Kikyo Kushida Needed for the Study Group

Ever since that time Lin Mu "generously opened his purse"—though in reality, it was just him treating Kikyo Kushida to a meal at the cafeteria—the two had tacitly formed a new habit. During lunch, as long as there were no special circumstances, they would always head to the cafeteria together.

Lin Mu had such an outrageously abundant amount of points that he didn't care about the cost of a few meals, so he simply continued to "subsidize" Kushida.

After all, Kushida was the first person in this school he had actively—though technically, it was more of a passive encounter—gotten to know and maintained a friendly connection with. She could barely be considered a "friend."

Watching her get her points borrowed away by others due to her pushover personality, leaving her to pitifully gnaw on bland, free set meals, Lin Mu always felt a bit... uneasy. Besides, it was just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks.

Kikyo Kushida naturally felt a bit uneasy about it too.

Every time they ate together, she would nag him several times, saying that once the school issued points next month—provided Class D could actually receive them—she would definitely pay Lin Mu back for the meals immediately.

Lin Mu would always wave his hand, his mouth stuffed with food, and mumble "no rush" or "we'll see," never having intended for her to pay him back in the first place.

This small amount of money wasn't even a drop in the bucket for him; he just treated it as an investment in "friendship," even though he wasn't entirely sure if the relationship between him and Kushida counted as standard "friendship."

It was a sunny afternoon.

The two were sitting in their usual relatively quiet corner by the window in the cafeteria, with two seemingly exquisite teriyaki chicken leg rice sets placed in front of them.

Lin Mu ate at a leisurely pace, while Kikyo Kushida ate in small bites, chatting animatedly about the latest news in their class.

Who had a conflict with whom over borrowed points, which small-scale study group Hirata Yosuke had organized, the new hair accessory Kei Karuizawa wore today...

The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant, like two ordinary friends having lunch together.

Just then, the screen of the phone Kushida had placed on the corner of the table suddenly lit up, emitting a buzzing vibration.

A call from an unsaved number, but one identified as an internal Class D line, danced on the screen.

Seeing this, Kushida showed a look of apology, looked at Lin Mu beside her, and made a "wait a moment" gesture with her lips.

Lin Mu nodded indifferently and continued to focus on his chicken rice.

(Food protection mode activated...)

Kushida picked up the phone, her voice returning to her usual gentle and sweet tone: "Hello, hello, this is Kikyo Kushida."

A flat, emotionless male voice came from the other end of the line.

It transmitted faintly through the receiver, enough for Lin Mu sitting nearby to hear it clearly:

"Kushida-san? This is Ayanokoji."

It was none other than Kiyotaka Ayanokoji from Class D, the one with a faint presence who was always expressionless.

His tone had no fluctuation, as if he were stating a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him but still had to be notified.

It was entirely consistent with his usual cold and distant personality: "Regarding you being chosen as the 'Friendly Ambassador,' please do your best for the class."

Kikyo Kushida was stunned upon hearing this, a look of genuine confusion appearing on her face as she subconsciously asked for clarification.

"Um... Ayanokoji-kun? What's going on? I don't quite understand what you mean..." She had no idea what Ayanokoji was talking about.

Kiyotaka Ayanokoji on the other end of the line remained flat in tone, as if reading an instruction manual, clearly and concisely explaining the ins and outs of the matter.

It turned out that Suzune Horikita had spontaneously organized a study group aimed at providing emergency tutoring for Ken Sudo and a few other students whose midterm exams were in jeopardy and who were facing the risk of expulsion.

And Kikyo Kushida, because of her cheerful, enthusiastic, and sociable nature, and her excellent popularity in the class, had been unilaterally designated—or rather, was needed—as the "Friendly Ambassador," responsible for stepping forward to coordinate, mobilize, and organize more students to participate in this study group.

Ayanokoji noted that, after all, Suzune Horikita's "stay away" aura was truly not suitable for mobilization work.

After listening to Ayanokoji's emotionless explanation, the confusion in Kikyo Kushida's eyes quickly dissipated.

Replacing it was a sense of mission, as if she had been entrusted with an important task or, more accurately, was needed.

Almost instantly, her tone became firm and full of drive, her pitch even rising a little:

"A study group for Sudo-kun and the others? So Horikita-san organized it herself!"

Her voice seemed to carry a hint of admiration; if the subject was Suzune Horikita, then she was duty-bound.

"Isn't it only natural to help a friend in need? I'll definitely help! Don't worry, Ayanokoji-kun."

(It really is worrying, the idea of Kushida and Horikita 'helping a friend in need' together.)

"I will definitely cooperate well with Horikita-san and work hard to get more students to participate! This is for everyone in our Class D!"

Lin Mu, sitting to the side, had heard the entire conversation clearly, but he kept his head down.

He continued to eat the last few pieces of teriyaki chicken in his bowl at a leisurely pace, his movements never stopping, his face devoid of expression, and his heart remaining completely calm.

Regarding Kushida joining the study group organized by Suzune Horikita, he couldn't say he supported it, nor could he say he opposed it.

Kushida's nature was just like that: enthusiastic, valuing "friends," and liking the feeling of being needed.

(Not friends, definitely not.)

Participating in a study group to help classmates, especially troublesome characters like Ken Sudo in the class.

As for the study group itself... Lin Mu knew without even thinking that it wouldn't go smoothly.

Was Ken Sudo the type of person who could settle down to study? Could people accept the cold, icy teaching style of Suzune Horikita?

Could this loose collection of sand known as Class D really coalesce just because of a study session? He held a deeply skeptical attitude.

But, so what?

He was never the type to meddle in other people's affairs, let alone the trivial and uncertain "struggles" occurring within Class D.

He respected Kushida's choice, and he cared nothing for the future of Class D. It had nothing to do with him, and he couldn't be bothered to manage it.

Once Kushida hung up the phone, she turned to Linmu with eyes sparkling and that same ignited, enthusiastic smile still on her face, sharing impatiently:

"Linmu-kun, I'm going to participate in the study session organized by Horikita-san!

I'm going to help Sudo-kun and the others with tutoring, striving to make sure everyone passes the midterm exams so no one gets expelled!

This is for the sake of our entire class!"

Linmu raised his eyes, looked at her full of vitality as if she were about to throw herself into a great cause, nodded indifferently, and while chewing his food, gave a vague response:

"Mm, that's nice."

After saying that, he lowered his head again, picked up the miso soup beside him to take a sip, and swallowed the last mouthful of rice.

He didn't ask for any details about the study session, nor did he offer any advice, express any concern, or give any encouragement.

Regardless, the path was one Kushida had chosen herself; whether it was good or bad, she would have to walk it herself.

He only needed to continue being himself and living his own life.

As for the future of Class D, that study session destined to be bumpy, and the results of the midterm exams...

To him, Linmu Fujimiya, it was nothing more than another small interlude about to unfold in this school of meritocracy, one that might be slightly entertaining to watch.

He would wait and see... no, perhaps he couldn't even be bothered to "wait and see," he would just happen to hear the results.

(Event duration: May 1st to May 5th)