CH 35

“Um, ……”

After school.

I checked the faces of the students gathered at the round table and said, “Okay, we’ll start the study session.”

” Well, let’s start the study session.”

“Yeah!!”

Asahi-san was the first one to shout happily.

The tension was not that of a study session. But I felt it was a bit impolite to point this out, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.

After school, we went back to the café we had used for the last tea party.

The members around the table were the same as last time: me, Asahi, Taisho, Hinako, Naruka, and Tennoji. While Asahi and Taisho seemed to be enjoying themselves, Hinako and Tennoji quietly said, “I look forward to working with you.” Narika had no idea what they were saying. She was nervous again and bit her tongue.

“But …… once again, it’s a splendid group of people, isn’t it? You can count on a study session with the second-ranked student and the first-ranked student in the same room.”

I have my doubts about Taisho’s words.

“I think the first place goes to Konohana-san, but the second place goes to ……?”

“…… I’m in second place.”

Tennoji-san, who was sitting right next to me, replied in a grumpy tone of voice.

Her rivalry with Hinako was still burning. I awkwardly apologized in a whisper that only Tennoji-san could hear.

“Asahi’s grades were pretty good too, right?”

“‘Well, yeah. Didn’t Miyakojima-san also do well in this class?”

“What?”

Narika’s eyes widened in surprise at Asahi’s question.

“Well, I’m only good in PE and history. ……”

“History? I knew you were good at PE, but you were also good at history.”

“Oh, yeah. The Miyakojima family is a family that respects the spirit of the samurai way. Because of that, they make us study history from childhood.”

Narika says with hesitation.

“But the rest of the subjects are ………… almost always red.”

The place fell silent and Narika turned over in embarrassment.

Unlike Hinako, who has both literary and martial arts skills, Narika specializes only in martial arts.

“Um…… I’m sorry.”

“…… No, it’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”

Narika said sadly.

Narika was feared due to various misunderstandings, but there were many flaws that were overlooked because of this. Asahi and Taisho were still looking at Narika with respect at the time of the tea ceremony, but now they are watching her with friendly eyes.

“It seems we need to be …… serious about this.”

Tennoji-san muttered with a difficult face and looked at me.

“Nishinari-san. Do you have any ideas about how to proceed with the study session?”

“We were just going to get together and study, that’s all.”

“So, why don’t we split up into those who teach and those who are taught? I’m sure it will be more efficient that way. …… I, Konohana-san, and Asahi-san will be on the teaching side.”

This means that the three of us who will be taught will be me, Taisho, and Naruka.

I shook my head and told them that I had no problem with this strategy.

“What subjects are you weak in, Nishinari-san?”

“Other than subjects I can memorize. …… I think math is particularly tough.”

I told her honestly what subjects I was weak in.

Then Hinako, sitting to my left, responded.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll–“

“Then I can help you with your studies. I’m good at math.”

Hinako was about to say something, but Tennoji’s clear voice drowned it out.

At that moment, Hinako’s smile froze.

“I can help Miyakojima-san raise her average score.　I don’t have any subjects I’m good at, but I don’t have any subjects I’m bad at either, so I think I can help her raise her average score.”

“Please!”

Narika responds in a stiff tone of voice.

“Well, then, I’ll be working with Konohana-san ……?”

“…… Yes. I am looking forward to working with you, Taisho-kun.”

“Yes, it’s a pleasure!”

Taisho was nervous, but clearly pleased.

On the other hand, Hinako was smiling gently  and stepping on my foot forcefully.

It hurts, it hurts, it hurts …

Speaking of which, Hinako has been wanting to study with me since yesterday. So now that it’s Tennoji-san who’s studying with me instead of herself, I guess she’s in a bad mood.

Apart from that, Hinako and I can study together when we get back to the mansion. …… Ouch, ouch, ouch, stop grinding with your heels.

“So, let’s get started.”

With a statement from Tennoji-san, each of us began to study.