Every human being has a core inside them. I don't mean a physical core, but a spiritual one that shapes their heart.
The development of this core is heavily influenced by a person's childhood, including their home environment and friendships. For example, a child who is constantly criticized by their parents will grow up with low self-esteem, always putting others before themselves. They become someone who thinks about others and reads the room constantly so as not to be scolded. I was that type of person. Well, dying was a wake-up call, so it all worked out.
To get back to the point, I'm not saying this personality is bad. Sometimes, being aware of your surroundings can make things go more smoothly. In Japan, things tend to work out better that way. I'm just saying the process of forming that personality can be problematic.
I've been rambling, but what I said has no deeper meaning. The purpose of this monologue is simply to escape reality.
"I don't mean to criticize you, but you are so ignorant and incompetent."
Horikita, who spat out those words, definitely had a core of steel.
----------
It's been a week since I decided to cooperate with Horikita.
After our meeting, I felt a little down, but a week was enough to get back to normal. I pretended to pay attention in class while pondering over this school.
"Whoa!"
A scream came from the front. The one who screamed, Ayanokōji-kun, was rubbing his right arm in pain. He looked completely different from the moment before when he was dozing off.
After being stared at coldly by the whole class, Ayanokōji-kun looked at Horikita with teary eyes. In her hand was a compass. It was obvious Horikita was the culprit. She probably gave Ayanokōji-kun a wake-up call since he was about to fall asleep.
Let's get back to the main topic. This past week, I've developed a theory about this school, and by extension, about this world.
My theory is that "this world might be a fictional creation." You might think I'm crazy, but if you hear the evidence I'm about to present, you won't be able to easily dismiss it.
Evidence 1: People like Arisu-chan, myself, Horikita-san, and Yukimura-kun, who would have thoroughly researched the school, had no knowledge of inter-class conflict.
Even if a gag order was placed on graduates and dropouts, it's strange that not a single hint of this system came up on the Internet, which is so widespread in this world. The fact that a fraudulent system like this has been going on for over a decade suggests that some sort of external force is at work.
And if this system were to leak to the outside, the school's facilities—which cost an unknown amount of money to establish—would all be for nothing. Seriously, would the government approve of something like that? It's unthinkable.
Evidence 2: Compared to my previous life, there are too many people with unique hair colors.
For example, Arisu-chan has beautiful purplish silver hair. She didn't dye it; it's her natural hair color. This is rare, but it makes sense if you think of it as a character in a story. And there are many students with such unique hair at this school, like Sudō's bright red hair.
These are inconsistencies I noticed because of my unique experiences of reincarnation and time reversal, which are unimaginable to normal people in this world. I've been living with a detached perspective. And I have no intention of telling anyone else about my past life or this theory. They would just think I'm crazy... though Arisu-chan might believe me.
If that's the case, then Horikita-san would be the main character. A high school girl with a complex about her older brother who learns to cooperate with others and grows in a meritocratic world. If her goal is to get into Class A, would the final boss be someone like Arisu-chan?
Arisu-chan as the final boss... I just said it myself, but it fits surprisingly well.
"There are things you can and can't do! A compass is dangerous, a compass!"
"Are you saying you're mad at me?"
"You poked a hole in my arm!"
"What are you talking about? When did I ever stab you with a compass needle?"
"No, but you're holding the weapon in your hand!"
"Are you accusing me of stabbing you just because I'm holding it?"
...It looks like she has a long way to go before she grows up.
----------
Even with that crazy theory, my task doesn't change. No matter if it's an anime world, it's my reality, and it's a treasure. I love Arisu-chan, and I kind of like everyone in Class D, too. My first high school life is fulfilling.
What I have to do right now is bow my head to Shinohara-san and Satō-san, who are making a fuss in front of me.
"Hey, Tsugumi-kun, aren't you going to teach me?"
"Sorry, sorry. I have to go help some problematic people study."
This situation happened because I couldn't attend the after-school study group led by Yōsuke-kun.
I was invited to be a teacher since I had the best grades in the class, but unfortunately, I couldn't make it due to a prior engagement.
"Maybe I'll go to that one, too."
"That's fine, if you can properly study with Sudō-kun, Ike-kun, and Yamauchi-kun."
"...I think I'll pass. Can we study together sometime on the weekend?"
It was a suggestion that would make an unpopular guy cry tears of blood, but I gave a noncommittal response. I don't really like being tied down by plans on my days off. If I'm free, I'll invite you.
With such a cynical thought process, I headed to the library, our designated meeting place.
Inside, Ayanokōji-kun, Horikita-san, Sudō-kun, Ike-kun, Yamauchi-kun, Kushida-san, and Okitani-kun were sitting at a long table at the end of the room. The latter two were unexpected, but I figured we could manage... as long as Horikita-san could be patient.
"Oh! It's Saitō. Did you come here because you didn't like being with Hirata?"
"...You're late. Hurry up and sit down."
I heard voices from Ike-kun and then Horikita-san. As a matter of fact, it was Horikita-san who organized this study session.
I was happy that our conversation from before had led to a positive outcome. I walked up behind a sullen-faced, expressionless Horikita-san and gently tapped her shoulders with both hands.
"...What?"
"A teacher shouldn't make such a stiff face, right? Come on, smile more."
I gently kneaded her white, smooth cheek with the pads of my fingers... this is addictive. Unlike the soft, squishy feel of Arisu-chan, this felt a little firmer and more toned.
However, Horikita-san isn't the type to let me get away with it forever. I was elbowed sharply in the stomach, which I was enjoying the feeling of. The impact was so strong I fell to my knees. It hurts... Is she a martial arts expert? That was a deadly hit.
Ayanokōji-kun and Horikita-san both looked at me with cold eyes.
"Tsugumi... sometimes you're a real idiot."
"He's just getting carried away. Now, we don't have much time, so let's get started. Get up, Saitō-kun."
"Yes..."
My idiotic behavior seemed to have broken the tense atmosphere. Good. This kind of vibe is best for a study session.
"I've compiled the range that will be on the next test. We'll work on it thoroughly for the next two weeks. First, try solving it yourself. If you don't understand, Saitō-kun and I will teach you as you go."
"...Hey, I don't even get the first problem."
Sudō-kun looked at Horikita-san as if he was glaring at her. She wouldn't have brought a problem so difficult that he couldn't solve it, so this might be a bigger problem than I thought.
...Hmm, "The total amount of money held by three people, A, B, and C, is 2150 yen. A has 120 yen more than B. If C gives 2/5 of their money to B, B will have 220 yen more than A. How much money did A originally have?"
It's a system of linear equations problem. People who are not good at math probably hate these kinds of problems.
"Use your brain and think a little. You won't get anywhere if you give up from the start."
"I know, but... I'm really bad at studying."
Sudō-kun said this, and Ike-kun and Yamauchi-kun were also holding their heads in their hands. As expected, they're the kind of people who would get a failing grade on that test.
"Honestly, this problem can be solved by a first or second-year middle school student, depending on the method. If you're stuck here, you can't move on."
"Are we... worse than elementary school students?"
"But like Horikita-san says, it's probably bad to be stuck here. The first math problem on the pop quiz was about this difficult, but I couldn't solve the last problems because they were so hard."
"Listen? You can easily find the answer to this using a system of linear equations."
Horikita-san wrote down the problem without hesitation. I can understand her feelings, but with this teaching method, which assumes the other person understands, they will never understand.
"What even is a system of linear equations...?"
"...Are you serious?"
Don't be so shocked, Ayanokōji-kun. I also think this level is dangerous.
"This is useless. I'm quitting."
Sudō-kun and the others declared they were giving up, even though they had just started studying. It's almost impressive how little they understood.
"W-Wait, everyone. Let's try a little harder. Once you understand how to solve it, the rest is just applying it, so you'll be able to use it on the test. Right? Right?"
"...Well, if Kushida-chan says so, I guess I can try... Actually, if Kushida-chan taught me, I might be able to try a little harder."
So I'm not good enough? I'd rather have Horikita-san teach me.
Kushida-san was flustered by Ike-kun's words, but she took a pen with resolve, knowing she couldn't let them give up here.
"This, like Horikita-san said, is a problem that uses a system of linear equations. So, I'll write down what I just said as an equation."
Her explanation was easy to understand with all the steps, but if they could understand this, they wouldn't be having so much trouble.
"And the answer is 710 yen. How was that?"
"...Wait, how did you get that answer? Why is that the answer?"
"Ugh..."
I guess I have to help.
"Alright, I'll explain. First, where did you get stuck in Kushida-san's explanation?"
"...Everything."
After a slight pause, Sudō-kun answered, looking away. Good, at least he's honest.
"First, let me check something. If 100 + X = 150, what is the answer for X?"
"100 plus some number equals 150, so isn't it 50?"
"Exactly, the answer is 50. If you can do that, the rest is easy."
"...Really?"
"First, let's say the amount of money A, B, and C have is A yen, B yen, and C yen, respectively. This is the same as X and so on."
While Sudō-kun and the others tilted their heads suspiciously, I drew lines on Horikita-san's problem.
"And if we list the problem as bullet points, it looks like this:
The total amount of money held by three people, A, B, and C, is 2150 yen.A has 120 yen more than B.If C gives 2/5 of their money to B, B will have 220 yen more than A.How much money did A originally have?
Is that good so far?"
"...Yeah."
"Well, I kind of get it."
They're already looking a little suspicious, but it's okay if we take it one step at a time.
"So, let's set up an equation from the first line. If the total for the three people is 2150 yen, we can create one equation with that. What do you think? Anyone know?"
"...A + B + C = 2150 yen?" Ike-kun muttered nervously.
Good, judging by his reaction, Sudō-kun and Yamauchi-kun seem to be okay, too.
"That's right, that's one equation. Now if we create equations for the rest, like this----"
I taught them how to derive the equations line by line. It's important to go slowly and not make them feel rushed.
"----And that's how you solve it, step by step. Do you get it?"
"...Wow. Even I can do that."
Sudō-kun was so impressed that he was almost moved. How bad was he at studying?
Well, what we're doing is kind of like a puzzle. Teaching it face-to-face, slowly, is the key.
"Okay, let's solve a similar system of linear equations problem."
I rewrote the problem with slightly different numbers and conditions. Right after being taught something, people think they can solve anything. If I let them get carried away now, they'll have a hard time later, so I have to make sure it sticks.
"Why can't I solve it...? Isn't this the same problem, Saitō?"
See? This is what happens when I change it just a little. Even people who are good at studying have to repeat things to make them stick. There's no way you can remember it with just one time.
"I don't mean to criticize you, but you are so ignorant and incompetent."
Horikita-san gave Sudō-kun a cold stare as he was shaking his leg in frustration.
"I shudder just imagining what you'll do in the future if you can't even solve a problem like this."
"Shut up. It has nothing to do with you."
Perhaps Horikita-san's tone got on his nerves, because Sudō-kun slammed his hand on the table. The bang echoed through the quiet library.
"You're right, it has nothing to do with me. No matter how much you suffer, it won't affect me. I just feel pity. You must have been running away from difficult things your entire life."
"Horikita-san, Sudō-kun and the others are trying their best right now. Isn't that a little too much?"
I couldn't just stand by and watch, so I stepped in to mediate.
"That's not true. They're not serious about this. If they didn't understand something, they could have just asked, but their cheap pride wouldn't let them."
"You can say whatever you want. Studying is useless in the future anyway."
"Studying is useless in the future? That's an interesting statement. I'd like to hear your reasoning."
...This is no good. Neither of them is listening. What should I do...? Maybe I should just disband the group and let them cool off.
Even while I was thinking, their argument continued. Then, a decisive remark was dropped by Horikita-san.
"I wish you would just quit studying, no, quit school right now. I was persuaded by Saitō-kun for a moment, but you are still a negative for Class D. It would be better if you didn't exist. You should give up on your ridiculous dream of becoming a pro basketball player and live a miserable life working part-time."
"Horikita-san!"
You shouldn't say those words. Words that deny a person's existence can easily become a blade that kills.
"Hah... Fine. I'm quitting. This is just a pain in the ass. I even took a break from my club for this, but it was a complete waste of time. Bye!"
"Ah, wait...!"
Sudō-kun spat out those words and quickly left the library. A hellish atmosphere hung over the students left behind.
"Hey, are you sure about this?"
"I don't mind. It's useless to care about people who aren't motivated... who are this bad at studying. This is about dropping out of school. They probably don't have a shred of attachment to the school."
"You... "I think you should cool your head, Horikita-san." "Sai-Saitō?"
I interrupted Ayanokōji-kun and Horikita-san's conversation, cutting off Ike-kun in the process, but there was no time for that.
This was my own emotion. I wasn't getting angry for someone else. I was aware of that, and while suppressing the overflowing rage, I spoke calmly.
"I understand how you feel. But you crossed a line that should never be crossed."
"Are you talking about the comment that he would be better off not existing? After I taught him so carefully, he gave up right away. How am I supposed to make use of a person like that?"
"If you can't understand that, you will never, ever achieve your dream. You don't have the slightest capacity to lead others."
After saying those words, I left the library.
...I messed up again. I've been losing my composure lately.
"Ugh... this is so frustrating."
I'll have Arisu-chan cheer me up when I get back.
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