Chapter 7 Part II

I looked around the classroom. Well then, what is it that I'm looking for?

If I asked "Do you want to study together after school?", would anyone come?

Me, Sudou, and Ike were only close enough to occasionally eat together. However, they stayed far away from studying.

… I have nothing to lose. I'll just try asking them once.

"Sudou, you free?"

I talked to Sudou, who was walking back to the classroom during the lunch break. He was sweaty and breathing heavily.

He probably went to go play basketball during the lunch break.

"What are you planning on doing for the midterms?

"That, huh… I got no idea. I've never studied seriously before."

"Oh, really? I got something just right for you. I was thinking of studying after school starting from today. You wanna join?"

Sudou thought about it for a while, his mouth slightly open.

"Are you asking seriously? If school lessons are troublesome for me, I don't think I could study after school. Also, I have club activities. It's impossible, impossible. Are you going to be teaching? Your scores weren't good either, you know."

"Nah, Horikita will be teaching."

"Horikita? I don't know much about her. Sounds suspicious, so I refuse. I'll manage by cramming before the test. You can go now."

As I thought, Sudou rejected my invitation. He didn't get the point.

Dammit, it was no good. If I pressed any further, he might actually punch me. Well, it can't be helped. Let's start with someone that's easier. I called out to Ike, who was playing with his phone by himself.

"Hey Ike—"

"Pass! I overheard you talking to Sudou. Study group? Nah, not my thing."

"You know you'll have to drop out if you fail, right?"

"I did get red marks before, but now I'm better. I'll do my best while cramming the night before with Sudou."

Is he really saying that he'll be fine with that? He doesn't even sense the impending danger.

"If that last short test wasn't a surprise, I would've gotten at least 40 points."

"I know what you mean to say. But, there are some things that are left to chance, you know?"

"After school is a precious time for high school students. I won't spend my time studying."

He waved his hands, telling me to leave already. Chatting with a girl over text, he was overly excited. Ever since Hirata started going out with someone, Ike was also desperate to get a girlfriend. I dropped my shoulders and went back to my seat. Appealing to Horikita, I tried to get her to give up.

"No use."

"… I heard you, but what are you saying?"

"I said, 'no use'. You're don't think that you're off the hook with that, are you?"

Dammit. How brazen of her to refuse my appeal.

"No, of course not. I still have 425 more tactics left."

I looked around the classroom again. Far from being nervous, the whole classroom had a relaxed atmosphere.

A method to make students who hate studying study. Also, a way to make students use up their free time, instead of class time to study. Normally, I would refuse too, but since they're in danger of failing…

I thought Sudou, who rejected my offer, would participate in studying at the first chance he got.

I have no choice but to set up some kind of incentive. Make him believe that there will be a reward if they study. And if possible, make it easy to understand; then, the plan would be a success.

—I got it!

Receiving a divine revelation from the gods, I turned to Horikita with widened eyes.

"Even though it's your role to help them study, it's not easy to invite them to study. I need your power for that, though—can you help?"

"What power? I'll listen… but what should I do?"

"How about something like this? You'll be their girlfriend if they get a perfect score on the test. They'll surely bite if we add that incentive. The motivation for boys is always girls."

"You want to die?"

"No, I'd like to live."

"I listened because I thought you seriously came up something. I'm stupid for believing that."

No, I really thought it would work. It would probably become their biggest motivation to study. However, Horikita clearly doesn't understand boys' hearts.

"Fine, then. A kiss. You'll give them a kiss if they get a perfect score."

"You really want to die, huh?"

"Well, I'd like to live for a bit longer."

A hand quickly hit the back of my neck. Dammit, Horikita is showing no signs of agreeing to my proposed reward. It would be exceptionally effective. Guess I'm back to square one.

As I thought that, I noticed a conspicuous presence in the middle of the classroom. Not Hirata, but another person who was popular in the class. It was Kushida Kikyou.

She looks bright and lively, like always. A sociable figure that both boys and girls can freely talk to. Indeed, Ike was madly in love with Kushida, whereas Sudou and the others didn't have a bad impression of her. Also, her test scores would be relatively high. She's important to my plan.

"Hey—"

As soon as I called out to her to invite her, I reconsidered and gave up.

"What is it?"

"No… it's nothing."

She doesn't like being involved with other people. Last time, when I worked with Kushida during Operation Become Friends, Horikita got mad.

For this study group, Horikita probably wouldn't accept Kushida, who didn't get any red marks.

For now, I'll wait until Horikita returns to the dorms before putting my plan to action.