About Touma-kun, Who Wants to Spend His Time Quietly, Is Liked by the School’s Madonna

Chapter 44

Touma-kun Working Hard On His Studies

Translated by AmaLynne

Now…objectively, what do I have to do to be considered a match for Aya?

First of all, there’s the midterm test next week.

I need to improve my ranking there and prove that I can study well for now.

Since I have already stood out, there is no need to cut corners.

So I’m going to study hard for the test.

Right now, I’m studying with Aya in the library after school.

◆◇◆◇◆

「……kun! Touma-kun!」

「Hmm? Aya, what’s wrong? You have to be quiet in the library…」

「It’s closing time. Look.」

I look at Aya’s phone.

And then look around.

「Seriously…really, there’s no one here.」

Before I knew it, it was just before 6 pm.

It’s almost time for our school library to close.

「Isn’t it amazing what you’ve been doing lately? He’s studying hard, and very focused…Touma-kun, is something wrong…?」

「No, I’m making progress with Aya. I feel at home when I’m next to you. And, of course, I’m thrilled to be next to you.」

「I-I see…g-glad to hear that. M-Me too, okay?」

「I’m happy for you. Then, shall we go home?」

「Yes! Let’s go home!」

The two of us walk through the school, holding hands as if it were a matter of course.

The guys after club activities are looking at us from a distance.

…Hmmm, they don’t say anything to me anymore, but I can still feel their stares.

Is one of these people the one writing the posts?

Probably, but I’m sure it’s just some of them and they’re trying to make it look like the majority of people…

They’re the ones who use cunning tricks…If they’re going to do it, they should do it fair and square.

Why can’t you see that that’s the kind of thing that drives people away?

It’s too late when something happens…

These days, there are more and more people who can’t even tell the difference between right and wrong…

They do whatever they want under the phrase everyone else is doing it…

「What’s wrong…? You look scary…」

Oops, no, no, no, no…

「No, some people still look at me, so I need to intimidate them…she’s my woman…No, that’s not a good way to put it.」

Because women are not objects.

「No! T-That…makes me happy…I like that kind of thing…」

「Oh…so you do. Mm…I’ll work on it.」

「…Actually, that was my dream too…and it came true again…! Touma-kun, you make my dreams come true more and more!」

Aya says and gives a bouncy smile.

I’m willing to go through the trouble if I can see this smile.

◆◇◆◇◆

「Speaking of which, how’s your part-time job going?」

「I’m doing it, though it’s close to the test. It’s not often, but it’s a good way to refresh myself. What about you, Touma-kun?」

「I’m kind of like Aya this time around. It sure is refreshing, isn’t it?」

「I guess it all boils down to that. Besides, I just started working part-time, so if I take a break, I’ll forget about it.」

「Ah, that’s true. That’s exactly what happened to me. That’s how I was scolded by Tomono-san.」

「What!? Really!? We’re the same, aren’t we?」

「Well…I was scared of him at first…he’s always so quiet. Well, I’m comfortable with that now.」

「I’d like to go again. I haven’t told the manager yet.」

「Ah, that, he said, “Touma-kun! Only manager is left out of the group! I’m so sad!”」

「Well, that’s even worse. Let’s go after the test!」

「Yeah, let’s do that.」

◆◇◆◇◆

That night…I was up late studying.

I had only found out about the case a week before, so my time was limited.

I had to get as good a score as possible and be recognized by the people around me.

Test scores are the easiest way to find out.

Also, I actually went to and looked at the forum.

It was full of invective against me…

Die! and other harsh words.

As you can imagine, I took no damage.

The only relief is that there are no bad words about Aya…

But it’s going to be dangerous if things continue…Okay!

Let’s do it!

「Brother? Are you still awake?」

「Marina…I decided to get a little serious.」

「Is that for Aya-chan?」

「Well…I’ve got a lot on my mind.」

「I see…I’ll go get you a cup of coffee.」

「Hey, you…already gone?」

After that, I got a shout out from my lovely sister and I was back to studying again…

◆◇◆◇◆

「…-kun. Touma-kun!」

「Huh? Aya, what’s wrong?」

「Sleepy…cute…not! I can’t believe you fell asleep while eating lunch. Are you okay? Are you sure you’re not pushing yourself too hard?」

「I’m not. I’m sorry for worrying you. I found an interesting novel. I stayed up late looking at it.」

「I hope that’s okay, but…you still sleepy?」

「Nnn? …well, yes.」

「I see…let me borrow your school uniform!」

She lays down the school run, which I had taken off, and sits on it.

「Yes! Go ahead! I can only do this, but…」

Well, you are indeed thinly aware…

But don’t say that.

「Thanks, Aya. I’m happy to be with you. I have no regrets, please remember that.」

「Touma-kun……yeah, I knew it! I’m so happy! I’m also happy to be dating Touma-kun!」

The comfort of Aya’s lap pillow lured me back to sleep again…