After dinner, Hachiman and Yumiko stepped out of the restaurant together.
However, there was a hint of displeasure on the girl's face.
"What the heck? They call this a high-end restaurant? The food they serve is nowhere near as good as yours," she grumbled.
Hachiman let out a wry smile at her words.
If everyone had cooking skills like his, the culinary world would be in for a shake-up.
The restaurant they had just visited was actually pretty decent.
While it couldn't rival Michelin-starred establishnts, it was on par with a three-star skill level, roughly equivalent to the cooking abilities of the residents of the Polar Star Dormitory.
Of course, it was still far from the level of the Elite Ten or Totsuki graduates, and miles behind Hachiman, whose cooking surpassed them all.
Still, seeing Yumiko sulking, Hachiman decided to comfort her.
"Alright, Yumiko, don't be upset. Next ti, I'll take you to a Totsuki restaurant."
He was referring to the restaurant he had co-founded with Totsuki Academy.
Although it was officially under the Totsuki Group's umbrella, Hachiman held a significant share in it. The Totsuki na was mainly used to attract more custors.
"You'd better keep that promise! And next ti, it has to be just the two of us. No inviting anyone else, got it?" Yumiko added her small but firm condition.
Hachiman saw no reason to refuse.
"Sure, just like today, it'll be just the two of us."
"Really? That's aweso!"
Hearing this, Yumiko hugged Hachiman's arm, her face showing a rare hint of softness and playfulness that she usually didn't display.
All in all, Yumiko was quite satisfied with today's date.
At least her goals had been achieved, and everything she needed to do was done.
Hmph, how about that, Yukinoshita? In the end, I'm the one ahead.
Though she had to admit she was still trailing behind Yui, there wasn't much she could do about it.
After all, Yui was so simple-minded—she'd probably throw herself at Hachiman the mont he sweet-talked her a little.
Without hesitation, she inwardly teased her best friend, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Before long, the two of them arrived at Yumiko's doorstep.
Standing at the entrance, Yumiko waved at Hachiman.
"I'll head in now. Be careful on your way back."
"Don't worry."
Hachiman smiled and then leaned down to plant a light kiss on her lips.
"Goodnight, Yumiko."
"Mm, goodnight."
A gentle smile also appeared on Yumiko's face.
Seeing this, Hachiman didn't hesitate any longer. He turned and began walking back toward his own house.
Yumiko didn't imdiately go inside. She stood at the doorway, watching until Hachiman disappeared from her sight. Only then did she turn and head into her house.
With the sound of the door closing behind her, the street fell silent once more.
The moonlight spilled like water, bathing the ground in a silvery frost.
Monday, the first day of the week.
A new week had begun, and the students of Sobu High were filled with both nervousness and anticipation.
The nervousness stemd from the looming final exams set to take place over the next two days.
The anticipation, however, ca from the fact that once the exams were over, it would be ti for spring break.
Even though, due to their upcoming third-year status, this spring break wouldn't be very long, they still had a full twenty days to enjoy.
As such, the classroom was abuzz with discussions about plans for the break.
As the bell signaling the start of class rang, Shizuka, the horoom teacher, walked into the room, clad in her signature white lab coat.
The usual morning horoom session began.
Today's horoom agenda was straightforward: announcing the schedule and seating arrangents for the exams.
Hachiman, as usual, paid no attention. For him, exams were a trivial matter.
There was no need to stress—he'd simply ace them with a perfect score as always.
After finishing her announcents, Shizuka's leather shoes clicked on the floor as she left the classroom with her characteristic stride.
Once she was gone, the classroom buzzed with chatter once more, though this ti the topic had shifted to the upcoming exams.
"Ahhh, I'm dood! I can't believe the exams are here already—I didn't even get a chance to properly study," groaned Tobe, clutching his head in frustration.
Seeing his friend's despair, Hayama sighed with mild exasperation. "That's what you get for wasting ti. You knew exams were coming and still didn't take studying seriously."
"Exactly, Tobe, you're too careless!"
"Yep, serves you right for slacking off!" chid in Ooka and Yamato, taking the opportunity to mock their friend.
Seeing the smug expressions of his three friends, Tobe's face turned sour as he spoke up.
"Hayama, I won't say anything about you, but Ooka, Yamato, have you two actually studied properly?"
Hearing this, Ooka and Yamato grinned proudly.
"Of course! Unlike you, we've been studying hard these past few weeks."
"That's right. Looks like you're the only one at risk of failing this ti, Tobe."
"Failing?!"
Tobe's face turned pale with fear. He vividly rembered the consequence of failing—being forced to attend redial classes during spring break.
No way! The thought of wasting his precious break on extra classes was unbearable.
With that in mind, Tobe suddenly turned to Hayama, his expression desperate.
"Hayato, lend your class notes! There are still two days left—I'll do whatever it takes to pass!"
"My class notes? Sure, no problem."
Hayama didn't hesitate to agree. In fact, he seed a bit relieved. Tobe's determination to make a last-minute effort was a pleasant surprise to him.
"Here you go. These are my notes. Tobe, make sure to work hard."
As he spoke, Hayama handed over his notebook.
"Thanks, Hayato," Tobe said gratefully as he took the notes.
"Just watch. I'm definitely going to pass! There's no way I'll let my break be ruined by redial classes."
Ooka and Yamato, seeing Tobe's resolve, didn't continue mocking him. Instead, they joined in with so encouragent.
"Ha, well then, good luck, Tobe!"
"That's right. Do your best!"
"…"
While the boys were focused on their lively exchange, the girls in the class were also engaged in their own discussions about the upcoming exams.
Ebina turned to her two best friends and asked curiously,
"Yumiko, Yui, how's your studying going?"
Among the three, her grades were the best, consistently ranking in the top ten of their entire year. Yumiko ca next, roughly placing within the top fifty. Yui, however, was the weakest academically—ranking within the top hundred was a good result for her.
It's worth noting that, due to declining birth rates, high school year groups in Japan generally had around two hundred students. Scoring around a hundred wasn't exactly impressive.
"Don't worry, Hina! I've got this!" Yui replied confidently, patting her chest in assurance, causing certain "assets" to bounce.
Truthfully, Yui's grades hadn't been great in the past. However, after consuming quite a bit of Hachiman's "Learning Enhancent Potion," her brainpower had significantly improved.
Combined with her recent efforts to study, she was now confident she could break into the top fifty on the upcoming exams—or maybe even the top thirty.
Yui's newfound confidence left both Ebina and Yumiko montarily stunned.
For Ebina, it was baffling—she couldn't even begin to guess what had caused Yui's sudden academic improvent.
But Yumiko was a different story. She knew exactly why Yui had gotten smarter.
Wait a minute… sothing wasn't adding up.
Didn't Hachiman say that doing that would make you smarter? So why wasn't she noticing any improvents herself?
Could it be… that she hadn't done it enough tis?
Damn it! How many tis has that idiot done it with Yui?!
Although Yumiko wasn't particularly worried about the upcoming exams, the thought of this still left her feeling slightly irritated.
In truth, Hachiman was being wrongfully blad here.
To enhance one's learning ability, one needed to possess a specific "Learning" module, which could then be leveled up through practice.
However, unlike Hachiman, the modules that girls could acquire were limited to the skills they were naturally best at.
For example, Saeko and Kotonoha had "Kendo", while Utaha's module was "Writing". Alice and Erina's were undoubtedly related to cooking.
If soone wanted to acquire additional modules, the only way was to drink Hachiman's "Enhancent Potion", which randomly unlocked new modules.
The process wasn't guaranteed to succeed, and even if it did, there was no way to control which module would appear.
That Yui managed to unlock the "Learning" module on her first try was purely a stroke of luck.
Otherwise, who knows how many doses she would've needed?
As for Yumiko, she hadn't drunk any "Enhancent Potion" the last ti, so it was impossible for her to unlock a new module.
Calling it an "Enhancent Potion" wasn't entirely inaccurate, though.
Hachiman's body contained a large amount of holy energy, and his essence was naturally infused with this power.
Without it, it would be impossible to enhance module proficiency.
Moreover, when girls consud it, not only did it increase their module proficiency, but it also improved their complexion, enhanced their beauty, and even boosted their physical constitution.
Cough cough—though it might sound a bit improper, it was undeniably true.
With that, the sound of the bell for the first class of the day rang out amidst the lively discussions in the classroom.
...
"Finally, it's over!"
As the proctor walked out of the classroom carrying the exam papers, the students erupted into cheers.
The exams were done, and the final burden weighing on their hearts was finally lifted.
Now, all that remained was to wait for the teachers to grade the papers and announce the start of the break. Once that was done, they could fully enjoy their spring vacation.
"Tobe, how did it go?" Hayama asked, turning to him after the exam.
"Don't worry, I'm sure I passed this ti!"
Tobe, now a picture of confidence, brushed back his long hair with a smug grin.
"Honestly, it's all thanks to your notes, Hayato. A lot of the questions on the exam were straight from them. You're amazing, as expected!"
Hayama sighed lightly at the praise.
"Those were just the key points the teacher specifically highlighted during class. If you paid more attention in class, you'd rember them too."
Tobe waved off the remark nonchalantly.
"Ha! Whatever, it's all over now anyway. Ti to relax at last!"
"By the way, have you decided where you're going for spring break? How about we all hang out together?"
With that, Tobe eagerly resud discussing vacation plans with Hayama and the others.
anwhile, Hachiman, unconcerned about his grades, was already packing up to head ho. Exams were a non-issue for him, and he had no intention of sticking around unnecessarily.
However, just as he walked out of the school gates, his phone began to ring.
Taking it out, he glanced at the caller ID and raised an eyebrow—it was Erina.
Pressing the answer button, her voice ca through the line.
"Hachiman, the company you were looking for... I've found it."
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