The Flirting Men Time-Space Agency

"Next Tuesday will be our first monthly exam! I trust your homeroom teacher has already informed you all!" The teacher entered the room and immediately brought up the one thing Elora dreaded most: the exam. "Everyone, make sure to review diligently, don't embarrass yourselves!"

Elora's heart sank. What did exams mean for her? It meant that once again, she was bound to fail mathematics. Just thinking about it made her feel crushed. She could already picture the stern, disapproving expression on her teacher's face.

For some reason, Elora simply could not stand mathematics. Every time she sat through class, she inevitably drifted off to sleep, never managing to take proper notes. She scratched her head in frustration.

Ding—"Target's affection +10, current affection level: 35."

Cole, noticing Elora's defeated demeanor, couldn't help but offer a rare gesture of kindness, handing over his notes.

Elora stared at him, puzzled, and pointed to herself, "For me?"

"If you don't want them, just forget it," Cole said, pretending to pull them back. Elora panicked and grabbed his hand.

"Don't! I was just saying that, don't take it seriously. Who takes back borrowed things? That would just ruin the friendship. Thanks!" She quickly snatched the notebook, afraid that if she hesitated, Cole might change his mind.

Cole, suddenly caught by her hand, froze for a moment. An unfamiliar warmth spread through him. Her hand was so cold, and yet, strangely comforting. When her hand pulled away, an inexplicable desire to hold on lingered. How could he think such shameless thoughts?

"Why is your face red?" Elora noticed his sudden blush and couldn't help but laugh.

"No... no reason! It's just... too hot," Cole stammered, quickly looking away, clearing his throat in embarrassment.

Ding—"Male lead's affection +5, current affection level: 40."

Elora quietly chuckled to herself. It might be overcast outside, but how could the heat possibly make you blush?

...

The monthly exam was soon over, and today was the day the results were posted.

Elora scanned the list, her eyes lighting up when she spotted Cole's name—once again, the top scorer in the grade, over 100 points ahead of the second-place student. That's the person I like, Elora thought with a burst of pride. But when her eyes fell on her own score, it was like a thunderclap. Full marks in English—great! But in math... a mere 58 points!

Her shoulders slumped as she trudged into the classroom, her body heavy with defeat. She slouched over her desk, motionless.

"What's wrong?" Cole, noticing the usually cheerful Elora looking so downcast, couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Elora glared at him, "Don't talk to me, Mr. Number-One-in-Math!" She was livid. How could Cole, who never seemed to study seriously, be so good at math? She had burned the midnight oil for days, and still, she couldn't even pass.

Just as Cole was about to say something, the bell rang for class, so he reluctantly kept silent.

"The results of this month's exam were generally good. Our class has two full marks in English," the teacher announced happily. After years, it was rare to see such a feat. "However, some students have rather severe subject imbalances! Full marks in English, yet failing in math—no need to point out names!"

Elora's face turned red. Was the teacher talking about her?!

"Elora, are you the one she's talking about?" Cole, recalling her unusual mood, suddenly realized.

"Yeah," Elora nodded helplessly.

"I'm really worried about your intelligence. Didn't I give you my notes?" Cole was left speechless. Not to brag, but his notes were even more detailed than the teacher's. Usually, no one could borrow them, yet here she was, still failing. Was she just hopeless?

"I don't want to either! Every time I see math, I just want to sleep," Elora admitted, on the verge of tears.

"How about… I help you with math?" Cole, seeing the pitiful look on Elora's face, felt an odd pang of discomfort. On impulse, he suggested teaching her. By the time he realized what he'd said, it was already too late to take it back.

"Really!? You can't back out, okay?" Elora's face lit up in an instant, her transformation startling in its speed.

"Yeah!" Watching Elora's energy return, Cole thought to himself that tutoring her might not be such a bad idea after all.