Volume 1 - CH 4.1

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There were less than ten days left till the exams at the end of May.

For serious students, this was the time to concentrate on their studies in preparation for the test.

“Studying at school is useless for the future.”

But, Shimotsuki-san hurled her mechanical pencil away and started playing games on her smartphone.

“In other words, studying is meaningless. That’s why I’m going to train you, Uma-chan. If it’s the same meaningless time, then it’s better to have fun.”

Pochi, Pochi.<

Shimotsuki-san was touching the screen.

The way she occasionally shakes her head and brushes her bangs is so graceful that if you’re not careful, you can’t help but admire it.

If I were reading a literary work, she would definitely make for a good picture.

“Eh!? A 3 per cent chance of failure for training!? R-Random trash number, w-what a joke…g-gah…don’t willingly bring down my motivation. Don’t be bad at training too!”

“…It’s time for us to study.”

Sorry to be so long-winded, but as expected, the one-hour break seemed a little long.

This place was my house. Using the large table in our living room, we laid out our textbooks in front of each other.

As promised before, we have been preparing for the test for the past few days now. However, Shimotsuki-san was rather fickle, playing on her smartphone right away whenever she had spare time.

“I’m studying.”

“But for all that studying, you seem to be playing with your smartphone all the time.”

“Naturally. I’m studying how to make a strong Uma-chan from strategy sites.”

“It’s fine studying that, but let’s do our best at school too.”

“No, I don’t like that!”

Shimotsuki-san turned away, puffing out her cheeks in a childlike and understandable manner, exuding a depressed air similar to saying [studying, what’s the point?], which was rather surprising.

Because if she doesn’t study properly for class quizzes, she’ll get a failing grade.

On the other hand, I, who could only study and read because I had nothing else to do, was in the middle to upper class in terms of grades.

I suppose I could teach her…but I don’t think she’s in the mood now to study.

Well, considering how I hang out with her after school every day, I know just the right thing to motivate her.

“If you study hard, we’ll have a snack break later. And I just so happen to have some cake with me today.”

“C-Cake!? Do you have Mont Blanc? Or a Shortcake, o-or a Flemish Tart, o-oh! Or a Tiramisu, hmm, what else, what else, w-well, it should be fine, as long as it’s something that I like.”

“That’s something you’ll have to see for yourself when you eat it.”

This person was rather faithful to her desires.

“J-Just so you know, I’m not someone who can be lured in by sweet-tasting foods, o-okay? I don’t want you to think I’m that naive, like a doggie who gets caught with a treat.”

“Yes, yes. I know.”

“Really? Nakayama-kun, you don’t think I’m a sloppy person, do you?”

“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“W-What do you mean by it’s fine. Do you really think I’m that sloppy of a person!? I-If that’s the case, then it’s a misunderstanding. Don’t hate me, okay?”

Pretending to be tough at this stage, I already knew that Shimotsuki-san was actually a rather sloppy person.

If anything, the gap between her perfect appearance gave me a sense of closeness to her.

Of course, it was impossible to dislike her.

“Is there anything that you don’t understand?”

“…All of it.”

“Well then, let’s solve it together from the beginning. If you don’t understand anything, please don’t hesitate to ask. Since I’ll answer all your questions properly.”

“A-Are you sure? S-Sorry, Nakayama-kun…”

“No, no. Teaching Shimotsuki-san also helps me review what I’ve done.”

“I-Is that so? I-If that’s the case, then it’s fine. Even so, thank you…Nakayama-kun is truly wonderful. Saying things like that for the sake of not worrying them, furthermore, not abandoning a failure with a poor memory. As a friend, I could never be more proud.”

To put it in such words, I feel a little embarrassed.

But…..even if I don’t say anything, my feelings are being conveyed to Shimotsuki-san. I’m not good at putting my feelings into words, so that made me very happy.

“T-Thank you. Hearing you say that motivates me, too. I’ll hang out with you for hours, so let’s work hard together.”

“Ah, well, no more now. Study time’s supposed to be as short as possible, right? Oh, but it might be nice to study for a while longer, just like friends, you know?”

──We were studying together as we exchanged such comments.

The study session that began a few days ago has been more productive than I expected. Even Shimotsuki-san, who hates studying, was somehow more hardworking than me.

At this rate, we may be able to avoid failing.

(Azusa’s also keeping our relationship a secret as promised…thanks to that, Ryuuzaki has been quiet, and Shimotsuki-san seems to be looking healthy.)

My days have been peaceful as of late.

Shimotsuki-san and I hardly talk to each other in the classroom. Maybe that’s also why Ryuuzaki was less wary of me.

We hardly had any conversations anymore. At best, we would greet each other in the mornings.

For the time being, Shimotsuki and I would spend our lunch break unnoticed behind the back of the school building, but Ryuuzaki didn’t seem to realize this.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve said before that 『I eat with Hanakishi of the baseball club on the rooftop』, and he still thinks this continues to be the case even now.

“…Is it like this? Hey, Nakayama-kun. Is this right?”

“Ah, great. That’s the correct answer.”

“Really!? So it’s right…I’m so happy.”

When praised, Shimotsuki-san honestly expresses her joy.

It was fun to watch her body sway left and right with a radiant smile on her face.

The days were so calm and uneventful that they could be described as tedious.

(I wish those days could go on forever.)

At the same time, I was a little scared, as it was like the calm before the storm.

The story tends to stagnate just before a major event occurs.

I hope nothing happens──