CH 48

And then came Wednesday.

Most of the classes at school were focused on exams, and classmates were saying things like, “I haven’t studied at all,” or “I’ll manage somehow,” and more and more of the conversations were about exams.

Unlike in junior high school, everyone seemed to be somewhat relaxed, probably because they were studying behind the scenes or had the brains to get a good score without having to prepare for the exam. This is something that can only happen in a high school where people of the same academic ability gather together.

It seems that the sports festival committee members have started to work as planned.

During the lunch break, the school’s broadcasting committee announced that they would meet after school, and both Keiichi and Saejima were listening to the broadcast.

Now, it was confirmed that Kohinata and I would be studying alone. After all, the committee members would not be able to get together until next week.

As I expected, I would not add new members to this study group for the sake of “my restraint”. If Kohinata could not concentrate because of that, it would be a complete disaster.

It’s not like ‘I don’t want anyone to get in the way of our time together’

Whether or not I should really be happy about this situation of being “alone with Kohinata” – as an adolescent boy, I’m extremely happy, but as a friend who wants us to advance together, I’m not so sure. …… What do you think?　I don’t know.

In any case — that’s it. During this period, I have to concentrate on Kohinata’s score.

And after the exam is over,…… I’ll ask Kohinata to study a little more on a regular basis so that she won’t have to worry about the final exam that comes next–what?　I’m not sure if I’m going to end up preparing for Kohinata’s exams again. Well, by then the sports festival will be over and Keiichi and Saejima will be there, so I think I can study happily without having to worry about anything in particular.

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

Kohinata came to my apartment.

As he was leaving, Keiichi said to me, “Make sure you study as well,” as if studying was not the main focus of his life. There is no room for games in this situation. The situation is rather serious.

And of course, there would be no flirting with Kohinata. I know it goes without saying that we’re not lovers, but it’s a given.

“Kohinata, let’s do some memorization for now, shall we? It seems that you can apply math as long as you remember the formulas, and you can memorize the year numbers in history in any way that’s easy for you to remember.”

As usual, I sit next to Kohinata and tell her about my plans for her studies. Although we are close, this is the best place to watch her study. This is an irresistible force.

She nodded her head in affirmation without contradicting me.

Then Kohinata glanced up at me, and nuzzled her head against my shoulder.

Perhaps it was the effect of her hair moving freely, or perhaps it was the smell of shampoo and fabric softener mixed together that tickled my nostrils. The urge to pat her head hit me, but I resisted, pinching my thighs. I’m so proud of myself.

Yareyare… this is just like having a new idiot couple – but no, no, no! The relationship between me and Kohinata is that of father and daughter by blood, not that of father and daughter! We’re just classmates! What am I confused about?

Head-slapping – even though it’s inappropriate behavior for a mere classmate, it’s very difficult for me, a common petty citizen, to take the inhumane action of disrupting this incredibly cute creature’s behavior.

I could only cough and try to set the mood.

“–Kohon. If you can study properly, you can head butt me or do whatever you want until you’re satisfied. Saejima will be sad if you don’t make it to the next level with us.”

Of course I would be sad, and I am sure Keiichi would be sad too.

Not only those of us who are close to her, but also some of the second-year students are likely to be sad, although it doesn’t matter since the KCC guys are graduating.

In response to my comment, Kohinata said, “You just said anything, didn’t you?” Her eyes are glaring at me, It was like a hungry hyena spotting its prey. What the heck is this little fellow thinking?

It would have been nice if my words had motivated her, but is she really that happy to be able to butt heads with me …… or is she going to ask for something else entirely…? I don’t know. It’s no use thinking about what I don’t know.

“I’ll study too – if you don’t understand something, ask me each time. I’ll just look at my notes as a refresher, and you don’t have to feel like your interrupting me.”

When I said that, Kohinata nodded her head and then rubbed her head again.

Kohinata-san, aren’t you being more skinship than usual today? Cute, so it’s fine, but it’s not so good for my rational mind, you know?

☆　☆　☆　☆　☆

For the next two days.

Kohinata was taking her classes seriously at school, and she was also studying hard at my house. She occasionally doodled in her notebook, but only a little.

I don’t know if this was the result of my “you can do whatever you want” comment, but it is true that she reached a level that would have allowed her to avoid a red grade. Well done.

Now, if I could only bring Kohinata’s grades up to the average level during this Saturday and Sunday, I would be happy, but there was one irregularity that occurred before the weekend.

However, there was an irregularity before the weekend: Keiichi and Saejima were not able to join us due to the activities of the committee members. The four members remained as planned.

The place that was changed was Kohinata’s house.

Somehow, I ended up greeting her mother on the way to the study session.