Stubborn Underachiever

The morning sunlight carried the warmth of early summer, spilling across the desks through the classroom windows. Kazama In and Ayanokoji Kiyotaka entered the Class D room almost one after the other. Before they even reached their seats, a thick wave of low morale and complaints washed over them.

"Aaaah! Points! When the hell are we getting our points?!" Ike Kanji clawed at his head in frustration.

"The cheapest bread at the convenience store costs 50 points! At this rate, I'll have to drink tap water!" Yamauchi Haruki wailed, flopping onto his desk.

"Tch, training burns so much energy, I can't keep going without proper nutrition!" Sudo Ken slammed his fist on the desk in irritation, drawing sidelong glances from nearby classmates.

"Hirata-kun and the others said they'd figure something out..." Sato Mari tried to console him in a small voice, but her words clearly lacked conviction.

Karuizawa Kei crossed her arms, looking thoroughly annoyed. "Figure something out? Figure what out? Points aren't going to fall from the sky!" Her gaze swept over Kazama, who had just entered, carrying a hint of complexity before she looked away. The impact of that million points was clearly still lingering.

Kazama In and Ayanokoji were long accustomed to this daily grumbling. Expressionless, they walked to their respective seats. Kazama's seat was in front of Horikita Suzune, while Ayanokoji sat behind him.

Just as Kazama pulled out his chair to sit down, a cool, slightly stiff voice came from behind him.

"Kazama-kun, Ayanokoji-kun."

Both of them paused mid-motion and turned around simultaneously. There sat Horikita Suzune in her seat, hands resting on her knees, her posture as textbook-perfect as ever. Her phoenix-like eyes stared straight at them, her fair face devoid of expression, but her gaze carried a hint of... rare initiative?

"Let's have lunch together at the cafeteria," Horikita Suzune said, her voice not loud but clear enough for both to hear. "My treat."

A faint glimmer of understanding flickered in Kazama In's jet-black pupils. On Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's utterly unruffled face, his mind instantly ran an analysis: Initiating a treat? This doesn't match Horikita Suzune's usual lone-wolf, point-pinching (in her view) style. There's an agenda.

The complaints in the classroom seemed to stall for a moment at this sudden invitation. Ike, Yamauchi, and the others shot them surprised, envious looks—someone was treating? And it was Horikita Suzune?

Kazama In looked at Horikita Suzune. Though her eyes tried hard to stay calm, the slight tension in her jawline and her slightly quicker breathing betrayed her discomfort and a hint of nervousness at making the first move. The corner of his mouth curved almost imperceptibly before returning to a flat line. "Alright. Thank you, Horikita-san."

Ayanokoji also nodded briefly. "Yeah."

As soon as the lunch bell rang, the three headed to the cafeteria together. The atmosphere was somewhat silent along the way. Horikita Suzune walked ahead, her steps a little stiff, while Kazama In and Ayanokoji followed side by side.

The cafeteria buzzed with noise. The aroma of food mixed with various voices, full of the liveliness of everyday life. Horikita Suzune had clearly planned ahead, heading straight for a relatively quiet set-meal counter.

"I'll have one Set A," she said to the cafeteria auntie. It was the most basic set, usually just rice, miso soup, a small main dish (often fried chicken or hamburger steak), and a tiny plate of pickles—also the cheapest option.

Then she turned to Kazama and Ayanokoji. "What do you two want? Order whatever you like." Her tone tried to stay calm, but her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt. Treating others was clearly a considerable burden for her.

Kazama In's eyes swept over the menu and settled on the moderately priced Set C (which included fried pork cutlet, rice, soup, salad, and a small dessert). "Set C, please." His choice neither made Horikita overspend nor compromised basic decency.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at the menu and pointed to the same. "Same."

Horikita Suzune visibly relaxed, quickly paying the points. The three picked up their trays and found an empty table in the corner to sit down.

Once seated, neither Kazama nor Ayanokoji immediately picked up their chopsticks. Kazama In pressed his palms together before his tray, bowed his head slightly, his movements smooth and natural, carrying an ingrained, elegant etiquette befitting someone from a distinguished family. "I humbly receive this meal. Thank you for your hospitality, Horikita-san."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka copied the gesture, mimicking Kazama's actions. Though a bit stiff, it was still passable. "I humbly receive this meal. Thank you."

Horikita Suzune stared at them for a moment, seeming to remember her dining manners. She quickly pressed her hands together and said, a little hurriedly, "I-I humbly receive this meal." A faint, barely noticeable blush crept onto her fair cheeks, clearly uncomfortable with this "formal" pre-meal interaction.

Kazama In picked up his chopsticks and took a piece of fried pork cutlet, eating with refined composure. He didn't rush to ask about Horikita's purpose. Instead, he spoke first, his tone carrying a perfectly measured hint of gentle apology. "I'm sorry to put you to such expense, Horikita-san. Set C isn't cheap. Thank you for the treat." He acknowledged the cost she bore and expressed his gratitude.

Ayanokoji silently nodded in agreement, eating in small bites while quietly observing.

Horikita Suzune poked at the solitary piece of fried chicken on her tray with her chopsticks, her head lowered, her voice lower than usual. "...It's nothing. Just... as thanks for the help you've given me." She finally began to get to the point. "About the study session for the midterms."

Neither Kazama In nor Ayanokoji responded, simply listening quietly, waiting for her to continue.

Horikita Suzune lifted her head, her expression turning serious again. "Hirata-kun and Yukimura-kun have drawn up a plan. They want to gather the students with lower grades for remedial study, to make sure no one in the class fails and drags everyone down. It's one of the effective ways to raise our class points." She paused, her brow furrowing, a clear note of frustration and a hint of barely concealed irritation in her voice. "But the three most critical people—Sudo-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun—all refused the invitation."

She looked at Kazama and Ayanokoji, her eyes carrying a hint of seeking allies. "It might not be very effective if I go alone to persuade them. Since you both also agree on the importance of raising class points, and..." She paused, as if choosing her words carefully, "...since you've already indicated you're willing to help (referring to the implied promise when accepting her treat at the cafeteria), can you come with me to convince them? After classes end this afternoon, we'll split up."

Kazama In set down his chopsticks, picked up a napkin, and lightly wiped the corner of his mouth, his movements unhurried. "Understood." His jet-black eyes met Horikita's. No unnecessary words. "I'll talk to Sudo." Sudo's personality was relatively straightforward; Kazama felt he could approach him more easily.

Ayanokoji also nodded. "I'll handle Ike and Yamauchi." He probably had his own methods for dealing with those two relatively "simple" ones.

Horikita Suzune's tense shoulders relaxed noticeably, a look of relief crossing her face. "Thank you."

After the afternoon classes ended, the three split up as agreed.

Kazama In found Sudo Ken practicing basketball alone on the outdoor court near the gymnasium. Sweat soaked his athletic vest, and each shot carried a force of release.

"Sudo." Kazama In's voice rang out across the empty court.

Sudo paused mid-motion, holding the ball as he turned around. Seeing Kazama, his expression shifted to surprise, then turned a little awkward, as if remembering the embarrassing incident in the locker room. "Kazama? What's up?"

"About the study session," Kazama said directly. "The midterms are coming up. Failing will deduct class points and hurt everyone. Hirata and the others' study session is an effective way to improve grades and avoid dragging the class down. Why aren't you joining?"

Sudo Ken scratched his head irritably. "Tch! Studying? Boring as hell! I'd rather spend that time practicing more shots! Exams? I'll just wing it! Class points? What do I care?!" His tone was aggressive, carrying the typical athlete's aversion to studying and a blind confidence (or rather, avoidance) in his own abilities.

Kazama In didn't argue. He just looked at him calmly, his jet-black eyes seeming to see right through him. "Wing it? Based on your last quiz results, you might not even hit the passing line. When you get all your personal points deducted, or even face the risk of expulsion, will you still be able to shoot hoops here without a care?" He pointed out the most direct consequence, his tone flat but carrying heavy weight.

Sudo Ken's expression shifted. His grip on the basketball tightened. Kazama's words hit a sore spot. He knew perfectly well how bad his grades were; he just didn't want to face it. Expulsion... that word stirred real fear in him. He opened his mouth as if to retort, but looking at Kazama's calm, seemingly all-seeing eyes, his momentum weakened, a flicker of hesitation showing in his gaze. He slapped the ball a few times in irritation, his voice dropping. "...Shut up! I get it! Let me... think about it!"

Meanwhile, Ayanokoji intercepted Ike Kanji and Yamauchi Haruki on the path to the dormitory building, the two of them arm-in-arm, heading to the game arcade to try their luck.

"Study session? No way, no way!" Ike Kanji shook his head like a rattle. "I'd rather spend that time working a part-time job to earn points for food!"

"Yeah! How can I study on an empty stomach?!" Yamauchi Haruki chimed in, his eyes darting toward the convenience store.

Ayanokoji tried to persuade them by pointing out that raising class points would benefit everyone, even offering to find them simpler study methods, but the two wouldn't listen at all. Their minds were completely occupied by immediate "hunger" and "earning instant points," utterly indifferent to future risks or class interests. Ayanokoji's persuasion fell on deaf ears. The two laughed it off with a few perfunctory words before eagerly dashing off toward the arcade.

The setting sun dyed the campus in a warm golden hue. Kazama In and Ayanokoji met up at their designated spot.

"How did it go?" Kazama asked.

"Failed," Ayanokoji said succinctly. "Ike and Yamauchi only care about immediate food and points. They won't listen to anything about studying or the future."

"Sudo... wavered a bit, but he hasn't agreed yet." Kazama In looked toward the gymnasium in the distance, where the faint sound of a basketball bouncing could still be heard.

Horikita Suzune had also hurried over. From her tightly pressed lips and slightly defeated eyes, it was clear that her solo persuasion attempt—she might have approached others, perhaps some pretty boy, not about grades but about attitude—had also made zero progress.

"They all refused..." Horikita Suzune's voice carried a hint of exhaustion and helplessness. She looked at the two "helpers" before her, who had also returned empty-handed, and for the first time truly felt that changing a group of "rotten wood" was far harder than she'd imagined. "Is there really no way?"

Kazama In's expression remained calm. "There's always a way. It just takes time and the right moment. Forcing it won't work." He wasn't impatient; Class D's predicament wasn't something that could be solved overnight.

Ayanokoji was silent too, as if lost in thought.

The three of them walked back toward the dormitory in silence. The setting sun stretched their shadows long, and the atmosphere was heavy. Kazama In decided to break the silence. He looked at Ayanokoji and asked:

"Ayanokoji, that book I lent you last time... have you finished it?" His tone carried a slight hint of anticipation. "Did you... learn anything about communicating with people, or building friendships?"

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's steps didn't falter. His face remained the same eternal poker expression. He paused for a few seconds, as if recalling the book's contents, then replied in a flat, emotionless tone:

"Finished it."

"Learned something."

"Just haven't put it into practice."

"Such a perfunctory answer," Kazama In muttered to himself.

Horikita Suzune: "..." She looked at Ayanokoji's expressionless face and hollow eyes, then at Kazama In, remembering that the book was actually a romance campus novel. She was utterly speechless.

Soon, the dormitory building was right in front of them. The stairwell leading to different floors lay just ahead.

"Well then, see you tomorrow." Kazama In stopped and gave a slight nod to the two.

"Mm." Ayanokoji nodded.

"See you tomorrow." Horikita Suzune's voice was still a bit muffled, clearly not yet recovered from Ayanokoji's textbook-style answer.

The three parted ways. Kazama In headed toward the higher floors where his own dormitory was.

Back in his quiet single room, Kazama In took off his jacket and tossed it casually over the back of a chair. He walked to his desk and habitually picked up the modified phone.

The screen lit up, its pale glow illuminating his calm profile and the differently colored strands of hair at his temple.

A new friend request notification was clearly displayed on the screen.

The requester's ID was concise, carrying an undeniable authority:

[Horikita Manabu].

The request message was only two short words:

[Talk.]