With parent-teacher conferences behind them, the next thing the students had to face were the busy weeks leading up to final exams, which ran from the end of the current month to the beginning of the next. Amane’s days were already hectic, between preparations for Mahiru’s birthday and his job, so adding all the extra work he needed to put in before a round of exams made his load even heavier, and he found himself with very little time to relax. Still, it was sufficient, and he didn’t feel bad about it. “Going right into a study period after finishing parent-teacher conferences is seriously so depressing.” Itsuki let out a sigh, staring down at the test prep worksheet packets that their considerate teachers had given them. The students were grateful that the lead teachers for each subject helped them out by distributing collections of what would be on the tests, but still, it amounted to a lot of paper, which disheartened many students. The tests covered a broad range of material, so they had plenty to memorize—something the volumes of packets made immediately apparent. “There’s a lot more pressure around finals than there was when we were first-years,” Amane said. “The teachers are way more concerned about our grades this time. We’ve got a big burden to shoulder… But the tests cover an insane amount, and classes go through it so quickly, so I guess this is how it’s gotta be.” “Still, this is too much…” Like everybody else, Chitose was holding her packet and came over wearing an unflattering, dejected expression. Beside her, Mahiru was wearing a very bitter, firm, strained smile, so she must have noticed that Chitose was very upset. “No, seriously. It’s impossible. I’ll never get all this done.” “Me too. I hate this.” “You say that, then score decently, Amane, and your grades are good.” “I mean, I take our classes seriously, so…” “You look so calm… Ugh…” Chitose was stricken, yet urging her to study was the only thing Amane could do. His test scores reflected the amount of effort he put in daily, so his only real option was convincing Chitose to try harder. “You’ve got to show a little more drive, Chitose… And you obviously have no enthusiasm for math…” “And I have absolutely no clue how I’m supposed to start liking it. I mean, what should I do?” “It’s different for each person. I like math a fair bit, or at least, out of all our subjects, it’s the one where I can usually figure out an answer. It’s like a puzzle. It’s fun to apply the formulas we’ve learned and work out the answers.” “I feel the same,” Itsuki agreed. “But I can’t figure that stuff out!” “Come back after you’ve actually memorized all the formulas.” “Hmph!” “Chitose, you assume you’re not good at something, and it stops you from getting motivated. That’s your problem,” Mahiru said. “You are not actually that bad at subjects that require memorization, so I don’t see why you haven’t memorized the formulas…” “Because just looking at math problems makes me gag.” “W-well, there’s nothing I can do about that…” Chitose rejected the whole concept of studying so strongly that it was almost safe to say she was allergic. Mahiru, who was tutoring her, gave Amane a troubled look, asking for his help, as though it was the only thing she could think of at that point. For Amane’s part, he thought it was impossible to force the issue if the person in question had no motivation or energy, so he really felt like they had no choice but to find a way to motivate her somehow. “For now, let’s just try to get her to memorize the formulas that are definitely going to be on the tests, since even just remembering the foundational ones should be enough to keep her from failing. I don’t want to see a friend of mine fail and go through remedial school hell.” “Nooo!” “No, not ‘nooo.’ It’ll happen to you.” “Waaah, Mama Mahiru, Papa Amane’s being mean to meee!” Chitose clung tightly to Mahiru beside her. But Chitose was obviously taller than Mahiru, so despite her deliberately childlike behavior, she didn’t look the part. “I don’t seem to remember having a big old baby like you,” Amane scolded. “Quit hanging all over Mahiru like that.” “Are you jealous?” “Yeah, yeah, super.” “…If you admit you’re jealous, I’ll back off.” “Having fun?” “You’re imagining things.” She was definitely acting like she was having fun being uncooperative, but Chitose turned away dismissively, her carefree demeanor a complete reversal of her previous whiny child act. Amane could feel a headache coming on. In a quiet voice, Chitose added an unnecessary comment. “I noticed that you didn’t deny being husband and wife.” Amane glared at Chitose to shut her up, then let out a quiet sigh as he stuffed the many printouts he had received into a folder. “Speaking of finals, Amane, what are you going to do about work leading up to the test days?” Chitose inquired. Amane actually had the day off, so he could take it a little easy. As he was looking at his schedule on his phone, he mentally worked through his plans. “Mm, I’m on the schedule as usual. I’m gonna go in normally, but I requested off for the two days leading up to finals and for the test days themselves, so I think I’m all set.” “You’re pretty confident, thinking you can make that all work.” “It’s all thanks to Mahiru. She’s been teaching me all sorts of things at home. She’s a good teacher, you know.” Just because someone was good at studying didn’t necessarily mean they were skilled at teaching other people, but Mahiru was an extremely talented instructor. Possibly because she approached the problems with a perfect grasp on the material, she could always understand the essence of any question, and after asking her student to indicate where they were getting stuck, she gave hints and examples to push them along. When it came to subjects that required memorization, Amane also had to practice on his own sometimes, but other than that, under Mahiru’s careful tutelage, he pretty much understood everything. “I don’t doubt it, but you gotta understand the basics to pick up everything else so easily.” “Yeah, ’cause they’re the base-ics. You build on top of them.” “Give it a rest already—it hurts to hear!” If this sounds like criticism to you, then you’ve made some mistakes, Amane thought. Of course, that would have been too harsh to say, but Chitose seemed to sense what he was thinking and wilted. “Well, there are also some older workers at my job who are good at studying,” Amane continued. “So when things are slow at the café, I get them to teach me a little bit. Most of what I need I can get from my friends, Mahiru, and my coworkers.” “Tch… What am I supposed to do? Get help from my brother…? He’s useless at studying. I can’t count on him.” “I bet your brother’d probably cry if you asked him for help, Chi.” “He’s made me cry plenty of times, so that’d be fine with me.” Amane figured brothers and sisters could have a hard time getting along, judging from how Chitose was shrugging and waving her hand in exasperation. Amane imagined she probably had many things to think over. For what it was worth, Amane had heard that Chitose’s family life was very good, so he wasn’t too worried about her relationship with her brother. When it came to her grades, however, he was somewhat concerned, and he hoped she would somehow find some motivation. “Your schedule is packed with all sorts of things. You think you’ll be all right?” After that, the boys and girls split up, and Amane, who remained in the classroom with Itsuki, nodded in response to his concerned question. Incidentally, Mahiru had been whisked away by Chitose; apparently, they had gone to a nearby convenience store. Amane wanted to talk over his plans with Itsuki face-to-face, so he had asked Chitose to get Mahiru away as naturally as she could, but when she’d started carrying on about exams, he had gotten a little worried that he wouldn’t actually get any time to talk. “Yeah, I’ll make it work somehow. One way or another, I could survive indefinitely with this much on my plate. It’ll give me useful experience.” “That’s the power of love!” “Shut up.” “Yes, sir.” This back-and-forth was familiar for them, and after a bit of light banter, and before broaching the important subject, Amane checked that there wasn’t anyone around them who was likely to snitch to Mahiru. “By the way, does it seem like you’ll be able to do what I asked?” He had asked Itsuki to do a number of things to help with the preparations, but there was one thing he was counting on in particular—something only Itsuki could do. Amane, who wanted to give Mahiru lots of joy on her birthday, had come up with something based on what he knew of Itsuki’s workplace and job description and had entrusted the task to his friend. “About that, well, I do think I’ll be able to do it, but…I think the store owner could do a way better job of it than me, you know?” “Mm, you’re probably right. But I want you to do it.” He knew a professional would do a better job than Itsuki could. Still, Amane had asked Itsuki. Even though he’d said it in all seriousness, Itsuki pursed his lips as he screwed up his face in an uncertain expression. Then he heaved a very deep sigh. It was still too early for the sun to go down, but the color gradually painting Itsuki’s cheeks made it look like he was being illuminated by the sunset. “…That’s what you have to say?” “That’s what I have to say.” “Yeesh, now you’re getting daring. Oh, you’re making me blush!” “Ha-ha-ha.” “You’re so annoying!” “Go ahead and get annoyed… I have full faith in you. I’m counting on you.” “And you know I’d never let you down when you’re counting on me. Damn. Fine, I get it. I swear I’ll do my best to live up to your expectations.” “Mm. Thanks, man.” Amane was truly grateful for and proud of his friend, who always did his very best, whether it was for Mahiru, Amane, or anyone else. Amane truly appreciated him, despite his occasional teasing. He was always thinking of him when it mattered. He truly could not thank Itsuki enough. Amane expressed his thanks honestly from the bottom of his heart, but Itsuki’s sullen frown made Amane wonder if his friend was angry or dissatisfied. Itsuki let out a heavy sigh. By Amane’s best estimate, it was a deliberate look of annoyance meant to cover his embarrassment. “…You really will do anything for Miss Shiina, won’t you? You’re extremely single-minded when it comes to her, and you’ve gotten bolder, too.” “I’m fine with being bold.” Normally, that would be a negative assessment, but Amane figured it was all right to take it positively. It made him aware of the fact that he had learned to act more confidently. Itsuki’s words made Amane appreciate once again just how far he had come—from being a total flake to becoming someone dependable. Amane gave Itsuki his usual smile. His friend was looking at him with what seemed to be a complicated mix of feelings. “I agree that I’m being bold, but I won’t let it go to my head,” he said. “I’m always relying on you for help, so I’ll definitely be there the next time you’re having any trouble. If I’m able to help, I will… Because if you’re going to lend me a hand, Itsuki, I intend to repay the favor.” Even if he sometimes called Amane names or made fun of him, Itsuki had always been by his side watching over him, and if the friend who always offered his help was in a bind, Amane would always repay the favor. “…One of these days, I’m gonna lean on you with my full weight and knock you right on your ass, you know.” “I’ve been training, so I don’t think I’ll fall.” “…Well, now I don’t wanna.” “Ha-ha!” Amane laughed lightheartedly and joked that he didn’t recall becoming Itsuki’s punching bag. When Itsuki turned away uncooperatively and cast his gaze out the window, Amane followed suit. For a while, they sat there in silence, lost in their thoughts without a word. But it wasn’t like they could stay like that forever, so Amane brought up what they had initially planned to talk about. “Does it seem like everyone else will be able to make their schedules work?” he eventually asked. What he asked of Itsuki was important, but he had asked his other friends for their help as well. “Chi and I are good to go. Yuuta’s gonna ask soon, but he’s probably set, and I think you’ll probably get a quicker answer from Kido if you ask her directly. You’re better friends with her than I am.” “Okay, got it… All she has to do is keep the day open, though.” “I feel like she’ll come through if it’s for Miss Shiina.” “Still, we can make it work even if she can’t make it. I don’t want it to be a bother.” “I doubt anyone is thinking of it as a bother. They’re all our friends, and it’s all for someone who rarely asks anybody for anything. Besides, don’t you think they’ll be glad to help, knowing you’ll owe them a favor?” “…I hope so, yeah.” Amane knew Itsuki was deliberately poking fun at him without him needing to say anything, so he laughed to hide the oddly embarrassing, ticklish feeling. Itsuki said, “So that’s how it is.” He let out a deep, exasperated sigh and lightly tapped Amane’s shoulder with his fist. “Are you sure it’s all right, though?” Amane asked. “Chitose and the others must want to celebrate Mahiru on her birthday, too.” Just to be safe, he had asked Mahiru ahead of time if it was all right to tell Chitose and the others about her birthday, and she said that it was, so he had explained what he planned to do when he had asked them for their help. Amane’s request, to put it simply, was to monopolize Mahiru the whole day, which meant her other friends would have to postpone their own plans. Amane was anxious about whether that was really all right with everyone. “You idiot.” Itsuki dismissed his fears. “At the very least, Miss Shiina’s number one priority… It sounds bad to say it, but the person who makes her happiest is you, you know? And even Chi said, ‘The most important thing is that Mahiru is happy.’ And I think so, too. Besides—” “Besides?” “Apparently, she wants to ‘give first dibs to the boyfriend.’” “Who does she think she is?” Chitose tended to say things that implied Mahiru somehow belonged to her. But Amane was simply glad that Mahiru had become such an important person in Chitose’s life. She had always preferred to be alone and had never been able to make such close friends, but she had finally made a friend whom she could trust with her whole heart. He knew that must have made Mahiru so happy. And Amane felt the same. “All right then, I’ll take first dibs.” Appreciating the magnitude of his friends’ consideration and thoughtfulness, Amane accepted their kindness, and Itsuki nodded with a gentle look, as though agreeing it was the best course of action. “All that’s left is my task, huh?”
Chapter 200
14 min read