Have You Ever Seen Advanced Nurturing High School at Four in the Morning?

"Don't worry. Helping classmates in trouble is only natural, so I'll help."

Kushida Kikyou clasped her hands together and readily accepted the task.

"I'll do my best to arrange a meeting with them."

"Then let's meet tomorrow at noon."

After agreeing on a time, the two went their separate ways.

That evening, Tatsuya Sakuya was spacing out.

"Bzz, bzz."

Tatsuya Sakuya checked his phone. It was a message from Kushida Kikyou.

Kushida Kikyou: [Yamauchi and Ike both said okay.]

Tatsuya Sakuya: [Thanks for the effort.]

Kushida Kikyou: [I'm contacting Sudo too. There shouldn't be any problem meeting tomorrow at noon.]

Tatsuya Sakuya had always trusted Kushida Kikyou's social skills. After all, there were very few people who could quickly get along with everyone in their grade.

Just as Tatsuya Sakuya was about to take a shower, he received another call from Horikita Suzune.

"Hello?"

"How is the study group coming along? Have you found suitable people?"

The first thing Horikita Suzune asked about was the study group. That was normal enough; she only cared whether the class could reach Class 1-A.

"I already had Kushida contact them. I'm sure it'll be arranged soon."

"Oh, right. Let's meet in the cafeteria tomorrow at noon. I hope you..."

Tatsuya Sakuya added.

Just like that, after getting the answer she wanted, Horikita Suzune hung up directly.

"Be there at one sharp in the afternoon."

"Knock, knock, knock."

Hearing someone knock on his door, Tatsuya Sakuya hurried over to answer it.

It was not some knocking ghost at the door, but Horikita Suzune.

"You didn't specify the exact time yesterday, so I came here myself."

"I did explain it yesterday. You were the one who hung up."

Tatsuya Sakuya was somewhat speechless, but it was about time to leave anyway. After tidying up a little, he headed to the cafeteria with Horikita Suzune.

"Good afternoon, Shiba, Horikita."

From a distance, Tatsuya Sakuya spotted Kushida Kikyou waving at them in greeting and politely returned it.

"Good afternoon, Kushida."

"Where are the other three?"

Instead of returning Kushida Kikyou's greeting, Horikita Suzune immediately asked about the three who had run off yesterday.

It was clear she had mentally prepared herself yesterday. Reaching Class 1-A was very important to her, after all.

"Sudo and the others will probably arrive shortly. There are still a few minutes until the agreed time."

Kushida Kikyou answered with a smile.

"Since we're here, let's eat first."

Tatsuya Sakuya found it tiring to simply wait around for the others. Besides, he had skipped breakfast and was getting hungry.

"Fine. I'll pay for lunch today, including the three from the failing group."

Horikita Suzune unexpectedly offered to pay first. Perhaps she truly understood that she had also been at fault during yesterday's study group.

"Then I won't hold back." x2

Before long, Tatsuya Sakuya and Kushida Kikyou brought over the lunches they had ordered. Ike and Yamauchi happened to arrive first.

"Sorry for calling you two out. Actually, Horikita has something she wants to say to you."

"What is it?"

"Are you two not planning to keep attending the study group?"

Horikita Suzune gestured for them to sit down and eat.

Ike and Yamauchi scratched the backs of their heads, guiltily looking away.

"If we cram a little before the exam, we'll definitely be fine, right? That's how we got through all the previous exams."

Both Ike and Yamauchi felt they could still pass by staying up all night before the test. More importantly, Sudo had not arrived yet, and since they did not know his situation, they felt awkward making a decision.

"If you keep this up, there's a very real chance you'll be expelled."

Horikita Suzune said there was a very real chance, not that it was certain. That alone showed she had indeed been adjusting her attitude last night.

"You're as high-handed as ever. Sorry for being late, Kushida. Basketball Club practice held me up."

Sudo Ken was also quite displeased by Horikita Suzune's lecturing attitude.

Kushida Kikyou simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"Hey, Sudo. Cramming the night before might work, but if it fails, you won't be able to keep playing the basketball you love either."

Indeed, basketball was extremely important to Sudo Ken. He had joined the Basketball Club because he even wanted to become a professional player, but he still could not let go of his small bit of pride.

He could not accept Horikita Suzune's earlier insult to his basketball dream. That was his bottom line.

"If you want to invite me, apologize first."

Horikita Suzune said, "Even if we don't get along, shouldn't I study for the class to reach Class 1-A, while you study for your basketball?"

"I need to work hard to become an official Basketball Club member. Those reserve players are all training desperately. I can't lose my chance to become an official player because of boring schoolwork."

Sudo Ken subjectively believed it was impossible to balance studying and basketball at the same time.

"If you lose the right to attend this school, wouldn't you also lose the chance to become an official player—or even a professional player?"

After going in circles, it returned to the final question, one Sudo Ken could not accept. He fell silent.

He did not dare face that question, so he could only pin everything on last-minute cramming and earning a spot as an official player. He was simply choosing to run away.

"The key is that we really don't understand anything."

At that moment, Ike stepped forward and pointed out their current problem. They basically slept or daydreamed during class, so naturally they understood nothing.

"That's exactly why you need to spend twice as much time as the other students. If you don't understand during class, ask your classmates right after. Me, Hirata, or Yukimura—we can all help."

"There are no shortcuts to studying. Or do you think there are shortcuts in basketball, Sudo?"

Horikita Suzune said patiently.

"How could there be? Basketball requires more hard practice than anything else. Have you ever seen Advanced Nurturing High School at four in the morning?"

The moment basketball came up, Sudo Ken was full of confidence.

"I still won't join. I can't accept being tutored by Horikita."

In truth, Sudo Ken did not want to be expelled. He simply did not have a good way to back down.

Horikita Suzune said, "Hirata, Yukimura... anyone in the class can help you."

"If I pass the midterms, go on a date with me, Kushida."

Tatsuya Sakuya quickly held out his hand.

"What are you saying? If I pass the midterms, go on a date with me." x2

Ike and Yamauchi immediately caught on.

Kushida Kikyou quickly realized Tatsuya Sakuya's intention.

"How about this? I'll go on a date with whoever gets the highest score."

"Whoa! Then I'll definitely study seriously." x2

Ike and Yamauchi shouted excitedly.

Sudo Ken said, "Can't be helped. Since Ike and Yamauchi have chosen to join, I'll join too."

For Tatsuya Sakuya, it was impossible for the three failing students to score higher than him, so this time, he had won.

"Then see you this afternoon."

Boys really were simple and boring creatures.

Horikita Suzune silently complained to herself.