Haruto walked out of the classroom and gazed at the blue sky. The cracks in the sky were still astonishing.
"Kuromori, you're so reckless." Miku whispered softly after just leaving the classroom. She looked at him expressionlessly, feeling a bit guilty, and added, "Just saying hi, I'm leaving..."
Haruto and Miku went down one after the other and soon ran into Nino, who was chatting with a friend.
Nino turned away, continuing her conversation with her friend. Walking towards Miku, she said, "Let's go!"
"Mmm." Miku glanced at Haruto and followed Nino.
Out of nowhere, Ichika appeared and greeted in a playful voice, "Kuromori-kun, good afternoon~"
Nino's voice rang out, "Ichika, hurry up."
Ichika walked backward, hands behind her back, closed her eyes, smiled brightly, and slightly tilted her head to look at him, "Kuromori-kun, please take care of me in the future."
After saying this, a series of soft, bell-like giggles filled the air.
Haruto squinted, sensing that there was more to Ichika's words.
Where was Yotsuba?
He looked around but didn't see her.
Itsuki was still in the classroom eating a meat bun and planned to head to the library for a makeup class later, while Yotsuba had probably gone to help out with the sports club again.
As Haruto headed toward the library, he encountered Mafuyu.
"Kirisu-sensei." He greeted.
Mafuyu was holding a cardboard box. When she heard his voice, she paused briefly, glanced back at him, then quickened her pace, walking away without looking back.
Haruto didn't mind; it was clear that Mafuyu was still hung up on what had happened that day.
No matter, it was time to tidy up the room and throw out the trash.
He continued forward.
Soon after, a look of disgust crossed his face. Haruto turned around and looked up, seeing Yukino standing at a window upstairs with her arms crossed, staring down at him with disdain. Next to her, Yuigahama smiled brightly, waving her small hand.
Haruto hadn't joined the Service Club yet, so it was unlikely he would visit.
At this point, their involvement was only due to Nishimiya Shouko.
Soon, Haruto saw Sora waiting under a tree.
Under the tree, Sora was engrossed in her phone. Because of her cute appearance and slim, delicate body, both male and female students passing by couldn't help but glance at the girl under the tree.
There's a saying that although Sora has a very awkward personality, she's actually very popular at Sobu High School.
In this looks-driven world, appearance is everything. As long as you're cute, even if you're perverted, some people will still like you!
Haruto approached, and perhaps sensing someone coming, Sora lifted her head, visibly relieved to see it was Haruto.
"You're so slow!"
Haruto put on a serious face, "Why haven't you gone to the library yet?"
"Let's go." Sora huffed lightly, turned, and headed toward the library.
On the way to the library, Sora sat by the window, patted the spot beside her, and said, "Sit here."
Haruto didn't think much of it and asked, "Sora, where would you like to start the tutoring?"
"I don't know." Sora replied calmly. Her grades were decent because she studied all aspects of academics at home to ensure she could pass.
"Don't know?"
Haruto glanced at her, took out the test paper prepared for Itsuki, and said calmly, "You have forty minutes, open the test, and please answer carefully."
Sora looked at the test paper on the desk and felt displeased, but she had no choice but to pick up the pencil and start answering the questions.
Then she quickly lost interest.
She yawned, sleepiness overcame her, and her eyelids grew heavier.
Soon, Sora couldn't help but lay down on the desk, closing her eyes and falling asleep.
Hearing her soft breathing, Haruto glanced sideways, feeling uneasy. In less than a minute, Sora had fallen asleep?
What happened to the tutoring she had promised?
Haruto sighed and didn't disturb her.
Ah, little sisters are such trouble!
"Kuromori-kun, sorry to keep you waiting so long."
Itsuki sat across from him, her eyes flicking toward the sleeping Sora as she curiously asked, "Kuromori-kun, who is she?"
"My little sister." Haruto replied shortly, clasping his hands together, "It's perfect timing that you arrived. Did you notice the test paper on the desk?"
"It's a summary of your lessons from last week. I'm giving you forty minutes."
"Now, please take the test seriously!"
The ahoge on Itsuki's head suddenly stood upright, and she said seriously, "Understood, I definitely won't disappoint you, Kuromori-kun!"
With that, she took out a pencil and started answering the questions.
Her expression was very serious!
Forty minutes later, Haruto put down his phone and said, "Time's up, please put down your pen!"
"Huh? But I still have a lot left to write."
Haruto's tone remained calm, "I'm sorry, but this is a test, and you have to submit your paper when time's up."
"So, in exams, time management is also very important. If you come across a question you can't solve or aren't sure about, skip it for now and finish writing what you know first... you need to remember this going forward."
"I... I understand, I'll pay attention next time."
Reluctantly, Itsuki handed over her test paper.
Haruto took the test paper and reviewed it. Overall, she made many mistakes, but she still managed to score forty points.
This was a big improvement from before.
Haruto set the test paper down and noticed the hopeful look in Itsuki's eyes. He thought for a moment and said, "You did well, and you've made great progress."
Itsuki beamed, "Kuromori-kun, is what you're saying really true?"
Shy, Itsuki lightly tapped her fingers, looking up with sparkling eyes, "Alright, Kuromori-kun, please don't just flatter me, you can tell me the truth."
"Okay! Actually, it was really bad!"
'It's been so long, and you still can't grasp middle school-level knowledge? Is your head full of pulp?'
'You want the truth? But if I told you the truth, you'd definitely cry!'
Haruto glanced at Itsuki; he wasn't an idiot, so he didn't think she really wanted to hear the unvarnished truth.
Effort and reward.
This is a timeless truth.
However, although Itsuki was very earnest, her earnestness made most people feel awkward, but sadly, she was still not very bright.
Even though she worked hard, it was difficult for her to see matching rewards.