Axel's Point of View

I GAVE HIM A THUMBS UP. We are currently inside of the classroom. Really he want to join me in meeting Hirata and his harem. Remember when Hirata wanted to have a group study? Yes we have another discussion regarding groupings who I am gonna teach in.

"Are you sure you will be fine?"

Seriously Kiyo? Are we in relation– no no! Why is he so persistent in going with me? I only sigh and keep nodding, Horikita is standing beside us while crossing her arm waiting for Kiyo.

"You two really don't have a romantic feeling for each other?" She asked us. I blushed with her question. Ask anything just don't ask that! Even I, I don't know!

"Ye–" Kiyo will answer but I cut him off.

"Hehehe go now Kiyo, Horikita needs to speak with you so go now!" I said while pushing him, Horikita sighs and starts walking. Well, Horikita invited him to eat lunch with me. Well, she invited me too but I have a meeting with Hirata and his harem.

I waved my hand while chuckling.

He is such a weird guy.. But sweet ... Arggh

"Arison, Let's go!" A cute voice called me, I looked at her and smiled.

"Hai Karuizawa-san."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

"ARE YOU OKAY WITH THE GROUPINGS?" Mii-chan said to me, I nod. Well they are not pain in ass so I'm fine with it. Hirata, who was still talking to some leader in each study group , suddenly gazed at me.

I waved my hand, he also waved my hand and he smiled.

"Thank you Arison-kun for attending this meeting. I hope your time doesn't waste." he apologized to me. He is really kind. If Kiyo doesn't exist, maybe I will fall for Hirata. Well Kiyo does exist so sorry Hirata.

"It's okay Hirata really and you can just call me Arison." I said while smiling, he blushed then nodded.

"We will start the group study tomorrow at the library, okay?" Hirata instructed us, we all nodded and started leaving. Before I leave I text Kiyo. I smiled when I already receive his reply.

'I'm coming there, stay there.'

I blushed and shocked my head, he really is a boyfriend– What the hell I'm talking about! We are just friends, childhood friends! Not anything else.

"Axel." I look up and see Kiyo. I smiled and stood up.

"Let's go?" He nodded and we started walking to our dorms. Wait, I remember that he is with Horikita.

"What happened to your meeting with Horikita?" I asked him, he looked at me then he sighs.

"She tricked me."

I burst into laughter. My God!

"Don't laugh, she buys me food so that's why. She will also have study groups with the 3 idiots." he said to me. I nod.

"Are you two going to be fine? Horikita also has a short temper, maybe she will insult those three idiots tomorrow."

"Yeah I thought so too, and also I talked to the 3 idiots. I said that they should join our study group but they refused." he pout. I quickly took a picture of him. Gosh this is so precious. I will treasure these.

"You're out of character but that's really cute." I said while smiling, he just nodded and continued walking. I looked to his ears, his ears were red. I chuckle.

"I can help you with the 3 idiots to join Horikita's Study Group." I said to him, he looked at me with confusion.

"Are you gonna convenience them?"

"Hell nah, you should ask for help from Kushida." I smirk, he seems to understand my intention and nod.

This midterm examination, I hope something happens that piques my interest.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

THE STUDY GROUP HAS BEGIN. I looked around the library, and some of the people here are not from our class. It looks like they are also preparing for the midterm examination. My group consisted of Maya Sato, Chiaki Matsushita, Nene Mori, Kayano Onodera and Ryotaro Hondo. I'm quite surprised when Matsushita joins the study group, she seems intelligent to me.

I decided to tie my long hair into a bun, gosh should I keep it like this or should I cut my long hair? Maybe nah, I love my long hair. I looked at them waiting to ask me a question, they started studying their weaknesses.

Yesterday I asked Sensei to give me the exam results. I decided to do this to know where they are lacking or what subject they are good at. Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning to really help them, I'm just curious.

Besides, it's a pain in ass if I ask them now.

I looked at my watch, I guess Horikita's study group is starting right now. I hope they are fine. I sigh.

"Arison-kun, Can I ask you? I don't know how to solve this. Really I don't get it." Sato-san asked me, and I looked at her textbook. Mathematics. Maya Sato, she was not good at Mathematics. While she is doing fine in Japanese History and Literature.

"Hmm you use the wrong formula so that's why you don't get the answer." I said. After saying that, I grabbed a piece of paper and pencil. I wrote the correct formula, it seems like she is not paying attention in the Mathematics discussion.

"Here, try to solve it again. I also have a short cut formula to easily get the answer, try these two formulas." I said while smiling, she nodded and blushed at my action. She try again to solve the problem, I smile when she easily gets the answer.

"Wow! Arison-kun I get it! Thank you!" she said while clapping, I rubbed my neck. She decided to continue answering some Mathematics problems.

I felt Matsushita stare, I stared back and smiled at her. She doesn't need to study, why is she here?

"Arison-kun? Right? You are good at teaching." She said to me, "Have you taught some people before?" she asked me. I shooked my head.

"No, it's my first time." I said to her, she just nodded.

"Really! But you seem to be really good at it. Look at Sato-san, she easily answers these problems!." Nene Mori said, Ryotaro Hondo also nodded. I smiled at them.

"Really? Thank you then, I'm not really sure, but I guess I have good communication skills?" They nodded at my explanation.

They continue studying, they always ask some problems, theories, questions, riddles and many more questions. Of course I answer them honestly and correctly. They were shocked when I answered their questions because I answered them quickly without thinking. Of course I denied that I'm a genius.

But there persisted, I only sigh and we continue the study group. I looked around and looked at the Hirata's Group. They seem fine. Later on Hirata called me. So I stand up and go to their group.

Some of the girls and boys waved at me. Of course I waved back and smiled. I became popular I guess? Is this because of the result of the quiz? Maybe?

"Why Hirata?" I asked him. He smiled at me.

"Your group seems fine."

"Well they easily handle, they always listen to me."

"Someone told me that you are good at teaching, is that true?"

"Well, Kinda? It's my first time actually."

"Wow, that's good though. Are you done with your group study?" He asked me.

"Well Maybe? They seem already satisfied with the study." I said to him, While talking to him, someone was clinging to my arms.

"Sato-san?"

"We're done, Arison-kun!" She said to me, I smiled but first why are you clinging to my arm? I sigh and let her cling to my arms.

"We're done Hira–" eh? What with that death glare!? Oi Oi! Hirata is sending Death glare to Sato-san. Oh no! Sato-san is in danger!

"Hehehe Bye bye, We are going to clean our mess at our table. Later Hirata." He looked at me, that expression changed to soft and he smiled at me.

What the hell was that?..

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, I told you! Your study group will mess up." I said while holding my stomach. Kiyo told me that their study group didn't end well. Sudoku just walked out and the 2 idiots did the same.

By the way, I'm in Kiyo's Room with my clothes. I decided to sleep here, cuz why not. I sip on the tea and look at Kiyo.

"Now do you have a plan?" I asked him.He just nood and also took a sip of his tea. It looks like we have the same plan. I asked him about his plan and gosh we have the same plan.

"Still continue the group study with Horikita, we cannot just give them the answer they should also need to study."

"I understand, But we still don't know if the 2nd year still has the test paper and besides that it is just our theory." He said, I walked to his bed and jumped on it. I looked at him. He is still wearing the uniform.

He walked towards his bed so I grabbed his wrist. He also fell on the bed. I giggled. I hugged him. He didn;t mind the hug and he returned it to me.

So warm..

"You love hugs don't you?" he asked me while playing with my hair.

I smiled.

"Of course but when that hug comes from you." I said while pressing my face on his chest.

"You should not sniff my clothes–" but I cut him.

"I don't mind, It's your smell." I hope this moment will last long. I promise to Kiyo that I will stay by his side and not planning to leave him, even on his worst side I will stay with him, that's my promise.

He sighed.

"Should we go for a walk? I can't sleep." he suggested. I stand up. He chuckled slightly. We both went to his room.

In the lobby, We bought some juice from the vending machine and went back to the elevator.

"Hmm?"

"Is that Horikita?" I asked as Kiyo nodded.

The elevator was on the 7th floor. Feeling curious, We looked at the CCTV monitor on the inside of the elevator. It was Horikita in her school uniform.

"...Should we hide ourselves?..."

"Yes??"

We didn't particularly want to face her, so we hid ourselves behind the vending machine. The elevator reached the first floor.

While being wary of her surroundings, Horikita exited the building. After she disappeared into the dark, We chased after her.

"We are not stalkers, we are just curious." I said. Kiyo, who is confused, nods. Cute.

However, we involuntarily hid ourselves again after turning the corner.

Horikita stopped moving. There was another person's figure.

"Suzune. I didn't think you'd follow me all the way here."

Did she leave at this hour to meet with a boy?

"I'm different from the useless me that you know. I've come here to catch up to you."

"Catch up to me, huh."

Nii-san? I couldn't see the person she was talking to, but it looks like it's Horikita's older brother.

"I heard that you are in class D, it doesn't seem like anything's changed in the last 3 years. Because you've always been looking at my back, you've never been able to see your own flaws. Choosing to come to this school was another one of your mistakes."

"That's—that's wrong. I'm going to rise up to class A. And then—"

"That's impossible. You'll never reach class A. Rather, your class will crumble before that. This school isn't as easy as you think it is."

"I will absolutely, absolutely reach class A..."

"I already said it's impossible. You're a really unreasonable younger sister."

Horikita's older brother takes a step forward. From my hiding spot, I could see his form more clearly. Kiyo who seems to be listening to their conversation.

It was the Student Council President. So my guess is right, they are related to each other.

There was no emotion in his expression, as if he was looking at an existence that didn't interest him at all.

He grabbed his younger sister's wrist and pushed her against the wall.

"No matter how much I avoided you, you are still my younger sister. If people start to learn about you, it is me who will be disgraced. Leave this school immediately."

"N-no... tsu. I will absolutely rise up to class A...!"

"Foolish, really. Do you want to relive the painful experiences of the past?"

"Nii-san—I will—"

"You have neither the power nor the qualifications to aim for class A. Understand that."

Horikita's body drew forward, as if he was about to take action. The situation looks dangerous.

Resigning myself to her anger, I stepped out from my corner and approached the older brother. Kiyo didn't stop me. Good.

Before I realized, I grabbed his right arm.

"—What? Who are you?"

Looking at his own arm, he looked at me with a sharp glint in his eyes.

"A-Arison-kun!?"

"You, you were trying to throw her to the ground, right? It's concrete here, you know. Just because you're siblings doesn't mean you can do anything you want."

"It's not admirable to eavesdrop."

"Just let go of her hand."

"That's what I should be saying."

It was silent while we glared at each other.

"Stop, Arison-kun..."

She said with a strained voice. I've never seen her like that before. What happened to Horikita's attitude just now?

Reluctantly, I let go of his arm. At that moment, he aimed for my face with a quick backhand.

Feeling danger, I instinctively leaned backwards. A nasty attack with a thin body. Furthermore, he aimed for my vitals with a sharp kick.

"Ha!"

I understood that it had the power to make me lose consciousness in one hit. With a confused look, he let out a breath and extended his right arm towards me.

If I grabbed his hand, he would probably throw me onto the ground. Instead, I slapped his arm away with my left hand.

"Good reflexes. I didn't think you would avoid every single one. You also understood what I was trying to do. Were you taught in some way?"

Finally stopping his attacks, he asked me a question.

"Yea, I did violin and calligraphy. In elementary school, I even got the championship in a music competition.

"Are you also in class D? What a unique boy. Suzune."

Letting go of her arm, he slowly faced me. And again he suddenly engaged a punch at me but someone caught it before landing on my face.

"Stop it." Kiyo said while glaring at the President. He smirked and moved backwards.

"Suzune, you have two friends? I'm honestly surprised."

"They're... not my friend. They are only my classmates."

Denying his words, she looked up to her brother.

"As always, you're mistaking solitude with isolation. And you, Arisonand Ayanokouji. With you two, it looks like things are going to become interesting."

Walking past me, he disappeared into the night. The confident student council president. It seems like Horikita was acting strange because she met her brother.

"I'm going to crawl my way to class A even if I die. That's the only way."

After he left, the night was engulfed in silence. Horikita sat down against the wall, her head hanging in shame. I wonder if I did anything unnecessary. I sigh, I grabbed Kiyo's hand and decided to go back to the dorm, but Horikita called out to me.

"Did you two hear everything...? Or was it a coincidence?"

"No, it was like 50% luck. Ww saw you while we went to go buy juice from the vending machine. We followed you simply because we were curious. However, we really didn't mean to intrude." Kiyo said to her.

Horikita sank into silence once again.

"Your older brother is quite strong. He didn't hesitate to attack." I said.

"He's... 5th dan in karate and 4th dan in aikido." Hmm that's quite impressive.

Oho, so he's that strong. If I didn't pull back it would've been a disaster. Kiyo might scold me or punished me, I mentaly cry,

"Arison-kun, you also do something, right? You're also a rank holder. And Ayanokouji-kun you just catch the punch of my older brother, it seems your strong too."

"I already said it, didn't I? I played violin and performed tea ceremonies." I said while yawning. Kiyo also agreed to what I said.

"I'm just lucky I guess, besides If I didn't do that. Axel might get hurt and I don't want that." he said, I blushed.

"You said calligraphy before, Arison-kun."

"... I also did calligraphy."

"You two purposely got low scores on your test, and the two of you say you did violin, calligraphy and luck. I still don't understand you two very well."

"Getting those scores was only a coincidence, and I really did violin, tea ceremony, and calligraphy." I said.

"Me too, stop suspecting us, Horikita." Kiyo said to her.

If there was a violin here, I could play Fur Elise with Kiyo at least.

"I let you two see a strange side of me."

"Rather, I always thought that you were a normal girl—not." Kiyo said.

She scowled at me. I only chuckle.

"Let's go back."

Slowly getting up, Horikita walked towards the entrance of the dorms.

"Hey... Are you really ok with how the study group went?" Kiyo asks, yeha right, their study group didn't go well because of Horikita's superior attitude.

"Why are you asking that? I proposed the study group in the first place. It's not like you cared about it in the first place. Am I wrong?"

"I have a bad feeling. Or should I say, the other students seem to be planning something."

"I don't mind. I'm already used to it. Also, most of the students with red marks are with Hirata-kun. He's good at studying, gets along with people, and can teach other people well, unlike me. This time, they should be able to barely clear the borderline. However, I judged it to be a waste of time to help them out myself. Until graduation, they'll have to repeatedly try to not fail. It'd be really stupid to keep trying to cover for their failing marks every single time."

"Sudou and his group took some distance from Hirata. I don't think they'll participate in his study group."

"That's what they decided to do; that has nothing to do with me. If they don't approach Hirata-kun, they'll just drop out soon enough. Of course, my goal is to get up to class A. However, that's for my own sake, and not for anyone else. I don't care what anyone else does. Rather, if cut down on people in the next midterm, only people who are necessary are left. It'll be easier to get to class A. A win-win situation."

I don't think she's wrong. In the first place, this crisis is bad for students who got red marks. However, we couldn't help but continue the conversation with Horikita, who was strangely talkative.

"Horikita, isn't that way of thinking incorrect?" I said to her.

"Incorrect? Tell me which part is wrong. You're not trying to say that there is no future for a person who abandons their classmates, right?"

"Calm down. I know you well enough that you wouldn't understand what I'm saying."

"Then why? There's no merit in saving failures."

"Certainly there isn't much merit.However, it helps prevent demerits."

"... Demerits?"

"Do you think that the school hasn't already thought of that? They're students who rack up negative points from talking during class or always being late. Say they drop out because no one helped them. How many negative points do you think we'll get?"

"That's—"

"Of course, before we get any information, nothing is certain. However, don't you think that there's a fairly high possibility? A hundred? A thousand? There's even a chance that 10,000 or 100,000 points are deducted. If that's the case, you'll have a hard time getting to class A."

"Our negative points from being late and talking during class can't go below 0 right now. While we're at 0 points, it'd be best to remove all the students who can't study. Isn't it the same as receiving no damage?"

"There's no guarantee that that'll be the case. There might be some negative points that we don't know about yet. Do you really think it's alright to ignore such a dangerous risk? Well... for someone as smart as you, there's no way that you wouldn't have thought of that. If that wasn't the case, there's no reason for you to do a study group. You would've abandoned them from the very start."

I was starting to get worked up. That might be because I started to regard her as a friend. I didn't want her to regret her decision.

"Even if there are unseen minuses, it's better for the class if we get rid of the failures. When we start to increase our points, it'll be bad if we regret not cutting them out. At this time, this is a risk that should be taken."

"Do you really think that?"

"Yes, really. Rather, I am worried about you, who is desperately trying to save them."

Kiyo just grabbed Horikita's wrist as she was about to get on the elevator.

"What? Do you have a rebuttal? This problem isn't something that can be solved by the two of us. The only ones who know the answer are the school, so we'll be left here arguing forever. I'll interpret it as I like, and you'll do the same. It'll only amount to that, no?" Kiyo said to him, following my statement.

"You're really talkative. I never thought you were the type of person to talk this much." I chuckle, well it's for the best Horikita.

"That's... that's because you're being insistent." Kiyo.

The normal Horikita would never listen to Kiyo, but she might listen to me.

If we stopped her like this, it wouldn't be strange to receive a sharp blow. However, by not doing so, it's evidence that Horikita also thinks the same way. That's why she didn't shake off Kiyo's hand. Of course, she herself probably doesn't notice.

"The day we met three. Do you remember what happened on the bus?" Kiyo asks her.

"You mean the time we refused to give our seat up to the old woman?"

"Yea. At that time, I thought of the meaning behind giving up my seat. To give up my seat, or not to give up my seat. Which one is the right answer?"

"I already gave my answer. I didn't give up my seat because I felt it was useless. There's no merit to giving her my seat, but rather a waste of time and effort."

"Merit? All you think about is profit and loss to the very end."

"Is that bad? Humans are calculating creatures. If you sell goods, you get money, and if you do someone a favor, it'll be returned. I'll receive this thing called 'joy' from my contribution to society if I give up my seat. No?"

"No, that's not wrong. I also think that's natural."

"Then—"

"With that mindset, make sure to have a broad outlook on life. Right now, you're so blinded by anger and unhappiness that you can't see anything." I cut her off and stared at her.

"Are you someone important? Do you even have the ability to find faults about me?" She said to me.

"Whatever my ability, I can only see one thing that you cannot see. This is the only fault in the otherwise perfect-looking person known as Horikita Suzune."

She snorted, as if she was saying "Tell me if you have a bone to pick with me." Kiyo looked at her and started talking.

"Let me tell you your faults. You find other people a hindrance and you don't let anyone come close to you. Aren't you in class D because you always think of yourself as superior over everyone else?"

"... It seems like you're trying to say that I'm equal to Sudou-kun and his group."

"Then, are you trying to say that you're superior to those guys?"

"It's obvious if you look at the test scores. Those are clear evidence that they're just heavy baggage for the class."

"Certainly, if you measure by scores, they're two, three times below your level. Even if they tried really hard, they wouldn't be able to surpass you. However, that's only true on top of the desk. The school doesn't only look at intelligence. This time, if the school did some kind of physical examination, the results wouldn't be the same. Is that wrong?"

"That's—"

"Your physical ability is also good. After watching you swim, you're definitely one of the better girls. However, both you and I know that Sudou's physical abilities surpass yours. Ike has communication skills that you don't have. If there was a test based on communication skills, Ike would certainly be helpful. Rather, you would've probably dragged down the class. Well then, are you incompetent? No, that's not it. Everyone has their strong and weak points. That's what a human is."

Horikita tried to retort, but she wasn't able to say anything.

"... You have no basis for your words. All of your words are just pure guesses."

"If there is no foundation, then we have to come up with a guess from what we do have. Think about Chiyabashira-sensei's words carefully. In the guidance room, she said, "Who decided that smart people are the ones who get into superior classes?". So, the conclusion is that there is some factor other than academic ability that affects rankings."

I swiftly cut off Horikita's exit path as she looked left and right to weasel herself out of the argument. If I didn't do that, our argument would've been ridiculous. Kiyo, please continue.

"You say that you wouldn't regret abandoning the students who failed, but that's not true. There will be plenty of days where you feel regret if they drop out."

Kiyo looked straight into Horikita's eyes. She was not only grasping the reality of the situation, but also tied it with her consciousness. I got that impression from her.

"You're really talkative today too. Doesn't suit your principle of avoiding trouble."

"Yea, probably."

"Horikita he's doing that for you to understand, just listen will you." I said to her,

"It's really frustrating, Arison-kun and Ayanokouji-kun you two are right. You had enough persuasive power to make me think that. I'll recognize that. However, I still can't understand one thing. That is, your two true intentions. What is this school to you two? Why are you two desperately trying to persuade me?"

"... I see, that's what you're thinking." Kiyo said nonchalantly with his poker face, while I just shrugged at her.

"If someone doesn't have any persuasive power, their theories won't be believed." I said.

She wants to know why we trying to persuade her that letting Sudou and the others dropout is a bad thing.

"Without any facades, I want to know the true reason. For points? To rise up to class A? Or, to help your friends?"

"Because I want to know. What is 'a person with merit'? What is equality?"

"Me too, is there really equality and what does that merit all about?" I said while crossing my hand.

"Merit, equality..."

"We came to this school to seek out answers to these questions." Kiyo said, I just agreed to his statement.

"Your hand, can you let go?" She said to Kiyo, I facepalm . I also forgot the Kiyo holding her wrist.

"Ah, my bad."

"I couldn't have fallen for your two smooth talking, right?" I rolled my eyes.

Saying that, Horikita extended her arm towards us.

"I will take care of Sudou-kun and the others for my own sake. From now on, I'll make sure to make sure they don't drop out as an investment for the future. Is that fine?"

"Don't worry. I don't think you'll act differently. That's the kind of person you are." [Kiyo]

"That's a promise, then." [Horikita]

Kiyo took Horikita's hand. Horikita looked at me.

"You are also willing to help me right? Arison-kun." I smirk and smile at her. I extended my hand and took her other hand and shook it.

However, she didn't think that she was just having a contract with the 2 devils.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ.───

Horikita Manabu's Point of View

I lean on the wall and think of those 2 unique students in the first year. I smirk, they are quite skilled and maybe they can bring chaos to these schools.

But just what the hell with those.. Panjamas..

Fuck.

I ruffle my hair and fix my glasses. There is one question running in my mind that whole night.

'How can a boy be so pretty, dammit.'