Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176550308690/episodes/16818622177766928094
After leaving the family restaurant and returning home, I decided to study for the time being.
The midterm exams would begin in two weeks. I had been listening attentively in class lately, so I hoped I wouldn’t fail, but my school was an advanced school, and the tests were extremely difficult. There were times when the average score was below 40 points.
“Math is the worst…I don’t understand it at all…”
However, this time, I can’t ask Renka—I mean, Fujisaki—to teach me like before.
Yuri would probably agree if I asked him, but he’s the type who’s good at studying but terrible at teaching. Sena and Hideki have better grades than me, and they probably want to focus on their own studies.
As for Suzukita san……I don’t know how good her grades are, but being with her makes me want to play Anfil. If that happens, I won’t be able to study.
“….Come on, me. I have to show Fujisaki that I can do it on my own.”
If I get bad grades here, Fujisaki will surely worry about me again.
That said, well…I clearly told Fujisaki earlier, “Don’t worry about me from now on.” So maybe it doesn’t matter what happens to me anymore.
◇◇◇
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and the day of the midterm exam arrived.
I think I did my best. I went out to play with Hideki sometimes, and I also played with Suzukita san at Anfil, but…I kept it within the bounds of relaxation. For someone as lazy as me, I think I did pretty well.
By the way, during those two weeks, I didn’t talk to Fujisaki even once.
We had finally stopped even greeting each other. My classmates asked me several times what had happened, but I just brushed it off with a “Well, you know…” sort of response.
The following Monday, the grades were announced.
Our high school has this terrible old-fashioned tradition of posting the rankings and scores of all students in the hallway.
During the free period before morning homeroom, I went with Hideki and Yuri to check the grades. And then,
“I’m first again. Well, that’s to be expected.”
Yuri said coolly, adjusting his glasses.
…We’ve known each other for a long time, so I can tell. He’s actually relieved inside. The second-place student is pretty close behind him.
“I’m…geez, 155th. This is the worst. My mom is going to beat me again…”
Hideki sighed heavily.
As for me…
“…82nd place. What do you think of that…”
It’s a hard-to-describe ranking.
It’s higher than last time. But even after studying so hard, I didn’t even come close to 50th place.
Still, I guess I did my best. I don’t think I’ll fail, so I’ll just praise myself for now.
“That’s awesome, Akito ! What the hell, you actually studied properly, didn’t you?”
Hideki put his arm around my shoulder and said with a bright smile.
“Well, yeah. But in two months, it’s the final exam again…ugh, just thinking about it makes me feel like hell…”
“If you think so, let’s have a study session together this time. If we do it together, it should feel a little better, right?”
“I appreciate the offer, but if I join, it’ll be a hassle for Fujisaki.”
As I talked with Hideki and the others while looking at the list, I happened to find Suzukita Miyuki’s name.
Next to her name was the rank of 12th.
“Suzukita san is really smart…”
I think to myself, impressed.
She’s kind to otaku, has a homey side, and is good at studying—a gamer beauty who loves cool older men. How many attributes does Suzunami-san need to satisfy herself?
“Hideki, Akito. If you’re up for it, let’s have a victory party today. I’ll cover the costs.”
Yuri casually invites us. …Planning his own victory party and paying for it himself. Yuri is still Yuri. However,
“Sorry, Yuri. I’ll pass. Have fun with the others.”
I politely decline.
But Yuri doesn’t lose his composure and continues in a cool tone.
“I won’t invite Sena and Renka. I thought it would be nice to get together with just the three of us guys for a change.”
“…I see. Sorry for making you feel uncomfortable.”
When I said that, Hideki patted me on the back and said,
“Akito. Since this is a rare opportunity, I’ll say it now. No matter what happens between you and Renka, I’ll always be your best friend. So don’t worry about us.”
“That’s right, Akito. It’s a shame about your falling out, but I don’t want it to take away my time with Akito. Sorry, but as my best friend, you’re coming to the winner party with us.”
Wait…what’s with these guys?
I’ve known since way back that Hideki and Yuri are kind people.
But when they say it to my face like that…
“Shit…I feel like I’m gonna cry.”
“Go ahead and cry. When you do, I’ll give you a hug.”
“…Hideki. Do you really like me?”
“No, that’s not it ! ! Stop trying to label me like that ! ! Sometimes the girls in class ask me, ‘Are you dating Ayata kun?’”
“Yeah, I’ve been asked that by my classmates too. ‘Which one is Ayata kun’s true love, Renka chan or Hideki kun?’”
Yuri said it in a serious tone. I smiled wryly and said,
“…Yuri. You denied it properly, right?”
“No, I didn’t. I just left it to their imagination.”
“I thought so. But that’s going to cause trouble for Fujisaki, so from now on, deny it firmly. I don’t care about you, Hideki.”
“You don’t care about me !? Just a moment ago, the atmosphere was so touching !”
In the middle of our noisy conversation, I suddenly thought,
…Come to think of it, Fujisaki’s name isn’t there.
She’s not as good as Yuri, but she’s still pretty smart. She’s never missed the top ten.
“Huh? Wait, 30th…?”
When I finally found Fujisaki’s name, it was way lower than usual.
I thought it was weird, but 30th is still pretty good. I guess this kind of thing happens sometimes.
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At this point bro screw Renka you and Hideki can be happy together