Ichinose's Special Guidance ("Serious" Guidance~)

I packed my school bag while maintaining my state of high spirits, preparing to head home.

Gazes kept drifting toward me from all around, but I had long since grown accustomed to that.

I need to earn as many extra points as possible from this midterm exam to make up for the expenses like the TV I bought earlier...

Recently, I had spent nearly 200,000 points on a television, a game console, a video recorder, a digital camera, a voice recorder, and a micro-camera. Even though they were necessities, such a large expenditure made me want to earn back as much as I could.

Therefore, for the two weeks starting today, I planned to study like my life depended on it, aiming to take first place in the grade for Japanese, Social Studies, and English.

If I could truly sweep those three subjects, I would receive 90,000 points; that massive reward was enough to ignite my fighting spirit.

Just as I was thinking about getting up, I suddenly heard the sound of clapping.

I looked up and saw that the class leader, Hirata, was clapping to get everyone's attention.

"Everyone, as Chabashira-sensei said, starting today, we are entering the exam preparation phase. Those who fail will be expelled immediately; I believe everyone is aware of this. To help everyone avoid such a situation, I plan to organize a study group and am looking for members."

How noble... It was the complete opposite of a guy like me who only cared about passing for his own sake.

"Furthermore, studying diligently won't just help you avoid expulsion; it can also earn us class points."

Hirata was right. According to a senior from the Chess Club, if the class average score improves during the midterm and final exams, we can earn up to 100 class points.

"A few classmates who performed well on the last quiz and I have already prepared review materials, so please, anyone who needs them, make sure to participate."

As Hirata said this, he looked toward Sudo, the student with the worst grades and the poorest attitude in class.

It seemed he also understood that Sudo was the most dangerous existence in the class.

"Tch..."

"From today until the day before the exam, we will hold sessions for two hours after school every day. You are welcome to join at any time. It's also fine to drop out midway if you feel you're ready. That is all I have to say."

As soon as Hirata finished speaking, the students hovering on the edge of failing immediately swarmed toward him.

Among them were quite a few students with decent grades as well.

However, the "Three Idiots of the Class"—Ike, Yamauchi, and Sudo—did not seem to intend to participate.

Aside from Sudo, the other two hesitated, but in the end, they didn't go to Hirata.

Whether they were afraid of angering Sudo or just disliked Hirata, those three would likely be expelled.

But what did that have to do with me?

I had no intention of joining the study group.

Hirata had just said that he and a few students who did well on the quiz had prepared materials, which implied that those with good grades would be expected to act as tutors.

Since I placed fourth on the last quiz, there was a high probability I would be assigned to teach others.

Being a student was fine for me, but acting as a teacher for strangers?

Spare me.

※※※

Thirty minutes later...

"If I use this formula... it should be like this. Though, I never thought there would come a time when I'd feel lonely..."

While reviewing math in the library, I couldn't help but mutter to myself.

It was the exam preparation period, so the library was almost completely full, and I was sitting alone in a corner.

Sakanayanagi and Hiyori were both absent.

Sakanayanagi was presiding over her class's study group.

Unlike our class, which aimed merely to pass, Class A's study group was focused on raising their average score to earn class points.

The gap between Class D and Class A was evident in this regard.

Hiyori had gone to the Tea Ceremony Club to discuss the activity schedule for after the midterm exams.

She should be back soon.

Just as I was thinking that, someone tapped me on the shoulder.

It seemed she had arrived.

"Yo, Hiyori, you're quick."

I turned my head as I spoke—

"Ya-ha-ha~ Sorry, it's not Shiina-san~"

Standing there was not Hiyori, but Ichinose.

"My apologies for mistaking you for someone else. Did you need something?"

"Rather than looking for Hikigaya-kun, it's more like I'm looking for a seat. All the other spots are taken, and there's only an empty space around you. May I sit here?"

I looked around; as expected, it was packed during the exam preparation period.

Besides, I had already saved the seat for Hiyori.

"Sit wherever you want."

"Thank you."

Ichinose thanked me, sat down beside me, and took out her stationery to start studying.

As expected, she was here to prepare for the exams as well.

After studying in silence for a while, Ichinose suddenly spoke up: "Come to think of it, aren't those two usually with you?"

"Sakanayanagi is busy with class affairs, and Hiyori will be here later."

"I see. I just assumed the three of you were always together."

"Rather than together, it's more like I'm being pushed around by them... Hey, that's wrong."

I suddenly pointed at her workbook.

Ichinose was reviewing classical literature and had made a mistake.

"Eh? Where is it wrong?"

"If it were science, I'd let it slide, but I'm quite confident when it comes to liberal arts. You filled in the conjugation like that, but in reality..."

As I spoke, I wrote the correct answer in my own notebook and handed it to her.

"It should be like this. I remember it being mentioned in the textbook's sidebar."

Hearing me say that, Ichinose flipped through her textbook and finally gave a small nod.

"Ah, you're right! Thank you for telling me."

"Don't mention it."

I replied casually after being thanked.

Come to think of it, such a normal conversation felt like a long time coming.

In middle school, my interactions were filled with malice, and since coming here, my conversations with Sakanayanagi have been full of provocations, while Hiyori often makes out-of-the-blue, airheaded remarks.

A normal conversation like this with Ichinose actually felt refreshing.

Just as I was thinking this, I noticed Ichinose staring intently at me—or more accurately, at the notebook by my hand.

"Hmm~ you could solve this proof faster using the Pythagorean theorem, you know?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, look..."

As she said that, she solved it for me on the spot.

My method was copied straight from the textbook, but Ichinose's method skipped a step and still held true.

"I see... This way, I can definitely save time on these types of problems. Thanks for taking the time to teach me, it's a huge help."

"It's no trouble at all. If you have any other questions about math, I can teach you those parts too, okay?"

Ichinose offered proactively.

For this exam, I was focusing on liberal arts and English, and I hadn't planned on aiming for the top of the grade in science.

However, she explained things in a way that was easy to understand; perhaps I should try to improve my math score as well.

After all, I had studied science like my life depended on it while preparing for the entrance exams, so my foundation was solid. The scope of the midterm exam also included a review of middle school material, so it wasn't too broad. With a good tutor, it might actually be possible.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

"Sure! But in exchange, you have to teach me Japanese."

"...Deal."

I wasn't afraid of teaching Japanese, and the scope for this midterm wasn't difficult either.

"Okay, then I'll start by teaching you. What don't you understand?"

"This part..."

"Regarding this..."

Whenever I asked a question, Ichinose would always explain it patiently and meticulously.

The parts I couldn't study at the beginning of the semester due to the noise from other students suddenly became clear under her guidance.

Thirty minutes after I started receiving tutoring with a sense of gratitude—

"Oh my, is Ichinose-san here today as well?"

Shiina walked over with an expression like she had just discovered a new continent.

"Yo, Shiina. Well, the seats are almost full, after all."

"Yes, please take care of me, Ichinose-san."

"Likewise."

Shiina bowed and took her seat, looking at the notes I was working on and nodding.

"The solution is very concise. However, it's better not to just write the formula; adding 'according to such-and-such theorem' would be more standard."

"True~ I actually got points deducted in middle school for not writing that."

Ichinose nodded in deep agreement with Shiina's mutterings.

After all, Shiina was an honor student, so her words carried a lot of weight.

Just as I was thinking this, Shiina suddenly moved her chair to sit right next to me.

As a result, I was forced into the middle, sandwiched between Ichinose and Shiina.

"...What's this all of a sudden?"

"It's nothing. Face-to-face tutoring is just inconvenient, isn't it?"

It seemed Shiina was joining the study session too.

I felt more confident now; I should take this opportunity to study properly.

"...Look over there."

"It's Hikigaya again."

"He's actually sandwiched between Shiina and Ichinose...?"

"Showing off his moves on the very first day of exam prep?"

"The members of the Support Committee for Shiina and the Alliance for Obtaining Vitality from Ichinose are going to riot."

"If that happens, he's finished."

...I should probably just ignore these idle whispers.

Two hours later...

"There are fifteen minutes left until closing. Students, please begin packing up your belongings."

"Mm~ that's about it for today."

Ichinose stretched her arms out in a wide yawn.

As she moved, her ample chest swayed violently, and I hurriedly looked away.

"Yeah, I'm sorry for taking up your time to help me study."

Although I had been focused on the work, hearing the announcement made me realize my legs had gone completely numb.

"We're even, really. I also received help from Hikigaya-kun and Shiina-san."

"I was able to consolidate my own knowledge as well."

Seeing Shiina's satisfied expression, my mood instantly lightened.

"Since we have the chance, should we go grab something to eat together?"

Ichinose suggested as she packed her things.

Since they had tutored me, it wouldn't be appropriate to refuse.

"I don't mind..."

"I'm fine with that."

"Then it's settled. Shall we go?"

"Sure."

Just as I was about to stand up—

"Whoa!"

My body stumbled due to my numb legs...

"Kyaa!"

I fell directly onto the floor, taking Ichinose down with me.

"Ouch... hm?"

Just as I was wincing in pain, a soft sensation pressed against my right hand.

What is this?

The moment I realized the true nature of that sensation—

"Ah... mm-ah!"

My right hand had firmly grabbed onto the incredibly voluminous, soft curve of Ichinose's chest.

(What a massive moon... Oh no! I'm truly finished now!)