Chapter 28: Study Session
Time flew by in an instant, and Saturday arrived for Kazuma. Kaori had told him on the previous Friday that she would come to the dorm to pick him up, so Kazuma was waiting with Kosuke at the dorm’s entrance.
Just then, Kaori and Megumi arrived. Seeing the two of them in casual clothes for the first time, Kazuma couldn’t help but let out an “Ooh!” of admiration. He felt a sense of novelty seeing the adorable Kaori and Megumi in their casual attire, so different from their uniforms.
“Sorry. Were you perhaps waiting?”
“No, we haven’t been waiting that long. There’s still time until the appointed hour.”
“I see. That’s good. More importantly, where are the other two?”
“I think they’ll be here soon. I got a message a little while ago saying they’d arrived in front of the dorm.”
“Is that so? Well then, shall we go once those two arrive?”
“Got it.”
After a short while, Akatsuki and Taichi joined them, and all the members for the study session were gathered. The six of them then set off. Kaori mentioned she had reserved a Party Room in the dorm for today’s study session, so they headed there, chatting idly along the way.
“A Party Room in the dorm, huh? That’s pretty luxurious.”
“Ahaha. Well, the Combat Course students are given preferential treatment, you see. It’s also meant for mental care, since we’ll be fighting Ibinom in the future. There are other things like relaxation rooms too.”
“Uheeh~ I don’t know whether to say I’m envious or what.”
As Kazuma and Megumi were talking, Kaori joined their conversation.
“Well, the competition for them is pretty fierce, so it’s usually a scramble.”
“Ah, is that so? So we were lucky this time?”
“That’s right.”
“Ooh~ We’re eternally grateful, Kaori-sama~”
Kazuma put his hands together and bowed to Kaori in mock worship, but Kaori just gave a wry smile.
“Makimura-san was the one who made the reservation, though…”
“Oh… Well, how should I put it… my apologies.”
“I’m not particularly upset, you know!”
While having such exchanges, Kazuma’s group arrived at the Combat Course dorm. It was clearly on a different scale from the Support Course dorm. While not a skyscraper piercing the heavens, it was at least as grand as a high-class hotel.
“Hey, Kosuke. The world really is unfair, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, I think so too. But it can’t be helped. The future prospects for us Support Course students and the Combat Course students are just too different.”
“Damn it…”
As Kazuma looked frustrated by the social disparity, Kaori and the others urged them to go inside. Upon entering, they were led to the first-floor lobby, where Kazuma’s group signed their names in the visitor log. Once they finished writing, Megumi approached Kazuma and the others.
“There’s a convenience store on the first floor, so you can buy snacks and drinks. The Party Room we’re going to is soundproofed and has karaoke, but we have to bring our own snacks and drinks. So, let’s buy them first before we go.”
“Seriously? They even have a convenience store…?”
“I’m gonna live here.”
Unfortunately, while the Support Course dorm had a school store, it didn’t have a convenience store. Kazuma and Kosuke were aghast at yet another disparity thrust before them. Realizing how cruel reality was, the two of them hung their heads in dejection.
Following Megumi, the four of them bought a load of snacks and drinks. They wondered if there might be a student discount, but the prices were normal. That said, it wasn’t a major expense, so the four of them didn’t complain. Rather, they were envious that the dorm had a convenience store.
“Alright then, I’ll guide you to the Party Room now. I should mention this just in case, but please don’t wander off. There are security cameras, but quite a few Combat Course students look down on Support Course students. So, if Support Course students are found loitering in the Combat Course dorm, there’s no telling what might happen to them.”
Hearing Kaori’s warning, the three other than Kazuma shivered. They firmly resolved not to get separated from the girls under any circumstances. Kazuma, on the other hand, was filled with anticipation, wondering what the Party Room would be like.
Kazuma’s group followed the two girls, took an elevator, and arrived at a Party Room on the third floor. There were other Party Rooms, but this one was the lowest grade among them. Nevertheless, since it also served for the mental care of Combat Course students, it was quite lavishly furnished.
“W-Wow…”
Kazuma and the others looked around the Party Room, exclaiming in amazement. There was a luxurious sofa and a large TV. Furthermore, it was equipped with karaoke and was spacious enough to hold a small concert.
“You finally made it. We’ve been waiting.”
“Mm, long time no see.”
And there, in the Party Room, were Kaede and Miyazono, whom Kaori had invited for this study session. Kaede and Miyazono raised a hand each as if to welcome the six newcomers. Then, Kaede stood up from the sofa and approached Kazuma.
“Looking forward to working with you today.”
“Ah, yeah. Please go easy on me.”
“Leave it to me!”
Kazuma bowed his head to Kaede, who snorted a “Fufun” and puffed out her chest. The three watching nearby were perplexed by