Chapter 27: Bear was caught by such bait.

Translator: Soafp

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It’s been a while since the graffiti was drawn on my desk. No one has messed with me since then. I wonder if the nameless boys did their best.

　I was glad that he didn’t make a fuss about being spyed on, ready to blow himself up. It’s like countries that have nuclear weapons, but on a completely different scale. Although the scale is completely different. If we use it, we’ll damage each other, and it’ll be a straight line to destruction, so it’s safer to not interfere.

　In addition, the number of people who are talking about me has also decreased. The rumor goes around for seventy-five days. I’ve always been falsely accused, and I’ve always been mixed up in lies. Well, maybe they just got tired of it. Or maybe they’re just distracted by the problem at hand.

“This will be on the test, so make sure you remember it!”

　It’s been two months since then, and the weather has been getting hotter. The last test before the summer vacation, the final exam, was approaching.

“Renya! Let’s have a study session!”

“I refuse.”

“Why!?”

　Today was Friday. I was about to leave after class when Saijo said something like that to me.

“Study sessions end up being nothing but fun, right?”

　I used to have study sessions with my childhood friends. However, since Fujibayashi, Miyamoto and I were doing reasonably well without having to go to the trouble of doing so, we were doing it solely for Aikawa. But it was Aikawa who started playing first. At the time, I thought, “Who are you doing this for?”

“I’m serious! And even if we end up playing, that’s just another page of our youth!”

“You have no intention of studying!”

　Isn’t your goal to play from the beginning?

“I mean, you don’t need a study group.”

　Looking at his usual behavior, there was no indication that he was having trouble keeping up with the class. He must have scored high on his quizzes.

“No, there are more subjects than in junior high school. It’s my first test in high school and I don’t know what to expect.”

“That’s true.”

　There are more subjects than in junior high school, and since it’s the first test, I don’t know what level the questions will be. I’ll have to study hard. It’s not that I didn’t take it seriously in junior high school.

“But wouldn’t it be better to study diligently on our own?”

“We all have our weaknesses. Let’s follow each other.”

“Listen…”

　When I was still reluctant, Saijo smirked at me.

“Renya, if you participate in the study group, I will give you a coupon for the cafeteria.”

“I’m in.”

　I was caught by such bait.

“All right, Renya, you’re in.”

” Don’t think you can catch me with a coupon alright?”

　I’m hooked.

“I don’t think so. Then I’ll go talk to other people.”

　When I saw Saijo leaving after saying that, I suddenly realized.

“He gave me a coupon a while back, so how did he obtain another one?”

　Besides the ball game, I don’t think there was any other opportunity to get a coupon… did someone give it to him?

　Well, anything is good if I can get it.

[Saijo PoV]

　It had been a while since the graffiti had been drawn on Renya’s desk. Unlike what I had expected, nothing like bullying had happened since that day. Judging from the way he talked that day, I think he did something.

　I felt responsible and tried to solve the problem. But in reality, I couldn’t do anything about it. I could say that I didn’t need to do anything.

　Nothing had happened since that day, and the rumors had disappeared before I knew it, probably because they were false accusations or lies to begin with.

　It was as if my intention to take the side of Renya was meaningless.

　My friendship with Renya continues. I’ve been talking to Renya, who doesn’t want to interact with anyone if left alone, and inviting him to play with me. He rarely joins in on the fun, though.

　Hey, Renya, I consider you a friend. You should rely on me more. Friends are supposed to help each other by causing trouble and being caused, right? Don’t do everything by yourself.

　I wonder if my voice will ever reach Renya, who seems to think that he doesn’t need the help of others.

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