Study Group

A week had passed since the points announcement, and it was clear that Hirata and Kushida had put in considerable effort. Behaviors like sleeping in class or playing on phones had basically vanished from the classroom. Of course, that didn't mean anyone was skipping class to go back to the dorms and do those things—no one was cutting class. It was just that Sudo spent all day slumped over his desk, snoring away, and gradually, everyone stopped bothering with him.

"Ah!"

Hearing a loud yell, Takahashi dug a finger in his ear and looked at Ayanokouji. The shout had come from him.

"Ayanokouji, what's with the sudden outburst? Is it that time of the month?" Chabashira-sensei said from the podium, one hand on her hip and the other holding her textbook, staring at Ayanokouji.

"S-sorry, Chabashira-sensei. I accidentally hit my elbow on the corner of the desk."

Though Ayanokouji said that, Takahashi, who was sitting close by, saw the compass in Horikita's hand.

After school.

"Could I trouble everyone for a moment?" The gentle tone made it obvious it was Hirata. "As Chabashira-sensei mentioned during class, exams are coming up soon. Students who fail will face expulsion. So I'd like to organize a study group, and I hope everyone will join."

"I don't want anyone in our class to be expelled. A study group can improve grades and also strengthen bonds between classmates." He said this while looking at Sudo, clearly aware that Sudo was being subtly isolated by the others.

"Hmph."

Sudo snorted coldly and left the classroom, apparently unwilling to accept Hirata's goodwill.

"Do you have time at noon?"

Takahashi looked at Horikita, a little surprised. Though they'd been deskmates since the start of the term, this was his first real conversation with her.

"Sorry, give me a moment."

She pulled out a divination tube. "Sincerity brings divine favor. May the gods protect me."

Misfortune!

"I'm sorry, but I don't have time. I need to pick up my grandmother from school at noon."

"You actually believe in that stuff?"

"Drawing lots is a good thing. It might not be accurate, but it can save you a lot of time."

"I'll treat you to lunch. You can eat whatever you want."

"Tch... Fine."

"I humbly receive." With that, Takahashi started eating happily.

Ayanokouji, meanwhile, sat with chopsticks in hand, unsure whether to dig in.

"What's wrong, Ayanokouji? Go ahead and eat." Horikita looked at him.

"Mm... Then, I humbly receive."

Seeing that Ayanokouji had also started on his set meal, Horikita cleared her throat and said:

"Alright, let's get down to business."

Then she grabbed Ayanokouji, who was about to stand up, and looked at Takahashi, who was holding his tray and ready to bolt.

"Takahashi-kun, that set meal of yours cost me eight hundred points."

Seeing both Takahashi and Ayanokouji sitting obediently in front of her, Horikita was quite satisfied.

"Good. Now listen. There are two weeks until the exams, and I plan to hold a study group."

"Hasn't Hirata-kun already started one?"

"I know. But there are still a few hopeless problem children. Sudo, Ike, and Yamauchi didn't join Hirata's study group."

"They seem pretty bothered by how popular Hirata is with the girls. I doubt they'd join his group. So... are you planning to run a study group like Hirata? Or specifically help those three?"

"Exactly. I won't beat around the bush. You must have heard it in the tea room too—I care about this class. I want to lead us up to Class A." Seeing that Takahashi and Ayanokouji had fallen silent, she continued, "I suspect class points are linked to exam results. So I can't let those three fail and drag down our class score."

"So you want..."

"Ayanokouji will convince the three of them to go to the library, and Takahashi will help me tutor them."

"Do you really think I can do something that even the popular Hirata-kun couldn't?" Ayanokouji protested.

"Then Takahashi can do it too."

"Hey, why am I pulling double duty? And even if I go, I don't think I can convince them."

"Because you ordered the most expensive set meal. And I don't believe someone who could unhesitatingly say they need to pick up their grandmother from school at noon lacks the ability to persuade them to go to the library." Horikita placed a slip of paper on the table. "This is my contact info. I hope you'll bring them in as soon as possible."

Takahashi ate in silence, occasionally glancing at Ayanokouji, who was staring blankly at the note. He was probably wondering how to invite Sudo and the others to the study group.

Ayanokouji's thoughts: First time getting a girl's contact info.

"When are you planning to invite them to Horikita's study group?" Takahashi looked at the trio chatting together.

"Hmm... To be honest, I'm not really sure. Maybe we should pick them off one by one. During lunch break, Sudo goes to play basketball. We'll find a chance to invite him then."

At lunch break, Sudo Ken casually draped his school jacket over the metal stand under the basketball hoop, revealing a sweat-soaked white undershirt. He was playing a heated three-on-three game with a few other guys. The "thump thump" of the ball hitting the court mixed with the shouts of the players—clearly, this was a terrible time to approach.

"Is it really okay to go now?" Takahashi looked at Ayanokouji.

"Mm... I'll give it a try."

Ayanokouji stepped forward and said:

"Sudo?"

"What?" Sudo responded to Ayanokouji but didn't stop moving.

"Horikita's holding a study group, and I wanted to—"

"Ayanokouji, I'm playing basketball. Don't bother me."

He knew it would be rejected. Seeing the scene play out just as he'd expected, Takahashi closed his eyes, slapped his palm to his forehead, and shook his head. Just then, a basketball flew over.

Watching the paper stuffed in Takahashi's nose, Ayanokouji said, "Are you really okay? Want to go back and rest?"

"I'm fine. Who's next?"

"Ike. If he knows it's a study group run by Horikita, a girl, he should be happy to join."

"I refuse." Ike didn't hesitate to turn it down.

"Why? The one holding the study group is Horikita. Don't you want a girlfriend? This is a great chance, isn't it?" (All characters in this book are adults.)

Ike couldn't hear a word Ayanokouji said. He was busy texting a girl. Ever since he found out Hirata had a girlfriend, Ike had been desperately trying to get one himself.

"Don't interrupt my chat with Little Kushida." With that, he stood up to leave and promptly stepped on Takahashi's foot...

"Ayanokouji, let me handle it." Takahashi didn't want to go find Yamauchi anymore—who knew what trouble that would bring.

"You sure you're okay?"

"Don't worry. I've got this."

"Hasebe, can I ask you a favor?" Takahashi handed a drink to Hasebe as he spoke.

"Oh? Little Kan actually needs something from me?" Hasebe took the drink, quite satisfied—it was her favorite. She hadn't expected Takahashi to remember.

"Hehe."

"Go on, what is it?"

"Just write a few notes for me?"

"That simple?"

"Actually, it's not that simple."

"Hmm?"

"Write: 'Sudo/Ike/Yamauchi, there's something I want to tell you, but I'm too shy to say it in class. So I hope you can come to the library after school. I'll be waiting for you there. Don't tell anyone, okay? (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)'"

"Ehh~ What's Little Kan up to?"

"Haha, Horikita's holding a study group for them in the library."

"Wait here."

Watching Hasebe start writing the letters, 1. A girl's handwriting would make the three of them imagine all sorts of things.

2. Not mentioning a name added mystery while keeping them from suspecting Horikita was in the library.

3. I also didn't say in the letter what they'd be doing at the library. Horikita only said to bring them there.