The next day, during the afternoon homeroom.
“The dates for the final exam makeup classes have been decided. If you get a failing grade, you will have makeup classes on the day of the closing ceremony, right after the ceremony,” the homeroom teacher announced.
Sigh... That’s right, it’s already exam season.
Exams are coming up even before Rock On.
Our school doesn't have a system for publicly posting grade rankings. Though, school-wide rankings do come out for mock exams.
However, thinking that Ichikawa, who is famous for the rumor of being an “excellent student,” wouldn't have any trouble, I happened to glance over at her, and my eyes met with the Archangel's.
She was looking back at me over her shoulder with a worried expression.
“What?” I mouthed.
Ichikawa mouthed back, “Later,” and then shook her head and faced forward.
What was that about?
“Silent communication with the Archangel...? Just how far are you going to go...?” Ando was saying something behind me.
Wait, do they call that silent communication? Isn't there a better way to put it...?
“Well then, homeroom is over,” the teacher said and left the classroom.
Everyone stood up, and while chatting, they prepared for club activities or headed home, leaving the room.
Ichikawa approached from her seat by the window.
“Hey, Konuma-kun, how are your grades?” she asked with an expression like a worried older sister.
“Uh, they're average... why?”
“You won't get caught in the makeup classes, right?”
What is she so worried about...?
“Hmm, well, depending on the subject, it might be a bit risky.”
“‘Risky’ is a problem!” Ichikawa leaned in close. Close, too close...!
“Why?”
“Because the makeup classes are on the day of Rock On!”
“Ah, that’s true...” So that's why she was so worried.
“Konuma-kun, let’s have a study session!”
“I-I guess so...”
“We have to invite Sako-san too. Since there are no club activities next week, we have to study like crazy.”
Ichikawa-san sure has a strong drive. Man, I hate studying...
“Takkun, Erina wants to join that too!” Suddenly, Erina-san entered the conversation. Didn't you go to your club?
“Erina-chan too?” Ichikawa asked.
“Yeah!” Erina replied. “Erina wants to go watch Rock On too, but at this rate, I’ll end up in makeup classes...”
“I see, then let’s do it! Erina-chan, which subject are you bad at?”
“Erina is... a li—ttle bad at Japanese...” Ah, that sounds exactly like her (sorry).
“Ah, Takkun, you’re thinking of something rude, aren’t you?”
“Ah, no, well, sort of...” I laughed nervously to gloss it over.
“So, what about you, Takkun? What are you bad at?”
“I'm no good at English. I love Japan.”
“Hee~?” Erina-san gave a mischievous grin. *Clap!* Ichikawa clapped her hands.
“In that case, Konuma-kun, you should have Erina-chan teach you!”
“Huh?” Why do I have to be taught by this person who just said she’s bad at Japanese and doesn't look like she can study well at all (really rude)?
“Because Erina-chan is a returnee.”
“Wh- Really!?”
“Hehehe, that’s right, you know? Do you see me in a new light now?”
“O-Oh...” Then it makes sense why she’s bad at Japanese... My bad. I'm sorry. Erina-san puffed out her chest proudly. Well, she looks happy, so I guess it's fine.
“If Erina-chan is bad at Japanese, I know a special teacher!”
“Eh, really?” No way...
“Let’s ask Yuri!” Just as I thought.
“Ah, Yuri’s grades in Japanese are really good, aren't they? We were in the same class in our first year. Remember that mock exam we were forced to take at school?” Erina’s tone was sounding a bit like someone from Okinawa for a second there.
“And then, her deviation score for Japanese was 87.”
““Eighty-seven!?”” What the heck, is that even a deviation score!? Not the actual mark!?
“Yuri is just too amazing... Because of that, I only ranked 2nd in the school for Japanese... Then, let’s ask Yuri too!” Ichikawa said as she took out her smartphone and started typing rapidly. Wait, didn't she just say something incredible too?
“Yuri and Amane-chan are ‘good friends’ too, aren't they?” Erina-san said with a smirk.
“What are you talking about...” I scratched my head, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Then, my smartphone vibrated. *Vrr Vrr*
Amane: 『Let’s all have a study session next week!』
A message arrived in the group LINE. Ah, that’s certainly more efficient. By the way, I haven't posted in this group even once yet.
Yuri: 『A study session? Sounds fun!』
Sako Hasu: 『Understood』
There were two different types of responses (though only two).
“Erina-chan, Yuri and Sako-san said it's okay!” Ichikawa made a peace sign.
“Yay! Then let me know when you figure out the time!” Saying that, Erina-san headed off to her club.
“Even so, isn't that study session kind of a loss for you, Ichikawa?”
“Hmm? Why?”
“Because you can get good grades on your own, right?”
“Listen, Konuma-kun.” She said this with her usual ‘older sister face.’ “I just want all of us to perform at Rock On together.”