A palpable tension gripped Shirogane Miyuki's heart. His expression tightened, and his breathing hitched, growing shallow and rapid.
He slammed his hands onto the desk, leaning forward with an air of seriousness.
"Fujiwara, last-minute cramming is practically useless. As Shinomiya said earlier, the point of exams is to assess your true, unvarnished abilities. There's no need for a review." He turned to Kaguya Shinomiya, desperate for backup. "Isn't that right, Shinomiya?"
Kaguya offered a smile so perfectly polished it was chilling, not a trace of warmth in her crimson eyes.
"My, my, President, what a narrow-minded view. For individuals of our caliber, I agree, review is superfluous. It is the purest way to test one's mettle."
Her words were a masterful trap, and she sprung it with elegance.
"However, Fujiwara-san is exhibiting a rare and commendable zeal for studying. As her friends, should we not encourage this spark of initiative?"
"Kaguya-chan, you're the best!" Chika cried, her worries melting away as she threw her arms around Kaguya in a grateful embrace.
Patting Chika's back, Kaguya shot a look of triumph over her shoulder at Shirogane.
She had her alibi. Now, under the noble guise of tutoring, she could study her textbooks with impunity.
'Thank you, Fujiwara-san. You are, without a doubt, my greatest ally.'
From the sidelines, Ishigami Yu watched the scene with detached cynicism.
'Fujiwara-senpai is actually studying? I see. Drowning her sorrows over that failed online romance with textbooks. A classic coping mechanism. Well, it has nothing to do with me. I'm not touching my books either way.'
Whether spurred by heartbreak or sudden academic fervor, Fujiwara Chika plunged into her studies right there at the student council table.
Kaguya positioned herself as the diligent tutor, but a keen eye would notice her gaze was locked on the textbook, her eyes scanning the lines with a feverish intensity as she "explained" them.
Watching this, Shirogane Miyuki looked as if he were being physically tortured. He fidgeted, his skin crawling with a restless, itching.
'I can't stand this. I can't just sit here! I need to study! I HAVE TO STUDY!'
"Ishigami!" he barked, his voice strained. "The exams are coming. Shouldn't you be reviewing your lessons?"
Ishigami didn't even look up from his phone. "I'm good. I'm confident."
"Nonsense!" Shirogane declared, seizing the opportunity. "The student council must uphold certain academic standards. As your president, it is my duty to ensure you are prepared!"
Under Ishigami's reluctant stare, Shirogane forcibly dragged him into an impromptu and wholly one-sided tutoring session.
Across the room, Shirogane and Kaguya's eyes met again.
The air between them crackled with a silent, competitive current, a battle fought with textbooks and practiced nonchalance.
Oblivious to the war waging around her, Fujiwara simply scribbled notes, diligently absorbing every word from her "tutor."
—
Meanwhile, at the Tanaka residence…
Masao stretched his arms over his head, a satisfied yawn escaping his lips.
"And... done. I guess my brain isn't completely rusty after all."
Yukinoshita Yukino gently massaged her temples, relieving the strain of their long study session.
"Your fundamentals are surprisingly solid, which is why we finished so efficiently. It makes me wonder how someone with your base knowledge managed to place last on the entrance exam."
"Must have been a bad day," Masao shrugged, his tone breezy. "Who can remember?"
"With two days left, our focus should shift to practice tests," Yukinoshita advised, all business once more. "We've covered the theory; now we identify the weaknesses."
Masao nodded, familiar with the drill. "Right. How many should we tackle per subject each day? Three? Four?"
Yukinoshita shot him a deadpan look. "Be realistic Masao-kun. Completing a single practice test for each subject over these two days is a more than adequate goal."
"Just one?" Masao frowned, a familiar anxiety stirring. "It doesn't feel like enough. It lacks... substance."
He was haunted by the ghost of his past life, where his peak self could churn through reams of practice papers before a big exam.
"It is sufficient," Yukinoshita said, her voice leaving no room for argument. "These next two days are for honing your focus in class. The teachers will be highlighting key concepts. I'll also share my notes with you. One test per subject to find your flaws is the most strategic approach."
"Oh. Well, thank you, Yukinoshita. I appreciate it."
Her calm logic soothed his nerves, and the anxious knot in his chest, worried about a lack of the usual grueling labor, began to loosen.
"Speaking of which... you've been helping me with my diet, and now this tutoring. I feel I should repay you somehow. Let me take you out this weekend, after the exams."
"This weekend..." Yukinoshita hesitated, her brow furrowing slightly.
She was free, but she meticulously weighed the implications of accepting an invitation from him. She didn't have to deliberate for long. His next sentence made the decision for her.
"I was thinking Tokyo. The zoo there just got two new pandas, and apparently, they're a massive hit."
A slight, almost imperceptible spark lit in Yukinoshita's eyes.
"I... I am free this weekend. I accept your invitation."
The mention of pandas was genius. The creatures were adored in Japan, and their name, containing the character for 'cat,' which made them irresistible to a dedicated cat-lover like Yukinoshita.
Masao allowed himself a small, internal smile of victory.
He had banked on the panda strategy working.
Of course, it only worked because of the rapport they had built. An invitation weeks ago would have been rejected, pandas or not.
"Pandas? What kind of beast is that?" Jahy piped up from her corner, intrigued by the conversation.
"They are a kind of bear that is renowned for their adorableness," Yukinoshita explained, a hint of warmth coloring her tone.
"Adorable?" Jahy's interest instantly deflated. "Pfah. I heard 'bear.' I thought it was a mighty, fearsome beast."
"You wouldn't be wrong to think that," Masao interjected, turning to Jahy. "They're also known as 'Iron-Eaters,' and were the legendary war-steeds of one of the ancient mythological emperors… "
The title "Iron-Eater" immediately piqued Jahy's attention.
Yukinoshita looked at Masao, impressed.
"I knew they had that alias, but I wasn't aware of the connection to any mythologies. That's... obscure knowledge."
Masao simply smiled. What was basic historical trivia in his previous life was esoteric lore here.
He continued, "So, don't let their current lazy, bamboo-munching facade fool you. Their bloodline is that of battle. They were super fierce Grrrr!!"
Yukinoshita let out a genuine laugh at his goofy impression, a charming image of a roly-poly panda trying to look threatening popping into her mind.
'Somehow, that just makes them even more endearing.' (the pandas)
Now intrigued, Jahy puffed out her chest. "I shall grace this 'zoo' with my presence as well! I want to see this panda for myself!"
If a legendary emperor chose this beast as his mount, it must possess some hidden power.
Perhaps it was a worthy candidate to be my own future familiar…
Masao looked at the self-invited little demon.
"Sure, you can come too," he said.
'Having Jahy come might even be better,' he reasoned.
Things with Yukinoshita were progressing, but they weren't at the "alone-together" stage yet. Having Jahy along would keep the atmosphere light and unpressured.
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