Soon enough, everyone was snacking and chatting casually. Though it was supposed to be a celebration, it was really just a gathering for small talk. However, almost everyone had hidden motives, each with their own agenda.
Ayanokōji Kiyotaka wanted to test Saiki Kusuo, uncover his true abilities, and use this opportunity to help Horikita Suzune bond with the other students.
Horikita Suzune, on the other hand, was entirely focused on the next exam. Desperate to elevate Class C to Class A, she aimed to quickly improve the grades of students like Sudō Ken, ensuring they wouldn't hold her back. She also hoped Ayanokōji Kiyotaka and Saiki Kusuo would assist her in this endeavor.
Kushida Kikyō constantly plotted in her mind to isolate Horikita Suzune and force her to drop out.
Saiki Kusuo, meanwhile, had to navigate this situation carefully. He wanted to avoid becoming the center of attention while keeping his psychic abilities hidden. He also had to watch out for the "Baka Trio" wiping their chip-greasy fingers on the bedsheets.
As for the others, their thoughts were as blank as a sheet of paper. They were only concerned with enjoying snacks and figuring out how to talk to Kushida—trivial matters that didn't even consider the upcoming midterms.
During the conversation, Kushida Kikyō dominated the topics, with the Baka Trio quickly chiming in. Ayanokōji Kiyotaka occasionally joined in, while Horikita Suzune, though present, mostly ate quietly without participating.
Her mind was elsewhere, fixated on one thought:
"Next month is the midterms, yet no one seems to care. They're wasting time on pointless chatter."
'I completely agree,' Saiki Kusuo thought. He wasn't contributing much to the conversation either, but his mouth and hands were busy with snacks.
'Time to pull Horikita into the discussion.'
At that moment, Ayanokōji Kiyotaka glanced at Horikita Suzune and spoke up:
"We passed this test, but what about the midterms? Chabashira-sensei said anyone who fails will be expelled. She wasn't joking, right? Horikita, what's your plan?"
"I want the entire class to score better. Only then can we surpass Class A," Horikita replied, her expression turning serious. She shifted her gaze to Sudō Ken and the others.
"...Maybe we should organize a study group like Hirata suggested. I'll tutor you guys. Right now, you're the ones holding us back—you're most likely to fail."
"Hey, what do you mean, 'holding us back'?" Sudō Ken shot up, clearly annoyed.
"Sudō, calm down. Horikita, please don't say things like that!" Kushida Kikyō quickly intervened, looking worried.
In reality, Kushida was thrilled the situation had escalated. She desperately wanted Horikita to be ostracized.
'Yikes, this is getting heated. Just don't start fighting in my room—cleaning up would be a hassle,' Saiki Kusuo thought, munching on his snacks.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"Horikita, no one can handle you talking like that..." Yamauchi Haruki added, frowning.
"Even with the test answers, your scores were terrible," Horikita retorted bluntly, her disdain clear.
She was right. Despite having the answers, Sudō Ken and the others had performed poorly. They hadn't taken the test seriously, only memorizing parts of the answers. Plus, their limited academic abilities meant they couldn't even understand some of the solutions.
According to school rules, the passing score was half the class average. The Baka Trio had failed miserably.
"But..." Yamauchi Haruki tried to argue but couldn't find the words.
"Hey, she's including me now?" Ayanokōji Kiyotaka muttered, only to be glared at by Horikita.
"Let's go with Horikita's plan and start the study group... Even with the answers, if we explain them to Sudō and the others, they should score better!" Kushida suggested, defusing the tension.
"Our class is a team. We can't let anyone get expelled!"
Kushida's expression was earnest, making her seem genuinely caring.
'Kushida... she's like an angel,' Sudō Ken and the others thought.
'They're completely fooled,' Saiki Kusuo thought, popping another chip into his mouth.
Horikita's eyebrows furrowed at Kushida's words.
'How can Kushida say that? In middle school, her class fell apart... though I'm not sure why. It must be her fault.'
'So Horikita doesn't know the reason either?' Saiki Kusuo thought, hoping the conflict would end soon.
"Fine, we'll join the study group for now," Sudō Ken reluctantly agreed, his lips twitching. Kushida's words had convinced him.
"At least you have some self-awareness," Horikita said.
'Finally, it's over. Study groups aren't my problem anyway,' Saiki Kusuo thought.
Before he could finish his thought, he felt a gaze on him.
"Saiki, you're joining too."
"Huh?"