Room 204 of the first-year boys’ dormitory.
It was an ordinary single room, furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a compact refrigerator.
For the average high school student, it was a comfortable private space.
For Kaoru Hanayama, however…
It was slightly cramped.
He loosened his tie, tossed it onto the desk, and lowered his massive body into the chair.
Creeeak…
The chair groaned under his weight.
Spread across the desk were the textbooks issued by the school.
Mathematics I.
Modern Japanese.
English.
Basic Physics.
To turn his back on a challenge was, in Hanayama’s eyes, a disgrace.
A man who lived by the code of chivalry never fled from an enemy.
No matter how frightening the opponent…
He faced it head-on.
Hanayama slowly opened his mathematics textbook.
The pages were packed with unfamiliar formulas.
Symbols.
Graphs.
Equations.
An entirely foreign language.
One minute passed.
Hanayama’s expression remained perfectly still.
Three minutes passed.
The focus gradually disappeared from his eyes.
Five minutes passed.
“…”
Large beads of sweat formed across his forehead.
Learning was something that required a foundation.
Someone who had never mastered basic arithmetic could hardly be expected to understand quadratic functions.
It was like asking a man without muscles to lift a hundred-kilogram barbell.
Hanayama had barely managed to keep up during junior high.
Trying to study high school mathematics from scratch wasn’t bravery.
It was recklessness.
His brain, overwhelmed by unfamiliar information, seemed ready to shut down entirely.
“…No.”
His deep voice echoed through the tiny dorm room.
Hanayama reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled cigarette pack.
During the entrance inspection, his suitcase full of cigarettes and whiskey had been confiscated.
This was the only pack he had managed to hide inside his uniform.
He struck a match.
Fwoosh.
Drawing the smoke deep into his lungs, he slowly exhaled.
Only then did his thoughts begin to settle.
(These textbooks are useless to me right now.)
He needed a different strategy.
By noon, Hanayama left his room and headed to the student cafeteria.
Near the ticket machine, a display advertised the school’s free meal.
Wild Vegetable Set Meal — Free
RiceWild vegetablesPlain miso soup
The meal looked painfully simple.
Barely enough to keep someone alive.
(…Is this hell?)
In Hanayama’s mind, this meal represented the fate of students who had lost all their points.
Without hesitation, he pressed another button.
Omurice.
Now wasn’t the time to save money.
The fluffy egg was covered with ketchup, and the rice underneath was perfectly seasoned.
One of the few foods Hanayama genuinely enjoyed.
He finished the meal in only a few minutes.
Then he immediately stood.
If he wanted to avoid surviving on free vegetables and plain noodles…
He had to strengthen his weakest area.
His destination was obvious.
The bookstore inside Keyaki Mall.
Most freshmen were busy visiting cafés, arcades, or clothing stores.
Only a handful of customers browsed the bookshelves.
Hanayama walked past the novels.
Past the magazines.
Past the reference books for high school students.
Eventually…
He stopped.
His massive hand reached toward a lower shelf.
Middle School Mathematics: Foundations
Then another.
Learn English from Elementary School!
Your First Vocabulary Book
“…You.”
A calm, cool voice came from behind him.
Hanayama turned.
Standing there was a girl with long black hair that reached her waist.
A single braid hung over the right side of her chest.
Sharp crimson eyes observed him quietly.
Suzune Horikita.
“If I remember correctly…”
“You’re Hanayama-kun.”
Her gaze shifted toward the books in his hands.
“Why are you buying those?”
“They’re elementary and middle school study guides.”
“They’re far below the level of a high school student.”
Most people would have taken those words as an insult.
Hanayama didn’t.
She was merely stating the truth.
“You’re right.”
“I can’t understand the high school textbooks.”
“So I decided to start over from the beginning.”
“There isn’t much point pretending otherwise.”
There was no embarrassment in his voice.
No attempt to hide his shortcomings.
He admitted his weakness openly.
That straightforward honesty surprised Horikita.
“…You’ve been acting strangely since this morning.”
“Everyone else received one hundred thousand points and celebrated.”
“Why are you already worrying about your studies?”
Hanayama answered without hesitation.
“Because nothing is more expensive than something that’s free.”
Horikita frowned slightly.
“…What do you mean?”
“This morning, every student received one hundred thousand points.”
“The convenience store also provides free daily necessities and free food.”
“This school claims to value merit above all else.”
“So naturally…”
“The payment comes with expectations.”
His voice remained calm.
“In the world I know, no one gives away money without expecting something in return.”
“This school doesn’t care how strong your fists are.”
“It doesn’t care whether you’re intimidating.”
“What it values…”
“…is academic ability.”
Horikita’s eyes widened slightly.
She herself had found the school’s generosity suspicious.
That was why she had decided to spend as little as possible.
Yet this enormous young man had reached the same conclusion using nothing more than the school’s policies and a shelf of free supplies.
“…I see.”
“That makes sense.”
She gave a small nod.
“I have to admit…”
“Your reasoning is much sharper than your appearance suggests.”
“Which only makes those books in your hands seem even more unusual.”
Hanayama calmly answered.
“I’ve never had to train to become strong.”
“I was simply born with that talent.”
There wasn’t a hint of arrogance.
Only honesty.
Horikita instinctively knew he wasn’t exaggerating.
“But academics are different.”
“I’m weak.”
“And I see no shame in admitting that.”
Within the Hanayama-gumi, Hanayama was an unrivaled symbol of strength.
But bookkeeping…
Negotiations…
Financial management…
Those responsibilities belonged to Kizaki and the other trusted members of the organization.
The Hanayama-gumi relied on Hanayama’s strength.
Hanayama relied on their expertise.
A leader didn’t need to excel at everything.
He only needed to understand his own limitations.
Hanayama looked directly at Horikita.
“Are you good at studying?”
Horikita lifted her chin slightly.
“Yes.”
“At the very least…”
“I’m not at the point where I need elementary school textbooks.”
“I would say my grades are objectively excellent.”
“…I see.”
Hanayama gave a thoughtful nod.
“Then…”
“If there’s something I can’t understand…”
“May I ask you to teach me?”
There was no manipulation behind the request.
No hidden motive.
Only a straightforward desire to learn.
Horikita fell silent.
She had always believed that people should solve their own problems.
Depending on others only created weakness.
Yet…
The man before her possessed extraordinary confidence.
Despite that confidence, he openly admitted his ignorance and sincerely asked for help.
She found herself unable to reject him outright.
“…I’m under no obligation to tutor you.”
Her tone remained as cold as ever.
After a brief pause, however, she quietly added,
“But…”
“If you truly need help…”
“And if I happen to have some spare time…”
“I may consider answering your questions.”
For Horikita Suzune…
That was already an enormous concession.
Hanayama lowered his head respectfully.
“Thank you.”
His gratitude was simple.
Sincere.
After purchasing the workbooks, Hanayama began walking toward the register.
After several steps…
He suddenly stopped.
He turned around.
“…Come to think of it.”
“I never asked your name.”
For the first time, the wariness in Horikita’s expression softened ever so slightly.
“My name is Horikita.”
“Suzune Horikita.”
She looked at the elementary English workbook still tucked beneath his arm.
“…Do your best.”
“I’d like to see you graduate from elementary-school English as soon as possible…”
“Hanayama-kun.”