Study Session

In the Class D classroom, despite school having ended long ago, only a small number of students chose to leave, among them the Yamauchi trio.

"Hey, Yamauchi, Sudo. Are we really going to be okay if we don't join the study session?" Ike asked, turning back to look at the school building.

The longing to join the study session was clearly visible in his eyes, and he finally decided to give it one last try.

"Hey!"

Ike stood where he was and shouted, "Are you really not going? Hirata shouldn't turn us away, and if we fail again, we'll be expelled."

"If you want to go, just go yourself!" Yamauchi replied impatiently.

"I'm definitely not going to attend any study session. That jerk Kato is there, and just thinking about him makes me sick!"

"So you're really just prepared to be expelled?" Ike asked urgently.

"I should be able to handle that by cramming for a few days at the end. It's just passing, after all."

Yamauchi seemed to have completely lost the patience to talk to Ike, turning around to leave.

"I've always gotten by like this since middle school. If you're really that scared, Ike, just go yourself."

"I'm going back to the dorms to play games."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Yamauchi at all, Ike turned his gaze to Sudo, who understood and replied.

"I'm not going either. Compared to some study session, I think the upcoming basketball club activity is more important."

As he spoke, Sudo dribbled the basketball in his hand, chatting with Ike nonchalantly.

"I know how poor my academic ability is. No matter who teaches me, they'll end up getting impatient."

"Not to mention that basically everyone in the class hates me. It's not even certain if anyone would be willing to teach me, so why go and ask for trouble?"

Knowing that everything Sudo said was the truth, Ike was speechless for a moment, only able to look down at the ground in frustration.

Seeing Ike like this, Sudo didn't say anything else and turned to leave, tossing a parting remark over his shoulder.

"You can go try your luck, Ike. Like you said, Hirata should agree to tutor you."

Ike did take Sudo's advice to heart, but he still hesitated. Looking at the classroom where people were still coming and going, Ike bit his lower lip hard.

"Go, Hirata will accept me. I don't have any bad blood with Kato, and I'm not hated by everyone like Sudo is."

With that, Ike prepared to head back to the classroom, but after taking only the first step, he pulled back.

"But... it would be so embarrassing. I'll definitely be a burden to Hirata for a long time. Will the others think I'm stupid? And Kikyo is there too."

Finally, Ike closed his eyes in resignation and steeled his heart, walking away.

"I'll just study by myself. It's just passing the test; it's not that hard."

"Yeah! It's not that hard, you can do it, Ike!"

Ike clenched his hands tightly, cheering himself on in his heart. Little did he know, every move the three of them made was being watched by Kato Satsu from the window.

Kato Satsu was currently sitting in Ayanokoji's seat. Since the latter, like Suzune, had not attended the study session, Kato Satsu had temporarily requisitioned the spot.

He had long wanted to sit in this seat—the back row by the window, the hometown of kings.

"Those three idiots really didn't come after all. It's understandable; there are many people in this world who cannot let go of their own pride." (Kato Satsu)

"Kato, what are you thinking about?"

A classmate's sudden question pulled Kato Satsu's thoughts back to the classroom: "Nothing."

"Then can you help me look at this problem?"

Although Kato Satsu's actual grades were not on par with academic elites like Suzune and Yukimura, they could be considered mid-level, and he possessed the basic ability to explain problems.

To avoid being exposed during today's study session, Kato Satsu had even pulled an all-nighter to cram the key points. Besides, this quiz wasn't very difficult, so getting through it was no problem at all.

However, he had overestimated the academic ability of the students in Class D. Most of the time, Kato Satsu had to explain a single problem twice, or even more.

Fortunately, he had mind-reading, which allowed him to clearly know where the other person didn't understand and provide targeted explanations.

After dealing with the boy who came to ask a question, Kato Satsu let out a long sigh.

"Being a teacher is too tiring. I'm really not cut out for this kind of thing," Kato Satsu muttered.

"Sorry to trouble you, Kato."

Hirata walked over and thanked Kato Satsu: "It's a huge help that you could come to the study session. There are quite a few students in the class who are struggling, so I might have to trouble you for a while longer."

"It's fine."

Kato Satsu returned a polite smile: "Since I've already promised Kikyo, I will do my best to get the job done."

After speaking, Kato Satsu and Hirata both looked toward Kikyo's direction.

She was at her seat, patiently explaining a concept to a girl, her tone gentle and her smile sweet.

"Kushida is truly a wonderful person. She is always so kind to those around her, just like an angel."

"I'm so glad we have someone like that in our class!"

Hearing Hirata's praise for Kikyo, Kato Satsu couldn't help but laugh inwardly, but he continued to voice his agreement on the surface.

"Yeah, Kikyo is truly wonderful."

"I'm out of ideas, do you have any clue what that angel is thinking right now?" (Kato Satsu)

"I've said it three times already, why can't this pig understand? Is his brain just for show!" (Kikyo Kushida)

"Hirata-kun, could you come over here for a second?" In the distance, Karuizawa called out enthusiastically.

"I'll take my leave for a moment then, Kato-kun," Hirata said softly, and Satsu nodded in response.

In another corner of the classroom, Kokoro Inogashira was surrounded by her friends; her face was full of shyness and timidity, while her companions were all chiming in with advice.

"Go for it, Kokoro. Kato-kun is right there, and no one is pestering him right now."

Kokoro turned her head slightly to look at Satsu. But after just one glance, she turned back, her face flushed red.

"Go on, you heard what Kikyo said, Satsu can't come here every day. If you miss this chance, who knows when the next one will be."

Hearing this, Kokoro reacted slightly; she breathed rapidly, visibly caught in a struggle.

Seeing this, her companions couldn't help but speak up again: "Take advantage of the fact that Hasebe isn't here either. Once she gets back, it'll be hard to find another opportunity."

Seeming to find her friends' words reasonable, Kokoro finally made up her mind. She stood up abruptly, grabbed her book, and walked toward the back row.

"Good luck!"

Her companion gently patted Kokoro on the shoulder, giving her an encouraging look, and the latter nodded firmly in return.

"Ka... Kato-kun!"

Although her speech was stuttered, Kokoro's voice was not quiet; it felt as if she had forced herself to speak louder.

Satsu looked up, smiling at her: "Inogashira-san, is something the matter?"

He's even more handsome when he smiles! (Kokoro Inogashira)