As the date of the regular exams drew closer, the academic atmosphere in the classroom gradually intensified.
But as the saying goes, you can't wait until the exam is upon you to start studying.
Without a learning ability like Mori Shinra's, the results of this exam were, in fact, already determined. The vast majority of the students in the class were well aware that so-called reviewing would, at best, only add a few points to their established baseline. It was more of a psychological compensation for their usual lack of diligence.
That is, by not working hard normally but cramming before the exam, they could feel like they had "given it their all."
This way, even if the final scores were not ideal, they could find an excuse to comfort themselves by saying they did their best.
It was with this in mind that many study groups began to form in the class. The normie group, led by Hayama, was no exception. Not to mention, Hayama Hayato was the second-best in liberal arts at Sobu High, ranking one spot higher than Hikigaya and second only to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Yui, we're organizing a study session this weekend. Are you coming?" Miura Yumiko invited Yuigahama.
"Huh? I guess I can..." Yuigahama Yui was actually reluctant to go, mainly because she had been studying for far too long recently.
Studying at school, studying after school, and now that the weekend was finally here, she was being asked to study again.
Yuigahama felt like she was turning into a heartless learning machine.
"I remember your grades aren't that great, are they, Yui? This is a good chance to work hard," Miura Yumiko said, seeing Yuigahama's hesitant look. She thought she just didn't like to study.
But that wouldn't do. Studying was a very important thing. Born into an elite family, Miura Yumiko was well aware of this, which was why she didn't want Yui to neglect her studies.
Don't be fooled by her makeup, dyed hair, and perm. In reality, Miura Yumiko was also an extremely serious girl, especially when it came to her studies. She had never slacked off, and the effort she put in was no less than the effort she put into her appearance.
If it weren't for Yukinoshita, she would indeed be at the pinnacle of the female student body at this school.
"I know, it's just that I've been spending a little too much time studying lately," Yuigahama said, sticking out her tongue. She could naturally feel Yumiko's concern.
But heaven be my witness, Yuigahama could say that she had never studied this hard in her entire life.
"Too much?" Miura Yumiko was taken aback, then quickly realized something.
"You guys have organized a study session over there too?"
The 'you guys' she was referring to was, of course, the Service Club.
"Yeah, it's been going on for a while now. In fact, that's basically been our only club activity recently."
Hearing this, Miura Yumiko gasped, asking in disbelief:
"Hiss... Don't you guys have any other club activities?"
"Um... no," Yuigahama answered honestly.
In fact, ever since her request, no other students had come to them. Even their quest NPC, Hiratsuka-sensei, had disappeared during this time, as if she were intentionally giving them space to study.
"So are you still coming this weekend?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming."
Since she had chosen to "have it both ways," Yuigahama had to pay the price.
She had spent time with Yukinoshita before. To be fair, she couldn't neglect Yumiko either.
"By the way, is that guy in your club too?" Yumiko asked.
"That guy? Oh, you mean Hikki? He's there."
"No, I mean Mori Shinra."
"Eh?"
Yuigahama was completely taken aback that Miura Yumiko would suddenly mention Mori Shinra. In her impression, the two of them had absolutely no connection. The only time they had ever spoken was during that lunchtime incident.
"What do you mean, 'eh'?" Miura Yumiko raised an eyebrow, very dissatisfied with this answer.
"He's there, he's there. By the way, even though he joined the club before me and Hikki, he submitted his application form later than us." Every time she thought of this, Yuigahama couldn't help but laugh. But after laughing, the clever girl realized that the relationship between Mori Shinra and Yukinoshita must be unusual.
"Is his relationship with Yukinoshita good?" Miura Yumiko had actually wanted to ask this for a long time.
"It should be pretty good, I think? They even made a bet." Yuigahama blinked, recalling the bickering rounds they had almost daily, and the times they would team up to 'accidentally' hit Hikigaya with friendly fire. Their relationship was definitely good.
"A bet?"
"Yeah, competing on their grades."
"Are Mori Shinra's grades good?"
Surprise appeared on Miura Yumiko's pretty face. Although she hated to admit it, when it came to academics, she was no match for Yukinoshita Yukino. Even Hayama couldn't compete with her at all.
This was evident from the fact that Yukinoshita had firmly held the number one spot in the grade since their first year.
"It's not a matter of his grades being good or bad."
Speaking of this, a complex expression appeared on Yuigahama's face.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Seeing her expression, Miura Yumiko's interest was piqued.
"Actually, based on his previous grades, his science scores are excellent, but his liberal arts are even worse than mine."
"For real? And he still dares to compete with Yukinoshita on grades?" Miura Yumiko's eyes widened. Should she call it arrogance, or cluelessness?
"No, Yumiko, you don't understand," Yuigahama shook her head. "Honestly, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't believe that such a person exists in the world."
"With just a little effort, he can reach a level that is unattainable for ordinary people."
With that, Yuigahama told Miura everything she had seen and felt during this time.
In fact, she had wanted to confide in Miura about this for a long time. But because it involved Yukinoshita, and considering Miura's attitude towards her, Yuigahama had never mentioned it in front of her to avoid making her unhappy.
Now that Miura had asked on her own initiative, Yuigahama was naturally happy to share. It wasn't a secret anyway.
After hearing her description, Miura Yumiko's red lips parted slightly. Although she knew Yuigahama wouldn't lie to her, if this was true, it was far too exaggerated, completely beyond her understanding.
"Could he be pretending? Acting like he doesn't know anything on the surface, but in reality, he's been studying in secret for who knows how long," Miura Yumiko questioned.
"But no matter what, the final test results won't be fake, right?" Yuigahama clearly understood the main point.
"That's true. Eh, wait, you think Yukinoshita will lose?"
"Well, just a little. After all, Mori Shinra's science scores are indeed a bit better than Yukino-chan's. Plus, with his powerful memory, he has almost completely closed the gap with her in social studies. The only area where she can pull ahead is the essay. Yukino-chan told me that if she can't create a gap of more than eight points in the essay, the outcome is still uncertain."
After hearing Yuigahama's analysis, Miura Yumiko couldn't help but glance towards Mori Shinra's seat. A guy who could defeat Yukinoshita, even if it was just a possibility, was enough to shock her.