Chapter 28: Alright, let’s make a bet

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Translator: Soafp

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The day after the study session at Sora's house, as promised, the next one was held at Ginji's home. After entering Ginji's room and spreading out their notebooks, Ginji's younger brother, Tetsuya, came in with some tea.

“Here's some barley tea, Sora-senpai. You too, Aniki.”

“Oh, you didn't have to. Thanks for having me.”

“Thanks, Tetsu.”

“It's nothing… I'll be in the living room, so just call me if you need anything.”

“If you're going to study too, why not do it here?”

But Tetsuya shook his head.

“Nah, I don't want to get in the way. Well then… Sora-senpai.”

“Hm?”

Tilting her head slightly, Sora had taken off her glasses after entering the room.

“…Good luck.”

Without changing expression, Tetsuya gave his encouragement and left the room.

“What, no good luck for me?”

“Ahaha, your little brother is really something.”

“Yeah, unlike me, he's super popular in middle school, or so I hear.”

Ginji puffed out his chest proudly, which piqued Sora's interest.

“Oh really? I can see that. He's a handsome guy.”

“Yeah, but he's shy around girls, so he's never had a girlfriend.”

“…”

With a finger on her lips, Sora fell deep into thought. Ginji looked at her curiously.

“What's up?”

“Hmm… no, probably not. Alright, let's get studying. We're doing this handout today.”

She plopped down a stack of printed worksheets, making Ginji groan.

“They just keep piling up…”

“The number of problems hasn't increased, just the examples. Do five pages in 30 minutes after reviewing the examples.”

Smiling brightly, Sora started the timer on her phone. Ginji let out a deep sigh.

After the study session, the two of them cooked dinner together in the cramped kitchen again. Today's menu was spicy mapo tofu with a generous amount of Sichuan peppercorns. Ginji handled the wok efficiently while Sora assisted. When the dish was done, they sat down with Tetsuya and ate together.

“…This is amazing.”

Tetsuya's flat expression didn't hide his awe. Ginji happily handed him a glass of barley tea.

“Glad you like it. It's hot, so take your time.”

“This tastes like something from a restaurant. It's better than usual.”

“That's ‘cause Sora helped out.”

“I didn't do anything special. I don't have the strength to handle the wok.”

Sora said modestly, then took a bite with her spoon. Her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth in pain.

“Ahh, hot!”

“I told you it was hot. Here, drink.”

“Gulp gulp… I thought I let it cool…”

The three of them noisily finished their meal. When Tetsuya started to gather the dishes to wash, Sora stopped him.

“I'll do the dishes. I owe you for dinner.”

“No, it’s getting late, so please ask my brother to take you home, Sora-senpai. Is that okay, Aniki?”

Ginji, brushing his teeth at the kitchen sink, looked up.

“Huh? I don't mind if we chill a bit longer though.”

“It's dangerous when it's dark.”

“Ha, there’s nothing wrong with two guys walking down a dark street at night.”

At that, Tetsuya and Sora stared blankly at Ginji, then looked at each other.

“Aniki…Are you serious?”

“What? Did I say something weird?”

“I thought you knew… Just go walk Sora-senpai home, okay?”

Tetsuya's firm tone left no room for argument. Ginji had nothing to say in return.

“Fine, fine. Once I'm done brushing.”

As Ginji resumed brushing his teeth, Tetsuya leaned in close to Sora and spoke quietly so Ginji wouldn't hear.

“You've got a reason, right? Aniki's always been a bit thick-headed…”

This time, Sora froze. Then, moving stiffly like a wind-up doll, she led Tetsuya out into the hallway.

“So… you did know. Please don't tell Ginji. Not yet.”

“I get it. But even as dense as he is, I think he'll figure it out soon.”

“I plan to tell him before that… I just don't know if I want him to figure it out, or if I'm scared that he will…”

“Got it. I'm rooting for you.”

Tetsuya returned to the living room like nothing had happened, while Sora remained tense and awkward. Watching the two of them, Ginji tilted his head in confusion.

On the way home, with Sora riding on the back of Ginji's bicycle and the warm night breeze blowing, she spoke up.

“I think I understand why Tetsuya-kun is so popular.”

“Right? He's always been the thoughtful type. Sometimes I wonder which one of us is the big brother.”

“…Seriously.”

Sora gripped Ginji's shoulder a little tighter. She wondered—if Ginji knew her secret, would he still let her ride on his back like this? The thought scared her. This place felt so comforting, like it was keeping her heart together. What would happen when just being close like this wasn't enough anymore…?

“Hey, back me up a little here. Anyway, switching topics—are you actually ready for the end-of-month test? We mostly studied my stuff today.”

“Don't worry, I'm fine.”

“You say that like it's nothing… How about we make a bet?”

His voice brightened, as if struck by a brilliant idea.

“A bet?”

“If you get first place on the test, I'll do anything you want—as long as I can manage it.”

“Anything… Did you just say anything?”

Ginji immediately began to regret those words when he heard the serious tone in Sora's suddenly icy voice.

“Well—only if it's something I can actually do, alright? I mean, no impossible stuff.”

“It's a promise. First place, right?”

“Y-yeah.”

Ginji couldn't see Sora's expression as he pedaled, but he could feel the intense heat radiating from her on his back.

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