Chapter 42: Before the Test

“Hey Makoto, that’s Haruka, isn’t it? …… S-she is so skilled.”

“Y-yeah, I wonder where her eyes are… ……”

　I saw Haruka on my way to school.

　Haruka was looking at her notebook and textbook as she walked. In spite of the crowds at this time of the day, she was ducking and weaving her way through the crowd. She was also walking very fast.

　Haruka is a child who sleeps a lot. I still don’t have her contact information, but when I went by my parents’ house to get my notebook back, my mom told me.

“She studies all the time except for her bedtime. ……. She seems to be going to bed at the same time as usual, but I’m worried about her health. ……”

　…… I used to think that Haruka, my stepsister, was favoring me, but I guess she didn’t know what to do when I told her and she didn’t bother to study.

　Eventually, a female student approached Haruka as she was walking.

　It was Nanako and Kisaragi.

　I could recognize Kisaragi’s face now. I’ve had some trouble with Kisaragi since I started high school, but I honestly didn’t know who she was at first.

　Haruka looked up and greeted them, then turned her head to her notebook and textbook again.

　Nanako-san and Kisaragi-san were cuddling up to Haruka, watching over her.

　Anri and I didn’t study for the test. Rather, we’ve already finished studying for the test. We had a study session once at my grandfather’s house, but we just confirmed that there was nothing wrong with each other.

　But that’s not the point.

“Ugh, volleyball is a team game, right?　I don’t think I can play well with anyone but myself.”

“Anriya, let’s learn the rules first. I don’t know the rules of baseball either. …… Let’s watch a quick sports manga to learn the rules. ……”

” Ah, I have a recommendation for a sporty novel!　How about we go to the bookstore on the way home?”

“Sure. There’s a new issue of Tetsuro by Kanzaki-sensei coming out.”

“Hehe, well, Kanzaki-san said she wants to see you again, right?　…… Makoto, Kanzaki-san has taken a liking to you.”

　Anri speaks in a Yankee tone because there are so many students.

　…… Was there any element of me being liked by Kanzaki-sensei?　I don’t know, but I’ll just prepare the colored paper.

Kanzaki-sensei is a very popular author. Kanzaki sensei recognizes Anri as her rival.

　…… I’ll have to work hard to catch up.

　While secretly getting into the swing of things, Anri and I headed off to school together.

　In front of the classroom, Saito-san and Miyazaki-san were talking about something.

　Saito-san noticed me and bade me goodbye. Miyazaki also turned and looked at me.

　Miyazaki’s eyes were filled with mixed emotions.

　I could see that she pushed them in with a deep breath. Miyazaki also bailed lightly and turned to go back to his classroom.

　As I looked away from Miyazaki, I noticed a commotion in front of Miyazaki’s classroom – the same classroom as my stepsister, Haruka.

　There were many students peeking into the classroom.

“…… Hey, Shinjo-san, I’ve never seen you take a class seriously, you know”

“Yes, I’ve only seen her sleeping.”

“You don’t look feminine because you usually are, but ……, aren’t you super cute when you’re serious?”

“……I reluctantly agree.”

“Haruka-chan is studying diligently!　Cra……p, I should do that too.”

“Shinjo-san, who eats, sleeps or laughs, is ……”

“Hey, don’t interrupt her. Shinjo-san is a kid who can do it!

“I don’t want to have to make up a lesson!　I can’t ask her to help me with my summer club activities!”

“…… But how come Haruka, who never studied no matter who told her to?”

　Anri gently grabbed the hem of my uniform. Then, she walked to the front of Haruka’s classroom.

　I caught up with her and started walking.

　From the hallway, I could see Haruka studying.

　She wasn’t pretending to be studying. She was studying seriously. Even though her classmates occasionally spoke to her, she was completely oblivious to them. Miyazaki stops a student who is trying to make fun of Haruka for studying with a straight face.

　…… Miyazaki is an honor student, after all.

‘…… It looks fine. She’s a kid who can do better than me if she tries.”

　In fact, Haruka got an amazing score on the entrance exam. She thought that she would be able to study hard in high school. She didn’t even check the midterm test because she thought it would be fine.

　I really don’t know what motivates her.

“Makoto, you do look like a big brother, huh?　Fu-funu I-I’m not jealous of you at all!”

　I smiled at Anri, who was sulking for some reason, and we went back to our own classroom.

　Once we took our seats, we started reading our books as usual. The morning routine remains the same.

　…… I saw a slightly unusual sight.

　Yamada, who sits diagonally in front of me, is there at this time. Isn’t he always at the baseball team’s morning practice?

　Yamada was being taught how to study by Tanaka, who was sitting next to him.

　Yamada lazily approached Tanaka. Tanaka’s face was red and she was swearing in a small voice.

“…… Wai, close …….”

“Hmm?　Something wrong?　I mean, seriously, if I don’t get through the end of the term, my advisor is going to snap. Tanaka, please!”

“I don’t mind, but ……”

“I’m looking forward to the ball game!　Ah, that’s right, Tanaka, watch me be brave!”

“Eh, Ah, yeah. ……. Ah, T-that’s not what I meant….”

“Kaaa!　I mean, Tanaka is super smart!　You’re cute and humble, and you’re awesome!”

Yamada is a natural. He may not be aware of it, but he is a good man who is liked by everyone.

　He treats everyone equally. When we were playing soccer in class, this guy took the initiative to talk to me. …… Or rather, Yamada, are you hitting on Tanaka?　What’s with the sweet air?　It’s filling up my chest. ……

　Anri whispered to me.

“After all it feels good, right? It’s kind of funny. “

“Yeah, I’ll be watching them for a long time.”

　I felt Tanaka’s back twitch, but it was probably Yamada’s fault.

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