Chapter 9: Love Birds

As expected, no conversation or interaction happened between Asahi and Fuyuka after the study session.

When I saw her a few times, she still had that cold atmosphere around her, and heard many rumors that indicated that the “Ice Lady” was still alive and well.

And every time I do, I feel strange as I recall her embarrassment about her stomach and her gentle, soft smile, but still, that didn’t mean something would change.

If there was a slight change, it was that she started to make small bows to me when I met her at the apartment.

In the end, we remained as strangers, a week and a bit passed like clockwork.

“I didn’t know you were this smart, Asahi.”

“…At the very least, more than you.”

“That’s obvious. Don’t compare someone who’s always on the edge of failing to you.”

After four days of hellish tests, the students, who had been energized by a sense of release, once again turned pale when the day came to check their marks.

A few of them were cheerful and excited in contrast to the surroundings, however not all of them had good scores. In fact, many of them had stopped looking at reality, or rather their marks.

And Chiaki, as usual, was not hiding his horrible score, but was instead spreading it out in his hands and smiling cheerfully.

“But really, I think the 20th place is great. That’s the level of being an honor student. Did you do any special studying or anything?”

“…Well, something along those lines.”

“What’s with that vague reply? Why don’t you tell me the secret of those scores?”

“…Get someone to teach you or something.”

“I see. Well then, Asahi―”

“I’m gonna have to politely decline.”

I left Chiaki complaining and looked at the report card in my hand and saw a list of the highest rankings and scores ever.

For Asahi, who has been studying and reviewing on a regular basis, tests with a fixed scope of questions weren’t that much difficult.

Even if it was just before the exam, you didn’t want to pull an all nighter, but study as usual, get enough sleep, and get decent grades.　

This time, however, it was more than that. Having made a significant improvement in his performance and was one of the top thirty students in the school.

The reason for this was undoubtedly because Fuyuka had taught him math, which he was not very good at, and couldn’t just teach it to Chiaki, so Asahi changed the subject.

“In the first place, Chiaki, you were always doting on your girlfriend and never studied.”

“It’s because she’s just too cute.”

Since they entered the school after passing the entrance exam, there was not much of a difference between Asahi and Chiaki. Even so, the reason for their contrasting grades was simply the difference in the priority they placed on their studies.

Chiaki was quick-witted and had a knack for things.

If he put more effort into his studies, he would have been able to achieve the same or higher marks as Asahi, but because he prioritizes his time with his girlfriend Hinami, he became a problem child, always on the edge of failing.

“You’ll understand it too when you get a girlfriend, Asahi. You’ll be in remedial class, for sure.”

“In that case, I wouldn’t be able to live alone anymore.”

“…Which means sleep over would be―”

“You won’t be able to.”

“Okay, Asahi. Don’t get a girlfriend.”

Even if he didn’t tell him, Asahi had no intention of getting a girlfriend at the moment.

I don’t have anyone to fall in love with in the first place, nor do I have the desire to flirt around like Chiaki.

First, as a condition for living alone, you must achieve at least one-third of the total grade.

Even if Chiaki’s prediction came true, he would have to move back to his parents’ house, and although he didn’t want to think about it, there was even a possibility that he would have to change schools due to commuting.

“But in reality, it’s such a shame, just like the Ice Lady.”

“Hm? How did that come about?”

“No, I just thought that neither of you were very sociable. Well, in your case, you need to keep up appearances.”

“Shut up. It’s none of your business.”

“See, that’s the problem! You need to smile more. You should cut off your long hair and groom it. You’ve got a cool face, but it’s such a waste.”

Even if it was an exaggeration to say that he was the same as Fuyuka, who was suddenly mentioned as an example, Asahi was also aware that he was not very sociable.

I’m not the type of person who likes to engage in conversations, and I can be blunt about things, which often makes me seem grumpy.

Since he could analyze himself objectively, he knew that although he was not as handsome as an actor like Yamada, nor as fresh-faced as Chiaki, he could look pretty good if he kept up his appearance.

However, he didn’t think twice about changing his original personality or spending time and money to improve himself in order to be liked by the girls.

“Let’s stop here. I’m done talking about this.”

“What’s with you? You’re no fun. The plan to make you handsome was just about to start.”

“Hey, don’t make horrifying plans on your own. I like things the way they are.”

“Even so. There are a lot of people who are waiting to see this plan come to fruition.”

“Bullshit. You’re the only one who would want to see it.”

“No, no, no, there’s at least one person…, look, just in time.”

I had a bad feeling about Chiaki’s grin, and I turned my gaze in the same direction. The person who could be called my natural enemy was standing in front of me, which was not funny.

“Chi-kun, Asahi! How was the test?”

“You’ve come at the perfect timing, Hina. Let’s not talk about the test, let’s talk about the project to make Asahi handsome.”

“What’s that, that sounds really interesting! Eh, you mean, Asahi, you’ve finally found a girl you like?”

Asahi couldn’t help but be troubled as Chiaki’s girlfriend, Hinami Aiba, came running up to him from the hallway with a dazzling smile.

She has semi-long, light brown hair that extended to her shoulder, and a charming face like a small animal.

Her personality was like that of a friendly little animal, and she was a cheerful and lively girl who fit the word “innocent” very well.

Because of their contrasting personalities, Asahi always felt exhausted both physically and mentally in front of Hinami.

“Okay, Asahi. Now that the test is over, we have some time after this, right? Let’s go to a diner and have a nice chat with us.”

“…Can I refuse?”

“Of course not!”

“Then don’t bother asking.”

Once the school’s famous love birds were together, Asahi had no way to resist.

Without question, they were going to a family restaurant, and Asahi let out a deep large sigh not bothering to hide it.

In the end, after spending a few hours in a family restaurant, Asahi arrived home exhausted.

Most of the time It was just them flirting around, and the rest of the time was spent talking about romance, which I had no interest in, and it only made me more tired after the test.

However, Asahi did not dislike such a lively time.

They are still two of the few good friends I have, and I feel comfortable with them, no matter what.

I understand that the plan to make me more handsome, even if it was a bit forced, was done out of consideration as a friend to me who had no female friends.

‘Oh yeah, It’s time to buy some more.’

On my way home, I remembered that my refrigerator was getting lonely, so I stopped by a local supermarket to take advantage of the sales before they closed.

In the midst of it all, Asahi’s feet stopped as he spotted a familiar figure in front of him.

‘…What’s that girl doing here?’

She had waist-length glazed hair and a petite, slender silhouette with feminine figure.

There was no mistaking it, it was the Ice Lady herself, walking through the store with a shopping cart in her hand.