Chapter 48: Whoever Studies is a Dog
It might have been an illusion, but Ronan always felt an intense competitive aura in the student council room.
This aura seemed to emanate from Shinomiya Kaguya and Shirogane Miyuki, clashing like two opposing forces.
Fujiwara Chika, on the other hand, didn't seem to be part of this competition. Her cheerful expression showed she wasn't worried about the upcoming midterm exams at all.
"Ronan, are you sure you'll be fine without studying? If your ranking is too low, you might not make it to the second year," Shirogane said with concern.
If Ronan were in the same grade, Shirogane might have secretly hoped for his grades to drop, giving him an advantage in competing for the top spot. But since Ronan was a first-year, his performance wouldn't affect Shirogane's ranking. For now, Shirogane was genuinely worried about Ronan's academic progression.
"Oh, it's fine," Ronan waved it off casually. "I'll just glance over the material three days before the exam."
"Are you really sure?"
"Of course."
At this point, Ronan's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Actually, there's a truth about me that I haven't told you all."
"A truth...?"
"What is it?"
The three student council members perked up, especially Shinomiya Kaguya, who had been trying to uncover Ronan's background without success.
"Actually, I am..."
"You are...?"
"A genius," Ronan declared.
"Huh?"
"A genius...?"
Shirogane and Shinomiya were completely dumbfounded.
"Ahahahahaha..."
Fujiwara burst into laughter, walking over to Ronan and patting his shoulder repeatedly.
"Who calls themselves a genius? Hahahaha, Ronan, you're so cute~"
"Shut up."
Ronan swatted Fujiwara's hand away and said seriously, "You don't know me well enough. In truth, I possess a talent that even I find terrifying."
"Hahahahahaha..."
"Hey, Fujiwara, are you laughing because you don't believe me?"
"Actually, I might as well tell you," Fujiwara suddenly changed her expression, speaking with utmost seriousness. "I'm also a genius."
"Huh?"
Ronan scrutinized Fujiwara closely.
With her cute face, pink hair, and that inexplicable black bow on her head, combined with her usual carefree behavior, it was hard to imagine her as a genius.
"Fujiwara really is impressive," Shinomiya chimed in with a smile. "She won a national piano competition in middle school."
"Hehe... Actually, Kaguya is amazing too. She has ranks in tea ceremony, flower arrangement, martial arts, and archery."
"Do you have any proof that you're a genius, Ronan?"
Seeing Shinomiya and Fujiwara's mutual admiration, Ronan realized he didn't have any notable achievements to show off.
But if he thought about it carefully...
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a silver pocket watch with a chain.
"I got this when I was eleven."
"Ara, what a delicate pocket watch."
"What award is this?"
"...Never mind, it's nothing." Ronan sighed and put the watch back in his pocket. "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."
"There's one thing I must remind you, Ronan," Shinomiya said with her usual elegant smile. "As a member of the student council, it's best if your midterm exam results aren't too embarrassing. At the very least, your ranking should be close to Fujiwara's."
"Fujiwara, huh..."
Ronan glanced at Fujiwara, who was standing nearby.
Honestly, judging by her expression, she didn't seem like the type to study hard.
"What's her ranking?"
"She's currently 96th in her grade," Shinomiya said. "By the way, the president is first in his grade, and I'm second."
"Oh, so you're constantly being overshadowed by the president, right?"
"..."
Shinomiya's eyebrow twitched slightly, but she maintained her graceful smile. "Well, exams can be unpredictable. No one wins all the time..."
"Have you ever beaten the president?"
"Well..."
"Seems like you haven't. Isn't that just constant defeat?"
"..."
Shinomiya's eyebrow twitched again. Talking to Ronan was really starting to get on her nerves.
"I don't really care about rankings that much. As long as I perform to the best of my ability, that's enough," Shinomiya said with a forced smile.
This was a lie.
While she didn't obsess over winning, the fact that she consistently lost to Shirogane academically filled her with frustration. She had been studying hard every night for the past two weeks, determined to one day surpass him.
"That sounds exactly like the kind of self-comfort a loser would give themselves!"
"..."
This guy was really infuriating!
Shinomiya decided to strike back.
"Ara, Ronan, shouldn't you be more worried about yourself? If the student council treasurer fails so badly that they can't advance to the next grade, it would be quite embarrassing for the council."
Shinomiya chuckled lightly, her eyes fixed on Ronan.
"Or perhaps... you've been secretly studying hard every night during your suspension, but you're just putting on an act of not caring about studying in front of us."
This kind of behavior did exist—people who pretended not to study but secretly attended cram schools, creating a false impression to confuse their competitors.
It was a dirty tactic, often referred to as a "sneaky move."
"Hah, are you looking down on me, Miss Shinomiya?" Ronan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Of course not~ If a fellow council member achieves good results, I would naturally be happy for them."
Still a lie.
She wanted nothing more than for this infuriating guy to fail his exams.
"You say I've been secretly studying at home, but haven't you been doing the same?"
"Of course not..."
"Then dare to make a vow?"
"Huh?"
Ronan raised his hand and declared, "If I've been secretly studying at home during my suspension, then I'll never find a girlfriend in my life."
"Eh?"
"Your turn, Miss Shinomiya," Ronan said, turning to a bewildered Shinomiya. "How about you swear, 'If I've been secretly studying for the past two weeks, I'll never find a boyfriend in my life'?"
"..."
*Damn it, he's pulling this move? You're really something, Ronan!*
This was a vicious tactic, pushing someone to the edge.
Of course, Ronan had no idea whether Shinomiya had actually been studying in secret. He was just instinctively countering her, but his counterattack had completely backed Shinomiya into a corner.
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