Volume 2 - CH 5

I turn to Takayama and give him an “OK” sign with my hand.

Takayama then stuffs the study materials from his desk into his bag and walks toward me.

On the way, Takayama waves to me, so I go up to him to see what he’s up to.

“See, I told you so, didn’t I? I knew Tendo had talent.

“I have no such talent. So, What are you going to do now?”

“I’ll leave it to you from here on out. Here, Tendo, go get your bag.”

I was released from Takayama, picked up my bag that I had left on my seat, and went back to where Takayama and the others were.

They all seem to be already ready to get out of their seats and are looking at me as they stand.

Somehow, it looks like I’m late…

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“No, we didn’t wait long. Shall we go then?”

What? Where are you going? Anri talked to me like a normal person.

I haven’t heard any explanation from Takayama yet.

“Wait a minute. Where are you going?”

“We’re going here.”

In Takayama’s hand is a single key.

It has a key ring that looks like a long stick, and on it is written “Small Study Room.”

Our high school has a study room attached to the library.

It is not that large, but it is a soundproof room where you can study quietly.

In addition, it is attached to the library, so it is a popular spot for students to quickly find the books they want.

“I’m surprised you were able to make a reservation. Isn’t it hard to make reservations this time of year?”

“Tendo-kun, I enlisted the help of the library staff.”

Library committee member. Come to think of it, Sugimoto is a member of the library committee, and it is her job to manage the study rooms, too.

But, I don’t suppose you can force students to cancel their reservations, can you?

“There is actually one room in the study room that not everyone knows about. It’s small, but I think it’s good enough for studying.”

“Sugimoto-san reserved it for us?”

“No, I don’t need a reservation. The room is empty, so the first person to reserve it is the one who comes first from the library committee. Takayama-san talked to me about it this morning, and I brought the key first thing in the morning.”

“Oh, no, you don’t need a reservation or anything. It is an empty room, so the first person to get in is the first person to get out within the library committee. Takayama-san talked to me about it this morning, so I brought the key first thing in the morning.”

Wow, that’s quite a feat, isn’t it?

I didn’t think there was such a secret way. Soundproofing means that no matter how much noise Takayama makes, it won’t bother anyone. That’s wonderful.

“I see. That must have been hard for you. Thanks.”

I thanked Sugimoto in a sense of gratitude, but I couldn’t help but notice the piercing look in Anri’s eyes…

“Well, I’m going to the infirmary first, so could the three of you go ahead of me?”

Why does Anri want to go to the infirmary? It’s rare to see her in the nurse’s office.

“What’s wrong with you, Anri? Are you sick?”

“No, no. I ran out of adhesive bandages, so I was wondering if I could have some.”

Anri showed her fingertips to Sugimoto. It was the fingertip that I had cut when I called out to her.

The bandage has not been removed yet. She said she might be okay without it by now, but I was a little worried.

“In that case, give me my adhesive bandage.”

Takayama casually pulls out his wallet from his breast pocket and offers an adhesive bandage.

Oh, Takayama. You are surprisingly feminine.

“Thank you. But you should use this for yourself. I’ll get it at the infirmary. I’m sorry I came all the way here.”

“No, no, no. I’m sorry for bothering you. Then, I’ll go to the study room first.”

The library and the infirmary are on different floors.

The library is on the second floor and the infirmary is on the first floor. We parted from Himekawa at the stairs.

—

“It’s too small!”

Takayama was the first to open his mouth.

“It’s certainly smaller than I thought it would be. But we can manage with this size, can’t we?”

The room looked to be less than four and a half tatami mats. There is a low table and a cushion in the middle.

There is a window to let the light in, so it is very bright, and above all, it has air conditioning and a refrigerator.

If it weren’t for the refrigerator, the room would be a little more spacious, wouldn’t it?

“Is this place okay? Isn’t it too small?

“Let’s just try it out for now. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll think about it then.”

That’s right. We won’t know until we try it.

How would it be best to sit around the square desk?

“How do we sit?”

“Hmm, maybe we could alternate who teaches the students and who teaches them?”

“Yes, that might be a good idea.”

“Which one am I? If possible, I’d like to be taught too.”

“Tendo has better grades than me, right? You’re the one who teaches.”

That’s not good. I want you to teach me too.

Oh, how are Sugimoto’s grades? Will you teach him?

“How were your grades the other day, Sugimoto-san?”

“Well, I was ranked 29th, right?”

Oops, you’re ranked higher than me.

You have better grades than Tendo.”

“That’s right. Well then, let’s take turns sitting with the boys and girls.”

The composition is that Anri and Sugimoto are sitting next to me and Takayama is teaching me.

Anri was saying earlier. Well, the arrangement of me teaching Takayama is gone.

Well, we can think about it when Anri comes.

We immediately spread out the study materials that each of us had brought to the table.

It seemed that the four of us would be able to make it.

“It looks fine.”

“Yeah, I’m ready to study. The air conditioner’s on, so I can study.”

—knock—knock

“May I come in?”

It’s Anri’s voice.

“It’s fine.”

I look around the room as Anri comes in.

Then she sits down next to me, which is vacant and puts her bag at her feet.

“It’s smaller than I thought it would be.”

Yes, it is, isn’t it? Everyone thinks so.

“It’s small, but I can study there. It’s easier to teach when you’re close.”

Anri’s face is right next to mine. And just a little bit of a good smell wafts through the air.

It’s the usual Anri scent. I definitely don’t have a smell fetish.

But there is a calming scent…

The pinky and pinky finger. They touch just a little bit. Takayama and Sugimoto can’t see them from their blind spot.

I didn’t move my hand, so that’s why Anri attached her hand to mine.

‘Well, the closer we are, the easier it is to see everyone’s notes, so maybe that’s okay.’

And then Anri’s pinky intertwined with mine.

Under the desk, we were in our own world for just a little while.

My heart is racing, while Anri is keeping a cool face.

I can’t look directly at Anri. Are we going to have a study session under these circumstances?

Maybe Anri is quite bold…