Underlying Currents

"Knock, knock, knock." Someone was at the door.

Still half-asleep, Zhuge Linghao got up and opened it.

"Bro Ayanokoji, it's you. It's Saturday morning! Can't you let me sleep?"

"Zhuge, Horikita asked me to get you to come study."

"Study? No way!"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka seemed to have expected that. He stepped aside, revealing someone standing behind him.

The moment Zhuge Linghao saw who it was, his expression changed in an instant. He quickly changed his tune. "I love studying! I was born to be a genius at it! Ha ha!"

"Wait for me. I'll wash up in a sec!"

Ayanokoji looked at the closed door, then turned to Horikita Suzune. "The Idiot Trio should be at the library soon. Kushida Kikyo will be coming by later, too!"

Then Ayanokoji got to enjoy one of Horikita Suzune's death glares!

The familiar library, the familiar spot. Zhuge Linghao sighed. It would be even better if Shiina were here!

Suddenly, Ken Sudō slammed his hand on the table and angrily exclaimed, "You're saying I'm at an elementary school level?"

Horikita Suzune replied without a trace of emotion, "Aren't you? You can't even solve a simple linear equation."

Zhuge Linghao grumbled to himself: Then why not start teaching him elementary school material?!

Horikita Suzune remained cool. "Just look at the state you're in. It's terrifying to imagine what you'll be like in the future."

Sudō, on the verge of losing it, grabbed Horikita Suzune by the collar and rasped, "So what if I can't do this stuff? What's the point of studying? Instead of cramming here, I'd rather play basketball. Isn't aiming to be a pro a better goal?"

Horikita Suzune didn't bat an eye. "How childish and ridiculous. You want to play professional basketball? Do you think reality will let you achieve your dream that easily?"

"Someone as useless as you, without the willpower to persevere, could never become a pro!"

"Hmph, what a waste of time. I'm going back to the basketball club!" A frustrated Sudō let go of her.

Zhuge Linghao grumbled again: Horikita, you're being a bit of a bully. You know the red-haired elementary schooler is emotionally fragile, and you're still provoking him!

Psychologically speaking, insulting and putting him down like this will only make him more sensitive and insecure. It won't help him with his studies at all!

Kushida Kikyo was secretly pleased. Everything was going according to her plan.

Her main goal was to sabotage the Study Group and undermine that bitch Horikita's authority. Two birds with one stone!

But since she knew how things worked, she had to pretend to care. "Sudō, you can't do that! We agreed we'd study hard together!"

Sudō pretended not to hear her and had already started packing his books. Ike and Yamauchi seemed to have lost their motivation, too.

Well, he had no choice. Zhuge Linghao stepped in. "How about this? I'll teach them math in a bit! Suzune-chan, you teach the other subjects first."

"And you, Sudō. You get along pretty well with your seniors in the basketball club, right? Are you really willing to get expelled just like that?"

Sudō clicked his tongue but didn't say anything. The truth was, Zhuge had hit a sore spot. Sudō really did love basketball.

"So please, Sudō, study hard. Let's get through the Midterm Exam together, okay?"

Zhuge Linghao activated his skill: the chance someone would agree to your request increased by 50%!

"Fine. I'll do you a favor. Let's keep going!" Sudō finally agreed.

Kushida Kikyo's face darkened again. That bastard Zhuge is messing things up again!

Wait. Thinking back to what had happened last night, Kushida Kikyo suddenly realized: Zhuge Linghao is putting on an act! He must hate Horikita, Ayanokoji, and those three losers with all his heart! He's just keeping up his good-guy image!

Hmph. Your princess has seen through you!

After her deluded interpretation, Kushida Kikyo was full of energy again. She swayed her ample chest and said, "That's wonderful! Everyone helping and caring for one another, and improving together—it's so touching! Thank you, Sudō, Ike, Yamauchi~"

The three struggling students blushed, unable to meet Kushida Kikyo's gaze.

And just like that, tempted by her beauty, the Idiot Trio was fired up again. They put their backs into it and studied in silence.

Kushida Kikyo thought disdainfully: Hah, men!

After the tutoring session went smoothly, the three idiots hurried off. Getting them to settle down and study in the library must have felt like an eternity to them!

Horikita Suzune, who had held back for a long time, finally spoke up. She gave Kushida Kikyo a sidelong glance. "Why did you come here? Were you deliberately trying to get in my way?"

Kushida Kikyo was clearly taken aback. Then she put on an innocent, doe-eyed act. "Huh? I don't understand. What do you mean? How can Horikita say something so mean with such a cold expression? That really hurts!"

Only after Kushida Kikyo left, looking upset, did Zhuge Linghao dare to speak up weakly. "Um, I'm starving. Can we go eat now?"

Yes, Zhuge Linghao had a good habit: when it was mealtime, he never did anything else. After spending so much energy, all he wanted was a good meal!

Time flew by. There were less than three days until the Midterm Exam.

During that time, Zhuge Linghao had racked up plenty of emotional points.

He often caused trouble without even trying, and his name had spread among the first-year students. Quite a few older students had heard of the class clown Zhuge Linghao, too.

Of course, in the eyes of many teachers, Zhuge Linghao was clearly a troublesome delinquent!

It was almost time for afternoon classes to end.

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

"Come in!" someone inside called.

Zhuge Linghao casually glanced around at the staff room's decor. Nothing seemed particularly special.

He walked straight over to Chabashira-sensei's desk and said, "Sorry to bother you, teacher. I have something to discuss. Could we talk somewhere else?"

"Oh? Are you Zhuge Linghao, the guy surrounded by all kinds of rumors?" a female teacher beside them exclaimed.

Zhuge Linghao shifted his gaze, then fixed it firmly on one spot!

Huge! Absolutely stunning! A true beauty!

Reeking of alcohol and radiating the air of a warm, caring older sister, Hoshinomiya Chie studied Zhuge Linghao with great curiosity, as though she'd just discovered a rare treasure.

Before Zhuge Linghao could respond, Chabashira Sae led him up to the rooftop.

Chabashira Sae took out a cigarette, lit it, and said, "Well? What do you want?"

Zhuge Linghao smiled. "Chabashira-sensei, I remember you once saying that you could buy anything with points at this school."

Chabashira Sae exhaled a ring of smoke and rasped, "And?"

Zhuge Linghao immediately called out with a 'knowing' look, "How many points would it take to marry you, teacher?"

Even Chabashira Sae, an adult with a steady disposition, choked on her smoke at Zhuge Linghao's shocking, brazen words.

Zhuge Linghao knew he'd successfully piqued Chabashira-sensei's interest.

A moment later, Chabashira Sae smiled. "Save the jokes. Get to the point and tell me what you want."

"Heh, sure. Actually, teacher, I want to report..."