Chapter 32: Saiki-kun, You’re Joining the Study Group Too!

...

Soon, everyone was chatting while eating snacks. Although it was called a celebration, it was really just everyone hanging out and talking.

However, almost everyone had their own hidden agendas, with different thoughts in mind.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka wanted to probe Saiki Kusuo, to figure out his true nature, while also using this opportunity to help Horikita Suzune get closer to the other students.

Horikita Suzune's mind was entirely focused on the next exam. She was desperate to elevate Class C to Class A, so she wanted to quickly improve the grades of Sudo Ken and the others, ensuring they didn't drag her down. She also wanted Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Saiki Kusuo to assist her in this.

Kushida Kikyo was constantly scheming in her mind to isolate Horikita Suzune and get her expelled.

Meanwhile, Saiki Kusuo was trying to deal with these people, avoiding becoming the center of attention while also keeping his psychic abilities hidden—all while making sure the idiot trio didn't wipe their chip-covered fingers on his bedsheets.

As for the others, their minds were as pure as blank sheets of paper, mostly thinking about things like "these snacks are good" or "how to talk to Kushida later." They didn't even seem concerned about the upcoming midterm exams.

During the conversation, Kushida Kikyo mostly led the discussion, with the idiot trio chiming in immediately. Ayanokoji Kiyotaka occasionally joined in, while Horikita Suzune, though physically present, mostly just ate by herself and didn't participate in the conversation.

In her mind, one thought lingered:

[The midterm exams are next month, but these people don't seem to care at all. They're still wasting time discussing meaningless topics.]

'I actually agree with that.'

Saiki Kusuo thought to himself.

He didn't participate much in the conversation either, but his hands and mouth were busy the whole time, constantly eating snacks.

[It's time to get Horikita involved in the conversation.]

Just then, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka glanced at Horikita Suzune and spoke up:

"We managed to pass this exam, but what about the midterms? Chabashira-sensei said anyone who fails will be expelled. That's no joke, right? Horikita, do you have any ideas?"

"I want the whole class to achieve better grades so we can surpass Class A."

Horikita Suzune replied, her expression growing serious as she turned her gaze to Sudo Ken and the others.

"...How about we follow Hirata's suggestion and organize a study group? I'll tutor you guys. Right now, you're the ones dragging the class down the most. You're the most likely to fail."

"Hey, hey, what do you mean 'dragging the class down'?"

Hearing Horikita Suzune's words, Sudo Ken stood up, his displeasure evident.

"Sudo-kun, please calm down! Horikita-san, please don't say things like that!"

Kushida Kikyo quickly stood up to mediate, her face full of concern.

However, Kushida Kikyo was actually delighted by the situation. She desperately wanted Horikita Suzune to be ostracized and disliked by the others.

'Yare yare, the conflict finally erupted. But please don't start a fight in my room. Cleaning up would be a hassle.'

Saiki Kusuo sat quietly on the side, eating snacks as if watching a movie.

"Did I say anything wrong?"

"Horikita, who can stand you talking like that...?"

Ike Kanji also frowned.

"And we can probably buy the midterm exam questions, so the scores should..."

"Even with the questions, your scores in the surprise exam were a mess, weren't they?"

Horikita Suzune shot back without hesitation, her disdain clear.

As she said, even with the leaked questions, Sudo Ken and the others had performed poorly. They hadn't taken the exam seriously, only memorizing some answers without understanding the steps. According to the school's rules, the passing score was half the class average, meaning the idiot trio was doomed.

"This..."

Yamauchi Haruki wanted to retort but couldn't find the right words.

"Oh, I got scolded too."

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had just spoken when Horikita Suzune glared at him.

"Then let's follow Horikita's suggestion and hold a study group... Even if we can get the questions, explaining the answers to Sudo-kun and the others should help them achieve decent scores."

Just as the tension was reaching its peak, Kushida Kikyo suggested,

"Our class is a team. We can't let anyone get expelled!"

Kushida Kikyo's expression was serious and sincere.

[Kushida-san... is truly an angel.]

Sudo Ken and the others all thought the same thing.

'These three are completely fooled.'

Saiki Kusuo stuffed a chip into his mouth.

Hearing Kushida Kikyo's words, Horikita Suzune frowned.

[Kushida actually said that? I don't know the details, but back in middle school, her class's order suddenly collapsed... It probably had something to do with her.]

'So even Horikita doesn't know the full story?'

Saiki Kusuo complained in his mind, hoping the conflict would end soon.

"Since Kushida-san said that, we'll agree to join the study group for now."

Sudo Ken replied, his mouth twitching as if he was still reluctant, but he agreed because of Kushida Kikyo.

"At least you have some self-awareness."

'Finally, it's over. As for the study group, it has nothing to do with me.'

But before Saiki Kusuo could finish his thought, he felt a gaze fall on him.

"Saiki, you're joining too."

"Huh?"