Chapter 16: The Root of Impatience

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Translator: Soafp

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[Aoi PoV]

“Yamato… today, Dad isn't home. It's been a while—won't you come over?”

“No, if the housekeeper sees me, she'll definitely report it.”

Since that day, Yamato did come to my house once, but my father sent him away.

After that, we couldn't see each other anywhere except at school.

“Yamato's house is… no good either…?”

“My dad told me not to let you into the house too, Aoi…”

We could have met after school at places like the library or a family restaurant, but with the entrance exams for Kaimei Academy approaching, we wanted an environment where we could study quietly, just the two of us.

In the end, we had no choice but to give that up.

“Hey, Yamato… we're not going to be separated like this, are we?”

I was truly anxious.

Of course, I had to pass Kaimei myself, but if Yamato didn't pass as the top student, I had no idea what kind of actions my father might take…

And yet, I had casually said that Yamato would pass as the top student…

“Of course not!”

He answered forcefully, as if to brush away my worries.

“Y-Yeah! Let's definitely go to the same high school!”

I couldn't bring myself to say, “Make sure you pass as the top student…”

If I said something like that, it would surely put pressure on Yamato.

More than anything, if he asked, “Why are you even saying that?” I wouldn't have any way to answer.

Because I want to be with you, Yamato…

Saying that would be no different from a confession.

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On that day, a powerful winter cold wave had arrived.

It was the day the results for Kaimei Academy High School were announced.

I checked my own acceptance on the school's website, but… I couldn't calm down at all.

While that was happening, the landline phone at home rang.

I nervously picked up the receiver, swallowing hard.

The caller was Yamato.

I waited for the good news from him, feeling a faint sense of unease.

“Yamato, is that really true!?”

“Yeah. I passed as the top student.”

“That's amazing! You really are incredible, Yamato!”

“Why are you so happy about it, Aoi?”

“Because you were top! That's really amazing!”

Just as I thought, Yamato was outstanding.

He was far more amazing than I had imagined.

This was the result of an exam taken among people our age with high academic ability.

“Aoi, you passed too, right?”

“Yeah! How did you know?”

“I figured you'd pass for sure. Now we'll be in the same high school.”

I was far from being top-ranked, but I also passed with high marks.

The result of studying as hard as I could to keep up with Yamato…

No, it was my strong desire to be with Yamato that led me to this result.

“Yeah! We'll be together!”

“I wonder if the top student has to give a speech at the entrance ceremony. Speaking in front of people sounds depressing.”

Yamato didn't seem to think much of passing as the top student, but because of what had happened with my father, my heart was overflowing with joy.

With the entrance exams over, I thought I'd be able to spend happy days with Yamato again…

At that time, that's what I believed.

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“Why!? Yamato was the top student!?”

A few days before Kaimei Academy's entrance ceremony, after graduating from middle school, I was desperately appealing to my father.

“I acknowledge that he is excellent at present. However, merely being better than others within the scope of compulsory education is not enough to satisfy me.”

“W-What is that supposed to mean…? Then what would satisfy you!?”

You were the one who said it would be fine if he passed as the top student…

“He worked so hard and passed… are you really planning to transfer me and separate me from Yamato?”

“Depending on the situation, that may be unavoidable.”

This is ridiculous.

Why is my father trying so hard to tear me away from Yamato?

“I can't accept that!”

“You don't need to accept it!!”

I tried to argue back with rising irritation, but my father's booming voice echoed through the house and made me shrink back.

“T-That's not fair…”

In moments like this, I realize it all over again.

At my core, nothing about me has changed.

I'm still terrified of my father standing in front of me, unable to say anything back.

I hate how cowardly I am.

“I… I really want to be with Yamato…”

But I couldn't back down here.

If I didn't argue now, I felt like I'd truly be separated from Yamato forever.

“You said before that being with him is fun. Is that your reason?”

“Y-Yeah…”

“No.”

The instant my father replied like that, anger surged up from the depths of my timid heart.

“Why!? Why can't I be with him!?”

Before I realized it, I was shouting louder than I ever thought possible.

Even seeing me desperately raise my voice, my father remained calm.

“Aoi… you have feelings for Yamato-kun, don't you…?”

“That's right! I like him! That's why I'm absolutely going to stay with him!”

There was no time to worry about being embarrassed anymore.

I screamed my true feelings, my wishes, with everything I had.

“…Very well. Then I will present conditions.”

Conditions again?

“You said it would be fine if he passed as the top student!”

“That's true. So I will allow you to attend Kaimei Academy. However, I will not approve of a relationship with him.”

Not approve of a relationship…?

I haven't even confessed to Yamato yet, but if this continues, it'll be the same as before—we'll only be able to see each other at school.

“T-Then… what do I have to do for you to approve…?”

Many arguments came to mind, but no matter what I said, my father wouldn't agree.

The only option was to hear his conditions and look for a way through.

“Even if he passed as the top student, the curriculum at Kaimei Academy High School will not be easy. If Yamato-kun can overcome that and be accepted into a top-tier university… then you may do as you like.”

“A top-tier university…?”

“National or private, either is fine. Given Yamato-kun's current ability, I don't think it would be difficult. What do you think?”

I had only just finished my high school entrance exams, so I couldn't imagine how difficult university entrance exams would be.

But if it's Yamato, then surely…

No—absolutely.

“He can do it! Yamato can!”

Yes, he would definitely accomplish it.

He was not only naturally gifted but also diligent and never arrogant—that was the kind of person Yamato was, and I knew him well.

“I should make this clear: you are not permitted to tell Yamato-kun about this.”

“W-Why?”

“Because I want to know his true ability. The academic strength and success Yamato-kun gains while living his own high school life are what matter. Or would you beg him, saying, ‘Please work hard and get into a good university for my sake'?”

“That's…”

I couldn't deny it.

I couldn't do something like that.

“…Okay. I understand.”

I loved Yamato dearly, but I didn't know how he truly felt about me.

“If Yamato-kun turns out to be a disappointment, I will select a promising individual for your future. For example, Toru-kun, the son of Murase-sensei… he is one candidate.”

“I don't want that! Don't decide things on your own!”

Toru Murase…

He would also be attending Kaimei Academy starting in April.

After my mother passed away, I had spoken with him a few times. He had become much calmer compared to how he used to be, but still…

“Rather than worrying about Yamato-kun, Aoi, you should do your best for yourself.”

After saying that, my father briskly returned to his study.

“We finally got into the same high school… and yet…”

I was given incomprehensible conditions, and then he suddenly brought up Toru's name…

“I have to do my best too… so I don't get left behind by Yamato.”

My only concern had been whether I could keep up in such a high-level school environment.

Whether I could stay alongside Yamato, who would surely continue running at the top even at Kaimei Academy.

I never imagined, not even for a moment, that Yamato would fall into academic decline.