print Room. Shimiya handed the drafts to the student in charge and waited quietly. As the machine hummed to life, Kushida Kikyo walked in with a sweet smile.
"Good afternoon, Shimiya-kun. What a coincidence." Her gaze swept over the stack of tests and the pages coming off the printer. "That's a lot of tests. Did a teacher assign them? You seem to have put a lot of effort into getting ready."
"They're for our class," Shimiya replied calmly.
"For your class?" Kushida Kikyo blinked, her smile unchanged. "How kind of you, Shimiya-kun, preparing materials to help your classmates. Class B really is united." She paused, then casually suggested, "Speaking of which, someone as capable as you might be able to help people from Class D sometime, too. We didn't exchange contact information before we parted last time, did we? If you don't mind, could we exchange our Student Terminal contact information? That way, if I have any questions about my studies, I can ask an 'expert' like you right away." Her tone was natural, with just the right amount of flattery. Her gaze was open and hopeful.
Shimiya Kuki looked at her. Kushida's smile was flawless. He was silent for two seconds. There was no reason to refuse, so he took out his Student Terminal. Kushida promptly took out hers, and the two quickly exchanged numbers.
"Thanks, Shimiya-kun." Kushida Kikyo put away her terminal, her smile sweet. "I look forward to getting along with you."
Shimiya gave a slight nod. The tests had just finished printing and binding, so he picked up the thick stack. "I'm leaving."
As she watched Shimiya walk away calmly, Kushida kept smiling, though a glint of meaning flickered in her eyes. She picked up her own materials and murmured, "...A kind and efficient 'expert.' Contact information... got it." She operated her terminal with satisfaction.
Shimiya Kuki returned to his dormitory with the tests. When he opened the door, the aroma of food was already wafting through the room. Ichinose Honami, wearing an apron, was busy in the small kitchen area. Two place settings and some simple side dishes were already on the table. They had agreed to share meals earlier, and since the kitchenware was in his dorm room, he had given Ichinose a key to his room.
"Ah, Kuki-kun! You're back! Perfect timing—the food's almost ready!" Ichinose heard the door open and turned around with a radiant smile. In the dorm room, with only the two of them present, the familiar way she addressed him sounded perfectly natural.
Shimiya gave a quiet "Mm," set down his school bag, and walked over to the table, where he handed her the thick stack of neatly bound tests.
"Here." He was concise. "Basic diagnostic papers. Sorted by subject. Once they're done, we can identify their weak points."
Ichinose Honami wiped her hands and took the stack, puzzled. She opened the math test on top. After only a few glances, her eyes widened!
"Y-you did all of these this afternoon...?" She quickly flipped through the other equally high-quality tests, her voice full of astonishment. "Kuki-kun! You... you made five of these in one afternoon?! That's amazing! So fast! And they're so specifically targeted! They're perfect!" She looked at Shimiya, her eyes filled with pure admiration.
"With these, we'll be able to pinpoint everyone's problems! You've been a huge help, Kuki-kun!" She held the stack as if it were a priceless treasure, her face alight with surprise and enthusiasm.
Shimiya Kuki simply watched her excitement, then said calmly, "Mm. Let's eat first." With that, he headed into the kitchen to help serve the rice.
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