Chapter 81: Ah... Oh, Ohhh!
[However, your current desire to teach them is nothing more than a passing whim. You're far more concerned with what comes next.]
[Originally, you intended to rely on academics to climb the social ladder one step at a time. But now that you've discovered your superhuman aptitude for learning, you're beginning to wonder if staying here is just a waste of time.]
[In the midst of tutoring them, you find yourself adrift. And yet, you seem to have stumbled upon something rather interesting.]
Wednesday afternoon.
Inside the Service Club room.
After the extra-long school day ended, it was time for their internal study session.
Haruka sat there with a textbook, guiding the two girls. Usually, he and Yukino Yukinoshita would split the duties, taking one student each. However, Yukino had some urgent business to attend to today, leaving Haruka to pull double duty.
"Nishimiya-san, look here. You can't just apply the formula blindly."
"And you, Gotoh-san. I'm talking to you too. You're both making the same mistake."
Shoko Nishimiya replied with a series of signs: Got it.
Hitori Gotoh, however, was too timid to speak.
This was her first time being tutored directly by Haruka; for the past few days, Yukino had been the one looking after her.
Haruka frowned.
'I just gave her feedback. At the very least, she should show some acknowledgment. Why isn't she responding?'
He looked directly at Hitori.
She twitched once.
Then twice.
Then three times.
Hitori's head sank lower and lower, as if trying to retract into her collar like a turtle.
Haruka felt a spark of irritation. 'Is it really that bad? My tone wasn't even harsh...'
Sensing Haruka's frown, Hitori finally opened her mouth.
But what came out was...
"Ah... Oh, ohhh, ohh..."
"..."
'What exactly are you "oh-ing" about?'
Hitori's entire face turned a vivid shade of crimson. She involuntarily averted her gaze, looking off to the side.
Deep inside her mind, it felt like a shadowy version of herself was laughing at the sky. 'Hahaha! Just let it all end! Let the world burn!'
[Thanks to her lifelong career as a social disaster, Hitori Gotoh has developed a verbal tic where she instinctively adds an "Ah..." to the start of every sentence when she's nervous.]
[Now, under the pressure of your gaze, she's been exposed.]
[Slippery Mindset talent activated.]
As Haruka looked at her, his mind instinctively plotted a course to smooth over the situation. He pursed his lips and quickly suppressed his surprised expression.
"Mm. As long as you understand. Next, let's move on to functions."
He kept his face neutral, glancing briefly at Shoko Nishimiya.
Shoko blinked, seemingly catching onto the vibe, and returned to her usual calm demeanor.
Hitori's head creaked as she turned it back around, only to see that Haruka had already resumed his normal teaching routine.
She let out a tiny sigh of relief, but a wave of depression immediately followed.
'Damn it!'
'Why couldn't I just say "Okay" loudly and clearly in front of him?!'
'Kasugano-kun probably looks down on me now...'
Hitori started drawing idle circles on the desk with her finger.
But to her surprise, Haruka didn't treat her any differently.
In fact, he seemed to be going out of his way to accommodate her. When asking questions, he didn't require her to speak; a simple nod or shake of the head was enough.
Beside her, Shoko was also quietly encouraging her.
Looking at Shoko, who was subtly showing her the answers, and at Haruka, who was clearly pretending not to notice the cheating, Hitori felt a sudden swell of gratitude in her heart.
"Ah... Nishimiya-san, thank you."
She whispered.
Shoko didn't sign a response; she just puffed out her cheeks slightly and pointed toward Haruka.
The two girls immediately straightened their posture and focused.
Watching this little interaction, Haruka shook his head silently and continued his lecture.
However, his mind was still replaying Hitori's little tic from earlier.
That, combined with the scene he'd witnessed in the alley yesterday and that certain online account...
He had to admit, for someone who seemed so socially crippled, Hitori Gotoh sure had a lot of little secrets.
Time flew, the sky darkened, and it was time for everyone to head home.
[You've discovered another one of Hitori Gotoh's little secrets.]
[Slippery Mindset allowed you to handle the situation tactfully, preserving Hitori's fragile pride.]
[At the same time, upon returning home and seeing the novel you've been typing up, a sudden thought occurs to you.]
[Since academics are no longer a concern, why not spend more time on other ventures while waiting for the exams and the Three-School League? It would kill time, build up your capital, and earn you some social status. It's a win-win-win situation.]
[As for which career to pursue... isn't light novel writing a perfect fit?]
[It's simple, low-cost, and accessible.]
[With a concrete, short-term goal in sight, you focus your efforts on your writing.]
[Furthermore, you remain curious about Hitori Gotoh's secret. Of course, you won't pry—that's both a matter of personal ethics and something your current 'Slippery Mindset' would avoid. Still, there's no harm in keeping a close eye on her.]
[The Next Day]
[You go to school. It's as boring as ever, but this time, you start typing away on your phone during class.]
[Under the Principal's explicit orders, the teachers don't say a word about it.]
[You have successfully secured a portion of your free time.]
[A few days later, you submit your light novel manuscript.]
[Thursday. Exam day.]
[Hitori Gotoh and Shoko Nishimiya suffer a crushing defeat.]
[Yukino Yukinoshita fights her way to second place. But you... you successfully kick Yukino off her throne and seize the crown for yourself: Rank #1.]
[The Principal upholds his end of the bargain.]
[Subsequently, under the Principal's supervision, you give a speech to the entire school. The Principal officially announces the details of the Three-School League.]
Inside the assembly hall.
Haruka stood in formal attire, his handsome features looking even more radiant under the spotlights.
He held the microphone in his hand. "..."
"As a student of Sobu High, I am honored to represent our school and fight for our glory."
"I hope everyone will cheer for us. This is for all of us. I wish you all the best in your studies—may you continue to break through your limits."
Roar!
Led by the Principal, the students erupted into thunderous applause.
In this moment, Haruka was the most brilliant student in the entire school.
Down in the crowd.
Hitori Gotoh stared at Haruka on the stage with stars in her eyes.
'So cool!'
'He's so incredibly cool!'
'The center of attention! Dazzling! Calm and composed!'
'This... this is exactly what I've been dreaming of!'
'If... if only I could do that too. If I could stand on that stage... would everyone finally notice me? Could I talk and play with friends as easily as a "sunny" person? Would I never have to obsess over what to say just to make people like me?'
Hitori's gaze was hazy as she fantasized about how happy she would be as a "normal" person.
But the intensity of the applause snapped her back to reality.
'Ah... who am I kidding? When does a gloomy clown ever get to stand on a stage like that...?'
Hitori's shoulders slumped in defeat.
No matter how many times she gathered her courage, the outcome never seemed to change. It was just like when she was a kid.
'But.'
'I won't give up.'
'I have my own secret weapon too!'
'My band will definitely carry my dreams. I'll make everyone cheer for me!'
Hitori clenched her fists, silently cheering herself on.
However...
She looked up slightly, watching Haruka standing there amidst the endless cheers. He looked so calm, so comfortable—the very picture of a winner. She couldn't stop the envy and admiration from overflowing in her eyes.
Every social disaster has a heart that yearns for the world to applaud them.
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Hand over all of your Power Stones!!
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