The study session was over.
More accurately, it had blown up.
When Sudo slammed out the door, he nearly rattled the glass right out of it.
Yamauchi and Ike hurried after him, glancing back as they ran, afraid Horikita might come after them and kill them with her glare.
Only Kushida, Hirata, Yukimura, and Ayanokouji remained in the hallway. Ayanokouji had barely said a word the whole time.
Yukimura sighed, picked up his bag, and left. "What a waste of time."
Hirata tried to stop him, but he opened his mouth and couldn't get a word out.
Kushida kept up her perfect, saintly smile as she watched Yukimura leave, then glanced down at her phone.
[Kushida]: That's a wrap. The gorilla pounded the table and stormed off.
[Tsukishima]: Did you record it?
[Kushida]: Saints don't have time to record videos.
[Tsukishima]: Fine, then you're buying the milk tea tonight. Get me one while you're at it.
[Kushida]: Cheapskate.
She put her phone away and was about to leave when she caught sight of Hirata still standing there, his expression complicated.
"Hirata?" Kushida tilted her head and gave him a sidelong look. "Are you okay?"
Hirata gave a bitter smile. His voice was a little hoarse.
"I'm fine... I'm just worried about Sudo and the others."
"Horikita made it clear she won't help them anymore. If nobody steps in, their expulsion is practically a done deal."
Kushida rolled her eyes inwardly. None of them are any good. Good luck, Hirata Superman.
But outwardly, she put on a gentle smile.
"Don't worry. Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm sure we'll find a solution!"
Hirata nodded, then suddenly looked at Kushida as if she were his last hope. "Oh, right, Kushida. You're pretty close with Tsukishima... do you think we could ask him to help again?"
Kushida froze. "Huh? Tsukishima? Again?"
Deep anxiety and a trace of guilt showed in Hirata's eyes. "Tsukishima's score on the last quiz was only a few points lower than Horikita's. I asked him before, but he turned me down, saying he was 'too busy.' I know he might not like us."
"If we could get him to step in, even if he only gave them a little guidance..."
Kushida's mouth twitched. She tried to gently remind him, "But Hirata, he already said he was busy last time. Wouldn't it be a bit much to ask him again?"
"No, it'll be fine!" Hirata said urgently. "I think I might not have explained myself properly last time, or maybe he really did have something urgent to do."
"If you ask him, Kushida, and explain that it's to help Sudo, he'll definitely understand! Besides... I hope this will give him a chance to spend more time with everyone and become part of the class."
Get Tsukishima to become part of the class? And I'm supposed to beg the guy who's always saying he's "busy"?
Hirata Superman really had some nerve.
Meanwhile, outside the school building, beneath a streetlamp...
Sudo kicked a pebble off the path, cursing under his breath.
"That bitch! I'd rather get expelled than study with her! Saying crap like 'a rotten log can't be carved'—I'm gonna lose it!"
Yamauchi and Ike chimed in from the side. "Yeah! She's pretty cute, but she's such an ice queen. I wonder how Ayanokouji's supposed to win her over."
Sudo irritably raked a hand through his hair. The anger in his eyes gradually gave way to fear.
"Cut the useless crap! The question is, what are we gonna do about the exam? If we don't pass, we really will get expelled! Horikita's completely given up on us!"
Ike shrank back. "Then... how about we ask someone else who's good at studying?"
Yamauchi rolled his eyes. "Who? Yukimura? That guy in glasses took off faster than anyone. Ask him? Forget it."
Sudo frowned. "Then who else is there? Hirata? Horikita just shut him down, too. Is he really going to be any help?"
Ike's eyes suddenly lit up. He lowered his voice. "Hey, what about Tsukishima?"
Yamauchi's expression turned peculiar. "Tsukishima? The guy who sits next to Kushida? Didn't Hirata say he was 'busy'?"
Ike grinned, looking pleased with his own cleverness. "That's because Hirata asked him! Think about it. Tsukishima seems to treat Kushida differently, doesn't he?"
"I saw him chatting with Kushida the other day. He looked like he was having a great time. All we have to do is get Kushida on our side and have her put in a good word. Maybe then he won't be 'busy'!"
Ike nodded. "Exactly! And I heard his score on the last quiz was only a few points lower than Horikita's! Hirata went to him first, too, so he's definitely a hidden top student!"
Sudo gritted his teeth. "All right! We'll go with him! Let's find Kushida!"
Hirata was still rambling, his voice nearly pleading.
"Kushida, I'm begging you."
"I wasn't sincere enough last time. This time, I'll bring Sudo and the others so we can apologize together."
"If Tsukishima would just agree, even if it's only one hour a week... it could save Sudo and the others. And for Tsukishima, it would be a great chance to fit in with everyone!"
Kushida kept smiling as her brain raced, trying to come up with an excuse that would let her turn Hirata down without ruining her image.
Fit in with everyone? That guy would be happier keeping his distance from you all! And you actually believe his "too busy" excuse? Hirata, are you an idiot?
Just then—
"Kushida!"
Yamauchi's voice rang out from the far end of the hallway, high-pitched with urgency.
Kushida turned and saw Sudo, Yamauchi, and Ike sprinting toward her, like stray dogs who'd spotted a bone.
The three of them panted as they reached her, nearly knocking Hirata over.
Yamauchi tried to grab her hand, but Kushida neatly stepped aside. "Kushida! Help us! You're the only one who can!"
Her smile didn't waver, but inwardly, she was in tears. Why are you guys here, too? Are you all trying to roast me over a fire?
"What's wrong? Take your time and tell me."
Ike cut in. "We want Tsukishima to tutor us! We know he turned Hirata down last time because he was too busy... but! If you ask him, Kushida, he'll definitely have time! Right?"
Kushida's smile froze for an instant. A vein seemed to throb at her temple.
You idiots!
"Um, but Tsukishima really is busy..." Kushida tried one last time. "He said so himself last time..."
"It's okay! If you're there, Kushida, everything will work out!"
Yamauchi shouted, too. "You've gotta believe in your charm, Kushida!"
Hirata immediately chimed in, hope shining in his eyes. "That's right, Kushida. Please! It would be good for both Tsukishima and Sudo and the others! If everyone just sits down and talks, we can clear up any misunderstandings!"
Looking at the four faces in front of her, all practically saying, "We're counting on you now," especially Hirata's earnest, impossible-to-refuse gaze...
Kushida cursed their female ancestors in her heart, but wore a sweet, helpless smile. "I guess I have no choice... but let me make this clear: if Tsukishima says he's 'busy' again or gets mad, I'm not cleaning up the mess."
"And—you're all paying for tonight's snacks."
Before you continue