Episode 10 – Studying For Test

“Come in.”

“S-sorry to bother you……”

I ended up visiting Rina san’s room.

It’s because of the final exam which is coming up soon and she’s going to help me study. 

Rina san’s parents……more precisely, I was nervous about meeting her father, but it’s a weekday today. He seems to be working at his office as usual.

I hardly ever talk to him, but he knew that I was dating Yuika…..

On top of that, I don’t know what will happen if he finds out that I started dating Rina san this time,…….

Nevertheless, I’ll have to tell him properly at some point.

“Don’t just stand there, sit down.”

“Ah, yes.”

Rina san urged me to sit down on the cushion she gave me.

The space in this room is about eight tatami mats.

With the necessities such as a closet, a desk, and a bed, there are not many personal belongings to be found.

The interior is based on white and has a sweet scent like strawberries.

I have been to this house many times, but this was the first time I entered Rina san’s room.

Rina san’s mouth fell open as if she was teasing me.

“Are you nervous just because it’s your ex-girlfriend’s sister’s room?”

“Well, of course. It’s not my ex-girlfriend’s older sister’s room, it’s my girlfriend’s.”

After she received my remarks, Rina san’s cheeks blushed.

She crouched down and shook her head slightly.

“Y-yeah, I guess so…… Let’s, um, let’s study.”

The atmosphere was getting unbearable, and Rina san put her hands together with bread to change the mood.

I took out an English reference book from my bag.

“Here. I’m not good at English, so I would like to ask you to teach me.”

“English? Takuto kun, you’re not good at English?”

Rina san raised her bewildered voice with her eyebrows raised.

“I’m sorry. I’m a pure-blooded Japanese. I don’t understand English.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, well, I used to live in America. I’m a returnee.”

“Hee, that’s the first time I’ve heard of it. That’s amazing.”

“So, I wonder if you’re the same, Takuto kun?”

I made a difficult face.

I couldn’t understand how she came up with that idea.

“Do I look like I used to live abroad?”

“No, not at all.”

“I think what you said earlier was the opposite…..”

“Well, let’s see, have you ever been abroad?”

“Yeah, I have. I was in elementary school back then, so I don’t remember much about it anymore.”

“Did you learn English back then?”

“I was there for two weeks or so, so I can’t really remember. It was just a trip.”

When I was an elementary student, I couldn’t even use Japanese.

Naturally, I haven’t even reached the level where I could handle English. Mostly, I was always clinging to my mom.

But come to think of it, I don’t remember much about the trip. I think something shocking happened.

“I see. Well, of course you don’t remember.”

“? Yes.”

“All right, then. Let’s study.”

“Please take care of me.”

Rina san clenches her fists and gets fired up.

As she unfolded reference books on the table, she taught me one-on-one.

For me, who’s doubtful about the basics when it comes to English, Rina san was like a goddess as she taught me in a very kind and careful manner.

Or rather, she’s good at teaching. I think she’s  suited to be a school teacher.

“Yes, that’s correct. Well done.”

“Do I have to be patted every time I get the answer correct?”

“We have an educational policy of developing our children through praise.”

“Since when am I Rina san’s child?”

“You don’t like it?”

“I don’t.”

“Eh, but it’s funny. Try calling me mom.”

“M-mom?”

“……T-that’s kinda naughty in some way…….Can you stop saying weird things?”

“You made me say it…..”

The actual “I’m not a fan of the way you look at it, but I’m not a fan of the way you look at it either.

I looked at Rina san in a confused expression and said it in exasperation.

In any case, with this kind of situation, I proceeded with my studies smoothly, even though I just had useless conversations.

It was about an hour later.

“Oh, yeah. You didn’t bring anything to drink.”

“Oh, no, don’t worry about it at all.”

“It’s fine. I’ll get you something, so please wait.”

“Thank you.”

Rina san lifted her hips and opened the room door with light steps.

“Whoa, Whoa !?”

and a voice filled with anguish was heard along with a familiar figure.

Does this door make a sound?　

I had no time to think about such a nonsensical thing when I saw a familiar blue-haired girl.

“Y-yuika? Are you okay?”

Rina asked in a panicked and worried tone.

Yuika’s face turned red as she held her forehead with her hand, and she walked away without saying a word.

“Ah, hey, W-wait….Yuika….”

Rina san looked at Yutaka anxiously as she ran away.

What is she doing, that girl.

Could it be, she was eavesdropping on our conversation in front of the door?

“I-is she okay…… I’m going to go check on her a bit.”

“Oh, then, I’ll go.”

“Eh? But…”

“There are some things I need to tell her before things get complicated.

Rina san looked a little confused, but when she looked back into my eyes.

“Understood. Then I’ll leave Yuika to you, Takuto kun.”

“Roger that.”

Rina san went to get something to drink.

I decided to go to Yuika’s room.