After a Heartbreak, My Bitter Childhood Friend is now Sweet Like Sugar - Chapter 2.8

Chapter 2.8

Uneasiness

TL: Devxtt

ED: Shish

“By the way… during lunch break…”

When we were about to leave the school, there was something on my mind that I wanted to ask her.

“What is it?”

“In the staff room during lunch break, you were there right? Did something happen?”

“… I knew you would listen in when I saw you there… it was just bad timing.”

Kokoa sighed.

“I guess, it’s kinda my fault. Maybe your grades have dropped because of me.”

“Why do you think so…?”

Kokoa stopped and stared at me.

I got the hunch when Kamishiro-sensei smiled at her when we were talking about my grades.

“It’s just a tiny bit. My grades have dropped just a teensy bit. And don’t think they’re terrible, they’re definitely not as low as yours.”

“I’m sorry…”

I heard that Kokoa usually gets near-perfect scores… and because of that even a slight drop was noticeable.

But I couldn’t deny that it was my fault that she got bad scores.

“No sorry. And don’t misunderstand. It’s true that my grades dropped, but it’s not your fault.”

“But you couldn’t perform well because you were busy tutoring me, right? I’m really sorry for dragging you down.”

“I’m the one who said I wanted to help you. It was my decision, and I don’t regret it.”

“… But still…”

I didn’t know if I was feeling guilty or apologetic.

“Ha!”

Kokoa sighed heavily.

“I didn’t want you to know because I knew you’d react like this. You shouldn’t worry about that. As I said before, it’s my choice, and I’ve no regrets. I do feel bad for the teacher who was worried about me, though.”

“But, l…”

“Yu, it’s not your fault. I really really really mean it.”

But still I shouldn’t bother her anymore…

“I’ll do my best so that you don’t have to worry about me for the next exam. Hope, I don’t have to ask for help.”

“It’s fine, I w-want you to rely on me.”

“But… I don’t want to affect your studies.”

“I told you, it’s a little. It’s not worth mentioning.”

“Wait, are you saying you’re more worried about my grades?”

“Uh, no, that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what?”

“…….”

She lowered her head and kept silent. She probably wasn’t worried about my grades, but she wants to tutor me.

I wonder, why?

“If we work together, we can keep an eye on each other to make sure we’re not slacking off, right? Yes, that’s right. That’s why.”

“Are you worried that I might slack off if you leave me alone? That’s true, but…”

“Well, s-something like that. Oh, by the way, don’t you have anything else to do after this?”

“Hmm? No, nothing in particular.”

“If so, can I come to your room? Let’s review the test. If you can remember what you did wrong, you won’t have any trouble in the next exam.”

“Wh-why, Kokoa, why do we have to review after the test?”

“If you don’t even do that, then why bother studying. It’s not like we’re studying just to score in a test.”

“As expected of an honor student, you have a different point of view.”

While we were talking about this, we came to our apartment.

“Well, I’m going to change and then come over there.”

And that’s when Kokoa put the key in the keyhole and tried to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge…

“… Huh?”

The door was already unlocked, she pulled the key in confusion.

“Did you forget to lock the door?”

“No, that’s impossible.”

“But if that’s not the case, could it be a thief?”

As Kokoa was about to turn the knob… with a creaking sound the door opened from the inside.

She took a step back with a tense expression.

I instinctively tighten my grip on my bag. But someone familiar came out from inside.

A beautiful woman dressed in a tight black suit, with looks somewhat similar to Kokoa.

She had this cold expression plastered on her face but it made her look even prettier.

But her eyes… her eyes weren’t gentle like Kokoa’s, I could tell. It was the way she glared at us with that frigid look.

She wasn’t a thief. There was no way I could forget the lady in front of me…

“Welcome home, Kokoa.”

“Mom…?”

She was Kokoa’s mother.