Assemble, Seisuke Group (Part 1)

There was no longer any atmosphere of looking forward to the weekend. Teacher Hoshinomiya had Shibata post the score sheet on the back wall, then picked up a psychology book and began reading.

As for Ichinose, who stepped up to the podium, she merely gave her a gentle smile.

"Everyone... please don't panic first."

She began by calming the class's mood.

"Although this is sudden, if you think about it carefully, it's something many of you were looking forward to. After all, this exam is tied to Class Points. Since this quiz condenses knowledge from each subject into a single hundred-point test, it doesn't reflect the true results you can achieve in the midterms."

She spoke to comfort the members of the Failing Group.

"However, students hovering near the passing line also face a significant risk of expulsion."

Afraid that those near the passing line might not take it seriously, Ichinose also gave a certain warning.

I also thought that compared to students who had already been sentenced to death once, those above the passing line might develop a sense of crisis later.

Ichinose placed her hand on her chest and continued.

"For now, I have two ideas. First, I hope everyone can form study groups, around four to six people each. I believe learning is influenced and driven by atmosphere, and I want everyone to actively participate in their own group."

"As for students near the passing line, I hope you can additionally join a tutoring group, focusing on remedial instruction for your weak subjects. I want every student in Class B to avoid expulsion."

"Because losing even one person means Class B is no longer whole."

Ichinose looked at everyone with a calm expression.

"I agree."

Sou Shibata stood up on his own, and all eyes gathered on him.

"First, through a study group, we can avoid the expulsion situation no one wants to see. And since there's a penalty of expulsion this time, the school must have corresponding rewards."

He paused for a moment, then spoke.

"I think rather than Teacher Hoshinomiya saying this tests students' basic learning ability, it's more about participating in this exam as a group."

Hoshinomiya suddenly flipped the pages of the book she hadn't touched in a while.

The crisp rustling sound of the pages came through clearly.

Shibata, beside her, didn't notice and continued speaking.

"Ensuring no one gets expelled as a premise, then striving to raise the class's score to compete against other classes. That should be the core."

Ichinose smiled and clapped for him.

"Everyone... the true face of the midterm exam has been laid before us..."

"I am truly grateful to meet everyone here. But if this is all it is, then for first-year Class B, this is instead a trial that can lead to victory from the start."

"We can definitely do it..."

"..."

And so, the sails of first-year Class B were raised on the turbulent sea.

After class, Ichinose proposed holding the first study group (tutoring session).

Striking while the iron was hot, she invited several students hovering near the passing line...

And beside Ichinose stood a boy and a girl, one on each side.

Though I didn't have a strong impression of them, they seemed to be students ranked relatively high on the list.

They were probably joining the study group as tutors.

"Ryota, Seisuke, come with me."

He hugged Ryota's leg while pleading.

The speaker was none other than our soccer club star player, first-year Class B's comedy relief, the man who scored 39 points on the quiz.

Tetsuya Hamaguchi.

"Today's study group is for students with weaker foundations. You attending is enough."

Ryota said while pulling up his pants, trying to fend off the still-clinging Tetsuya.

"Ryota, you're first in the class. With you tutoring me, I can definitely escape the fate of the Failing Group."

"Learning ability and teaching ability aren't the same thing. Besides, Ichinose and the other two are clearly cheerful and patient teachers. If you take it seriously, you'll definitely be fine."

Ryota gave up resisting and turned to pack his bag.

Seisuke...

Meeting Tetsuya's gaze, I inexplicably felt a call.

This guy, he changes completely when it comes to studying.

"Let's go together."

I spoke up to suggest it.

Ryota turned back and glanced at me.

"Since there's nothing to do today anyway, I'll go with Tetsuya."

"By the way, our study group still needs people."

"Come on, let's go. Stop tugging at my pants."

Ryota zipped his bag tight and sighed.

"Let me carry your bag for you, Teacher Ryota~"

"Get lost."

Ryota and I sat at a table not far from the Study Group. Ryota was reading a textbook, while I held a novel in my hands.

The Study Group seemed to be running smoothly. Ichinose pulled herself away from it and sat down beside me.

Ryota showed no reaction, not even lifting his head.

He kept reading and scribbling on scratch paper.

"Hajima-kun."

Ichinose leaned close to my side and called out softly.

"What's up?"

I turned my face, but couldn't help feeling she was too close.

We were almost about to bump into each other.

A faint citrus scent hit my nose—if she weren't practically leaning on me, I might not have even recognized it as Ichinose's fragrance.

It was wrapped in a sweet sensation, but not cloying.

I didn't know how to describe it more precisely, but it struck me as somewhat stunning.

Ichinose just looked at me, smiling sweetly.

I'd never noticed this scent on her before, which made me a little curious.

Had Ichinose found someone she cared about? I wasn't particularly sharp, but I could vaguely sense some subtle changes.

"How many people are in Hajima-kun's study group now?"

"Just the usual three for now."

"I see... Then can Shichimi-san and I join?"

Chihiro Shiramami, huh.

Ichinose cupped her face in her hands and looked up at me like that.

Even though I was already quite familiar with Ichinose, every time I saw that cute face, I couldn't help being drawn in.

"Hmm..."

I thought for a moment, then decided to ask the other member of the group.

"Ryota, are you okay with this?"

Ryota, sitting across from me, finally looked up. He pushed up his glasses first, then glanced at me.

Noticing Ichinose was there too, he nodded politely.

"I don't mind. Welcome."

Ichinose smiled back in response.

And just like that, Hajime Kashima's study group was assembled.

Five people seemed pretty decent.

"Oh, right, Hajima-kun. I might need to host the Study Group sometimes, so please look after Shichimi-san for me."

"Will do..."

"Then I'll head back to the Study Group now."

I nodded to Ichinose and watched her leave.

After a moment, silence returned.

I was about to pick up my novel and keep reading, but something came to mind.

Karuizawa Kei...

She wouldn't get expelled, would she?

I didn't know her specific abilities, but midterms weren't like quizzes—they tested all five subjects separately.

That meant if she failed even one subject, the school would expel her.

I picked up my mobile terminal and sent a message.

"What are you doing?"

Soon, a confused emoji came back from the other end.

"Have you heard about the midterms?"

"I guess you could say I have."

Faced with such a noncommittal reply, I felt a bit worried.

"What was Class D's average this time?"

"So you only came to me to dig for info on Class D, huh!"

Karuizawa paused for a moment, then still sent all the information over.

"The average is 65, with seven people failing."

"What was your score?"

"..."

"Don't tell me you're one of the failures."

"How could that be!!"

"I'm not that kind of idiot!"

"Then what was your score?"

"You're so annoying... If I don't want to say, it's obviously not ideal."

"Anyway, it's not enough to get me expelled."

"Come see me tomorrow."

"Hey, tomorrow's Saturday!"

"Got plans?"

"Yeah."

"Then the evening."

"Hey, did you even bother reading my messages!"

The other side sent a barrage of emojis, but I had already closed the screen.

I set the novel aside, picked up a pen, and began writing on a blank sheet of paper.