The Fist of Love

"Shintō, are you sure this plan will work?!"

Hey, I haven't even said anything yet! Why are you all making such a fuss?!

Besides, this is just a midterm exam. Don't act like it's the graduation exam!

"In theory, it could work, but in practice..."

At that point, Shintō glanced discreetly toward Kōenji. There was no way that man would deliberately score poorly.

"In practice, there are still plenty of factors we can't control. So all I'm saying is that we can control things as much as possible."

The Class D students, whose hopes had just been kindled, were doused with a bucket of cold water.

"Hahahahaha, that's right. After all, I never planned to deliberately control my scores. I'll not only answer the questions, I'll work even harder than usual! Because that's the kind of person I am—Perfect~!"

For some reason, Kōenji suddenly started shouting.

Naturally, this drew everyone else's hostility:

"Hey! What's wrong with you?! Why can't you cooperate with everyone? We just want to get through this exam safely. What do you stand to gain if we're expelled?!"

"That's a rather strange thing to say. Why should I cooperate with you? I detest certain ugly people among you, so of course I'd be happy if they were expelled!"

"Besides, even if I promised to cooperate right now, who among you would believe me? To make sure you don't get expelled, you might suddenly change your minds during the exam and try to get high scores. I think that sort of thing would be pretty common."

"What's with that attitude?!"

Soon, insults filled the air, and Hirata had to step in again to calm everyone down one by one.

Couldn't they use all that time spent arguing to read a book and study?!

"Shintō, you really don't plan to join the study group?"

"I..."

Just then, Karuizawa came over and tugged at Shintō's sleeve.

"Um, actually, I'm a little worried about my grades too..."

"Oh, I've actually wanted to join the study group for ages. Studying and improving together with my classmates—what could be better?"

Kushida Kikyo was clearly taken aback by Shintō's sudden change of attitude. She could pull off that trick herself, but she'd never actually seen someone else do it before.

Still, there was something strange about those two...

"Um, you two... Could it be that you're... already dating?"

"Yes." "No."

Shintō and Karuizawa gave two different answers, which only brought a mischievous smile to Kushida Kikyo's face.

"Then it's settled. I'll call you when the study group starts."

With that, Kushida hurried over to join Hirata, tending to the feelings of Class D's bunch of overgrown babies.

Shintō turned slightly toward the girl beside him. "Weren't we supposed to pretend to be a couple? What's the point if we keep it a secret?"

"You! You're an idiot, of course you wouldn't understand! Couples don't just suddenly get together. There has to be a process first..."

Sorry for never having been in a relationship!

That night, Shintō successfully got the application form signed by four people, marking the imminent birth of the Advanced Nurturing Yorozuya!

"Karuizawa's pretty reliable. She found me a third person, and even threw in a bonus."

However, when he saw the list of supplies required by the club, he couldn't help falling into deep thought.

Since I'm taking advantage of the school... I might as well ask for more. Whether the higher-ups approve it or not, I can always haggle with them on the spot!

Apparently thinking the spaces on the application form were too small, Shintō attached an extra sheet of notebook paper and listed everything he wanted, sorted by purpose.

"A refrigerator, television, microwave, washing machine, vacuum cleaner... a sofa, cushions, coffee maker... Uh, what else was there?"

It was hard to believe that completing the supplies list had taken more brainpower than an entire day of classes!

To replenish the sugar his brain had used up, Shintō got up and left his room, hoping the vending machine hadn't run out of drinks this late at night...

As soon as he went downstairs, he spotted Horikita Manabu walking with his head down toward somewhere.

"Not asleep this late at night? Maybe the guy needs to pee and can't find a bathroom..."

Curious to see if anything interesting was happening, Shintō quietly followed him, keeping a deliberate distance so he wouldn't be noticed.

The moment he arrived, he saw Horikita Manabu beating up Horikita Suzune.

What should he do in a situation like this?

There was no need to think. Shintō's body had already made the decision for his brain!

Hidden in the bushes where nobody could see him, he secretly turned on his phone's video camera...

Horikita Manabu unleashed a smooth combination of punches, leaving his little sister doubled over, then pinned Horikita Suzune firmly against the wall.

"You shouldn't have come here."

Choking under his grip, Horikita Suzune struggled to reply:

"Brother... I came here to catch up... to catch up with you..."

"Hah, catch up with me? Having a sister in Class D only brings shame on me!"

"I... I'll make it to Class A..."

"You'll never make it! Suzune, if you don't want to disgrace me, your brother, if you don't want to be buried alive at this school, then go withdraw immediately!"

Horikita Manabu stared at his sister, his face ashen.

"Brother, no! No! I... I'll prove that I can catch up with you..."

"You really don't understand anything, do you? Looks like you need to be taught a lesson!"

As Horikita Manabu drew back his fist to strike, Shintō narrowed his eyes, thinking he probably couldn't just stand by any longer. But someone was clearly faster than him!

Frightened, Horikita Suzune hurriedly shut her eyes. But the loving fist from her brother never came. When she opened them again, she saw a strong hand gripping Horikita Manabu's wrist tightly.

"Ayanokōji!"

Horikita Manabu immediately released the hand holding his sister and started grappling with the unexpected intruder.

In fact, Horikita Manabu was the only one attacking. Ayanokōji simply dodged with nimble movements, and when he couldn't evade, he blocked the blows lightly.

For a while, Horikita Manabu couldn't gain the slightest advantage.

After only a few exchanges, Horikita Manabu gave up attacking.

"Not bad. Have you trained in anything before?"

"Tea ceremony, piano, and calligraphy."

So those really were special techniques for killing people, weren't they?!

Or maybe they were code words for some deadly moves.

Shintō Katsuya curled his lip. But in that short time, he'd managed to capture some big news on video.

[Student Council President beats up a junior girl in public; when a junior boy catches him, he not only refuses to repent but tries to kill him to keep him quiet]

Would a headline like that get the school's attention?

"Hah, Suzune, I didn't know you had a friend like this. Ayanokōji, was it?"

"He... he isn't my friend..."

Horikita Suzune hurriedly denied it.

"Looks like you still don't understand the difference between being aloof and being lonely. Fine. Since you refuse to give up no matter what, go ahead and struggle in this swamp to your heart's content."

With that, Horikita Manabu turned to leave. But how could Shintō Katsuya pass up such a good chance to shake him down?