Chapter 55 – Studying

Some people are born naturally good at studying, while others not so much. It's just up to pure chance when you're born or by a higher being, who knows?

Takei happened to be somewhat decent at studying, but he mostly didn't put in as much time as he wanted to since there wasn't a real need to yet.

University exams were far off, since he was only a freshman. Takei decided to leave this matter for future him to deal with, so he nonchalantly continued his normal life.

Well, that nonchalant attitude with his studies became the antithesis to his true goal.

Standing next to the goddess didn't only require a good appearance, it also required the brains to back it up.

Takei was decently confident in his smarts, though just a bit of studying would be needed before he reached optimal performance.

Remembering his resolve, he decided to buckle down and start studying seriously.

Due to the day being a rest day (weekend), Takei decided to lock himself in his room and do his best with studying the material for the current curriculum.

For the past few weeks, he had been recording his teachers' test making habits and adjusted his studying accordingly. Some of the patterns were blatantly obvious, while others were a bit harder to find.

Eventually, he had finally pieced together all of his observations into a notebook and found out the perfect way to study for his classes.

With all of this information at his disposal, Takei organized his desk and began to study.

The time on the clock was a bit past noon, so he had a lot of leeway to focus on his studies.

"Let's do this!"

Pumping himself up, the loner began his crusade to become a scholar capable of standing next to the goddess.

***

"Hey, are you still awake?"

A few knocks on the door accompanied by a soft and gentle voice roused Takei from his intense focus.

"Yeah, I've been studying the whole time."

Takei replied indifferently as he closed his textbook and looked at the time on his clock.

6 p.m. huh? That study session did me wonders...

It seemed that he had lost track of time and studied for hours on end.

"Can I come in?"

A familiar sweet voice reappeared once again from the opposite side of the door.

With nothing to lose, Takei accepted her proposal.

"Sure, I don't mind."

Hearing Takei's approval, the door slowly slid open to reveal a girl who was dressed comfy.

Gray sweatpants and a hoodie was the outfit that Akari decided to wear today.

Seeing as it was a rest day, the outfit was very viable for the lazy weekend scenario.

Akari sat down on his bed, while Takei leaned back in his chair and began to stretch his arms out.

"Have you've been studying all day?"

"No-"

"Tell the truth."

Trying to lie, Takei resorted to immediately denying her accusation. However, Akari seemed to have been expecting this answer since she asked again for the true answer.

With no other option, he had to confess his sins.

"Yes, I've been studying since early afternoon..."

Somehow, Takei ended up having too much fun with studying which resulted in the super intense focus on his work.

However, the goddess did not seem pleased about this in the least. "How many breaks did you take?"

"Zero," Takei replied, with a slight hesitation.

Akari looked back at him with a dumbfounded expression, as she yelled at him. "Are you a fool?!"

Indeed, Akari was in the right here. Taking no breaks when studying was really bad for the body and mind.

"..."

Takei stayed silent as he was being scolded by the goddess herself. He had a complicated expression on his face as a result of the scolding however.

Several minutes and multiple lengthy exchanges later, Akari had finally ceased her lecture about keeping healthy.

"Do you get it now?"

"Yes..."

Takei had no will or chance to refute her undeniably correct stances on the topic of self care.

"Well, as long as you get it..."

Akari sighed to herself before her expression returned to the gentle smile that usually adorned her face.

"Putting the scolding aside, you need a reward."

"A reward?"

Once the goddess reverted back to her default state, it seemed that her normal way of uplifting people was returned.

"Yep a reward, anything you want," Akari explained.

Anything I want? That's almost too good of a proposal to be true...

Seeing Takei's complicated expression, Akari decided to suggest something. "How about I spoil you?"

Spoil me? Hmm, this could be used as revenge against her for some of her recent antics.

Recently, Akari had been consistently teasing Takei which resulted in him losing many of their battles.

Having had enough of losing, a mischievous smile appeared on Takei's face after his spirit of vengeance was relit.

"Spoiling me sounds good. How about a nice big hug?"

Takei decided that this would be the card that would be placed on the table. His intention to win this battle would greatly outweigh any other of his rational thoughts.

"Um, err..."

The goddess, however, seemed a bit reluctant about the request. Rather than being reluctant, she was a bit embarrassed for a better choice of words.

"You said any request though, right?"

"Uuu, yes... Takei, you bully."

It seemed that the goddess had caught onto his plan.

With as much of his resolve as he could muster, Takei spread his arms out wide and invited Akari to enter them.

Seeing Takei's firm resolve, Akari refused to back down as well.

She slowly walked up towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Squeezing tight and making sure there would be no room to escape, Akari made sure Takei would feel her wrath.

In reality though, both parties were slowly feeling the warm euphoria that was entering their bodies.

A lazy smile appeared on Akari's face, while an unusual grin appeared on Takei's face.

Feeling the soft and tender touch of Akari's skin, Takei was on the verge of being addicted. This is without even discussing his adoration for Akari's hair.

On Akari's side, she was enjoying the typically hidden muscles that Takei had. They weren't anything pronounced or special, but she still enjoyed the feel of a man's body.

It was a joyous time for both of them. So much in fact, that they even forgot about their battle with one another.

In conclusion, the result of the battle was a draw.

---

Akari's True Affection Meter: 88 -> 90%

The Spoiling War has started. Only 10% more until she breaks through the second phase of affection and unlocks another event.

Sugar-san: Is Serious-san still not back? The seriousness will be starting soon though...