Horikita's Progress

Takahashi and Ichinose found an empty seat and sat down. Takahashi kept glancing over at Ayanokouji's group from time to time.

Why does it feel like Horikita and Kushida are chatting so happily? Did Horikita have a change of heart?

"Takahashi, what set meal do you want?"

"The same as you."

Suddenly, Ichinose leaned in, her cheek nearly touching Takahashi's face. Following his gaze, she said, "That guy over there is the classmate you were with in the office before, right?"

"Yeah, he's my classmate Ayanokouji, and the two girls are classmates too." Takahashi silently shifted away a bit.

"I see. What a coincidence. Want to push the tables together?"

"No need. This is a date for the two of us. No reason to drag them into it."

"Ta... Takahashi?" It was Ike and Yamauchi, who had also shown up. Ike stared in disbelief at Takahashi and Ichinose. "Why, Takahashi? Are you defecting from the group? I was determined to be the first guy in class to get a girlfriend, so why Hirata first, and now you..."

"Stop right there, Ike. Don't get worked up. Don't spout nonsense about things you don't understand—ruining a girl's reputation isn't good."

Sensing eyes on him, Takahashi didn't bother explaining further to Ike. Ike's loud voice had drawn attention from quite a few people in the restaurant, including Ayanokouji's group. But seriously, what's with that scorned-wife look on Kushida's face?

"Takahashi-kun helped me out, so I'm treating him to lunch," Ichinose explained.

"Whew~ So you haven't betrayed the group." Ike let out a sigh of relief.

"Did Kushida send you guys here?" Takahashi asked.

"Yeah, Kushida-chan called us over." Ike said proudly, clearly thinking it was a point of honor.

"Me too, me too." Yamauchi chimed in.

"Then you'd better hurry over. Can't keep her waiting—her opinion of you might drop."

"Oh, right. Takahashi, we're heading over."

"Hey, Yamauchi, Ike." Sudo's voice rang out.

Man, does Kushida really have that much charm?

"Sudo." Takahashi gave a brief greeting.

But Sudo still seemed hung up on Takahashi defending Horikita earlier. He just nodded at Takahashi and went with Yamauchi and Ike to find Kushida.

The three of them reached Ayanokouji's table, and before long, Takahashi heard Sudo's raised voice:

"I'm busy with basketball practice. Even during exam period, my club members are training hard. I can't fall behind them."

"I know basketball is important to you. I won't cut into your free time. Based on the mistakes you made on the quizzes, I've put together a study plan tailored for you."

"Ridiculous. I don't think there's a way to balance studying and having fun."

"Others might not, but you guys can. You have a lot of room for improvement. I've observed you—during class, even if you're not sleeping or playing on your phones like before, you're not listening either. You just zone out waiting for the bell, right?"

"Yeah... that's true."

"So I want you to actually pay attention in class. That alone will make a big difference for you."

"But even if we listen, we won't understand."

"Of course I know you won't get it. That's why after every class, you'll all report the points you didn't understand. I'll explain them for you, and Kushida and Takahashi will help too."

Sounds like I just got roped into something bad. Takahashi shoveled rice into his mouth and shot a glance at Horikita. Looks like I'm about to become a hot commodity in the seventeenth-century prison. Hope I don't get a hundred consecutive pulls as punishment from Horikita for slacking off.

"But break is only ten minutes."

"I'll break down and organize every point the teacher covers in class so it's easy to understand."

"Sorry, but I'm still not joining. I can't focus on the teacher's lecture in class at all."

"Sudo, you train hard at basketball every day. I know it's your passion, but I hope you can put that same full effort into your studies. That way, you won't have to worry about getting expelled and not being able to play basketball anymore."

Takahashi took a sip of Ichinose's drink, his eyes still fixed on Horikita and the others. Looks like Horikita has already made some concessions. Not bad—progress. Hope you and Ayanokouji can steer the class in the right direction. Then I can coast and rake in some points for free.

Seeing the three still hesitating, Ayanokouji spoke up:

"Kushida, do you have a boyfriend?"

"Huh? No, why?"

"If I hit my target score on this exam, will you go on a date with me?"

"Ayanokouji, what are you saying?" Before Kushida could answer, Ike and the others panicked, chiming in one after another:

"Kushida, I'll definitely score higher than Ayanokouji."

"I'll beat Ike."

"I'll beat Yamauchi."

Seeing the commotion the three were making, Kushida caught on immediately:

"I'm not the type to judge someone by their grades. But if you want a reward for your hard work, come join the study group."

"I'm in."

"I'm in too, Kushida-chan. I'll work hard."

"Me too. I'll work harder than both of them."

Horikita watched the three acting like madmen, let out a light scoff, and muttered to herself:

"Tch. Men really are boring creatures."