Chapter 88: Study Group Event (Mandatory)
In the winter basketball tournament, the Winter Cup, we advanced to the top 8, but were crushed by the strength of the strong schools.
Even so, the basketball club didn't fall apart, and everyone vowed to work even harder toward summer!
...That aside, final exams are approaching.
Club activities are temporarily suspended, and during the test period, everyone is fully focused on their last-minute cramming.
My friend Hiroshi is in a shaky position for getting into the special advanced class.
Koji seems to be barely hanging on, and right now, he's forgetting basketball and studying like crazy.
How about a detour study group at a coffee shop or something on the way home?
With that suggestion,
Koji "You were 10th last time, right? Kousuke! Please help!"
Hiroshi "If I can just catch up in math... I can make it to the special advanced class!"
The special advanced class, short for special advancement class, is a unique class where basically the top 30 students of the year are selected, receiving specialized exam-focused lessons and supplementary classes from teachers recruited from prep schools; though it's only been five years since its establishment, it's a heavily invested system that has positioned our school as a preparatory school, producing numerous graduates to medical schools, prestigious private universities, and national universities every year, making it an elite class.
It comes with many privileges like school cafeteria discounts, priority access to study rooms, and high priority for cultural festival mock shops and events, symbolizing Hokusho High School's system.
By the way, Airi-senpai mentioned she barely made it into the special advanced class.
She said she's working hard because falling out would be bad.
By the way, in the third year, the top 30 in grades go to the special advanced class, while 31 to 60 are placed in special advanced class 2, and though the exam preparation is thorough for both, the special advanced class gets better support, and class 2 is always compared to them and has a reputation for being demoralized...
If you're thinking about advancing, you definitely want to secure a spot in the top 30 and get into the special advanced class in your second year.
Thinking that way, there's no choice but to study.
On the way home, Hiroshi, Koji, and I study while drinking coffee.
I can review as well, and the three of us go over the test material together while revising.
Koji "...Kousuke, you've improved so much in basketball, yet you're also doing great in studies, huh?"
Hiroshi "Yeah, I'm not even in a club, but Kousuke's grades are way better than mine..."
"I just make sure to preview and review thoroughly, that's all."
...It's not a lie. It's just that since starting high school, so much has happened that I feel like I'll break down if I don't keep working hard.
Even so, it's not just studies or club activities; I'm able to stay sane because I'm blessed with friends.
In class, there's Koji, Hiroshi, and Nagase-san.
In the club, there's Koji, the captain, and Airi-senpai.
I'm blessed with close friends like Sho, Tanaka-kun, and Aoi.
...As for the opposite sex... maybe I just don't have an eye for them.
I'll live stoically for a while.
That's what I was thinking, but...
Nagase-san, sitting next to me,
Nagase "So, it's decided! Family restaurant study group is on!"
Nagase-san declared with a dazzling smile. Even though she doesn't show much vulnerability in winter, her healthy beauty attracts the boys' attention, and they're always focused on her.
Me too! I want to join too! Can I still come?! The boys' reactions are overwhelming.
"Oh!"
Koji and Hiroshi look apologetic,
Koji "Sorry, Nagase Aya and three top clique girls invited us... They said they wouldn't do it if Kousuke didn't come..."
Hiroshi "I tried to stop them... Nah, I'm lying... I was totally into it."
Those two, knowing about my fear of women, still couldn't resist the temptation and lamented.
I want to lament too.
"...That's fine, but can Tanaka-kun from class 1 come too?"
Nagase "...It'll mess up the numbers, so we'd prefer if you refrained this time."
For the sake of my mental stability, I want Tanaka-kun to join as well.
...Nagase-san and Tanaka-kun don't get along very well.
Can't be helped. This is kind of like a class gathering, after all.
I'd rather not get involved with girls if I can help it...
Well, I'm friends with Nagase-san, so it's fine, right?
And so, on Saturday afternoon before the exams start next week, we gather at a family restaurant near the school,
Boys: Koji, Hiroshi, Kousuke.
Girls: Nagase, the class rep, and three top clique girls, making it 3 versus 3.
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Kousuke
If I had to say... I'd like someone good at English to teach me a bit.
Preferably without interacting much with girls...
I hope this turns out to be a productive study group.
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Koji "I want to pair up with Nagase Aya! Just the two of us teaching each other our strong subjects!"
Hiroshi "For me... I think it's easier to talk to someone quiet like the class rep..."
I'm worried about Kousuke, and our friendship is there.
Even so, a study group with girls! Their expectations can't help but soar! Maybe this is the chance to exchange contact info? Or go on a trip during winter break? Their dreams just keep growing!
Boys' team tactic: Man-to-man marking... going one-on-one for the win.
Advantage: You can choose who to mark or challenge.
Disadvantage: Since it's individual rather than team-based, if your personal ability isn't enough, you can't hold back the opponent.
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Nagase "I'll be next to Kousuke-kun! As long as I can secure that, I'm good!"
Class Rep "Yeah, yeah, Aya, that's all you ever talk about lol"
Top Clique Girl "Haha! Aya's so devoted, isn't she?"
Nagase Aya's enthusiasm makes the two of them giggle.
Nagase "Listen, if you come on too strong with Kousuke-kun, he'll pull away! So I'm going to hold back too! I don't want him escaping to the other boys, but if we push too hard, he'll be put off! Please!"
Class Rep "Aya, you should play a bit more hard-to-get, you know? You've got plenty of admirers, so why not keep some distance? Like, just let go of someone if it's not working."
Nagase "Even if I leave them alone, only weird guys come after me! Please keep an eye on me so I don't go overboard like at the cultural festival!"
Top Clique Girl "Yeah, if we think you're going too far, we'll stop you, okay? For Kousuke-kun, if you don't study properly, it might leave a bad impression, you know?"
Nagase Aya decided on being next to Kousuke (not too close), the class rep with Koji, and the top clique girls with Hiroshi, assigning their roles.
Tactic: Isolation... a strategy where a player who can win one-on-one moves independently to score. This time, it's to free up Nagase Aya, with the other two holding back everyone except Kousuke.
Advantage: Nagase Aya's charm can be conveyed to Kousuke without interference.
Disadvantage: If the opponent sticks together as a group, nothing can be done, and since the approach is straightforward, it's easy to counter.
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Both teams have their tactics ready.
What kind of match will this be?