The Library's study room.
There were more people than expected—but there were also empty seats, so there was no need to change locations.
Having just left the Kendo Club, Sakurai felt like he had escaped a cage. The cold air of the Library was comfortable, as if he had been reborn.
Summer sports clubs—like the Basketball Club—would turn on the air conditioning. The Judo Club would too. The Kendo Club, which didn't turn on the air conditioning, seemed like an anomaly.
After taking their seats, the Five Sisters skillfully took out the textbooks they needed to review for the day from their school bags.
After studying with Sakurai for more than half a year, the Nakano sisters had completely transformed into Sakurai Saki's image—Sakurai only needed a glance, and they could understand his meaning.
Sakurai handed over the printed key points: "These are the study highlights I organized. They cover Japanese, Math, Science, Social Studies, and English. Below the Math formulas, there are simple example problems. The test questions might be different, so don't just memorize them when you look at them. I've explained all these problems before—if you don't understand, you can ask me on your phone."
Among the Five Sisters, Itsuki was the most inflexible. For many problem types, if Sakurai Saki changed even a small part, she wouldn't know how to do it.
After he explained it to her, she would then say: "Oh! (A look of sudden realization)—so that's how you solve it?"
If you knew, why didn't you do it just now? Sakurai encountered this kind of teaching experience countless times this semester—and Yotsuba was the same.
Yotsuba might have a talent for interpersonal communication, but her papermaking skills in Math… are beyond evaluation. She was better at Japanese—at least in terms of scores, her Japanese grades were the highest. However, when she encountered a problem she couldn't solve, she still used the method of throwing an eraser to choose an answer.
Compared to Yotsuba, who was completely clueless in Math, Ichika was quite good at the subject—but this didn't help her achieve good grades in other subjects.
Miku and Nino…
These two actually no longer needed his teaching.
They had developed good self-study habits over the past few months.
Although studying is tiring and long, it is also the easiest way to get rewards. In finance, this stock is a guaranteed profit.
Among these two diligent students, Nino's goal was to gain his favor. This was something Sakurai Saki actually found quite troublesome.
If he praised her, it would give her the illusion of an opportunity. If he belittled her, it would seem like he was manipulating her—making Sakurai Saki unable to please anyone.
He really wanted her to give up—and Sakurai had said it many times—but this person wouldn't listen to advice.
As for Miku—she truly is an angel!
She never complained, just quietly studied—and she studied very well. She was the one Sakurai felt most at ease with among the Five Sisters.
"Is Shijo not coming today?" Itsuki asked naturally after getting the materials.
"She recently found her twin brother and said she wants him to help her review." Sakurai recalled, imitating her words—but his tone was flat, not grasping the essence: "Hmph. This time, I, young lady, must surpass Auntie—don't stop me. My brother was the top scorer in the liberal arts section of last year's Comprehensive Academic Ability Test. I'll let him teach me."
The Comprehensive Academic Ability Test—a unified exam in Japan. Anyone who signs up can take it. The scores and deviation value data obtained can help students estimate their own level.
Millions of people participate. It holds high value.
Itsuki: "…"
Sakurai-kun—has anyone ever told you that your imitation skills are ridiculously bad?!
Please don't say such strange things with your handsome face, okay?
"So Shijo-sensei has a younger brother?" Yotsuba asked curiously.
"His name is Shijo Tei, I think? Last year, he beat Student Council President Shirogane by 20 points in the liberal arts mock exam to take first place." Sakurai recalled.
Shirogane had told him about this—and his expression at the time was quite unwilling.
However, Shirogane lost gracefully. He was just unwilling about his own weakness—and studied even harder after returning home.
"He feels like the protagonist of a manga or novel. I'm really curious what kind of person he is." Nino interjected.
Suppressing the Shuchiin Academy Student Council President by 20 points? That's too terrifying.
Sakurai heard her comment.
He immediately took out his phone and sent a message to Shijo Maki:
Self: Maki? Are you there? Send me a picture of your brother. [Orca reaching out.jpg]
A few seconds passed.
Shijo Maki: Why do you want a picture of my brother? [Attached photo: A short-haired young man in uniform, caught mid-turn, with a very impatient expression]
This is Maki's brother? He looks quite decent.
Sakurai was very curious about this genius. He originally thought that someone who could outperform Shirogane Miyuki would at least need eight hands—but to his surprise, he was unexpectedly ordinary, though his looks were quite good. In fact, judging by Shijo Maki, her brother couldn't be ugly.
Sakurai typed.
Self: I'm going to set your brother up on a blind date. Ask him if he's willing. [Orca with hands on hips.jpg]
A few seconds later—read.
Shijo Maki: Saki-bao, he said—'Sister, if you're making friends, I suggest you make some normal ones.' Doesn't that sound annoying? Don't worry, I've been annoyed with him lately too. I'm going to punch him right now! [Cat paw punch.jpg]
Sakurai continued typing.
Self: You two siblings have such a good relationship. I still have to teach, so I won't chat anymore. [Orca waving.jpg]
Shijo Maki: [Cat nodding.jpg]
After chatting, Sakurai showed Nino the picture of Shijo Tei on his phone.
"This is Shijo Tei. What do you think?"
Young lady—would you consider transferring your affections?
"Not bad." Nakano Nino glanced at it twice, showing no particular reaction.
After saying that, she lowered her head and continued writing her homework. As the end of the term approached, the amount of homework increased.
"No other comments?" This was too cold.
"I don't like this type of top-student academic overachiever." Nakano Nino explained.
She liked the wild type.
Someone with fierce eyes, a sharp tongue—and of course, preferably handsome, though ordinary is fine too; feelings can be cultivated later.
"What do you think of Student Council President Shirogane?" Sakurai began playing matchmaker.
"Sakurai-kun—you're very strange today." Nino hadn't realized Sakurai's intention was to push her away.
Otherwise, the young lady would have at least cursed at him a couple of times.
I like you—and if you don't accept it, fine—but you're pushing me to another man? How much do you hate me?
"Never mind—let's continue studying." For some reason, Sakurai also felt a little uncomfortable when he said those things just now.
The study room was quite crowded, so subsequent conversations were greatly reduced. Sakurai only went to their side to explain when the students had questions.
After the teaching ended—
Everyone packed up their belongings and put them into their school bags.
Yotsuba looked up at Sakurai and said:
"Why did Sakurai-kun join the Kendo Club?"
She had been very curious about this since earlier.
"The Kendo Club's president asked me to help him compete in a match."
"What match?"
"Tamaryokki Championship. It's at the end of this month—and the venue is in Fukuoka Prefecture."
The speaker had no intention—but the listener paid attention.
Nino showed a thoughtful expression upon hearing this news.
Her father had said that after the final exams, they would go on a family trip—and the destination hadn't been decided yet.