The Beautiful Girl I Accidentally Helped Who Has Somehow Become Attached To Me. - Chapter 34: The Night Before the Test.

The Night Before the Test.

“Midterms start tomorrow, huh. I’m pretty confident, but… how about you, Mikami-san?”

“I am too. I can’t afford to lose when your house key is on the line, Kirishima-san.”

“…Then I guess I can’t afford to lose, either.”

After school, I spend time with Mikami-san, snacking and studying casually at my place. Even with midterms right around the corner, we’re still having a relaxed time together since there’s nothing left to cram.

Once we committed to studying, I think we managed to stay on track. Sure, we had a few “accidents” along the way, but nothing that lingered long enough to be an issue.

We both gave it our best. All that’s left is to bring our A-game to the test… though the thought of what Mikami-san might demand if she wins sends a slight shiver down my spine.

So, if she wins, Mikami-san really plans to take my house key, huh…?

I mean, I don’t mind leaving a spare with someone reliable, especially since I live alone. But Mikami-san, she’s exactly the type to sneak in during the dead of night. If I want to prevent that… I really can’t lose.

“By the way, if you win, what will you have me do, Kirishima-san?”

“Haven’t decided yet. Honestly, I’m more focused on not losing than on actually winning. I’d be happy with a tie, too.”

“That’s weak.”

“Shut up. As long as I don’t lose, I don’t care.”

In the end, as long as Mikami-san doesn’t win, I don’t really need to. So I hadn’t given much thought to what I’d want if I did win… though she did mention that a little competition motivates her. I guess I should think about what I’d ask her if I win.

I don’t want to ask for anything weird and make her uncomfortable, and since she’s so unpredictable, I don’t even know where her boundaries are…

If I do win, maybe I’ll keep it simple and ask her to bake some cookies. Mikami-san in an apron is… a sight I’ll never get tired of.

“All right, I’ve decided what I’ll ask for if I win.”

“Is that so? Mind sharing?”

“…If I tell you now, you’ll probably try to make me reconsider, so I won’t.”

“Oh, come on! Now I’m curious. Tell me! I’ll correct it for you on the spot.”

The perfect answer, the thing I want… but if Mikami-san finds it unsatisfactory, there’s a risk she’ll twist it around. I learned that well from the umbrella incident.

Even a simple thank-you gesture has been twisted to her advantage, with her strong-willed nature bending everything to suit her. As her sense of restraint around me diminishes, she’ll probably override any wish I have with that same force.

Wait… how did I end up in a situation where even if I win, I’m already assuming my wish won’t be granted? Wasn’t this supposed to be a contest where the loser listens to the winner?

Oh well.

I’ll deal with it once we get our results.

“Three days of continuous tests are kind of a pain, though.”

“You think so? I like it. Once the tests are over each day, we can go straight home and have plenty of time. I’m happy about that.”

“True, but that’ll only add to the chaos. The extroverts always get extra rowdy for these events.”

“Like, for example?”

“People loudly announcing, ‘I barely studied at all,’ to set up an excuse, or acting like they’re sick from not sleeping enough… there are always a couple in every class.”

“Oh, totally. I can think of a few like that.”

In my experience, it’s always the ones who set up excuses like that who end up scoring high, leaving those who actually studied but didn’t do well feeling pretty burned.

Conclusion: extroverts must be stopped.

“Anyway, got any plans during test week?”

“Plans?”

“We’ll get out earlier than usual, right? So, anything you’re planning to do?”

“Not particularly. I’ll head home, cook, have dinner with you, and study for the next day, I suppose.”

“Oh, so you’re coming over again?”

“Of course.”

Since the tests are spread over three days, the afternoons are practically free. Since it’s a bit different from a typical after-school routine, I thought I’d check if Mikami-san had any different plans. As expected, though, she doesn’t.

I don’t know how I feel about her calling it “only natural” to come over to my place and saying it with such confidence, but… well, I guess it’s fine.

“Do you have any plans, Kirishima-san? If you do, I’ll tag along.”

“Not like I have any specific plans, but… since it’s a rare occasion, I thought maybe we could go somewhere fun after the last day of tests.”

“Yes! Let’s make it a three-day, two-night trip!”

“It’s not going to be a three-day, two-night trip.”

I don’t usually suggest things like going out after tests, but I thought doing something typical of students once in a while wouldn’t be too bad. Mikami-san immediately said she’d go, though. I’d better not ask where she’s planning to go for three days and two nights.

“Well, we could do a little post-test celebration or something.”

“That sounds fun! I feel even more motivated now!”

Hmm… maybe I should call it off, then. If she’s too motivated, she might actually win and take my spare key, which is a problem…

But then again, I already suggested it.

Now that Mikami-san looks so excited, it’s hard to go back on it. I have this feeling that, with her talent for bending reality, she’d make me think I never said it in the first place if I tried to cancel.

“Fufuu~~, a post-test date and the house key… Kirishima-san, I won’t lose to you!”

“…Go easy on me, okay?”

“Nope. Not a chance. Absolutely impossible!”

She shot down my plea with a cheerful rhythm.

It looks like, in her mind, she’s already pictured her victory. Watching her declare her win with that big smile, I… can’t help but feel I stoked the flames a little too much.

And maybe—just maybe—I thought, even if I lost… that wouldn’t be so bad. But I’ll chalk that up to just my imagination.