The Story of A Beautiful Girl I Rescued From An Attacker Who Became My Seatmate. - Chapter 31

In the end, it seems that after Kirishima took a bath, she immediately returned to her room. Thinking that I had offended her, I decided to apologize and was studying in the living room. Starting from Monday, it’s finally the final exams, so it’s the last push.

But… Kirishima didn’t come no matter how much time passed, so I assumed she went to sleep to prepare for tomorrow’s exam, and I decided to go to sleep as well.

Looking back, too many things happened today. I should go to sleep quickly and prepare for tomorrow.

“…W-wake up.”

I hear someone’s voice. It feels like I’ve been in this situation before.

“Wake up~”

My body shakes vigorously. Is Kirishima waking me up? It would be amusing to continue sleeping like this, but she seems angry, so I decide to wake up.

“Good morning. What’s up so early?”

“Well, I thought it was about time to wake up.”

Having been told that, I turn on my smartphone next to the pillow. Indeed, it’s the time I usually wake up.

“Also, about yesterday. I was being sulky towards you, Kouji. I’m really grateful enough that you let me stay as a lodger. So I wanted to apologize to you, Kouji. I’m sorry.”

“That was my fault too. I got desperate and said thoughtless things without considering your feelings, Kirishima.”

The atmosphere becomes awkward. I wish someone would teach me how to start a conversation when we’re both apologizing to each other.

“Well, anyway, I’ll get changed.”

“Y-yeah. Then in the living room…”

Kirishima quickly leaves. Someone, please give me an air purifier for this awkward atmosphere.

“Oh no, I’m going to fail so many subjects.”

“Well, even if I tell you, you were probably playing around yesterday anyway.”

“That’s exactly right. I might be in trouble soon.”

Although I left home with Kirishima, we separated on the way, and I ended up arriving at school first. From the place we separated, there are quite a few people passing by, so I should be fine.

Then, as I arrived first and someone called out to me, it was Hoshino as usual. In fact, besides Hoshino, I feel like I’ve never had a one-on-one conversation with any of the boys in this class.

“Well, at this point, it’s already pretty bad. We’re taking entrance exams next year, you know? We have to develop a habit of studying.”

“That’s right. Hey, weren’t you that type of person?”

“I made up my mind too.”

I say that while giving credit mostly to Kirishima. But we really have come to a critical time where we must focus on the entrance exams. That’s why Kirishima’s guidance is greatly appreciated.

“There’s no helping it. I’ll send you pictures of my English notes later. Be grateful, okay?”

“Of course. Thank you, Kurata-sama.”

For some reason, I can’t hate this guy. Well, maybe it’s just that we get along well.

“Good morning.”

It seems that Kirishima has arrived as well. As soon as Kirishima arrives, most of the class (mostly boys) look in her direction. Some of them even greet her.

Looking at it this way, I can truly appreciate Kirishima’s popularity.

“…Good morning.”

“A-ah, good morning.”

Although the awkward atmosphere in our house was resolved to some extent when we came to school together, it still lingers a bit. This has manifested in Kirishima’s behavior in the classroom. Normally, she would be friendly, but now she seems somewhat suspicious.

“What? Is something wrong with you?”

Hoshino asks me that as he observes my unnatural behavior. It’s quite different from my usual self, so it’s understandable.

“No? I don’t think there’s anything.”

I answer with a blatant lie and a straight face. But Hoshino, who is used to seeing the usual me, seems to sense that I’m lying. In fact, judging by his reaction, I could tell he was becoming suspicious.

“Well, whatever. Let’s just focus on studying for now. We’re in trouble if we don’t study.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

I feel like I managed to deceive him somehow. I can only pray that I won’t be further questioned later.

Then, our homeroom teacher came in. He probably has an envelope with today’s exam papers in it.

“You all should already know this, but today marks the beginning of the final exams. Well, I hope you won’t engage in any cheating or misconduct as usual. Now, do your best. Um, was there any other announcement?”

The teacher proceeds through the homeroom sluggishly. Since I became a second-year student, I don’t recall ever seeing him full of energy. Perhaps because of that, some students around me are quietly studying in their notebooks, while others are exchanging quizzes for memorization-based subjects.

Actually, I do wonder why the teacher doesn’t reprimand them. Maybe he just finds it troublesome to do so.

“Kouji, I’ll remind you, but make sure you remember what you studied, okay? And don’t panic.”

Kirishima, sitting next to me, casually speaks to me. Just being seen like this could cause trouble, but fortunately, we’re speaking in low voices, and with everyone around us frantically looking at their notes and reference books, and considering we’re seated in the back row, it doesn’t seem like we’ve been caught.

“Well, I’ll do my best.”

I reply like that and lower my gaze to the notebook on my desk.