The next morning, the effects from yesterday's incident were still being felt. As I listened around, the shock of the Emperor apologizing was huge, but no negative effect could be seen by the president of the Pivoine apologizing to an external student, and the Pivoine's absolute authority was still intact. I'm relieved.

As Serika-chan and the girls were up close to it with me, that incident was front and center during our lunchtime.

"I didn't know how that commotion was going to be settled, but thanks to Kaburagi-sama it was quickly resolved, truly wonderful."

"When push comes to shove, the Emperor of Zuiran is so dependable."

"His firm presence!"

"That gallant appearance!"

"So wonderful…."

They looked up entranced.

"Of course, I feel ashamed for having forced Kaburagi-sama to apologize…" Kikuno-chan declared, clamping her lips together firmly.

"Truly," the others agreed.

"We'll never allow Kaburagi-sama to do anything like that again."

"That's right!"

"We'll support Kaburagi-sama together!"

Other than the easy going Fuyuko-sama who kept eating, everyone else swore enthusiastically. What do they intend to do if something like yesterday happened again? I'm a little scared…

"By the way, Reika-sama."

"Yes?"

"Where did you go with Kaburagi-sama after that?"

"Huh…?" Everyone stared at me. That time… I can't say that we went to have some okonomiyaki… "I greeted him and left."

"Really? I thought that the two of you were going to discuss what to do in the future."

"No, no. There's nothing I could advise Kaburagi-sama about."

"Oh? Really?" They seemed disappointed.

"But yesterday, not just Kaburagi-sama, but Enjou-sama was splendid, too," declared the Enjou-loving Ayame-chan who held her cheeks.

"That's right. Listen, Reika-sama. After you left, when Enjou-sama attempted to clean up the spill, many girls rushed to do it for him, but Ayame-san was there first."

"Really?!" Ayame-chan was in that ninja squad!

"I followed, but I was late…"

"Fufu, I always watch every move Enjou-sama makes so as not to miss anything," bragged Ayame-chan.

"And Ayame-chan even picked up the bottle and showed off for Enjou-sama to see."

"And listen to this, Reika-sama. The Enjou-sama even thanked me saying, 'Thank you, Oomiya-san!'" Her voice rose from excitement, and everyone's looking, so calm down, Ayame-chan. "I was so happy that I kept hearing 'Thank you, Oomiya-san,' in my head all day…" she sighed ecstatically, holding her cheeks. Another victim of the Casanova village…

Then, Serika-chan mentioned, "That reminds me. The cafeteria snack that we were going to try, it was a donut."

"Oh, a donut." That's pretty simple for Zuiran. "They must have chosen something simple and lasting for the sports clubs."

"There were only two varieties: powdered sugar and cinnamon sugar."

"Oh, I see." I don't especially like donuts, but I would have wanted to try some.

"And since you were looking forward to it, we did save you some…" Serika-chan took out a donut from a cloth bag.

"For me!?" They bought some just for me!?

"Yes, we weren't sure you wanted day-old donuts considering its oiliness, but since it was the first day, just as a memento. You don't have to eat it."

"No, I'm very glad. Thank you!" I'm so happy that you thought of me! I don't care if it's a day old, I'll eat it gladly! It was a cinnamon sugar donut.

"Reika-sama, do you like cinnamon or sugar?"

"You have more?"

"Yes, enough for everyone," as Serika-chan pulled out 6 donuts on the table.

"Everyone's going to have some?"

"Maybe not all of it if the taste went bad since yesterday, but we wanted to have a bite."

"What? You didn't have some yesterday?"

"Of course not. Like we could have any without Reika-sama."

"We'd rather have it with Reika-sama." What! That's wonderful! Thank you! What wonderful friends! My heart is full!

"Thank you. I'm very happy. Let's all have some."
"Yes!"

Yesterday's donut was a little hard, but I ate it as a symbol of our friendship.

After school, Kaburagi sat on a sunlit sofa with his legs crossed, holding a folder in one hand. He had the sophomores who caused yesterday's incident stand in front of him. There was some tension in the air unlike the usual elegance that permeates the Salon. The sophomores were pale wondering what punishment would be handed to them by Kaburagi. Unconcerned, Kaburagi flipped through his files when he looked up. "You will all be in the top 50 for the end of term exams," he declared.

Top 50 grade?! Most Pivoine members attend cram school or have tutors to maintain a minimum grade to advance as other internal students, but we take it easy compared to the external students who had to battle hard to pass exams to enter. There should be a vast difference between internal students and the external students who had just finished high school entrance exams a few months ago. I don't know how good their grades are, but I doubt that top 50 would be easy. The sophomores looked confused by the unexpected challenge.

"Yesterday, you declared your superiority by being in the Pivoine." Kaburagi stood up. "If you don't excel in all facets, others won't truly follow. If you want to wield power, then prove your worth." So he's telling them to make a grade if they want to have external students follow them? That's unexpectedly proper of Kaburagi.

Kaburagi signals and the concierge carted in problem sets. "Use this starting today. I'll look after your studies until the exams. Get results." …And he's even going to study with them?

Kaburagi turned and looked around at the rest of the Salon. "That includes other members here. Everyone, for the pride of the Pivoine, work to get in the top 50 in the next exam." Everyone buzzed in surprise. He looked on calmly and continued, "Prove to the student council, to all of Zuiran, that we are worthy of this Pivoine badge on our chests, the trait of royalty!"

The member could do nothing but nod, with the president declare as much. Well, unlike those sophomores, we only have to try…

"Was that unexpected?" Enjou asked amused, under the still buzzing crowd.

"The penalty for the sophomores?"

"Yes."

"I guess that was unexpected, to be honest. They seemed to believe that they would receive something harsher." After bringing Kaburagi dishonor, it wouldn't be surprising to get cut off.

"Masaya can be pretty good at taking care of people who depend on him."

"Oh…"

Does that mean he seems not to care, but does? As he says, the boys who underwent Kaburagi's Spartan training for the cavalry battle and relay seem to adore him for some reason. But from my experience, Kaburagi's so talented, he's no good at teaching people.

But top 50? I'm already aiming for that to get into a good department in college, so I can manage that somehow. All thanks to working hard until now.

"Kisshouin, come with me," called Kaburagi, pointing at me. What's with that rudeness? Kisshouin Reika is not one to be trifled with!

"What is it, Kaburagi-sama?" I asked with a forced smile to the Emperor lying back on the sofa. Crawling back to him in such a hurry… I'm so meek…

"Kisshouin. Get in the top 20 on the next exam."

"Eh!? WHY!?" Why top 20 for me!?

"You represent the girls in the Pivoine, and you have a lot of influence. You'll be a good example."

"But top 20 is…"

Kaburagi ignored me, and flipped through his files. "From these records, Kisshouin's floating between 40 and 50 right now."

"Huh!? How!? Is that my grade in your hand?!"

"Not just you. The entire student body." What!? What happened to privacy in Zuiran!? But top 20….?

I understand what he's saying, and I don't mind raising my grade, but top 20 is impossible. Others are studying seriously now. "I can make the top 40, but…"

"You aim too low. You can't start like that!"

"I start small…"

"Overruled."

"But…" I'll have to show some tears… "At least make it top 30…" I lowered my eyes as low as I could, to look pitiful.

He clicked his tongue, irritated, but gave in, "All right." I did it! But top 30 will still be hard… I've prepared a special course for you." He gave me a stack of at least 10 handouts. "I've picked up what subjects you were having trouble with the other day."

"Huh?" I'm thankful and not at the same time…

"I'll grade every day."

"What? Every day!?"

"This is for one days worth."

"This is for one day!?" Isn't this too much? I have homework other than what Kaburagi gave me, and need to preview work from cram school. "That's impossible, Kaburagi-sama. I don't have enough time to do this."

"Quit acting spoiled. If you don't have time, make some. Cut down on sleeping."

That's impossible. I've already cut down to about 6 hours to study every day. I get that down to about 5 around the exams. It's hard for me to get any less than 7 hours a day. If I get less than 5, I'm assaulted by pangs of sleep, and I can't stay coherent. I get past it by using the forbidden doping: multiple energy drinks around the time of exams. It's terrifying. After drinking, my stomach acts up, and my eyes see flashes.

At first, I used to buy the cheap multipacks, but I gradually worked myself up to the high-end drinks that cost a thousand yen a pop. I can handle it, because I have cash, but… Now I need 2 of them at a time. That can't be good…

I undergoing that dreadful doping to get past exams already. I can't cut my sleep further!

"I'm already sleep deprived. For health reasons, I can not reduce it further."

"How long are you sleeping now?"

"Let's see… About 5-6 hours?"

"Huh?" Kaburagi's mouth hung open. "That's plenty."

"Eh? That's not enough. How long does Kaburagi-sama sleep?"

"I get 4 to 5 hours normally."

"Huh!?" 4 hours!? That's not enough. "Don't you get sleepy during the day? You don't fall asleep during class? How's your health?"

"I don't get sleepy, and I'm healthy. I've never needed much sleep." What?! Kaburagi's a short sleeper? The envy of all students?! I'm jealous. He was smart to begin with and didn't need sleep. God has granted too much to Kaburagi!

"But unlike Kaburagi-sama, I require sleep. Ideally, over 7 hours. That's how I'm built. I can't change…" I can't take any more doping.

He frowned at my excuses, but accepted it in the end. Glad he understood.

"I'll take a look at these handouts tonight to see how far I can get, and start in earnest tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Kaburagi glared at me. "Why tomorrow?"

"Well, all this tonight is too much…" This is a good amount. I already have homework. Finishing all this would be a problem…

"You keep putting things off until tomorrow. That's why you never get anywhere!"

"Ugh!" He hit me where it hurts. I have no comeback. "Then, Kaburagi-sama, teach me the key points for the next exam."

"Key?" His eyes narrowed. "There are no key points in studies. They're all key."

Uhh… Well, that may be, but… There are things that will definitely be covered or likely to be seen. Be a little flexible.

"Quit complaining and study until you vomit blood. You got that, Kisshouin?"

I'll die if I vomited blood…

I look down at the math handouts, completely unsettled.