Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622173505207559
When we returned to the classroom, applause broke out.
As I was crinkling my eyes to see what was going on, I heard one voice after another say, “Congratulations on your first place.” and I finally realized that this blessing was directed at me.
To be honest, I was deeply surprised.
I had been a part of this class for a few months since I entered the school, but the criticism I received was somewhat harsh.
I’ve been subjected to some rather unfriendly behavior, and now I’m suddenly being treated like this.
Before happiness and embarrassment, confusion prevailed.
However, upon closer look, I found that only some of the students applauded me.
The rest of them were looking at me from afar, talking and whispering to each other as usual.
Well, that’s just the way it is.
I was rather relieved.
“You’re impressive, Edano kun. You managed to beat Takagi kun !”
“That’s right. Amakusa san, who was with you, also beat Takagi kun and came in second place, so what kind of learning are you doing?”
“I want you to tell me too ! Before the next test, please do me a favor !”
The girls looked at me with envy, asked me curious questions, other kids asked me to teach them, and the boys tapped me on the shoulder.
And then Reisa came on the scene.
“Now, now. We’re the first customers here, so you can’t cut the line”
“Not fair.”
Nagisa, who had come to the classroom with me, also gave a wry smile.
Returning to her seat, Nagisa smiled.
“It’s kind of a celebratory mood.”
“The results of the tests are posted on the bulletin board, and the students’ interest in their grades, as well as the enthusiasm of the teachers, are the reason for the mood.”
On the blackboard, a person who appeared to be the homeroom teacher wrote, [Congratulations to Edano on his first place ! Please continue to be a role model for this class.]
I’ve heard that there is a battle among teachers to see which student of theirs gets the first place, so he must be in a very good mood.
Come to think of it, I remember when I first entered the school, I was praised for coming in third place like this.
But I don’t like special treatment.
I’m afraid of the eyes of others.
“Are you okay with this, Amakusa san? You don’t show off your grades to your other friends.”
“Fufu, you know what I mean. If I did that, it would only be bragging.”
“Indeed. It would only make us look bad.”
One of the problems of high achievers is that there are few people with whom they can talk about their studies at the same level.
To begin with, looking at the test results from earlier, there was a bit of a gap again from fourth place on down.
Me, Nagisa, and Takagi were in the category that was quite out of the top.
In such a situation, it was difficult to share the same problems.
I was a little envious of Reisa, who was standing in the back of the classroom, surrounded by her friends and puffing out her chest.
If I had grades as good as hers, I would be able to brag all over the place without sounding sarcastic.
I can also enjoy competing with others.
“Well, we can’t be careless. The next mock exam is at the end of the month.”
“…You’re going to apply to Kaioh University’s medical school, right?”
“Yeah. Because they have the most generous guarantee.”
“……I’ve decided.”
Nagisa clenched her fists and turned to me with a gaze filled with fighting spirit, which was rare for her.
“I will also attend Kaioh.”
“Eh !?”
“Fufu. Of course not their medical degree, but it’s still tough in terms of difficulty. It’s better to have high goals. Besides.”
“……?”
When I tilted my head, Nagisi looked at me directly and said.
“Because you’re here at Kaioh University. Just knowing that gives me the strength to do my best. I want to be with you more, so that I can keep up…ah.”
Nagisa started to panic as I awkwardly turned away.
When I looked back, she was waving her hands vigorously with her face bright red.
“I-I’m sorry ! T-that came out wrong ! I-I-I-I didn’t mean it like that ! Aaahh !”
“Calm down ! You’re yelling louder than you speak !?”
I’m getting impatient with Nagisa who was panicking.
What should I do? Seeing such a panicked person, who is always somewhat calm, makes me panic too.
Well, at times like this, I need to take a deep breath.
Huff–but now’s not the right time !
There’s some kind of implication.
“What are you two doing?”
As we were doing something clunky like that, Reisa came over to us.
The blonde returnee with a frightening stare at Nagisa, who regained her composure and came to her senses.
“No, we’re not… I mean, you’re late.”
“Why are you the one that’s upset? That’s not okay.”
“E-Edano san.”
“Reisa san. Don’t be so unreasonable.”
“So you’re on her side. Hmm?”
When I tilted my head at Reisa, who looked somewhat unhappy, she let out a sigh as if she had given up.
Then, she said in a whisper.
“Tsukushi, you haven’t heard what Kako san said, have you?”
“What’s up with Kako?”
I had completely forgotten the name of my childhood friend.
Reisa looked a little serious in response to my question.
“…She was last in this exam. And she even failed three subjects.”
“Huh?”
“Eh, I never knew that Amane san’s grades were that bad.”
Nagisa, who is in the same class as me, said that, but I was even more surprised.
The reason is that I was the one who had taught her until now.
I know what she can and can’t do, what she can think, what she can understand, and what she can concentrate on.
I also know that until last time, she was ranked roughly in the middle in her grade.
I don’t know how that could happen.
“Are you telling the truth?”
“Probably. Everyone said she was crying.”
“…..I see.”
I improved my grades dramatically, and she, on the other hand, dropped.
The only thing that happened between the two of us during this time was that she cheated on me and left me.
I was no longer interrupted by her and I was no longer teaching her,
Honestly, I don’t have to think about what happened to her to know how it happened.
“……Well, I don’t really care.”
“Ahaha.”
It’s none of my business anyway.
It’s fine if you just fall into it without even realizing it.
The only thing that shocks me a little is the sense of loss that all my efforts up to this point have been in vain.
Well, I have so much more than that now that I can’t hold on to.
It was these two people who gave it to me.
“Well, let’s go to the usual family restaurant. First, I’ll check Reisa san’s exam papers.”
“Eh !? You’re really becoming a tutor. I don’t really wanna show you everything though…”
“That’s not fair, Reisa san. You saw mine.”
“Nagisa, aren’t you getting more harsh on me?”
I think as I watch the sunset streaming in through the window.
Seriously, just being with these two makes my grades go up.
I felt this deeply while listening to their banter.
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