Vol. 2 Chapter 32 – Study Session

Some time passed after my first visit to Hikaru’s house, and school life entered the final exam period of the first semester.

Saturdays, usually spent lazily playing games with Hikaru, couldn’t be spent that way this week.

Having made such a bold declaration to Hikaru’s mother, I naturally needed to produce results in my studies as well.

“Excuse me~!” (Hikaru)
“Welcome.” (Reiya)

I opened the door and welcomed Hikaru as she entered the entryway.

…And so, it was decided that we would hold a study session in my room today.

Initially, the plan was just for Hikaru and me, but considering various circumstances, we decided to invite an additional guest.

“Excuse me. Heh… so you really live alone…” (Ayaka)

Following Hikaru, Hino-san stepped into the entryway.

Perhaps finding a guy’s room novel, she looked around curiously. Kyorokyoro.

There wasn’t anything embarrassing lying around, but it still felt slightly awkward.

“Nice room, right? Make yourself at home.” (Hikaru)
“Isn’t that something the host should say?” (Ayaka)
“Well, it’s pretty much half my room now anyway.” (Hikaru)

Hino-san let out a loud sigh, exasperated by those words.

She probably had no idea that Hikaru really kept not only her own cushion and blanket here, but also daily necessities like a toothbrush and towel.

“Well anyway, please do make yourself comfortable…” (Reiya)
“You shouldn’t be making yourselves comfortable. You’re here to study.” (Ayaka)

Her irrefutable logic left me speechless.

Still, I never thought just a few months ago that an event like having two girls in my room would occur.

What’s more, both are top-tier beauties at our school, and one is my girlfriend.

Suppressing the giddy feeling that threatened to surface, I welcomed the two inside.

And so, the three of us gathered around the desk, laid out our exam prep textbooks, and began the study session.

In this room, usually filled only with the sounds of controllers and keyboards, today only the quiet scratching of pencils echoed monotonously.

The last time I studied with Hayato and Yuuma, the three delinquents achieved nothing, but this time, being with the top two students in our grade, the efficiency was leagues apart.

The last time I concentrated this hard was when I first challenged the Diamond rank promotion match.

“Um… Hikaru, I don’t quite get this part, could you explain it…?” (Reiya)
“Ah~… This part, you see~…” (Hikaru)

Getting stuck on a problem, I asked Hikaru next to me for help, and she immediately explained it clearly.

“Ah, I see… So that’s how it works, thanks.” (Reiya)
“You’re welcome.” (Hikaru)
“You’re surprisingly good at teaching, Hikaru. Like you accurately pinpoint where the other person is struggling and break it down?” (Reiya)
“You think? Isn’t it just that you’re quick to understand, Reiya? I bet if you studied properly, you’d definitely get better scores than me.” (Hikaru)
“No way, that’s not it, you’re just really good at explaining, Hikaru…” (Reiya)
“Ehh~… Reiya, you’re…” (Hikaru)
“No, no, Hikaru, you…” (Reiya)

As we endlessly praised each other like that—

“…Why was I invited here today?” (Ayaka)

Hino-san suddenly spoke, her tone feeling somewhat distant.

“Wh-Why…? Well, Hino-san, you’ve been famous for having the top grades in our year since first year… so I was hoping to benefit from your academic prowess…” (Reiya)
“Right, right, having Ayaka here really makes the atmosphere more focused, you know…” (Hikaru)

We both affirmed each other’s words, trying to close the distance that had opened up, but—

“Does that mean you invited me as a chaperone because you two would just flirt endlessly and not get any studying done if you were alone…?” (Ayaka)

Her words hit the nail on the head, and both of us stiffened with a jolt. Giku.

“………………………No way.” (Reiya)

Hikaru is also saying, ‘That’s right, that’s right.’

“What was that pause just now?” (Ayaka)
“Th-The distance between us was too great, so there was just a delay in transmission…” (Reiya)
“What’s that supposed to mean…? Well, fine… But in return, if you abandon your studies and start flirting, I will deal with you strictly.” (Ayaka)
“D-Don’t worry… We’re really going to study properly today, you can trust us on that.” (Reiya)

Beside me, Hikaru nodded vigorously in agreement. Un un.

Once again, I focused on moving my pencil across the notebook.

Yes, time with Hikaru is important, but I can’t neglect my studies either.

There’s no guarantee that will work out, and if anything, it’s likely to be a difficult path.

Therefore, it’s better to have more insurance.

Working hard on my studies now to get into a slightly better university is also important.

And so, while taking occasional breaks, I diligently worked on exam preparation with a strong sense of purpose.

“Ah, Reiya-kun… you have cookie crumbs next to your mouth.” (Hikaru)

As we finished a break and were about to resume studying, Hikaru pointed this out.

“Eh? Seriously? Where?” (Reiya)
“It’s okay. I’ll get it for you.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru’s white fingers brushed the side of my mouth.

“See? It was there, right? Nom…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru popped the crumb from her fingertip into her mouth.

“Ehehe~… Tastes like Reiya-kun.” (Hikaru)
“What does that taste like?” (Reiya)
“Hmm~… The taste of happiness?” (Hikaru)

Seeing Hikaru laugh innocently, I realized, ah, so this is what happiness tastes like—

“…Hey.” (Ayaka)
“”We’re sorry!!”” (Reiya & Hikaru)

And so, the study session proceeded smoothly (?), and the time passed noon, heading into the evening.

“Nnngh~! Time for a little break…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru said, stretching languidly.

Hino-san must have been getting tired too, as she put down her pen and started taking a breather.

“By the way, Hino-san, how late are you planning to stay?” (Reiya)
“What? You want me to leave early so you can flirt with Hikaru?” (Ayaka)

Hino-san said this with a slightly mischievous smile.

“No, that’s not it… I was just thinking, if you’re staying a bit longer, I wanted to treat you to dinner since you helped us out today.” (Reiya)
“Ah, I see… But you’re letting us use your room, so you don’t really need to worry about that.” (Ayaka)
“Well, just consider it respecting my small pride…” (Reiya)
“Are you eating here, Hikaru?” (Ayaka)
“Yeah, that’s the plan.” (Hikaru)

…In fact, she seemed to still be exploring the possibility of staying overnight by slipping past Hino-san’s watchful eye.

“In that case, I guess I’ll let you treat me. I was planning to stay until Hikaru left anyway.” (Ayaka)
“Alright, it’ll be Ober, but feel free to order whatever you like.” (Reiya)

And so, each of us ordered what we wanted, and I paid for it.

After a while, the food we ordered arrived, and this time the three of us gathered around the dinner spread out on the desk.

“Here, open wide~… Is it good?” (Hikaru)
“…Yeah, it’s spicy and delicious.” (Reiya)

I chewed and swallowed the piece of chicken Hikaru fed me with her chopsticks.

“Okay, here’s another one.” (Hikaru)

Again, I accepted the vegetables brought to my mouth by her chopsticks.

I felt like a baby bird being fed by its mother.

Across the desk, Hino-san was watching us with judging eyes.

“W-We’re not… studying right now, so, you know…” (Reiya)
“I’m not telling you to stop, so you don’t have to make excuses every time.” (Ayaka)
“See! Here, open wide~…” (Hikaru)
“…Still, I can’t believe you two can flirt so shamelessly in front of others…” (Ayaka)

As I dealt with the food being thrust at me from the side, Hino-san commented, exasperated.

“You think…? Personally, I thought I was holding back quite a bit…” (Hikaru)
“This is holding back…!?” (Ayaka)

At Hikaru’s words, Hino-san’s eyes widened behind her glasses in surprise.

“When we’re alone, we cuddle even more… right?” (Hikaru)

Honestly, I wish she wouldn’t seek my agreement right now…

“H-Hino-san, are you the type who wouldn’t want to be too clingy in public… even if you got a boyfriend?” (Reiya)

Thus, I decided to slightly divert the topic.

“First of all, I’m not interested in romance or boyfriends or anything like that right now.” (Ayaka)
“True, now that you mention it… I don’t really remember talking about that kind of stuff with you, Ayaka.” (Hikaru)
“There was never any need to.” (Ayaka)

Hino-san stated this flatly with her usual expression, not seeming particularly angry.

“Ehh~… Well then, since it’s a good opportunity, let’s talk about it now? First, your type! Mine is someone like Reiya-kun… or rather, Reiya-kun himself!!” (Hikaru)

Saying this, she grabbed my arm and hugged it.

She definitely just wanted to say that.

“Okay, next is Ayaka’s turn! What’s your type?” (Hikaru)
“…Do I have to answer that?” (Ayaka)
“Because it’s unfair if only I talk, right? Come on, answer quickly~” (Hikaru)

Under Hikaru’s persistent questioning, Hino-san put down her chopsticks with a sigh of resignation and began to ponder.

What kind of answer would she give, this girl who was always so serious and seemed completely removed from matters of love?

Even though it shouldn’t concern me, I found myself quite curious.

“Well, okay… If I had to say…” (Ayaka)
“If you had to say?” (Hikaru)

Feeling the same way, Hikaru leaned forward slightly too.

“Someone like Kageyama-kun…?” (Ayaka)

Her expression unchanging, she dropped an incredible bombshell right in front of him and his girlfriend.