Good Luck! Students (*hiatus)

At the prestigious Kentō Academy, only one worthy student can earn the title of valedictorian at graduation. And with the title comes benefits that ensure a steady, fulfilling future. Every year, a competitive atmosphere is created where the entire student body aims to prove themselves through their studies.

Fellow student Shūsuke Nagato knows the rules of the game. Keep to yourself and build your walls high. However, keeping that mindset won't do him any good for much longer.
When a sudden morning assembly attempts to rectify old notions and unify everyone, the misconceptions Shūsuke formed about his classmates are shattered once he learns that their lives aren't so easy.

In the aftermath, Shūsuke watches his peers gradually join the new movement within the academy while struggling to accept this change. And acting buddy-buddy with his newfound "friends" has its own challenges. But with their help, Shūsuke just might be able to open his heart and tear down his defenses.

Started off as an entry for the MAL X HF contest, but lost momentum towards the end. I almost made the word count but it wouldn't have reached a completed state by the deadline

idk I originally wanted to call it "Heavy Burdened Hearts" or "A Heavy Burden Weighed ...