The group then go to buy ice cream. Hasebe states that she wants to make the study group as her new friend group. Everyone accepts the idea and the 'Ayanokōji Group' is formed.

The person with the same name looked confused. " Wait. Why is it named after me? "

Miyake explain. " You're the one who brought all of us together. Are you not okay with it? "

" Same thing can be said about Karma. " Kiyotaka groan as he pointed Karma with his eyes.

Karma wave his hand frantically. " Nah, I don't really think that's true. You were the one who brought all of us together, while I was just a tutor with Yukimura. "

Naming as the Karma Group sounds cool but it be interesting if everyone was influenced when Kiyotaka needs them, that includes Karma as well.

Yukimura gives a small nod. " I also have no objections. I would be troubled if we chose to call ourselves the Yukimura group. "

They also decide to call each other by their first names.

" And I believe Yukimura's first name is Teruhiko. " Kiyotaka said to the group.

Yukimura's expression suddenly became cloudy for some reason after Kiyotaka had said this. " ...You remembered? "

Hasebe perked up. " Oh, so Yukimū's first name is Teruhiko. Should I think of another nickname? "

" Stop it. "

Yukimura responded with a strong tone making Hasebe shrunk back a little bit.

" Something wrong Yukimura? " Karma raise a brow at the sudden reaction.

Yukimura massage his temples. " I'm fine with calling you guys by your given names, but could you stop calling me Teruhiko? "

" That is, it's alright for you to use our first names, but it's not alright for us to do it to you!? " Hasebe whined.

" It's not that I don't like any of you guys. It's just that I hate my given name. I usually don't mind because nobody has ever used my given name before, but this situation makes things different. "

" Is there any special reason? " Karma ask Yukimura.

Yukimura turn his pupils away the group. " ...Ah. Teruhiko was the name chosen for me by my mother, a cowardly woman who abandoned me and my father when I was little. This is why I can't possibly accept it. "

Hasebe and Miyake's faces tightened after they learned that there was a heavier reason for it than they had expected. Karma's face twitched a little too, but only for a moment.

Yukimura sighed heavily. " Sorry, I said something unnecessary. "

" Nope, that was my bad. I went ahead and used your first name without your permission. " Hasebe let out nervous giggle.

" It's only to be expected since you didn't understand the situation.I don't want to ruin the atmosphere of the group. If none of you mind; I'd like it if you'd call me Keisei moving forward. It's the name I've been using since I was a child. "

Hasebe tilt her head. " Keisei? Does that mean Yukimū has two given names? This is pretty complicated. "

Yukimuraa nod. " Keisei isn't my naturally given name. It's the name my father wanted me to have. Since the day my mother left home, I've made it my own. "

" It wasn't my intention to use such an insensitive name, but that's not what matters, is it? " Kiyotaka ask, it's a mystery why no one spoke about his nonchalant attitude in this atmosphere.

" Sorry for my selfishness... Kiyotaka, Akito, Haruka, Karma. " Yukimura apologise with a bow.

Karma wave his hand dissmissively. " It's fine, it's fine. More or less, people have their own circumstances. "

Hasebe place both hands on her hips. " Anyways, Kiyotaka- Not Ayanon, but how about Kiyopon? Yeah, this one flows much better, so I think it's an easy decision. Yukimū, Bakabane, do you want to call him that too? "

Karma flinch. " Bakabane.. Aren't you suppose to call me by my first name? "

He turn to Hasebe who looked proud with Karma's nickname. " Call it as revenge of you making me repeat my written questions during the math exercises. "

" But I had to baka! "

" Then I'll call you Bakama for your first name! "

" Baka!! "

Kiyotaka feel his brow twitch. ' Wow, I feel like I've been given more shameful nicknames than Ayanon and Ayano-kun. '

Yukimura sighed. " I won't call him that, it's too embarrassing. I've already decided to call him Kiyotaka. "

" And I've already decided to call him Ayano-kun. " Karma smirked.

" Bakama is way too cheesy as well, so I'll just call him Karma. " Yukimura add making Karma take back his words.

Hasebe let out a cheery laugh. " Well! Now we've all learned each other's names. So, the five of us will group u- "

" F... For-forgive me! "

Bang! The trash can nearby made a loud sound. At the same time, a single student stood up. It was Sakura. She rigidly stepped out and nervously walked up to them with robotic movement.

" Sakura? " Hasebe, Miyake and Yukimura all exclaimed in surprise.

" I... I... I also want to join Ayanokōji-kun's group! " Sakura announce.

Her face was visibly flushed with nervousness. She hadn't noticed that her fake glasses were sitting crooked in an amusing position.

Yukimura push up his glasses. " Do you want to join the group because you're afraid that you'll fail the exam? Given Sakura's scores and Karma as your partner, it's not unreasonable for you to be uneasy about it. Based on how I see it, I think you should join Horikita's group. We're not capable enough to teach very many people. "

Karma perk up. ' Oh right, Sakura-chan is my partner not Lawliet whoops. '

Lawliet Yagami is an upperclassmen from Class 1-A Karma heard about before the sports festival. He always get jumbled up with partners he cursed himself.

Sakura then began to panic. " It's n... It's not like that...... I genuinely want to join Ayanokōji-kun's group! Plus, I don't want to burden Karma-kun too much! "

Karma smiled. " Isn't it fine? Sakura-chan can join us. After all, she seems to fit in. "

' And by fit in I mean get closer to Ayano-kun. '

Yukimura looked unsure at the suggestion. " Is it okay? Letting someone join so easily? "

Miyake shrug. " Does adding one person make any difference? Besides, there are no qualifications required to join our group. We're all loners anyways, so I think it's fine. "

" We're all loners? I suppose so. " Hasebe hummed.

Karma turn to Yukimura. " Keisei, are you also okay? "

Yukimura rub the back of his neck. " I have no reason to object, but I don't want it to increase more than this. Sakura makes it easy, but if someone noisy joins, I'm leaving. "

" Th-Thank you, Miyake-kun... Akabane-kun... Yukimura-kun... " Sakura said with flushed cheeks.

Hasebe usually gives the impression of being the most receptive, but this time there was no smile on her face. " Sorry, Sakura-san, but that isn't going to convince me. "

" Ah, well, uh... I... I can't...? "

Hasebepointed her index finger straight upwards and held it before Sakura's eyes. " Since you want to participate in our group, there's an obligation for us to call each other by either a nickname or their given name. This means that Sakura-san will have to be called...... Er-...... What's her name again? "

" Airi. " Kiyotaka replied.

Hasebe nod. " We'll call you Airi, and you'll have to call everyone by their names as well. Are you okay with that? "

" Eh, well... "

Kiyotaka decided to help Sakura. " Keisei, Akito, and Haruka. "

" ...Ke-Keisei-kun, Akito-kun, and Haruka-san... phew. "

Karma chuckled lightly at the adorable female. " There's no need to use an honorific, is there? "

" Yeah. It's fine as long as it's the first name. Now, there's only Kiyopon and Bakama left. " Hasebe point out.

Karma sighed. ' She's never gonna let it go. '

Sakura felt under pressure. " Hyuu! "

Hasebe tilt her head. " You seem to have gotten really, like close to Kiyopon and Bakama in the past. Shouldn't that be more than enough for you to say it? "

" Kiyotaka is fine. " Kiyotaka said calmly.

Karma warned. " If you call me Bakama I will pummel you. "

That earned a smack on the head by Kiyotaka.

Sakura let in a deep inhale. " K-Karma and... K-Kiyo, Kiyo... piyo...! "

" Go on, your almost there Sakura-chan, just calm down, it won't be the end of the world for you. " Karma coax.

Sakura's shoulder gently slumped in relief feeling calm. " ...Yeah...Arigato Karma-kun, K-Kiyotaka-kun. Please be kind to me from now on. "

After a brief, determined silence, Sakura looked straight into Kiyotaka's eyes and said so. Karma, on the other hand, looked at Sakura with an apologetic expression.

' I hope you won't suffer too much after a heartbreak, Sakura-chan. '

But nonetheless, Karma clap at the accomplishment.

Hasebe join the clap. " Yep, you passed! I also agree with having Airi join us. Kiyopon, Bakama, try calling Airi by name properly as well. "

Karma groaned. ' I feel like that nickname will be engraved in her mind forever.. '

" Er... Airi / Airi-chan. " Kiyotaka and Karma said in unison.

Sakura stand straight. " Y-Yes! "

Hasebe smiled warmly as she welcome Sakura in open arms. " Well, let's do it once more. The six of us are the Kiyopon Group, so please treat us well. "

__________________________

The Ayanokōji group makes plans to go see a film. After that, Ayanokoji's phone rings, and answers it.

It was Suzune, she informs him that after the study groups at the library are almost done. After the study session tomorrow, she'd like to make some final arrangements for the final exam and ask him for Yukimaru to join.

Kiyotaka let out a sigh and promise to inform Yukimaru. Suzune then wrap up the schedules of the time and date.

Kiyotaka hung up the phone, and a moment later he received another text.

Karma was playing with his pencil until he also recieved a text from the group chat.

It's from Kei.

Kei Karuizawa: [I've confirmed it as you said. Today, I heard from somebody that a girl was asking around about how much sugar Hasebe-san had added to her cup. She wasn't able to find out anything and added sugar based on what was left over, which attracted some attention since she added so much.]

Kiyotaka narrow his eyes. ' This means that she's quick-witted, even more so than just having superior insight. '

Karma smirked. ' Hiyori picked a good opportunity to shake us up by showing off her powers of observation back then. '

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: [I think Horikita is going to contact you tomorrow. We have arranged to start a meeting at around twenty o'clock.]

Karuizawa Kei: [Eight at night? Isn't that pretty late?]

Karma: [We have some prior arrangements. We're going to see a movie after the study session.]

Karuizawa Kei: [A movie? Is it that new one?]

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka: [That's the one. Regardless, we have a favor to ask of you during the meeting.]

Kiyotaka gave Karuizawa detailed instructions. After she read everything, she responded with a seemingly annoyed message.

Karuizawa Kei: [Isn't this just another troublesome errand? What's the point?]

Akabane Karma: [We'll explain when everything is over. It's better for you this way.]

Karuizawa Kei: [Yeah, whatever. I'll see you tomorrow then.]

Kei immediately dropped it. But instantly after that, Kiyotaka received another message, making Karma smile.

It wasn't a message; it was an illustration on a small sticker. It was a cute round strawberry cake with a few candles put on top.

Karuizawa Kei: [I noticed too late.]

Kiyotaka's eyes grew wide. " She... Did she find out about my birthday? But how? "

Karma's grin grew wider. " I told her. "

" How did you- "

Karma explain. " On the chat app, there's a field for a date of birth along with a name and email address. Since you hadn't chosen to keep that information private, it was possible to access this information if someone wanted to. Oh, and here. "

The red-head jetted his arm in his bag and slam a box on Kiyotaka's palms.

Kiyotaka tilt his head in confusion, he opened it and see-- a messy pile of wasabi, chili pepper paste, Carolina Reaper pepper and more.

" .. What is this? "

Karma, prepared for this puff his chest valiantly. " It's my most treasured item - a collection of spices from around the world. Otanjōbiomedetō ( Happy birthday ), Ayano-kun. Hope you like the present! "

" You really help did this Karma.. "

Karma shrug with a sigh. " I'm not a monster Ayano-kun even when I said I am, I have some decency, anyway like I said Happy Birthday partner! "

After seeing his one and only ally give him his most treasured item and saying 'happy birthday' with a smile, Kiyotaka for a moment, just for a moment did something that made Karma shocked beyond anything...

" Karma...

...Arigato... "

After a moment, Ayanokoji returned to his monotone expression, but Karma was still stiff, for a while he can feel his ears turn red.

' Holy crap... he smiled... a guy who has no emotions... smiled because of my present... Maybe I truly did something good in this school for a change. '

Karma then smiled at Kiyotaka. It was also a genuine smile.

" Mattaku nai " Karma then wave his hand dissmissively. " I told you it's a present, don't be so happy about it.. "

After that, Ayanokoji began to erase everything after their exchange finished. Although he was a bit hesitant, after Karma saved it on his phone, he also deleted her birthday sticker. Ayanokoji immediately accessed Karuizawa's profile and noticed that her birthday was March 8th.

" I guess I should memorize it for the time being. " Karma can hear Kiyotaka whisper.

Karma nod. " Yeah. "

_________________________

At the theatre the next day, Karma and Kiyotaka unexpectedly run into Kei and Satō, who steals Kiyotaka away from an excited Sakura.

" Were you invited by Karuizawa? " Kiyotaka ask Sato.

" Nope. When I was talking about how I wanted to go to the movies, Karuizawa-san said she wanted to go too, so we decided to go together. Since it's a rare opportunity, let's go watch it together! " Having said that, Satō grabbed his arm with both hands.

Sakura jumped feeling defeated. " Fuaa!? "

Karma chuckled with wiggling brows. " Oho~. "

Behind him, Airi makes a sound somewhat similar to a scream, while Karma puts his chin between his fingers and smiles mischievously.

Kiyotaka tried to tug gently. " He-Hey, stop it. "

" Eh? How come~? What does it matter? " Sato pout, she spoke casually, but her face was a little red.

" What a coincidence, Yukimura-kun, Akabane-kun and Ayanokōji-kun. Hasebe-san and Sakura-san as well. " Kei spoke, giving off a bit of a condescending attitude.

Yukimura didn't seem excited. " ...What an unpleasant coincidence. I'm going inside. "

" Hey, Kei-chan~! "

Karma waved at Kei, who waved back.

" I would like to talk, but the film is already starting, so I'm going inside. "

Keisei ( Yukimura ) and Karma handed over their tickets and went inside the cinema.

Kiyotaka separate his arm from Sato's grasp. " In which case, I'll go as well..."

Separating from Satō by force, he followed after Karma and the others. They had reserved the five seats in the highest row at the very end, counting from the right.

Satō, Kei, and the rest of their group appeared to be concerned about what to buy at the shop and hadn't come in yet.

" Um, K-Kiyotaka-kun. "

As Kiyotaka sat in his seat, Sakura quietly whispered in his ear from the seat next to him.

" What's the matter? "

" Kiyotaka-kun... well... has been getting along really well with Satō-san recently, right...? "

" It's just a misunderstanding. Satō and I were paired for the finals so we've studied together a couple of times. "

Sakura flinch. " B-but, people don't usually walk a-arm in arm? "

" That wasn't arm in arm, that was being latched onto. "

" I feel that, if you dislike it you could shake her off... " The girl righten her fist as she add. " A-And Besides... Before the pairs were chosen, you went somewhere alone with Satō-san, right? B-between you two, is there anything... "

Kiyotaka sighed. " No. Not convinced? "

Karma flinched. " Did I make you uncomfortable...? "

" Not at all. If there's something you are worried about, you can tell me any time. "

" L-leave it to me! I will properly keep my eye on you, Kiyotaka-kun! " Sakura vowed making Kiyotaka a bit disturbed.

Karma snickered. ' It's gonna be stressful for Ayano-kun to be observed so closely. '

Nothing special happened after that, so they enjoyed the movie in peace. Instead of meeting in a classroom, the group gathers in the karaoke bar.

" Hey, can I sing? " Kei volunteer.

Yosuke gently chide. " Wait, Karuizawa-san. That's not what we're here for today. "

" Even though there's karaoke right here? " Karma tilt his head he felt a need to be closer to the two.

Kei let out a pout. " Isn't it kind of stupid to go to karaoke and not sing? "

" Make do with your food and drinks. " Suzune remark.

Kei ordered plenty already. Her own personal drink, as well as junk food such as potato fries and drinks for everyone else, sat on the table. Karma as always chose to drink his favorite milk.

" Then let's sing a duet together after the strategy meeting is over, Yōsuke-kun. " Kei suggest.

" Yeah. It might be a good idea to take a breather after the meeting is adjourned. " Karma add.

Yosuke smile at the two. " I'll agree to that. I want to have a proper celebration, but it's also been quite a long time since I've gotten to do karaoke. "

" ...I'm going to start. " Suzune simply ignored them and began the meeting. " First up are the results from the study sessions, and to be honest, I think that they're excellent. In the beginning, the behavior of the boys was a mess, and I worried about how it would turn out. Fortunately, they've studied hard and should be able to cope with the final exam to some extent. "

By the compliment, Sudou puffed out his chest confidently. " Just so you know, I studied so hard that my mouth is now an English dictionary! "