In the days that followed, Manabu Horikita really did send over some jobs.
The tasks were generally quite basic, and most involved helping the Student Council with odd jobs. Still, aside from the weekly free jobs, the others came with a corresponding fee.
This helped the three girls get used to the workflow.
But the Odd Jobs Agency was only a part of life. Right now, there was clearly a more pressing problem.
The midterm exams, where failing meant getting expelled!
So, to help Karuizawa, Shinjo had no choice but to join a study group that was never going to be harmonious.
To improve their study efficiency, Kushida suggested that the students with high scores each tutor a few students with low scores. But Karuizawa thought she might learn more effectively if she and Shinjo studied alone together.
"Will Karuizawa and the others be all right?"
Hirata was obviously a little worried. After all, judging by their exam scores alone, Shinjo wasn't much better than Karuizawa.
"Hirata, Shinjo is actually really smart. Besides, haven't you noticed?"
As she spoke, Matsushita pulled a funny face.
"???"
"Honestly, you're so slow on the uptake. Those two are dating now~"
"What?! Really?!"
Hirata clearly hadn't known about it.
Only after Sato and Matsushita both confirmed it did he nod. At any rate, this was the first couple in the class!
If only everyone could get along this well...
Thinking this, Hirata stole a glance at Horikita's group in the distance. He silently prayed for it, then couldn't help sighing.
"Anyway, since that's settled, let's get down to studying."
With that, he patiently began tutoring the gal students around him who couldn't be bothered to study.
(After all, pretty much all the girls would rather study with Hirata.)
"That's how you do it. Understand?"
"Uh... I think so."
Watching Karuizawa rack her brain until her features twisted, Shinjo couldn't help feeling a headache coming on.
Teaching someone else was clearly harder than getting a perfect score himself.
"Hey, Katsuya, am I stupid...?"
"Why would you suddenly say that?"
"Because, look! You've explained this problem so many times, but I still can't get it."
Karuizawa's mood sank lower and lower, until that familiar large hand appeared above her head once more and gently stroked her hair.
"Don't get discouraged. You barely had a chance to pay attention in class throughout middle school, right?"
"I..."
"So, you're trying to learn everything other people studied over several years. Isn't it normal that you can't take it all in at once? If you didn't understand, I'll slow down and go through it again. Have a little faith in yourself, okay?"
"Yeah! Thank you, Katsuya!"
Feeling the warmth of his hand on her head and hearing his thoughtful reassurance, Karuizawa quietly resolved to study hard, if only for his sake!
Just as Shinjo was about to speak, a loud bang rang out nearby.
Bam!
"Ah, I knew it. There was no way this combination wouldn't end in a fight."
Karuizawa's attention was drawn over too. For some reason, Sudo had suddenly slammed his hand on the table and was glaring at Suzune Horikita beside him.
"What did you say, you woman?!"
Suzune Horikita wasn't some helpless girl who could be pushed around, either. Even facing Sudo, she didn't back down an inch.
"Heh. What did I say? I said, did you learn everything in the past with the dogs?"
"What are you acting so smug for? Just because you're a little better at studying?! You've got no respect for other people!"
Sudo was clearly close to losing it. His grades really were a complete mess.
"You don't deserve any respect! You're a student, but instead of studying, all you think about is basketball. What a ridiculous dream!"
Horikita's words were undoubtedly dancing right on the other boy's biggest sore spot. The thing Sudo had always been most protective of, ever since he was little, was probably his dream of playing basketball.
If Horikita weren't a girl, Sudo would probably have punched her in the face already.
"What did you say, you woman?! What did you say, you woman?! What gives you the right to mock my dream?!"
Sudo's voice grew more and more heated. He already spoke loudly, and now he'd completely lost his temper.
Hirata wanted to step in and stop them, but Suzune Horikita had no intention of letting it go.
"Dream? If you think getting expelled now will help you achieve that stupid dream of yours, then go ahead and try! Let's see which basketball team would take an idiot who got expelled in high school!"
But something seemed strange to Shinjo. Kushida, who always advocated unity and friendship and was the closest peacemaker to Sudo and Horikita, hadn't done a thing. Why was that?
Could she have... been scared stiff?
The shouting grew louder and louder. Even if Karuizawa wanted to study, she just couldn't focus.
Fortunately, it wasn't long before the librarian stepped in and forcibly stopped the argument from escalating. But because of that, Class D's first whole-class study session ended in failure.
"Katsuya... could you tutor me a little more?"
Karuizawa tugged at Shinjo's sleeve.
"Of course, I'd love to... I really want to say that, but today's 'Branch Cake' day."
"Huh?"
"Uh... how about later? You could come to my dorm... Wait, that might not be appropriate. How about tomorrow instead? I'll make sure to teach you properly tomorrow! Good night, see you, bye!"
With that, Shinjo vanished in an instant.
"Huh?"
Everything had happened so fast that Karuizawa's mind, which had been imagining the two of them spending the evening studying all lovey-dovey, suddenly went blank.
By the time she came to her senses, Shinjo had already run off.
"That guy!!!!"
"Hmph! Branch Cake... What even is Branch Cake?! Is Branch Cake more important than me?! I mean, I'm... I'm..."
"I'm your most precious girlfriend~~ Right, Kei?"
Just as Karuizawa was kicking a stone at her feet in frustration, a woman's eerie voice suddenly came from behind her, making her scream on the spot.
"Ah!"
"Don't be scared, don't be scared! It's me, Sato."
"Sato? You! You deliberately tried to scare me!"
Matsushita took the opportunity to tease her. "We're not trying to scare you. You just look so adorable!"
"Exactly, Kei."
"Hmph! Even you two are picking on me."
Sato and Matsushita exchanged glances, then came up on either side and grabbed the sulking Karuizawa.
"How could we dare? You're our president's wife, after all! Or, to put it another way... the boss's lady?"
"Hahahahahaha!"
"You two! You're still teasing me! Just wait, I'll get you!"
"Run for it! The boss's lady's attacking!!!"
Before you continue