Chapter 194: Maki's Younger Brother
The self-study room in the library.
There were slightly more people than expected, but there were still empty seats, so there was no need to move elsewhere.
After leaving the kendo club, Sakurai felt like he had escaped a cage. The cool air in the library was soothing, like coming back to life again.
Sports clubs in the summer, like the basketball club for example, turned on the AC. The judo club turned it on too. Only the kendo club didn't. Seriously, a bunch of masochists.
After sitting down, the Nakano sisters skillfully took out today's review materials from their bags.
After following Sakurai for half a year, the Nakanos had been completely "molded into Sakurai Saki's shape." Just one look from him, and they knew exactly what to do.
Sakurai handed out the printed summary of key points: "Here's the core content I compiled—classical literature, math, natural science, social studies, English. The math formulas at the bottom come with simple examples. The exam questions may look different, so don't memorize blindly. I've gone over all these topics before; if you don't understand something, text me."
Among the five sisters, Itsuki was the slowest to adapt—just a slight change in the question from Sakurai Saki, and she couldn't solve it anymore.
After he finished explaining to her, she would always say—[Oh! ヽ(°〇°)ﾉ So that's how it's done?!]
If you know now, why couldn't you do it earlier? This kind of teaching experience, Sakurai had encountered countless times this semester. The same went for Yotsuba.
Yotsuba might be very talented in communication, but when it came to math… there was really nothing to praise.
She was better at classical literature—at least her literature grades were the highest—but when she didn't know the answer, she still resorted to… throwing an eraser to pick an option.
Yotsuba: (๑>•̀๑)
Compared to Yotsuba being utterly hopeless in math, Ichika was actually pretty good at it, but that didn't help her get high scores in the other subjects.
As for Miku and Nino…
These two, in fact, no longer needed Sakurai to teach them.
Over the past few months, they had developed excellent self-study habits.
Studying might be exhausting and long, but it was the easiest way to see results. Compared to financial investments, this was a stock guaranteed to earn profits, no losses.
Among these two diligent students, Nino's goal was to win his affection. This gave Sakurai Saki quite a headache.
Praise her, and she would think there was hope. Criticize her, and it felt like he was PUA-ing her, making Sakurai feel like a terrible person.
(Note google: PUA initially stands for Pick-up Artists, those who study and practice techniques to attract romantic partners. But in recent years it has become a Chinese slang, meaning manipulative or emotionally abusive behavior. psychological manipulation)
He had advised her to give up many times already, but she just wouldn't listen.
As for Miku, she was truly an angel!
Never once complained, always quietly studied, and did very well—she was the one who gave Sakurai the most peace of mind among the five sisters.
Miku in Sakurai eyes: ʚ(*´꒳`*)ɞ .｡✧･ﾟ:* ~♡
"Shijo-san didn't come today?" Itsuki asked casually as she received the handouts.
"Lately she's been meeting her twin younger brother. She said she wanted him to help her review."
Sakurai recalled this and mimicked what she had said before, but his tone was extremely flat, completely lacking the flair:
"Hmph. This lady will definitely surpass that old hag this time. Don't stop me. My younger brother was the top scorer in classical literature in last year's National Achievement Test. I'll have him teach me!"
The National Achievement Test—a nationwide exam in Japan that anyone can take by registering. The results and deviation values allow students to estimate their own academic level.
The number of participants reaches into the millions, so its reference value is extremely high.
Itsuki: (ᵕ—ᴗ—)
Sakurai-san, has anyone ever told you that your impression skills… are unbelievably awful?!
Could you not use that handsome face to say such weird lines?!
"Shijo-sensei has a younger brother?" Yotsuba asked curiously.
"Seems like his name is Shijo Mikado? Last year, he scored 20 points higher than President Shirogane in the literature mock exam and took first place." Sakurai recalled.
Shirogane had mentioned this to him before, and at that time, he seemed very unwilling to accept it.
But even though Shirogane lost, he still respected the guy—he just wasn't satisfied with his own weakness. After that, he studied even harder.
"Sounds like the male lead in a manga. I'm really curious what kind of person he is." Nino chimed in.
To beat the Shuchiin student council president by 20 points? That's insane.
After hearing that, Sakurai—
He immediately took out his phone and sent a message to Shijo Maki.
Sakurai: Maki? You there? Send me a photo of your brother. [Orca reaching out.jpg]
A few seconds later.
Shijo Maki: Why do you want a picture of my brother? [Attached image: A short-haired boy in uniform, captured in a moment of turning his head, with an extremely displeased expression]
Is this Maki's younger brother? Looks pretty decent for a human being.
Sakurai was quite curious about this so-called genius. At first, he thought someone capable of competing with Shirogane Miyuki would at least have eight arms. Who would've thought… he looked surprisingly normal, and his face was rather good-looking. Then again, just looking at Maki was enough to know her twin brother couldn't possibly be unattractive.
Sakurai typed:
Sakurai:I'm thinking of setting your brother up on a date. Ask him if he's okay with that. [Orca hands on hips.jpg]
A few seconds later—seen.
Shijo Maki:Saki-chan, he said, "Nee-san, if you want to make friends, I suggest you befriend someone normal." Sounds annoying, right? Don't worry, I've been finding him irritating lately too. I'll go punch him right now! [(=O*_*)=O (•̀д•́ )]
Sakurai kept typing:
You:You two really are such great siblings. I've got tutoring to do, so I won't gossip anymore, bye. [(„• ֊ •„)੭]
Shijo Maki: [ദ്ദി(ᵔᗜᵔ)]
...
After finishing the chat, Sakurai showed the photo of Shijo Mikado on his phone to Nino.
"This is Shijo Mikado. What do you think?"
Meaning: Girl, how about considering a different romantic target?
"He's okay." Nakano Nino glanced twice and showed no particular reaction.
After saying that, she lowered her head and continued doing her homework. Final exams were coming soon, and the assignments were piling up.
"No other comments?" That cold, huh?
"I don't like the honor-student, obedient type." Nakano Nino explained.
She preferred the wild type.
A sharper gaze, a sharper tongue, and of course, ideally handsome—though average looks were acceptable, feelings could develop later.
"What do you think about President Shirogane?" Sakurai started playing matchmaker.
"Sakurai-san, you're acting weird today." Nino still hadn't realized that Sakurai's intention was to push her away.
Otherwise, at the very least, this girl should have scolded him a few times by now.
You don't return my feelings, fine. But now you're trying to shove me toward another guy? How much do you hate me?
Nino: (っ˃̣̣̥ -˂̣̣̥ς)
"Forget it, let's keep studying." For some reason, when he said that, Sakurai felt a little uncomfortable too.
...
The self-study room in the library was quite full. After that, there wasn't much more talking—only when one of the girls had a question would Sakurai go over to explain.
After the session was done—
Everyone started packing their things into their bags.
Yotsuba looked up at Sakurai and asked:
"Sakurai-san, why did you join the kendo club?"
She had been curious about this for a while.
"The kendo club president asked me to help him compete."
"Compete in what?"
"Gyokuryuu-ki, end of this month, held in Fukuoka Prefecture."
The speaker said it casually, but the listener took note.
When Nino heard this, her expression turned thoughtful.
Her dad had said that after finals, the family would go on a trip—and the destination hadn't been decided yet.