Ichinose's Service

Before long, Ichinose arrived at the library with Kanzaki, carrying two large foam boxes filled with lemonade and various other drinks.

These were purchased using the class fund, which every student contributed to equally; the class was very cooperative regarding this.

Ichinose and Kanzaki distributed the chilled drinks, and while everyone else received one bottle, Horikita Etsuka had two cups of lemonade sitting on his desk.

No one felt dissatisfied; after all, they were all reasonable people.

Horikita Etsuka was tutoring the others, so this was well-deserved. Even if he didn't have the ability to teach, no one would have complained, as the cost of a cup of lemonade was shared by everyone and didn't amount to much.

After taking a satisfying sip of his lemonade, Horikita Etsuka slowly stood up from his seat: "Classmates, I feel very motivated right now. If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

"Oh! Over here!" Kobashi Yume immediately raised her hand.

Horikita Etsuka walked over to her side. Kobashi Yume pointed at the test questions with her small hand, her eyes filled with slight distress as she said:

"I've already tried two or three ways to solve this problem, but no matter what I do, the final answer I get is wrong."

Horikita Etsuka gently tapped her on the head and pointed at the test paper: "Look, we need to think about this from a different angle..."

Amikura Mako, who was standing nearby, was stunned. Being the closest, she had the most right to speak.

He's way too gentle~

Meanwhile, Hamaguchi Tetsuya nodded involuntarily as he listened to Horikita Etsuka's explanation:

"Some of the methods Etsuka is teaching are ones I've never even heard of, yet they are incredibly practical and the steps are very concise."

Having received approval from the class's top student, the way everyone looked at Horikita Etsuka changed.

He was handsome, athletic, had a gentle personality, and even his academic ability was top-tier. Why on earth was someone like this assigned to Class B?

"So boring~" Nakanishi Jiro slumped over his desk, looking lifeless: "I knew this would be the result."

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the monthly exams arrived.

After the final subject exam concluded, the students of Class B finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Hamaguchi Tetsuya adjusted his glasses and turned to Horikita Etsuka: "Etsuka, how do you feel you did?"

Horikita Etsuka twirled his pen between his long, slender fingers and replied casually:

"About the same as usual."

"Oh, right, right." Kobashi Yume walked over excitedly. She looked at the group and said: "Since the exams are over, should we go out to celebrate and relax a bit?"

Hamaguchi Tetsuya instinctively adjusted his glasses: "How many people are going?"

Kobashi Yume made a thoughtful expression, counting on her fingers: "Hmm... me, you, Horikita, Himeno, Ichinose, Kanzaki, Mako, Chihiro..."

"Hey, hey! What about me!" Nakanishi Jiro, who had arrived on time, voiced his dissatisfaction.

"Oh, oh, oh, and Nakanishi." Kobashi Yume added blankly.

"No, why does it sound like I'm optional?" Nakanishi Jiro retorted.

"Hehe, not at all." Kobashi Yume stuck out her tongue, embarrassed.

Himeno Yuki, who was flipping through a book, said coolly: "Is it really okay to join your gathering without asking others first?"

"Oh, Yuki~" Kobashi Yume hugged Himeno Yuki's arm and said in a coaxing tone: "We really want you to come."

As she spoke, she kept shaking her.

Horikita Etsuka also rested his chin on his hand and said: "You should go, it won't be much trouble."

Himeno Yuki closed her book and sighed helplessly: "Fine, Kobashi-san, please stop shaking me."

"Yay!" Kobashi Yume happily made a peace sign.

Ichinose walked over and asked curiously: "What are you all talking about? You look so happy."

Kobashi Yume turned to look at Ichinose: "Honami, we're discussing our gathering for tonight! You won't turn me down, will you?"

Ichinose instinctively looked at Horikita Etsuka. Seeing him give an imperceptible nod, she smiled and said: "Of course I won't turn you down. I'll definitely be there."

"Great! Could you also help me call Chihiro?"

"Mm-hmm, sure thing." Ichinose agreed with a smile.

If you can't find the book title, try searching for the author; perhaps the name has just been changed!

In the afternoon, as the sun began to set.

Horikita Etsuka walked along the path back to the dormitory with his shoulder bag slung over his side.

"Horikita-kun, wait a moment!" Ichinose's voice came from behind.

Horikita Etsuka turned around to see Ichinose running toward him, bouncing with every step.

Hmm... auto-aim is on.

She ran up, panting, and put her hands on her hips:

"Horikita, why are you walking so fast?"

"Well, when it comes to leaving school, I suppose I'm quite proactive," Horikita Etsuka replied honestly.

"Don't we have plans tonight? I was wondering if it would be inconvenient to attend the gathering."

"It's fine." Horikita Etsuka took out his Student Terminal and waved it: "Latest news, Class C has suspended their offensive today."

Ichinose was slightly stunned: "Horikita, you... do you have eyes in Class C already?"

Horikita Etsuka shook his head with a smile: "Not quite eyes, just an exchange of interests."

Ichinose was one of the people Etsuka trusted most in Class B, so he didn't hold back on certain secrets.

Ichinose looked at Horikita Etsuka with a strange expression: "Horikita, you wouldn't happen to be..."

"Hey, Ichinose, are we familiar enough to be making jokes like that?"

"Hahaha, Horikita, sorry about that." Ichinose laughed and patted Horikita Etsuka on the shoulder, then said earnestly:

"But you've worked hard lately, haven't you? Even for a student like Horikita, it must be tiring, right?"

Ichinose tugged on the corner of Horikita Etsuka's shirt and walked toward a bench by the side of the road.

As Horikita Etsuka followed her, he raised an eyebrow and said: "What are you planning to do, Ichinose?"

Ichinose pressed down on Horikita Etsuka's shoulders and said in a soft tone: "Just sit down for a moment, Horikita-kun."

In any case, I'll just do as she asks for now.

Horikita Etsuka slowly sat down on the bench, and then a cool hand reached up and pressed against his temples.

Etsuka was just feeling puzzled when he suddenly heard Ichinose's gentle, soft voice:

"Horikita-kun must be very tired lately; actually, I can feel it."

Her voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze gently brushing against Etsuka's ears.

Ichinose's fingers trembled slightly as they slowly began to rub circles on his temples.

The movement seemed casual, yet it revealed a delicate sense of care.

A warm current surged through Etsuka's heart; he wanted to tell Ichinose that he wasn't actually tired, and that he was actually enjoying the process.

However, just as he was about to speak, he suddenly realized that the act itself at this very moment was, in its own way, something he was enjoying.

He quietly enjoyed Ichinose's service, feeling the light touch of her fingers, and this relaxation and comfort left him intoxicated.

The campus at this moment seemed exceptionally quiet, as if the entire world consisted only of the two of them.

The paths within the campus were wide and empty, vending machines stood silently to the side, and occasionally one or two withered yellow leaves drifted down with the wind, adding a hint of faint loneliness to the scene.

The only sound was the excited noise of a goal being scored in the distance.

Horikita Etsuka sat on the bench, completely relaxed, every cell in his body immersed in this tranquility and comfort.

Ichinose slowly recounted some interesting things happening around the school; her voice was crisp and pleasant, as melodious as the song of a bird.

When she reached the funny parts, she would laugh softly, the sound echoing in the air like silver bells.

The breath Ichinose exhaled brushed gently against Etsuka's ear, bringing a slight ticklish sensation.

"Etsuka? Why are you here?"

Just as Etsuka was immersed in this comfort, a voice suddenly shattered the brief tranquility.

If you can't find it by searching the book title, you can try searching for the author; perhaps it just changed its name!