On June 30th, Shizuku was gathering information in her room when her phone rang.
"From Honoka? Hey, Honoka, what's up?"
"Yo, Shizuku! How's exam studying going? I'm totally failing!"
"…Forgot about it."
Honoka's reminder hit Shizuku hard, making her kneel. Her mind was consumed with other things, not exams.
"Maybe you're caught up with the Nine Schools Competition? We're participants this year, after all."
"Yeah, I think our school and Third High are the top contenders."
"True, but we gotta study too."
"Yeah…"
With the competition less than a week away, Shizuku's mood dipped. Whether Honoka noticed or not, she made a welcome suggestion.
"How about a study group with Miyuki and Eimi?"
"Good idea… but we need to check their schedules."
"Right. I'll ask Eimi, you ask Miyuki. I'll call later."
"Got it."
The call with her best friend reminded Shizuku of the exams before the competition. Panicking subtly, she dialed Miyuki's number from her terminal.
The next morning, Tatsuya's exasperated voice echoed in the Shiba household.
"So you stayed up that late?"
"Sorry, we got carried away…" Miyuki apologized.
She'd agreed to the study group instantly but got caught up talking about the competition with Shizuku, ending the call past midnight.
"Brother, could you join us after school?"
"Me? A Course 2 student teaching you guys?"
"It's fine! Honoka and Shizuku respect you, and Akechi-san doesn't care about that stuff."
"Alright, no committee or club today, so I'm free."
Tatsuya, once busy with the committee and kendo club, had time now with clubs paused for exams.
"Why did President Juumonji assign you to the kendo club?" Miyuki asked.
"Apparently, club members requested it. The club federation wanted to prove they don't discriminate against non-magic clubs."
Sayaka and several female kendo club members, plus male members who'd seen Tatsuya's skills, had pushed for him to join temporarily.
"But Kirihara-senpai joining too? Unexpected," Miyuki noted.
"He hasn't given up on Mibu-senpai."
"Yet Mibu-senpai treats him like a little brother, right?"
As Miyuki said, Sayaka doted on Kirihara like a sibling. Kirihara didn't seem to mind, and Tatsuya found their dynamic amusing, if exasperating.
"Got it about the study group. Just Kitayama-san and Mitsui-san?"
"They want to invite Erika, Mizuki, and Saijou-kun too."
"Alright, I'll check with them."
"Thanks!"
Miyuki, expecting Tatsuya's agreement, felt relieved.
"Let's get going," Tatsuya said.
"Right, Brother. Let's do our best today."
Despite exams looming, the siblings showed no tension, a testament to their stellar grades.
At school, Tatsuya shared Miyuki's plan with friends, who jumped at it.
"Perfect! I can't focus alone," Erika said.
"Yeah, desk time makes my mind wander," Leo added.
"Is it okay for us to join?" Mizuki asked.
"They invited us, so no need to hold back!" Erika insisted.
"You'd probably crash it uninvited," Leo teased.
"Look who's talking!" Erika shot back.
Tatsuya gave them an exasperated look, and they sheepishly sat—at his desk, no less.
"So, all three are in? I'll tell Miyuki," Tatsuya confirmed.
"Studying with Course 1 students feels awkward," Leo said.
"Who's teaching? Miyuki? Someone else?" Erika asked.
"Dunno. Maybe we decide there? It's a study group, not a class," Tatsuya replied.
"Sounds good. We can help each other with tough spots," Mizuki agreed, exuding the same calm as Tatsuya's group.
"By the way, Tatsuya, you've been at the kendo club. What's up?" Leo asked.
"Post-Blanche incident, Juumonji got a request for me to act as kendo club deputy head."
"Permanently?" Erika asked.
"Just until after summer break."
"So that's why you're at the dojo. Thought you were visiting Saya—sorry, kidding! Stop glaring!" Erika backtracked under Tatsuya's stern look, feeling uneasy.
"Still, Tatsuya-san's been shining lately. Even our club seniors are talking," Mizuki said.
"What kind of talk?" Erika asked, intrigued.
Tatsuya, seeing Leo's similar expression, thought, These two are too alike, and sighed.
"Like, does Tatsuya-san have a girlfriend? Are he and Miyuki-san really just siblings?" Mizuki said.
"Tatsuya's super popular!" Erika teased.
"You're enjoying this," Tatsuya grumbled.
"Yup!" Erika admitted shamelessly.
Tatsuya sighed deeply. Mayumi and Rinne's recent displeasure already troubled him; he didn't need more headaches.
"Everyone at First High knows your feats," Leo said.
"From the recruitment battle to the library fight," Erika added.
"I barely did anything. You two handled it," Tatsuya countered.
"Not like you, taking out foes in one hit," Leo said.
"Yeah, neither of us has your precision," Erika added.
Tatsuya wanted to stay quiet, but Mayumi had shared a slightly embellished version with curious students. Learning this after it spread only deepened his frustration.
Note: The Nine Schools Competition arc begins, but it'll stay original for a while.