Happy Singles Day everyone

　　This meeting only lasted about half an hour, and Mafuyu asked them to return to their respective homes.

　　Ichika wanted to go back to catch up on her sleep. There will be an outdoor scene tonight. If she doesn't sleep now, she will have to play the role of a female ghost.

　　Yotsuba was happy to be able to join the athletic club practice early and immediately ran to the playground.

　　Instead, Itsuki was taken away by Mafuyu as anxious as yesterday, and they went to the teacher's office together

　　Not too worried about this, Shinichi went to the study room as usual to teach Fumino and Rizu their homework.

　　Only when they faced a big exam stage would they hold uninterrupted study meetings every after school.

　　Once the week is over, getting together maybe twice a week will be enough. Any more will just overwhelm them.

　　Meanwhile, for Shinichi, the most important thing is to develop independent learning abilities.

　　Teaching them to study too often will hinder it.

　　Then, time gradually approached dusk.

　　Study room.

　　"Do you understand this part? The last question is the point. Please write down your solution in your notebook later and think about it carefully when you come back. I will receive it tomorrow."

　　After confirming the day's progress with the two of them, Shinichi glanced at his cellphone, then started packing his things and stood up.

　　"I'll turn off the lights. I have things to do and I have to take a step forward. Be careful on your way home."

　　"Understood..."

　　They both answered. Their attention was still focused on the difficult question they had finally solved.

　　Shinichi didn't pay attention, he walked out of the study room with his school bag.

　　Not long after, Fumino suddenly put down her pen.

　　"Strange… I don't know why, but I suddenly got a strange feeling."

　　"What's the hunch?" Rizu asked.

　　Fumino racked her brain to think of words.

　　"Hmm – I don't know, it feels... It's like a pig gave up on the cabbage in front of it and prepared to plant potatoes in another garden?"

　　Rizu showed an expression of admiration.

　　"As expected of Fumino, although I don't understand your metaphor, it seems to fit your thinking very well."

　　"No, no, no~" Fumino waved her hands in embarrassment, "If you don't understand something, how do you know whether it's appropriate or not? Ricchan, don't praise me like that~"

　　"That's not bullshit, this is my intuition," Rizu looked serious, without the slightest joke.

　　"To thoroughly analyze this unclear intuition, I want to study liberal arts!"

　　"Eh?" After hearing what she said, Fumino smiled and asked.

　　"I remember what you said before was that you only need to beat others to be able to play the game…"

　　"That has changed."

　　Looking at the closed door, Rizu narrowed her eyes and smiled lightly.

　　"Because there are more important things I need to understand before playing the game."

　　That expression contained a gentleness that Fumino didn't expect.

　　"Ricchan..."

　　"Tell him the purpose of learning..."

　　△

　　After Shinichi left self-study, he sent another message to Itsuki.

　　[Wait for me at the school gate. I'll be there soon]

　　When he got the answer, he put on his overshoes, and ran towards the school gate.

　　When Shinichi appeared, Itsuki's bored expression immediately brightened.

"Asada-kun, thank you for studying hard."

　　"Hah...Sorry to keep you waiting."

　　Shinichi slowed his steps, walked to her side while controlling his breathing, then followed her out of the school gates.

　　"Just a few minutes, that's okay," Itsuki asked curiously.

　　"On the other hand, you were the one who suddenly said you wanted to meet me for something, and even sent me back… That was a bit surprising."

　　"Some things cannot be explained clearly on the phone. This is the only time we can talk recently." Shinichi looked at the street scene in front of him. Just as he was thinking about where to start talking about the matter, Itsuki asked again,

　　"Um, Asada-kun...I was just talking to Kirisu Sensei."

　　"Speak? What do you mean..."

　　Shinichi shifted his gaze to her face.

　　Itsuki's footsteps stopped, and she held tightly to the strap of her school bag.

　　She made a ninety degree movement like yesterday.

　　"I'm truly sorry for asking you to intercede with Kirisu Sensei for me! Thank you so much for your help!"

　　"...This problem?"

　　Shinichi shook his head, At first he wanted to say that there was nothing to comfort him, but his heart moved slightly, he suddenly thought of something bad.

　　"How is Kirisu. Sensei talking to you? What did she say?"

　　"Um... I talk a lot." Although it was a bit strange that his expression seemed wary of something, Itsuki still recounted the conversation she had with Mafuyu after leaving the tutoring room.

　　After being taken to the teacher's office, she couldn't wait to apologize to Mafuyu, saying that she shouldn't stay up late without listening to her advice.

　　Unexpectedly, Mafuyu didn't care at all, she just said "Just this once, not too much" and took the form for her to review.

　　The form looked like a rough creation, only containing a few notes of what information she was asked to read today, what information she was asked to read tomorrow, and then a routine video conference at 9 pm.

　　When she is confused, Mafuyu explains directly that this is a plan that the two of them must adhere to together. She would continue to improve it when she returned, so that she could follow the above schedule for a while and not "play carelessly" anymore.

　　Anyway, Itsuki happily agreed and was very touched.

　　At first she thought she would be scolded, but it turned out that Mafuyu not only didn't care about her awkwardness, but also cared about her despite her past grudges. She is really a responsible teacher...

　　When she thanked her, Mafuyu had a complicated expression on her face, unwilling to accept her thanks.

　　"Wrong. After finding out that you didn't listen to my warning and ended up going to the infirmary to rest, I did intend for you to withdraw from the team..."

　　"But that man came to me personally to beg me and used himself as collateral to keep you here. As an accompanying teacher, the student who leads must listen to his opinion..."

　　"I have no choice but to do my best to help you. If you want to thank, thank that impolite guy."

Itsuki remembers Mafuyu's words and repeats it to Shinichi.

　　"...Just that. That's why I want to apologize to you. I am truly sorry for causing you so much trouble."

　　"Also, thank you for all the help you gave me throughout the day."

　　After hearing this, Shinichi felt relieved, then smiled.

　　"Don't worry, didn't I promise you everything? I don't like lowering my credibility."

　　Then he secretly rejoiced in his heart.

　　So far so good.

　　Luckily, Mafuyu didn't tell Itsuki about the fight between the two of them and the words "I'm responsible for it", otherwise... It would be embarrassing just to think about it.

　　Sure enough, it's better not to say such big words casually, otherwise it is likely to turn into black history.