Horikita Route

Chapter 9 - V1

5:00 AM

Some might say that waking up at this time is as ghastly as drinking milk straight from the carton.

I suppose that's true for normal people, but maintaining an eight-pack isn't also for normal people, is it?

Everyday since the first of April, I've woken up at this time and allotted an hour worth of intense training to keep up my physique. Using the available gym, I've familiarized myself with the various instruments for my workout.

Unfortunately, it looks like its closed today. What a bummer.

Since I'm awake already, might as well just jog around the school perimeter.

As I jogged, I recalled the events of this past week.

With Class D only getting a measly 104 points, the students within it were forced to live through the month with just shy above of a thousand yen. Because of this, Suzu and I were forced to step up and lead the class.

Suzu.... what a nickname, am I right? Suzune felt wrong, somehow. I kept having flashes of being called sudog when I say it. Weird, oh well. (AN: I honestly just didn't want Kiyotaka to say it, makes me remember Sudo's 0IQ in reaction fics.)

That was a week ago.

Ever since that day, Hirata and the others have been helping the study groups I've assigned them. It seems to be going well as of late.

In particular, I've kept my eye on a specific group. Yukimura's group, consisting of Miyake Akito, Haruka Hasabe and Sukura Airi. This was the most risky group, in my eyes. Yukimura is a condescending boy that held his academics like it was his pride and joy. I was worried that his attitude would've offended the archer and started a feud.

Imagine my surprise when I visited them last Tuesday. They seemed to be getting along well. Sakura specifically, finally had people to talk to instead of isolating herself in lunches. Yukimura was also very forthcoming and welcome to help them. I have no idea if it was because of my presence or if its an outside factor, but as long as it continues smoothly, that's fine by me.

Since I'm the only one in the top five scorers of the last test that does not have a group to deal with in the library, I was free to scout out the other classes.

During this week, I found out about Class C's tyranny with the help of a frequent library visitor, Shiina Hiyori.

During our brief conversation the innocent girl described their situation as 'scary' and 'violent', tell-tale signs of a vicious leader.

Flashback

"Thanks for reaching that book for me. It was on the wrong section, you see."

"That's nice of you to do, helping the library. Are you perhaps an aide here?"

"Oh no! I'm Shiina Hiyori! Class C! I just hide here during lunch and after class to avoid our class meetings."

"Class meetings? Why avoid them?"

"They're scary, you see. The leader uses violence too much for my liking. The foreign student is his right-hand man, you see."

Flashback end

On Class B, I found out with the help of Karuizawa that their leader is none other than the pink haired girl from before. Ichinose Honami.

Karuizawa's social pull was a great asset to have. With her influence only growing in the future, she'd be a useful to- a great person to ask for help with these situations.