Go to Your Dorm

Behind the dormitory was a strange place.

Because it was close to the garbage dump, it was even more desolate than the Special Building.

After all, nobody would willingly want to get close to garbage.

After handing over the contents displayed on his phone for Manabu Horikita to look over, the other boy read them carefully before saying:

"She really does seem like an obsessive fan. But why didn't she ask the school for help?"

"Maybe it's difficult for her. After all, she's from Class D. If I had to sum it up, maybe she's shy? Though that's not quite it either. It's probably something else. I don't really understand."

"Someone from Class A has been keeping an eye on Class D?" Manabu Horikita hadn't expected Toru Hasegawa to take action so quickly.

"Yeah, because there are quite a lot of beautiful girls there." Toru Hasegawa smiled. "Besides, Class D is full of talented people. If I could, I'd really like to go in and observe them."

For the first time, Manabu Horikita's brain stalled for a moment. Had he made the right decision entrusting Suzune to this guy...?

"You're a strange one."

"As a sample for human observation, Class D is far more interesting than Class A. Of course, every class probably has a few weird people... Ah, I've gone off topic. Anyway, what are you planning to do about this?"

Toru Hasegawa was very curious about what Manabu Horikita would do. Judging by the online comments, it seemed like something big was about to happen, but if they were just all talk, the school probably couldn't impose any substantial punishment.

It was a rather delicate line.

"Someone who would do this would probably take concrete action, too. I'll first ask the school to confirm this person's identity."

At Advanced Nurturing High School, everyone's phone was provided by the school, including those of the faculty.

"Then I'll look forward to hearing good news from you, President Horikita." Toru Hasegawa smiled. "Remember to tell me as soon as there's any progress."

Manabu Horikita adjusted his glasses. "Of course. You're a necessary participant. But I've never met anyone like you before."

It wasn't unusual for someone in Class A to help Class D. What was strange was that Toru Hasegawa would still do so after understanding the nature of this school. By rights, he should have just left them alone.

"Now that you've met me, haven't you?" Toru Hasegawa smiled. "I think a life of following the rules is pretty boring."

And there was a reward for it, too.

Manabu Horikita fell silent when he saw Toru Hasegawa like this. There was still a lot he wanted to say, but he decided to leave it for now.

The next day, apart from the significant change in the atmosphere during Class D's lessons, everything else was much the same as usual.

Masayoshi Hashimoto was still by Sakayanagi Arisu's side, as if nothing had affected him.

"Um, I'd like to say a few things. Could everyone listen?" Toru Hasegawa stood up from his seat.

"Huh?" Many people looked at him strangely. They hadn't expected Toru Hasegawa, after yesterday's little incident, to speak up now.

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled and nodded. "Of course. I'd like to hear what you think, Hasegawa-kun."

"I know everyone may be a little confused about me right now, but as Classmate Sakayanagi said before, this is a school where ability comes first." Toru Hasegawa met the many gazes without fear. "That means academic performance doesn't just affect us individually. It's tied to a lot more than that."

"So we should start holding study sessions in advance. I won't say much more about it. Anyone who needs my help with tutoring can come to me."

"The same goes for athletics. Aside from Classmate Sakayanagi, because of her health, we should all start consciously exercising to some extent."

"Although what Hashimoto said yesterday was true, that doesn't mean we can look down on Classes C and D. The school's class placements aren't based on something so superficial. Every class has students with poor academic ability or poor athletic ability. We still have three years ahead of us, and I sincerely hope everyone can grow during that time."

After finishing his speech, Toru Hasegawa sat back down.

Even after entering this school and hearing Sakayanagi Arisu's speech, most people still couldn't shake off the "ordinary high school student" mindset they'd brought with them from middle school.

Toru Hasegawa had said all that for their sake.

Active students like Sakayanagi Arisu and Masayoshi Hashimoto were few and far between.

"Hasegawa-kun makes a very good point. I was at fault for overlooking this. I'm sorry."

Sakayanagi Arisu first acknowledged that she'd overlooked the issue. Fulfilling one's duties as a student was certainly right, but it hadn't brought about any change.

She'd merely done what was expected of her, as expected.

So, as the class leader, now that she'd glimpsed some of the truth about the school, she should take action.

Yet she'd overlooked that, or rather, she hadn't been aware of it at all.

Many students wouldn't make an effort without outside pressure, just like Toru Hasegawa, who had previously told her he wanted to stay in the dorm and play games.

At that moment, Sakayanagi Arisu somewhat understood why Masayoshi Hashimoto had betrayed her.

The things she lacked—the parts that couldn't be made up for by putting on an act.

"From now on, I'll share my notes from every day's lessons with everyone. Of course, I hope the students with good grades will help out, too. After all, one person's strength is limited."

The atmosphere in Class A turned a little strange. Nobody had expected things to suddenly develop like this, and many people felt completely lost.

What was going on?

It seemed pretty impressive.

Were they supposed to work hard along with him?

Everything up to this point had happened too fast.

On their first day at school, they'd been left dazed by the hundred thousand private points.

On the second morning, Sakayanagi Arisu had told everyone the truth behind it.

Yesterday, Sakayanagi Arisu had called Toru Hasegawa a traitor, but Masayoshi Hashimoto had spoken up for him. Many people still hadn't even figured out why Toru Hasegawa had been called a traitor.

Today, Toru Hasegawa had taken the initiative and suggested that everyone study or exercise, and then Sakayanagi Arisu had apologized for it...

What was all this supposed to mean?

Anyway, would it be better to just do as they were told?

The atmosphere was a little strange, but time waited for no one.

The school day passed quickly.

"I mean, what exactly are you thinking? I don't really get it, but isn't what you're doing kind of weird?"

At four in the afternoon, after their day of classes had ended, the Class A students left the classroom with their friends.

Some went to club activities, while others went to Keyaki Mall to experience life. There were also those who were worried about their grades and asked someone good at studying to go with them to the library.

Kamuro Masumi was clearly none of these. She went straight up to Toru Hasegawa, who was still sitting at his desk, and asked him.

"Because I'm naive. If I want to do something, I do it."

"You really are free, huh?" Kamuro Masumi looked envious.

"Some people say it's freedom to choose not to do something when you don't want to."

"Are you some kind of philosopher?" Kamuro Masumi pouted. "I'm the student you said this morning needed tutoring. Help me out."

"Sure."

After all, he'd said he would. Toru Hasegawa didn't refuse.

In his first year of high school... he was still pretty comfortable with the material. Helping someone else study wouldn't be a problem.

"Shall we go to the library?" Toru Hasegawa suggested. A lot of students studied there, and they just had to keep their voices down.

But Kamuro Masumi said, "No. Let's go to your dorm."

"Huh?"