"That's it for today."
I announce to the seven people in front of me.
They're the members of my study group.
Our meetings happen every afternoon after club activities and on Saturday mornings.
We're currently in an apartment—my apartment, to be exact. The sixth door on the third floor of the second dorm building.
My place is a one-bedroom apartment, meaning it has two main living spaces: a living room and a bedroom. There's also a kitchen, a bathroom, and a toilet. The apartment spans eight tatami mats. When you enter, you're in a hallway with the kitchen and living room to the left, the bedroom to the right, and the bathroom and toilet straight ahead.
The kitchen is long and narrow, with a door leading to the living room. It's fully equipped: a sink, an oven, a microwave, a gas stovetop, a fridge, a freezer, cabinets, and a countertop.
The living room, also long, is adjacent to the kitchen. It has a fold-out sofa bed, a coffee table, and club chairs around it. If we squeeze in, twelve people could eat around the coffee table.
The bathroom is tiny, with just a bathtub and a sink.
The toilet, on the other hand, is surprisingly spacious.
Finally, the bedroom, next to the toilet and across from the living room, is simple: a bed, a wardrobe, a dresser, a mirror, and a pouf.
My group and I have made my living room our study spot. It doesn't bother me since I suggested it.
I know how intense class rivalries will get, so it's better to keep things discreet.
I've advised the other group leaders to do the same.
Hirata hosts his group in his apartment, like me. Yukimura and Kushida hold theirs in Ayanokōji's and Ijuin's apartments, respectively. Mei, however, gathers her group at the karaoke lounge. When we asked why, she explained that her group feels more at ease in a lively setting, and since they need to be discreet, karaoke works. Given her group's solid results so far, I let it slide.
"Phew, finally done."
Ike sighs with relief.
Though he acts bored, he's made the most progress in my group, surprising everyone—me included.
"It's unusual for you to let us go early, Kōenji-kun. Something up?"
Hondō asks, packing his things faster than the others. He's clearly the happiest about the early end.
On Saturdays, we usually start at 9 a.m. and wrap up around 1 p.m. But today, I decided to end at noon sharp—an hour early.
"Yeah, you hiding something, Kōenji-kun?"
Ike sidles up, winking oddly.
"Oh! I get it, I get it! Nice one, Kōenji-kun!"
Yamauchi shouts excitedly, as if he's cracked a tough puzzle.
'If only you had that energy for your studies. You're the group's weakest link.'
"Come on, spill it—who is it?"
Ike asks, practically salivating for an answer.
"What a dumb question, Kanji. It's obvious."
Sudō, who's been quiet, finally speaks. He's also progressing well, though outshined by Ike. His motivation? A diploma that he believes will open doors to pro basketball clubs worldwide. I told him it's not guaranteed, but he's all in anyway.
"Hm? You know who, Ken?"
At Ike's question, Sudō nods and crosses his arms, looking smug.
"Tell us, tell us!"
Yamauchi, Hondō, and Ike gang up on Sudō, who milks the suspense.
"Hasebe-san, obviously."
He finally drops it.
""Huh?!""
The trio exclaims in unison.
"It makes sense. Kōenji-kun and Hasebe-san have been inseparable since the term started. Plus, there are rumors they're dating."
That's Miyamoto, the geek obsessed with anime and video games. Getting him to prioritize studies was a slog, but I managed. He's the toughest nut I've cracked.
"Oh! Yeah, that tracks."
Ike shouts, like it's just clicked.
"Is Hasebe-chan coming?"
A faint voice cuts through, but it reaches everyone.
It comes from a teenage girl with long pink hair tied in twin pigtails, a side-swept fringe on her left. She's curvy, wears red glasses, a white shirt with red sleeves, and blue pants. Her name's Sakura Airi, a character with both supporting and starring roles in some novel volumes. She's the second-most improved in academics after Ike.
"Don't worry, my Sakura-chan, I'll make our relationship official soon~"
Yamauchi coos, moving in to hug her.
Sakura recoils, hands up in rejection, but Yamauchi doesn't stop. He's inches from touching her when…
"You pig! Keep your filthy hands off Airi!"
A blonde girl with her hair tied on the left with a blue scrunchie lands a swift kick to Yamauchi's groin, stepping in front of Sakura like a shield. That's Sonoda Chiyo, an extra never mentioned in the novel. Her academics are solid—average, not too high or low.
Yamauchi collapses on the carpet, clutching himself in agony. Every guy in the room, including me, winces in sympathy.
They've just been speculating so far. Their antics are amusing, but it's time to wrap this up.
I let out a sudden chuckle, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Sorry for zoning out. I was just wondering how we got here."
I compose myself and continue.
"If I'm not mistaken, this started because I'm letting you go early, right?"
Everyone nods.
"Well, I've got to debunk Ike-kun's theory. As much as I'm a desirable guy, I wouldn't mix pleasure with work."
I catch Sakura letting out a discreet sigh. Weird…
I go on.
"Let me give you the real reason. It's the end of the month. Monday's the first of the next. As your stellar leader, I thought we'd end early so I could treat you all to a group outing to celebrate your efforts so far."
Before I finish, Ike rushes over and hugs me.
"Kōenji-Kuuuuun! You're the best, man!"
"Awesome idea, I'm in!"
"Me too!"
"Long live our leader!"
"Sweet!"
The guys all hype up my plan.
"Boys, don't you have something to say to Kōenji-kun?"
Like a stern matron, Sonoda glares at them, while Sakura giggles.
"Oh, yeah, yeah!"
In unison, the guys nod, bow, and apologize for misreading my intentions.
"Come on, guys, it's cool. Let's forget it and go have fun."
"Yeah!"
With everything packed, we head to Keyaki Mall. As the mastermind, I lead the pack like a shepherd with his flock.
First stop: a restaurant in the mall's supermarket. We eat with high spirits. The girls try every dish, posing with their food, much to the guys' delight, who drool for reasons beyond the meal.
Next, the fourth floor for some bowling—multiple rounds.
Performance rankings: I take first, obviously, followed by Sudō and Sonoda neck-and-neck, then Sakura, Yamauchi, and Ike. Despite our urging, Miyamoto opts out, playing video games instead. Total geek.
After bowling, Sakura, backed by Sonoda, pushes for a romance movie she calls amazing. The guys want an action flick, but Sonoda argues they played "guy games," so the guys should compromise. We end up watching Sakura's romance film, to the guys' chagrin. Ironically, those same guys cry at the end, earning teasing from the girls. The movie wasn't bad. I nearly teared up, but this body held it back.
Afterward, we hit the fifth-floor café for refreshments, winding down the outing.
"Man, that was awesome!"
Ike exclaims as we leave the mall.
"You're so cool, Kōenji-kun. If this is what we get for working hard next month, I'm your guy."
Yamauchi adds, proud of the day.
"Next time, Kōenji-kun, let us chip in."
Sonoda speaks up.
I covered everything for this outing. Total cost: 25,000 points.
Why spend so much when I know how precious points are? Simple: investment trumps saving. Saving just preserves what you have; investing yields returns far beyond your initial stake.
"True, Kōenji-kun, you must've spent a ton."
Sakura backs Sonoda in her shy voice.
"Why make a big deal out of it, girls? We'll get our allowance next week. I bet that's why Kōenji-kun was cool with spending."
Hondō says.
He's not entirely wrong. I spent freely because I've got a safety net.
"That doesn't matter, Hondō-kun. Next time, we all pay together. Kōenji-kun shouldn't carry the load alone."
Sudō declares.
"Especially after sweating over everything the girls ordered at the restaurant."
Miyamoto adds.
"What'd you say?"
At Sonoda's menacing tone, Miyamoto sidesteps her, hiding near me and instinctively covering his groin.
"Chill, guys. It didn't bother me. I wanted to treat you because I'm proud of your progress. Think of it as my reward to you."
I smile and say.
"You're the best, Kōenji-kun!"
An excited Ike shouts.
And so, our group outing ends as the sun sets. We say our goodbyes and part ways.
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