Episode 42 – A genius who provokes others will incur the wrath of a bookworm

Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622175805496073

“I got 91 points.”

Without lying, I said that, and Takagi blinked in surprise.

“Did I hear that wrong? That Edano, who got 189 out of 200 on the last assessment test, got 91 on a little quiz?”

“Thanks for remembering that. But it really was 91 points.”

For someone like me who can’t even remember my own score, Takagi’s memory is astonishing.

Or rather, how much does he like me?

Does anyone normally bother to keep track of other people’s scores by subject?

I can’t even remember the scores of Reisa and Nagisa, who study with me, even if I take my time.

He’s a strange guy.

“I lost partial points on two questions in the Japanese translation of the long reading passage, and made three mistakes in total including the true/false questions. You’re giving me a lot of credit, but that’s about it this time.”

I’m used to being mocked.

And I understand Takagi’s personality.

So this teasing and grilling was more or less what I expected, and it didn’t really faze me.

After all, the problem was that I messed up the points.

Takagi narrowed his eyes, suppressing a smile, as if he didn’t like my firm response.

“Your subjects other than your strengths are sloppy.”

“That’s right. So I’ll start studying for them from today.”

“Please do. …But are you sure? You wanna go to medical school, right?”

Just when I thought the conversation was over, Takagi said something strange.

Because of that, the gallery, which had been quiet, became noisy.

Even at an elite high school, there aren’t that many students who want to go to medical school.

And there’s nothing that stimulates the curiosity of onlookers more than a high-ranking student talking about a reckless career path.

“If you wanna go to medical school but can’t speak English, aren’t you being a bit lazy? You can’t save people’s lives just by being good at math. …Whaddya think?”

Ugh, this is annoying. It’s irritating.

It’s a valid point, so I can’t argue with it.

I know that too.

What he just said is exactly what I was reflecting on a moment ago.

In fact, I was too obsessed with math, so it hit home and hurt my ears.

Takagi Rio.

As a person, he’s as bad as they come, but he’s quick-witted and has decent logical thinking skills.

Takagi shrugs at me for not responding.

As the gathering came to an end, the onlookers who had gathered seemed to have grown bored and began to leave.

It seemed that Takagi, the genius, was one step ahead of Edano, the current top-ranked student.

It was frustrating, but there was nothing I could do about it in this situation.

Once we were alone, Takagi stood next to me and put his arm around my shoulder.

His familiar gesture made my cheeks twitch.

“What’s with you?”

“Don’t be so rude. I recognize you.”

“You’re just clinging to me and making excuses.”

“What are you going to do with all that wasted time?”

“…Isn’t this situation a waste of time?”

“No.”

Takagi answered me seriously, who was puzzled.

“I’ve always been number one, and I’ve never experienced defeat. That’s why I was despairing after the assessment test. But then I realized. ……If I could defeat you, maybe I could feel better than ever before.”

“…….”

“It’s because of you that I’m so motivated now. So don’t mess up on some stupid little test. Don’t let me down. Don’t make me think I lost to some trash who got three questions wrong on this test.”

“Don’t people often tell you you’re too serious?”

“Beats me, Kako didn’t say anything.”

“Oh, right.”

I kept to myself the thought that the sample human didn’t have normal sensibilities…

Also, I didn’t really want to hear about Kako, but it left me with a strange feeling.

As always, I don’t want to hear about my childhood friend’s intimate details.

It’s hard to know how to react.

Also, I was terrified by Takagi’s intense words.

It was too creepy.

I don’t know if he’s drunk on his own success or what, but what does he expect from me?

I’m not studying to compete with someone like him in the first place.

Why do I have to study while being treated like an enemy by this guy?

It just increases the pressure.

It’s extremely annoying.

Of course, it’s an honor to be seen as a rival by someone who has always been at the top of the class, but I don’t want this kind of obsession.

As the break was about to end, I tried to leave.

But he grabbed my arm and stopped me.

“What is it?” “

“No, there’s one more thing I wanna say.”

“?”

Does this guy still think he’s better than me?

He was being so persistent that I wanted to punch him, but then Takagi whispered in my ear.

At those words, my eyes widened.

“Speaking of which, that loser who’s always second place and studies with you also did terribly on this quiz, didn’t she?”

This guy crossed the line.

Even I couldn’t ignore that.

“Bastard…I don’t care about me, but I won’t let you make fun of Nagisa.”

“Huh? I didn’t even mention her name.”

“Don’t mess with me. She’s the only one who’s maintained second place since we started school.”

“Is that so? I didn’t even notice anyone below second place until recently, so I didn’t know. Sorry.”

My irritation exploded at his smug smile.

Man, I really want to punch him.

Since relying on violence now that my grades are worse would just get me called barbaric, I’ll hold back, but that doesn’t change the fact that I want to break his nose.

He’s mocking someone who has nothing to do with him.

The fact that it’s obvious he’s just trying to get my attention is what makes him so despicable.

“I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but unlike you and me, she’s never been below second place. In that sense, she’s superior.”

“……”

“Also, you lost to Nagisa in the assessment test, didn’t you? Who are you to say that? You should know better than that, you’re not stupid.”

“What ! …Are you getting angry because you like her?”

“What are you talking about, you’re the idiot who let your grades drop because you were preoccupied with girls.”

When I indirectly mentioned Kako, Takagi’s face twisted into an ugly expression for the first time today.

It seemed to have really bothered him.

I’m not weak at arguing.

I just usually let things slide because I don’t like fighting.

When I get really angry, I don’t hold back.

I shook off Takagi’s arm and laughed.

“You keep putting others down, but you’re just hurting yourself. You never learn.”

“What are you talking about?”

“What will you do if you get beaten by me and Nagisa in the next test?”

“Haha ! That’s impossible !”

“Who was the fool who said that before and still lost? Do you have no learning ability outside of studying?”

“…….”

“In the next midterm test, I’ll get full marks in both English and math and become the undisputed top student. You better start thinking of an excuse now. You can’t blame it on Kako anymore.”

I’ll crush this guy in the next test.

It doesn’t matter if it’s my strong or weak subject.

I won’t let him make any excuses, and I’ll surpass him in every way.

I won’t be satisfied until I do.

Besides, I feel bad for Nagisa.

It’s my fault that she had to say bad things about me.

He didn’t hear it, but that doesn’t matter.

I gave him an opening, so I’ll take care of everything this time.

“…I’m glad you’re motivated.”

In the end, I ended up being manipulated by him. Was that what he wanted?

I returned to the classroom and cooled my head.

In any case, I wanted to shut Takagi up, so I’ll think of this as a good opportunity.