Soon, the weekend study group ca to an end. Although it was essentially last-minute cramming, after communicating and interacting with each other, everyone had gained sothing, more or less.
However, Origami's Spartan education for Yatogami Tohka did not end there.
During the daily class hours, studying was a given, but even on the way ho, during als, and even bath ti, Origami demanded that Tohka take out vocabulary and grammar notes to review.
Perhaps to improve study efficiency, Origami even specially moved into the Spirit apartnt these few days to tutor Tohka at night. Natsumi and Yutsuki could often see the lights in Yatogami Tohka's room staying on until four in the morning. Then, at six in the morning, Origami would wake Tohka up to continue studying.
At first, everyone was worried that Origami's overly harsh study plan would crush Tohka. But Tohka showed resilience beyond everyone's expectations, completing all of Origami's demands bit by bit.
Honestly, even Yutsuki, who purposely grouped them together from the start, didn't expect things to turn out like this.
At the sa ti, perhaps motivated by the actions of these two, although not as extre as Origami, everyone unanimously began to increase their review intensity.
However, Wednesday arrived, the night before the exams.
"...Mhm, that should be about enough."
Setting down the scratch paper and pencil in his hand, Shido closed the textbook, leaned back in his chair, and stretched forcefully.
Looking up at the clock on the wall, it was already past one in the morning.
(It's already this ti... Could it be...)
Shido pulled back the curtains and looked at the Spirit apartnt next door. Sure enough, the light in Tohka's room on the fourth floor was still on. It was obvious that Tohka was still fighting for her life under Origami's tutoring.
"...At least for today, they should get a good rest."
A hint of worry appearing in his eyes, Shido picked up his phone. After hesitating for a mont, he dialed Yutsuki's number.
—Beep! Beep! After a few rings, the call connected.
[Hello, Shido. You're still awake?]
"Mhm. You are still awake too, Yutsuki?"
[Haha, this ti of night is when things just get started for an otaku.]
"But there are exams tomorrow..."
Shido couldn't help but smile bitterly. After exchanging a few simple pleasantries, Shido asked.
"Yutsuki, you should be on the fourth floor right now, right? How are Tohka and Origami doing?"
[Well... It's exactly the situation you're imagining.]
Without denying Shido's words, Yutsuki answered honestly.
————————————
[I knew it. Do they plan on staying up until three o'clock today too? The exams are tomorrow. You should let them go to bed early tonight and get so good rest.]
On the other end of the phone, Shido's voice was full of worry.
"Even if you tell that, the one tutoring Tohka is Origami, not . I can't make that decision."
Leaning against the hallway outside room 410, Yutsuki shrugged helplessly and replied.
"Besides, Shido, Origami's thoughts probably aren't as gentle as yours."
[Eh, what does that an?]
Yutsuki sighed and turned her head to look at Tohka's room. Because the door wasn't locked tight, Yutsuki could clearly see the situation inside through the crack in the door.
At this ti, Tohka was sitting at the desk reviewing intensely, and Origami was standing next to her, guiding her.
Around them were various kinds of energy drinks used to stay awake. Origami also held a paper fan she had borrowed from Yutsuki. Although it didn't hurt to get hit by it, it made a very loud noise. It was clearly prepared to wake Tohka up if she started nodding off.
Honestly, even Yutsuki couldn't help but sweat drop at the sight.
"Judging by this posture... those two plan on not sleeping at all for these few days of exams and just powering through it."
[Eh?]
Shido's shocked voice ca from the phone.
"It's probably to prevent Tohka from forgetting what she learned these past few days. After all, absorbing so much knowledge in such a short ti, she probably truly grasped less than thirty percent of it. Plus, Tohka is currently in a state of ntal excitent. If she relaxes and goes to sleep at this crucial mont, she might wake up and completely forget everything she learned these past few days."
Studying is not sothing that can be accomplished in a short ti. The knowledge grasped during normal study sessions mostly only exists as short-term mory in the brain. If it isn't reviewed and consolidated over a long period of ti, seventy to eighty percent of it will be forgotten in a few days.
Not to ntion, Tohka didn't have any basic high school knowledge before this. Even for very simple giveaway questions, she had to spend several tis longer than a normal person to understand them.
[But, but if they stay up all night like this, will Tohka and Origami's bodies be okay?]
"Well... Spirits have much stronger physical constitutions than normal people. Even pulling all-nighters for a few days won't cause too much of a problem. But the corresponding ntal drain must be pretty terrifying."
Yutsuki replied. Since becoming a Spirit, she had gone for more than ten days without sleeping or resting. But the difference was, Yutsuki stayed up playing gas and watching ani, doing things she liked. When imrsed in them, naturally she wouldn't care about the ti. If it were studying, Yutsuki probably wouldn't last half a day before collapsing on the bed and passing out.
Honestly, being able to persist to this level only showed Tohka's strong ntal fortitude and firm willpower.
[But...]
"Okay, it's not like I don't understand your worry. But let's stay out of it this ti and let them do their best on their own."
After comforting Shido, Yutsuki silently watched the room.
...
—Smack!
With an aggressive sound, Origami's paper fan landed on Tohka's head.
"Waa!? You scared to death! I wasn't even sleeping, what are you doing, Tobiichi Origami?!"
Her bleary eyes instantly widening to their maximum, Tohka looked up and glared dissatisfied at Origami.
"You were just a hair's breadth away from falling asleep."
After replying expressionlessly, Origami pointed at Tohka's workbook and said coldly.
"Also, in this geotry calculation problem, your key step is wrong. You used the formula for the circumference of a circle instead of the volu of a sphere. The answer is completely wrong. Calculate it again."
"Ugh, is there a difference between the two? They look the sa to ..."
"The difference is worlds apart. Let give you a simple example. It's like you spent the money to buy one hundred kinako breads, but the bakery only gave you one kinako-flavored bread. How would you feel?"
Because kinako bread was Tohka's favorite food, she instantly understood what Origami ant and said indignantly.
"What!? That is too much! Isn't that the black enterprise Kotori-chan ntioned?"
"Well, this is entirely the fault of the one who got tricked. Do you understand now how big of a difference one miscalculated step makes?"
Hearing Origami's explanation, Tohka was left speechless.
"...I understand. I will calculate it again. Ah... Tobiichi Origami, do you think I can get a passing grade?"
"...I don't know."
Origami silently shook her head.
"The factors that affect exam results are not just studying. There's also physical condition managent, proper ti allocation during the exam, and adjusting your own stress and emotions. When it cos down to the actual exam, you can only rely on yourself. I, Shido, Yutsuki, no one can help you. Can you overco these things? We will only know when the results co out. But the you right now is indeed different from the you a few days ago."
Origami answered in a light and firm voice.
"Yatogami Tohka has changed. I can guarantee that."
"I see... Umu! Then let's keep doing our best!"
Taking a slow breath, Tohka slapped her cheeks and answered with full enthusiasm.
...
If we talk about the original goal of having Origami and Tohka study together, it could be considered achieved right now. However, Yutsuki wouldn't go and tell Tohka to stop and rest, nor did she plan to persuade her.
"Tohka is trying to change, Shido. Not wanting to be a Tohka who can only rely on you, but wanting to beco a Tohka you can be proud of."
A satisfied smile appearing on her lips, Yutsuki said to Shido.
[...]
"Maybe to you and , this is just a normal final exam. Failing just ans going to school for a few days of makeup exams. But to Tohka, challenging sothing with all her might, regardless of whether the result is success or failure, will definitely be a precious and unforgettable mory."
After a long while, Shido's helpless sigh ca from the other end of the phone.
[You are really cunning with your words, Yutsuki. If you say it like that, doesn't it make look like the bad guy for worrying about Tohka?]
"Haha, does it? Sorry, sorry."
[Well, forget it... I understand what you want to say. Since Tohka is working so hard, I want to cheer her on too. You're right. After the exams are over, let's put our hearts into making a rich al to reward Tohka.]
"Mhm, that is a great idea. I will help too."
[That couldn't be better. Ah~ I can't take it anymore. I'm about to fall asleep. Good night, Yutsuki.]
"Mhm, good night."
After hanging up the phone, Yutsuki looked at Tohka's room. After hesitating for a mont, she continued typing on her phone.
[Reine-san, are you awake?]
[...Awake... What's wrong?]
[It's about what we discussed earlier, asking you to help Tohka cheat on her scores. I think we should just forget it.]
[...I don't mind... But... what if Tohka fails...]
[It's fine. Co winter break, I'll take responsibility and stay with Tohka for redial classes at school. If we are talking about Spirit energy backflow, well—]
Typing the ssage to this point, a wicked smile appeared on Yutsuki's lips, and she continued typing.
[—When that ti cos, Shido will figure sothing out.]
(Shido: "Achoo—!!!")
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