"Heugh," I breathe out a sigh of relief. "It seems everything went according to plan. Well, that's a relief."
While bribery wasn't really a good thing, I kinda had to—considering I didn't have a plan for the exam because Jackson-sensei said she can't give any more information.
While I mostly bribed her on the fly and had no real plan, except for being a douche so as to make her not change her opinion on me, I also had a plan layout, but I came up with the layout on my way to school today.
That was even when I acquired the funds needed for the plan. I asked a certain person with a savior complex; convincing was quite easy.
In fact, rather than convincing him, I simply asked him if he could send me Rp. I didn't even say that I was borrowing it and would pay him back.
"I wish everyone was as nice as him," I said out loud.
I went to a vending machine and bought a drink before heading to the library. I was a little late, but there was no way I wouldn't go see Fuji.
After all, she is my friend…though sometimes she feels like my therapist.
Before long I arrived at the library and went to the usual area that I and Fuji normally sat at.
She was there—silently focusing on her book as if it were the most important thing in the world.
I picked up a book and sat beside her; as I did so, she suddenly turned around to look at me—looking a bit surprised.
"Eiya, you came?" she asked rhetorically.
"Why wouldn't I come? We do meet here every day.
"Well, yeah, but you didn't come even after 15 minutes, so I thought you were busy and wouldn't come…" she said, looking at the floor. "Anyway, thank goodness you came because now I don't have to feel so lonely."
Lonely, huh?
It was quite hard to fathom how Fuji still had no friends. Well, I supposed it was because of her lack of a filter, though it was getting better.
If she were in lower classes, wouldn't people try to suck up to everyone, including her, for more Rp or to make everyone united?
Perhaps her behaviour pushed them away? Then her Rp would be really low.
"Uh, Fuji, how's your financial status?"
"Huh? Oh, well, I wouldn't call myself rich, but I'm pretty well off."
"I see…"
Yeah, she's probably in either Class Alpha or Beta.
"Anyway, Fuji, how would you react if someone hypothetically joined us?"
"Well, I wouldn't be angry or anything, though I doubt they would be tolerant of my personality considering how most people avoid me in class."
"I see."
"Why'd you ask? Wanna invite someone?"
"Uh, maybe. It's still just a thought."
"I appreciate it, though, like I said, my personality could…y'know, put them off."
"Yeah, it could."
"That's why I said you shouldn't worry. Let's just focus on our books."
While I still had the thought of helping behind my mind, I did as she said and read my book until I heard the bell ring.
Ring, Ring, Ring.
"Well, that's the bell," I said, standing up. "See ya Fuji."
I was about to walk away from where we sat when Fuji held my shirt—stopping me.
"Hey Eiya, could I ask a question?" she asked—her voice a bit shaky.
"Sure. What's up?"
"I didn't really wanna ask, but I got a bit curious. So, we have a special test coming up, yet you didn't even ask what my class was doing," she said. "While I can't really reveal my class's strategy, I will be more than willing to help in any other way, but you didn't ask despite being in Class Epsilon, why is that?"
"You know I'm in Epsilon?"
"I thought so since you looked the part, no offense. Anyway, about my question, Eiya. What's the answer?"
There were several reasons why I didn't ask–all of them were mentally screened as I looked for the answer, though most of them were me just trying to rationalize why I did that.
So why was it that I didn't ask?
"Who knows," I said. "Maybe because I didn't really wanna pressure you since we're friends."
"If that's your reason, then you're a moron."
"Hey."
"S-Sorry."
"'Sorry' isn't going to cut it. You insult me despite also not asking for my help either. What's your reason anyway?" I asked.
While I was being childish, I actually was kinda hurt after I said my real reason from my heart.
"Well, I did it for the same reasons as you," she said with her face a bit red—it seemed that she was nervous.
I wanted to make fun of her when she told me her own reason, but now all I felt was nervousness.
"Well, anyway," I tried to diffuse the awkward atmosphere. "I have to go; see you later."
"Yeah, bye."
I went back to class, and class was just as bad as one would imagine—in fact, the gossip increased in intensity, though I managed to bear through it.
During class I sent a message to Ito for another request, or rather, it was a request he would do regardless if he had the information given.
After class ended for the day, Ito came to the class podium to say something to the entire class.
"I have good news, guys," he grinned.
Before he said anything, there was some idle chatter, but after he said a word, everyone listened—it was a level of authority I couldn't hope to have.
At any rate, people were very enthusiastic to hear what Ito was about to say, especially after hearing it was good news.
"I know the area for us to read and also the type of questions to set," he continued.
"Eh?!"
There was an uproar; everyone was ecstatic at the good news that they just heard.
Well, who wouldn't be? No one liked extra work unless they were a freak.
"Both of which are academic, the school will only accept academic work–meaning now it's mandatory for everyone to go to the library."
The nonacademic students groaned (I was one of them), and the "academic" students were exasperated—well, we never really had academic students to begin with.
While Ito wasn't forcing anyone, he would try his absolute best to advise them to go to the library.
Of course, I was going to go, considering I was one of the idiotic students that was exasperated despite being the reason why I was going since I told Ito about this information and requested of him to hold a class-wide study group.
"At any rate, all we have to do now is study our hearts out, as I and the test-making committee will come up with hard questions."
After school everyone in class collectively moved to the library to study for the special test.
***
Author's Note:
Anyway, remember to comment, share, and leave a review. Thanks for reading the chapter and see you in the next one.