Chapter 60: >>10

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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At my school, the names of students who rank within the top 20 in regular tests are posted on a bulletin board.

This is probably to boost the students’ motivation.

In fact, when I first ranked 10th in a regular test, I was thrilled to see my name posted.

Since then, I've been obsessed with that ranking and have been studying even harder (my own fault).

“……”

[—”Icchi, you need to study for yourself!”—]

Recalling her words, I headed to my creative room (which is now my study room).

“Huh?”

Was this book always on the edge of my desk?

It was the most straightforward book, so I'm sure I had placed it in the center.

This book, which I bought specifically for today to learn how to “teach.”

If I was thought to be good at teaching… they might invite me again in the future.

With that hope in mind, I bought the book, and it turned out to be really useful. Both of them said it was easy to understand (blushing).

Even if you have knowledge, if you don't know how to convey it, teaching can become a hassle.

“……Haa.”

That's why it all went to waste with my last bit of sleep… It must have been because I stayed up until 5 AM (which is practically morning) reading this book.

And… Kanon, the fallen angel (sorry), is terrifying.

What kind of self-proclaimed smart person falls asleep while studying?—No, no! I need to get back to studying!!

—Ring! Ring! Ring!

“!?”

The ringtone echoed in my quiet room.

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

Am I still alive? Yes, I am.

Incoming Call: Momo Hatsune

On the trembling screen of my focus room… was that display.

…I have no idea why she's calling now.

I'm confused, but I need to answer!

“—H-Hello!”

“Ah… Hello.”

I heard her voice.

And the sound of wind blowing.

It seems like she's talking from outside.

“Did something happen?”

“Um, well…”

“Hm?”

“Sorry for causing so much trouble today. I ended up falling asleep halfway through…”

“…Ah.”

Toward the end, she looked really down.

I guess this is the reason.

“But I fell asleep too.”

“That's because… it's…”

“Huh?”

“…We didn't let you study at all, did we?”

“Don't worry about it. I don't study much right before tests anyway, haha (Oscar-worthy acting).”

“Liar.”

…She saw through me instantly.

“I could tell from when you were in first year, just by watching you before the tests.”

“…Huh?”

“There was a time when Ayanon was sitting next to you, remember?”

“Ah, yeah…”

Come to think of it, there was.

When Kisaragi-san sat next to me, Hatsune naturally came over to talk.

Before tests, I was really cramming. She probably thought I was a bit too intense…

“……”

“And when you ranked 5th in the grade, you were so happy.”

“…H-how?”

“After the rankings were posted, you kept glancing at Ayanon with a huge smile.”

“(Speechless)”

“I know… everything.”

Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!

Please stop.

Don't dig up my past where I was excitedly hoping that Kisaragi-san would talk to me just because I ranked 5th in the grade.

I want to become stardust in the next life (a cosmic speck).

“Apologizing won't fix it, but… I'm sorry.”

“You spent the whole time helping us, and then you even ended up watching over Kanon. It's definitely going to affect your grades, right?”

“You knew from the start that it would end up like this, didn't you—”

Hatsune continued speaking.

And… everything she said was true.

I care a lot about test rankings.

I put the most effort into studying before tests.

Test scores matter to me. Not only because of the goal of getting into a good university, but also because it's a clear, tangible result of my hard work.

I spent this precious weekend before the test helping them.

At this rate, my grades will definitely drop.

I might not even make it into the top 20.

But…

There's one thing Hatsune is definitely wrong about.

She thinks… I regret spending today like this.

“Hatsune.”

What I dislike the most isn't that my test scores will drop, nor that my rank will fall…

I thinks I'll regret “today.”

That's why I worked hard to teach.

Staying at the desk until morning is something I would never normally do.

Even if it's right before a test.

“W-What…?”

Her voice sounded frightened.

Hearing that, I made up my mind.

I had been relying too much—on myself.

If it meant that they would feel good about today, then I thought it was okay if my grades dropped.

That reliance caused Hatsune to feel this way.

…Then.

What I need to do is clear.

I have to make sure that they don't regret “today.”

“—‘I will absolutely not let my rank drop.'”

On the phone.

That declaration echoed in my mind.

It's simple.

If my rank doesn't drop—then today will be nothing but a good memory for them.

“…But, but. Icchi couldn't study—”

“You're underestimating me, Hatsune.”

“Huh…?”

“I'll definitely be okay.”

The words that appeared kept embedding into my mind.

There's no turning back now.

I can't take it back once I've said it.

Since I've uttered such bold words.

“My ‘only strong point' is my academic ability.”

“!”

“So—let's both do our best.”

—Click.

Without waiting for a response, I ended the call.

Then, I immediately opened up the bulletin board.

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【I think I'll change according to >>5 Pert 10】

1: Username: 1

Suddenly, it's a vote.

The content is a punishment game if my grades drop.

>>10

2: Username: Anonymous in Love

Eh, what's this sudden change?

Ah, a moonwalk around the neighborhood (8 AM).

3: Username: Anonymous in Love

A one-shot gag in class.

4: Username: Anonymous in Love

24-hour terrible movie marathon.

5: Username: Anonymous in Love

Full marathon.

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“…This is it.”

I watched the replies being posted with a smile.

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6: Username: Anonymous in Love

Flirt at the club (until successful).

7: Username: Anonymous in Love

Have my self-written novel read over the school PA system.

8: Username: Anonymous in Love

Uh, uh, a sushi challenge (10,000 yen).

9: Username: Anonymous in Love

↓

“…The vote is—”

Updated.

10: Username: Anonymous in Love

Dye your hair back to black.

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“!”

That one.

It's the one I want to do the least.

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11: Username: Anonymous in Love

Treat all classmates to vending machine drinks.

12: Username:Anonymous in Love

Moonwalk in the city (second time).

13: Username: Anonymous in Love

…Ah, it's over.

14: Username: Anonymous in Love

Wait, are you serious?

15: Username: Anonymous in Love

But isn't it the one who says it that wins?

16: Username: 1

I can't show my answer sheets.

But trust me.

I will definitely do it.

17: Username: Anonymous in Love

…If you say so.

18: Username: Anonymous in Love

Well, 1 has never backed down.

19: Username: Anonymous in Love

I don't want to see 1 with black hair.

20: Username: Anonymous in Love

If it's not rainbow-colored, 1 isn't 1 (nonsense).

21: Username: Anonymous in Love

That's a heavy punishment.

22: Username: Anonymous in Love

Normally, it would be the other way around, lol.

23: Username: 1

Thanks everyone. I'll do my best.

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I closed the thread.

I turned off my smartphone and computer.

“…Let's do this.”

At 8 PM.

I began to study.

In the remaining time—to push through that “impossible.”