"Hehe, not at all."
Nanao Akane gave a silly smile.
Asaba Ibuki sighed; she had never seen Akane like this before.
Nanao Akane used to be described as the "Ice Beauty of the Baseball Club."
…Of course, this "iceberg" referred to her appearance and not her personality. Asaba Ibuki, as her senior from her previous club, had a very good relationship with her and knew that her personality was completely unrelated to "iceberg." However, her increasingly active and silly behavior in recent days… was also something new.
After all, Nanao Akane's family… how should I put it, was quite unfortunate.
She used to actively encourage Akane, but it seemed she wasn't needed anymore.
Instead…
"It's not good to always sigh at such a young age, Ibuki Senpai. Are you troubled by something?" Akane showed concern for Asaba Ibuki.
Asaba Ibuki originally wanted to talk about Kurashiki Reina, but… after thinking about it, she decided to keep quiet. Both Kurashiki and Hayato Cun'an were significant figures, and bringing them up would only make Akane worry.
"Haven't you heard?" Asaba Ibuki said, "This year, Tokyo will be very hot…"
"Indeed, I can already feel the scorching heat…" Nanao Akane fanned herself with her small hand. The current temperature was at least over thirty degrees Celsius. The courtyard was almost deserted. She herself was the type who could endure the sun, so she found it acceptable.
Asaba Ibuki's forehead was already covered in a fine layer of sweat… So why were they eating in the courtyard in this weather?
Nanao Akane didn't know either, perhaps the author writing their life script forgot this small bug… Anyway, let's ignore it for now.
"So Shiraki will have an early holiday…" Asaba Ibuki said.
"Yes." Nanao Akane said with a smile.
Isn't this a good thing?
She was already researching train tickets back to Yaso Inaba. Taking Kobayashi-chan back would definitely be a surprise for Grandma… Hehe, it's best not to tell her for now.
"Which means…" Asaba Ibuki said, intentionally lowering her voice as if telling a horror story: "…Final exams will be earlier."
"…Ah."
"'Ah'?" Asaba Ibuki was very dissatisfied with Nanao Akane's reaction: "That's the final exam…!"
What's going on?
Wasn't Akane, like her, always the type to hate final exams? Why… was there no sign of distress on her face, and even a hint of eagerness, as if she were rolling up her sleeves?
"I feel… I'll do very well this time." Nanao Akane said. She had worked hard enough, and if she got good grades, she could ask Kobayashi-chan for ~~a reward~~ ~~
Asaba Ibuki's pupils trembled… Akane, have you… betrayed me!
"Moreover, to motivate students for this early holiday and ensure they don't let their guard down during the summer vacation… the school even moved up the parent-teacher conference!" Asaba Ibuki was practically collapsing. Her family didn't interfere with her idol aspirations… but they tacitly turned a blind eye. If her family found out her grades had slipped,
Asaba Ibuki… would have to grandly! Retire! before even debuting!
She held her face in her hands, unwavering.
"…Hah." Nanao Akane said again.
She hadn't cared about "parent-teacher conferences" for a long time, and Kobayashi-chan probably felt the same way; the two of them together couldn't make up a single mom.
"I'm sorry," Asaba Ibuki said, as she had accidentally touched upon Nanao Akane's sad past.
"It's fine." Nanao Akane said.
Asaba Ibuki then changed the subject:
"Are you still going to Yaso Inaba to see your grandma this year?"
"Yes, how about you, Ibuki Senpai?"
"Perhaps… I might stay for two days too?"
Asaba Ibuki was still unsure for now.
It wasn't to Akane's grandma's house; Asaba Ibuki simply had a relative's house in Yaso Inaba. It was mentioned by chance, and after Asaba Ibuki learned that Nanao Akane's hometown was there, their relationship grew even closer.
It was an unspoiled, laid-back coastal village, inherently lazy and comfortable.
Although she was incredibly busy recently and would probably continue practicing guitar during the summer vacation, Asaba Ibuki still hoped to stay for two days to relax her increasingly tired mind… Of course, the prerequisite was that her final exams didn't go awry… Otherwise, her family probably wouldn't agree to her traveling far.
"That would be great, we can play together again." Nanao Akane said with a smile. Last year, she spent a good part of the summer with Asaba Ibuki, creating beautiful memories…
Asaba Ibuki's eyes also curved into a smile… Anyway, it's all about exams. Oh, if only there were no exams in this world.
She was dreaming an unrealistic dream.
"Hey, hey, hey."
Nanao Akane poked Asaba Ibuki's arm: "It's been a long time since I heard you play the guitar, Senpai…"
Asaba Ibuki said exasperatedly, "Didn't I bring the guitar to fulfill your wish?"
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