Visiting the student council room during lunch has become routine. It's one of the few places Tatsuya can eat with Miyuki without hesitation, though he's not officially a member. No one points this out, likely because Mari, also not a member, shamelessly lingers.
"Exams are coming up. You and Miyuki okay?" Mayumi asked casually.
"No problem," Miyuki replied.
"I'm fine, except for practicals," Tatsuya added.
Their synchronized answers drew a wry smile from Mayumi.
"By the way, Tatsuya, I heard a kendo club alum confessed to you. True?" she teased.
"Who's spreading that nonsense?" Tatsuya grumbled, recalling similar rumors about Sayaka during the Blanche incident.
"I heard kendo club girls are swarming you," Mayumi pressed.
"Purely for coaching. No ulterior motives," Tatsuya insisted.
"Really? You're as dense as ever," Mari quipped, chopsticks in mouth.
"Committee Head, mind your manners," Tatsuya said.
"Oops, my bad," Mari replied, unapologetic.
Tatsuya sighed but noticed Azusa staring. "Nakajou-senpai, something up?"
"Huh? No, just thinking you can do anything!" Azusa blurted.
"Not everything. Just what I can do," Tatsuya corrected.
"But you'd ace anything new," Azusa insisted.
"That's overrating me. I have weaknesses," Tatsuya said, pointing to his chest, a gesture any First High student would understand.
"Sorry…" Azusa mumbled.
"No need to apologize. Nobody's perfect," Tatsuya said, finishing his tea.
"By the way, Tatsuya, after exams, can you help with something?" Mayumi asked.
"Committee stuff?"
"Yeah, I need handover documents, but I'm bad at that…"
"Got it. I'll help post-exams."
"Thanks!"
Tatsuya, handling most disciplinary committee paperwork (or forced to?), found direct requests rare.
"I'm heading back to class. Miyuki, let's go."
"Yes, Brother."
"By the way, student council's on exam break starting today," Mayumi noted.
"Understood," Miyuki replied politely, leaving the room.
"Let's see what grades those siblings pull off," Mari said.
"Worry about yourself first. You're dumping committee work on Tatsuya," Mayumi scolded.
"Can't help it! I'm bad at it!" Mari protested.
"What'll you do if he quits?" Mayumi asked.
"Don't jinx it! We'd be screwed!" Mari exclaimed.
Mayumi sighed deeply, realizing her plan to whisk Tatsuya away somewhere would be delayed by Mari's incompetence.
After school, feeling uneasy in a Course 1 classroom, Miyuki and other Course 1 students joined Tatsuya's group in 1-E. With some new faces, they exchanged brief greetings.
"Let's start. We'll help each other with tough spots, okay?" Tatsuya suggested.
"Sounds best. A teacher would feel like class," Miyuki agreed.
"We always study like this. No teacher, so we go wild," Erika added.
"But relying on others too much isn't okay. You stressed Mizuki out," Leo pointed out.
"Huh? I'm not stressed! Just worried about Erika's grades…" Mizuki said.
"I'm fine! I shine in clutch moments!" Erika boasted.
Mizuki's weak defense made the Course 1 students smile, though they quickly refocused.
"Let's begin. Ask anyone if you're stuck. Don't let questions linger," Tatsuya said.
Everyone started studying. Most were high achievers, but…
"Hey, Tatsuya, what's this mean?" Leo asked.
"Sorry, Tatsuya, help here," Erika said.
"Tatsuya-san, I need help too," Mizuki added.
"Brother, what about this?" Miyuki asked.
"Tatsuya-san, this part…" Honoka said.
"Tatsuya-san, this section…" Shizuku added.
"Big brother, what's this mean?" Eimi chimed in.
Everyone turned to Tatsuya. Though he denied it, rumors of his top entrance exam scores had spread, known to all present. Even Course 1 students like Miyuki asking him was unexpected.
"Miyuki, handle Kitayama and Mitsui's questions. Leo and Erika's need more time," Tatsuya directed.
"Got it," Miyuki replied.
"Um, Tatsuya-san," Honoka interjected.
"Hm?"
"Call me 'Honoka'!" she said.
"Me too, 'Shizuku,'" Shizuku added.
Tatsuya hesitated. He was fine with Course 2 peers like Erika and Mizuki, but calling Course 1 students by name risked them facing odd looks from peers.
"No good?" Honoka asked, eyes teary.
Shizuku's silent pressure wore him down. "Alright, Honoka, Shizuku."
"Then I'm 'Eimi'!" Eimi declared.
"We're same-year, so no 'big brother,'" Tatsuya said.
"Tatsuya-san, then?"
"Fine."
"Now your turn," Eimi teased.
"Huh?"
"Say 'Eimi.'"
"Got it. Miyuki, handle Eimi's question too."
"Yes, sir," Miyuki replied.
The study group broke barriers between Course 1 and 2 students. Questions flowed, with Tatsuya answering Course 1 students and Miyuki helping Course 2, though only Tatsuya could answer Miyuki's queries.
Note: The Nine Schools Competition arc continues, but original content will persist for now.