With the resolution of Sudo's case, the midterm exams were now less than two weeks away.

  Hikaru's study group sisted of himself, Iose, Himeno, Shiranami, and Shibata. After finalizing his study pns with Sakura, Hikaru turned his attention to Iose.

  "What's your pn for the uping midterm exams, Iose-san?" he asked, tilting his head toward the pink-haired girl, idely regarded as the heart of Css A.

  "I do have a pn," Iose replied, sweeping her hair behind her ear with a fident glint in her eyes. "Since we already assigned everyoo study groups earlier, we'll stick to that structure and focus on filling any gaps. The key to midterm success is meeting the baseline requirements in each subject."

  "That's true. Everyone's beey diligent sihe beginning of the term, so we shouldn't have much to worry about on that front."

  Hikaru rubbed his thoughtfully. His time ma pn required adjustments, and Iose o know about the ge. "That said, I might only be able to join these study sessions for about two hours at a time from now on."

  "Eh? Why?" Iose's smile faltered, and she frowned slightly. "You don't want to study with us anymore?"

  "Of course not," Hikaru replied with a light ugh. "It's just that two hours is plenty for reviewing the material. Plus, you know about my evening swimming routine, right? Lately, I've found a new i I'd like to pursue."

  "What kind of i?" she asked, curiosity repg her momentary displeasure.

  "Reading. I figured it was time to broaden my knowledge base a little," Hikaru said casually. "The school library has quite an impressive colle. I thought I'd spend some time expl it."

  "I see..."

  Iose bit her lip. Rationally, she knew she had nht to dictate how Hikaru spent his time. Yet whenever he mentioher is, she couldn't help feeling a subtle sting of unease—a sensation she couldn't quite expin or trol.

  "And besides," Hikaru tinued with a smile, "you shouldn't put so much pressure on yourself or the rest of the css just to protect our standing."

  "Midterms aren't the finish lihey're just one checkpoint in a long race. If you keep pushing yourself and everyone else too hard, it might backfire ter."

  "You're right," Iurmured, l her gaze for a moment before looking back up with a nod. "I'll try not to go overboard. The study groups seem to be running smoothly, so we don't o overdo it."

  "Exactly. And if you ever need help with anything, just let me know," Hikaru said, his voice warm.

  He uood Iose's self-sacrifig nature—her instinct to bear the entire css's burden alo earned her admiration and loyalty but also weighed her down like invisible s.

  If she could learn to ease off, she'd be happier. And from Hikaru's perspective, it would also free him up to maneuver more flexibly.

  After all, if I start meeting irls from different csses, having Iose stantly h nearby could bee… problematic.

  Iose's eyes softe Hikaru's . "I will. Thanks for w about me, Hikaru-kun."

  "No problem. Just remember: don't overwork yourself."

  The study group met three times a week, and today wasn't a meeting day. After exging a few more pleasantries, Hikaru slung his backpack over his shoulder ahe .

  Time to head to the library and see if I run into Shiina Hiyori.

  The library at Advanurturing High School occupied aire building oificial isnd campus. With its vast colle catering to all three grade levels, the library covered a broad spectrum of subjects. Borrowing books was as simple as sing one's student ID via the school's mobile app.

  Of course, there was also the option of reading books ohe spacious hall featured t shelves arranged with near-military precision, plemented by numerous study tables.

  While loud versations were forbidden, quiet discussioolerated—as long as they didn't disturb others.

  Upon stepping inside, Hikaru ihe familiar, f st of aged paper and well-worher bindings.

  Not bad. Definitely a good pce to kill some time.

  Hikaru adjusted his grip on his backpad began wandering the aisles. His eyes sed the spines of various books while his thoughts drifted toward his primary objective.

  If I'm going to i in Hiyori's stock ter, I o establish some rapport first.

  His mental recall of her profile surfaced.

  [Stock Pricrease Strategy: Establish a book-shariionship. Discuss mystery o earn her personal trust.]

  After weaving through several aisles, he caught sight of a slender figure standing at the librarian's ter. Her distinctive ash-gray hair made her immediately reizable.

  Bingo. Shiina Hiyori.

  She was iing with the librarian, seemingly pleting the borrowing process. Hikaru's eyes narrowed slightly as he observed her.

  Hiyori had initially piqued his i during his visit to Css D. While her demeanor seemed subdued, her name had appeared in the system as one of Ryuen's informal "advisors." Yet her disi in Ryuen's schemes suggested she might be more approachable than her cssmates.

  Hikaru paused to gather himself, then adjusted his expression into mild curiosity and walked toward the ter.

  Hiyori, meanwhile, had just finished firming the details of her borrowed books when she sensed movement from the er of her eye. Turning her head slightly, she reized Hikaru immediately.

  Isn't he the student from Css A who visited us before?

  The memory of Hikaru calmly iating the sale of hidden school rules remained vivid. He had shown remarkable poise back then, easily defleg Ryuen's provocations.

  "Excuse me," Hikaru said, direg his words to the librarian while pretending not to notice Hiyori. "Could you tell me where I find mystery novels?"

  The middle-aged librarian smiled at the polite young man. "Mystery novels? They're on shelf eleven. Just ght ahead and turn right."

  "Got it. Thank you."

  As Hikaru turo leave, he feigned surprise upoing Hiyori's gaze.

  "Ah… Shiina-san, right? From Css D?"

  Hiyori blinked. "Yes. And you're… Hikaru-kun, I believe?"

  "That's me." Hikaru smiled sheepishly. "Didn't expect to run into someone I knew here."

  "Me her," Hiyori replied softly. After a brief pause, she added, "Do you enjoy mystery novels, Hikaru-kun?"

  The question had e instinctively. She rarely entered cssmates who shared her i in the genre.

  "Yeah, I got into them retly," Hikaru said, scratg the back of his neck with a self-scious chuckle. "I'm still a begihough. Got any reendations?"

  Hiyori's reserved demeanhtened slightly. "I was just borrowing one now. If you'd like, I show you to the shelf."

  "Would you? That'd help a lot. I'm not too familiar with the yout here."

  "Of course," Hiyori said softly. "Please follow me."

  As the two walked side by side into the byrinth of shelves, Hikaru he slight ge in Hiyori's posture. Her shoulders, initially rigid, gradually rexed.

  The ice was beginning to crack.

  Step oablish the foundatio's see how deep this mystery rabbit hole goes.

  ~~~

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