Primitive Study Group

"You're here, Kikyo. Have you found someone to group with? If you don't mind..."

Ike said, preparing to invite Kushida to join his study group.

"I've already grouped with Kagami, Ike."

"What a shame, if only I'd been a bit faster."

"It wouldn't have mattered even if you were faster. I decided from the very beginning that I would only group with Kagami."

Kushida replied without any change in tone, offering a blunt refusal devoid of any pleasantries or pretense.

Clatter—that was the sound of Ike Kanji's heart shattering, his self-esteem scattering across the floor. His usual thick-skinned personality was merely a protective shell for his fragile heart.

If a lecherous little shrimp who constantly spouted dirty jokes could attract the favor of a goddess, it would surely signal the end of the world.

"But according to Hirata's strategy meeting, wouldn't this waste two spots for high-achieving students to prevent the failing ones from dropping out?"

"That's strange, Horikita. You've always acted like you didn't care about the students around you, so why the change today?"

Kushida looked at Horikita with her signature smile.

"I've also changed my way of thinking after going through various things. To be honest, the previous me wasn't mature enough. You can't reach Class A by fighting alone."

"If there was anything before that made you feel uncomfortable, I can apologize."

"It's the same logic, you know. I feel like constantly trying to please others is just too exhausting, so I'm going to be a bit selfish this time. Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Just because I accepted the invitation to the study session doesn't mean you can order me around, Horikita."

Kushida's tone shifted, and she fixed Horikita with a gaze that sent a chill down one's spine.

Horikita and Kushida, two people with completely opposite personalities. At this moment, their roles had actually reversed.

"Am I still dreaming?"

Sudo remarked.

"Alright, let's start the study session. Time waits for no one."

Still in the library, in a quiet corner.

"Test questions... test questions..."

Shiina was carefully looking through the Japanese textbook to see which parts were suitable for questions.

"Long time no see, Shiina-chan."

"Wah!"

Shiina let out a startled cry.

"Long time no see."

She turned back to look at Nagami.

"Shiina is like a permanent NPC in the library. I see you every time I come in."

"I-I am not. It's just a coincidence."

"Oh, not reading mystery novels today, but studying the Japanese textbook instead?"

Nagami looked at the textbook in Shiina's hands, which was covered in dense notes.

"If the test is all Classical Japanese or Kanbun, Class D is going to be completely finished."

"Hm? Isn't Nagami from Class D? Why would you want to make things difficult for your classmates?"

Shiina asked, slightly confused, having already assumed that Class D would challenge Class C for the test.

"Oh, it's simple. I'm the 'tough love' type when it comes to them. I've been too gentle with them lately; they need a bit of a wake-up call."

"That actually makes some sense, oh!"

Shiina seemed to realize something.

"I'm sorry, Nagami-kun, but I can't disclose the scope of the questions for Class C."

"Shiina-chan, don't let class rivalries ruin our friendship. I've never thought of it that way."

"Defeating an opponent fair and square—that's my way of doing things."

Nagami radiated an aura of righteousness.

"I see! Is there anything you needed me for today?"

"Nothing at all. I just missed my friend and wanted to see you."

"Thank you for your concern. If you need anything, you can contact me on Line."

We've known each other for so long, yet we haven't even added each other on Line. Sometimes, pure friendship between a man and a woman is just that simple.

This exam had a simple, peaceful solution. Since it was a zero-sum game, they only needed to agree to transfer the point difference to Class C before the next special exam. If Class C were willing, this exam could be settled perfectly.

Considering the Lilliputian king Ryuen, he certainly wouldn't let it go easily. In his mind, not making a profit was a loss; extortion was already etched into his very bones.

"If you walk by the river often enough, you're bound to get your shoes wet. I hope the clown doesn't fall into the ditch."

I put on my AirPods, activated noise cancellation, picked up an unfinished mystery novel, and began to read at my leisure.

On the other side, Master Hori, having been busy all afternoon, lay exhausted in her chair.

"What a hopeless black hole of knowledge; you must come early tomorrow and not be absent."

Horikita lectured the Three Idiots of the study group.

"Yes~"

Every night in the student dormitory, Horikita continued to stay up late preparing test questions. Working around the clock, day and night, had left her body extremely fatigued. For the past few days, she had been forced to push herself to lead her classmates in review, hoping to narrow the gap as much as possible.

"Should I find a helper?"

Horikita complained to herself.

"Boss, should we expose the mole in Class D during this exam to create internal chaos?"

"It's not the right time yet. A trump card is only useful when played at the most critical moment."

He crossed his arms, his cold gaze fixed through the window toward the direction of Class D, as a sinister plan continued to brew.

On Saturday, Nagami, who had been invited out, was strolling through Keyaki Mall in casual clothes. He randomly chose a quiet cafe called Palette.

"Welcome!"

The clerk at the front desk greeted him.

"Do you have coconut lattes?"

"Hello, customer. We don't have that, but I recommend an iced Americano."

"Then just a regular latte. Iced, no sugar, medium size."

"That will be 415 points, please. Your order number is 101. We look forward to seeing you again."

Nagami paid with his school device, his balance at 700,000. If he worked a little harder, he could break into seven figures. Although he couldn't do anything major with it, he wouldn't have to worry about points for his daily life.

"You guys, what do you mean by stepping on my cup on purpose?" Hasebe demanded.

"I thought it was trash someone had thrown away, so I stepped on it. You know, people in Class D have low ratings in everything, including character."

"Are you looking for trouble? Cut it out." Miyake did not back down despite being outnumbered.

"That looks like the tyrant Ryuen from Class C."

"A conflict? Are they going to fight here?" The onlookers began to provide commentary. Nagami, who always loved a good show, was naturally curious and squeezed in to take a look.

"Class D students, looks like the drama has come to them. Can't just ignore this."

"Isn't this the king of the petty, Ryuen from Class C? His favorite thing is bullying the weak." Nagami pushed through the crowd to intervene.

"You brat, how dare you talk to the boss like that, I..." Yamazaki was about to say he'd kill him, but seeing Nagami, who was a head taller, he immediately recognized the reality of the situation.

Nagami took off his jacket, revealing only a tank top. At first glance, he looked like Tanktop Boy, the superhero from the manga One Punch Man.

"This student, could it be!"

"That seems to be the bloodthirsty tiger of Class D, Nagami."

"Nani? Two violent maniacs meeting? Let me see how this plays out."

"I heard he faced ten people from Class C alone and knocked them all out in under two minutes. He didn't even break a sweat, and his hair didn't even get messy."

"Is that for real? Such exaggerated combat power—is he even human?"

"How come I heard he beat up several rebels in Class D right after school started, leaving them bedridden for a week? He even hits girls. He's a dictator in his own class."

"Wow! He even hits girls? Even Ryuen can't compare to that record."

All sorts of rumors were passed around.

The many thrill-seekers put down their coffee in unison to watch the spectacle.

A great battle seemed imminent, even if it was 1v3. However, Nagami wore an expression of disdain. With his peerless combat power—having ended the pole-toppling battle in two minutes—no one questioned his strength.

(It's just that the space is too small to move around.)

"Great, it's Nagami. Ryuen is going to run now."

"It's Nagami, we're saved," Miyake and Hasebe said.

"Tch, let's go." Ryuen didn't linger. Facing Nagami head-on, he had no chance of winning; he could only play dirty and launch sneak attacks from the shadows.

"A wise decision."

"Order 101, please pick up your meal."

"Oh, my latte is ready."