High school sophomores were getting in the mood for their school trip to Yokohama.

After deciding on the group and destination, all they had to do was wait for the day of the event.

As the school had intended, the students felt much closer than before, and the classrooms were much more lively than they had been at the beginning of the new school year, illuminated by the brilliant sun.

“Exams start next week. Make sure you study hard so that you don’t get any red marks.”

Takeuchi-sensei’s languid voice leaked his true intentions, “Otherwise, they’ll get mad at me.”

Despite the uninspiring homeroom, the atmosphere in the classroom seemed to have somewhat tightened up.

Perhaps it wasn’t just an imagination.

The midterm test was coming up before the school trip.

Studying for the first exam of the new school year could be a difficult task, as they wouldn’t know any of the question schemes or question trends.

Therefore, many students would start studying early and go through the exam syllabus one by one.

After homeroom, Asahi immediately opened his preparation notebook and was also studying harder than usual for the first exam.

“Hey, Asahi. Are you free after school today?”

“As you can see, I have to study, so I’ll pass.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions.”

‘He was probably gonna talk about going to a diner or an arcade anyway.’

With that in mind, Asahi brushed aside Chiaki’s attempt to talk to him without looking at him.

“I need you to teach me how to study, can’t you?”

When he heard the word “study,” Asahi couldn’t believe his ears.

When he turned around to see if he misheard it, he saw Chiaki with an apologetic expression on his face, holding his hands in a begging pose.

“I’m sorry to say this, but this one was pretty difficult. I guess that’s what I get for slacking off last year.”

“…Chiaki is gonna study a week before the test? What?”

“…That’s what you are focusing on?”

“I mean, you always start to study right before the exam.”

“Well, I can’t exactly do that anymore. Look, I’ve been making a summary notebook since the beginning of the month.”

Chiaki took out several notebooks from his bag and presented them to Asahi.

On the cover was the name of each subject, and the contents were, as the title saids, the summary of lectures.

Surprisingly, it was written neatly, much like Asahi’s countermeasure notes.

“I tried to copy you.”

“I bet.”

Apparently, Chiaki was beginning to take his studies more seriously.

In the past, he would have tried to rely on Asahi instead of making notes.

“Did you eat something bad? No, in this case, it would be something bad for the head…”

“You’re assuming I’m poisoned…Even I can study voluntarily.”

Chiaki then began to explain his situation in detail.

To summarize the long and useless story, it would be very bad if he remained stupid for the university entrance exam.

“My parents insisted that I study. If I fall below average on a regular exam, I will go to a prep school without question. Then, I’ll spend less time with Hinami…and that would be a long distance relationship!”

“That’s not true.” Asahi said calmly as he looked around the classroom.

His classmates, who had been excited about the school trip earlier, had become much quieter, and each of them was at his or her own desk, scribbling with a pen.

The school that Asahi went to was classified as a preparatory school by the public, and most of the students aspired to be admitted to a university. There were many students who would even attend prep schools from their freshman year, and it was not uncommon for students like Chiaki to start studying earnestly in their second year of high school.

The speed of classes was faster and more challenging than other schools, and it was difficult for students to catch up once they were left behind.

“That’s why I’d like to invite you to a study session…”

“Sure.”

“I guess not… Wait, it’s all good?!?”

“If you’re serious about it.”

“I’m serious and I’m willing! All right, thank you, teacher!”

“Stop that.”

At any rate, the fact that Chiaki was starting to get serious about his studies was a good trend.

As his friend, Asahi didn’t feel comfortable if he was forever being shown grades that were on the edge of failing.

“It’s after school today, right? Is the library good?”

“I can’t speak loud there, so no.”

“So, classroom or diner?””

“It’s one or the other.”

The former had a time limit since the school would close early, but there were fewer people, making it a good environment for studying.

The latter was practically unlimited in time, but was questionable if you wanted to concentrate on your studies.

As Asahi was wondering what to do now, Chiaki grinned for the first time today.

“Let’s let them decide where to study.”

“…Them?”

“Look, there.”

At Chiaki’s urging, Asahi looked over and saw that Hinami, who was seated in the middle, had somehow moved to the window side, to Fuyuka’s seat.

After exchanging a few words, they came closer to Asahi and Chiaki.

“Fuyu-chan says it’s all good.”

“This one, too.”

In front of the lively lovebirds, Asahi and Fuyuka looked at each other and tilted their heads.

“What did Hinami say to you?”

“She said she was going to study seriously, so she wanted me to teach her.”

“Did she say something about long-distance relationship?”

“She did.”

Hinami was perhaps motivated to study for the same reason as Chiaki.

And Fuyuka was also asked to help them study, just like Asahi.

“It’s the four of us again.”

Muttering this, Fuyuka gave a small laugh and joined the conversation between Chiaki and Hinami.

They were talking about choosing between two options: classroom or diner.

Meanwhile, Asahi flipped through the notes he had made.

‘As I recall, there was a problem I was struggling with…’

Picking up a few areas that you couldn’t figure out on your own.

As many problems as there were, the most brilliant girl in the grade would be able to teach him.

‘It’s not because I have any ulterior motives.’

That was what he told himself, and Asahi looked back at the pink notebook.