Chapter 40: In the Library
Although Hikigaya still didn't bother paying attention in math class, he couldn't help but notice Sudō.
The red-haired hedgehog, usually asleep by this point, was fighting against his instincts. His eyes were fixed on the teacher, his pen moving stiffly across the notebook as he tried to catch every key point.
"…That's amazing, Sudō." Hikigaya muttered in genuine surprise.
Classes ended quickly, and as agreed, it was time to attend Horikita's study session. Normally, Sudō would bolt straight to the basketball club, but today—thanks to Hikigaya's encouragement—he had decided to focus on improving his grades.
Hikigaya left the classroom first, but it wasn't long before Sudō caught up and draped his heavy arm across Hikigaya's shoulders.
"So heavy…"
"You should work on your physical strength too," Sudō said with a grin.
"Don't talk nonsense. You're just too heavy."
"I'm built, man. Girls love muscular guys like me. Weak dudes like you aren't popular at all."
Hikigaya stayed silent. As much as he wanted to argue, Sudō wasn't wrong. He had never been popular, never truly liked by anyone. Yesterday's strange surge of attention hadn't changed his self-perception.
The two of them arrived at the library first.
Walking through the doors, Hikigaya remembered the "silver-haired fairy" he'd once met here. He hadn't seen Kamuro since their so-called "date," and he still had no idea what she was scheming. Not that he cared. But no matter how indifferent she acted, Kamuro had continued shadowing him—sometimes with friends, sometimes sitting alone in cafés.
Sure enough, Kamuro was here now, sitting at a desk and pretending to review while sneaking glances in his direction.
Hikigaya sighed inwardly. I don't attract people's attention… so if I notice someone watching me, it means they're really obvious.
Still, Sakayanagi's orders were her business. He wouldn't interfere.
At the agreed spot, Horikita was already waiting. Classes had ended at the same time for everyone, but somehow she always arrived first, sitting calmly like she had teleported.
"…This girl, does she have an instant transmission ability?" Hikigaya muttered before her sharp glare silenced him. He quickly retreated to a more secluded seat. Unfortunately, this also placed him directly in Kamuro's line of sight.
"Here are your exercises for today," Horikita said, handing out test papers. "Since you're early, start now."
Hikigaya glanced through the sheet. The questions resembled the school's real exams—no separation between arts and sciences, just one brutal paper. His scores would land somewhere in the "not too low, not too high" range.
Mathematics had never been his strong point, even after cramming since enrollment. But this session wasn't about him. It was about the boy sitting beside him—the class's academic deadweight.
If Sudō couldn't pass the next midterm, he'd be the first to face expulsion.
Despite his effort to pay attention in recent lessons, the moment Sudō saw the test paper, his face fell.
He twirled his pen helplessly before setting it down without writing a single line.
"…What's wrong?" Horikita asked.
"I… I can't do it," Sudō admitted.
Hikigaya caught Horikita's eye and twitched his eyebrows deliberately—a makeshift signal.
"Yeah, this is way too hard," Hikigaya said aloud. "I can't do it either. Honestly, it feels harder than the actual midterms will be."
"…You two are hopeless," Horikita muttered.
"Look, our goal is just to pass the midterm," Hikigaya explained. "Shouldn't we start from easier problems and slowly build up to the harder ones? That way it's not overwhelming. Right, Sudō?"
Sudō nodded earnestly. He knew how bad his grades were, and if he wanted to improve, it had to be step by step. Luckily, there was still time.
Horikita froze. Hikigaya's words echoed in her head—the reminder that her ultimate goal was reaching Class 1-A. If she misstepped here, she could ruin everything.
Then, shocking both boys, Horikita stood up and bowed.
"…I'm sorry for wasting your time. These questions weren't tailored to your needs. That was my mistake. But—"
"Horikita, I believe in you!" Sudō interrupted loudly, jumping to his feet.
His voice overflowed with sincerity. For so long he had seen her as arrogant and dismissive, yet this simple apology overturned that impression. She wasn't impossible to approach after all.
Horikita blinked, clearly taken aback, but also reassured. At least Sudō would keep attending her study sessions.
Unfortunately, his loud outburst drew unwanted attention.
Students studying quietly nearby turned to stare. Hikigaya winced, realizing they had once again become the library's main spectacle.
As expected, Kamuro glanced over too. And because Hikigaya had already been watching that direction, their eyes met.
Her face paled instantly. She snatched up a book and covered her face in panic.
"…What's with this guy?" Kamuro muttered under the book. "Why does he draw attention everywhere? Wait—did he just notice me?"
Her shoulders slumped. "This is bad. If the princess hears I was discovered, I'll get chewed out again…"
Kamuro's depressed expression mirrored Hikigaya's own.
Perfect. Just what I needed—more trouble.