The cafeteria buzzed with the relief of students, both First and Second Course, basking in the freedom of finished exams.
"Ugh, no way we're doing it here," Erika said, scanning the crowded room.
"The usual spot, then?" Leo suggested.
"Fine. Your ideas usually suck, but it's quiet there," Erika replied.
"Why's everything you say gotta sting?" Leo muttered.
They'd planned a celebratory study group wrap-up, but the academy was too chaotic. The group settled on their favorite café.
"Tell Tatsuya to spread the word to the First Course kids," Erika said.
"Yeah, he's the least awkward option. Plus, Miyuki's there," Leo added.
"Exactly! Tell Miyuki, and Tatsuya's the bait to guarantee they show," Erika grinned.
"You're ruthless," Leo said, shaking his head.
Despite his wry smile, Leo agreed, his usual snark softened.
"Let's get Tatsuya on it!" Erika chirped.
"Hey, don't leave me behind!" Leo shouted, chasing after her.
At the café, Erika devoured her cake with satisfaction, the group successfully gathered.
"Man, when I saw Tatsuya's study points on the test, I nearly fist-pumped," Leo said.
"No kidding. I'd have flunked without them," Erika agreed.
"Erika, swallow before you talk," Mizuki chided gently.
Everyone caught the gist, but Mizuki was right—manners mattered.
"Thanks to Tatsuya, I might even hit the top ranks!" Amy beamed.
"Struggling with theory, Amy?" Honoka asked.
"Compared to you three, yeah. I'm mid-tier in both practical and theory," Amy admitted.
"But you made the Nine Schools team," Mizuki pointed out.
"…Can I back out now?" Amy mumbled.
The Nine Schools team was mostly set, factoring in entrance exams and class performance. All four present were already selected.
"Good luck! We'll cheer you on!" Erika said.
"Yeah, give it your all for us!" Honoka added.
"I'm in for cheering, too. Tatsuya, you coming?" Leo asked.
"If I'm free, sure. But it's not certain yet," Tatsuya replied.
Everyone assumed Tatsuya would support Miyuki, his sister, without question. His nonchalance stunned them.
"Onii-sama, are you busy again this year?" Miyuki asked, concern lacing her voice.
"Not sure. No packed schedule yet, but emergencies pop up," Tatsuya said.
"What'd you do last summer, Tatsuya?" Erika asked.
"Trained at a friend's dojo, tuned CADs, and tutored Miyuki mostly," he replied.
"That's… not a middle schooler's summer," Leo muttered.
The group nodded, but Tatsuya and Miyuki tilted their heads, unfazed. To them, it was normal.
"If you're free, let's all go cheer!" Honoka suggested.
"Sweet! I'd be lost alone," Leo grinned.
"You don't seem like you'd care," Mizuki teased.
While the Second Course students were hyped for cheering, Tatsuya and the First Course crew were less certain.
"Tatsuya, aren't you joining as an engineer?" Honoka asked.
"I'm Second Course. They'd avoid picking me to dodge backlash," Tatsuya said.
"But you could shut them up with your skills," Shizuku countered.
"Shizuku's right! You'd handle First Course no problem!" Amy added.
"Guys, I'd rather not stand out more," Tatsuya sighed.
Miyuki, knowing his true feelings, wrestled internally. She wanted him to tune her CAD but hated burdening him further.
Days later, hearing Tatsuya was summoned to the guidance office, everyone but Miyuki rushed to meet him. Their group—Erika and Honoka, undeniable beauties; Shizuku and Amy, equally striking; Mizuki, beloved by seniors for her quiet charm; and Leo, with his chiseled, unique features—drew eyes wherever they went. Without Miyuki, the "peerless beauty," and the infamous Tatsuya, they were slightly less conspicuous.
"Excuse me," Tatsuya said, stepping out of the guidance office.
Spotting him, the six raced over, prompting a bemused, "What's with the mob?"
"That's our line! What's up with the guidance office?" Leo demanded.
"Got grilled about the practical exam," Tatsuya said.
"Grilled? That's harsh," Erika frowned.
"Why'd they question you?" Mizuki asked.
"They thought I sandbagged," Tatsuya said.
The school posted top performers online. Miyuki, Honoka, and Shizuku dominated overall and practical scores, but theory was different. Tatsuya took first, acing every subject, outscoring even Miyuki by over ten points on average.
"Even without a First-Second Course gap in theory, two Second Course students in the top three shocked the teachers," Tatsuya explained.
Miyuki placed second, followed by their classmate Mikihiko Yoshida, another Second Course student, in third. Honoka was fourth, Shizuku eighth, Mizuki twelfth, Erika seventeenth, and Amy twentieth—all study group members, save Leo, ranked in the top twenty.
"Good thing we didn't bet, huh, Leo?" Erika teased.
"Shut it!" Leo snapped.
Despite their bickering, the group's warm gazes showed their concern for Tatsuya.
Everyone improved their scores slightly. Morisaki? Who's that?