"Please help yourselves."
Akira and Sajuna brought out the previously prepared desserts from the kitchen and checked the drinks on the table.
It seemed no new beverages were needed for now.
Akira had been a little worried that his classmates might want some unusual drinks.
After all, as adults, drinking was not a big deal for them.
"Does anyone want anything to eat?"
Akira asked.
"The problems are already this difficult, and Akira-kun is talking about food!"
Sugaya Nowa looked distraught.
She couldn't even do the problems on the test, and now with snacks nearby, it was even harder to concentrate!
"We haven't even finished the distributed test papers yet."
Shiki adjusted his glasses and complained, "Shouldn't you let us finish first?"
"But it looks like you can't do much anyway," Akira said helplessly, spreading his hands.
These kinds of problems, generally speaking, if you can solve them, you wouldn't be in a constant state of struggling to solve them.
Looking at the people answering questions at the table, most of them were already staring blankly at the paper; there was no need to wait any longer.
The knowledge level of university students was indeed much lower than that of high school students!
Akira couldn't help but feel that the process of tutoring them would be long and arduous.
But he had made a promise, and he had to see it through, even if he had to grit his teeth.
Akira walked over and collected the test papers they were working on.
Marin, who was deep in thought, paused, watching as the test paper was pulled away from her.
"Akira-kun, I haven't finished yet!"
"But I don't think Kitagawa-san can do much more anyway," Akira concluded mercilessly.
Marin was on the verge of tears; she was the type who always crammed at the last minute!
What was wrong with university students reviewing only when the final exams were approaching!
However, Gojo-kun's academic performance should be good, right?
Kitagawa looked at the calm Wakana next to her, who showed no signs of her own distress.
"Gojo-kun, how did you do?"
Kitagawa leaned half her body over, her figure unexpectedly prominent in front of Wakana.
Wakana, a strong young man, was a little overwhelmed by this flirtation and blushed slightly.
"Not, not bad. I usually pay close attention in class."
"Akira-kun's test paper was also well-done," Wakana mused, praising Akira.
Although he was a university student like himself, his level was clearly much higher.
After all, Gojo-kun always felt that Akira-kun was more than capable of teaching him.
Kitagawa slumped back down, disheartened again.
Sugaya Nowa, beside her, patted Kitagawa's shoulder: "We're university students, cheer up."
"Even university students worry about their studies, you know," Kitagawa replied weakly.
Seeing Kitagawa's dispirited look, Sugaya Nowa looked at Murakami Kouki, who was deep in thought beside them.
"Tetsuya, how are your exercises coming along?"
Her own exercises were going quite well, as she had already understood her level of mastery when she arrived.
She felt she had performed well enough on the paper Akira-kun had given them.
She wouldn't be as worried as Marin.
"Huh?"
Murakami Kouki, who was pondering the problems on the previous test paper, was startled by Sugaya Nowa's question.
"Oh, I did quite well." Murakami Kouki showed a shy expression: "I feel like Akira-kun's questions all hit the key points."
Murakami Kouki's cheeks seemed to be heating up so fast they might start steaming.
"Hmm? Tetsuya, what's wrong?"
Sugaya Nowa looked at Murakami Kouki's expression, which seemed a bit off as he answered her question.
He had been in a 'thinker' pose just a moment ago, but when he started answering her question, he turned into a 'steam engine.'
"Are you alright?"
Sugaya Nowa showed the same oblivious nature as Marin.
Just as Marin was curious about the ink stain on Wakana's arm, Sugaya Nowa, like her sister, reached out and touched Murakami Kouki's cheek.
"Tetsuya, what's wrong with you?"
Murakami Kouki and Shiki both fell silent.
Murakami Kouki hadn't expected Sugaya Nowa to do something that seemed so intimate.
But from Sugaya Nowa's perspective, Murakami Kouki had been her classmate and friend since high school.
Moreover, they were already close enough to call him "Tetsuya" along with everyone else.
Tetsuya was so gentle, he surely wouldn't mind such a slight intrusion.
For Murakami Kouki, this was not an intrusion at all.
A sudden sweetness erupted in Murakami Kouki's heart, like a burst of fireworks.
Unlike others who might faint from surprise, Murakami Kouki became even more rational at this moment.
"It's nothing," Murakami Kouki waved his hand indifferently, not moving Sugaya Nowa's hand that was caressing his cheek.
"It just feels a bit hot in here, and I feel a little agitated after finishing the exercises."
As he spoke, he even made a show of wiping nonexistent beads of sweat from his forehead.
"Oh, that's good then." Sugaya Nowa withdrew her hand.
She felt that Tetsuya was a bit cute like this too.
She had never noticed it before.
Sugaya Nowa thoughtfully pinched her lollipop, lost in thought.
"You can have some snacks first."
Akira looked up at the idle group; it seemed they wouldn't be chatting much more.
"Aki-Kun and I made all of these," Sajuna introduced with a happy expression.
It was also her duty as a girlfriend to let Aki-Kun's classmates witness her domestic skills.
During the time Aki-Kun was grading papers, she, as his girlfriend, had to take good care of Aki-Kun's friends.
-------------------------------------
Click-clack, click-clack.
Time quietly slipped by.
Akira looked up from the test papers in his hand, at Marin across from him.
"Kitagawa-san, do you know whose test score was the lowest this time?"
"It must be me!"
Marin had expected it; it was indeed her, the one who always crammed at the last minute.
Waaah, Akira-kun isn't taking care of me at all!
Kitagawa was on the verge of tears.
Although it was just a study session with seven people, being called out by name was still so embarrassing.
"The best test score this time was Wakana's."
Akira looked at Wakana beside him and gave him a thumbs-up in praise.
Wakana awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck, and Marin also sat up from the table.
It seemed her expression was also a little happy?!
He's not your boyfriend yet! You foolish woman!
Akira secretly grumbled to himself.
"Wakana, can you tutor Kitagawa-san?"