Beating Up My Ex-Girlfriends

"And then, girls usually wear makeup when they go out with boys, and eating hot, steamy food can sometimes ruin their makeup."

Despite never having been in a relationship herself, Ichinose Honami Kitagawa Ryo completely bewildered.

"Now I understand why Honami gained the support of his classmates so quickly."

After listening to Ichinose Honami's mini-lesson, Kitagawa Ryo also made a heartfelt remark.

But then he asked with a wicked grin:

"So what should I do if I get Confessions to?"

"Huh?"

Kitagawa Ryo's words momentarily stunned her, Ichinose Honami, who had been discussing things enthusiastically just moments before, suddenly began to stammer:

"Confessions your feelings... I think you should, in my opinion, respond properly to those feelings."

"But what if it's a student from your own class who wants to remain friends? How should you refuse?"

This was a topic completely beyond what a young girl could handle, and just imagining the scene gave Ichinose Honami a terrible headache:

"Lie to the other person that you already have a boyfriend?"

"But didn't Honami just say that Confessions should be answered properly?"

"... Feel sorry."

Ichinose Honami remained silent, unsure of what to say.

"Just follow your own heart. If you like someone, say yes; if you don't, say no. Don't worry too much about what others think, okay?"

Kitagawa Ryo offered a soft word of advice, perhaps he was simply responding to the question from earlier, or perhaps he was Ichinose Honami in front of him.

Class 1-C 1 might soon become Class 1-B, and direct competition between the two classes will soon begin.

But at least this afternoon, only Kitagawa Ryo and Ichinose Honami were sitting in this ramen shop.

The boy picked up another mouthful of ramen. Unlike his usual cold expression in class, and unlike his previous playful grin towards Horikita Suzune, he simply stared at Ichinose Honami, who was eating ramen with him, and suddenly said something out of the blue:

"It's delicious."

The Iris symbolizes good news, a messenger, and...

I miss you.

Chapter Thirteen: A Blow to My Ex-Girls(s)

After the commotion on May 1st, it can be said that the First Year students have officially stepped into the gates of Tokyo Advanced Nurturing High School. The announcement of basic rules, such as Class Points and promotion conditions, has turned the originally peaceful and pleasant school life into a tense one. In this tense atmosphere, the Midterm Exam to be held in mid-to-late May have naturally become the focus of everyone's attention.

Aside from the strict rule that failing the Midterm Exam would result in expulsion, many students felt that since there was a punishment, there should also be a corresponding reward. Rumors about rewards such as Private Points or even Class Points gradually spread among the First Year students. The most direct effect was that the number of students coming to the library to study increased significantly every day. Poor students were busy cramming, while good students wanted to push themselves and compete for the possible rewards.

Because seven students in Class C failed the last quiz, Kitagawa Ryo started coming to the library every day for about an hour to supervise them. The time was uncertain, and sometimes he wouldn't come at all. This kind of unpredictable and sudden attack caught the struggling students in Class C off guard. They could only study with their breath in their hands at all times, because no one wanted to actually drop out of school.

As for Class D, after Class C nearly wiped out their remaining points on May 1st, they were left to live a frugal life, eating free mountain vegetable meals and drinking free mineral water. If they had been left to live like this for a month from the beginning, they might have been able to endure it, but the first month of school was far too comfortable. Ironically, the more comfortable the students were in the first month, the more financially strapped they became in May. This contrast was almost driving them crazy.

As a result, Ken Sudō was unsurprisingly isolated. Apart from Hirata Yosuke and Kushida Kikyo, almost no one was willing to talk to him. However, his name would often appear in other people's conversations, as if everything that Class D had suffered that day was caused by him.

However, unlike his irritability at the beginning of the semester and his humble atonement in the previous stage, Ken Sudō was now numb. He still slept in class and went to join the Basketball Club after class. Although he had been suspended from school for half a month, he still got the opportunity to train because of his outstanding physical fitness among the First Year students. So Sudo put all his energy into club activities, and he was neither ashamed nor angry when faced with the criticism from his classmates.

However, when Kanji Ike and Yamauchi Haruki were loudly denouncing Ken Sudō, they still dared not look him in the eye. They were soon annoyed that they were still afraid of Sudo, so they lowered Sudo's position even further.

Thus, the label of "violent maniac" was naturally attached to Sudo's head. As long as he was in Class D, there was no escape. The rumors became more and more distorted and deformed. Some people said they knew Sudo in junior high school and had beaten people into the hospital; others said that at the beginning of the school year, Sudo took on three upperclassmen by himself and beat them until they begged for mercy.

In this rumor, Ken Sudō seems to have become a hideous monster, unable to communicate or interact, with eight thick arms all over his body, as if he would punch anyone who looked at him in the head.

Yamauchi Haruki and Kanji Ike experienced a slight rift in their relationship. The reason was that Yamauchi Haruki had paid 10,000 points that he was supposed to pay, while Kanji Ike was left with a debt. The two had a heated argument and announced that they would break off their friendship. However, they soon discovered that they had almost no friends in the class except for each other, so they could only awkwardly reconcile and continue to play the role of frivolous and clownish figures in Class D.

Hirata Yosuke was still trying to Salvation the class. He took the lead in organizing a study group and encouraged the students in Class D who were failing to join in order to prepare for the upcoming Midterm Exam. Apart from Ken Sudō, Kanji Ike, and Yamauchi Haruki, the other students were still willing to follow Hirata Yosuke's arrangements. Just when Hirata Yosuke was worried about how to get these three problem students to join the study group, someone unexpectedly offered him a helping hand.

Horikita Suzune's offer to help for the first time was a significant improvement, especially considering she had been completely alone and not participating in any class activities for the previous month. According to her, she felt that exam scores might be related to increasing Class Points, and if a way to increase Class Points wasn't found before next month, a considerable number of Class D students would drop out due to their inability to pay their debts, given that the Class Points were currently at zero.

If the number of students in a class decreases, it means that the class will fall into a vicious cycle of being at a disadvantage in the subsequent class competition. The girl who aims to get into Class A and catch up with her brother cannot accept Class D under the influence of Kitagawa Ryo, but she can only grit her teeth and participate in the planning of the Midterm Exam.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was also brought in by Horikita Suzune, because Horikita Suzune had also paid his points, so he should naturally help her with some work. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also needed a tool, so he agreed to Horikita Suzune and became an inconspicuous little follower.

Since Yamauchi Haruki and Ken Sudō had each paid 10,000 points in advance, they had no reason to refuse. Kanji Ike, who was left out, could only helplessly join the study group with Yamauchi Haruki. Regardless of the means, at least after Horikita Suzune lent a helping hand, Class D finally formed a respectable study group on the surface.

Even though Ken Sudō still sat alone at a distance, even though Yamauchi and Ike frequently complained that Horikita Suzune's teaching style was too harsh and incomprehensible and that Kushida, even though some students in the class still looked lazy.

"After the lesson, I felt that geography was actually quite easy."

"Chemistry isn't as difficult as you might imagine."

With only one week left until the Midterm Exam, the sounds of the students from Class D were unusually noisy in the quiet library during lunch break.

Ike and Yamauchi boasted to each other.

"Because a lot of the questions are basically memorized, right? And unlike English or math, where you can't answer many questions without a foundation."

"We can't be careless; current events might appear on the exam."

Kushida Kikyo gently offered encouraging advice from the side, while Horikita Suzune was only responsible for organizing notes, summarizing key points, and predicting the most likely questions. Usually, she would have Kushida Kikyo watch over these people in her place.

"Crash... problem?"

Yamauchi looked completely bewildered.

"It's a 'current affairs' issue. It refers to phenomena that have occurred in politics or economics in recent years. In other words, exam questions will not be limited to those written in the textbook."

"Wow, that's a foul! Doesn't that render the exam scope meaningless?!"

Kanji Ike protested loudly.

"Therefore, this part should also be read."

"I've suddenly started to hate geography..."

"Let's hurry up and study; the exam is in a week."

Kushida Kikyo tilted her head and made a very cute expression:

"How about I go on a date with whoever gets the highest score next?"

Upon hearing Kushida Kikyo's words, Yamauchi Haruki and Kanji Ike became incredibly energetic, holding their books and swaying their heads like elementary school students trying to impress their teacher. Yamauchi Haruki, seemingly wanting to show off in front of Kushida Kikyo, pretended to ask Kanji Ike:

"Chi, could you tell me the name of the person who came up with the inductive method? This is a key point on the exam!"

While pondering with "hmm hmm" Kanji Ike turned the mechanical pen:

"Ah, that's it, that one. It sounds like a name that makes you feel hungry."

The answer seemed to be swirling in my mind, but I just couldn't quite come up with it.

"Francis Xavier?... Shouldn't it be a name like that?"

"You answered incorrectly! The correct answer is Francis Bacon!"

"I've been reading his works since I was four years old."

When Yamauchi Haruki saw that Kanji Ike hadn't answered, he excitedly blurted out the answer, even casually telling a lie that would be easily seen through with a smug look on his face.

"If Ichi can reach my level, a perfect score is no problem."

No, it's still far from that...

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka not far away, watched Yamauchi Haruki's smugness. But this kind of frantic studying before exams was probably the normal life of a high school student. If everyone crammed like crazy for the remaining week, they could probably avoid failing.

"Everyone, please take good care of your health, otherwise you'll have less time to study."

Kushida said the same thing. She should also know that time is running out, and even after two weeks of intensive study, it is hard to say that the failing students, led by Yamauchi Haruki and Kanji Ike, will definitely pass. Moreover, judging from their attitude towards studying, Ken Sudō, who has been sitting in the corner all along, may be more serious than the two of them.

"Hey, be quiet. You're shouting and yelling, it's so noisy."

A student reading nearby seemed to have been angered by the conversation in Class D and raised his head, saying:

"What's the point of studying for Class D students? It's better for them to drop out sooner rather than later; maybe it'll be a relief."

As soon as the boy spoke, the students from the other classes sitting next to him also looked up and glanced at Yamauchi and the others with disgust. After all, making noise in the library was indeed an annoying thing. They were too embarrassed to speak up before, but now that someone had spoken up first, they didn't mind giving him a few encouraging glances.

Kanji Ike seemed annoyed by their appearance and, wanting to make a good impression on Kushida Kikyo, responded forcefully in a half-angry tone:

"What do you want to do? So what if we're in Class D? Do you have a problem with that?"

"No, no, no, I don't have any objections. I'm Yamawaki from Class C, nice to meet you."

The boy who called himself Yamawaki smiled maliciously as he looked around at the students in Class D, paying particular attention to Ken Sudō, who was sitting in the corner and hadn't looked up at all, seemingly unconcerned about the dispute.

"In fact, I'm one of the people who most hope Class D can stick around. After all, we get points from you guys every month, right? If you all drop out, we'll lose a lot of extra income."

Despite being alone, Yamawaki showed no fear whatsoever, and mocked in a sarcastic tone.

"But how should I put it? It's really great that this school can group students according to their abilities. If I had to study with guys like you from the bottom of the class, I couldn't stand it."

"You all know that if you fail this exam, you'll be expelled, right? I'm actually looking forward to seeing a few of you get expelled. Oh, no, no, you all really need to do your best to pass the exam."

"Come on!"

At the end, Yamawaki even made a fist-pumping gesture, as if he genuinely supported the students of Class D.

In the past, some impulsive students from Class D might have rushed forward to confront them with their fists. However, with Sudo's lesson in front of them, even though they were constantly being mocked, the students of Class D could only suppress their anger. After all, their class was so disappointing that their very lifeline was now in the hands of the other side.

"Unfortunately, no one in Class D will be expelled. Besides, before worrying about our class, you should worry about your own class first; pride comes before a fall."

Just as Class D was struggling to cope, Horikita Suzune arrived and witnessed everything. Without any politeness, she walked up to Yamawaki and confronted him.

"Arrogance leads to defeat? Don't be ridiculous."

Remembering his boss's instructions perfectly, Yamawaki's acting was off the charts; his chuckling expression was simply irritating.

"We don't go to school to avoid failing, but to get better grades. Don't compare us to others, okay?"

"It seems that seven students in Class C failed the last quiz. Judging by the number of poor students alone, Class C shouldn't have the right to say such things."

"And I remember your name was in there, Yamawaki."

Kitagawa Ryo Horikita Suzune was progressing faster than he had expected. At least, gathering information about other classes was something Horikita Suzune would never have thought of or done before.

"Yamawaki, there's no need for argument. Didn't you just say that we shouldn't make loud noises in the library?"

Kitagawa Ryo walked over to Yamawaki and patted him on the shoulder:

"The Midterm Exam will reveal the true test."

Upon seeing Kitagawa Ryo's figure, the students of Class D instinctively tensed up. Even the most oblivious Yamauchi Haruki and Kanji Ike, could realize that the reason Class D was in such a miserable state was almost entirely due to Kitagawa Ryo.

"I didn't expect Suzune to be willing to lead Class D?"

"You don't need to worry about what happens in Class D, and don't act like we're close. I've never allowed you to call me 'Suzune.'"

Horikita Suzune took a deep breath. Knowing that Kitagawa Ryo was good at using words to provoke people, she simply showed the most assertive and tough attitude.

"That's a real shame. I was hoping to leverage our deep friendship and the friendly ties between Classes C and D to make a deal with Class D about the Midterm Exam answers."

Kitagawa Ryo looked helpless, but the information revealed in his words immediately excited the students of Class D:

"Midterm Exam answers?"

Does such a thing really exist?

"If that were the case, then why would we be studying here every day?"

"I, I, I still have a few Private Points, please sell them to me!"

"Hey kid, didn't you say you'd already used up all your points?"

The students in Class D had resigned themselves to their fate and planned to study diligently, but upon hearing that the answers were available, their already restless hearts immediately stirred. For these struggling students, if the answers were provided, what was the point of studying at all?

Regardless of whether the answer actually exists, the learning atmosphere that Class D had worked so hard to build immediately crumbled after Kitagawa Ryo casually uttered it.

This answer, whether true or false, is equally important to Horikita Suzune. To prove herself and advance to Class A, she first needs to pass this Midterm Exam. If she can get this answer, the few people who were initially worried should also be able to pass smoothly, and it can also raise the average score of the entire class. There might even be an extra reward.

"However, Horikita- kun seems to think we're not that close, so I'm sorry."

As Yamawaki, who was pulling Kitagawa Ryo away from the library, turned around, Horikita Suzune, who was being watched intently by the other students in Class D, could only grit her teeth and purse her lips, looking unwilling but helpless, and ran behind Kitagawa Ryo to try to stop him.

"If, Kitagawa-kun, you wish."

She practically spat out each word through her teeth.

"Just call me Suzune."

Seeing Horikita Suzune's demeanor shift from her previous aloofness, as if saying "Don't act like we're so close," to now clutching his clothes, swallowing her anger, her face flushed red as she glared at him, Kitagawa Ryo smiled in surprise:

"Suzune?"

"I am here."