Light Novel 2nd Year Volume 8/Summary

Prologue
Kanzaki Ryuuji monologues about how he has been keeping his distance from people since he was little. It was easier to maintain neutral relationships than by making friends or enemies. One day, he was a spectator to a bullying dispute whereby the victim had told a flimsy lie. He felt no obligation to help him and even wished for him to suffer a bit to learn his lesson. Another person came and saved the victim. Kanzaki was perplexed at why the victim was saved when he had lied, thinking that justice was not served. The conundrum he faced was determining who was right, the ones that told no lie but used violence, the one that lied or the person that saved the liar.

An adult nearby patted his head and told him that its fine to run if you have no strength. However, if you have the strength and does not use it, that’s the most fully choice. He finally understood his words back then. As long as anyone could dominate the scenario, no point of view matters as long as the result was what he wanted. He reflects on how he had socialised more after coming to school. He uncharacteristically began helping people. Although, all his motivation had dissipated and he had lost hope in continuing with Ichinose's class. That was until Kiyotaka words 'saved' him. He finds destiny to be very strange after crossing paths with him.

Chapter 1
November was ending as everyone was waiting for the school trip to happen. Kiyotaka saw his old group but now with three members walking ahead of him to school. Kei asks if he will call out to them but he rejects that. Kei embraced his answer and says she now has him all to himself. Kiyotaka remains stalwart in wanting to go Kyoto but Kei hates that place as it was devoid of fun and is full of temples. Kei then nonchalantly glosses over the end of year exam, arguing that nothing would change if she fret over it now.

He finds that overconfidence to be concerning but her statement was true as her bottom level is slowly rising. Kei wonders if she should study more like Sudo, but the main issue wasn’t duration, but quality of teachers and dedication. Horikita had that skill over Keisei. Personally, Kiyotaka could fulfil that role, but he knew it wasn’t his role. His remaining role is to ensure that the bare minimum is done and getting everyone to study on their own, so that someone else in the class can take over him at some point.

In class, Chabashira announces the result of the EOY tests. The highest average for every class will be ranked and given points appropriately. The failing mark was an average of 39 for all subjects. The lowest average score for Horikita's class was expectedly Hondou at 53 points, Kei being slightly higher at 56. Kiyotaka began formulating a plan for her with Keisei and even Hirata in mind, as soon, she will fall behind the others in potential, the bare minimum no longer being enough. He was in 12th place while Sudo scraped into the Top 10. First place was Horikita and Keisei at 93.5 each.

Regarding the classes average, Sakayanagi's Class A was 1st and earned +50 points, Horikita's Class B being 2nd with +25, Ichinose's Class D was 3rd with -25 points, Ryuen's Class C in last with -50 points. The gap to Class A lowest students was still very evident but progress was still made.