A Master Unexpectedly Near Me

Although it was called tutoring, Izumi Kotomi couldn't help Yui Yuigahama every day. So, they decided that the study sessions would take place on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week.

On these three days, after finishing her art club activities, Kotomi would head to Yui's house and tutor her for an hour after school.

Don't underestimate that one hour—focusing completely for an hour is far more efficient than wasting a whole day pretending to study.

Determined to score a few more points on next week's monthly exams, Yui Yuigahama decided to give it her all!

Additionally, during regular classes, if Yui encountered any difficulties in her studies, she could always ask Kotomi for help. Yukino Yukinoshita and Megumi Kato also expressed their willingness to assist.

In that moment, Yui Yuigahama felt certain—

The monthly exam was in the bag.

After finalizing their study arrangements, the bell for class rang.

Another week of classes to go~

In the classroom, the students couldn't help but think: How much longer until class ends? How much longer until school is over?

But Kotomi's thoughts were much further ahead; she was already thinking—

How long until Friday break?

After four classes in the morning, not only did Yui Yuigahama treat Kotomi to lunch as promised, but she also saved her the trouble of going to the snack bar by buying her meal.

In the afternoon, Yui Yuigahama did something unusual—she stayed awake during class and listened attentively to both of her afternoon classes.

One was English, and the other was math.

The English teacher was particularly stunned to see Yui Yuigahama paying attention instead of dozing off, as she usually did.

What's going on?

Did the sun rise in the west today?

Is this even real?

Shocked as she was, the English teacher couldn't help but feel gratified to see a normally sleepy student finally staying awake.

Overjoyed, she called Yui to recite a passage from the textbook.

As expected, Yui only managed to recite five words.

And three of those weren't even from the current passage!

However, the teacher, in her good mood, didn't mind and figured that Yui was making progress little by little.

She was awake today—maybe in a few days, she would start answering questions in class!

Feeling pleased, the English teacher then asked Kotomi to recite the entire passage, as it was part of their weekend homework.

Kotomi: ???

Wasn't the weekend homework just to prepare for the lesson?

Everyone knows that "preparing for the lesson" means not doing it at all.

Kotomi panicked a little but was grateful for the learning abilities granted to her by the God-Level Heroine System, which included photographic memory.

After glancing at the passage once, Kotomi stood up confidently and recited it fluently in perfect English.

As soon as she finished, applause erupted from all directions.

"Kotomi is amazing!"

"This is the first time I've heard Kotomi speak English—her pronunciation is so fluent and accurate!"

"Is she, like Shiina, someone who grew up abroad?"

The English teacher nodded approvingly after hearing this. "Excellent! Kotomi, your pronunciation is spot on. Keep it up. Having good speaking skills in English is a huge advantage. Please sit."

"Thank you, teacher," Kotomi replied with a smile and sat back down.

In just a few weeks since the start of the semester, with the help of the God-Level Heroine System, she had become a model student in the eyes of all the teachers.

Being a top student came with its perks.

For example, even if she was caught slacking off in class, the teachers would pretend not to notice as long as it wasn't too excessive.

Kotomi could also sense that every teacher who taught Class 1-F was eagerly anticipating her performance on the upcoming monthly exam.

To maintain her privileges as a top student, Kotomi knew she had to score well on that exam. She reminded herself internally.

Just doing decently wasn't enough—if she wanted the teachers to keep turning a blind eye to her minor infractions, her exam scores had to be outstanding.

Her goal was to be the top student in the entire school.

And not just for this exam—for every exam in the next three years of high school!

Of course, if she won the National Art Prize and secured a guaranteed university spot, exam scores wouldn't matter much anymore~

On good days, she could aim for first place.

On bad days, anywhere in the top five would do.

After the dismissal bell rang, Kotomi packed her bag and left the classroom with Mashiro Shiina, heading toward the art club.

Compared to other clubs, the art club was much more relaxed.

Every time they started club activities, they'd chat for a while.

"I went to an amazing yakiniku place on Sunday. If anyone's free, we should all go together sometime," suggested Ruka Ishikawa.

"Sounds great! What's the name of the place?"

As a food lover, Kotomi was always down for a meal.

"It's called Anjima Yakiniku."

"Oh, I went there with my sister recently. The food was indeed delicious," Kotomi said.

"You've been there before? Great! You can tell us what to order next time. Everything on the menu looks good, and I don't know what to choose."

"I've only been there once, though," Kotomi replied.

"I'd love to go too, but I think I'll pass..." Emi Tsujimoto looked disappointed.

"Why?" Hojo Ruriya, sitting across from her, asked curiously. "I thought you loved yakiniku."

"Well... I've been eating a bit too much lately and now I've got a little belly..." Emi pinched her stomach, which had indeed gained a tiny bit of weight.

Though, to be honest, it was hardly noticeable unless you looked closely.

Girls are always so conscious of their weight, panicking at the slightest change.

Just like Emi.

"It's fine, Emi. A little extra weight is good. You don't want to be as skinny as a stick, do you?" Hibiki Naegi comforted her.

"Yeah, yeah! Just look at Kotomi. She's got a perfect figure," Ruka added.

Kotomi's body was the envy of many girls—her curves were in all the right places.

Only two words could describe her figure—flawless! Perfect!

Anyone who saw her couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Ruriya, with a sly smile, chimed in:

"But Kotomi's figure is all about having the right kind of weight in the right places. Just look at her chest, her hips, and her thighs—they're all perfectly proportioned. Emi, are you confident you can gain weight in the right places? If not, you'd better stick to dieting. After all, this kind of figure is a natural advantage, not something you can force."

Emi Tsujimoto, who had been contemplating dieting to lose the extra weight, suddenly felt her competitive spirit flare up at Ruriya's words.

It ignited!

"Don't underestimate me, Ruriya! Thirty years of ups and downs. Just watch—one day, my figure will be better than yours!"

"Good luck with that~ I remember during your last physical, you were an A cup, right?"

"You think you're so great with your B cup?! I still have plenty of room to grow!"

"If you don't eat well, you'll be flat as a board for life."

"Who says I don't eat well? I'll eat plenty, and all the weight will go to the right places! Just wait until after graduation—you'll be amazed by my body!"

"Really? I don't believe you~"

"Just wait and see! Ruka, when you guys go for yakiniku, count me in," Emi said, full of determination.

"Oh, okay," Ruka nodded.

Ruriya smiled and flashed a victory sign at Kotomi and Ruka, as if to say she had successfully convinced Emi to join them.

On the surface, it seemed like she was discouraging Emi, but in reality, she was fanning the flames.

She had successfully diverted Emi's attention from her weight concerns.

Ruriya's tactic was truly impressive.

A master... right by my side?!