At last the midterm exam papers were returned.

The classroom was filled with a mix of joy and despair from the classmates.

"Yessss! Every subject went up by five points compared to last time!"

Kijita-kun had avoided failing and even improved his grades so he was tearing up with joy.

"Of course. If your grades didn’t improve at all after Hayama helped you study I would’ve punched you."

"That’s scary! Suzuki you’re way too extreme..."

"How did you do Suzuki-kun?"

I asked.

"I scored above average in every subject. Chemistry was my weak point but thanks to Hayama’s help I managed to get through it."

It seems like I was able to help both of them.

My own grades were better than the last final exams too so it’s a great result all around.

No actually my grades don’t matter.

More importantly Iwabuchi-san—

"Hayama-kun!"

Holding her test papers Iwabuchi-san comes running over.

"I did itttt! I avoided failing! Look at world history, I even reached the average!"

"That’s great. It’s the result of your hard work, Iwabuchi-san."

"No way I couldn’t have done it alone. Oh right, I should thank Takatsuka-san too."

In high spirits Iwabuchi-san starts using her phone and takes a selfie.

"I’ll send a message like ‘You can hold me tonight!’"

Hey, I only got involved with Takatsuka-san to avoid that kind of situation, you know?

It’s just Iwabuchi-san’s joke but it still feels complicated.

But she looks really happy so I can’t bring myself to say anything.

Well I don’t think badly of Takatsuka-san like before anymore either though.

"Oh that was fast."

Iwabuchi-san says.

I get curious too and open the Line group.

"For now, good job."

"If Hayama-kun is there I’ll hold you too."

"Okay."

"Let’s enjoy it together♡"

"Aren’t you two taking the joke a bit too far?"

"Huh really?"

Iwabuchi-san tilts her head.

After that the study sessions at Takatsuka-san’s house continued every day and their relationship had already gone from just acquaintances from PE last year to actual friends.

Did I just dig my own grave?