Chapter 40: Horikita Suzune's Change
Though Hikigaya barely paid attention in math class today, he noticed Sudo, sitting in another corner, earnestly fighting his urge to sleep and focusing on every key point.
'Impressive… Sudo.'
The day's classes ended quickly. As agreed, it was time to attend Horikita's study group. Normally, Sudo would be off to the basketball club, but today… Thanks to Hikigaya's encouragement, he decided to work on his grades.
Though Hikigaya left the classroom early, as expected, Sudo quickly caught up, slinging his heavy arm over Hikigaya's shoulder.
"So heavy…"
"You need to work on your stamina, man."
"You're just too heavy."
"This is called being a muscular hunk. Girls these days love this type. A scrawny guy like you isn't popular at all."
Hikigaya didn't respond to the red-haired hedgehog's words. He wasn't wrong—Hikigaya had never truly been liked by anyone. Even after yesterday's events, he had no intention of changing his view.
The two arrived at the library first. Being there reminded Hikigaya of meeting the silver-haired fairy. Though he hadn't seen her since their "date," he had no idea what she was planning. He wasn't interested either. However, Kamuro was still tailing him. She thought she was seamless, sometimes hanging out with friends, sometimes sitting alone in a café, but… she couldn't escape Hikigaya's notice.
At that moment, Kamuro was sitting alone in the library, pretending to study while occasionally glancing over.
Since Hikigaya was never the center of attention, he could quickly spot someone staring at him.
But since Sakayanagi had said what she did, he wouldn't say anything more.
When he and Sudo reached the meeting spot, Horikita was already there. Despite everyone getting out of class at the same time, and Hikigaya not dawdling, he had no idea how she was sitting there so calmly.
'Does this girl have teleportation or something?'
After receiving Horikita's fierce glare, Hikigaya quickly found a relatively secluded seat. Sitting here, if Kamuro looked over, they might even lock eyes.
"Here are your practice questions for today. Since you're early, you can start now."
Hikigaya took the questions. Like the school's exams, they were a mix of subjects since there was no humanities-science split. This kept Hikigaya's scores from being too low, but… they weren't high either.
Though he'd studied math since coming to this school, it hadn't helped much.
Of course, the focus of this study group wasn't him. Sitting beside him was the class's lowest scorer, the most likely to be expelled in the next midterm.
Though Sudo had been attentive in class these past few days without slacking, when it came to these questions, he probably couldn't even start. Hikigaya, whose science grades were equally terrible, could relate.
Of course, this test seemed to be something Horikita had put a lot of thought into. If it went to waste, things might spiral out of control.
What a headache. What now?
Sudo glanced at the test, then put down his pen.
As expected, there were very few questions he could attempt. Clearly, this was the result of his past laziness.
Horikita: "What's wrong?"
Sudo: "I can't do it…"
Hikigaya glanced at Horikita, raising his eyebrows twice as if signaling.
"Honestly, this test is way too hard. I can't do it either… Isn't this beyond the midterm's difficulty?"
Horikita: "You guys are really stup—"
Hikigaya: "Yeah, since our temporary goal is to pass the midterms, I think we should start with easier questions and gradually work up to the midterm's difficulty. That's the best way to improve, right, Sudo?"
Sudo knew his grades were bad and how poor they'd been before.
No doubt, this was the only way to improve. Luckily, there was still time—not completely hopeless.
Horikita looked at Hikigaya again. His earlier words echoed in her mind.
Her goal had always been to reach Class A.
So, she couldn't afford to make a single misstep here.
Horikita slowly stood up and bowed to the boys, leaving both Sudo and Hikigaya stunned.
This proud girl was doing something so unbelievable.
"Sorry for wasting your time. It's my fault for not tailoring the questions to your level, but…"
"Horikita, I believe in you!"
Before Horikita could finish, Sudo stood up excitedly, blurting out his true feelings.
Clearly, Horikita's gesture genuinely touched him. He'd always thought she was arrogant and looked down on others, but now he realized he was wrong.
Horikita wasn't as unapproachable as he'd imagined.
His words reassured Horikita. At least this guy was still willing to join her study group. But…
His loud voice drew the attention of others quietly studying in the library. In that moment, Hikigaya's group became the center of attention again.
And, as expected, Kamuro's gaze turned toward them. But since Hikigaya was already looking her way, their eyes met, startling Kamuro, who hurriedly grabbed a book to cover her face.
Kamuro: "What's with this guy… How is he so noticeable everywhere? Wait… did he spot me?"
"I'm done for. If the princess finds out he noticed me, I'm in for another scolding…"
A gloomy expression appeared on the girl's face, mirrored by Hikigaya's at that moment.
( End of this chapter)