Undercurrents Surging

"Bang, bang, bang." Someone was knocking on the door outside.

Zhuge Linghao, eyes bleary with sleep, got up and opened the door to take a look.

"Ayanokoji, it's you. It's early Saturday morning, can't a guy get some sleep!"

"Zhuge-kun, Horikita asked me to come get you for the Study Group."

"Study Group? Not going!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seemed to have anticipated this; he stepped aside, revealing a figure standing behind him.

Upon seeing who it was, Zhuge Linghao changed his expression at lightning speed and hurriedly corrected himself: "I love studying! I was born a genius at learning! Haha."

"You guys wait for me a second, I'll be washed up in no time!"

Ayanokoji looked at the tightly shut door and turned back to say to Horikita Suzune, "The idiot trio should be arriving at the library soon, but Kushida Kikyo will be coming too, you know!"

Then, Ayanokoji enjoyed a death glare from Horikita Suzune for the first time!

In the familiar library at the familiar spot, Zhuge Linghao sighed: It would be even better if Shiina-san were here!

Suddenly, Sudo Ken next to him slammed the table and said angrily, "Are you saying I'm at an elementary school level?"

Horikita Suzune replied emotionlessly, "Isn't that the case? You can't even solve a simple linear equation."

Zhuge Linghao thought to himself: Then why don't you start teaching from elementary school material!

Horikita Suzune continued coldly, "Look at your pathetic state. Just imagining what you'll become in the future is terrifying."

Sudo Ken, on the verge of exploding, grabbed Horikita Suzune by the collar and rasped, "So what if I can't do these problems! What's the point of studying! Instead of rote memorization here, I might as well play basketball. Wouldn't it be better to aim for a professional career?"

Horikita Suzune's expression didn't change: "How childish and ridiculous. You want to play professional basketball? Do you think reality will let you achieve your dreams so easily?"

"An incompetent person like you, lacking firm perseverance, could never become a professional player!"

"Hmph, what a waste of time. I'm going back to the basketball club!" Sudo Ken, having reached his breaking point, shoved her away and left.

Zhuge Linghao thought again: Horikita, you're being a bit of a bully. You know the red-haired kid has the mental capacity of an elementary student, yet you're provoking him like this!

Psychologically speaking, belittling and suppressing him like this will only make him more sensitive and insecure; it won't do the Study Group any good at all!

Meanwhile, Kushida Kikyo was secretly pleased, as all of this was going according to her plan.

Her core objective was to sabotage this Study Group and damage the reputation of that bitch Horikita—killing two birds with one stone!

However, knowing the ropes, she had to put on an act: "Sudo-kun, you can't do that. We agreed to study hard together!"

Sudo Ken acted as if he hadn't heard her and was already packing his books. Influenced by him, Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki didn't seem to want to study either.

Sigh, there was no helping it. Zhuge Linghao had to step up and say, "How about this? I'll teach them the math! Suzune-chan, you teach the other subjects first."

"And you, Sudo-kun, you get along well with your seniors at the basketball club, right? Are you really willing to just be expelled like this?"

Sudo Ken clicked his tongue but didn't speak. To be honest, having his weak spot touched, he truly loved basketball.

"So, please, Sudo-kun, study hard. Let's get through this Midterm Exam together, okay?"

Zhuge Linghao activated his skill, increasing the probability of others accepting his requests by 50%!

"Fine, I'll give you some face. Let's continue!" Sudo Ken finally agreed.

Kushida Kikyo's face darkened again, thinking: That bastard Zhuge is messing things up again!

Wait, recalling the scene from last night, Kushida Kikyo suddenly realized: Zhuge Linghao is faking it! Deep down, he must absolutely loathe Horikita, Ayanokoji, and those three pieces of trash! He's just maintaining his good image!

Hmph, this princess has already seen through you!

Having over-analyzed the situation, Kushida Kikyo was full of energy again. She swayed her chest and said, "That's great! Everyone helping each other, caring for each other, and improving together—this scene is just so moving! Thank you, Sudo-kun, Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun~"

The three academic underachievers blushed, not daring to look directly at Kushida Kikyo.

Just like that, seduced by beauty, the idiot trio regained their motivation, gathered their strength, and buried their heads in their studies.

Kushida Kikyo thought disdainfully: Heh, men!

After successfully finishing the study session, the three idiots rushed off in a hurry. For them, trying to stay calm and study in the library must have felt like every second was an eternity!

Horikita Suzune, who had been holding back for a long time, finally lashed out. She glanced sideways at Kushida Kikyo and said, "What exactly are you trying to do here? Did you come specifically to get in my way?"

Kushida Kikyo was clearly startled by the question, then acted like a delicate bird: "Eh? I don't really understand. What do you mean? Why can Horikita-san say such hateful things with such a cold face? It really hurts my feelings!"

After Kushida Kikyo left looking unhappy, Zhuge Linghao dared to interject weakly: "Um, I'm starving. Can we go eat now?"

Yes, Zhuge Linghao had a good habit: once it was mealtime, he wouldn't do anything else. Having exhausted so much energy, he just wanted to eat a good meal!

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the Midterm Exam was less than 3 days away.

During this period, Zhuge Linghao had earned plenty of emotional value.

Because he was often passively causing trouble, not only did his name spread among the first-year students, but even many upperclassmen knew about the clown that was Zhuge Linghao.

Of course, in the eyes of many teachers, Zhuge Linghao was clearly a difficult troublemaker!

The time was nearing the end of the school day.

"Knock, knock, knock," Zhuge Linghao knocked on the office door for the first time.

"Come in!" someone said from inside.

Zhuge Linghao swept his gaze casually over the office decor, finding nothing particularly special about it.

He walked straight toward the desk of Chabashira Sae and said, "Excuse me, teacher, I have something to discuss. Would it be convenient to talk somewhere else?"

"Oh my, are you that Zhuge Linghao who is surrounded by all sorts of rumors?" a female teacher nearby exclaimed.

Zhuge Linghao shifted his gaze, and then he stared fixedly at one spot!

[Huge! It's truly huge! A masterpiece of nature!]

Reeking of alcohol, Hoshinomiya Chie exuded the aura of a caring big sister, and as if she had discovered some rare treasure, she looked Zhuge Linghao up and down with a curious expression.

Without waiting for Zhuge Linghao to reply, Chabashira Sae led him to the rooftop terrace.

Chabashira Sae pulled out a lady's cigarette and lit it, saying, "Speak. What is it?"

Zhuge Linghao smiled and said, "Chabashira-sensei, I remember you once said that in this school, anything can be bought with points."

Chabashira Sae exhaled a ring of smoke and said hoarsely, "And so?"

Zhuge Linghao immediately shouted with a 'wise' look on his face, "May I ask, how many points do I need to marry you, teacher!"

Even with the steady composure of an adult, Chabashira Sae was still choked by her own smoke by Zhuge Linghao's shockingly bold words.

Zhuge Linghao understood that he had successfully piqued the teacher's interest.

After a moment, Chabashira Sae laughed: "Spare me the jokes. Get straight to the point and tell me your purpose."

"Hehe, alright. Actually, teacher, I want to report..."