Chapter 37: Sakura Airi's Most Resolute Answer!
After Horikita Suzune left, Katsuragi Keima and the others finished their meal and prepared to return to their dorms to rest for a bit before the afternoon classes.
"Nii-sama, how do you plan to handle the study group later?" Elsie asked curiously.
"I plan to use a voluntary registration system."
"Voluntary registration?"
"Those who want to join the study group can come on their own; I won't force those who don't."
"Will people actually come, then?"
"Um, excuse me..."
At that moment, Sakura Airi's voice—faint as a mosquito's buzz—drifted from the side.
"What is it, Sakura-san?"
"That... well..."
Sakura's voice grew even smaller, and she looked flustered. She hesitated for a long while, unable to get the words out.
"Elsie, go buy a few drinks from over there," Keima said to Elsie.
"Yes, Nii-sama!"
Although Elsie didn't know what Keima was up to, if Kami-nii-sama spoke, it was to be followed unconditionally. She immediately skipped off toward the nearby water bar.
Once Elsie was gone, Keima turned back to Sakura Airi.
"Fewer people around now. Do you feel a bit better?"
Keima's considerate words caused Airi's face to flush crimson instantly.
'Katsuragi-kun... was he worried I'd be uncomfortable, so he sent his sister away?'
Airi bit her lip, seemingly locked in a fierce internal struggle, but she soon looked up.
"Um... Katsuragi-kun... if your study group is short on people... can, can I join...?"
On one hand, Airi knew her grades weren't great; while not abysmal, she felt uncertain about whether she could pass the midterms. On the other hand, she wanted to repay Keima. She had finally gathered the courage to invite him to lunch, only for it to fail because of Horikita's appearance. Now that Keima needed to form a study group, she thought she might be able to help.
At least... to make up the numbers.
Besides, Airi didn't mind the idea of spending time with Keima.
"Of course you can. Thank you very much, Sakura-san!"
Keima flashed a smile at her, making her cheeks turn even redder.
"However, there might be other students in the study group later. Can you handle that, Sakura-san?"
"I..."
Airi's mind raced. If she said she couldn't handle it, would she be barred from Keima's study group? For some reason, a thought in her heart grew increasingly intense—she absolutely could not miss this opportunity!
"I—I'll be fine!" Airi pushed herself to say, facing Keima. "After all... after all... we're all classmates... it's... it's fine..."
"If it's too much of a strain..."
"It's fine!"
Her voice was incredibly resolute.
Airi herself was surprised after saying those words. She never imagined the day would come when she could speak with such determination. She never expected she would proactively join a group activity like a study session.
'Perhaps... I've grown a little bit... even if it's just a tiny amount.'
"I understand. Then let's meet in the library after school."
"Mm!" Airi nodded vigorously.
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After parting ways with Airi, Keima returned to his room, and Elsie followed him in.
"Nii-sama, is this really okay? Making a bet like that?" Elsie asked, still feeling worried.
"Don't worry, I won't lose," Keima replied while playing his game.
"Why are you so confident, Nii-sama?"
"Because as long as Horikita's personality remains unchanged, she can't possibly succeed."
Keima proceeded to explain his reasoning to Elsie.
"I see!"
"Unlike Sakura, who is simply socially anxious, capturing Horikita requires finding what she cares about most. Difficult characters are all like this; their sharp words are just a shell used to protect themselves. You have to break a hole in that shell to truly understand them. Even if the process brings pain, it's a necessary step."
Keima continued, "I need Horikita to truly realize her own problems so she can change; that's why I said those things to her."
"Even though they're both 'difficult' types, Sakura and Horikita are completely different... Humans really are complicated. As expected of Kami-nii-sama, knowing exactly how to handle them."
"Compared to game characters, they're hardly worth mentioning. In games, there are far more complex characters. To figure out their true thoughts, you have to use constant trial and error, selecting every single option to piece together their hearts bit by bit."
Keima shook his head slightly. "Still, I think girls in games are much more interesting than those in real life—especially girls like Horikita."
"In that case, if Sakura-san is the only one who joined your study group, isn't the number too low?"
"Perhaps. But when I made the bet with Horikita, there were no restrictions on the number of people. Theoretically, to ensure a win, I could just recruit a few high-achieving students. But that would be boring. Since I chose to bet against her, I have to make her lose fair and square."
As he spoke, Keima set down his handheld and took out his terminal, seemingly sending a text to someone. To form this study group, he would need this person's help.
After sending the message, Keima put down his phone and let out a long sigh.
"What's wrong, Kami-nii-sama? You still look like you have something on your mind."
"There is one thing I'm worried about."
"What is Kami-nii-sama worried about?"
"There is still one uncertain factor in this gamble."
"What is it?" Elsie asked urgently, but the only response she received was Keima's gaze landing on her.
"The biggest uncertain factor is you! You useless demon! Didn't you hear what Horikita said?! She thought you failed that low on purpose! Even a blind guess could get ten points! And what do you mean by filling in an 'E' when the options were A through D?!"
"I... I didn't look closely at the questions. I thought it was a word-chain game..."
"If you get last place again on the next mock exam, this world might as well just end!"
"No, Kami-nii-sama! Waaaah, I was wrong! I'll definitely study hard!"
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