Chapter 9 - Taking Care of a Younger Sister Feels Pretty Strange

Right after the Golden Week vacation ended, the sunny spring atmosphere had calmed down, and the gap to summer had quickly closed, aka the weather had started to heat up.

Right now, I was studying like a typical high schooler, or if I had to call it that, I was in math class.

I opened the notebook I was using to fan myself while staring at the blackboard.

.....I couldn\'t understand it. It looks like I\'m going to get another red grade in math class this year.

I thought of Soyoka to escape the mysterious sequence of numbers dancing on the paper.

Oho! Soyoka is laughing merrily behind my retinas!

Because of what I\'m feeling right now, I want to admonish my junior high school self to choose a high school that suits my own ability level, and not to push myself when taking the entrance exam.

But the thing is, this high school is the best location to pick up and drop off Soyoka from kindergarten.

It was close enough to the kindergarten that it was easy to reach by bicycle. Even when it rained, I could get there by taking the bus and getting off at the bus stop near the kindergarten.

In a way, this is the best high school for me!

Wait a minute. If I drop a grade once, I can stay at this high school until Soyoka graduates from kindergarten, right? ...... That doesn\'t seem like a bad thing.

"Kuremoto-kun? You\'re so good that you can understand even with your eyes closed. Alright, let\'s see if you can answer this one."

"Sensei, I still don\'t understand even with my eyes open!"

All my classmates laughed. Especially the boys.

Kijimura-sensei, my math teacher and homeroom teacher, shrugged his shoulders in despair and continued his lesson.

Spring weather is the favorite place of the demon called Sleeping Devil. In the afternoon, it gets even more unbearable. But if I fall asleep here, then my plan to skip class will come true, so I can\'t help but resist somehow.

But, if I have to sit still without saying a word, plus being forbidden to eat and drink, isn\'t this hurdle too difficult? I won\'t be able to endure it without the support of "Soyoka" in my brain.

Kijimura-sensei\'s way of explaining, sounded gentle without any spirit. Mizuki always said that she was very cute, but Since I couldn\'t understand the content of the material at all, I spent my time admiring Kijimura-sensei\'s long pants, which were interesting to look at because they accentuated the shape of his full legs.

Suddenly, a cell phone ringtone sounded in the classroom.

"Hey, put your cell phone on silent mode during class!"

Kijimura-sensei who heard it immediately reprimanded her mercilessly. But then, his voice became smaller and stopped.

Sensei who was staring at a certain point fell silent wordlessly. I, who was watching him, also shifted my gaze to the direction he was heading.

"Yes, I\'m Akiyama. Yes, right ..... what?!"

It was Akiyama who was openly receiving calls in class.

The reason Kijimura sensei was speechless at her outrageous behavior was because she had good grades and a good attitude all along.

She took the call with such confidence that I began to question my common sense.

The whole class was in an uproar too

"Okay, I\'ll be right there."

In a hurry, Akiyama ended his call.

"Ah, Akiyama-san? As you know, I don\'t think it\'s a good idea to take calls during class, do you....?"

"Sensei?"

"No, it\'s fine as long as you understand."

"I have permission to leave early."

"Eh?"

Without hearing a reply from his teacher, Akiyama stood up immediately. She grabbed her bag and walked out of the classroom through the back door without having time to tidy up her own desk.

Everyone was surprised by her sudden departure from the classroom. The whole class even fell silent as if time had stopped.

A few seconds later, Kijimura-sensei finally came to his senses and leaned unsteadily on his desk.

"Ugh, Akiyama-san has turned into a brat...."

"As expected of Akiyama-san, she went her own way."

"Did something happen to her?"

"Could it be that one of her relatives is sick?"

Starting with Kijimura-sensei\'s lament, the other classmates joined in speculating about various things.

I think all of this must have something to do with Iku.

I couldn\'t think of any other reason than that, because even though she was still in the middle of class, she insisted on answering his phone call. Moreover, she answered it without any hesitation.

If something went wrong with Iku at the kindergarten, then it makes sense that she went straight there. ...... Well, I can understand her decision.

I sent a message to Akiyama from under the table.

[Did something happen to Iku?]

I\'m also worried about Iku. Children aren\'t usually very careful when playing, and the slightest accident could have caused a serious injury.

Soyoka also often runs around without looking at her surroundings, so she\'s had near misses more than once or twice.

But it\'s possible that she was sick. Either way, she looked very panicked.

There was no doubt that something was wrong with her.

I checked my phone a few times while listening to Kijimura-sensei\'s voice as he continued class with a worried expression on his face, but I still hadn\'t received any reply from Akiyama.

Even after class ended and the lunch break arrived, my cell phone remained silent.

I had sent her several messages in a row, but they hadn\'t been read either.

While I was on edge, just as the afternoon class finished and only homeroom remained, my cell phone screen finally lit up.

[I have a cold. What should I do?]

It was a notification from the messaging app.

You shouldn\'t dismiss it as a common cold. Children have weak immune systems and are prone to infections. Because of their weak bodies, it is possible that they may be sicker than they look.

"Mizuki! I\'m going home first, so please tell Kiji-chan later!"

"Hey, has the season of going home first started without my knowledge?!"

I\'m sorry Mizuki, but I don\'t have time to respond to you.

When Akiyama is in trouble, I have to help her. Akiyama may look competent, but she\'s not.

I left school without waiting for school hours to end. Then, I replied to Akiyama\'s message on the way.

[Have you guys gone to the hospital yet? How is he?]

The message was replied to shortly after.

[He has a fever. We just left the hospital. He should be fine as long as she takes her medicine and rests."]

[Thank goodness. Is there anything I can do to help?]

[No need. I can\'t trouble you.]

I\'m relieved that they visited the pediatrician. I\'m sure she\'ll be fine if the pediatrician has checked her.

But my other concern is, can Akiyama take care of her or not?

She says She\'ll be fine, but I\'m not sure if she\'ll be able to do it himself. ....... I know how hard it is to take care of a sick child.

I had forgotten how many times I had to seek help when Soyoka was sick. But, the situation was different from the time when I didn\'t have anyone to help me. Because Akiyama has me who can help her.

"Let\'s go visit her!"

I sent a short message, "Send me your address." and went to the kindergarten to pick up Soyoka.

We were supposed to be just ordinary classmates. She, a beautiful girl that everyone admired, and me, an ordinary guy. We had no contact with each other, but we managed to be brought together through our younger siblings.

Yes, we became friends. That\'s why I couldn\'t leave her alone. Because we were friends.

......I\'m a little stuck on the word "friends". I don\'t think our relationship is that conventional. If I had to find the right word, then I would say, "Mom\'s friend."

"Mom\'s friend....."

[TL: Mama tomo.]

It was strange when I said it out loud.

I kept riding my bike without slowing down even though no reply had come in yet.

When I arrived at the kindergarten, I found Soyoka sitting alone.

When I ran up to her, she said in a thin voice, "Iku it hurts."

"I... went home first."

"Trust me, I\'ll be fine."

You cheater! Soyoka is even worried about you! I won\'t forgive you if you don\'t recover soon, iku!!!!

A notification rang.

Although she had refused earlier, but the message from Akiyama attached an address. As stated in it, it was very close.

Well, even if she refuses, I will still go there.

On the way, I stopped by the supermarket to buy some necessities.

I used the map app to navigate the residential area across the street from my house, with the kindergarten in the middle of it.

While my neighborhood was in a newly built residential area, this one seemed to be full of old houses with large yards. There are many nice houses with well-maintained gardens along the winding streets.

The Akiyama house is an old apartment with about six rooms, and it is at the end of a quiet dead-end street.

I parked my bike on the shoulder of the road and climbed the stairs.

To be honest, it was different from what I had imagined. I\'d assumed it was a mansion, given the wealthy aura the two siblings exuded.

However, there was no doubt that the name written on the signboard was the family name.

|| "Yes, Akiyama is here. ....."

Akiyama\'s voice answered me immediately when I pressed the intercom.

"I came to visit."

Then, the speaker went dead.

Could she be upset that I insisted on coming here?

No, the fact that she gave me her address showed that she needed my help, even if it was just my assumption.

As I stood there in front of the door, the doorknob turned.

"Kyota! Soyoka-chan--!"

Akiyama jumped out of the loudly opened door.

I caught her shoulders with both hands as her legs got entangled causing her to almost fall down.

She was still wearing her uniform, as if she hadn\'t had time to change. His tie had been removed and the hem of his blouse was sticking out.

Her cheeks were raised and glistening water droplets appeared in the corners of her eyes.

Recalling the message she sent earlier, it seemed like she had a lot on his mind because he was so worried about Iku.

"Akiyama, calm down. Let\'s go in first now."

"Ah ..... no, I\'m fine. I don\'t need Kyota\'s help."

"Don\'t be stubborn. ......"

I pulled the hand of Soyoka, who was looking at me worriedly, and went inside the Akiyama house.

Akiyama showed some resistance, but quickly let us pass.

As we entered her house, we were greeted with a fresh, fragrant scent.

The first thing that caught my eye was the clean and tidy kitchen. The sink reflects light without the slightest cloud, which shows that the kitchen has been well maintained.

In the meantime, Soyoka tidied our shoes so I patted her head in thanks.

"Where are your parents today?"

"I told them about Iku, and they said they\'d be home a little late."

So basically, if I don\'t come, then she and Iku will be alone for a while, huh?

Of course, Akiyama could probably take care of Iku himself, but I couldn\'t help but worry about him, so I visited him. Besides, he must feel lonely if he takes care of her alone.

" Iku it\'s okay?"

"Yes, he should be fine now."

Soyoka, who saw Iku sick in kindergarten, squeezed my trousers and looked worried.

"Because he\'s still sick, so he should sleep a lot."

Hmm, Soyoka is usually the type of person who moves vigorously even when she has a fever. But right now, she was limping as if her battery had run out.

Akiyama\'s house seems to be around 2LDK.

Akiyama opened the door and entered the living room. It was a stylish living room. The warm shades of the furniture and tables, the vases decorated with details, and the paintings hanging on the walls all showed the care that had gone into every part of her home. It looked like an old apartment, yet it made me wonder if maybe we could make it fashionable with less expensive furniture like this?

Her house was very much different from my humble home, as neither my mother nor myself were interested in interior design......

"Iku over here."

Akiyama guided us through his house.

I looked at the door next to me and was told, "That\'s my mom\'s room."

There was no hallway between the two rooms, and both were directly connected to the living room. The inside was probably a Japanese-style room.

Iku seemed to be sleeping in Akiyama\'s room.

I wondered if I was allowed to enter Akiyama\'s room when I had forced a visit to her house?

The moment I realized the fact that I was about to enter a girl\'s room ...... my hands started to sweat.

"He\'s sleeping now due to the effects of the medicine. Hopefully her fever will go down...."

Hearing Akiyama\'s quiet voice woke me up from unnecessary worries.

"This way .... I don\'t know what else to do for her."

Akiyama told me to enter her room.

Iku was sleeping on the futon in her room. Soyoka sat next to her and stared at her face.

A study table, bookshelves, and several clear boxes lined the space of six tatami mats. On top of the shelf were a few pieces of women\'s clothing, and I hurriedly looked away from her.

It was a beautiful room, which perfectly described the meticulous and beautiful Akiyama.

"The doctor said he\'ll be fine as long as she sleeps .... hmm, Kyota?"

"Ah, no, well ..... yeah, right! I don\'t think you need to worry that much. What\'s her temperature?"

"38°."

That\'s quite high. No wonder she was that worried.

I put up the cooling blanket and looked at Iku, who was moaning in pain in his sleep.

There wasn\'t much I could do in this situation, but I hoped he would eat something when he woke up.

"Can I borrow the kitchen?"

"I\'ll cook for her later."

"You ...... want to feed Iku food he doesn\'t like?"

I was just joking, but she released a cold glare at me.

"It\'s my job to take care of Iku. I won\'t leave the cooking to Kyota, since you came all the way here."

"......In that case, just lend me your equipment."

I can\'t just rummage through people\'s kitchens without permission.

"Soyoka......"

"Iku...."

"......Don\'t do anything unnecessary. Just watch from afar. Anyway, Iku will wake up soon. It would be a problem if you got infected by her."

"Okay."

I told Soyoka so and moved into the kitchen with Akiyama.

I took the food I bought on the way from the supermarket bag.

The kitchen was simple, containing only a sink and a two-burner stove, and a small table. The sink was covered by a filter rack that served as a lid.

"If we talk about the flu, of course what comes to mind is porridge. ...... Should I put water in the rice?"

Iku, no matter what happens, I will definitely protect you. .....

"Well, porridge is good, but we don\'t know if he has an appetite or not."

I bought some apples. Apples are perfect for people with colds because of their high water and sugar content.

"Do you have a grater?"

"Yes, I do. What are you using it for?"

"To grate apples."

Grated apples are easy to eat even if she has no appetite, so it\'s a good idea to prepare them. Moreover, he can still taste the sweetness to some extent even if her taste buds start to fade, so he will definitely eat it.

Then, I borrowed a grater, knife, and cutting board from Akiyama.

"I can peel apples, too. I did it in cooking class."

Akiyama, who was watching from the side, interjected.

".....Really?"

"What the hell are those eyes of yours ..... of course I can really do it. I\'ve been practicing."

Thinking of the apple that she would sacrifice made my tears flow.

The fact that Akiyama was holding a knife also made me nervous. She cut the apple into eight pieces and peeled them one by one. She handed it to me with a satisfied look on her face, and now it was my turn to grate it.

"Here\'s the proof."

"You should brag about it when your peel is already thinner than this."

While I was concentrating on the apple, Akiyama seemed distracted. However, she continued to peel the apple despite occasionally giving Iku a worried look.

Two bowls of grated apples have been finished preparing. Each of them is wrapped in plastic wrap and put into the refrigerator.

"Two bowls are enough. When he wakes up, please feed him little by little. I also bought some other ingredients, so please put them in the fridge."

Apples, bananas, canned peaches, grapes. The contents were full of beautiful fruits.

By the way, there was also retort porridge, so Iku would be safe even if he starved. Sorry, I mean, Iku will be fine.

[TL: Safe here means avoiding Akiyama\'s porridge.]

"Iku, I hope he recovers quickly."

"You take it easy, it may be rude to say ...... but if you were to faint from overenthusiasm, it would only add to the problem."

"Yeah, I know. I\'m just wondering if he\'ll be better when he wakes up...."

"Don\'t worry too much, children are prone to fevers."

But, you know what? I was just like that myself when Soyoka fell ill with a high fever!

When it comes to my own family, it\'s hard to look at it without feeling that way. But, is that all?

Looking at Akiyama\'s pale face and trembling lips, I don\'t think she\'s okay.

"If I lose Iku too, I will definitely---"

"......What do you mean?

"I only have Iku. ......."

In Iku\'s presence, Akiyama\'s expression remained unchanged. But, she had reached her limit.

After the apples finished being grated, the accumulated tension finally broke.

In my opinion, this girl named Akiyama Sumi, is actually a very weak girl. I thought so when I saw her expression as if she was about to cry.

"Akiyama, Iku will recover soon. If he sees you sad like that, Iku will definitely be sad too. He\'s a child who cares about her surroundings, so he might think that it\'s her fault. And he\'ll feel responsible for it. You should be a cool older brother to Iku, right?"

"...... I know."

"Come here, come closer to Iku."

I thought I might sound a bit reproachful. But I couldn\'t think of any other phrase to use when a girl was feeling down.

However, as a high schooler who both took care of kindergarteners, I can say that what Akiyama needs now is not comfort, but guidance for action.

I took her hand and helped her up. I led her back to her room with unsteady steps as she walked through the living room.

"Iku, this is for you. ...."

"Ngh------"

"Ah! Onii-chan said anything can be cured with a kiss! Ush, chu-chu-----"

"I-I\'m .... with another woman besides me......"

"Soyokaaaaaa!"

It\'s true, I took advantage of Soyoka\'s innocence by giving her skinship in various places, especially since she didn\'t rebel at all. But...!!!

I hurriedly pulled Soyoka away from Iku, who was protected by Akiyama. Soyoka, who was suspended in the air by my hand, resisted by wiggling her arms and legs.

"No! I want to make Iku healthy!"

"Your intentions are good, but no!"

"Why? Onii-chan always kisses me whenever I\'m sick!"

"Soyoka, listen to me. Actually, kisses are only effective if your older brother gives them."

Soyaka opened her mouth with her jaw agape and said, "Really?!"

"Actually, this older brother of yours is a psychic who can cure fever with a kiss."

"Really?"

"And it only takes effect if I give it. That\'s why you shouldn\'t kiss other people."

Wait, what am I trying to say with this serious face?

Well, this is an important lesson for protecting Soyoka\'s pure heart ...... I said that to myself, and looked at Akiyama.

When I saw her, she was examining Iku\'s lips with a devilish look on her face, but then, she looked at me and gave a small nod.

"That was close."

"Thank goodness. ....."

"It\'s my fault for leaving her alone with the cat burglar. ....... No matter how helpless Iku\'s sleeping face is, he\'s still a prince, so it\'s not impossible for him to attack her while she\'s sleeping."

"Hey, don\'t reproach Soyoka\'s kindness!"

She just used the wrong way, you know!

Soyoka just wanted Iku to get better. That\'s proof of how kind Soyoka is!

If I\'d been one step late, it might have been too late. It\'s a good thing I managed to save Soyoka\'s lips just in time. .......

I looked at Akiyama, who was sitting on her knees protecting Iku, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, for whatever reason, I laughed.

I was so confused by this situation that the gloomy atmosphere I felt earlier disappeared.

"Onii-chan, why?"

"What? Ah, I\'m making grated apples."

"Apples?! I want some! I want some!"

Soyoka suddenly jumped up in excitement.

"Are you going to buy it when you get home?"

"Yes! .....Eh, no, no!"

Soyoka shook her head.

"Onii-chan has to kiss her!"

"Kiss?"

"Yes! Kiss Iku!"

A voice leaked out unintentionally.

The reason Soyoka said that was because according to her, I was a psychic who could cure diseases with kisses....

So in Soyoka\'s mind, if I kiss Iku, then her illness will be cured.

This is inevitable. It\'s getting complicated. If this is the case, then I just have to pretend. Because your brother\'s lips are only for Soyoka. ........

"Leave it to me!"

"No!"

Akiyama stopped me.

"Ehem, Soyoka-chan... actually, I also have supernatural powers."

"Sumi-chan has them too?! Wow! Then, is Sumi-chan going to kiss her?!"

"Y-Yes. I\'ll do it."

"Yeay!"

What kind of development is this?

Without pulling away, Akiyama cleared his throat then glanced at Iku. She looked a little dangerous now.

She pulled one side of her hair over her ear and tilted her head. She placed one hand on Iku\'s pillow to support his weight. With a nervous expression on his face, she slowly brought his face closer to Iku\'s.

A sigh escaped from the small gap between their peach-colored lips.

Umm, this is a cute skinship between Older sister and younger brother, isn\'t it.....?

I wonder if this scene is safe to show to children?

Akiyama\'s profile is very sexy, and her long eyelashes, which look down, accentuate her eyes.

What a strange atmosphere. I even forgot to breathe while watching her.

I knew I shouldn\'t look at her, but I couldn\'t take my eyes off her.

Akiyama\'s lips approached Iku\'s. They were only millimeters away from each other. There were only a few millimeters left until they touched. Then.....

"Gutsu----- Nee-chan......?!"

[TL: (ノ｀Д´)ノ彡┻━┻ ]

Iku\'s voice is leaking.

Akiyama immediately jumped away from Iku and stood up. I was mysteriously impressed by his incredible athleticism.

"Huh? Was Nee-chan near me just now?

"No, she wasn\'t there. She\'s far away from you."

Akiyama\'s cheeks flushed faintly, and her eyes pierced me sharply.

"What did you see?"

The profile of their kiss was clearly drawn on my retinas.

My face heated up. It\'s hard for me not to notice that kind of thing. ...... Once again, I was reminded that Akiyama was a very beautiful girl.

"Thank goodness Iku is awake! Anyway, you should drink lots of water! You should also eat as many apples as you can, but eat them little by little, okay?! If you\'re hungry, there\'s retort porridge for you! Also, wipe yourself with a towel later! Soyoka! Let\'s go home!"

I said all that in one breath and pulled Soyoka\'s hand.

"What about the kiss?"

Soyoka, you are forbidden to use that word for the foreseeable future!

The first thing that came to my mind was the fact that I wasn\'t sure what I was supposed to do.

I left the room with my luggage and headed straight for the front door. The throbbing around my neck told me that my heart had been beating excessively. I put Soyoka\'s shoes on and placed my hand on the doorknob.

"Kyota!"

I heard a voice calling out to me along with the sound of footsteps. I turned around and saw Akiyama running toward me with her cheeks slightly raised.

"Kyota. Thank you for coming."

"Yes, but you shouldn\'t be happy yet. You still have to take good care of her."

"I-I know."

I was a little nervous because of her sexy appearance just now.

Afterward, I left her apartment as if I was running away.

***

A few days after Iku caught a fever.

At that time, Iku\'s fever went down in the morning. However, Akiyama didn\'t go to school because she said that Iku should take a day off to recover.

The news of model student Akiyama suddenly leaving school early became the talk of my classmates for a while. Although I knew the reason behind his action, it was definitely surprising to others that she suddenly left school early in the middle of class, and it wasn\'t unusual for it to cause a lot of rumors in the school.

Akiyama didn\'t say why, and no one asked her either, so the truth was never revealed.

I was also asked a few times about why I came home early that time, but I faked the reason by saying that I had been called about Soyoka, so everyone understood my situation right away.

Could it be because of my daily routine?

Well, after all, I\'m always willing to go wherever it is if it has to do with Soyoka.

Thinking about it made me want to see Soyoka playing in kindergarten all the time without having to come to school. .......But, I\'m still going to school like this because I\'m sure Soyoka wouldn\'t like it if her older brother was a NEET.

I took off my blazer just as the bell rang signaling the start of lunch break.

"Achi~"

I poured a bottle of milk tea that I bought from the vending machine. The sweet taste of milk and sugar enveloped my tongue. This kind of mixed sweetness is delicious, isn\'t it? I felt moisture penetrate my fingertips and my body temperature started to drop a little.

It\'s still May, but the sun is already shining brightly and the temperature has reached 25° Celsius.

I draped my blazer over the chair and loosened my tie. Then, I flopped onto the table and fanned myself with the notebook as if it were a fan.

Is it not time to transition to summer clothes yet? Some teachers are actually tolerant, but the rules still require the students to wear formal clothes during class.

Damn, they\'re too strict in strange places!

The teachers, on the other hand, wear casual clothes and they call it "Cool Biz".

This is the most sensitive time of the year, as it\'s sometimes cold and sometimes hot. I have to be careful that Soyoka doesn\'t get sick.

"Kuremoto-kun."

Suddenly, a thigh appeared in the corner of my eye.

No, actually it was already there right before my eyes saw it.

When I looked up, while explaining to myself that I wasn\'t looking at him, there she was, Akiyama with no expression on his face.

"Akiyama? What\'s wrong?"

Did something happen to Iku again for her to talk to me in class?

The aura Akiyama exuded felt like a stranger, without any trace of friendliness. She stood there with dignity and extended his hand.

"You\'re the only one who hasn\'t submitted an application form, right? Kijimura-sensei told me to get it."

"Oh, sorry. I left it at home."

Turns out she\'s on Class Rep duty.....

In the second year of high school, students have to make serious decisions about their future plans after graduation. I had been asked to submit a survey about my own future plans, but I hadn\'t collected it yet.

"Alright. But please submit it as soon as possible."

Akiyama in cold mode has undeniable power!

She did talk a lot when Soyoka and Iku were involved, but it was only for the sake of the children. At school, we were strangers. If it had nothing to do with him, then she wouldn\'t talk.

She still doesn\'t want to get involved with anyone. However, the boys think she\'s mysterious and charming, and they appreciate her for that.

In the worst case, she was isolated. But she didn\'t seem to mind that.

"Akiyama-chan, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Mizuki stopped her just as she was about to leave.

"I was thinking of organizing a get-together with my classmates later. We\'re planning to do it next Monday or Tuesday after school."

As the two started talking, they attracted a lot of attention. They stood out because they were both a good looking man and woman. They were both on the class committee, so they were the center of attention.

"No, thank you."

"I see. The event is held before the exam. It\'ll be easier for everyone to gather since we\'ll be off from club activities. Otherwise, the athletic team wouldn\'t be able to come. Since we can\'t get together during Golden Week, so this is a golden opportunity for all of us to get to know each other."

"Sorry, but I have something to do."

Akiyama replied coldly.

Club activities were closed for a week before the exam, but that didn\'t mean everyone would use the time off to study seriously. So, I plan to join.

And as expected, Akiyama rejected it.

If we went, I planned to bring Soyoka, but I didn\'t think that Akiyama would bring Iku. Even if she doesn\'t, I still can\'t imagine her hanging out with her other friends.

"Umm, I just want to be friends with Akiyama, but well what do I do. Anyway, you can still join us later, so just let me know if you change your mind."

Mizuki pulled away just like that.

Some members of the sports club had practice schedules even during the exam period, some students also wanted to concentrate on their studies, and some didn\'t want to go without mentioning the reason. Well, it was their right, so there was no reason to force them to go.

Akiyama lightly bowed her head and turned to leave, as if to say that the conversation was over. However, a voice came from the other direction.

"Hey, Mizuki went to a lot of trouble to organize this event, so don\'t you think it\'s no good if you all refuse?"

It was the voice of a girl with a faint scent of perfume walking next to Mizuki.

That girl was Hikaru Hiragi. She was the beautiful idol-like girl in my class.

With two big bright eyes and a rather innocent look on her face, she was a girl who could make you say "cute" at first sight. Her light-colored bob looks as if it symbolizes her spirit.

She is a member of the girls\' tennis club and is very athletic. She is a sportswoman, and her ideal proportions, which are slim yet toned in the right places, make her even more attractive.

Besides her beautiful looks, her cheerful and friendly personality is another reason for her popularity. With that personality, it is not surprising that men would think, "Does she like me?"

However, it seems like she\'s in a bad mood right now.... .......

"Akiyama-san, you\'re the Class Rep, so you should be working together, right? But why is Mizuki the only one who works hard here?"

Hikaru glanced at Mizuki with a reproachful look.

Was she also eyeing Mizuki?

Well, being a popular guy is hard. I remember last year, she willingly came to see Mizuki even though they were in different classes. But since they\'re both in the tennis club, so I think it\'s only natural that they have a lot of contact with each other.

Mizuki, who was used to girls chasing after him, watched their interaction with a smile on his face.

"Yes. But I can\'t, because I really have something I have to do after school. If there\'s anything I can do at school to make up for it, then I\'ll do my best."

"Can\'t you spare just one day? Mizuki has suggested this association as Class Rep, but you\'ve ignored her, saying that it\'s none of your business."

The atmosphere in the classroom froze

Hikaru squinted his eyes while maintaining his bitter smile. On the other hand, Akiyama continued to maintain his stern demeanor.

Akiyama, the Takane no Hana, and Hikaru, who is everyone\'s idol.

In a sense, these two people, who seemed to be divided in terms of popularity, were facing each other.

The atmosphere suddenly turned hot and tense. ...... Should I still be here?

Words like, "Finally, a battle for the top spot! This place might be in danger!" , "The course of this battle will greatly affect the global situation......!" and so on resounded as if a life-and-death battle was about to begin.

I had nothing to do with any of this, so I tried to evacuate quietly. Maybe I\'ll have lunch somewhere else....

"You think so too, right, Kuremo-chan?"

"Why are you talking to me?!"

But what the heck, my escape route was blocked by Hikaru.

She winked at me, then turned to face Akiyama again. Since my time had been missed, I sat back down.

Mizuki grinned at me. I knew he realized my intentions so he laughed at me. I wanted so badly to divulge Mizuki\'s true nature to all the girls chasing him.

"Why don\'t you come at least once? I want to get to know you better too. Mizuki even invited you directly."

"Sorry, but I have to study."

"Ha? What\'s that? Are you trying to say that the rest of us don\'t study? Don\'t you dare just because you got first place in class."

"That\'s not what I meant. ......"

Neither of them raised their voices. Akiyama\'s tone was flat while Hikaru\'s was relaxed and soft. But there was a mysterious tension floating in the air.

Girls are scary........

"Akiyama-san, I don\'t really want to say it, but you\'re really disgusting, aren\'t you?"

Her tone was calm, but there were barbs in it.

Hikaru, as far as I knew, wasn\'t the kind of girl who viewed anyone as her enemy. She had many friends, both boys and girls, because she treated everyone without discrimination. She often hung out with flashy groups, but on the other hand, he also often had fun talking about his hobbies with simple girls.

However, he and Akiyama seem to be enemies of each other.



"Already, already."

Perhaps thinking the situation was getting worse, Mizuki interrupted with her hands fluttering in the air.

"Then, Akiyama-san, can you leave the matter of the association to me?"

"Yes, thank you. Go ahead."

"Good. I\'m good at this kind of thing. Hikaru, could you do me a favor if you don\'t mind?"

Of course, Mizuki was definitely better at it than Akiyama. That was because she had no social skills at all.

If Mizuki and Hikaru are in charge, the event will definitely go smoothly.

Even if you\'re the same type of person as me who looks at popular people with cynical eyes, you still follow them if you\'re directly told to do so by someone so good-looking like them I think it\'s a natural human instinct to follow a leader.

"Yes, of course! I\'m looking forward to it too!"

Mizuki\'s request was happily accepted by Hikaru with a smile.

Although it didn\'t cause any major problems, it still left a bit of a mess as they returned to their seats.