Saturday, one o'clock in the afternoon. Shido and his group gathered at the Raizen High School gate.
"Today we are going to hold a study group at school to pass the exams starting next week. Let's do our best, everyone."
Ryougi Yutsuki looked at the group and spoke with a serious face.
"Ohh!!"
Tohka and Kaguya responded with full enthusiasm.
"By the way... why do we have to co too?"
Unlike the other two whose spirits were high, Natsumi, who was forcefully dragged out of her blanket by Yutsuki, had a very low mood. Hearing that they were going to hold a study group, she practically had the word "disgust" written on her face.
"The ones who need to review for the exams are Tohka and the others, right? Yoshino and I don't even go to school."
"I can't help it. If I don't drag you out by force, you would probably just stay in the apartnt and play gas all day long again, wouldn't you?"
"That has nothing to do with you..."
"It has a lot to do with . I was the one who dragged you into the gaming rabbit hole, so naturally I have a responsibility to prevent you from getting overly addicted to gas and ssing up your daily routine."
Seeing Yutsuki putting on a parent's attitude to reason with her, the corner of Natsumi's mouth twitched slightly. Although she wanted to complain about sothing, past lessons kept her quiet, saving her from unnecessary physical suffering.
"Fine, I get it."
I'll just make up an excuse and go ho later, Natsumi plotted in her heart, replying perfunctorily.
"Very good. Next, I will briefly explain the schedule for this study group."
Yutsuki nodded and began to brief the group.
"This study group will be held at school. Reine-san has already communicated with the school staff beforehand. Next, everyone will split into groups and study in different locations around the school. The specific groups and locations are as follows."
Itsuka Shido, Yamai Kaguya — Year 2 Class 4 Classroom.
Itsuka Kotori, Yoshino, Natsumi — Cafeteria.
Ryougi Yutsuki, Yamai Yuzuru — Library.
Yatogami Tohka, Tobiichi Origami — Physics Prep Room.
(Note: Izayoi Miku is currently highly acclaid and busy with idol activities.)
"If anything happens during this ti, rember to use your phones to contact each other. We will gather back here at the entrance at five o'clock. If there are no surprises, the schedule will be the sa tomorrow. Are there any questions?"
"I object!"
As soon as Yutsuki finished speaking, Tobiichi Origami raised her hand in protest.
"Why are we splitting into groups? And why am I not studying with Shido, but with this idiot Yatogami Tohka?"
"Wh-Who are you calling an idiot!? I am the one who absolutely doesn't want to be in the sa group as you! Tobiichi Origami!"
Before Yutsuki could answer, Tohka glared angrily and fired back furiously.
"Alright, both of you calm down a bit."
Seemingly anticipating their reactions, Yutsuki stepped between the two, patted their shoulders, and patiently explained.
"Origami, to answer your first question: The reason we are splitting into groups is because I believe one on one studying will be much more efficient than having everyone together."
If everyone gathered to study together, Yutsuki predicted that everyone would coincidentally lean towards asking the exact sa person questions, or pretend to ask questions. As for who that person would be, it was undoubtedly Itsuka Shido.
One person makes a move, everyone follows, and then Shido suffers. This had beco one of the most common, predictable developnts Yutsuki had seen.
"As for the specific personnel arrangent, apart from putting Kotori, Yoshino and Natsumi in a group because of their age difference, the rest was decided based on everyone's academic level and strong subjects. Looking at the current situation, having you, who is first in the grade,to teach Tohka is undoubtedly the safest bet."
After speaking, Yutsuki stared at Tobiichi Origami and added seriously.
"Also, Origami, this is a study group, not a date."
"..."
Origami couldn't help but fall silent. She didn't doubt that Yutsuki was telling the truth. If Yutsuki was being selfish, she wouldn't have picked Kaguya and would have put herself and Shido in the sa group.
"I understand... If that is the case, I am going back."
With that, Origami turned around to leave. As the top student, she didn't need to join the study group anyway. If she couldn't get close to Shido, she naturally had no reason to obey Yutsuki's arrangent, let alone teaching that Yatogami Tohka.
"Hmph! Leave if you want! Even without your help, I will still find a way to pass the exams!"
Tohka snorted and turned her head away. She and Origami were bitter nesis to begin with, so of course she wouldn't go out of her way to make her stay.
Seeing things play out exactly as predicted, Yutsuki and Shido exchanged a glance and unanimously sighed.
(It turned out exactly like this. Shido, I'm leaving it to you.)
(Understood.)
————————————
"Putting Tohka and Origami in the sa group!? Are you serious, Yutsuki?"
Just a few days ago, after hearing Yutsuki's study group plan, Shido looked at her in shock.
"I am always serious, Shido." Yutsuki nodded and answered very affirmatively.
"We have to find a way to keep Tohka from failing. Putting aside those back-door tricks, isn't asking Origami, who has the best grades among us, to teach her the best thod with the highest success rate?"
"No, no—" Shido hurriedly shook his head and said frantically, "It's not like you don't know, Yutsuki. Origami and Tohka, those two are—"
"On bad terms?"
Yutsuki asked back.
"Yeah. If we just put them in the sa group, they might start fighting."
"Not 'might'. They definitely will start fighting."
After correcting Shido's wording, Yutsuki sighed helplessly.
From Yutsuki's perspective, the relationship between Yatogami Tohka and Tobiichi Origami could only be described with the word "stiff."
At first, to Origami, Tohka was a target she swore to take revenge on and fight against. And to Tohka, Origami was an enemy who hunted her and tried to kill her. It could be said they were completely incompatible, hostile enemies like fire and water.
Of course, if that were the only reason, the two would have made up a long ti ago. In fact, although Origami's relationship with Yutsuki and the others was fairly friendly now, she still maintained a bit of hostility solely toward Tohka.
Their personalities, habits, and ways of doing things—both of them found aspects of the other displeasing. Add to that the fact that the person they liked was the exact sa guy, and it was very easy for them to start fighting over trivial things the mont they saw each other.
But even so, Yutsuki felt that the two didn't truly hate each other from the bottom of their hearts.
"Although the sll of gunpowder isn't as heavy as before, I always feel like there is still a wall between them."
"So, Yutsuki, you plan to use this study group as an opportunity to help Tohka and Origami build a better relationship?"
Hearing Yutsuki's words, Shido vaguely understood her intention.
"Yeah. It was one thing when they were enemies before. But now that they are comrades, having their relationship stay so stiff makes worry. Anyway, even if Tohka fails, we still have Reine-san to cover for her. Isn't it better to take this chance to let the two of them interact and understand each other a bit more?"
"I see."
Shido nodded in understanding. It was true. If possible, compared to carefully avoiding letting them fight, he also hoped their relationship could beco a bit more friendly.
This study group was clearly a good choice.
"I got it, I will help out too."
——————————
"Wait, Origami. Don't be in such a hurry to leave."
Shido quickly stopped Origami and gently persuaded her.
"I was the one who proposed having you tutor Tohka. After all, Tohka really wants to pass, so I wanted you, who has the best grades, to help her. Please, could you help tutor Tohka with her studies?"
"...I understand. If it is Shido's request, I will give it a try."
After hesitating for a mont, Origami still nodded and agreed.
Having successfully persuaded Origami, Shido turned his gaze to Tohka.
"Tohka, Origami is actually really good at teaching people. With her help, you will definitely find a way to pass the exams."
"Ugh... Alright then, since Shido says so. I will do my best. I'm counting on you, Tobiichi Origami."
"Likewise. Let us both do our best."
Seeing the two finally compromise, Yutsuki secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As expected, if it was a request made by Shido, no matter how reluctant they were, those two would still choose to agree.
(However, Tohka really wants to study hard, but Origami here... clearly lacks motivation.)
Even if it was Shido's request, Origami obviously still had so resistance to the idea of having to teach Tohka herself.
(Can't be helped. Ti for so strong dicine.)
"Origami."
Pulling Origami aside, Yutsuki whispered in her ear.
"If you teach Tohka seriously, I'll give you one piece of Shido's worn clothing and two photos of Shiori crossdressing."
Hearing this, a flash of light appeared in Origami's eyes. After pondering and weighing her options for a mont, she slowly shook her head.
"Too little. Seven pieces of clothing, nine photos."
"You're really asking for the lion's share, huh? Two pieces of clothing, three photos."
"Six pieces of clothing, seven photos."
"Three pieces of clothing, four photos. That is my bottom line."
"...Five pieces of clothing, six photos."
"Tch... Four pieces of clothing, five photos."
"Deal."
Watching the two of them completely ignore his human rights and outright use his personal belongings for a transaction, veins popped out on Shido's forehead.
"Hm? What's wrong, Shido?"
Facing Tohka's worried gaze, Shido forced a smile.
"...It's nothing. You have to study hard, Tohka. I will buy you kinako bread later."
"Umu! I will do my best!"
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