Looking back, Kiyotaka Kiyotaka had chosen Kikyo Kushida because she had an angelic image in class. Having her leak the exam questions was the safest option.
She was also highly trusted by the class, which would let him keep himself out of it.
After all, those three might not listen to anyone else, but they'd definitely believe Kikyo Kushida. As the saying went, "She's so cute. How could she possibly lie to me?"
Beihai could only make a sarcastic remark about it.
"You bought last year's exam questions? This is why real exam questions matter."
Kiyotaka Kiyotaka wasn't thinking that much about it. He'd already finished the work Suzune Horikita had assigned him. He'd originally hoped it might bring them closer, but that seemed to have failed. No big deal, though.
"Yeah. The seller sounded very casual during the deal and kept trying to raise the price. That proves this kind of transaction is pretty commonplace and probably happens often.
"Even if this year's questions are different from last year's, there'll definitely be some similarities. It's just insurance to keep them from getting expelled, after all."
Kiyotaka Kiyotaka ate quietly without saying anything more, only wondering to himself,
Does making fun of someone together really not increase their affection for you?
After lunch, they headed back to school for their afternoon classes.
Suzune Horikita was her usual self in class, but she was in a very complicated mood. She still had to tutor them, but those three had already given up. Even if she rallied them again, it probably wouldn't do much good.
Things got even more complicated when Kiyotaka and Beihai walked into the classroom. All she could do was watch them, her hand tightening into a fist as she wondered what they were thinking.
As soon as Beihai sat down, his Terminal rang. He took it out and saw that it was his client.
Honami Ichinose: [The May exam is coming up soon. Do you need any help?]
Honami Ichinose had thought carefully before sending the message. She wanted to help Beihai, and there were certainly a lot of hidden problems in Class D, starting with their basic academic ability.
Beihai replied without hesitation. After all, without Mind Sharing, he really would need her help. He might even have been forced to join the study group of three.
But now...
[No need. The exam won't be too hard. If you want to help me, then study more, read books, and do your homework.
[Spread your thoughts around, and I'll be very grateful.
[If you pay me some points, I'll tell you how to make a mess of things here.]
Honami Ichinose hugged her Terminal, her face flushing. Is he looking out for me? He must be.
Honestly! After all the trouble I've caused him, now he's the one looking out for me.
In stories, mysterious characters like him were usually cold and aloof. Unless someone needed their help, they'd be like a poker-faced killer who'd spent ten years butchering fish.
We've already met before, so why am I thinking like this? As she pondered, she sent him 50,000 points, followed by a message:
[Okay, I will.]
Seeing how readily she'd taken his advice, Beihai immediately slipped into strategist mode.
[You could spend some points. If I remember right, the exam papers are usually sealed in envelopes.
[In that case, have your homeroom teacher swap them out. Even if you get caught, it won't matter, since the school itself encourages this kind of behavior.
[So, will you swap the papers for your own class, or go after the other classes too and turn the high school exam into a university exam?
[I bet even the elites in Class A would have trouble with that.]
After sending the message, Beihai saw that she hadn't replied, so he stopped trying to chat. Class was about to start, after all.
More importantly, having her read and write more would genuinely help him. Mind Sharing was all about sharing.
If Honami Ichinose slacked off on her studies and stopped focusing on them, it would be much harder for Beihai to study, too.
Things weren't quite so pleasant for Kiyotaka. As the saying went, you had to finish what you'd signed up for, even if you did it through tears. But he didn't understand a lot of things, so it was a case of both parties being willing.
When the dismissal bell rang, Beihai closed his book and checked the time. It wasn't even 5:30 p.m., and they were already being let out.
Time really flew. He'd have to make up for it on his own from here on.
Airisu Sakura packed her schoolbag and stood up to leave.
Beihai quietly followed her. She didn't realize until they'd left the school building.
"Beihai, aren't you waiting for Ayanokouji?"
"Huh?"
He didn't know how to answer at first. They'd spent most of April and this month walking together, so why had a third person suddenly come up?
"Not really. Haven't we always walked like this? I only walked back with him a few days ago. Besides, he's a bit of a hassle. It's better to follow you."
"W-what are you saying, Beihai?"
Airisu Sakura turned and ran off in a panic. Beihai could only follow behind at an easy pace.
"Sakura, don't tell me you're thinking all sorts of weird things?
"Ayanokouji came to find me a few times because he had things to take care of. It was such a hassle. I couldn't even find a quiet place."
Airisu Sakura didn't stop running. If anything, she went faster.
Seeing her speed up, Beihai stopped. He could only watch as she ran around the corner.
Airisu Sakura reached the corner and, seeing that Beihai hadn't followed, let out a sigh of relief. At the same time, she felt a little annoyed.
How could she not see that Beihai was doing it on purpose? He often made her mad, then quickly soothed her afterward.
Once or twice was fine, but it had happened so many times that she'd fallen right into his trap and couldn't get out.
And she couldn't tell whether he was doing it on purpose or by accident. Beihai often seemed completely innocent, but that somehow made it even more upsetting.
After all, if she got angry and Beihai looked innocent, acted hurt, and kept apologizing, wouldn't that make her the unreasonable one?
Just then, Beihai ambled over. When he saw her, he even greeted her. "Sakura, were you waiting here for me?"
As he spoke, he pulled out a few candies.
"I used the wrong words just now. I'm really sorry. How about I give you these candies and you forgive me?"
Airisu Sakura could only walk over and take the Sour Candy from Beihai's hand. After being given candy for so many days, she'd built up quite a tolerance.
Airisu Sakura unzipped her schoolbag and put the rest of the candy inside. Beihai spotted the camera in it.
"You like taking pictures, Sakura? Though it's a little hard to find nice scenery at this school."
Now that he'd discovered her hobby, of course he could use it as a starting point and keep the conversation going.
Everyone knew that sharing a hobby would bring two people closer.
It was like back in middle school, when everyone was talking about Naruto. If you were the one person who watched One Piece, it was hard to fit in—and you could even spark a fight.
Before you continue