The Iron Fist of Love

"Shinjo, are you sure this method 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 a graduation exam!

"Theoretically it works, but in reality..."

At this point, Shinjo cast a subtle glance in the direction of Kōenji. There was no way this man would intentionally score low.

"In reality, there are still many uncontrollable factors, so what I said is merely about controlling things as much as possible."

The Class D students, who had just ignited with hope, were doused with a bucket of cold water on the spot.

"Hahahaha, that's right. After all, I have never intended to intentionally control my scores. Not only will I answer the questions, but I will work even harder than usual! Because that is what a Perfect me does~!"

Kōenji suddenly shouted, as if he had taken the wrong medicine.

And this naturally attracted hostility from the others:

"Hey! Are you out of your mind?! Why can't you cooperate with everyone? We just want to get through this exam safely. What good does it do you if we get expelled?!"

"That is a truly strange thing to say. Why should I cooperate with you? I find some of you people quite ugly, so if those people get expelled, it would certainly be a good thing for me!"

"Besides, even if I gave you my word now, who among you would believe me? I think it's quite common for people to suddenly change their minds and aim for high scores during the exam just to ensure they aren't expelled."

"What kind of attitude is that!"

Soon, curses filled the air, and Hirata had to step in to soothe everyone one by one.

Can't you use the time you spend arguing to read a book and study?!

"Shinjo, are you really not planning to join the study group?"

"I..."

Just then, Karuizawa walked over and tugged at the corner of Shinjo's sleeve:

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

"Ah, actually, I've been wanting to join a study group for a long time. Studying together with classmates and improving together—what could be better than that?"

Kushida Kikyo was clearly shocked by Shinjo's sudden change of face. Although she was capable of such tricks herself, she had never seen anyone else use them in person.

However, these two... something felt off...

"Um, you two are... could it be... are you already dating?"

"Yes." "No."

Shinjo and Karuizawa spat out two different answers, which only made Kushida Kikyo reveal a malicious smile.

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

With that, Kushida hurried over to join Hirata, tending to the emotions of the group of giant infants in Class D.

Shinjo turned slightly to look at the girl beside him: "Didn't we say we were going to be fake lovers? If we keep it hidden, what's the point?"

"You! You idiot, of course you wouldn't understand! How could a couple just suddenly be together? There has to be a process, at the very least..."

Sorry for never having been in a relationship!

That night, Shinjo successfully obtained the application form with four signatures, which meant that the Advanced Nurturing Yorozuya was about to be born!

"Karuizawa is actually quite reliable. Not only did she find me a third person, but she also threw in a bonus."

However, upon seeing the list of required items for the club, he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

'Since I'm milking the system... it never hurts to write down a bit more. As for whether they'll approve it, we can always haggle on the spot!'

Seeming to feel that the space provided on the application form was too small, Shinjo attached an extra piece of note paper, categorizing the things he wanted according to their purpose.

"Refrigerator, television, microwave, washing machine, vacuum cleaner... sofa, pillows, coffee maker... uh, what else was there?"

It was hard to imagine that completing the inventory list consumed even more brain cells than a full day of classes!

To replenish the sugar lost by his brain, Shinjo got up and left his room, hoping the vending machine wouldn't be sold out at this hour...

Just as he went downstairs, he saw Horikita Manabu walking with his head down in a certain direction.

"Not sleeping in the middle of the night—could this guy be desperate for a bathroom and can't find one..."

With the intention of seeing if there was any drama to watch, Shinjo quietly followed behind him, keeping a deliberate distance so as not to attract his attention.

Then, the moment he arrived, he saw Horikita Manabu beating up Horikita Suzune.

What should one do in this situation?

Without needing to think, Shinjo's body had already made the choice for his brain!

Hidden in the bushes where no one would notice, he secretly turned on the video mode on his phone...

He watched as Horikita Manabu unleashed a silky-smooth combo, forcing his sister to double over, before pinning Horikita Suzune firmly against the wall.

"You shouldn't have come here."

The choked Horikita sister responded with difficulty:

"Brother... I am trying to catch up... to catch up to you..."

"Heh, catch up to me? A younger sister in Class D only brings shame upon me as your brother!"

"I, I will promote to Class A..."

"You will never promote! Suzune, if you don't want to embarrass me, and if you don't want to be buried alive in this school, then go and file for withdrawal immediately!"

Horikita Manabu looked at his younger sister with a livid expression.

"Brother, no! No! I... I will definitely prove that I can catch up to you..."

"You really still don't understand anything! It seems I need to teach you a lesson!"

As he spoke, Horikita Manabu swung his fist back, ready to strike. Shintō narrowed his eyes, feeling that he could no longer stand by and watch, but someone was clearly faster than him!

Horikita Suzune squeezed her eyes shut in terror, but the iron fist of her brother's love never landed. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a strong hand firmly gripping Horikita Manabu's wrist.

"Ayanokōji!"

Horikita Manabu immediately released his other hand, which had been restraining his sister, and began to grapple with the unexpected interloper right there on the spot.

In reality, it was Horikita Manabu who was constantly on the offensive, while Ayanokōji was merely using his agile movements to dodge, only blocking slightly when he couldn't evade.

For a moment, Horikita Manabu hadn't managed to gain the slightest advantage.

Consequently, after only a few exchanges, Horikita Manabu gave up his attack:

"Not bad skills. Did you learn anything in the past?"

"Tea ceremony, piano, and calligraphy."

So those are definitely special techniques for killing people, right!

Or perhaps they are secret codes for some lethal moves.

Shintō Katsuya curled his lip, though in this short amount of time, he had truly managed to snap a major scoop.

[Student Council President assaults a junior student in the street; after being discovered by a freshman, he not only refuses to repent but attempts to silence the witness]

I wonder if a headline like that would attract the school's intense attention?

"Heh, Suzune, I never thought you had such friends. Ayanokōji, is it?"

"He, he is not my friend..."

Horikita Suzune hurriedly denied it.

"It seems you still don't understand the difference between being aloof and being alone. Very well, since you refuse to give up no matter what, then struggle to your heart's content in this quagmire."

Having said that, Horikita Manabu turned to leave, and how could Shintō Katsuya possibly pass up such a golden opportunity to extort him?