Chapter 144 - 138: Special exam coming up
It's been a while since I last moved my body with Ayanokouji and Amasawa. On the following Monday, the second-year students continued their daily routine of studying relentlessly for the upcoming special exam.
This time, since the lower-performing students bore a heavier responsibility, even those who usually never studied were mostly seen hunched over their textbooks, glaring at them as soon as lunch break began.
"Ah, Hikigaya, perfect timing. Can you explain this to me?"
Just as I stood up from my seat to go to the bathroom, I was caught by Hiyori and Nishino, who were studying. An English textbook lay open on the desk, and the problem they were pointing at was more difficult than average. The fact that they were attempting it suggested that Hiyori's academic skills had improved through their study sessions.
"Here, you solve it like this—"
"Huh, so that's how you do it. You're really good at teaching, you know? You might be on the same level as Hiyori."
"I'm just a guy with an academic rating of B, so don't expect too much from me."
"Yeah, yeah, enough with the humility. You're actually good at everything, aren't you? Right, Hiyori?"
"...Yes."
After a brief pause, Hiyori smiled faintly in response—then immediately averted her gaze.
...From earlier—no, since this morning—Hiyori had been acting strangely distant toward me. Of course, we still had normal conversations, and when no one was around, she would cling to me as usual. But today, even that was more subdued.