NOVEL NEXT Chapter 8: Gathering of the Idiots.
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『Hmm~ Hmm~ Hmm~』
With nothing better to do, Kumagawa wandered toward the faculty room. It wasn't like he had any real business there, but boredom was a powerful motivator.
Normally, he would've killed time at the convenience store, flipping through the latest Shounen Jump while ignoring the judgmental stares of the cashier. Unfortunately, today wasn't his lucky day. The weekly shipment hadn't arrived yet.
『Tomorrow, huh...』 He sighed to himself as he strolled down the hallway.
『What a cruel and unfair world we live in. How is a man supposed to survive without his serialized manga?』
The distance between the classroom and the faculty room wasn't far. The school's layout was designed for efficiency—teachers didn't have to walk too much between classes, and students could easily navigate between different areas.
The first floor housed the cafeteria, along with various other student facilities. The second floor was designated for the first-year students. The third floor belonged to the second years. And the fourth floor was where the third-year students had their classrooms. The faculty room was strategically placed on the third floor, making it easily accessible to teachers across all grades.
Class D was at the far end of the hallway, meaning he had to pass by Class C, then Class B, then Class A before reaching the stairs.
Just as he was about to pass by Class C, he suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
Ding!
『Hmmm? 』
Kumagawa lazily pulled out his phone, opening the message that had just arrived. It was from none other than Horikita Manabu.
—Don't disappoint me, Kumagawa.
His eyebrows lifted slightly. He tapped his screen, checking his current points balance.
[142,190 points]
His smile widened.
『Oh? He works fast. 』
He hadn't expected Horikita Manabu to work this fast. It seemed the school had somewhat agreed to the situation, which meant his points were now safe.
Safe to spend on another Shōnen Jump.
『Nice. 』
With a satisfied nod, he resumed his walk.
By the time he arrived in front of Class C, Kumagawa couldn't help but take a peek inside.
Peeking through the window, he saw a classroom that was, at a glance, much more orderly than Class D. No one was desperately trying to sell off their belongings, no one was arguing over points, and no one was begging for money.
He saw a magenta-haired guy sat comfortably in the famous "main character seat"—by the window, near the back—with both feet propped up on the desk, leaning back like he owned the place. Surrounding him were several students, their postures a mix of casual and attentive, while a massive black-haired guy stood behind him like a bodyguard.
The rest of the class was gathered farther away, chatting in small groups.
Even for Kumagawa, it was obvious who the leader was.
Kumagawa's gaze then shifted to another familiar figure—Shiina Hiyori. Unlike the rest, she was completely immersed in her book, seemingly uninterested in whatever social dynamics were at play.
He watched for a moment longer before losing interest.
With that, he resumed his walk toward the faculty room.
Before long, he arrived in front of Class B.
Unlike Class C, this class seemed more lively—almost chaotic, even. Students were chatting, laughing, and moving around freely. There was no clear divide like in Class C, no oppressive atmosphere of hierarchy. If anything, it felt like a normal high school classroom.
"Oh? What is this? Is someone interested in my class?"
Kumagawa turned toward the source of the voice.
A middle-aged woman with light brown hair stood before him, holding a clipboard in one hand. Judging by her attire, she was clearly a teacher.
"Hoshinomiya-sensei!"
Following closely behind her was a student—an cheerful-looking girl with long, strawberry hair.
"Hmm? Aren't you Kumagawa Misogi?" Hoshinomiya said, clearly recognizing him.
『You know me? 』
"Of course I do. There isn't a single staff member in this school who doesn't recognize you."
That was weird. Kumagawa knew his reputation wasn't the best—most likely the worst—but was it really that bad?
"Ohh, don't make that face. You're pretty famous, you know? It's not every day we get a student who makes such a strong first impression~" Hoshinomiya said playfully.
『I do my best to leave an impact. 』
I bet Chabashira has her hands full with you. But maybe I should steal you away—Class D might be too small for someone like you."
『Sensei, are you trying to recruit me? I feel so wanted. Please take me away.』
"Oh my~"
"Hoshinomiya-sensei!"
"Eh? Ah... I'm sorry, Honami-chan, this guy is just too cute~"
"Good grief..."
The girl beside her sighed before turning to Kumagawa.
"I'm sorry for my homeroom teacher's behavior. I'm Ichinose Honami! Nice to meet you, Kumagawa-kun!" She introduced herself with a bright smile.
『Ichinose Honami, huh? That's a pretty name.』
"Ahaha, thanks! You're surprisingly polite."
『Suprisingly? 』
"Um... How should I say this...? You do know you don't have a great reputation at school, right? So, it was just a surprise to see you this polite. But don't worry! I don't trust those rumors either!"
The rumors. She must've been referring to the shoplifting incident. Though, judging by her wording, there were probably more floating around.
"By the way, Kumagawa-kun. What are you doing here?" Hoshinomya asked.
『Just taking a leisurely stroll. You see, sensei, I'm a firm believer in appreciating the finer details of this wonderful school. Like, for example, how Class B is so lively while my own class is busy trying to sell off their possessions to survive. It's fascinating.』
Hoshinomiya blinked. "...Is that so?"
『Yup. Truly, this school is an educational paradise.』
"You're an odd one, Kumagawa-kun."
『I get that a lot. 』
"Well, if you ever need advice, you can always talk to me. I may not seem like it, but I'm a teacher too."
Kumagawa tilted his head slightly, as if considering her words. Then, with a cheerful grin, he shrugged.
『I'll keep that in mind, sensei. But for now, I'll leave you to your precious Class B. Wouldn't want to ruin the atmosphere, after all.』
"Ah—wait, I didn't mean—"
Too late. He was already walking away, hands in his pockets, his presence fading as easily as it appeared.
Kumagawa continued walking and, once again, arrived in front of another class.
He took a casual glance inside.
How should he put this... As expected of Class A? The atmosphere was completely different. Unlike the chaos of Class D or the liveliness of Class B, this room carried an air of composure. There was no sign of desperation, no frantic bartering or begging for points. If anything, the students here exuded confidence—like they had already come to terms with their position at the top.
Even without doing anything, they looked like winners.
Then, as if by chance, his eyes met with two familiar faces.
Sakayanagi Arisu and Masumi Kamuro.
Sakayanagi's gaze flickered with mild surprise, a small reaction that vanished as quickly as it appeared. Without any change in her composed demeanor, she turned away, as if choosing to pretend he wasn't there.
Masumi, on the other hand, looked like she wanted to say something. Her lips parted slightly, the beginning of a greeting forming—only for Sakayanagi to casually reach out and tug at her sleeve. It was a small, almost meaningless action, but Masumi immediately shut her mouth and looked away, offering no further reaction.
Kumagawa only shrugged.
He had no particular business here anyway. Without a word, he turned and continued on his way, heading toward the faculty room.
Once he arrived, he didn't even hesitate. He raised a hand and knocked on the door—just once, but loud enough to be heard.
『Sensei~! I've come to bother you! 』
"Get lost."
The response was immediate. Without even waiting to see who it was, Chabashira's cold voice rang out from the other side of the door, completely shutting him down before he could step inside.
Kumagawa, unfazed, peeked inside through the small opening of the door. His eyes scanned the room, expecting to see a familiar face.
『What is Horikita-chan doing here? 』
For a moment, he had expected to see Ayanokōji standing in front of Chabashira. It would've made sense, considering it was him who got called to the faculty room.
Ayanokōji was there too, of course, standing a little off to the side, looking as uninterested as ever. But from the looks of it, Horikita was the one being spoken to this time.
"What are you doing here... Kumagawa."
Chabashira let out a sigh. She didn't know how many times she had sighed when dealing with him, but at this point, it seemed even she had given up expecting him to act like a normal student.
『Sensei, that's cruel. I came all this way to see you, and this is how you treat me?』
"Don't waste my time. If you don't have a reason to be here, leave."
『That's the thing, though. What if I do have a reason?』
Chabashira narrowed her eyes slightly, clearly not in the mood for his games. Meanwhile, Horikita, who had been silent until now, finally spoke up.
"...Kumagawa, is there something you need?"
Her tone was wary, as if she wasn't sure whether to take him seriously or not. Ayanokōji, as expected, didn't react much, simply watching the exchange in his usual detached manner.
Kumagawa tilted his head, pretending to think about it. Then, with a casual smile, he shrugged.
『I have a reason—"I don't have one." Is that acceptable? 』
He grinned, as if pleased with himself.
Chabashira exhaled sharply through her nose, clearly unimpressed. Horikita frowned, her patience visibly wearing thin. Her expression practically screamed, Is this really my classmate? Meanwhile, Ayanokōji remained unchanged, still wearing that robotic, emotionless face.
"...That doesn't make any sense," Chabasira said flatly.
『Oh, but it does! It's just that my reason isn't something tangible like logic or purpose. It's more like... an absence! 』
"An absence?" Ayanokōji finally spoke, mildly intrigued.
『Yes, yes! A lack of something is still something, isn't it? If I say I have a reason, that means I acknowledge the existence of one. But if that reason is simply not having a reason—then doesn't that mean I still have a reason?』
"That's just wordplay." Horikita narrowed her eyes.
『But isn't everything in life just wordplay? You call something important, so it becomes important. You call something meaningless, so it becomes meaningless. I say I have a reason, but my reason is that I don't have one. It's all about perspective!』
A heavy silence followed.
Chabashira rubbed her temple, already looking exhausted. Horikita, unwilling to waste her time, clicked her tongue and looked away. Ayanokōji, on the other hand, gave a small nod, as if he understood.
Kumagawa had just said something completely nonsensical, yet somehow, he had still made his point. Even if it was in the most convoluted way possible. He could've just said I was bored, but instead, he had taken the longest detour imaginable and arrived at the same conclusion.
"...Fine. Now that you're here, I'll ask you something."
Chabashira suddenly shifted the topic, looking directly at him.
She then gestured toward Horikita. "This girl here refuses to accept her placement in Class D. What do you think?"
Kumagawa tilted his head slightly, as if considering the question. Then, with an easygoing smile, he responded.
『Isn't that the right decision? 』
Chabashira's lips curled into something that could almost be called a smirk. She turned to Horikita, her voice firm.
"See, Horikita? Even a student of Kumagawa's stature can see your defects."
Horikita's frown deepened. Ayanokōji, standing quietly at her side, gave no visible reaction.
Kumagawa, on the other hand, blinked a few times.
『Hmm? 』
Something about that sentence felt off. Had she just insulted him? Or had she complimented him? It was hard to tell.
If she had meant to insult him, then she was basically saying, Even someone as worthless as Kumagawa can see how flawed you are, so you must be truly hopeless. But if she hadn't, then that meant she was implying that his opinion carried some weight, which in itself was a contradiction.
『Sae-chan-Sensei, I can't tell whether you're looking down on me or giving me an indirect compliment. 』
"Take it however you want."
『That's a dangerous thing to say, sensei. If you leave things up to interpretation, then someone like me might take the worst possible meaning and make a big deal out of it! But, since I'm feeling generous today, I'll take it as a compliment. 』
Horikita scoffed. "Are you really going to convince me with this idiot's opinion? My case still stands, and I'm still convinced that I'm sorted incorrectly."
Chabashira ignored her and turned her attention back to Kumagawa.
"You see, Kumagawa, there's a reason why I called Ayanokōji here. Do you know why?"
『Because you love him? 』
Kumagawa didn't even hesitate. Chabashira's eye twitched, but she continued as if she hadn't heard him.
"It's because I've read his scores on his entrance exam. And I was shocked."
She pulled out a few papers and handed them to Kumagawa, who took them curiosity.
"Fifty points in Japanese. Fifty points in mathematics. Fifty points in English. Fifty points in social studies. Fifty points in science. And even fifty points in the recent short test."
Chabashira gave him a pointed look. "Do you know what this means, Kumagawa?"
Ayanokōji subtly tensed. He didn't like how she phrased that.
It was just a coinci—
『Isn't it just a coincidence? 』
Before Ayanokōji could finish his thought, Kumagawa beat him to it. For the first time, Ayanokōji looked at Kumagawa in a new light. Maybe this time, he could consider Kumagawa as his friend.
"That's right. It's a coincidence." Ayanokōji nodded.
『It's a coincidence, right? 』
"Yes. It's a coincidence."
『See? It's a coincidence.』
"It's a coincidence."
『It's a coincidence. 』
Chabashira's previously unimpressed expression now had a new dead look in her eyes. She promptly ignored both of them and shot Horikita a glance that seemed to say, What do you think?
Horikita's frustration was clear as she clenched her fists slightly. "Why do you pretend not to know?"
"Like I said, it was just a coincidence. Right, Kumagawa?"
『Yes, it's just a coincidence. 』
Horikita's jaw tightened. There was no way she was going to take that kind of answer lying down.
"You're seriously telling me you both believe that nonsense? That this is just some random, meaningless coincidence?"
『Absolutely. Completely meaningless. 』 Kumagawa smiled.
"Horikita."
Her tone was firm. When Horikita turned to face her, Chabashira met her gaze directly before shaking her head slightly. It was as if she were saying, It's not worth it.
If it had been just Ayanokōji, maybe she could've gotten somewhere. But with Kumagawa here? Nothing ever made sense. You could ask him what one plus one was, and he'd probably answer "Minus" for some forsaken reason.
"...It's time for the faculty meeting. You guys better get going."
With that, she pushed both Ayanokōji and Horikita toward the door, ushering them outside before they could protest.
Kumagawa, however, remained inside.
『What about me, Sae-chan-sensei? 』
"I still need to talk to you for a second."
Chabashira already felt drained before she had even started. With a deep sigh, she sat back at her desk and pulled out a few sheets of paper.
She placed them on the table in front of her, aligning them perfectly side by side. Five sheets in total.
All of them had single-digit scores.
『Oh? Looks like I did worse than I thought. Did I at least pass one of them? 』
"Kumagawa... As your homeroom teacher, it's my duty to at least try and guide you toward improvement...."
Chabashira pressed her fingers to her forehead as if trying to suppress an oncoming headache.
"But... what is this answer?"
She picked up one of the sheets and read aloud.
"Q: What is the capital of France?"
"A: I don't know, but if I write 'Paris,' I bet you'll just assume I cheated."
"Kumagawa." She gave him an exhausted look before moving to the next paper.
"Q: Solve for x: 2x + 5 = 15."
"A: My deepest apologies, I have absolutely no idea."
She inhaled deeply through her nose before flipping to yet another one.
"Q: List three causes of World War II."
"A: Me, myself, and I."
A vein twitched on her forehead. She lowered the paper, staring at him in silence for a long moment.
"...You do realize that if your scores don't improve, you're at risk of expulsion, right?"
『Well, that's concerning. I should probably do something about it. 』
He said it so casually, as if he were talking about the weather.
Chabashira didn't let herself be fooled. "Don't just say that. Actually do something about it."
『Sensei, I'm wounded. You don't trust me?』
"I don't."
『That's fair. 』Kumagawa let out a small laugh, as if he genuinely found her response amusing
Chabashira leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms.
"Look, I don't care about your weird logic or whatever games you're playing. What I do care about is keeping my class intact. If you get expelled, that's a problem for me, so I need you to start taking this seriously."
Kumagawa tilted his head.
『But I am taking this seriously. In my own way.』
"Lying is a bad habit, Kumagawa."
『I'm not though? You see, sensei, I'm the kind of person who would think that if you divide zero by zero, the answer should be one, because zero goes into zero exactly once.』
Chabashira stared at him, completely at a loss for words. Kumagawa had just said something so profoundly stupid that her brain momentarily stopped.
She blinked once. Then twice.
"...What?"
『You heard me, sensei! Isn't it simple? If you have zero, and you divide it by zero, then it still fits exactly once, doesn't it?』
She closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, then exhaled through her nose. Why was she even bothering? Trying to have a rational conversation with him was like talking to a black hole—everything just collapsed into nothing.
"...Fine. Do whatever you want. Just don't come crying to me when you're on the chopping block."
At this point, Chabashira had already given up.
『Don't worry, sensei. I never cry.』
"...Get out."
『I understand, sensei. It must be hard being a teacher. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here. 』
With that, Kumagawa left the faculty room, leaving Chabashira to wonder if she should start charging extra for the mental exhaustion this job caused her.
『』『』『』『』『』
May 1st came and went just like that. And before you knew it, the school week was over. Some changes were happening in the class.
Everyone had started paying attention to the lectures, finally realizing that doing anything else during lessons wasn't going to help them in the long run.
Of course, there were exceptions—mainly Kumagawa, who continued reading manga in the middle of class. Thankfully, Horikita chewed him out alive, forcing him to stop. Whether he obeyed because he was scared or simply amused was unclear.
During lunch, the usual routine of getting up to eat was noticeably different. The atmosphere felt somber. Whether they had points or not, the need to eat remained the same.
As students gathered their things and prepared to leave, Hirata suddenly spoke.
"Chabashira-sensei mentioned that the midterm is coming up soon. Remember that if you fail, you'll be expelled. Therefore, I think it's a good idea to form a study group."
Hirata, once again, took the initiative to organize another project for Class D.
"If you neglect your studies, you'll get a failing grade and be expelled on the spot. I want to avoid that. However, studying won't just prevent expulsion; it may also help us earn points. If we receive high marks, our class assessment should improve as a result. I asked some of the students who scored high on the test to help prepare a study plan. So, I'd like people who are worried about their grades to join. Everyone is welcome, of course."
His words carried sincerity, but his eyes had already locked onto the usual suspects—Sudo, Ike, Yamauchi, and... Kumagawa.
"Tch."
Ayanokōji noticed Sudo avert his gaze, cross his arms, and close his eyes. Ever since Sudo had stomped all over Hirata's introduction game, their relationship had been rocky. The same could be said for Ike and Yamauchi. Perhaps due to Hirata's popularity, they had begun showing their displeasure toward him more openly.
And then, there was Kumagawa.
From the moment the lecture ended, he hadn't even acknowledged the conversation happening around him. Instead he had been flipping through the pages of his Shounen Jump without a care in the world.
His reputation had already hit rock bottom, yet somehow, Ayanokōji thought, it kept sinking even further. At this point, his name had become synonymous with failure itself.
It wasn't just about the shoplifting rumors anymore.
At this point, he had accumulated so many ridiculous nicknames that they were practically sprouting like weeds.
Some students even called him "Kuma-Game Over." Others simply referred to him as "That Guy."
At this rate, it was hard to tell if they were meant as insults or if people had just run out of ways to describe him.
"Kumagawa-kun, how about you?"
The only response was the quiet sound of a page turning.
"...I take that as a no," Hirata muttered with a wry smile. "Starting today at five o'clock, we'll study in this classroom for two hours a day until the test. If you'd like to join, come whenever you like. Of course, I don't mind if you need to leave partway. That's all I have to say."
Hirata wanted all students to either join or form study groups of their own. He was sincere in his desire to prevent anyone from being expelled. But in particular, he wanted Kumagawa to join.
These days, he had been desperately trying to involve Kumagawa in class matters. He wasn't just doing it for Kumagawa's sake—he was also trying to make up for something. Deep down, Hirata felt guilty for letting Kumagawa take the blame for so many of their class's failures. He had seen how the class treated him, how they conveniently pinned everything on him when things went wrong.
So he tried. He tried hard.
But it wasn't working.
Not only was Kumagawa somehow able to make things worse, but his presence was also making everyone uncomfortable.
At one point, his own girlfriend even commented:
—"It's like being in the same room as a cockroach."
After Hirata finished his speech, several of the failing students hesitantly got up and approached him. But four people remained in their seats—Sudo, Ike, Yamauchi, and Kumagawa.
"Are you sure you don't want to join the study group, Kumagawa?" Ayanokōji approached him.
Among all the failing students, Kumagawa probably had the worst scores in the entire school—no, the entire history of this school. At this rate, he was guaranteed to be expelled.
And yet—
No response.
"Kumagawa?"
Ayanokōji reached out and touched his shoulder.
Pak!
"???"
Ayanokōji looked down at the floor.
Ear plugs
『Hmm? What's wrong, Ayanokōji -kun?』
This bastard...
It wasn't that Kumagawa had ignored Hirata's request. It wasn't that he had refused to respond. He had just straight-up not been listening.
『Ah! Thank you for reminding me, Ayanokōji -kun. It's time for another shipment of the newest Weekly Shounen Jump.』
Without hesitation, Kumagawa ran out of the classroom.
Ayanokōji watched him go, feeling a strange sense of exhaustion just from the interaction. He wasn't even directly involved, yet somehow, just being near Kumagawa drained energy. He glanced over at Hirata, who had been watching as well. Hirata let out a small, resigned sigh but didn't say anything.
In the end, they all knew. Trying to get that guy to take things seriously was an exercise in futility.
Now that Kumagawa was gone, Ayanokōji planned to grab lunch alone. He wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone else today.
But just as he was about to head out, someone unexpected approached him.
"Are you free for lunch? Do you want to eat together?"
Horikita.
She was inviting him to lunch.
Ayanokōji blinked...And for some reason, he felt nervous.
『』『』『』『』『』
『Yawn.... 』
Before Kumagawa knew it, class had already ended for the day. Not that he had been paying much attention in the first place.
Stretching his arms lazily, he leaned back in his chair, glancing around as his classmates gathered their things and left.
He stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and strolled out of the classroom. His destination is the convenience store.
Dinner wasn't going to buy itself.
As he walked down the hall, he felt the faint buzz of energy from the other students. Some were heading to the library, others to study groups, and a few were just loitering around, killing time. Hirata was still trying to organize things, his ever-present sense of responsibility keeping him occupied.
The convenience store was fairly crowded when he arrived. Students from all classes were browsing the shelves, picking out their meals without hesitation. Some were buying premium bentos and expensive drinks, swiping their cards without a care in the world.
He wandered through the aisles, eyes scanning for food. His hands reached for the usual—instant noodles, a premium bento, and a canned coffee.
『Hmm... Should I splurge and get a second bento? 』 He stared at the food display for a long moment before sighing dramatically. 『No, no. Must be responsible. Can't be wasting points like I have a future. 』
As he said that, he grabbed the second bento. And then a third.
Satisfied with his choices, he turned on his heel and made his way toward the magazine section. Just as he was about to grab the latest Shounen Jump again, he heard someone call his name.
"Kumagawa."
The voice was monotone and devoid of any emotion.
『What's wrong Ayanokōji -kun. 』
"You haven't joined a study group," Ayanokōji said, walking up beside him.
『Oh? Is that so?』 Kumagawa replied, pretending to be surprised. 『I could've sworn I was part of a study group. It's called 'self-study at home with zero results.'』
"You do realize the midterms are coming up soon. If you fail, you'll be expelled."
『That's what I keep hearing, yeah. 』
Kumagawa casually walked toward the magazine rack, picking up the latest Shounen Jump and flipping through the pages without care.
『Besides, Ayanokōji -kun, let's be real here—my grades aren't just bad. They're historically bad. It's not like a study session or two is gonna magically fix that.』
Ayanokōji knew Kumagawa was right in a way. His grades were so abysmal that it was a miracle he hadn't been expelled yet. Or how did he managed to pass into this school even?
"Horikita is organizing a study group," Ayanokōji continued. "She's even letting Kushida join. You should come."
Kumagawa mused, turning another page in his magazine.
『She doesn't seem like the type who'd want me around. 』
"She doesn't. But she also doesn't want our class to lose any more students and lose class points in the process. Whether she likes it or not, that includes you."
『That's very noble of her. 』
Kumagawa hummed, idly flipping another page in his magazine. He let his eyes linger on the pages a little longer before glancing at Ayanokōji.
『But let me ask you something, Ayanokōji -kun. Did you get forced into doing this?』
"What do you mean?"
『I mean, you don't care in the slightest about class competition, do you? So why are you here, telling me to join a study group?』
Ayanokōji didn't answer immediately. He simply looked at Kumagawa, as if trying to assess something.
Kumagawa tilted his head playfully.
『Could it be that Horikita-san made you do it? Or maybe Kushida-san used her charms to get you on board? Hmm... or did you actually have a change of heart? 』
Ayanokōji remained silent for a moment before responding in his usual, indifferent tone.
"Does it matter?"
『Nope. Just curious. 』
"Then do you want to join the study group?"
After a moment of silence, Kumagawa spoke.
『I don't see why not? At this rate, I will probably be expelled by next week. And the class would probably lose points, and the others will blame me. But, if I join the study group, and somehow—some miracle happens—and I actually pass, then that means I'll still be around. And people will still blame me for other things. A lose-lose either way. 』
"That's an interesting way to look at it."
『But fine. I'll join. Not like I have anything better to do. When is it? 』
"Tomorrow after school."
『Great. I'll be there. Probably.』
Ayanokōji didn't react to his noncommittal answer. He simply nodded.
"I'll let Horikita know."
Ayanokōji simply walked away, leaving Kumagawa standing there with his basket of instant noodles, bentos, and canned coffee.
『』『』『』『』『』
When the next day came, it was an especially long one for Ayanokouji. Horikita had him running around like a workhorse, gathering people for her study group.
"Have you gathered everyone?"
Not even a word of thanks. She just got straight to the point. Ayanokouji thought it would be adorable if she at least wore an angry face. If she puffed out her reddened cheeks, she'd be cute enough to make any man swoon over her. But instead, she had that same expressionless look, refusing to acknowledge his existence beyond the bare minimum.
"Kushida's bringing them. I wonder if she'll participate."
"Kushida-san, hmm? I thought I specified that she wasn't allowed to participate."
Ayanokouji gave her a look that practically screamed, What the hell is this woman saying?
If it weren't for his effort in bringing Kushida along, those idiots wouldn't have agreed to come in the first place. Even though Horikita wanted a study group, she clearly lacked the ability to make people want to join.
Still, she seemed satisfied enough for now. Without another word, she turned and left for the library, Ayanokouji following closely behind.
When they arrived, they secured a long table at the far end of the library and waited for the others.
After a while, Kushida arrived, leading three familiar faces behind her.
"I've brought everyone," she said cheerfully.
"Kushida-san told us about this study group. I don't want to be expelled after only just starting. Thanks," Ike muttered.
Yamauchi and Sudo both nodded, though neither looked particularly thrilled to be here.
But one person was missing.
Horikita's glare stabbed into Ayanokouji.
"Hmph. Where's Kumagawa-kun?" Kushida asked, tilting her head.
Ayanokouji sighed. Without much of a choice, he pulled out his phone and dialed Kumagawa's number.
Then—
Ring. Ring. Ring.
A loud ringtone echoed through the quiet library.
"!!!"
Right beside him.
Ayanokouji turned his head, only to find Kumagawa sitting there, flipping through a magazine as if he had been there the entire time.
Ayanokouji hadn't sensed his presence even once.
"...How long have you been here?"
Kumagawa glanced up from his magazine, tilting his head slightly.
『Hmmm? Since about... ten minutes before you guys arrived? 』
Ayanokouji stared. That meant that Kumagawa had somehow slipped in before them, sat down, and remained unnoticed until now. When? No, more importantly—how? He couldn't help but wonder if this guy had some kind of supernatural ability to erase his presence. He wasn't just quiet—he was nonexistent until he decided to make himself known.
Horikita exhaled sharply, looking like she was already regretting this study session.
"Fine. Let's just start."
Ike and Yamauchi still looked like they were processing what just happened, while Sudo just clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Ayanokouji sighed internally.
It was the gathering of the idiots.
『END』
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