She extended her left and right arms toward us. A bit perplexed, Horikita and I shook Kushida's hands.
"Getting Sudou-kun and the others on board again will be a problem, though," Horikita said.
"Oh great, another problem," said Shinohara with an annoyed sigh.
"I think Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun are easy to persuade, but Sudou-kun is a different matter," said Matsushita.
"Yeah, he hates Suzune-san. I wonder how they gather those people," said Satou curiously.
"Yeah. Considering the current state of things, it will probably be difficult," I agreed.
"Well, can you leave that to me? It's the least I can do after you've let me join you," Kushida said.
I felt a little overwhelmed by how quickly Horikita and Kushida were moving.
Kushida took out her cell phone, ready to leap into action immediately. Soon after, Ike and Yamauchi arrived, looking like they were on cloud nine after receiving Kushida's invitation.
"I'm sorry for calling you two over. I have something to ask you, or rather, Horikita-san does."
"Wh-what is it? What do you want from us?!"
What an overreaction. They backed away in fright.
"Are they afraid of Horikita?" Ishizaki asked raising his eyebrows.
"Pathetic," Ibuki said reproachfully.
"Don't be like that, Ibuki-san," Shiina scolded.
Ibuki only snorted in response.
"Are you two joining Hirata-kun's study group?" Horikita asked.
"Huh? S-study group? No. I mean, studying's so boring, and Hirata is annoyingly popular. Besides, we planned to cram the day before. Things should work out. We've gotten by since junior high doing exactly that."
Yamauchi nodded at Ike's words. They were counting on an all-nighter to save them.
"That's why they are stupid, do they really think that such a method applies in this school?" muttered Karuizawa.
"How about you, Kei? You're too lazy to study yourself, right?" Ayanokouji asked, making Karuizawa flinch.
"Eh? A-Ah, o-of course I'm studying, you see my grades are higher than theirs," Karuizawa stuttered.
"Is that so? As I recall Ken's grades are higher than yours now," Ayanokouji said sharply.
Karuizawa froze. Indeed, ever since Sudou had feelings for Horikita, his will to study increased so drastically that he was able to get average marks in exams. It was all thanks to his study session with Horikita, being taught by someone you like increased Sudou's motivation to study.
"T-Then teach me," said Karuizawa after breaking out of her frozen state.
"Hm?"
"Teach me to the best of your ability! I don't want to fall behind Ken and the others," said Karuizawa with determination, of course she had a purpose to it.
"Of course. Isn't that what we all agreed on before?" said Ayanokouji, previously the members of the Ayanokouji group had determined that Ayanokouji would lead the next group study.
Karuizawa froze and just glared at the boy, Ayanokouji raised an eyebrow as he could sense that Karuizawa was upset.
And indeed... the girl was currently upset inside her head.
"You stupid, stupid, stupid!!! That's not what I mean! What I want is to study alone with you!! Why would I ask personally if what you're doing is putting me in a group!"
Karuizawa angrily shouted those words inside her head, it took her a moment to calm down.
"Kei?" Ayanokouji said, feeling confused by Karuizawa's actions.
Karuizawa sighed, "Kiyotaka, there's a lot to teach you after this."
"Huh?"
Yes, Many things.
"That certainly sounds like an idea you two would have. But if you do, it's highly likely you'll be expelled."
"You're acting the same as usual," Sudou said, showing up. He glared at Horikita. Apparently Kushida had caught Sudou in her honey trap as well.
"You're the one who should be worried, Sudou-kun. You don't seem to have any fear of being expelled."
"I know that. Drop it, or I'll beat the crap out of you. I'm busy with basketball now, anyway. I'll be just fine if I cram before the test."
"C-calm down, Sudou. Okay?" Ike was acting like he didn't know what they'd said in the chat.
"Sudou-kun, won't you try studying with me one more time? You might manage to squeak by if you pull an all-nighter, but if that fails, you won't be able to play basketball here anymore. Right?" Horikita asked.
"Well, I...I don't want any of your stupid charity. I haven't forgotten the bullshit way you spoke to me the other day. If you want me to join, I want an apology first. A completely honest one," said Sudou, displaying open hostility toward Horikita.
Several students leaned their bodies in, wondering whether Horikita would apologize to Sudou or not. There were also those who were indifferent since they could already tell what Horikita was going to do.
Although Sudou probably realized the danger he was in, he couldn't dismiss Horikita's insults. Of course, Horikita would never give him an apology. No one could ever take pride in saying something that untrue.
"I hate you, Sudou-kun."
Everyone immediately sighed in annoyance, instead of apologizing Horikita said something completely opposite of what she should have been, making the situation even worse.
"To be honest, I don't know what Horikita's mindset is anymore," Shibata said while shaking his head, feeling tired at Horikita's high self-esteem.
"Same," said Hamaguchi, just as tired as Shibata.
"What?!"
Instead of apologizing, she spat harsh words at Sudou, throwing fuel on the fire.
"However, our mutual abhorrence is trivial right now. I will teach you for my own sake. You will do your best for your own sake. Am I wrong?"
"You really want to get up to Class A, then? Even if that means inviting someone you hate, like me?" he muttered.
"Yes, exactly. Otherwise, why would anyone willingly involve you?"
Sudou grew more openly annoyed in response to Horikita's incredible bluntness.
"I'm busy with basketball. The others on the team never take study breaks, not even before a big test. I can't fall behind everyone else by doing something as boring as studying."
"That's because they believe in their academic abilities, whereas you don't Ken. Your grades are terrible," Yukimura warned.
"I know," said Sudou with a groan, his only thought at that moment was to get as far away from Horikita as possible before his emotions exploded.
As if she'd predicted Sudou's remarks, Horikita opened her notebook and showed it to him. On the page, there was a detailed schedule leading up to the test.
"During the last session, I noticed that style of studying didn't work for you. None of you understand the fundamental basics. For example, it would be like tossing a frog into the ocean. The frog wouldn't have any idea where to go or how to swim. Also, I understand that taking time away from your hobbies will only add to your stress. Therefore, I've come up with a plan."
"What kind of sorcery did you use to come up with that? All right, tell me the plan."
He could make time for studying and club activities. Sudou, believing such a thing to be impossible, snorted in amusement.
"The test's two weeks from today. You'll all study every day during class like your life depends on it."
"Huh? During class? What does it mean?" Hondou asked not understanding, he then turned to Ike who was at the crime scene during the discussion.
"Horikita will explain after this," Ike replied.
I couldn't believe what Horikita had said. No one else could, either.
"You three don't usually work seriously during class, do you?" she asked.
"You can't know that about us," Ike objected.
"Everyone already knows about that," Shinohara muttered.
"So, you work seriously?"
"Well... No, we don't. We just sit around 'til class is over."
"So, in other words, you waste six hours a day doing nothing. Rather than struggling to study for the one or two hours available after class, we're wasting a far larger and more precious period of time. We must use this time better."
"Well, certainly... Theoretically that would work, but...isn't that unreasonable?"
Kushida was right to be worried. They wasted time precisely because they couldn't study normally. If they couldn't manage to discipline themselves during class, I doubted they'd be able to understand the problems by themselves.
"I can't even keep up with class at all."
"I know. So we'll hold a short study session during our free time."
"During free time? Can such a short amount of time be effective?" asked Shinohara confused.
"Considering the understanding level of Sudou-kun and the others, I think that's impossible. Unless Horikita-san has a plan to deal with that problem," Matsushita answered.
"What is Suzune-san planning..." said Satou wondering.
With that, Horikita turned to the next page, spelling out the details of her plan. After first period, we'd all meet up and discuss what we hadn't understood in the lecture. During the ten-minute break, Horikita would explain the answers to those questions. We'd repeat the process over the next several periods. Of course, this wasn't as simple as it seemed. Since Sudou and the others couldn't keep up naturally, they might not be able to learn the material in such a short time.
"So if they keep repeating the process, there's a chance they might succeed?" Kamuro asked raising her eyebrows.
"I didn't know about that. Increase grades? It probably does. But saving them from expulsion? I don't think that's enough," said Hashimoto with a shrug.
"That means there must be an additional plan to save them," said Kitou, Hashimoto nodded.
"W-wait a minute. I'm kind of confused here. Is this really going to work?" Ike could tell this would be difficult.
"Yeah. I mean, won't it be impossible to understand that stuff in just ten minutes of break time?"
"Don't worry. I'll compile answers to every question and make them easy to understand. After that, Ayanokouji-kun, Kushida-san, and I will each teach you individually, one-on-one."
Some people were a bit enlightened by Horikita's plan, they slowly started to understand the girl's plan.
"So that's it," Shibata said.
"That might be effective," Hamaguchi said as he placed a finger to his chin.
"Now it is up to them whether they want to stay or not. What's more important is whether they accept the proposal or not," said Kanzaki.
"Ah, that's right. They haven't accepted the proposal yet," Hamaguchi said in realization.
"But only in this way can they survive, right? I can't think of any other way to save them with such a short amount of time," Shibata said frowning.
"Indeed. But bringing it up now is pointless, for now let's just keep watching," said Kanzaki. His two friends nodded.
After that they turned their attention back to the screen.
If we used this system, we might just be able to make them understand in short blocks of time.
"It's just a matter of explaining the answers. You two can handle it, right?" Horikita asked.
"But I still don't think we can do it in that little time. Studying's so hard."
"One class period covers surprisingly little content. Typically, there'll be one page of notes, two at the most. If you narrow it down to only the things that will be on the test, you can probably whittle it down to a half a page of information. If we somehow end up not having enough time, we can always use our lunch period. I'm not saying that you have to understand the material. I just want you to memorize it. During class, you must focus on the teacher's voice and what's written on the blackboard. Forget about taking notes for right now."
"Eh? Does that mean they didn't take notes?" asked Onodera confused.
"I... think so," said Mori who was just as confused.
"So, you're telling us not to take notes?"
"Trying to memorize things is surprisingly difficult when you're writing down notes."
She was probably right about that. A focus on note-taking would simply waste precious time. At any rate, Horikita had laid out a plan that didn't use up any time after school.
"Just try. Give it a go before you say no."
"I don't want to. I'd rather spend my time differently than a bookworm like you. Besides, I don't even think I could learn to study with such a simple, cheap trick." Horikita had carefully come up with a plan tailored to the three of them, and yet Sudou still wouldn't agree.
"It seems you've misunderstood. There are no shortcuts or cheap tricks when it comes to studying. You just have to spend your time carefully. That applies not only to studying, but to everything else as well. Or are you telling me there are shortcuts and cheap tricks in something like basketball?"
"Of course there aren't. You only improve by practicing, all the time." Sudou inhaled sharply, surprised by his own words.
"For people who can't focus or work seriously, it's impossible. However, you put all of your effort into basketball. I want you to apply some of that effort to studying, even if it's just a fraction of what you have. Put in the effort so that you can continue to play basketball at this school. Don't throw away your own potential."
Horikita's compromise was small, but real. Sudou hesitated. However, his pride still got in the way. He seemed incapable of agreeing to the plan.
"Yeah, I'm still not doing it. I get what you're saying, but I'm not convinced."
Several sighs of disappointment could be heard in the room, the long discussions and negotiations only ended in failure.
"There is no point. Both of them are stubborn, neither would acknowledge the other if they held onto their pride," Ibuki said angrily at the gibberish conversation that ensued.
"Aren't you also like that when it comes to Horikita?" thought Ishizaki while frowning.
"The negotiations have failed, how are they going to proceed with their plan?" said Shiina wonderingly.
"Our only option is to continue watching" Ryuuen said and everyone agreed with him.
Sudou made to turn around and leave, and Horikita couldn't stop him. If he left now, the study group was probably dead. Normally I'd stay out of it, but this called for drastic action.
Everyone stared at the screen curiously, wondering what Ayanokouji would do.
"Fu fu, what are you going to do, Ayanokouji-kun?" thought Sakayanagi with interest.
"From his casual demeanor, it seems he already has a plan. What will he do?" thought Matsushita curiously.
"Hey, Kushida. Do you have a boyfriend?" I asked.
"..."
The room fell silent, everyone was unsure of what they heard, it took them a few moments to come to their senses and when they did, a furor erupted.
"EEEEEHHHHHHHH!?"
The students shouted in unison, the reason being because of all the things they could think of, they had not expected Ayanokouji to ask that.
"KU HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!"
"Fu fu fu...!"
Sakayanagi and Ryuuen immediately laughed at those words, they immediately knew what Ayanokouji was planning.
"W-W-Wha...!?" Sakura stammered.
"W-Why is he asking that!?" Satou asked worriedly.
The girls who had feelings for Ayanokouji immediately panicked hearing Ayanokouji's question.
"W-Why is he asking that!? D-Did K-Kiyotaka-kun ask Kikyou-chan out!? I-Is he...? No, that's impossible, Kiyotaka-kun can't possibly have feelings for someone, at least not yet. But why did he say that? In front of Ike-kun and the others of all people- wait... Ike-kun?"
Ichinose's thoughts stalled and her eyes widened when she realized what Ayanokouji was planning, her anxiety instantly dissipating to be replaced by relief.
"He he, so that's what Kiyotaka-kun is planning," Ichinose thought with a giggle.
"Huh? What? I don't. Why would you suddenly ask me something like that?!" she cried.
"If I can get fifty points on the test, will you go out with me?" I extended my hand to her.
"Huh?! Wh-what are you saying, Ayanokouji! No, date me, Kushida-chan! I'll get fifty-one points!" Ike cried.
At that moment, everyone finally understood what Ayanokouji was planning.
"S-So that was the plan," said Satou with a sigh of relief.
"Considering that idiot, a plan like this must be very effective," said Shinohara boredly.
"No, no, me! Go on a date with me! I'll show you! I'll get fifty-two points!" Yamauchi said.
Kushida immediately understood my plan.
"H-how embarrassing... I don't just judge people based on something like test scores, you know?" she said.
"But they need a prize for trying. Look at how eager Ike and Yamauchi are. They'd probably be motivated by a reward."
Ike looked down in embarrassment when he saw how pitiful he was on screen. But it was only for a moment, at least now he knew not to fall into the same trap.
"W-well then, how about this? I'll go on a date with whoever scores highest on the test. I like people who work really hard, even when they don't like doing it."
"Whoa! Yes! I'll do it! I'll do it!" Ike and Yamauchi breathed heavily in their excitement. I called out to Sudou.
"Hey, Sudou. What about you? This might be your chance."
That was a bit subtler than yelling, Do you want to date Kushida?
I generally understood Sudou's personality, but it was still difficult to predict whether he'd agree. So I had to find some common ground.
"A date, huh? That doesn't sound too bad. Jeez, guess I don't have a choice. All right, I'll join," Sudou said, his voice small. He didn't turn around.
Kushida sighed deeply in relief.
"Remember, boys are the simplest creatures on earth."
Many laughed at that.
"Gosh Kiyotaka, if you say it sooner, the problem will be solved quickly," said Miyake chuckling while shaking his head.
"That's right, Kiyopon. Why didn't you say it from the start?" Hasebe asked.
"I did it on purpose. I want to see how Suzune solves a problem she created herself," said Ayanokouji, immediately earning a glare from the girl in question.
Ayanokouji had been preparing himself to be punished, but fortunately for him Horikita sighed and turned her attention forward with a frown. Maybe she also felt that she was the one at fault here.
Horikita probably agreed with me. We welcomed Sudou to our group.
= = =
We gathered in the library one minute later than we'd agreed. Everyone had their notebooks open, ready and waiting. The library was a popular study spot, it seemed. First through third years fought to move up in the rankings. I understood it with a glance.
"I thought I might need more help on this, but geography is actually pretty easy."
"Chemistry wasn't as hard as I thought it'd be, either."
Ike and Yamauchi sounded pleased.
"Most of the problems boil down to
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