Episode 25 – “There’s only one bed?” For some reason, I was asked this twice.
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https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093152263860/episodes/16818622170980616803
The next day after school.
I came home with Asahina to her house. This had become completely normal, but today was a little different.
“Here you go, make yourself at home.”
“Thanks…”
In one hand, I held a bag containing my school supplies. And on my back…
“You can think of this as your own home.”
“Like I can!”
A backpack for staying overnight…
I know it’s not good for a boy to stay at a girl’s house. I understand that in my head. But I agreed to Asahina’s proposal for an overnight study session.
How could I refuse after saying such a cool line! I told my parents I was staying at a friend’s house to study. I don’t think I’m lying…
“Alright! Let’s do this today!”
That lazy high school girl is more motivated than I’ve ever seen her before. Amazing! The effects of the overnight study session are already showing!
“Where’s the deck of cards?”
“You idiot! Open your textbook right now!”
I almost fell over. Her motivation was misdirected.
“Today’s not about playing cards, it’s about studying! It’s past 5:00 now, so we’ll study until 6:30. Then we’ll go shopping and have dinner.”
I grabbed Asahina’s hand and dragged her to the desk in the middle of the room. It’s where I usually comb my hair. She reluctantly opened her notebook, twirled her mechanical pencil, and glanced at me.
“Do I really have to study that much?”
“Why am I here?”
“To hang out together.”
“No way!”
She’s too laid-back! I’m not in as much of a pinch as Asahina, but this is my first regular test since entering high school. I want to show my parents that I’m doing well, and I want to study properly.
“Hey, is Ryo-kun going to cook dinner today?”
“That’s the plan. What do you want to eat, Asahina?”
“Yay! I want hamburgers!”
“Another time-consuming dish! But let’s go shopping before 7:00.”
“Why?”
“Because the sales start then.”
When I answered that, Asahina nodded happily with a smile.
“I’ll make whatever you want. Let’s just do our best until then.”
“Got it.”
“Also, even though I said that last time, I don’t plan on making Asahina cram for the exam.”
“Huh, why?”
“You’re still recovering from being sick! Plus, it says so in the training notebook!”
I showed Asahina the training notebook. On the back cover, I had written in big letters with a marker, “Health comes first above all else!”
“…This notebook keeps getting thicker and thicker.”
“That’s because there are so many areas for improvement. I hope you see it as room for growth.”
“Then I’ll aim for the second volume.”
“Please don’t push yourself too hard.”
Personally, I’d like to reduce it… but let’s not think about that for now.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
“Alright.”
Even though the arduous task of studying awaits us, Asahina seems to be in a good mood today. Despite everything, this might actually make studying more efficient!
“Let’s buy some ice cream when we go shopping.”
“Ice cream? Sure, but why?”
“I want to eat it together after taking a bath.”
After taking a bath… It’s annoying that she says such things without realizing it.
…But this is bad, I’m starting to feel a little nervous.
An hour has passed since we started studying.
“Ryo-kun, I don’t understand this…”
I don’t think that much time has passed, but Asahina’s concentration was starting to wane.
“It’s like this…”
As I thought, Asahina’s academic ability was mediocre. When there are a lot of things you can’t do, you don’t want to do them anymore. I totally understand how she feels.
“If you do it like this, I think you’ll be able to solve it.”
In order to teach Asahina, we ended up sitting next to each other. We were studying at a distance where our shoulders were touching. It was a relief that Asahina’s desk was fairly spacious.
“Are you smart, Ryo kun?”
“I’m always around average.”
“That’s the most boring thing ever.”
“Shut up!”
Alright, it’s a good place to stop, so let’s go shopping a little early.
“Asahina, let’s go shopping as a break.”
“Phew, I haven’t studied in a while.”
…Asahina’s head fell onto my shoulder.
“Asahina-san?”
“I thought this would make a good pillow.”
With her head still on my shoulder, Asahina smiled. It wasn’t just a matter of being close. She was leaning her entire weight on my shoulder. Her soft hair swayed slightly, and the scent of shampoo wafted into my nose.
“Could you not use my shoulder as a pillow without asking?”
“Then from now on, I’ll ask for permission first by saying, ‘Ryo-kun, can I use your shoulder as a pillow?’”
“Do you think I’ll give permission?”
“Hmm, then I’ll just use it without permission after all.”
“Either way, it’s a big blow to me!”
I gently moved my shoulder to lift Asahina’s head. She frowned reluctantly, and I sighed lightly.
“Oh, my wallet… where is it?”
While Asahina rummaged through her bag, I glanced at the refrigerator. It was almost empty. What a frustrating refrigerator to shop from. …I’ve lost my resistance to opening Asahina’s refrigerator.
“Well, let’s go.”
“Let’s go!”
We walked side by side through the twilight-shrouded streets. It was only a ten-minute walk to the nearby supermarket. I knew the way since I’d been there a few times before. But…
“Ryo-kun, look, your hands are free you know?”
“If I hold your hand now, I won’t be able to carry the bags.”
“Hold my hand?”
Without hesitation, Asahina took my hand!
“Guh…”
“Why are you making that face?”
She always takes my hand so naturally… I can’t just let her get away with it today.
“Let’s go, Asahina!”
“Kya”
I gripped Asahina’s hand tightly. Don’t underestimate me—after being taken advantage of twice or three times, I’ve gotten a little used to it! But only a little bit, really!
“Hey, wait, you’re going too fast!”
“This time of day at the supermarket is like a war zone! I’ll teach Asahina how to fight discount stickers!”
“Then let’s write it down in the training notebook too!”
“What?”
“How to fight discount stickers.”
That’s so lame… That’s the lamest entry so far.
“Oh, I should write down the curry recipe I learned too. I’ll start with how to cut the onions.”
“That’ll just turn into a cooking notebook.”
We walked quickly, bantering back and forth. Then, suddenly, Asahina let go of my hand.
“What’s wrong?”
When I asked, Asahina smiled mischievously and said,
“Hmm, I just felt like doing this!”
Saying that, Asahina wrapped her arms around my arm!
“Hey, wait!”
“Hey, Ryo-kun. I only have one bed at my place.”
“I know that, though…”
“I only have one bed at my place, you know?”
“Why did you say that twice!?”
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