Lesson Learned

 Since then, Teacher Jitan strived to be an excellent teacher. But, the problem remained; that was the indifference to class. Even though I have befriended at least half the class, I have failed to convince them to sit down and study.

So, weeks passed just like this: Teacher Jitan fervently taught the three active students who were diligently studying. Before we knew it, it was the quarterly exam.

From what I’ve heard, most of my class would be failing the exam due to their ineptitude to learn. No one seemed to care though, or they have given up all hope of recovery.

Except for one person…

“Amahiko! I need to talk to you.” Ito called.

I have been friends with Ito Takuya since the student president incident. Regularly, he would treat me to lunch even if I declined. To requite his kindness, I hang out with him often. Gradually, we opened up to diverse discourses. This also led me to become close acquaintances with his delinquent circle’s leader, Ryuu Morimoto.

Inevitably, Ito found out about my impressive academic ability because he kept pestering me for my grades.

I told him it was best not to divulge grades, but his curiosity was stronger than my patience, so I gave in.

Unfortunately, Ito had a large mouth, so the rumor that I was one of the geniuses in class spread quickly.

But, it was a blessing in disguise because it showed my reliability in class. This in turn gave me the trouble of assisting my classmates in many school works. Most of the time, however, was only a series of questions for their homework; This made me wonder if this was virtuous.

“Could you meet me after school? I have a favor to ask of you.”

I worried what his favor would be. It might be some kind of ‘test’ to join his delinquent gang. Perhaps they’ll beat me into submission. I didn’t want that to happen to me ­again. And if they battle against me, I might have to take drastic measures.

But if I’ll use them, I might reveal my true colors. So, if that kind of situation comes, a detrimental dilemma will occur.

Unable to decline a dear friend’s request, I waited in the lobby for Ito.

And it was time for judgment.

Ito summoned me in a loud voice. I walked to meet him.

I glanced around nervously. There was no one lurking. I sensed no presence. But I can’t be relaxed yet. I instinctively stiffened my body in preparation.

I restored my workout habits, and my naked muscles had noticeably bulged again, but they weren’t obvious beneath my clothes.

This time, I won’t back down without a fight, and I won’t be defeated easily again. However, as much as possible, I will be solving things through diplomacy.

I hoped that things won’t go toward the negative future I imagined.

And just like I thought—

Ito suddenly bowed deeply with his hands clasped above his head, “Could you please help me study!?”

I wasn’t on the evil route of life.

But, I was still a little surprised, but it was helpless. My classmates were helpless. Without any assistance, they’d surely fail the exam——they’d repeat the grade, probably. And with how this academy’s system works, they’d be expelled.

But, I was in a position to help, I was obligated to at least save one classmate from flunking. And there was one who asked.

“Sure, I’m your friend after all.”

Our study sessions were scheduled early before school, during the hour-long lunch, and shortly after Ito’s club activities in the library.

On one of the days of Ito Takuya’s cramming week, I waited in the library, preparing my materials to teach him today. While I was doing so, I noticed a fleeting beauty.

There were few students in the library; most of which were strangers from the higher classes. There were fewer pretty students to whom I saved a glance, but nothing more.

But only this beauty caught my attention, not because of her attraction, but because of familiarity.

It was Eriki. I sometimes saw her visiting the library. She never sat down in the library but always swiftly went to her targeted aisle, take a book or two, checkout and leave.

Every time she did so, I always stole a look at the books she has chosen. And the books she chose were always something related to criminology and forensics. A fantastic match——a mysterious person solving mysterious cases.

I was curious about her motive, but I didn’t want to be as bothersome as some certain person who—

“Sorry, I’m late!” arrived, barging through the door.

Instantly, the librarian, who was an assigned student, scolded Ito for his disturbance. Ito hurriedly apologized and scratched his head.

When he was coming to my table, he muttered, scratching his head, “Geez, it was just a door. Why’d she have to be that mad?” He took a seat beside me. “So, should we start?”

“With pleasure,” I said then sensed a stare on me. I glanced and saw it was Eriki obscurely observing me.

What was her deal? I wouldn’t know. Not that it was important anyway.

I had a student to rescue me from the depths of academic hell.

It was hard work. His academic level, to put it lightly, was that of an elementary student. And to top it off, he was a slow learner. But I couldn’t just give up on him. And I didn’t want to let him down, unlike his friends who were running around and deserted him to his studies.

He was the lone wolf who showed a little enthusiasm in his studies. And if he continues in working his motivation, his friends would soon join him, creating a domino effect, although that might put a strain on me since I might be the one tutoring them.

Thankfully, a slow learner is a thorough learner. After failing my mock quizzes and tests, he now knew one thousand ways to fail and was able to score just-above-passing scores. I doubted those scores would reflect on real-world performance. I wanted something more concrete.

Earlier during the day, I asked around for the same test the last batch of students took, but the academy restricted such access. Perhaps this was a reason for the lack of score rankings. Students were prohibited to keep their test papers and were required to submit them after taking them.

Dejectedly, I prepared the questions that might appear in the exam. These questions were based on the previous tests that I remembered. Unfortunately, my memory wasn’t amazing, so I only managed to recollect one hundred questions from the three previous tests.

“So, the menu for today,” I gave him a three-paged mock exam, “is a mock exam.”

“So, is this the final boss you’re talking about?”

“Yep, this has some of the questions from the three tests.”

“Oh, come on! That’s too difficult! I can barely pass the ten questions in the quiz!”

“But, you’ve been improving. You’re able to answer fifty quizzes with effort—”

“With fifty percent accuracy. There’s no way I’m answering this!” he passed it back to me.

“I know, it seems difficult because I’m giving you twice the amount all of a sudden. But improvement at this level is exponential. Just think of this as a gauging of your skills, just like the first quiz I gave you. Remember, you were struggling to get one question right in that quiz, but now you can get five questions right!”

“But, aren’t we skipping the previous tests? Can’t you test me with those first?”

“The thing is, I don’t remember all of them. And from what I’ve noticed, most questions from the quizzes showed up in the test. So, I think this is more efficient.”

“Wow, I didn’t notice that! Maybe that’s why I was able to answer some last time… Amazingly, you’re able to remember some of them!”

Ito’s memory might be worse than I thought—no, maybe he lacks observational skills.

“But, if you say so, I’ll give it a try!” He started answering the mock exam.

When he finished, I checked the paper; he scored fifty-three out of one hundred——a passing grade.

“You passed.”

“What!? Really!?”

“I told you.”

“Thanks, man!” Ito pointed at the window. Outside the window was the sun was slowly descending, but it was too early for sunset. “Oh, look at the time. I have to go now!” He gathered his things and stood up to leave.

But I grabbed his hand, “We’re not done yet.”

“E—eh!?”

“I don’t think this is enough.”

“But, you said this test—”

“—was a gauge. This isn’t enough.”

“Aw man, you’re always like this! Are you sure you aren’t a perfectionist?”

“I’m sure.”

“Then, you’re just obsessed!”

“You’re just lazy—also, is that how your attitude should be toward your tutor?”

“Agh.” He mumbled something and resignedly sat back down. “But, can you make it a tad easier? I was sweating back there!”

“Sure, sure.”

That was Friday, the last day of my tutoring. I told him he could self-review on the weekends, but if he wanted help, he could call me. I concealed my confidence in him so that he wouldn’t get over-confident. I saw his progress over the school week which made me confident that he’ll pass. But, over-confidence leads to many miscalculations. Ito couldn’t afford that, especially since he was cramming for all subjects.

Though I would like to tutor him to excellence, doing so will overwhelm him.

The weekends passed uneventfully since I lazed around in my room, expecting a call from Ito, but it never arrived. Well, I was confident, that even if he missed out on two days of extra tutoring, he could get by.

On Monday, the hellish exam week began. It wasn’t particularly cruel on me, but it was cruel on Ito, and brutal for the rest, except for the diligent duo.

Then, the exam week ended.

On the last day, Teacher Jitan individually distributed our scores, but not our papers. And when class was dismissed, the usual friend circles gathered around and discussed their scores.

Because I wasn’t in a clique yet, I had no initiative to invade a circle to join in their discourse. So, I headed for the elevator with the two friendless, diligent students.

On my way to the elevator, I heard amazements arise behind me.

“Woah! How’d you get this score, Ito!?”

“Don’t tell me you cheated,” one said jokingly.

“Ito, was this why—”

The doors closed cutting off Ryuu’s voice.

I was used to the awkward silence during elevator rides. Usually, I’d listen to the generic and insanity-inducing music. I wished they’d occasionally update their repertoire of songs. In a way, this was torture.

Two buttons were lighted up, indicating they were pressed. One was the dormitory, or high-end hotel, floor. The other was the ‘Mall.’ The Mall’s floor was stories higher than the dormitories.

Usually, the elevator would descend first, but it went up instead. Maybe the ‘up’ button was pressed first.

The reason I was mentioning this was that it made for a lengthier, awkward silence. I wished for the silent hell to pass quickly, but I couldn’t do anything to hasten the music box.

Typically, females would go to the malls for leisure shopping. I expected Erika, a female, to leave first so that I could talk with Ren. I was more comfortable talking to the same sex, and since I was curious about Ren Kaneshiro too, I thought I could befriend him.

Alas, the one who left was Ren and not Erika.

I clicked my tongue at this outcome.

Why’d it had to be Ren? I can’t talk to this aloof woman!

And worse yet, we were headed for the same floor. This was to be expected, however. Students of the same class were living on the same floor to promote harmony.

The aromantic music looped to the beginning after meeting its end. I stood in front of Erika to ease my awkwardness, but she suddenly tapped my shoulder. I gasped.

I slowly turned to face her, “W—what’s wrong—”

“Can you not like… be in front? I hate it.”

“O—oh, sorry. I’ll just go beside.” I repositioned beside her, but she seemed to dislike it. So, she went afront, pertly flipping her hair.

She had gorgeous, long hair that extended to her waist. Whenever she moved, her hair flowed, emanating an almond-like scent. Even from behind, her beautiful figure was alluring. But I wasn’t focused on that.

I wondered if she wanted someone behind her rather than beside her. I didn’t know if this accurately represented her personality, but I thought she was more of a ‘leader’ type. Or maybe she was uncomfortable being alone with a male.

Well, whatever, trivial things like this didn’t matter. It was not as if she’d strike up a conversation with me anyway——that’s what I thought.

“Why did you help Takuya, Yajima?”