After school, it was the day for my one-on-one study session with Sakura, so I headed to the library.

Sakura still seemed a little uneasy being alone with me, but it looked more like nervousness than fear. Since she wasn’t used to being around men, she was probably just feeling her heart race. If she was conscious of me as the opposite sex, that wasn’t a bad thing.

That said, if I stared at her with overtly sexual interest, the little affection she had for me would probably drop straight to zero. Whenever I interacted with Sakura, I calmed my mind by remembering my time in the White Room.

There had been one serious incident where I almost completely reverted to my old self and triggered Yuki’s trauma, but right now our relationship was purely that of instructor and student, saying it like that might sound a bit indecent, but I was teaching seriously, so there was no problem.

“Hello, Ayanokōji-kun, Sakura-san.”

Because the exam range had changed, I was teaching Sakura using problems based on past exam questions when Shiina from Class C, the master of the library, spoke to us.

Back in April, Shiina and I had already become acquaintances who exchanged opinions about novels, and whenever I studied here she sometimes came over to talk. Though she avoided approaching me when I was with Sudō and the others during lunch or when many people were present after school.

“H-hello…”

“Shiina. Did you come to read again today?”

Since we had studied here several times during the past week, Sakura had also become acquainted with Shiina.

At first Sakura had been restless around her, but Shiina’s calm personality and my suggestion that “this could be a good chance to make a friend” helped them become comfortable enough to talk.

“Yes. I don’t go out of my way to study for tests.”

“That’s quite confident. It’d be nice if Sakura could say something like that too…”

“I-it might be a bit early for me…”

“It’s not confidence. If you listen during regular classes, there’s no need to study specifically for tests.”

Shiina was probably just efficient. In the original story she was portrayed as quite sharp.

“By the way… is that a test?”

Shiina stepped closer and looked at the sheet Sakura was solving. It was a mock test I had created based on past exams.

“Yeah. The exam range changed recently, so I made it to match.”

“Ayanokōji-kun. May I try that test too?”

“I still have copies, so go ahead.”

Since she seemed interested, I handed Shiina the same test Sakura had.

“Then I’ll take you up on that. Sakura-san, is it alright if I join you?”

“Y-yes. That’s fine.”

Sakura still stammered a bit, but she looked happy.

Shiina smiled and sat beside her.

“…This is very well made. If someone told me this was the actual exam, I’d believe it.”

After glancing over the test paper, she murmured that in surprise.

In reality, the questions were based on past exams with only slight wording changes, so they effectively taught how to solve the types of problems that would appear in the midterms.

Of course, that wasn’t something I could tell someone from another class.

“You think you can solve it?”

When I asked that, Shiina began carefully reading the questions.

“Let’s see… from a quick look, I think I can solve over eighty percent. Could you keep quiet while I concentrate?”

“Sure. Sakura, let’s focus properly too.”

“O-okay.”

Shiina began solving quietly, and Sakura worked hard as well.

Watching two beautiful girls solve test questions wasn’t a bad way to spend the afternoon.

* * *

About thirty minutes later, they both finished.

After checking the answers, Sakura scored 69 points while Shiina scored 93.

The difference in ability was clear, but Sakura’s skills had still improved compared to before.

Her effort hadn’t been wasted.

“Hmm. Shiina really does have the ability to say she doesn’t need to study. Aside from the difficult questions and a careless mistake, everything is correct.”

“I thought I would score 95… I made mistakes?”

“Sakura answered the parts I taught correctly. If you keep studying like this, you’ll be fine for the real test.”

“Yeah… that’s a relief.”

“Still… this workbook is impressive too. The solutions for the mock test are easy to understand and remember.”

While I was checking answers, Shiina had apparently looked through the workbook I made that Sakura brought.

Well, in terms of pure ability, I wouldn’t look out of place in Class A.

“I heard Class D only has 80 class points left, but seeing this makes that hard to believe. You seem more organized than our class.”

“Does Class C not study?”

“Not to this extent. Our class policy is simply to study enough not to fail.”

Come to think of it, in the original story Class C was busy analyzing the school’s system and penalties around this time. Rather than studying, they were preparing for future battles with Class B.

“Well, every class has its own policy.”

“That’s true. Since we’re not forced to study, I can read books in the library like this. In that sense, it’s not bad.”

Even so, judging from her expression, Shiina didn’t seem fully comfortable with Ryūen’s violent policies.

“There may be more conflicts between classes in the future, but I hope we can still talk like this sometimes.”

As one of the few fellow book lovers, she probably didn’t want to become enemies.

I also wanted to maintain friendly relations with Shiina.

Eventually, I planned to ‘eat’ her as well.

Shiina’s appearance and body were perfect.

But I couldn’t imagine how to create the kind of atmosphere needed.

Doing something like that in a crowded library was impossible, and inviting her to my room wasn’t easy either.

I need to think of a good method.

While teaching Sakura and discussing novels with Shiina, I tried to think of a way to seduce Shiina.

Her refined appearance and plump thighs were tempting.

Using all the original-story knowledge stored in my memory, I accelerated my thoughts at full speed.

But no good idea came.

* * *

One week after the exam, the range changed.

The studies of the Three Idiots, whom Horikita had given up on as well as Sakura and other classmates, were progressing smoothly.

During today’s lunch break, we had agreed to use the remaining twenty minutes of the forty-five-minute break for studying in the library.

Because of that, I only had twenty-five minutes to eat.

Yuki and I had come to a café rumored to be popular among students, recommended by Kushida.

“Wow… it’s crowded.”

“Kushida recommended it, but this isn’t a place men usually come.”

The menu consisted mostly of pasta and pancakes.

Clearly aimed at women.

This seemed more like a place for dates rather than for simply filling your stomach.

Still, Yuki had been working hard, so I decided to treat her today.

“Oh, but Kōenji-kun is here.”

Yuki pointed him out.

Kōenji was surrounded by several female students who looked like upperclassmen.

He noticed us and gestured for us to come over.

Ignoring him was an option, but I decided to approach.

“Hey, Kōenji. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Ayanokōji-boy and Snow-girl. Come, join me for a meal.”

Since he invited us, we sat nearby.

“So popular, Kōenji-kun.”

“Hahaha. Women should be older. Those the same age lack tolerance.”

“You’ll have trouble in third year.”

“Indeed. My enjoyment will decrease greatly.”

We chatted casually.

Of course, the upperclassmen didn’t truly love Kōenji.

They were interested in his money.

But that suited Kōenji just fine.

It was like a hostess club or lounge.

“Kōenji, let me ask something. Do you have any intention of seriously helping the class reach Class A?”

“Unfortunately, no.”

As expected.

“You’re a perfect individualist. Since you already secured a way to reach Class A yourself, aiming for it with the class would seem pointless.”

“Oh? That sounds like you know my method.”

“I understand at least why you’re bored. Want to confirm it?”

“Interesting. Tell me.”

“If I’m wrong, I’ll pay for everything here.”

“Haha. Very well. If your guess entertains me, I’ll grant one request.”

Thus the bet began.

After laying out my reasoning, I revealed the answer.

“You realized that with 20 million private points, you can transfer classes.”

“20 million!?”

Yuki and even the upperclassmen were shocked.

“Normally it’s impossible. But there’s one method you could use.”

I explained.

By buying the unused points of graduating upperclassmen.

“You targeted them. If points that would otherwise disappear could be sold for money, they wouldn’t complain. And for the heir of the Kōenji Conglomerate, 20 million isn’t impossible.”

“That’s correct, Holmes.”

Kōenji applauded.

Of course, I was simply using original-story knowledge.

Still, he seemed satisfied.

“So I win the bet?”

“Yes. Ask anything.”

I thought for a moment.

“After the midterm, I expect an event where classes compete for points. When that happens, lend your strength.”

“Very well. I accept.”

Just hearing that was worth coming here.

Though I missed lunch, the result was worthwhile.

Soon it was time for studying with the Three Idiots.

As we left, Yuki suddenly hugged my arm.

“I’m happy just being with you, Kiyotaka.”

She leaned her head against me happily.

If something this simple satisfied her, I’d let her do as she liked for now.

In return, tonight I’d take my own freedom.

* * *

Changes Compared to the Original Story

• A study session with Sakura was held, with Shiina appearing as well.

• Instead of going to the café with Kushida like in the original story, he went with Yuki.

• Kōenji approached them and a conversation revealed the reason for his confidence.

* * *

Characters Appearing in This Chapter

• Ayanokōji Kiyotaka
Started seriously thinking about seducing Hiyori.

• Tsubaki Yuki
Impressed by how Kiyotaka exposed Kōenji’s secret.

• Sakura Airi
Enjoys studying with Kiyotaka and is growing fond of him.

• Shiina Hiyori
Shows interest in Kiyotaka but keeps a polite distance.

• Kōenji Rokusuke
Gave Kiyotaka the nickname Holmes after being impressed by his deduction.