Chapter 118: Screams in the Alley

As for the study group, Tsukasa Aoki decided that as long as Tora Maeda and the others were happy, it was fine. After all, his Level 4 learning skill was more than enough to handle any exam in high school. While dreaming of getting into a university like Todai based on this ability alone was pure fantasy, the curriculum for the first year of high school truly posed no difficulty for him.

In the mock exams for the first year, Tsukasa felt that achieving a perfect score was not impossible. High school subjects generally became more challenging as one progressed, but to be honest—having compared the difficulty of Wuyang High School with the high school he attended in his previous life—he felt that his academic journey had shifted from "Hell Mode" to "Medium Mode." It was far more relaxing than before.

Watching Tora Maeda and the others laughing happily, Tsukasa couldn't help but shake his head slightly.

"Ahem, in that case, it's settled." Tsukasa formally established the so-called "study group." He looked at the three boys, who were trying to hide their glee, and then at the shy Kokomi Teruhashi. A faint arc formed on his lips: "That's fine. Honestly, your grades are indeed a bit lacking. Since the exams are not far off, let's start tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" The four of them exclaimed in unison.

Tsukasa squinted and smiled: "That’s right. Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll find a quiet café. Make sure you all bring your textbooks."

"This..." The three boys exchanged glances, seeing the anxiety in each other's eyes. They hadn't started this study group for the sake of studying! For them, simply not being late and not sleeping in class was already exhausting enough. If they had to spend their holidays in a study group, they would go insane!

But now that the words were out, if they didn't show up on the first day, wouldn't their boss give them a brutal beating?

Seeing their grimacing faces, Tsukasa chuckled: "How about this: tomorrow, bring the textbooks for the subjects you struggle with the most, and let Kokomi tutor you properly."

"Me? Oh, okay!" Caught off guard, Kokomi—who had been lost in her own wandering thoughts—nodded hurriedly: "I will do my best!"

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Kokomi. Sorry for taking up your weekend." As Tsukasa spoke, he stood up to fetch the kettle he had boiled.

Kokomi waved her hands repeatedly: "It’s no trouble at all. Tutoring others helps reinforce my own memory as well."

Tsukasa poured them some warm water, looking a bit apologetic: "Sorry, I haven't prepared any drinks for guests. If you wanted tea, I’m afraid I only have some cheap stuff..."

"No, no, warm water is fine." Tora took a sip and laughed: "Since the boss looks much better and the study group is settled, we’ll be heading off now."

Out of courtesy, Tsukasa offered a polite invitation: "Have you had dinner? If not, why don't I make you something to eat before you go?"

"Really? Then I—mmph!" Before Tora could finish, Miao Fujiwara and Dabu Matsusaka clamped their hands over his mouth from either side. They stood up and nodded frantically at Tsukasa: "No need, no need! Boss, you should get some good rest!"

Tora broke free, clutching his head and laughing awkwardly: "Right, right! We won't disturb the boss anymore!"

Tsukasa’s eyelid twitched, and he replied with a silent, awkward laugh: "Oh, safe travels."

Watching the three of them stumble out the door, Kokomi, who had lingered behind, stood before Tsukasa with a rosy, smiling face: "Sorry for the sudden visit, Tsukasa-kun. Rest well, see you tomorrow."

Looking at her pure, angelic face, her eyes shy and cheeks flushed, Tsukasa simply nodded faintly and smiled: "It was nothing. See you tomorrow."

Only then did Kokomi turn to leave, casting a lingering glance as she followed Tora and the others.

After seeing them off, Tsukasa cleaned up the teacups and the porridge bowl by himself. He wrapped the leftover porridge in plastic film and placed it in the refrigerator before returning to his room, feeling rather exhausted.

His body felt much better, but he was still inevitably weak.

Lying on his bed, Tsukasa pulled the covers up, intending to browse his phone, when he suddenly jolted upright. He realized he hadn't fed the three puppies yet.

He hurriedly sat up, got dressed, and, for safety, layered on an extra long-sleeved shirt before knocking on Sora’s door. "Sora, I have to go out for a bit. I'll be back shortly. Is there anything you need me to buy?"

Footsteps sounded from inside the room.

*Clack.* The door opened. Sora frowned, her small face filled with worry as she looked at Tsukasa, who was bundled up tightly: "What if you catch a cold and get a fever again? Can't whatever it is wait until tomorrow?"

Tsukasa smiled bitterly and patted her head: "Sorry, I made a promise to someone. I have to keep it."

Sora bowed her head in silence. After a long while, she looked up, her porcelain-like face showing a hint of sulkiness: "Do whatever you want then."

"Dummy." With that, she closed the door.

Tsukasa blinked, then smiled and called out through the door: "I'll buy you some chocolate sticks."

"I don't want any!" Sora’s voice sounded embarrassed and angry.

As soon as he stepped outside, the autumn night wind bit at his neck, sneaking into his clothes. Tsukasa shivered, hugging his arms, and hurried toward the bookstore.

After about twenty minutes, he reached the shop. There was still no sign of Ruri Gokou. A middle-aged woman with glasses was sitting at the counter, engrossed in a novel.

The shopkeeper, he assumed? He remembered seeing her before.

"Excuse me, I’d like to pick up the dog food and the small metal bowl left here," Tsukasa said softly. The shopkeeper looked up, startled by his fierce expression; she nearly dropped the book.

"Huh?" She asked cautiously, as if she hadn't heard him clearly.

Tsukasa repeated himself, and she hurried to stand up: "Let me check."

Watching her rummage under the counter and hand over the food and bowl, Tsukasa nodded politely: "Thank you, Shopkeeper. Sorry for the trouble."

"It's no trouble at all!" The woman waved her hands, her fingers trembling slightly as she adjusted her glasses: "I’ve grown quite fond of those three puppies myself."

Clutching the bag of dog food, Tsukasa suddenly remembered Ruri Gokou and asked, "Shopkeeper, why hasn't Ruri Gokou been here to work these past few days?"

The shopkeeper’s eyes flickered, and she said evasively, "She originally asked for time off, but she called yesterday to say she wouldn't be coming back. I think she’s moving to a different part-time job."

"Oh?" Tsukasa smiled helplessly: "I see..."

He had wanted to apologize to her. *Sigh*, it would have been even better if he could have convinced her to lift that curse—that *chuunibyou* girl’s casual curses were unexpectedly accurate, and at the very least, Tsukasa was starting to feel uneasy.

He crouched at the alley entrance and tapped the metal bowl. The three puppies barked and poked their heads out.

Seeing it was Tsukasa, they trotted over, wagging their tails in delight. Tsukasa watched them with a smile until they finished eating, then packed up, ready to leave.

Just then, a man’s shrill, agonizing scream echoed from the depths of the alley—a sound filled with both pain and terror.

Staring into the pitch-black alley, Tsukasa’s expression turned solemn in an instant, and he walked inside without a second thought.