Episode 39 – The most popular girls in the school are on bad terms
Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622175390430854
Finally freed from my constraints, I entered my free after-school hours.
Still, the time I had originally planned to use for studying ended up being wasted for about 30 minutes, and I didn’t know what to do about it.
Usually, I would meet up with Nagisa casually near the school cafeteria with Reisa.
However, with the time delay, there was a possibility that Nagisa had already gone home.
I couldn’t see Reisa either, so maybe she had gone home too.
“Tsukushi !”
However, as I gathered my belongings and left the classroom, Reisa stopped me in the hallway.
She had already changed into her usual uniform.
She asked with a wry smile.
“How was it? Butler uniforms don’t suit me, do they?”
“No, it suited you perfectly.”
“! …Well, I can pull off anything I wear, you know.”
“Then why did you ask me with such anxiety?”
I tilted my head at her confusing attitude.
Women’s hearts are truly mysterious.
“It’s fine, isn’t it? As Nishiho san said, the concept of a usually spoiled girl switching roles and serving others is good. This might attract various students from around the school.”
“…Ahaha, that’s right. Mika said something interesting.”
“D-did I say something weird?”
After an awkward pause, Reisa spoke with an unusually intense tone.
Had I unknowingly said something offensive?
When I asked, Reisa just gave me a mysterious, ambiguous smile.
…Did I step on a landmine?
I secretly broke out in a cold sweat.
I never thought complimenting a girl’s clothes would be this difficult.
This is bad.
She’ll think I’m insensitive again.
As I thought this morning, I need to be nicer to Reisa and Nagisa to make up for it.
No matter how good my grades are, I’m currently relying on them for help.
This makes me look like a pathetic loser.
I need to compliment them more…!
Reisa looks at me suspiciously as I hesitate in silence.
I give her a bright smile.
“Well, Reisa has long limbs and a model-like figure, so her male attire looked sharp and put-together. On the day, you’ll have a wig too, right? I’m curious about short-haired Reisa—I’m sure it’ll suit you. I bet you’ll be so popular on the day that three maid cafes won’t even be able to compete !”
“Waa?”
I tried to praise her as much as I could, but Reisa let out an odd sound.
Her expression froze completely, and her eyes widened.
“W-what was that?”
“……”
It was a complete failure.
As I panicked, Reisa turned away and said,
“…It’s obvious you’re trying too hard to praise me.”
“No, no, no, no ! But I’m not lying “!
“Well, your perspective is a bit off. What’s with the ‘long limbs’ comment? Well, I guess it’s not bad…”
The true intent was completely exposed, and I couldn’t stop sweating.
What I said was what I truly thought, but the fact that I was trying to force a compliment made it awkward.
Damn it, why did it have to turn out like this?
I just wanted to make her happy.
As I was thinking that, I saw Nagisa walking down the hallway.
She looked at Reisa and frowned unhappily.
“Your face is bright red, Reisa san. Were you that happy to be praised?”
“Huh !? This is—!”
I was relieved to hear that.
I thought she was furious at my words, but it seems I was mistaken.
I wish she had just been happy about it, but since she wouldn’t show her face, I ended up exhausted from unnecessary stress.
Then, Nagisa approached Reisa.
“Judging by how you’re flirting in the hallway and not coming to the study session, you seem to have a lot of free time. You’re the one who only got a 60 on the Japanese test I taught you, right, Nanamura Fraser Reisa?”
“No, it was 61.”
“That’s probably due to the mercy points from Tsukushi kun, right?”
“You’re not even trying to hide your sarcasm anymore. I feel bad for you, after all the time you spent teaching me.”
“No, it’s fine. I know you tried your best. It’s just…I’m a little annoyed.”
“What part of that is ‘fine’?”
Come to think of it, in the previous mock exam, Reisa scored over 70% in math and English, but in Japanese, which was almost entirely taught by Nagisa, she only scored 60%.
Honestly, Japanese seems to be the hardest subject to improve grades in.
However, Nagisa still seems dissatisfied.
She keeps staring at Reisa with a glare, and it seems like she’s genuinely shocked.
Well, to be honest, if I were in her position and only my math scores weren’t improving, I’d be depressed too.
I’d probably start doubting my teaching methods.
Well, that’s that.
Still, these two are definitely not getting along for some reason.
This is definitely not my imagination.
Reisa sighed.
“It’s not Nagisa’s fault. So, will you teach me again?”
“Well, if that’s the case, then yes !”
“Huh, you’re too easy to manipulate.”
“!? …Even if you say that, neither of you are at your usual places, so I was actually worried that my teaching method was bad and you had given up on me ! I was about to cry !”
“Stop being so cute. And you’re being too negative. It’s okay, I won’t abandon Nagisa, but Tsukushi might.”
“Are you trying to abandon her while everyone else is distracted?”
“It’s just your imagination.”
I’ve gotten used to living with their little charade.
It’s noisy for studying, but it’s far better than being constantly harassed by some childhood friend.
In fact, I already owe these two more than I can ever repay.
Watching them bicker is funny and enjoyable.
Besides, they’re not really fighting seriously.
After they finished arguing and calmed down, Reisa and Nagisa turned to me.
They smiled brightly.
“So, shall we have a study session today too?”
“For the midterm exam, right?”
“Yeah.”
I nodded and smiled back.
The study session had become a daily routine.
For high school students who are constantly preparing for the next test until graduation, it’s not something they can easily give up.
However, that’s only true for those who are aiming for top grades.
I took a deep breath and looked at Reisa.
She returned my gaze with a puzzled expression, and I spoke.
“But, about this study session.”
“?”
“Do I still need to teach Reisa?”
“――Eh?”
A faint voice escaped from Reisa’s lips.
The vibrant sunset cast a shadow over her tense expression.
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