V3Ch24: Rainbow Study Group Again

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Translator: Soafp

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The mid-term exams were fast approaching, and the school was filled with an unusual atmosphere.

The reason, of course, was the upcoming test battle between the gods.

“This time, it’s definitely Akazawa-san. She’s the perfect idol—great at both studying and sports.”

“Umi-chan… is probably not participating since she withdrew from the contest.”

“That’s why it’s going to be Tsukiyo-sama, obviously!”

“No, this time it’s going to be Mayuki-tan.”

“It's definitely going to be Inuyama-kun!”

Not only were the factions of the goddesses arguing, but the female students who supported Renji were also getting involved in the debate.

It felt a little dangerous, but I didn't mind the atmosphere. It was lively, filled with energy and enthusiasm, which felt refreshing. The fact that so many students were focusing on the exam in response to the gods’ contest wasn't bad either.

As for me, I was just relaxing, watching the scene from a distance.

I had no worries about the competition. I trusted Renji to handle it. I had nothing to do with this matter, and I wasn't in a position to get involved, no matter what.

“This place is full of energy again.”

Mahiro muttered next to me.

“Of course. It's the battle between the gods once more. It's only natural.”

“…Yeah.”

“By the way, Aoyama… it's too bad.”

Mahiro, who was part of the Aoi faction, had been down ever since Aoyama withdrew from the contest. He seemed a little more at ease when we played games together, but it looked like he hadn't fully recovered.

“I've finally started to calm down. Aoyama-san has her own path to follow, and I think I just have to accept it.”

“…Yeah.”

“Thanks for worrying about me.”

Well, Aoyama herself seemed to be doing just fine, though.

Aoyama was still streaming as usual. She played games frequently and showed no signs of putting effort into studying.

“Cheer up. Even though she is not the goddess anymore, you can still meet Aoyama anytime, right?”

“Yeah, it's a shame I can't support her as the goddess, but it's not like I won't be able to see her.”

I don't really get the feeling of supporting a classmate in that way, but as long as Mahiro feels better, that's what matters.

“So, you said you had something to talk about earlier. What's up?”

“It's about the study session we promised.”

“Ah, that. It's today after school, right?”

Today, I was supposed to have a study session with Mahiro.

It was something we had arranged a while ago.

Shion was having a study session with her classmates, she said. She wasn't planning to goof off, so I had to trust her.

“It was supposed to be just us, but can we add one more person?”

“Add someone? Who?”

“Well, her.”

Mahiro glanced toward a certain spot.

When I looked over, I saw a girl standing there.

“I may not be very good, but I'll do my best, so please take care of me again!”

It was Nekoda, bowing deeply with a straight posture.

---

“Thank you so much!”

Inside the karaoke box, Nekoda expressed her gratitude.

Last time, we had our study session at a family restaurant, but since that became Nekoda's part-time job, we decided to switch to karaoke this time.

“Don't mention it.”

“Yeah, yeah. It's a study session, so let's help each other out with the parts we're bad at.”

“Also, save the thanks for after we see the results.”

I had studied with Mahiro and Nekoda for the final exams. The last session was fun, so there was no way I was going to turn down Nekoda's participation this time.

“By the way, how's Akazawa-san this time?”

“She's super motivated and really focused. She wants to win for sure. Her eyes were more serious than during the finals.”

“That's going to make the results interesting.”

“I can't wait!”

I'm curious to see how she's going to compete against Renji, who's going all out.

“—As much as I like chatting, let's get started.”

We then focused and started studying.

The karaoke room was private, so no one else's voices or gaze could interfere. It was a very conducive environment for studying, and we were able to get a lot done. The only downside was the cost.

Nekoda had improved since the finals.

Back then, Nekoda had been spending her days hanging out with Akazawa after making up, just like Shion was doing. But this time, it seemed like Nekoda had at least put some effort into studying.

After a productive session, we took a break when everyone felt like they had made progress.

“By the way, does Nijitani know Renji-kun?”

“Eh?”

As soon as the break started, Nekoda asked me that question.

I was momentarily at a loss for words due to the sudden topic.

“Wait, did something happen?”

“When I arrived at my part-time job at the family restaurant, I saw Nijitani walking with Renji-kun.”

“Really?”

“I don’t think I mistook it, but I couldn't hear the conversation since I was far away.”

At that moment, I realized that Nekoda had seen us. It was a bit of an awkward situation, but nothing had happened afterward. I didn’t want to bring it up, so I decided to leave it be.

According to Nekoda, she had only caught a glimpse of us while she was rushing to her part-time job. It seemed like she didn’t think of us as close friends, at least not from her perspective.

Was this a relief?

But then again, Nekoda was a close friend of Akazawa, so I'd better cover it up. I had to be careful when covering it up. She had seen Renji, so saying it was just a stranger wouldn't work.

“The truth is, I was just wandering around that area when I happened to bump into him. He called out to me, and we talked a little while walking.”

“Did you have any connection with Renji-kun?”

“You know, we were both anchors in the relay during the sports festival. We were just talking about that. He seemed to remember me.”

“I see. Nijitani was incredible at the sports festival, so it makes sense that he'd remember your face.”

In Shion's class, they'd been talking about my performance, so this explanation worked well.

“I see, that makes sense.”

“I get it too.”

It seemed like I'd managed to cover it up smoothly.

After that, we continued our conversation casually, and it shifted to the topic of the Tenka contest.

“Have you already decided for who you are voting for?”

“I'm still undecided.”

“Then, let's support Yuuhi together!”

“That might be a good idea. Honestly, I don't really have much of a connection with the other goddess candidates. Well, not zero, but if I were to vote, I'd probably go for Akazawa since she's a classmate.”

It wasn't surprising that Nekoda hadn't asked; Aoyama had withdrawn. For Mahiro, it was like his voting options had suddenly disappeared.

Voting for Akazawa was reasonable. She was his classmate, and they had the closest relationship. For Mahiro, Kuromine came from the same middle school but wasn't a close friend, and Shirase was an ex-classmate but no longer someone he had any connection with.

“Do you know any of the other year's goddess candidates?”

“Not really. I heard Shota's sister is a candidate, but I don't know her.”

“What about Senpai Tenka?”

“I don't have any connection with them either.”

I felt something was off as I was listening to the conversation and decided to interrupt.

“Wait a second. Who's this Senpai Tenka you're talking about?”

“Eh? She's the former goddess.”

“Didn't we talk about her before? Didn't you realize?”

Now that I thought about it, I had heard the name Tenka mentioned several times. I had always brushed it off, but now it made sense—she was the previous goddess.

…So, was I mistaken?

I had assumed that a goddess candidate with the name “Yellow” might be someone I knew. But, the name was different from the person I knew.

Right. It wouldn't make sense for there to be a coincidence like when I met the “Four Colored Goddesses.” Maybe I had been overthinking it.

“Whoever is chosen, it seems like this year's goddess competition will be a real battle, so I'm looking forward to it.”

“I'm looking forward to it too!”

“Then, let's get back to studying so we can welcome the cultural festival with a clear mind.”

With that, Mahiro and Nekoda gathered their focus and picked up their pens.

At this rate, I felt like we'd manage to get through the mid-term exams without any problems.