Volume 2 - CH 33

Early December.

The results of two mock exams that had been conducted previously, the High Difficulty Mock Exam and the Third National Mock Exam, were returned.

Saturday of that week.

Yuzuru and Arisa sighed as they looked at each other’s report cards.

“We lost again, didn’t we?  …To Ayaka-san.”

“That’s right. …… That fellow is really something else.”

Both Yuzuru and Arisa were defeated by Ayaka.

In other words, Ayaka was in first place in the school rankings, while Yuzuru and Arisa were in second and third place respectively.

Arisa gave Yuzuru a furtive glance.

“I mean, Yuzuru-san is ridiculous, too. …… especially in English.”

“Well, I can speak a little English, to begin with. My dad and grandpa taught it to me.”

Yuzuru’s grandfather is a mix of American and Japanese.

That’s why he is fluent in English.

And Yuzuru’s father, who was raised by his grandfather, also speaks English.

With such a family background, it was inevitable that Yuzuru could speak English.

Of course, he is not a native speaker, so there will be some mistakes.

Even so, he is more familiar with English than other Japanese people, which is quite an advantage.

“That’s nice… I’m not very good at English.”

“Apparently so.”

Arisa has been putting a lot of effort into her English studies, but her English grades were not good.

In other words, it’s not her favorite subject.

” I look like someone who should be good at it, don’t I?”

“…… Well, you look like you can speak at least.”

There is a tendency for Japanese people to think that all Caucasians speak English.

Arisa’s appearance makes her look like she’s good at English.

“I’m a mix of Russian and French, so I don’t have a shred of English in me. I was born and raised in Japan, so I don’t know what people expect of me.”

“I can only say I’m deeply sympathetic.”

Yuzuru had never had such a problem, as it was hard to realize his foreign roots without being told.

In that sense, he was quite lucky.　　

“…… Speaking of which, Arisa…”

“What is it?”

“…… Do you have any plans for Christmas Eve?”

Yuzuru’s high school has its closing ceremony on the 24th of December.

The school closing ceremony itself will be over in the morning, so…

“I have no plans for it. But … you’re right. If you have a fiancée, usually… you will be spending it together.”

Arisa said with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Her expression… looked as if she had feelings for Yuzuru.

Dokin, Yuzuru’s heart skipped a beat.

Ever since the day he had talked to Kobayashi, he had been strangely conscious of Arisa.

Yuzuru shook his head from side to side, trying to shake off the distracting thoughts.

“Is it okay to take it that you will be spending it with me?”

“Yes. I’d be happy to.”

Then Arisa smiled.

It was a very pretty, beautiful smile.

Would Arisa really answer that way even if there was no “engagement”?

Such thoughts flashed through Yuzuru’s mind.

“So, what do you wanna do about the place? Do you want to go on a date?　An amusement park is a staple. “

“Amusement park, huh? It’s going to be really crowded.”

“Yeah, I guess so.”

It seems that in places where there are a lot of people, they can’t spend too much time relaxing.

“I heard it’s supposed to be a day to relax with the ones you cherish, so let’s just have dinner at home.”

Someone you cherish.

For a moment, Yuzuru felt a tug on those words.

“But having dinner at home would be too taxing on you…”

“Don’t worry about it… I want Yuzuru-san to eat my home-cooked food.”

Dokun, His heart skipped a beat again.

Yuzuru couldn’t help but look away from Arisa’s beautiful eyes.

“Well, if you insist, I’d be happy to indulge in it.”

“…… By the way, Yuzuru-san.”

Arisa called Yuzuru’s name in a somewhat serious tone of voice.

Her jade eyes sparkled as she stared at Yuzuru.

“What’s wrong?”

“What color do you like? … that, in a fashion sense.”

Why would she ask such a question so suddenly?

For a moment, Yuzuru had his doubts, but …… soon came to an understanding.

It was probably a Christmas present.

Apparently, Arisa is going to make something homemade again.

“Let’s see… If it is about ornaments, I think I like the fancy ones. Like the one you gave me.”

Yuzuru showed her the leather bracelet that Arisa had made for him earlier.

He was still wearing it today, along with his watch.

The color is quite flashy, so it doesn’t look inferior to the watch.

Arisa lowered her eyes in embarrassment.

“But for clothes and such…, I like calm colors.”

“Calm colors?”

“Yeah… By the way, why did you bring that up?”

Half in mischief, Yuzuru asked Arisa.

Then Arisa shook her head and hands.

“It, It’s nothing!　I was just curious!!”

Arisa, who dismissed saying so…. looked very cute.

Yuzuru couldn’t help but reach for Arisa’s head.

Arisa didn’t brush it away but accepted it.

He combed her silky, clear, beautiful flaxen hair with his hand.

Arisa squinted her eyes comfortably.

“You’re mean. Yuzuru-san.”

“What do you mean?”

“You realized it, didn’t you?”

“I don’t know what exactly  it is yet.”

“…please look forward to it.”

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”

And so they spent some time together like that.

Arisa’s True Dere degree: 65% → 75%

Yuzuru’s Seriousness: 80% → 85%