"Um... There shouldn’t be any need for tutoring, right?"
Looking at the test questions nlai had prepared, Hikigaya fell into deep thought.
Ten questions. She got eight of them correct. nlai’s liberal arts score has been hovering around the 70s. While it’s not outstanding, it’s also not bad enough to require tutoring or risk expulsion.
Additionally, although Maya’s science scores are slightly better than hers, they’re only around the 70s as well—pretty average. Nothing spectacular, but there aren’t any glaring weaknesses either.
Still, it should be enough to help her.
Hikigaya felt a headache forming. This whole situation felt more like a one-sided favor than actual work. After all, he was only doing this because Ichinose asked him to help.
"No way!"
nlai clenched her fist against her chest and said in a slightly dissatisfied tone, "That might be true at an ordinary school, but here, I want to contribute more to the class. Hikigaya-kun, you’ve been working hard for the class in your own way, haven’t you?"
In the eyes of others, during the uninhabited island exam, Hikigaya took on the most demanding tasks and even manipulated Kaneda’s judgnt to secure victory for Class B.
During the preferential treatnt test, he quickly identified the special candidate hidden in the Dragon Group and even consulted Ichinose to ensure their strategy would cause problems for the opposing class.
Even if his approach wasn’t always conventional, he was actively thinking about the class’s well-being.
"Uh... I just didn’t want to cause trouble for the class. It’s not as noble as you’re making it sound." Hikigaya awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"There you go again." Maya smiled helplessly. "Being too modest makes you sound a bit insincere, Hikigaya-kun."
"I’m really not trying to—"
Why do people in Class B have to be so relentlessly optimistic? Their positivity was almost suffocating.
"Knock, knock, knock~"
Suddenly, soone knocked on the club room’s door.
nlai glanced at him in confusion, and Hikigaya was just as puzzled. This was basically a lazy, no-purpose club. Who would co here?
Even Juke would usually burst in with bad intentions and never bothered knocking.
"Co in," Hikigaya called out, his curiosity piqued.
The door slowly creaked open, and a girl with short blue hair walked in. Following her like an obedient little sister was Juke. That must be another Class B student.
"nlai, Juke, why are you here?"
nlai quickly stood up to greet the two of them, excitedly holding their hands. They were clearly very close friends.
Hikigaya was surprised that Juke, who was usually so sharp-tongued, had managed to fit into Ichinose’s circle so smoothly.
"Why, we can’t co here?"
nlai rolled her eyes playfully. "We wanted to see how things were going."
Saying that, nlai pulled the two of them to Hikigaya’s side and glanced at the notes spread out on the table.
Hikigaya’s head throbbed.
Ichinose must’ve sent them over again. But honestly, compared to being alone with nlai, Hikigaya felt a lot more relaxed with Juke around.
"So, this is what you’re working on?" nlai comnted, her eyes examining the test materials.
"Yeah, Hikigaya-kun has been helping figure out what I need to improve on. He even made a customized test for to determine my level, so the progress has been pretty quick."
nlai showed her notebook to Juke and the blue-haired girl.
"Wait, really?"
The girl with blue hair, Hiyori, looked at Hikigaya with wide eyes.
"What’s wrong?"
"I’m just surprised. I always see you sleeping in class, so I didn’t expect you to be so serious."
"No..."
Why does it feel like these people keep misunderstanding him? Hikigaya sighed. "It’s just sothing Ichinose asked to do. I had no choice."
"Is that so?"
Juke softly muttered, her tone perfectly calm and gentle. "I thought Hikigaya-kun would hate sothing like this."
For so reason, Hikigaya shuddered.
Although her words sounded like an innocent observation, sothing about them felt... sinister.
"I an, if Ichinose forced into this, the least I can do is put in so effort. Besides, if it’s considered work, then it can’t be helped."
"Hmm."
nlai’s and Hiyori’s faces grew serious.
"Hikigaya-kun."
nlai spoke with a stern tone. "Honami-chan isn’t trying to pressure you. She’s just worried that if you keep going like this, you might end up dropping out. She’s trying to look out for you. It’s a little harsh to call it ’threatening.’"
"Oh, I’m sorry..."
Hikigaya quickly apologized. As expected from a loyal follower of Ichinose, nlai couldn’t stand hearing any criticism about her.
But nlai was right. Ichinose was only trying to help, without any malice or ridicule. Criticizing her for that would be unfair.
Still... shouldn’t he have a say in how he lives his life?
Hikigaya sighed. His opinions were often ignored in the past, but this ti it was different. People weren’t ignoring him out of disdain, but out of genuine concern.
Sohow, that made it feel even worse.
"Yeah, and this isn’t a job."
nlai pounded her chest confidently. "Class B isn’t a company. We help each other, grow together, and make beautiful mories together. That’s what a bond is, right?"
"Uh..."
Was this so kind of speech straight out of a shounen ani? Are we the Twelve Little Strong or sothing?
Also, he barely even spoke to them before. Where’s this ’bond’ coming from?
It’s over. I’m terrible at dealing with such passionate people, Hikigaya thought.
Just then, nlai and Hiyori pulled out their study materials.
"You’re...?"
"Of course we’re studying together!" nlai declared cheerfully. "Don’t worry, we won’t distract you. Besides, more people studying together ans better efficiency. Plus, Juke and I are pretty good at this stuff."
Hikigaya could only sigh in defeat. Even Juke had already taken out her notebook and pen.
"I suppose... if you’re that determined..." Hikigaya muttered.
Looking at the cheerful trio, Hikigaya couldn’t help but feel he was being dragged deeper into Class B’s madness.
If there really was such a thing as a ’bond,’ then he might just be the reluctant Sasuke of this Naruto-esque friendship.
----------------------------------------------------------
Get mbership in patreon to read more Chapters
Extra Chapters available in patreon
patreon/Dragonscribe31
Reviews
All reviews (0)