After successfully easing Kushida's suspis, Hikaru had one of the best nights of sleep he'd had in a while. Since she was a long-term iment, he was fident that he would be able to extract a substantial amount of funds from her sto the future.
When m arrived, he felt pletely refreshed and ready to take on the day. Today, he would be participating in Css B's study group. Iose had beehusiastically anizing the event since yesterday, makihe ideal person to handle such matters.
After his usual m workout and a quick shower, Hikaru stepped into Css B's .
"Hikaru-kun, good m! We're in the same group."
The first to greet him was Shibata So, a highly active student in css.
"Oh? Iose-san already assighe groups?" Hikaru was aware that Iose's grouping strategy involved pairing students based on their academic strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to help each other cover their oints.
"Yeah, as soon as Iose-san suggested it, everyone in css was on board. We've split i groups, each sisting of five members," Shibata expined. "You'll reize all of the people in roup."
"?"
"Other than you and me, we've got Iose-san, Shiranami Chihiro, and Himeno Yuki."
"..."
Isn't this a little too ve?
Hikaru goward Iose, who was seated at her desk. As if sensing his gaze, she immediately fshed him a radiant, adorable smile.
"...Well, whatever. It's just a study session, so it doesn't make much of a difference."
Shrugging, he patted Shibata on the shoulder and made his way to his ow.
"Hikaru-kun, we've officially finalized the study group arras. This will also be a long-term initiative," Iose csped her hands together, visibly satisfied with the way things had turned out. "Everyone will be w closely with their group members to improve their grades."
"Sounds good. But does Iose-san have any particur weak subjects?" Hikaru asked out of curiosity.
"Hmm… I tend to mix up historical dates a lot, and Japaerature be tricky sometimes. Other than that, I'm fident ihing else."
"I see. Well, let's work hard together, then."
He nodded as he spoke, then casually brought up another point.
"I assume the school has plenty of avaible study rooms, right? It should be easy for us to find a pce to use."
"Yep, some people even suggested hosting study sessions in the dorms, which I thought was a great idea. That's why we decided on five-person groups. Studying in dorm rooms makes it easier to focus, and we won't be disturbed."
"Makes sehe dorm rooms are well-ioo, so we won't have to worry about noise distras."
As part of Advanurturing High School's high-end design, the dormitories had excellent soundproofing. Sihe start of the semester, Hikaru had never once been disturbed by noise from neighb rooms.
That alone was one of the school's biggest perks, ensuring that students could get proper rest. A good night's sleep was essential for academic performance, as well as for navigating the intense css petition.
"Um…"
After ing up the discussion about study groups, Iose finally steered the versation toward her real objective.
"For our first study session, we do it in your dorm room, Hikaru-kun?"
"?"
Hikaru blinked in fusion, momentarily caught off guard. He turo look at Iose, raising an eyebrow.
"Why? Wouldn't a study room be fine?"
"This was actually Shibata-kun's idea. He said he wathen his friendship with you, and after he vihe others, Shiranami-san and Himeno-san agreed as well."
Despite smoothly giving this expnation, Iose was ht lying. But she kept her expression calm and posed, feigning innoce.
"So, of course, I didn't object! I thought it was a great idea."
"..."
Hikaru fell silent.
She's really pushing for this, huh?
"If it's too much trouble, I tell them we'll piother location. I don't want to pressure you, Hikaru-kun."
Even though she said that, her eyes betrayed a quiet anticipation.
Faced with Iose's expet gaze, Hikaru found it difficult to say no.
"Tch… fine. Just make sure they bring their textbooks." He sighed in resignation. "I don't have any snacks or drinks at my pce, though, so don't expect much hospitality."
"That's fine! We'll buy some beforehand and bring them along."
Iose waved off his , beaming with enthusiasm.
"...Alright, then."
After finalizing the pn, Iose looked noticeably cheerful. She started swaying slightly, murmuring to herself about what snacks to buy.
Holy…
Hikaru quietly shook his head, pulling out his textbooks to get ready for css.
—
Ohe school day ended, Iose notified their study group about the pn. Everyone was delighted, as no one in Css B would pass up a ce to bond with Hikaru.
The group decided to go shopping first, pnning to meet at Hikaru's dorm afterward. That left Hikaru walking home alone.
"Well, if we're going to have a study group session, we might as well make the most of it."
Si was for Css B's unity, he didn't mind too much.
After arriving at his dorm, about ten mier, he heard a kno the door.
Opening it, he was met with Iose's bright, cheerful smile.
"Hikaru-kun! Good afternoon! Sorry for intruding~"
The pink-haired girl entered first, carrying a transparent pstic bag filled with snacks and drinks.
Behihe rest of the group followed suit—Shibata, Shiranami, and Himeno.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
One by ohey greeted him as they stepped inside.
Hikaru's dorm room was retively simple—he hadn't made any signifit ges to its yout since moving in.
"Whoa, Hikaru, your pce is way too pin! There's nothing here."
Shibata, who had rushed in ahead of the nced around with an exaggerated expression of disappoi.
"What's wrong with that? I prefer minimalism."
Hikaru responded calmly, then turo see the three girls gathering around his study table, taking out their textbooks.
Meanwhile, Iose was still standing by the refrigerator, carefully anizing the drinks and snacks she had brought.
She's… anizing my fridge?
Watg her meticulously rearrange everything, Hikaru couldn't help but stare.
What exactly is she trying to aplish here?
~~~
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