VICTORY CELEBRATION
"Clap!"
Holding a can of juice, Ike shouted excitedly.
After the midterm results were announced, all the study group members gathered in the evening. Everyone, minus Horikita, smiled because no one had to drop out.
With our friends, we all made it through the difficulties. Is this youth?
I guess it's not bad.
"...What's with that gloomy face? Sudou wasn't kicked out, so it's all over, right?"
"I don't mind the celebration, but why in my room?"
"My room is dirty, and so are Sudou's and Yamauchi's. We can't go to that girl's room either, right? Of course I don't like it when we're in Kushida-chan's room. That's why your beautiful and perfect room is empty space is the best, Ayanokouji. "
"It's only been two months since the start of school, it's strange to have so much stuff."
Other than my daily necessities, there's nothing else I really need.
"What do you think, Kushida-chan?"
"I think it's fine, it feels clean, fresh, and simple."
"Right, it must be nice to be praised by Kushida-chan. Hahahaha."
Ike, who looked like he had a personal grudge against me, pushed me lightly (but not really).
"All things considered, though, this middle semester is very dangerous, if we don't do that study group, Ike and Sudou will definitely be expelled."
"Huh? You're also pretty much on the periphery, you know?"
"No, I'll be able to get a perfect score if I try. Seriously."
"It's all thanks to Horikita-san's efforts. After all, he also taught Ike-kun, Sudou-kun, and Yamauchi-kun."
Horikita stayed outside the circle, and was reading his own novel. When we said his name, he raised his head while putting a bookmark in the book.
"I'm only acting for myself, if someone is expelled, the D class points will also drop."
"Even if it's a lie, say that you did it for us. We'll think better of you."
"It's fine if you don't think better of me."
Well, his attitude was the same as before, but his participation in this group was his own improvement.
If it were the two Horikita, she would definitely not have come.
"Alright, but... Horikita is very exciting."
Following up on her words, Sudou replied.
Ever since Horikita apologized, Sudou had stopped being so hostile towards her. Previously, he had declared himself no good, but it seemed like he was a changed man.
"Anyway, why did Sensei decide to cancel Sudou's expulsion?"
"I was wondering about that too, what magic did you use, Horikita-chan?"
"Uh, can't remember."
"Uwa, secret!?"
Ike fell down exaggeratedly.
"Just because we made it through the midterm, we shouldn't celebrate wildly. Our next obstacle is the final exam. Of course, the problems in the final exam will probably be more difficult than in this exam. Also, we still have to find a way to increase our points. "
"Do we have to start this hellish exam all over again... That's the worst."
Ike buried his head in his hands.
"Do you think we should start now so it doesn't get too bad?"
"No!"
I don't think so.
"I don't understand anything about school, like the class divisions and the core system..."
"Ah~ my points~ I want points~ Poverty is really the worst~."
After spending all their points, Ike and Yamauchi were just living on free stuff.
"Hey, Horikita-san, is it still hard to get points?"
"We did well in the exam, so we should be able to get some points, right!?"
"Have you seen our average? Among all the classes, we're the lowest by far. If you think you can get points like that, you should change your way of thinking."
As usual, Horikita told the truth without any problems.
"Then we don't get points next month either... no..."
"Just live life moderately and give up on your luxurious lifestyle."
"It's okay, Ike-kun, maybe we don't get points, but we'll get some points in the near future, right? Horikita-san."
"I hope."
"Can I say something? We're all friends, Horikita-san, Ayanokouji-kun, and I are working together to try and get into class A. If it's okay, I want you guys to help us."
"Get into class A? Uh, are you serious?"
"Yes, of course, trying to raise our points, obviously, is an important part of that too."
"But isn't that too far-fetched? They're smart people, aren't they? Since they're smarter, wouldn't that be impossible?"
If you only thought about their grades, a group of people like Horikita would be very scary.
"Studying isn't the only thing that determines class... right?"
"Yes, but if you can't study, it's impossible."
The three people whistled and averted their eyes.
"We're still far from our goal, but if we work together, we'll get there. We will."
"Where's the proof for that?"
"Proof... well, three people working together won't fail as easily as just one, right?"
"I don't think that really applies to all three."
"Y-Yes... Oh, there it is! Three heads are better than one! Something like that."
"Well, if you add up their test scores, it's like a person's score."
Kushida tried to make all three voices useful, but Horikita completely dismantled his efforts. What an amazing pair.
"If we fight, there's nothing to do, right? Traveling would be better."
"...If you think about it, I guess that's right."
"Right?"
Horikita didn't try to deny his words.
After all, if we're trying to advance in class, it's probably best to get along with as many classmates as possible.
If we fight at this stage, nothing will come out of our efforts.
"That being said, I'd love to ask for your help three more times."
"With pleasure!"
Ike and Yamauchi answered immediately.
"Well, if Horikita asks me to help, then..."
Sudou tried to hide his embarrassment.
"I never thought of relying on you, Sudou-kun, and I never wanted you to help either. You wouldn't be very helpful."
"Guh... I'm trying to be nice, you know!"
"Trying to be nice? I'm surprised."
Unsurprisingly, Sudou flared with anger, but did not raise his fists. He was also improving, it seemed.
"You're annoying."
"Thank you for your nice words."
"...You're not cute at all."
"You say that, but what do you really mean?"
Ike laughed at him. Sudou sent a sharp glare at Ike, and placed it on his head.
"Ow! S-stop!"
"If you say anything unnecessary, I'll strangle you."
"K-you're already strangling me! I give up!"
Seeing something along the lines of "friendship between men", Horikita sighed deeply.
"This school is ruled by our abilities, only harsh competition awaits us now, this is not something you can do half-heartedly. If you say that you will help and then give up, you will only be a hindrance."
"Leave something physical to me, I'm confident in my basketball and fighting skills."
"...I can't expect anything from you."
Ruled by our abilities, yes. I felt my chest tighten.
In essence, we were already alienated from the rest of the world. Before I noticed, I put a lot of effort into our cooperation. Well, I guess you could also call it a curse of sorts.
Horikita had set his sights on class A. He was already dead for doing so.
However, the way out of class D will be difficult.
With how we're currently performing, it'll be hard to get to C class.
If that's the case, what should I do now?
I'll focus on doing my best for now.
At least... I want to see Horikita smile just once.