The lunch bell had barely rung when the classroom erupted into noise. The students packed their bags, ready to head to the cafeteria, while Sakura Airi lay listlessly on her desk, too lazy to move.
Shangguan Che glanced at the corner of the white letter peeking out of her desk, then turned to look at Hirata, who was organizing the study group. He quickly made up his mind.
"Sakura, Hirata and I need to discuss the study group." He gently patted her arm, his voice softening. "I won't be able to eat with you this afternoon. Go back and get some rest, okay? You look pretty tired today."
Sakura raised her head. The bloodshot veins in her eyes were clearly visible, but she managed a faint smile and said quietly, "Okay, I understand. Goodbye, Shangguan." Then she buried her head in her arms again, looking utterly exhausted.
Watching Sakura's back, Shangguan Che sighed inwardly.
After lunch, when they returned to the classroom, Sakura immediately slumped onto her desk without even taking out her textbooks.
He used Clairvoyance to peek at the letter in her desk. It was much like the pink one from before: full of disturbing, harassing messages, with a sickening obsession showing through between the lines.
"Who keeps sending these letters?" Shangguan Che frowned. "One a day? That's way too frequent. At this rate, Sakura's going to be worn down sooner or later."
What worried him more was how long it would take for Sakura to tell him about it.
Given how timid and shy she was, she might keep it bottled up until she completely broke down.
This kind of ongoing harassment by letter already counted as sexual harassment.
But Shangguan Che's Clairvoyance had one fatal flaw: it could see far away, but it couldn't catch a "moment."
Leaving a letter was something that could be done in a minute or two. He had no way to pinpoint it, and could only investigate gradually as the days passed. It was absurdly inefficient.
"The person writing these letters is definitely a creep." Shangguan Che had already decided what to call him. "The only way to deal with someone like that is to take him down in one shot. Don't give him a chance to catch his breath."
He'd already come up with a plan: have Sakura deliberately appear alone in a place where the creep might show up, then draw him out. Creeps followed the same routine: watch, stalk, scout the place, and only then dare to act. If Shangguan Che caught him in the act, he could put an end to this once and for all.
"Shame about my image, though." Shangguan Che rubbed his chin, feeling a little helpless. "I might have to act like a terrifying thug and scare the life out of him."
The biggest problem was that he couldn't spare an uninterrupted stretch of time to keep an eye on Sakura. The study group Hirata was organizing had invited the entire class!
"You've got to be kidding me, Hirata. Are you trying to work yourself to death?" When Shangguan Che first heard the news, he nearly jumped out of his seat. "There are dozens of people in the class, and their grades are all over the place. How are you supposed to help them all by yourself? You'll either wear yourself out or the study group will fall apart."
There was no helping it. He had to grit his teeth and join in. At least he could take some of the pressure off Hirata. He could be "half an academic machine."
Half his attention would be on the study group, and the other half would use Clairvoyance to keep watch on Sakura.
"Shangguan, what do you think about holding the study group in the library after school every day?" Hirata came over with a notebook covered in detailed plans. "I was also thinking we could split into small groups and have students with good grades help those who are struggling. Do you think that would work?"
Looking at how serious Hirata was, Shangguan Che felt both impressed and a little helpless. "It could work, but don't push yourself too hard. How about this: I'll handle the math and English groups, you take Japanese and Japanese history, and Horikita can handle science. Splitting up the work will make us more efficient."
Hirata's eyes lit up. "That's great! With you helping, I feel a lot more at ease."
Shangguan Che smiled, though inwardly he muttered, I'm not helping you. I'm saving you.
He knew someone would surely ask why he didn't use Clairvoyance to steal the exam answers. But there was no such thing as a hundred percent guarantee. If the school found out, forget saving Sakura—he'd be expelled himself.
I'd better focus on what's right in front of me. Shangguan Che took a deep breath. The study group can't fall apart, and Sakura can't get hurt. I'll just have to juggle both.
He took out his phone and sent Sakura a message: [Sakura, if you feel unwell this afternoon, go back to the dorm and rest early. You don't have to force yourself to come to the classroom.]
Before long, Sakura replied with a single "Okay," followed by a little moon emoji. It seemed she really did plan to catch up on some sleep.
Shangguan Che put his phone away and looked at Hirata, busy at work, then at Sakura's empty seat. He silently cheered himself on. Come on! Even "half an academic machine" can make a big difference!
The classroom had shed its daytime bustle after school. Sunset streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the desks.
Hirata stood at the lectern, clutching a list. With his trademark sunny smile, he addressed the few who had stayed behind. "Everyone I asked to come is here. I'd like to explain my plan now."
Shangguan Che sat in the second-to-last row, propping his chin on one hand while absently twirling a pen with the other. His eyes were half-closed, and he looked as if he hadn't woken up yet.
He couldn't help it. Half the night he'd spent worrying about whether Sakura was being harassed, and the other half thinking about how to divide up the study groups. Then he'd had to get up early to bring Sakura breakfast. He felt as if his soul and body had gone their separate ways.
At Hirata's words, he nodded slowly, his gaze as vacant as a Psyduck that had just woken up. He was still wondering, Did Sakura get back to the dorm? Did she eat properly? Did she read that white letter this afternoon? What if she couldn't sleep again...?
"Go ahead, Hirata," Kushida Kikyo said. Sitting in the front row with her hands on her knees, she wore a warm, graceful smile. She'd volunteered to help, after all. As the class's "glue," she wouldn't miss something like this.
Hirata cleared his throat and said earnestly, "To hold a study group, we need students who are doing well to guide those who are struggling. So I'd like to express my heartfelt thanks for your willingness to join."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. "I plan to divide the class into five groups, with two or three students who are doing well assigned as leaders of each group to help everyone study."
At the words "students who are doing well," Shangguan Che's unfocused eyes suddenly sharpened. His mind flashed back to the classroom that morning: Horikita sat by the window, looking down at her textbook as if nothing around her concerned her; Ayanokoji leaned back in his chair, hands in his pockets and gaze wandering, no one could tell what he was thinking; Koenji had crossed one leg over the other and was playing with his hair, looking faintly disdainful, as if he found the whole thing boring.
Aside from those three "odd ones," nearly everyone in Class D's top ten was there.
Kushida, Yukimura, and a few other students who didn't usually talk much but had good grades.
"Hirata's really popular," Shangguan Che thought. "No wonder he's my officially certified 'best friend.' Everyone answers when he calls."
He remembered how he'd casually included Ayanokoji, who wasn't in the top ten, and couldn't help smiling. "Ayanokoji's always hiding his abilities. For all we know, he's much better than his grades suggest. No harm in counting him in."
Hirata began assigning tasks. "Yukimura, could you handle the science tutoring? You're top of the class in physics and chemistry."
Yukimura pushed up his glasses and nodded. "No problem."
"Kushida, you're good with people. Could you take Japanese and Japanese history?"
"Sure! I'll do my best!" Kushida's smile grew even sweeter.
Hirata turned to Shangguan Che. "Shangguan, I'll leave math and English to you. You're second in the class in both subjects."
"Huh? Oh, sure." Shangguan Che had only just caught on, and quickly nodded. Sakura's not very good at math, is she? I should put her in my group so I can help her... Wait, we're at the planning meeting. I can't zone out! He pinched his arm hard, trying to wake himself up.
But a few seconds later, Shangguan Che's thoughts drifted away again.
One moment he imagined the creep waiting for Sakura outside the dorm. The next he remembered they hadn't prepared any study materials. Then he started thinking about how he didn't have nearly enough personal points.
Kushida, sitting beside him, noticed how he looked and couldn't help asking in a soft voice, "Shangguan, are you okay? Are you too tired?"
"Huh? I'm fine, I'm fine." Shangguan Che snapped back to attention and smiled awkwardly. "I just didn't sleep well last night. I'm a little distracted."
Kushida nodded in understanding and didn't press him. She simply handed him a bottle of mint candies. "These can help you stay alert. Want to try one?"
"Thanks, Kushida!" Shangguan Che took the candies and popped one into his mouth. A cool sensation spread through him, and his mind finally cleared a little.
He watched Hirata earnestly discuss the details of the study group with everyone, and suddenly felt warm inside.
Class D might be known as a "gathering place for defective products," but nobody had given up. Instead, they were willing to work hard together. It was a pretty nice feeling.
Forget it. I'm overthinking things. Shangguan Che took a deep breath and turned his attention back to the planning meeting. First, get the study group running. Then figure out how to catch the creep who's sending the letters and protect Sakura.
As for Ayanokoji and Koenji, if they're willing to help, great. If not, I won't force them. The rest of us can definitely make this study group work!
With that thought, he straightened his back, his gaze growing determined.
He might have played the part of a "Psyduck" for a while, but now it was time to get serious!
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