"Shinjo, are you sure this plan will work?!"
Hey, I hadn't even said anything yet! Why were you all making such a fuss?
Besides, it was only a midterm. Don't act like it was a graduation exam!
"In theory, yes, but in practice..."
At that, Shinjo cast a discreet glance toward Koenji. There was no way that man would deliberately score low.
"In practice, there are still a lot of factors we can't control. So all I'm saying is that we can keep them under control as much as possible."
The Class D students, who had just started to feel hopeful, were immediately doused with cold water.
"Hahahaha! That's right. After all, I never intended to deliberately control my scores. I'll not only answer the questions, I'll work even harder than usual! Because that's the kind of man I am—Perfect~!"
Koenji suddenly started shouting for some reason.
Naturally, this drew the hostility of the others once again:
"Hey! What's wrong with you? Why can't you cooperate with everyone? We just want to get through this exam without anyone being expelled. What do you gain if we get expelled?!"
"What a strange thing to say. Why should I cooperate with you? I thoroughly dislike some of the ugly people among you, so of course I'd be happy if they were expelled!"
"Besides, even if I promised to cooperate right now, who would believe me? I think it'd be quite common for someone to suddenly change their mind during the exam and try to get a high score to make sure they don't get expelled."
"What's with that attitude?!"
Soon, curses filled the air, and Hirata had to step in again to calm everyone down one by one.
Couldn't they spend all that time arguing on studying instead?!
"Shinjo, are you really not planning to join the study group?"
"I..."
Just then, Karuizawa came over and tugged at Shinjo's sleeve.
"Um, actually, I'm a little worried about my grades too..."
"Ah, I've actually wanted to join the study group for ages. Studying with our classmates and improving together—what could be better?"
Kikyo Kushida was clearly taken aback by Shinjo's spectacular change of attitude. She could pull off that trick herself, but she'd never actually seen anyone else do it.
Still, there was something a little off about those two...
"Um, you two... could it be that you're already dating?"
"Yes." "No."
Shinjo and Karuizawa gave different answers, which only made Kikyo Kushida smile mischievously.
"Then it's settled. I'll call you when the study group starts."
With that, Kushida hurried over to join Hirata and help soothe the emotions of Class D's collection of oversized babies.
Shinjo turned slightly toward the girl beside him. "Weren't we supposed to pretend to be a couple? What's the point if you keep hiding it?"
"You! You idiot, of course you don't get it! Couples don't just suddenly get together. There has to be a process, at the very least..."
Sorry I've never been in love!
That night, Shinjo successfully got an application form bearing four signatures. That meant the Advanced Nurturing Odd Jobs Agency was about to be founded!
"Karuizawa's pretty reliable. She found me a third person and even threw in a bonus."
However, when he looked at the list of required club supplies, he couldn't help falling into deep thought.
Since I'm mooching off the school, I might as well put down a little extra. As for whether they approve it, I can always haggle with them on the spot!
Apparently feeling that the application form didn't leave enough space, Shinjo attached an extra sheet of notepaper and listed everything he wanted, organized by purpose.
"Refrigerator, TV, microwave, washing machine, vacuum cleaner... sofa, cushions, coffee maker... Um, what else?"
It was hard to believe that completing the supply list had used up more brain cells than an entire day of classes!
To replenish the sugar his brain had burned through, Shinjo got up and left his room, hoping the vending machines hadn't run out of drinks yet...
As soon as he went downstairs, he saw Manabu Horikita walking with his head lowered toward somewhere.
Why isn't he asleep at this hour? Could he be desperate for the bathroom and unable to find it...?
Curious to see if anything interesting was happening, Shinjo quietly followed him, keeping his distance so he wouldn't be noticed.
Then, as soon as he arrived, he saw Manabu Horikita beating up Suzune Horikita.
What was he supposed to do in a situation like this?
There was no need to think. Shinjo's body had already made the decision for him!
Hidden in the bushes where nobody could see, he secretly opened his phone's camera app and started recording...
Manabu Horikita unleashed a smooth combination of punches, leaving his own little sister doubled over, then pinned Suzune Horikita firmly against the wall.
"You shouldn't have come here."
Choked by the hold, Horikita's sister managed to reply with difficulty:
"Brother... I came here to catch up... to catch up with you..."
"Hmph, catch up with me? Having a sister in Class D only brings shame to me as your brother!"
"I... I'll move up to Class A..."
"You'll never make it! Suzune, if you don't want to disgrace me, your brother, and if you don't want to be buried alive at this school, then go withdraw immediately!"
Manabu Horikita glared at his sister, his face ashen.
"Brother, no! No! I... I'll prove that I can catch up with you..."
"You really still don't understand anything! Looks like I'll have to teach you a lesson!"
As he spoke, Manabu Horikita drew back his fist and was about to bring it down. Shinjo narrowed his eyes, deciding that perhaps he couldn't just stand by any longer—but someone else was clearly faster!
Suzune Horikita hurriedly squeezed her eyes shut in fright, but the loving fist from her brother never came. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a strong hand gripping Manabu Horikita's wrist tightly.
"Ayanokoji!"
Manabu Horikita immediately released his other hand from his sister and grappled with the unexpected intruder.
In fact, Manabu Horikita was the only one attacking. Ayanokoji simply dodged with nimble movements, and when he couldn't get out of the way, he lightly blocked the blows.
For a while, Manabu Horikita couldn't gain the slightest advantage.
So after only a few exchanges, Manabu Horikita gave up attacking.
"Nice moves. What did you study before?"
"The tea ceremony, piano, and calligraphy."
So those really were special techniques for killing people, weren't they?!
Or maybe they were code words for some deadly moves.
Katsuya Shinjo pursed his lips. In the meantime, though, he'd managed to capture some big news.
[Student Council President beats up underclassman in public. When discovered by a junior, he not only refuses to repent but tries to kill him to keep him quiet.]
Would a headline like that attract the school's attention?
"Hmph, Suzune, I didn't expect you to have a friend like this. Ayanokoji, is it?"
"He... he isn't my friend..."
Suzune Horikita hurriedly denied it.
"It seems you still don't understand the difference between being solitary and being lonely. Very well. Since you refuse to give up no matter what, then struggle in this mire all you want."
With that, Manabu Horikita turned to leave. But how could Katsuya Shinjo pass up such a good chance to extort him?
Before you continue