Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622173145766506
The conversation is over, but the lunch break is not over.
It was too late to go back and resume studying, so we sat down on a bench.
The lingering summer heat made the sun’s rays harsh, but it was better in the shade of the trees.
While taking in the breeze that blew between the school buildings, Reisa asked Nagisa.
“Speaking of which, why are you studying, Nagisa?”
“What do you mean…..eh?”
“Well, I mean, a normal person wouldn’t voluntarily study, would they?”
[ [Of course they do.] ]
Our voices overlapped beautifully.
The main duty of a student is to study.
Not only for academic purposes, but also to learn social norms and group behavior, but the main focus is on studies.
How could she not study even though she entered the school for the purpose of learning?
Nagisa must be thinking something similar.
In fact, she was looking at Reisa curiously.
“N-no way !? That’s just because you two are weird !?”
“Is that so?”
“No, it’s Reisa who is weird. High school is not free. The parents pay a huge amount of money for the high school, even if it is a public school. And yet you just play around and neglect it.”
“Tsukushi you’re kinda depressing !”
Even with all this, I was a little worried about the timing of my junior high graduation.
If I had to concentrate on my studies at a preparatory school, I wouldn’t have had the time to do a part-time job.
So I thought I might as well just give up on my dream and get a job.
For me, it was such a serious matter.
I’m just kidding.
I understand that only a few people actually go to high school to study.
Most of them enter a school of higher education because their future would be difficult without a college degree, or because they naturally ended up here when they chose a school that matched their academic ability.
I would have thought so, too, had I been in a different situation.
“So, Nagisa just studied and that’s why she got that rank?”
Nagisa giggles at Reisa’s astonishment.
“I’ve always had good grades, but the reason I aim higher is different. I just want to beat someone. I guess you could say I’m studying in order to beat that person.”
“Beat that person?”
“Are you talking about Takagi?”
When I asked, Nagisa looked at me with very cold eyes.
“No, it’s a much loftier goal. …….That’s why I can’t stumble and give up in a place like this.”
As soon as she said this, I guessed that it was somehow a family matter.
The reason was her eyes.
Her eyes looked just like the eyes I had seen somewhere over the years.
I think this is something unique to those who have repeatedly experienced frustration and despair.
A life where despair is close at hand, and every time you try to overcome it, you get knocked down.
I’m like that, so I kind of get it.
Putting aside the truth of the situation, at least that’s the impression I got from the atmosphere at that moment.
Nagisa had already returned to her usual beautiful profile.
It seems a little heavy, so try not to touch it lightly.
But that aside, I let out a wry smile.
It seems like she really doesn’t have any interest in me.
Because, you know, that’s what it is.
She has other goals to achieve, and the peak of this school she’s aiming for now is just a passing point.
I’m not even close to either of those goals, and that’s a given.
However, is it my unworthy pride that makes me feel a little frustrated?
That being said, I think she probably thinks highly of me too.
Perhaps the best English speaker in our school is Takagi Rio.
There are other students who have experience studying abroad and specialize in English.
However, Nagisa chose me.
I’m sure there must be some other reason other than what she was saying earlier, so I’m a little happy about that.
Well, it’s all in the realm of imagination.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
I said and left.
On my way back to the school building to use the restroom, I spot a familiar pair in the hallway.
My childhood friend, with her twin-tail hair looking a little dreary, and Takagi, who was looking at his study cards without regard to her twin-tail hair.
It seems like this guy is stepping up his game in preparation for the ability tests.
Be on your guard.
◇
[Reisa’s point of view]
It was after Tsukushi had left.
I was drinking the juice from the carton I’d bought earlier.
Just as I was putting the contents in my mouth, Nagisa asked me.
“Are you and Edano san dating?”
“Bwah !? ……Eh !?”
The abrupt and direct question made me burst.
The worst part is that the indigo skirt is completely stained with white liquid.
While frantically wiping it with a tissue, I looked at Nagisa.
I doubt if she did it on purpose.
“O-out of the blue?”
“You’ve been with him for the past few days, right? At first, I thought I’d wait for a moment when he was alone to talk to him. But I just couldn’t find that moment.”
“A-aren’t you exaggerating?”
“No, it was intentional, wasn’t it?”
“….I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
With a wry smile, I look off into the distance.
Nagisa’s words, as if she could see right through me, make me break out into a cold sweat.
“Every time I try to talk to him, Nishiho Mika san, who is in the same class, talks to me instead. It’s as if she’s not letting me get close to Edano san. I wonder why.”
“…… Haa, it’s no use saying I don’t know, right? That’s a pretty nasty way of asking.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. But I suppose you know.”
“Nagisa was the first to notice my relationship with Mika. As expected.”
“……So you two are dating?”
All I could see in her eyes was simple intellectual curiosity.
Seeing that, my face grew hot.
“S-so?”
“No, if that’s the case, I thought it would be uncomfortable for me to get involved with him.”
I like Tsukushi.
It’s a feeling I’ve had ever since, even before the other day when he taught me for a quiz.
But I don’t want to tell him that now.
Dating him is out of the question.
I stared at Nagisi’s face, hiding my embarrassment.
She probably doesn’t have any romantic feelings for Tsukushi and simply wants to learn.
That’s why I answered her head-on.
“It’s not uncomfortable at all ! I’m sure Tsukushi needs Nagisa too.”
“!? …Th-thank you.”
Seeing Nagisa blushing, I felt my heart clench.
She’s just too cute.
I’m sure she’s never had a life where she’s had any romantic relationships.
That’s just how it seemed.
“Well then, shall I teach you, Reisa san?”
“Ahaha, I’m not very easy to teach, are you sure?”
“Leave it to me !”
I also think she probably has a weakness for being praised or recognized.
The way she clenched her fists in excitement really took my heart away.
Ha, that was close.
If I were a boy I would have fallen for her instantly.
No wonder she’s so popular with the boys at school.
……Nn?
Then it’s not good, is it?
I looked at Nagisa with my eyes wide open.
“W-what is it?”
“……Nothing.”
If Tsukushi is caught up in this cuteness, my plan is over.
The fact that I had asked our maid to help me and was desperate to create an opportunity for this and that is meaningless.
I despair as I hear the pre-bell ring.
And one more thing.
I’ll give Mika a lecture when I get back.
How could the secret maid’s true identity be revealed to an outsider?
Amakusa Nagisa……
In many ways, she is a person to watch out for.
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