Practical Classroom: Kaoru Hanayama's Classroom of Merit

Just as Huashan was about to pay the bill, a cold voice pierced through from behind again.

"...Wait a moment."

Turning around, Horikita Suzune wore a complex expression that was somewhat speechless, yet she couldn't ignore it.

"I acknowledge your accurate assessment of your current level. However, your choice of books is less than commendable."

Hanayama turned his head, his face, crisscrossed by a huge scar, staring expressionlessly down at Horikita Suzune.

"What?"

Horikita walked straight up to Hanayama, who was about 155 centimeters tall.

Facing the nearly two-meter-tall Huashan Mountain that she had to look up at, she showed no fear whatsoever, and snatched the elementary school workbook from his huge hand with a "whoosh".

He flipped through several pages with a rustling sound, then shoved a double-page spread right in front of Huashan's face.

There, a huge and adorable dog illustration took up most of the page, along with a single sentence written next to it—"This is a dog."

"Are you really going to waste your precious points and time on these useless blank spaces and illustrations? Even if you lack basic skills, surely your brain processing ability isn't at an elementary school level?"

"I see, that makes sense."

Huashan nodded frankly, agreeing that in areas outside his own expertise, following the advice of experts was the most appropriate course of action.

"Come with me. There are reference books that can help high school students review the basics of junior high school in the shortest amount of time."

After saying that, Horikita walked deeper into the reference book section.

Huashan quietly followed behind that slender figure.

She stood in front of the bookshelf and pulled out a few books without hesitation.

"If you're going to buy these, choose 'Junior High School All Subjects Retake for Adults' and 'Junior High School English Review in Three Days.' They don't have any unnecessary illustrations. Because they only condense the key points, they should allow you to efficiently review the basics."

The reference books Horikita handed over were indeed different from the colorful workbook from before; their appearance was simple and practical.

"...You're right. I'm grateful for your kindness."

Huashan accepted the reference books with a brief thank you.

Then, he carefully put the workbook back in its place, took the newly chosen book to the cashier, and paid the bill.

Horikita nodded slightly as Hanayama returned carrying a bag.

"Well then, I'll take my leave now—"

"Wait a minute Horikita."

Horikita, who was about to turn around, was stopped by Hanayama's deep and heavy voice.

"What is it? I feel like I've already wasted my precious time on you."

Horikita stopped and frowned slightly.

"Going to a dessert shop and using someone else's wisdom without spending a penny is not my style. Let me thank you instead."

The voice that came from Huashan was one of weighty quality, as if it were a predetermined matter.

"I refuse. I didn't help you choose books expecting a gift or reward from you. Besides, I don't plan to engage in any social activities to get closer to you on the first day of school."

Her cold rejection would probably have made most male students back down.

However, Kaoru Hanayama completely ignored it.

"Your reasons don't matter; I'm just following my own rules."

When faced with the uncompromising Hanayama, Horikita sighed softly.

(...No matter what I say, he doesn't seem to have any intention of backing down.)

She realized that continuing to argue with this unusually large man out of stubbornness would be a waste of time and energy.

"...I understand, but I don't plan to spend too much time on it."

And so, the two mismatched individuals left the bookstore and entered a coffee and dessert shop located in the Beechwood Shopping Center area.

『Cafe & Sweets Pallet』

The store was packed with female students and couples enjoying their leisure time, making it quite lively.

However, the moment Huashan passed through the entrance with heavy footsteps, the surrounding noise fell silent as if the tide had receded.

Hanayama found a four-seater sofa deep inside the store, and Horikita sat down opposite him, straightening his back.

When the menu was served, Horikita did not hesitate to choose the cheapest item.

"Please give me a cup of black coffee."

Three hundred points—that's the item she chose.

She dislikes unnecessary extravagance and is somewhat resistant to being treated to meals by others.

On the other hand, Huashan opened the menu with a dignified air and pointed at it.

"Please give me an extra-large Crown Melon Smoothie Parfait."

Two thousand four hundred points. That was a dessert that was three times the size and price of a regular parfait.

Soon after, the contrast between the two became even more bizarre when faced with the food served.

The girl who quietly picked up the dark brown coffee in the small teacup was dignified and exuded a cool and aloof atmosphere.

Opposite her, a burly man with a huge scar on his face was using a spoon to break apart a mountain of bright green honeydew melon shaved ice with a bold and unrestrained manner, putting it into his mouth one bite after another.

"...You...you actually like sweets?"

As Horikita let the bitterness of the black coffee swirl on his tongue, he looked at Hanayama with a somewhat incredulous expression and asked a question.

"I don't dislike it."

Huashan gave a brief answer while biting into the huge melon flesh.

Horikita placed the coffee cup back on the saucer, remained silent for a moment, and a question about Hanayama appeared in her purple eyes.

"May I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"You just made the insightful deduction in the bookstore that school evaluations are directly linked to academic ability."

Horikita's eyes held a calmness that seemed intent on investigating logical contradictions.

"Given that, knowing your academic abilities are at the bottom, you've become the person at highest risk of having your points cut off in the future. Even so, why are you still spending points so recklessly?"

The other students in Class D are probably wasting their points in arcades or clothing stores right now, but that's out of ignorance, believing they can get another 100,000 next month.

However, Hua Shan was different. Even knowing he might be penniless next month, he continued his extravagant spending.

Hanayama stopped eating his shaved ice and quietly watched Horikita.

That gaze contained a heavy sense of oppression that far exceeded the framework of a high school student, belonging to someone who commands an organization.

Horikita felt considerable pressure, but her innate strong will did not allow her to back down.

"Horikita."

"What?"

Money exists solely for the purpose of spending.

A deep, magnetic voice spread across the desktop.

"If I were to shrink back and clutch my wallet tightly just because I can't see the road ahead, and eke out a living on meager meals... that's not my style."

Huashan leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed.

"To endure the melon smoothie you crave today out of fear of hunger tomorrow, which may never come, is not something a man should do. If you don't have enough money, then find a way. If you lack ability, then start now and desperately cram knowledge into your head."

There was not a trace of confusion in those words.

Knowing one's own weaknesses, yet still refusing to distort one's way of life—that is the backbone of a strong person.

"...Honestly, you're really hard to understand."

Horikita muttered softly, with a hint of helplessness and a slightly stronger admiration than before.

"Maybe."

Huashan grinned and finished off the last bit of shaved ice.

"But aren't you trying to improve my grades? If so, maybe we can avoid the worst-case scenario."

"...Please don't misunderstand. I only said if I had time; I didn't agree to become your personal tutor."

Horikita turned her head away, her long black hair swaying in the breeze.

But behind that indifferent attitude, she did sense something different from that of a simple delinquent boy when she saw Hanayama Kaoru as an outcast.

At least talking to him was slightly more meaningful than hanging out with those classmates who seemed to have no brains.

At 2:30 p.m., the coffee cup and the empty parfait glass were left on the table, and the two people stood up.

The spring sunlight streaming through the window softly illuminated the two figures from behind.