Reading Club

"Ah? Qiuyue? What are you doing here?"

...Waiting for you.

"I'm just out for a walk and happened to pass by here. Kushida, where are you headed?"

"Huh? I made plans with Ayanokoji to tutor Sudo in the library."

...I know. That's exactly what I was waiting for. I saw it all in the library.

"...Tutoring, huh... I could help too. I don't want anyone in our class to drop out either. Is that okay?"

Kushida's face lit up with a cheerful welcome. "If Qiuyue wants to come, of course I'm happy to have you!"

Her voice was full of warmth and friendliness, making it feel especially comforting.

"But before that, I need to go find Sudo and the others first to bring them along. So, Qiuyue, do you want to come with me?"

"I don't mind either way. Let's go together."

Qiuyue and Kushida went to find the Idiot Trio. Yamauchi was unusually subdued—ever since that swimming lesson, there'd been some friction between him and Qiuyue.

Ike, on the other hand, was as carefree as ever, as if he'd already forgotten what Qiuyue had said that day.

Maybe, Qiuyue thought, he'd taken in a little bit—even if it was just empty words.

Kushida led Qiuyue and the Idiot Trio toward the library.

"Ayanokoji, Horikita, I've brought them all over."

Kushida said this and immediately sat down in the seat next to Ayanokoji. At first glance, it seemed normal, but Qiuyue knew she didn't want to sit near Horikita, so she'd rushed to claim her spot.

"Ah... Qiuyue? Weren't you fifth in the last quiz?"

Ayanokoji asked.

??? Why am I still on Ayanokoji's radar? Whatever, I was planning to get acquainted this time anyway.

You think I wanted fifth? I'm not some freak like you who can control his score. I just did my best—I didn't want to crash and burn on my first outing by failing and getting expelled.

"I..."

"Qiuyue is someone I brought along," Kushida cut in. "You see, having just Horikita to tutor us might be a bit tough, so I happened to run into him on the way and asked him to join."

...Thanks for that, Kushida. But you think you can earn my goodwill that easily? No way.

How convenient. I was waiting for you on purpose. For the plan ahead, I had to ride this plot beat.

"...I see."

"Is it okay for Qiuyue to join?"

Kushida leaned in cautiously to confirm with Horikita, but Horikita remained silent.

"Actually, I'm counting on it. My Sakura History score is dangerously close to the failing line. My other subjects are fine—that's how I managed third place.

It's just... how should I put it? I'm a total specialist in one subject. I really don't understand Sakura History at all..."

Qiuyue said this pleadingly, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

How could I possibly know this stuff? Even though I went through the Zhonghua Family's academic grind, I've never touched this subject before. After coming to this world, I didn't want to learn it in elementary school, didn't study it in middle school—I only know the basics, barely enough to pass.

"Fine."

Horikita put down the book she was holding. After being silent for so long, she finally spoke.

Then everyone switched into study mode.

"By the way, Teacher Chabashira said anything below the passing line is a fail. So what score do we need to pass?"

Sudo raised the question.

"Thirty-four points."

Horikita frowned as she answered him, but then continued:

"However, whether thirty-four points is enough to pass or not, I want all of you to aim for fifty points or higher."

"Huh...? Seriously? Do you think I can do that?"

"It's not a matter of 'can' or 'can't.' If something unexpected happens—like the passing line next time isn't thirty-two points—then the consequence for you will be expulsion. Besides, learning a bit more won't hurt you."

Compared to Qiuyue, who had no issues, the Idiot Trio looked troubled, but they still nodded in compliance with Horikita's words.

"...Damn it. Are you sure this is stuff we've learned?"

Sudo scratched his head in frustration. Everyone followed his gaze—it was the first question on the test paper.

"You really surprise me every time. You have to think through such simple problems yourself, or you won't be able to handle the rest."

"But... it's easy for you to say. I just don't get it. There's nothing I can do about it."

Huh... So she just tossed a book at me to memorize, making me feel like I have no presence here? Whatever. Since I'm here, let me take a look at his problem. I'll teach what I can. I really don't want to memorize Sakura History anyway.

Qiuyue leaned in to look at the question.

Math? That's my best subject. Back in my past life's high school, I used to explain problems to others all the time.

"Got any scratch paper?"

"Ah... here you go."

Qiuyue picked up the draft notebook and began writing rapidly, his thoughts clear and his strokes swift, then handed it to Sudo, pointing with his pen.

"I'll teach you a shortcut for this type of problem, which is..."

Horikita glanced back and forth between Sudo and Qiuyue a few times before withdrawing her gaze.

After a bit of work.

"No way?! Qiuyue, you're amazing, you actually solved it! And the method's so simple, I picked it up in one go!"

Sudo happily slapped his hand on Qiuyue's shoulder, then pointed to another problem on the test paper.

"Then... what about the next one?"

Qiuyue's mouth twitched slightly. (Huh?! Isn't this the second problem?! You're not planning to ask about every single one, are you?)

"Listen up, for this type, you just use the cross-multiplication method to solve it quickly."

Horikita said directly.

"Uh... that... what's that 'cross-something method'? I don't think I've heard of it."

"You're not joking, are you?"

Qiuyue was utterly speechless inside. No way, even middle schoolers know this? Looks like I overestimated this trio after all.

"Qiuyue, is there a simple way to do this one? Like just now."

"Sorry to tell you, but using the cross-multiplication method is already the simplest way."

Sudo tossed his pen aside and leaned back in his chair.

"Then there's no helping it. I've never even heard of it."

Qiuyue held his forehead in exasperation.

...You're the one who's about to get expelled for failing! Why does it feel like you're making us beg you? Look at you, acting all high and mighty.

Horikita stayed silent, and the situation kept deteriorating. Kushida stepped in to mediate, directly explaining to the Idiot Trio.

But after explaining several times, they still didn't get it, and even started slacking off. Horikita couldn't stand it anymore.

"As expected, defective products. Ignorance isn't scary; what's scary is being ignorant and not knowing it."

"...What does that mean?"

Clearly, the Idiot Trio didn't understand what Horikita meant.

Horikita, aren't you just escalating the conflict here? Sigh... Even though I know this is how the original story goes, seeing Horikita like this, I still think she's really bold.

Next up, the conflict should grow bigger. Horikita unleashes her sharp tongue, Sudo gets angry and tries to throw a punch, Kushida stops him, and then they disband.

"Uh, I'm going to the bathroom. You guys keep going."

Qiuyue quickly slipped away.