Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622174587499132
Today was a meaningful day.
After listening to the last math class, we left the cram school.
It was now the perfect time of day, just after noon.
It wasn’t quite evening, nor was it the middle of the day, so it was a bit of an awkward time to do anything.
We looked at each other under the clear blue sky, wondering what to do next.
Then, Nagisa pointed to the street and said,
“Would you like to stay and talk a little longer? There’s a café nearby that I frequent. …..Fufu, if you’re not dating Reisa san, then it’s okay for us to talk on the weekend, right?”
“Of course.”
I couldn’t help but smile wryly at her for emphasizing that point.
This is it, isn’t it?
The café time after cram school.
I felt like I had become a capable man, and I followed Nagisa with a strange sense of restlessness.
But as soon as we started walking, I thought,
I had just been thinking about being careful about the distance I kept between myself and the girl, so I wonder if this is really safe?
Well, there’s no reason to refuse, though.
◇
The place she took me to was a stylish café that I would never normally go to.
The interior felt tasteful, and the space was neatly put together.
Just sitting down made me feel a little uncomfortable, but maybe I’m overthinking it.
While waiting for our drinks, Nagisa smiled.
“This seat isn’t very visible from the outside, and it’s hard for people to hear our conversation, so it’s my favorite.”
“It’s like the café that appeared in Death Note Volume 3.”
“?”
I made a sarcastic remark, and she tilted her head in confusion.
It seems Nagisa hasn’t read that masterpiece.
To get better grades in modern Japanese, I should read a variety of content, including boys’ magazines—I thought, but then again, she gets much higher grades than me, so I can’t complain.
“Do you ever come to places like this, Edano san?”
“Well, I usually study at home, or if I change locations, it’s probably just the school library. But yeah, it’s nice to come here sometimes. The atmosphere is good, and I think I could get a lot of studying done here.”
“This is where I often come after cram. I organize my day or think things over slowly… It stays open late at night, so it’s very convenient.”
“Even just cram on weekdays takes a lot of time, so if you stop by here, won’t it be late at night?”
It was a simple question, but I regretted asking it afterward.
Was it too intrusive?
Last time, we ended up talking about Nagisa’s family when discussing her return time, and this time, it might also lead to an awkward atmosphere.
“Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
So I made a mysterious move to retract what I had just asked.
Nagisa chuckled at my suspicious behavior.
Maybe I was overthinking it.
“Don’t worry about it. Well, I’ve been avoiding it until now, but maybe I should talk about my family this time.”
“Is that okay?”
“Yes. But it’s not something to make a big deal out of. It’s just a common family complex.”
After taking a sip of the iced latte that had arrived, she closed her eyes and exhaled, and her gesture was somehow seductive, and I couldn’t help but stare.
I was a little surprised by her unusual attitude, as she had never mentioned it before, but I listened intently.
“As I mentioned before, my older brother is exceptionally talented, attending a university overseas. Both my father and mother came from prestigious families, so I think they placed a lot of emphasis on my brother’s achievements. Neither of my parents were particularly accomplished within the family, so perhaps that’s why they wanted my brother to succeed.”
Her calm tone seemed to carry a clear sense of resignation and loneliness.
Nodding, I listened as she continued.
“Given that background, unlike my brother, I wasn’t expected to achieve much by my parents. I’m grateful that I was raised freely without any restrictions, but I also wanted to be noticed like my brother. So, just once, I want a result that makes me proud of myself, something that makes me feel like I’ve surpassed my brother.”
“So, that’s why you’re studying hard.”
“Fufu, it’s funny, isn’t it? Even though I say that, my grades are nowhere near my brother’s from back then. As for university, compared to where my brother is going, all other universities in the country pale in comparison. I know it. I know I can’t be like my brother.”
I don’t know where her brother is going, but if it’s better than all other universities in the country, it narrows it down.
And compared to that, Nagisa’s current academic ability doesn’t even come close.
I remember the conversation I had with Nagisa the first time we spoke.
Nagisa said, [There’s someone I want to beat.]
I vaguely thought it might have something to do with family circumstances, but it seems that was indeed the case.
She was referring to her own brother.
“My feelings about studying are just that. I was too embarrassed to talk about it before, but why? …I just felt like I wanted to talk to you about it.”
“That’s kind of you to think that.”
I drank my coffee and took a bite of the fries we ordered together.
After drinking another sip of coffee, I exhaled.
“I don’t know how good your brother is, but I think there are things Amakusa san can do better. …But I don’t want to give you false comfort, so I’ll be honest.”
“Yes.”
“For me, Amakusa san is important. Thanks to you, I got 80% in Japanese for the first time since entering high school on the last exam. Besides, it’s too early to give up.”
“Can I still catch up?”
“Just out of curiosity, what country is your brother’s university in?”
“America.”
“So it’s not Oxford, which is currently ranked number one in the world. You could beat it if you applied there.”
“!?”
She stared at me in disbelief, but I could only smile wryly.
Life is all about taking challenges.
It’s a shallow thought, but if there’s a chance to win, you should give it a shot.
“T-there’s no way I’d get in.”
“Probably. But what will others think of you challenging a university that even your older brother didn’t apply to?”
“…They might think it’s beyond my capabilities.”
“Maybe. But I’m sure your parents will find your challenge exciting and unknown. …But I’m not seriously telling you to apply. It’s too early to give up, and the act of surpassing your predecessors is a privilege only available to those who come later.”
After rambling on like that, I regretted it.
Seeing Nagisa’s unusually annoyed expression, I regretted what I had said.
This is bad. I got too carried away.
Why do people become so oblivious to their surroundings when they talk?
Reflecting on my own creepy behavior, I cringed.
“I-I’m sorry. I got too carried away—”
“I see. That’s right. …Fufu. Hahaha.”
“Eh?”
“As Edano san said, I was suppressing my own potential in my heart. Only those who come later can surpass their predecessors, right? That’s exactly right.”
“…Don’t repeat that because it’s embarrassing.”
It seemed she was just deep in thought, and she smiled with tears in her eyes.
Watching her, I felt a mix of embarrassment and relief, and my emotions started to go haywire.
Feeling guilty for just listening, I decided to tell her the story I had previously dodged when she asked me about it.
“I feel bad for keeping it a secret, so I’ll tell you what happened with Kako.”
“Please tell me.”
I then recounted the exchange I had with Kako at the fast-food restaurant.
How she mocked my grades and laughed at my intelligence.
How she crumpled up my report card right in front of me.
How she had told Takagi about my circumstances without my permission and used it as material to mock me.
How she had simply said, “I don’t need you anymore” and cut off the relationship unilaterally.
I tried not to complain.
I didn’t want to be comforted.
Besides, I’m doing fine now, and to be honest, the unpleasant feelings from that time have already faded.
After hearing my story, Nagisa smiled defiantly.
“Then, I guess Reisan san has to beat her in the mock exam.”
“Yeah.”
After that, Reisa apparently set the stakes and penalties with Kako.
Apparently, if Reisa wins, Kako will buy me the math problem book I’ve been wanting for a while.
She’ll even break open her New Year’s money to buy a three-volume set.
When I heard that, I got pretty excited.
It’s a pretty expensive purchase, so I hadn’t been able to buy it despite wanting it.
It’s a clever condition that benefits me and also motivates me to teach Reisa.
However, what surprised me was that it was Kako who proposed the condition.
I honestly didn’t think she remembered what I wanted.
I had been complaining about it like a curse for a while, so maybe it stuck in her mind.
Well, using it as a penalty for a punishment game is typical of her.
Anyway, I can’t afford to lose the mock exam, so I want her to win at all costs.
And of course, I want to win too.
“Let’s do our best on the mock exam.”
“Yes. And please continue to support me in the future… Tsukushi kun.”
“Likewise… Um, Nagisa chan?”
“Buh ! Fufu, don’t push yourself too hard.”
“You too.”
We awkwardly exchanged unfamiliar name calling, then burst out laughing together.
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