The next day, after school.
In the library's reading area, Horikita's study session for Class D was held.
Horikita Suzune sat at one end of the long table, with textbooks and notes spread out before her.
Opposite her, was still the "idiot trio"—Yamauchi Haruki, Ike Kanji, and Sudo Ken.
Kushida Kikyo sat on one side, her face adorned with her impeccable warm smile, subtly adjusting the atmosphere.
And Ayanokoji Kiyotaka sat in a slightly distant corner, looking indifferent as if it had nothing to do with him, believing himself to be merely a background extra.
However, compared to the study session a few days ago, which was filled with resistance, complaints, and inefficiency, today's atmosphere was completely different.
Horikita Suzune's change was evident.
When she explained the problems, her tone was no longer as cold and sharp as before, with a commanding air.
Instead, it had a touch more patience, and she would even try to use simpler examples to explain difficult points.
Although it still couldn't be called very friendly, the sense of anxious urgency had indeed faded considerably.
This change stemmed from complex internal struggles.
The "Midterm Exam actual questions" given by Sakamoto, which she had refused out of a sense of humiliation, were like a thorn, instead stirring up a stubborn fighting spirit in her—she had to prove that Class D could pass the assessment through its own efforts.
At the same time, her brother's cold words that night and his praise for Sakamoto also implicitly prompted her to reflect on whether her completely imitative, aloof, and inflexible approach, copied from her brother, was truly suitable for Class D, and whether it was truly suitable for her.
She began to try to find her own way.
Surprisingly, her slight change seemed to have actually produced results.
Yamauchi, Ike, and Sudo, although they still showed expressions of distress and impatience, at least no longer complained loudly or completely gave up.
Sudo, with his arms crossed and brows tightly furrowed, did keep his eyes on the textbook, occasionally asking in a muffled voice: "Hey, Horikita, how did you calculate this step?"
Ike Kanji, though still muttering "this is so troublesome," would also pick up his pen and try to work out the calculations.
And the biggest change was Yamauchi Haruki.
He was looking down, his eyes more focused than ever before, his fingers unconsciously twirling his pen, seemingly trying hard to follow Horikita's line of thought.
His two close friends, Ike and Sudo, both knew what he was thinking, but merely exchanged a "you know what I mean" look without exposing him.
They knew that this guy, Yamauchi, seemed to have secretly taken a certain legendary figure from Class 1-A as… a secret object of worship.
The secret technique witnessed in the cafe that day left an indelible impression on Yamauchi's simple mind.
He felt that Sakamoto's ability to accomplish incredible things while maintaining a calm and cool demeanor was "super cool"!
Although he himself usually loved to brag and exaggerate, deep down, he actually longed to become the kind of truly amazing person who "can do what he says."
The first step in imitating an idol is to… study hard?
Although this thought made even him feel a little embarrassed, he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.
Kushida Kikyo keenly noticed the easing of the atmosphere, and her smile became a few shades more genuine, occasionally saying in an encouraging tone: "Everyone is very serious today! If we keep this up, the Midterm Exam will definitely be fine!"
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka took all of this in, still expressionless, having little interest in improving class points himself, only hoping that this so-called "study session" could be a little more efficient, so as not to waste his precious "peaceful high school life" time.
Just as the study session was halfway through, the appearance of a figure quietly changed the atmosphere in the reading room.
Sakamoto.
He walked into the library with his usual calm stride, as if he were just there to borrow books.
His gaze calmly swept across the reading area, naturally falling upon the long table where the Class D study session was taking place.
He didn't deliberately approach, simply picking a book from a shelf and flipping through it.
But his very presence was a powerful signal.
Yamauchi Haruki was the first to notice him.
His body instantly straightened, his eyes gleaming, and he unconsciously adjusted his collar.
Next was Horikita Suzune.
Her explanation paused for half a second, her gaze meeting Sakamoto's in the distance for an instant.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the pen.
His appearance made her clearly recall the rejected test paper and the "charity" it represented, and a complex emotion quietly emerged.
Her voice as she explained seemed to grow a little more resolute.
Kushida Kikyo's face bloomed into an even brighter smile, and she actively waved in Sakamoto's direction, silently mouthing a greeting: "Sakamoto-kun~"
Ike Kanji and Sudo Ken also noticed Sakamoto.
The two exchanged glances, pursed their lips, but said nothing.
After all, they had personally witnessed Sakamoto's "prowess," and in front of someone like him, everything seemed to lack a bit of confidence.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka also raised his gaze, looked at Sakamoto, then at the subtly reacting crowd, "...He really stands out, doesn't he?"
Sakamoto ignored everyone's reactions.
He simply stood there calmly, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the pages of the book in his hand, but in reality, his attention was focused on Class D's study session.
He saw Horikita Suzune's slightly awkward but sincere efforts.
He saw the trio's listening posture, though strained, was genuinely present.
He saw a clumsy yet different light in Yamauchi's eyes, unlike before.
His observation was meticulous.
A moment later, Sakamoto closed the book in his hand and slowly walked away.
He headed straight for the library's borrowing desk.
While processing the borrowing procedures, his gaze once again fell upon the study group, which seemed to have become even more focused because of his actions.
A faint curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Though nascent, it certainly held potential.
Too much interference, on the contrary, would not be good.
As for the First Year Midterm Exam... given this situation, Class D should... be fine.
He did not look back.
After completing the procedures, he left the library with a composed stride, just as he had arrived.
His arrival and departure caused a small ripple, but it quickly returned to calm.
However, some things seemed to have quietly changed.
The study session continued.
Horikita Suzune took a deep breath, cast aside the distracting thoughts of Sakamoto, and refocused on the problem at hand.
Yamauchi Haruki, energized by his idol's arrival, became even more spirited.
Ayanokoji watched all of this and felt that today's study session was unexpectedly a bit more efficient.
Perhaps, the occasional appearance of that conspicuous person wasn't entirely a bad thing.
At least, it could make these troublesome guys a little quieter.