CH 34

“Amazing ! Souta ! I got the best rank ever !”

Eiji tapped me on the shoulder saying so. I want him to stop because it hurts.

“I see. I know actually. Was it number 12?”

“Yup ! I’m so happy ! It’s the first time I got such a score !”

The rank numbers are posted. I had seen Eiji bouncing with joy from a distance when I went to see him earlier, so I went to check on him.

…And then Eiji came over to me and kept patting me on the shoulder and back, showing his joy.

“It hurts, stop it.”

“Oh yeah. No, seriously, thank you. You guys are such a blessing couple.”

“Not a couple. ……Well, I’m glad to hear your scores went up.”

Eiji reported that his score was high every time the test was returned. It’s good that he seemed happy when I told him so.

Looking at Eiji like that…I also checked my seating order.

[School ranking 1st / out of 240 students.]

I was able to get first place again this time.

“You also suddenly rose from before,……Hamada of the third class was grieving.”

“Who’s Hamada?”

“The former No. 1. ……You don’t seem to be interested in other people, that’s why.”

I didn’t know that. But yeah. The fact that I became the first place means that the former first place went down in the rankings.

However, Eiji said something I had not expected.

“I heard that Hamada has dropped to about 30th in the rankings.”

“What happened with Hamada?”

“Ah…..he got a girlfriend and got carried away. I guess that happens sometimes. Sometimes people get so caught up in having a girlfriend that they neglect everything else. Well, we didn’t.”

My heart thumped at Eiji’s words.

……I’m glad I haven’t confessed to Nagi yet. There’s no guarantee that it will succeed, of course. If it had gone well. I’m not sure if I would have been able to get a good result in this test.

“I mean, you, not you, you guys. When did you start dating?”

“Wha…..”

I was so surprised when Eiji suddenly said that to me. I opened my mouth unintentionally, but I couldn’t speak well.

“I know and you know. You already know how you feel.”

“…..”

Eiji looked at me with a stiff eye…I nodded slightly.

“By the way, when did you notice?”

“I was vaguely aware of it. It was at that concert that I really understood. I thought it was insensitive to say that at that time. Did you say it already?”

“……No, not yet. I mean. I had a test and everything.”

“Hoo? Is that so? Then it was very good timing.”

Eiji looked at me with a smirk. I thought about hitting him.

I let out a sigh and lowered my voice. And stared at Eiji.

“I’d like to ask you something, just information. How did you and your girlfriend get together, Eiji?”

“Us? I don’t think we did anything special. When we were in middle school, we often went home together. I confessed my feelings to her on the way home.”

Oh……how can I put it? It seems very Eiji-like.

“Later on, Kirika told me a lot of things. It was better to be more romantic. I told her that she had a habit of crying and being happy, and she punched me in the face.”

“……It really is just like you guys.”

Eiji laughed when I replied. He was slapped on the back again.

“In our case, it’s just that. You should be fine if you do it normally.”

“……Yeah, thank you.”

While being encouraged by Eiji’s words. I put the paper with the rankings written on it away in my pocket.

◆◆◆

“…..! That’s amazing ! Souta kun, you’re number one again !”

“You’re number one too, Nagi.  …..And you got a perfect score in English too, that’s great !”

If I’m number one, then of course…… maybe not, but there’s a good chance that Nagi is also number one.

“Fufu. I’m grateful to you, Souta kun. You taught me a lot this time too.”

“… Still, it’s Nagi who worked hard. It’s really amazing.”

When I replied to Nagi who was smiling [Ehehe]. I couldn’t help but smile.

“Ah, then it’s reward time ! What is your request, Souta kun?”

“Ah…it’s not something I can do right now. Can I hear it from Nagi first?”

Nagi had a look of concern on her face, but she nodded after hearing my words.

‘Okay, I understand. ……Well, I. I’ve thought about it a lot.”

She put herself in front of me. ……Nagi stared at me. Her face was red and she looked embarrassed.

“I-I want you to give me…..a hug.”

Unexpected……no. I had expected it, but I didn’t think it was really true. I froze..

Nagi opened her mouth, fumbling a bit.

“Well, um. Hugging is effective in relieving stress and mental stability,…..um, so.”

Nagi looked down.

“T-that’s a lie. Um….”

After Nagi muttered a little. She glanced at me with a voice that sounded like a mosquito.

“S-Souta kun. I just want you to hug me.”

That’s what she said.

…….

“……Souta kun?”

I took a deep breath. I exhaled loudly and then put my hand on Nagi’s shoulder.

Nagi startled,……,but there was no fear or fright in her eyes.

After confirming that she was thin. I hugged her thin and soft body. A soft and sweet scent tickles my nostrils.

Hold on, there was no way I could do it.

“Ahh……”

Nagi’s small, cute voice reached my ears. Then, Nagi’s hand slowly moves…..around my back.

My heart is throbbing. As if that had been conveyed, Nagi’s mouth let out a chuckle.

“Souta kun’s heart is really pounding.”

“….I’ve never hugged anyone outside of my family before.”

‘Same here. ……I’m very nervous, too, you know? Very.”

Nagi told me. When I closed my eyes……I heard a small thumping sound overlapping my heartbeat.

“Last time… it was the same thing you did  when we were on the train.”

“Yeah. I guess so.”

I was still in close contact with Nagi like this when the train shook and became what it is now. Although it was an accident.

Her body is slender. I’m afraid it might break if I don’t use the right amount of force.

“…Nagi. Are you eating properly?”

“Fufu, I do. I have to dance. I have to control my weight.”

“I see.”

Now that she said it, I understand. It’s true that if your weight changes, it will affect the way you dance.

“O-or do you prefer someone who’s a little more plump, Souta kun?”

Her words, mixed with laughter, tickled my ears. I think she’s being a little too aggressive.

“Not really. …..I don’t mind as long as it’s you, Nagi. I just want you to be healthy. That’s all.”

I said that. Nagi’s hug became a little stronger.

“Fufu, you’re right. It seems we both think the same thing. …….I thought about it before. Minori kun is very manly. You’re big, firm, and strong……and when I hug you, I feel safe.”

She hugged me tightly. She put in a lot of strength, but it didn’t hurt that much.

……As for me, I’m worried about being hit by her soft things.

I looked into the distance, trying to distract myself somehow.

But I just can’t help it. I can’t help but notice Nagi’s……girlys side.

Calm down. Calm down. Calm……

“N-Nagi? Um. How much longer…are you going to do it?”

“Just a little more, please.”

I nodded at Nagi’s words and hugged her back. If it’s just a little more……it’s okay.

Nagi’s happy laughter was pleasant to hear. …..Then, my neck became even warmer.

“N-Nagi !?”

“Here. It’s warm and smells like Souta kun. It’s calming.”

“A-as expected. ……That’s embarrassing.”

“……Ah, I’m sorry.”

With a little disappointment, Nagi looked up. Even if I don’t see it, I can tell that you’re sad.

….I guess, it can’t be helped.

“Only this time, that’s why.”

“……! Are you sure?”

“Yeah, it’s true that I’m a little embarrassed. …I don’t mind.”

Oh geez, my face is hot.

However, I managed to spin the words. I can hear Nagi’s happy voice…

I also placed my chin on Nagi’s shoulder.

I did so until Nagi was satisfied.

◆◆◆

“I-I’m sorry. I was getting a little carried away…um, but it was fun.”

“I’m glad that you enjoyed it.”

I said that to Nagi, who seemed a little apologetic…and averted her gaze.

“Um, I don’t hate it….. it was fun.”

When I switched the words in the middle. I heard Nagi’s chuckle.

“… Fufu. That’s good !”

I can’t look away from her all the time, so I turn my gaze back to Nagi who is smiling and looking happy.

Nagi tilted her head while smiling.

“Come to think of it. What’s Souta kun’s reward? Ask me anything !”

“…..Yeah, right. It’s my turn next.”

I closed my eyes once,…… and took a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

Then I opened my eyelids again. In contrast to earlier, Nagi’s slightly tense expression was visible.

“Next week. I want you to go to the amusement park with me.”

When I said that, Nagi looked at me with a blank stare.

“Eh, um. Um, Souta kun? Is that all right?”

“Yeah. …..Actually I’ve never been to a proper amusement park before. And I wanted to go with Nagi for the first time.”

After Nagi stared at me… she smiled. She’s already happy.

“Yes ! I’ve never been there before either, so please let me accompany you ! Not just this time, but as often as you like !”

I breathed out a sigh of relief and…..clenched my fists.

I’m glad. ……I’m really glad.

And then I closed my eyes.

Next week. I’ll decide.

–