A lot had happened, but about two weeks had passed since Kanade’s transfer.
“Ufufu. Ufufufufu.”
At first, she was caught up in various troubles like the conflict with Kadokura-san, but now she had completely blended in with her classmates.
In fact, she blended in better than I did.
...Wait, that was already the case on the first day.
Anyway, because of that, Kanade was perfectly settled in this class.
Last week, the days she came to my house were limited to only five out of seven days, and it felt like she was slowly becoming less dependent on me, which actually made me feel a bit lonely.
Regardless, I had to set aside those melancholy feelings because a certain matter was looming right in front of me.
“Alright everyone, the test period starts next week, so club activities are prohibited in principle.”
It was the final exam for the first semester.
“...Ah— Tests are such a pain.”
“I’m really behind on my studies—”
When the short homeroom after school ended, the classmates left the room while leaving behind pessimistic comments about the tests.
...In the midst of that, what kind of reaction was I showing?
Despite how it looks, I take pride in the fact that I study more than anyone else in this school on a daily basis.
That’s because I have the high ambition of becoming a doctor in the future.
...To someone like me, the school’s periodic tests are nothing more than a passing point.
Therefore...
“...Haaa. My stomach hurts.”
Naturally, once the test period arrives, I end up with a stomach ache due to stress sensitivity.
No, you there, thinking that my previous buildup was meant to show an attitude of complete composure.
How naive.
Think about it calmly.
What would happen if I, with my high ambition of becoming a doctor... were to trip up on something like a school test?
It’s obvious.
Death (Extremity).
If I get anything other than first place in the grade for the finals, I will probably die.
Socially, and mentally...
“I hate tests...”
So, just like my classmates who were showing gloom toward the tests earlier, I hate them too. I even wish they would just disappear if possible.
“...Fufu.”
...However, my past fifteen years of life eloquently tell me that running away from unpleasant things accomplishes nothing.
“...Ufufu.”
...That’s why, no matter how much I hate it. No matter how painful it is. I cannot run away.
“Ufufu.”
If it’s to make my dreams come true.
“Ufufufufu.”
In order to never be tormented by feelings of helplessness again...!
“Ak-kun.”
“Whoa!”
I jumped when Kanade called out to me from behind.
Wh-When did Kanade start standing behind me?
I didn’t notice her at all...
“Ak-kun. Let’s go home?”
“Ah, yeah...”
Prompted by Kanade, we headed home.
“Come to think of it, Ak-kun, aren’t you studying in the library today?”
Kanade asked me on the way back.
“Ah, yeah. ...I get a bit foul-mouthed during the test period.”
“Is that so? Even though Takagaki-san is so kind.”
...Well, because there’s an air of tension during the test period, my words become correspondingly harsh.
So, during the previous midterms, we ended up in an argument that was like dragging each other down, so we formed a sort of gentleman’s agreement.
...Ah. Come to think of it, Kanade had successfully given Takagaki-san the gift meant to deepen their friendship.
‘Th-Thank you... I’ll... cherish it, okay?’
Takagaki-san had a stiff smile on her face, though she seemed very happy.
“Hey. Ak-kun.”
“What is it?”
“If you’re not studying with Takagaki-san, would you like to study with me instead?”
“...”
“Oh?”
Kanade tilted her head slightly, perhaps thinking I would agree immediately. Cute.
“No, it’s just... the test period is like a battlefield. I don’t have the leeway to look over someone else’s studies.”
“Ah—... I see.”
Kanade looked down dejectedly, looking sad.
“...It’s not about being taught, you know.”
“Hmm...?”
“If possible, I wanted to cooperate with Ak-kun... and improve together, I thought?”
“...Ngh.”
I wish she’d stop with that “crying for sympathy” tactic.
...Having experienced a painful parting from a certain someone once, I dislike anything sentimental.
“Alright. Let’s study together.”
“Yay!”
Kanade rejoiced quite obviously.
...What. So that crying act earlier was just a performance?
I’m glad it was just an act.
“...Then, Ak-kun.”
“Yeah.”
“Is it okay to study at Ak-kun’s house?”
“Yeah.”
“Thanks.”
Kanade smiled.
“Then before we study, I think I’ll check to see if you’ve moved the teddy bear I gave you the other day.”
...The light vanished from Kanade’s eyes.
The teddy bear I received from Kanade was placed on the very top of a five-tier bookshelf at her request... but it got dusty in just a few days, so I felt bad for it and moved it down one tier.
...That happened exactly three days ago.
It’s as if her words were perfectly aimed.
“Hey Kanade, are you by any chance monitoring my room?”
“Hmm—? I am, you know—?”
“Right. You aren’t, of course.”
I decided to brush off Kanade’s weird joke. There’s no way she would be doing something criminal like that. However, even so... her timing is just too good.