"That was too close... That was really too dangerous! Anyone but this Emperor would have definitely fallen for it." Hayakawa Haku's heart pounded violently, and he made up his mind. He absolutely couldn't say he disliked it; he had to show that he approved and affirmed her hobby!
"Hmm... Is that so?" Hayakawa Haku adopted Commander Gendo Ikari's pose and said seriously, "I think that's a very good hobby. So elegant... and wholesome. Hmm, and it's good for your health. All in all, it's very nice! I quite like it."
Huh? Stargazing is good for your health? A question mark popped up over Furuhashi Fumino's head. She didn't quite understand Hayakawa's words, but receiving his affirmation of her hobby, she couldn't help but smile happily. She had been worried about this since yesterday. After all, this was the first time she had shared her hobby with a male peer, so she cared about his opinion. Now that she had his approval, her heart immediately settled down as if it had found solid ground.
Seeing the faint smile on Furuhashi Fumino's face, Hayakawa instantly felt relieved and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Phew... It's a good thing I sensed the danger early.
"In any case, let's focus on studying first. We can talk about stargazing later," Hayakawa Haku pressed his advantage. "If your grades don't improve, you won't be able to do anything, let alone astronomy."
"Mhm!" Furuhashi Fumino nodded firmly. "I'm motivated! I'm ready to go!"
Study time flew by quickly, and soon it was time for the three of them to head home. They walked slowly toward the train station in the evening breeze. Hayakawa answered their questions about their studies and occasionally quizzed them.
"Hey, Hayakawa-kun," Furuhashi Fumino's eyes widened slightly, and she said joyfully with a look of anticipation, "I feel like I've made great progress recently. I've never felt this way before."
"Is that so?" Hayakawa Haku rolled his eyes. "That's probably just your delusion." I'm not seeing any progress in your answer level. You're still a science idiot.
"Honestly," Furuhashi Fumino puffed out her rosy cheeks and reached out as if to poke Hayakawa Haku's waist, but stopped herself. She complained unhappily, "Hayakawa-kun is really terrible with words."
"The truth is often unpleasant to hear," Hayakawa said calmly. "I'm merely stating the cruel reality."
Furuhashi Fumino was instantly speechless. She felt her confidence was crushed, and she became somewhat dejected.
"I also feel that way recently. I seem to have a knack for the humanities subjects," Ogata Rizu, carrying her backpack, thoughtfully said in a serious tone. "I've never had this feeling before."
"Hmm... Seriously?" Hayakawa Haku was slightly startled. He frowned as he looked at Ogata. "Could it be that you really are improving?"
"Right, right! I feel the same way," Furuhashi Fumino's eyes sparkled. "I told you so!"
"Oh... it seems to be true," Hayakawa Haku felt a hint of satisfaction in his heart and let out a faint smile, but he still maintained his composure. "Even so, don't get arrogant. You need to keep working hard."
"How could I get arrogant? Even a little progress is still at the beginner level. I understand that," Furuhashi Fumino couldn't stop smiling. She couldn't help but look up, her face showing a small, expectant triumph. "But if this progress keeps up, maybe Rizu-chan and I can pass the next monthly exam!"
"Are you sure you're not being arrogant? I can't tell at all!" Hayakawa Haku couldn't take it anymore and nearly roared. "You were scoring single digits last month, and now you're dreaming of passing. Are you going to be fantasizing about getting a perfect score next month?!"
"Mgh..." Furuhashi Fumino recoiled her neck from the shouting and mumbled softly, "Is it wrong to just fantasize a little bit..."
She pouted slightly, her pure, gorgeous face showing a hint of grievance from being yelled at.
The tactless blockhead Hayakawa. He's just a virgin, but he dares to yell at a beautiful girl. He's absolutely going to be single for life...
"Speaking of which," Hayakawa Haku was oblivious to Furuhashi's "vicious" curse. He suddenly looked at Ogata Rizu as if he'd just remembered something. "Ogata, why did you give up science to study humanities?"
"Me?" Ogata Rizu paused slightly, then said frankly, "I chose humanities because I love playing board games and other games, and I hope to understand the human mind through studying psychology to improve my gaming skills."
Hayakawa Haku: "..."
Ah... sure enough, it's another ridiculously idiotic reason, just like Furuhashi Fumino.
Switching academic tracks just because of playing games? Is there anything more abnormal in this world? Games are forbidden territory for students. As a high school student, one should treat them like snakes and scorpions, right?
Honestly...
Hayakawa Haku was expressionless, but he still offered an affirmation as a matter of course. He opened his mouth like an AI repeater. "Ah~ Psychology, huh? That sounds very good. I quite like it too."
"I-is that so? Hehe..." Ogata Rizu's small face flushed. She quietly lowered her head, her delicate fingers intertwining, letting out a faint, joyous giggle.
Furuhashi Fumino: "???" That sounds familiar. I think that happened to me not long ago.
My likability is so easy to farm.
Hayakawa Haku walked with his hands in his pockets, looking up at the scattered stars in the clear sky, his expression tranquil.
Passing?
It was certainly hopeless for the next monthly exam. The gap for both of them was too wide to be closed in such a short time. Hayakawa Haku had calculated that for them to pass, it would take at least two months, until the midterms, at a normal rate. By the time of the final exams, they should be able to reach the average score for their respective subjects.
At that point, his duty as a tutor would be complete. After all, once they reached that level, they could study normally like regular students, and the school teachers' instruction would certainly be better than what Hayakawa Haku could offer.
And by then... it should be his time to take first place, given how hard he'd been working all this time. Hayakawa Haku smiled faintly, a look of anticipation on his face.
If nothing goes wrong, both of them should pass the midterm exams.
How wonderful...
If nothing goes wrong...
"What did you say?" Hayakawa Haku's eyes widened, his pupils shrinking to the extreme. He looked at the person in front of him in disbelief.
"It's common sense." The tall, beautiful, pink-haired teacher sat in the chair and issued a cold and cruel ultimatum to Hayakawa Haku.
"If you cannot get them to a passing grade by the next monthly exam, your position as tutor will be revoked."
Hayakawa Haku: "..."
A bead of sweat slowly traced a path down the side of his face and shattered on his shoulder. Hayakawa Haku's heart shattered with it.
Now... this is a total crisis.