Cruel.

The midterm exam results were prominently displayed on the board, showcasing the remarkable achievements of Class 1-D. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of Ayanokoji and Yuto, the class had gained access to past midterm papers, which turned out to be strikingly similar to the current ones. It was a testament to their meticulous preparation and strategic thinking.

Yuto, discovered that Ayanokoji had discreetly credited Kushida with obtaining the past midterm papers, ensuring that she received recognition for her role in the endeavor. Indeed, Everyone in the class had achived high or passable scores.

Except one.

"You got a failing score, Sudo." Sae stated

Yuto wasn't suprised that Sudo failed, however he was suprised how close Sudo got to passing. "44 eh.? It seems I raised the failing score due to my marks. I'm suprised Sudo got a 43. My intial assesment of him getting a 41 is wrong I see."

Sudo wasn't that shocked either, he was deeply saddened that he was leaving school, but with his new found confidence, he was sure he would go pro his basketball. "It's a shame though..." 

Meanwhile, Horikita's reaction bordered on incredulity as she stared at Yuto's  score on the board.

"A perfect 100..." she muttered, her voice barely concealing her astonishment.

Internally, however, her thoughts raced at lightning speed. 'What the hell! I knew he was holding back, but to such an extent? This is insane! What is his IQ?!' Her gaze oscillated between Yuto and the board, grappling with the incomprehensible brilliance displayed before her.

Ayanokoji excused himself to the bathroom. Sudo stared at his desk with deep saddness, all of a sudden, a hand gripped his sholder. Suddenly, a reassuring hand gripped his shoulder, prompting Sudo to look back and find Yuto's smiling face, "Don't worry bud, Suzune-chan is going right there to retract your expulsion." Yuto said as he pointed at Horikita walking out the door. He continued  "Trust me, it'll work out. I need to go help her out as well so bye"

Just like that, Yuto left Sudo with the most vauge explaination ever, however Sudo was happy. He believed Yuto somehow. He believed in Horikita as well.

_______________________________

"In the first day, you said we can buy 'anything' in this school with points. So let me buy a mark to add to Sudo's score," Ayanokoji calmly explained to Sae.

"Indeed, you are right," Sae smirked. "But can you afford the mark?"

"100 thousand points."

"That's too cruel, sensei," Ayanokoji replied, realizing he only had 50,000 points.

"I'll pay too!" Horikita interjected unexpectedly.

Sae smirked once again. "I knew you guys would be interesting. Alright, I'll sell it to you. However, I am surprised Kazuki didn't come with you two."

"What do you mean, sensei?" Yuto said, appearing beside the door with his arms crossed. Horikita shot Yuto a deadly glare, still holding a grudge about the marks. "If you had come earlier, I would have raised the price," Sae said, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"Well, well, can we complete the transaction now?"

As the trio made their way down the stairs, Ayanokoji couldn't help but wonder. "Why did sensei say she would have raised the price if you had come earlier?"

"Wait, I never told you, right?" Yuto shrugged as he showed his points to Ayanokoji.

"I see."

__________________________________________________

"Cheers!"

In a room filled with joyous chatter, seven individuals sat basking in the glow of their exam success. Sudo couldn't contain his elation, but Yuto's expression remained clouded.

"Hey, I'm all for celebrating, but why turn my room into party central?" Yuto's tone held a hint of annoyance.

A moment of silence hung before laughter erupted, breaking the tension, save for Ayanokoji, who remained stoic. Even Horikita couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"Who would've thought someone as intimidating as you would have a giant teddy bear in their room?" Sudo teased.

"Well, I find it rather cute!" Kushida chimed in.

Ike and Yamauchi nodded in agreement. "I might just get one for myself!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

Yuto's cheeks flushed pink. "Well, I... I just prefer not to sleep alone," he mumbled in defense.

Horikita's lips twitched into a slight smile. "Even children manage to sleep solo," she remarked teasingly.

"Well, at least I don't go avoiding my broth—" Horikita swiftly covered Yuto's mouth with her palm, her demeanor shifting drastically. Gone was the hint of amusement; instead, her eyes bore a chilling intensity.

"Say another word, and you're done for," she warned with a sharp edge to her tone.

As Sudo's eyes simmered with jealousy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for Horikita, appreciating her protective gesture. Meanwhile, Yuto was in a state of bliss, relishing the warmth of Horikita's hand on his mouth.

The illusion was shattered when Ike rose to his feet and excused himself, breaking the fictional bubble with a simple statement. Yuto reluctantly freed himself from Horikita's grasp, acknowledging Ike's departure with a hint of disappointment due to losing his haven.

"Sure, I guess it's time to call it a night. Ayanokoji and I will take care of tidying up. The rest of you can head off," Yuto announced, mustering a smile.

Kushida eagerly volunteered to stay behind, her enthusiasm infectious. "Count me in! I'll help too," she exclaimed with a beaming smile.

Ayanokoji's internal disapproval was evident as he questioned, "Again? Why am I always the one left behind?"

Yuto flashed Ayanokoji a reassuring smile before uttering the magic words, "Because, my 'friend', that's what friends do."

While cleaning up, Kushida casually asked with a pang of dissapointment, "Hey boys... Do you guys like girls like Horikita?"

Ayanokoji's response was characteristically composed. "Well, she's a friend... or rather, just a neighbor."

Kushida turned her gaze towards Yuto, who seemed lost in thought, his eyes fixed on the floor. With a sigh, he finally spoke up. "It's not just about liking girls like her. It's... different with Suzune. There's this aura about her that draws me in. I don't think I could feel the same way about anyone else, even if they had a similar personality and appearance."

Kushida absorbed his words with a thoughtful expression. "I see... Well, I suppose I'll take my leave now," she said, masking any disappointment with a polite smile.

As Kushida departed, Yuto's attention shifted to the abandoned phone on the bed. "Looks like Kushida forgot her phone," he remarked, breaking the silence. "Ayanokoji, would you mind returning it to her?" he asked, extending the device toward his 'friend'.

"Sure, why not." Ayanokoji obliged and walked out the door.

Minutes later, Yuto's eyes caught sight of a phone resting on the kitchen counter. With a sigh, he muttered to himself, "Looks like Kiyo-chan intended on coming back. But why now? Well, it's better to ask him outside. I'm not in the mood to brew tea."

As Yuto stepped out of the door, he noticed Ayanokoji on the ground floor. However, something else caught his attention, stirring a sense of suspicion within him. "Why is Kushida walking towards the seaside in the middle of the night? Looks like Kiyo-cha also thought the same" he pondered, his curiosity piqued. Without hesitation, he decided to follow them, his steps quickening as he moved to catch up.

"This is suspicious.."