The atmosphere in the classroom was thick with tension. It was that time of year again: midterms. For most students, it was the usual grind of hours spent poring over textbooks and notes, but for Class 3-E, it was different. The pressure wasn't just to pass—it was to prove to the rest of the school that they weren't a joke, that they could succeed despite everything stacked against them.
Ryu sat at a desk, surrounded by an array of notes, textbooks, and study sheets. His usual carefree demeanor had shifted to one of intense focus. The students in 3-E were facing a mountain of material, and this wasn't just any regular test—it was the midterms that would decide if they would be allowed to keep their place in the school. Ryu knew how important this was for them. He couldn't afford to let his classmates down.
"You ready?" Nagisa asked, glancing up at Ryu from his own pile of notes. He was sitting next to Tomohito Sugino, both of them huddled over a textbook, muttering to themselves.
"Yeah," Ryu said, cracking his knuckles. "As ready as I'll ever be. But honestly, I could use some help with the science section. The equations are giving me a headache."
Hinata Okano, who had been quietly going over her own notes in the corner, looked up. "I could help with that," she said with a small smile. "Science is my strong point."
Kirara Hazama, who was sitting next to her, chimed in, "I'm not bad at math either, if anyone needs help."
Ryu grinned, clearly relieved. "That would be great. Let's break this down.
The study group was formed by Korosensei. Hinata, Kirara, Nagisa, Sugino, and Ryu sat together, each with a specific goal in mind. They broke down the subjects into manageable pieces, dividing the workload so they could maximize their time.
Hinata took charge of chemistry, drawing out detailed diagrams and helping Ryu memorize the periodic table. Her calm demeanor and patience made it easier for him to absorb the material. Ryu, despite his usual nonchalant attitude, was struggling more than he let on with the science sections, and he appreciated her help more than he'd admit.
Meanwhile, Kirara helped Sugino and Nagisa with the math problems that had been bothering them. She'd always been sharp with numbers, and her ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms made her invaluable to the group.
"You know, if I had known math could be this straightforward, I wouldn't have spent so many years avoiding it," Sugino admitted, shaking his head in disbelief.
Nagisa smirked. "That's because you've never studied with someone like Kirara before."
Kirara rolled her eyes but smiled. "It's just about breaking it down into steps. Once you understand the foundation, it's easier to build on it."
As they worked together, Ryu couldn't help but notice how well they all gelled. Despite the differences in their personalities, they had one common goal: success. The collaboration was effortless. Everyone was determined to help each other out, no matter how difficult the subjects were.
—
The day after the intense study session, Nagisa invited his friends over to his house for a final round of studying. The midterm exams were just around the corner, and everyone in Class 3-E knew how crucial this was. It wasn't just about passing—this was their chance to prove they were more than just misfits.
Nagisa's house was cozy and warm, and his mother, Rei Shiota, welcomed them with a kind smile. "It's nice to see you all here," she said as she set out plates of snacks and tea. "Make yourselves comfortable. I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything."
The group quickly gathered in the living room, their books and notes scattered across the floor, the air filled with the sound of pages turning and pencils scribbling on paper. Ryu sat at the edge of the room, his usual relaxed posture replaced with a look of intense concentration. His study habits were far from ideal, but he'd been determined to put in the work this time.
"Okay," Nagisa said, flipping through his own notebook, "let's go over the math problems again. We need to tackle the tricky ones first."
Hinata Okano, who had been quietly reading through chemistry notes, looked up at him. "I'll help with that. I'm pretty good at breaking down the equations."
As they all got to work, Ryu glanced around, seeing his classmates deep in study.
After a few hours of studying, the house grew quieter as the group began to break off into smaller study sessions. Sugino and Kirara were in the corner, arguing over a math equation, while Nagisa and Tomohito were focused on reviewing history. But Ryu found himself alone with Hinata on the far side of the room, their notes scattered between them as they worked on chemistry.
"Alright," Ryu said, pushing his hair back, frustrated. "I swear these equations are designed to break my brain. How do you make this stuff look so easy?"