Touma-kun Will Do His Best

Translated by AmaLynne

The day of the midterm test finally arrived.

I usually rank around 50th in my grade.

If possible, I want to be at least in the top 30.

And I also have to prepare for the day…when the test results are announced.

◆◇◆◇◆

At the usual railcar, I join Aya.

「Touma-kun! Good morning!」 

「Oh, Aya. Good morning.」 

「The test starts today…」 

「Aya, just a reminder. Don’t do anything on purpose to lower your score, okay?」 

「T-Touma-kun…」 

「You’ve thought about it a bit, haven’t you?」 

「Y-Yes…I’m sorry…」 

「No, I’m the one who should apologize. Aya, just do your best. Don’t lower yourself. I’ll do my best to reach Aya. Don’t underestimate me too much, okay? After all, I’m Aya’s boyfriend, right?」 

「Touma-kun…right!! I’ll give it my all! It’s disrespectful to me and to everyone around me!」 

「That’s what I’m talking about. Okay, can you give me some problems?」 

「Yeah! Then…」 

Eventually, the two of us continued to work out problems together until we got into the classroom…

◆◇◆◇◆

In front of the podium, Shinji-san said.

「Well, fellas. The test starts today. After this is over, the next one is the sports festival. Then, the cultural festival. And finally, the school trip.」 

「「「Wooooooooo!!!!」」」

Some of the boys shout!

「「「Kyaaaaaaaa!!!!」」」

Some girls scream!

「Quiet!! But that’s after the test. Now that I’m in charge, we’re going to win the sports festival! If anyone gets a supplementary exam, we’ll have less time to practice. Those of you who have to take a supplementary exam, do you understand…?」 

「「「Y-Yess!!」」」

As expected of Shinji-san, the demon.

The first time I saw him, I was shaking with fear.

And he still hates to lose.

「Touma-kun, you’re getting into it, aren’t you?」 

「Maybe a teacher and a gambler?」 

「Ehh? Really…?」 

「Well, maybe lunch or something.」 

「Oh, so that’s what it’s about.」 

And finally, the test starts…

◆◇◆◇◆

Good…I can solve this one, too.

I’m good at it, I can slog through a Japanese test…

This should go well…!

And the first day is over.

◆◇◆◇◆

And then the second day.

All right! I know English, my weakest subject, thanks to Aya!

And everything else feels better than usual!

◆◇◆◇◆

And then comes the last day, Friday…

「T-Touma-kun? Are you okay?」 

「Ah, I’m fine. Aya, I have a favor to ask of you after today’s test. Will you listen to me?」 

「Ehh!? I-If there’s something I can do…I-I mean, not everything…but anything…ah!! I’m not saying I don’t want to! I don’t mean that I don’t want to…ah…!」 

「Hey? Aya? We’re in a classroom, right? Everyone’s watching, right? No, I’m asking you, and you see it that way?」 

From the boys, a shooting look comes from…

From the girls, smiling glances came from…

「Look! Touma! Stop flirting and start the test!」 

「Yes, yes, I understand.」 

I don’t think he’s trying to hide the fact that he’s good friends with me anymore…this guy.

Well, it’s no longer a big problem when they find out.

◆◇◆◇◆

Then the final test begins…

The last test is world history, which is a memorization test.

I saw this one…yesterday! Nice!!!!!!! Good luck!!!

This…I got it out with Aya this morning! Lucky me!!!

Let’s review…good, I got it all out of the way…

Now we’ll see what the average score is…

Let’s wait for the results…

「Touma-kun! Good job!」 

「Thanks for the help.」 

「Hmm? Did I do something?」 

「I got the part where we studied together with Aya. Besides, you taught me English.」 

「Ah! Yes, that’s right! Thanks to Touma-kun, I solved Japanese, too!」 

「Then, I guess it’s both of our good. Shall we go?」 

「Yes!」 

I take Aya to the courtyard.

「Touma-kun, you’re not going home?」 

「Yeah, have a seat on that bench over there.」 

「Umm, okay…」 

Aya sits down on the bench.

「Then, excuse me.」 

I sit down next to her and put my head on her lap.

「Hyahh!!」 

「Oops, my bad. Are you okay?」 

「Uh, yeah…I’m surprised…I’m in front of people, is that okay?」 

「Aya, you don’t like it? You don’t want to be seen with me…?」 

「No! I’m, not like that! I-I’m so happy…」 

「Well, good… Aya, from now on you don’t have to worry about me. You don’t have to be concerned about me. I can’t possibly be disgusted. You can do as you wish, Aya.」 

「Touma-kun…ehehe, can I touch your hair…?」 

「Go ahead.」 

「Wow, it’s so long. Looks like a lot of work.」 

This…feels even better than I imagined. I’m getting sleepy.

「Well…Aya, do you like long hair?」 

「Eh? …Hm~mm…it’s nothing to do with Touma-kun, I don’t think it’s too short. Not too long, but still refreshing? I guess.」 

「I see…sorry, can I get some sleep?」 

「Yes, that’s all right. I…like Touma-kun’s sleeping face.」 

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Pause

Unmute

「I see…」 

My consciousness is fading away…

「Thank you, Touma-kun……for me, right…? I love you…」 

◆◇◆◇◆

When I woke up, I had been asleep for half an hour.

I went straight home, saying that I was tired for the day.

And the next day, Saturday, I didn’t see Aya because she has house stuff to do.

On Sunday, she asked me “Can we meet?”, but I declined.

I even lied to her and told her that it was the release day of the game…

And I’m going to stay up all night, so tell her to wait until Monday morning.

She looked a little sad, but it couldn’t be helped.

I’ll get down on my knees or whatever later.

But I have to be prepared…

After all, it’s been too long…

◆◇◆◇◆

Then on Sunday, I go to a place and get some things done.

And when I get home…

「Hee――! My brother!? What’s up!? You look so cool!?」 

「Marina!? What’s wrong!? Something happened to Touma…oh!! You look different!」 

It’s strangely embarrassing…and it’s so refreshing.

Well…tomorrow is the announcement of the test rankings.

In many ways, let’s go with spirit.