Chapter 106: Reviewing Together
"Ah hahaha—"
Satania put one hand on her forehead, tilted her head back, and let out her signature, exaggerated laugh, loud enough to make the classroom windows rattle. She raised a single finger high as if declaring victory to the heavens.
"I got ten points! Ten points!"
Enough already!
What the hell is with that proud face of yours!
There's barely any difference between two points and ten points!
You've totally disgraced the entire demonic side!
"I remember during the entrance exam, your math score was the lowest in the entire grade," Vigne said flatly, her expression serious as always.
Satania's laughter came to a screeching halt. Her triumphant pose froze like a statue.
"But Vigne, don't you think it's strange?" she puffed up her cheeks and pouted. "Math and physics and stuff like that—you never use them in daily life, right? And even if you do, you can just look it up online. Why do we have to waste so much time learning boring stuff like that?"
"Yeah, yeah," Takanashi Rikka quickly chimed in, her eye patch glinting as she nodded in agreement, her pose dramatic as always.
Vigne blinked, taken aback. "Well… I mean…"
For a moment, even she couldn't find a proper counterargument. In a way, what Satania said wasn't entirely wrong…
Seeing that Vigne was at a loss for words, Satania grew even more confident and leaned forward proudly. "For example! Yesterday I was watching TV, and they showed the Hell Book Sales Rankings. You know what? Not a single boring academic book was on the list! But one title suddenly shot to number one—selling two hundred thousand copies in just half a month!"
Vigne's eyebrows rose. "Eh? What kind of book could sell that well?"
Satania grinned, eyes shining with excitement. "It's Lady Cirno's new book, After I Was Kidnapped by a Beastman..."
"Pff—"
Vigne almost spat out her drink. Her face turned bright red as she coughed violently.
What kind of title is that supposed to be!
That's completely inappropriate for kids!
Satania triumphantly pulled out a black-and-gold book from her bag, treating it like a sacred artifact. "This one! It was super hard to get! I had to order it from a limited edition online sale!"
"I wanna see! I wanna see!" Rikka raised her hand enthusiastically, practically bouncing in her seat.
"Kids aren't allowed," Vigne said immediately, putting out an arm to block her.
"Ugh~ Vigne's being mean again!"
Meanwhile, Kouya was quietly eating his bento in the corner, glancing up with faint amusement. "Cirno? You mean that little ice fairy who controls frost and snow?"
He leaned over and squinted at the page as Satania proudly opened the cover. Inside was a short, utterly ridiculous prologue—
"It was an ordinary summer. I was napping beside the Misty Lake when a beastman appeared and lured me away with a lollipop..."
What the hell!
You got kidnapped by a lollipop? Has your IQ dropped over the years?
Hell itself is doomed if this sells well!
Vigne groaned, covering her face with a hand. "Why would Lady Cirno write something like this…"
"Hmph, isn't that title enticing?" Satania declared confidently, tapping the book's cover. "Only fun books like this make people want to read! And tons of people gave it five-star reviews! That proves it's good!"
"So that's why math and physics are boring and hard to study," she concluded, hands on hips, looking utterly convinced.
Vigne sighed deeply, her tone dry. "Let's see you pass the exam first before talking big."
"Ugh~ So unfair!" Satania deflated immediately. "Why can't someone invent a magic pill that makes you remember everything after eating it?! They could sell it on those shopping shows!"
"There's no such thing!" Vigne snapped, exhaling heavily before continuing more gently. "There are only three days left until the exam. If we use our time properly, it'll help a lot. Also—Gabi-chan took another day off today, claiming she's not feeling well, even though she went to the movies with us yesterday."
She sighed again, rubbing her temple, then turned to Satania. "Alright, after school, I'll help you and Rikka review. As for where… how about at Gabi-chan's place?"
"Hmph, fine, I guess I'll let you tutor me," Satania said proudly, folding her arms and pretending to agree out of pity.
Vigne rolled her eyes, then looked over at Kouya. "Your grades aren't that great either… Are you confident you'll be fine?"
"No problem," Kouya replied simply, calm as always.
"Then fine," Vigne muttered, puffing her cheeks in slight frustration.
Just then, a familiar, soft voice drifted from behind them, smooth and teasing. "At Gabi-chan's place? I'm coming too."
The scheming cat, Raphiel, appeared again as if she had teleported, her angelic smile betraying mischief. "Count me in."
"Eh? But Raphiel, your grades are perfect," Vigne said, blinking.
"Grades don't matter," Raphiel said sweetly, touching her lips with one finger. "But something this amusing—I couldn't possibly miss it."
Her gaze then shifted slyly toward Satania. "By the way, Satania-Sama, what's that in your hands? Mind if I take a look?"
"No way!" Satania yelped, clutching the book tightly to her chest.
Raphiel smiled, unfazed. "Oh? But aren't you going to finish your pineapple bun?"
Before Satania could respond, a sharp bark echoed through the courtyard.
Satania turned her head and froze. A white stray dog—her eternal nemesis—was sprinting straight toward her.
"Aaaah! Why is that thing here at school?! Damn mutt! Don't steal my pineapple bun!"
The girls burst out laughing as Satania scrambled in panic.
...
After lunch, the group decided they'd all go to Gabriel's place to review after school.
In Japan, there were no formal evening study sessions, and classes usually ended around four in the afternoon, followed by club activities. But apart from Vigne, everyone present was proudly part of the Go-Home Club.
Hours passed, and the bell rang at last.
The sky outside had darkened again, heavy clouds pressing low like damp cotton ready to burst. The smell of rain lingered in the air. Kouya, staring out the window, thought it was perfect weather to stay home and play games.
On his way back, crossing a small bridge, he spotted a newly opened café on the nearby snack street. A big banner hung over the entrance—Grand Opening! Half-Price Drinks!
"A café, huh," Satania said, her eyes sparkling. "Vigne, Vigne, let's go get some coffee!"
"No," Vigne replied instantly. "We're here to study, not for coffee. Next time."
"Ugh~ You're so cold-hearted!" Satania pouted.
"Focus," Vigne said sharply, her tone like that of a weary teacher.
...
Soon, they reached Gabriel's apartment.
Vigne pressed the doorbell. "Gabi-chan, open up."
Footsteps shuffled inside, and then a messy-haired Gabriel peeked out with sleepy eyes.
"Eh? Vigne, Raphiel?" she asked, blinking at the small group. "Why are you all here?"
"There's an important exam this weekend, so we came to study with you," Vigne explained patiently.
"What? Exam?!" Gabriel yelped. "Why didn't anyone tell me sooner?!"
Vigne frowned. "We just found out this morning. And even if we had told you earlier, would you have studied?"
"Well..." Gabriel scratched her head awkwardly and forced a grin. "Anyway, come in."
Kouya didn't join them. He slipped quietly into his own room, planning to relax. Still, the sounds from next door drifted clearly through the thin walls.
"Gabi-chan! It's only been one day—why is your room this messy again?!" Vigne's voice echoed, full of disbelief. "Snacks are fine, but why are your clothes all over the floor?!"
"Because the weather's been bad lately! They haven't dried yet..." Gabriel protested weakly.
"Then buy drying racks! Using a hair dryer isn't safe. Racks will dry them faster," Vigne sighed. "Alright, let's start studying."
"Uh..." Gabriel hesitated. "I just started a raid party... can you wait... maybe half an hour?"
"Gabi-chan!!!"