The Study Group Resumes

During afternoon classes, Horikita told Hachiman that she had asked Kushida to gather the Idiot Trio again, and demanded that he join them at the Library after school to study.

Hachiman had no reason to refuse. It was clear that Horikita had taken his words to heart and was starting to change.

The hardest first step had already been taken. What came next depended on Horikita herself.

The final bell of the day rang as expected, bringing the day's lessons to an end.

Horikita was the first to pack up. She left the classroom expressionlessly, without even exchanging a glance with Kushida and the others, as though the study group later did not exist.

When he turned to look beside him, he found Ayanokoji watching him as well.

Hachiman felt a pain in the ass. With Ayanokoji around, he could not show off his abilities too freely.

Otherwise, he would either be turned into a tool for Ayanokoji's use or expelled through ruthless means.

That was the oppressive presence of Ayanokoji Kiyotaka, the number one figure at Advanced Nurturing High School.

Hachiman knew that he could not match Ayanokoji when it came to schemes. Aside from knowing how the story would develop, he had no advantage against him whatsoever.

That was why, when he noticed yesterday that Ayanokoji had been secretly watching his argument with Manabu Horikita, Hachiman had deliberately held back and made himself seem merely average.

Otherwise, Hachiman was confident he could have pinned Manabu Horikita to the ground and beaten him senseless.

"You're going to the study group too, right?"

For once, Ayanokoji took the initiative to greet him. Hachiman nodded.

"Yeah. After all, I'm on the danger list too."

Hachiman said self-deprecatingly as he packed up and left the classroom with Ayanokoji.

"Did something happen between you and Horikita?"

Hachiman put on a puzzled expression. "No. Nothing happened between us."

"I see."

Ayanokoji did not press further. Asking too many questions would only make him stand out, and that was not a good thing for someone who preferred to avoid attention.

Still, Hachiman Hikigaya was probably like him—hiding his true abilities.

Just how much potential did he have? I'll observe him carefully from now on.

Before long, everyone had gathered at the Library.

The people present were no different from last time. There were still seven of them.

The only difference was that Kushida's relationship with Yamauchi had changed dramatically this time.

Even now, Ike and Sudo could not believe that Kushida was actually dating Yamauchi.

There was a saying: you feared your brother had it rough, but you also feared he would start driving a Land Rover.

If Yamauchi had been dating a plain-looking girl like Shinohara, Ike might have only felt jealous. (Note: A girl from Class D.)

But it was Kushida. Ever since learning the news, he had practically ground his back teeth to dust.

"Yo, Hikigaya. You're actually still coming to this woman's study group?"

Sudo sat beside Hachiman and spoke in an indifferent tone.

Hachiman showed a helpless expression. "Can't be helped. Other than Horikita, I can't find anyone willing to teach me."

"You've got to be kidding. With your popularity, shouldn't there be tons of women willing to teach you?"

Sudo looked deeply suspicious, not believing Hachiman's nonsense in the slightest.

Hachiman shrugged. "What about you? Why did you come back?"

"It's all Yamauchi's fault. After getting a girlfriend, he turned into Kushida's lapdog. He insisted that I come back, so I had no choice but to agree."

Sudo snorted coldly, glaring at Horikita with obvious hostility.

"I know you're very upset with me, but unfortunately, I feel the same way," Horikita said coldly.

"If it weren't for moving up to Class A, I doubt I would ever study with idiots like you. It would only waste my time.

Of course, this study group isn't to help you. I'm only helping myself."

Horikita's words were as sharp as ever. Sudo slammed the table angrily, once again getting into an argument with Horikita.

Hachiman sighed helplessly, feeling powerless against Horikita's tsundere personality.

When would she learn to read the room before speaking? Then again, if she did, Horikita would not be Horikita.

The two argued for a while. With Kushida and Ayanokoji helping out, Sudo finally calmed down.

He also agreed that he would study hard.

Thus, the study group led by Horikita officially began.

There were only around ten days left before the midterms, and they officially began working hard to survive at this school.

"Hikigaya, please answer all the questions on these sheets. I need to assess your academic ability."

Hachiman looked at the pile of practice questions before him, and the corner of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

On either side of him, Sudo and Ayanokoji both patted him on the shoulder at the same time.

The study group lasted two and a half hours before ending amid the Idiot Trio's clamor.

"Honestly, they're unexpectedly hopeless idiots."

Horikita let out a heavy sigh. Remembering the scene of Sudo and the others studying, she truly felt like throwing in the towel.

Don't act like you're the exhausted one. I'm the one who did a mountain of problems, okay?

After leaving the Library, Sudo hurried toward the Gymnasium, intending to continue practicing basketball alone.

Yamauchi went on a date with Kushida, while Ike, unwilling to be alone, dragged Ayanokoji toward the Dormitory.

Hachiman and Horikita, the slowest to leave, strolled along the Tree-lined Path. The sky gradually darkened, and the streetlights flickered on one after another to light their way.

"So, I did what you asked. Can you tell me now how you plan to make everyone pass the exam?"

Their shadows slowly lengthened across the ground. They kept a slight distance between them so no one would misunderstand their relationship.

"Not yet. I'll tell you when I decide it's time.

Don't worry. I won't lie to you."

"I understand. Though I don't have particularly high expectations for you. Still, please don't give me some completely useless method, or else..."

A hand chop struck his waist, and Hachiman wore an expression as though he had seen a ghost.

"It's not even punishment time yet. That's just cruel."

The two took the Elevator. When it reached the fourth floor, Hachiman stepped out first.

"See you tomorrow."

He politely said goodbye to Horikita, but she did not seem inclined to respond.

Getting a cold shoulder? If it was Horikita, he could enjoy it no matter how long it lasted.

Hachiman thought wickedly as he turned toward the Dormitory, only to find a girl standing outside his room.

She looked somewhat uneasy, her head lowered as if she were lost in thought. Facing the dorm room door, she did nothing and said nothing.

"Xiao Mei."

Hachiman called out to her, and her body suddenly trembled.