Learning Session Explodes, Sudo Flips the Table and Walks Out

The study session was over.

To be precise, it had exploded.

When Sudo slammed the door on his way out, he nearly shattered the glass.

Yamauchi and Ike followed at his heels, glancing back as they ran, terrified that Horikita would chase after them and keep killing them with her eyes.

Only Kushida, Hirata, Yukimura, and that Ayanokouji who hadn't spoken more than a few words the entire time remained in the hallway.

Yukimura sighed, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked off. "A waste of time."

Hirata tried to stop him, but opened his mouth and couldn't find the words.

Kushida maintained her standard saintly smile, watched Yukimura leave, then glanced down at her phone.

[Kushida]: It's over, it's over. The gorilla slammed the table and stormed out.

[Tsukishima]: Did you record a video?

[Kushida]: The saint doesn't have time to record videos.

[Tsukishima]: Fine, then you're bringing your own milk tea tonight. And grab one for me while you're at it.

[Kushida]: Cheapskate.

She put away her phone and was about to leave when her peripheral vision caught Hirata still standing there, his expression complicated.

"Hirata-kun?" Kushida tilted her head. "Are you okay?"

Hirata gave a bitter smile, his voice a little hoarse.

"I'm fine... I'm just a bit worried about Sudo and the others."

"Horikita-san has already made it clear she won't help anymore. If no one steps up for them, expulsion is a done deal."

Kushida rolled her eyes internally: None of them are worth saving anyway, Hirata the superhero, you do your thing.

But on the surface, she showed a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, everything will work out in the end. Everyone will find a way!"

Hirata nodded, then suddenly looked at Kushida as if she were a lifeline. "By the way, Kushida-san, you're pretty close with Tsukishima-kun... Do you think you could ask him for help again?"

Kushida blinked. "Eh? Tsukishima-kun? Again?"

Hirata's eyes were filled with deep anxiety and a hint of guilt. "Tsukishima-kun's score on the last quiz was only a few points behind Horikita's. I approached him before, but he refused, saying he was 'too busy.' I know he probably doesn't like us."

"If he could step in, even just to give a little guidance..."

Kushida's mouth twitched slightly. She offered a tactful reminder.

"But, Hirata-kun, he said he was busy last time. Wouldn't it be... not great to ask again?"

"No, it won't!" Hirata said urgently.

"I think maybe I approached him wrong last time, or he really had something urgent."

"If Kushida-san invites him, and it's to help Sudo-kun, he'll definitely understand! And... I also hope this can be a chance for him to interact with everyone more and integrate into the class."

Get that Tsukishima to integrate into the class? And I have to go beg that guy who has "busy" glued to his mouth?

Man, Hirata the superhero, you really have some nerve.

Meanwhile, under a streetlamp outside the school building.

Sudo kicked a pebble on the road, cursing under his breath.

"That damn woman! I'd rather drop out than study with her! Saying shit like 'rotten wood cannot be carved'—pisses me off!"

Yamauchi and Ike chimed in from the side. "Right? She's pretty good-looking, but she's an iceberg. I don't know how Ayanokouji's gonna conquer her."

Sudo scratched his head in frustration, the anger in his eyes slowly being replaced by fear.

"Stop talking useless crap! The problem now is—what about the exams? If we can't pass, we're really getting expelled! Horikita's completely washed her hands of us!"

Ike shrank his neck. "Then... how about we find someone else who's good at studying?"

Yamauchi rolled his eyes. "Find who? Yukimura? That glasses-wearing guy left faster than anyone just now. Asking him? Forget it."

Sudo frowned. "Then who's left? Hirata? He couldn't even talk back to Horikita just now. Can he handle it?"

Ike's eyes suddenly lit up, and he lowered his voice. "Hey, what about Tsukishima?"

Yamauchi's expression turned subtle. "Tsukishima? The one who sits next to Kushida? Didn't Hirata say he's 'busy'?"

Ike grinned slyly, putting on a look of self-satisfied cleverness. "That's because Hirata went to ask! Think about it, that Tsukishima guy seems pretty special toward Kushida, right?"

"I saw him chatting with her last time, laughing pretty happily. If we just get Kushida on board, have her blow a little wind his way, maybe that guy won't be 'busy' anymore!"

Ike nodded. "Yeah, yeah! And I heard he was only a few points behind Horikita on the last quiz! Even Hirata went to him first—he's definitely a hidden ace!"

Sudo gritted his teeth. "Fine! It's settled! Let's go find Kushida now!"

Hirata was still rambling, his tone almost pleading.

"Kushida-san, please."

"I wasn't sincere enough last time. This time, I'll bring Sudo and the others to apologize."

"If Tsukishima would just agree, even just one hour a week... it would be a lifesaver for Sudo and the others, and for Tsukishima, it's a great chance to integrate into the group!"

Kushida kept her smile steady, her CPU running at full speed as she searched for an excuse to refuse Hirata without damaging her image.

Integrate into the group? That guy can't wait to stay as far away from you all as possible! And falling for an excuse like "too busy"—are you stupid, Hirata?

Just then—

"Kushida!"

Yamauchi's voice came from the end of the hallway, cracking with urgency.

Kushida turned to see Sudo, Yamauchi, and Ike sprinting toward her like stray dogs spotting a bone.

The three of them gasped for breath as they stopped in front of her, nearly knocking Hirata over.

Yamauchi tried to grab her hand, but Kushida sidestepped him smoothly: "Kushida! Save us! Only you can save us!"

Kushida's smile didn't waver, but inside she was crying: Even you guys are coming? You're trying to roast me over the fire!

"What's wrong? Everyone, take it slow."

Ike cut in: "We want to ask Tsukishima to tutor us! We know he turned Hirata down last time, said he was too busy... but! If Kushida asks him, he'll definitely have time, right?"

Kushida's smile froze for a split second, a vein practically pulsing on her forehead.

Fucking idiots!

"Ehh, but Tsukishima really is busy,"

Kushida tried to make one last stand, "Last time he said..."

"It's fine! As long as Kushida's there, there's no problem!"

Yamauchi shouted too, "Kushida, you have to believe in your charm!"

Hirata immediately chimed in, his eyes sparkling with hope: "Yeah, Kushida, please! This is good for both Tsukishima and Sudo and the others! If everyone just sits down and talks, the misunderstanding will definitely clear up!"

Staring at the four faces before her, all written with "we're counting on you," especially Hirata's sincere, impossible-to-refuse gaze.

Kushida silently cursed their female ancestors in her heart, while her face wore a sweet, helpless smile:

"I really can't do anything with you guys... but let me be clear, if Tsukishima says he's 'busy' again, or throws a tantrum, I'm not cleaning up the mess."

"And—tonight's late-night snacks are all on you."