Too close… that was way too close!
If it hadn't been me, I definitely would've fallen right into that trap.
Hayakawa Shiro's heart thudded violently as he made up his mind.
No matter what, he couldn't say he disliked it. He had to show approval—had to make her believe he respected her hobby.
"Mm… I see,"
Striking a pose like a commander issuing orders, Shiro spoke with grave authority. "That sounds like an excellent interest. Very refined… and wholesome. Yes, even good for the body. In short, it's wonderful! I like it quite a lot, actually."
Good for the body?
A question mark floated above Furuhashi Fumino's head. She didn't quite understand that part. But having her hobby affirmed by him, she couldn't help the smile that spread across her face.
She had been fretting about this since yesterday. After all, it was the first time she'd shared something so personal with a boy her age. Of course she cared deeply about what he thought. Now, with his approval, her heart felt as though it had finally found solid ground.
Seeing that faint, relieved smile on Furuhashi's face, Shiro let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Whew… good thing I spotted the danger in time.
"Anyway, let's focus on studying for now. Stargazing can wait until later,"
He pressed on while he had the advantage. "If your grades don't improve, you won't be able to do astronomy—or anything else."
"Mm!"
Furuhashi nodded with renewed determination. "That gave me motivation! Let's go!"
Study time flew by quickly, and before long, it was time for the three of them to head home. They walked slowly toward the station, the evening breeze swirling around them.
As they went, Shiro fielded their questions, occasionally quizzing them in return.
"Hey, Hayakawa-kun,"
Furuhashi's eyes widened with excitement, her face glowing. "I feel like I've been improving a lot lately! I've never had this feeling before!"
"Really?"
Shiro rolled his eyes. "That's probably just your imagination."
I sure haven't seen any real progress in your answers. You're still a science idiot.
"Honestly!"
Furuhashi puffed out her cheeks, lifting a finger as though to jab him in the side—only to drop it with a pout instead. "Hayakawa-kun, you're terrible at giving compliments."
"The truth is rarely pleasant,"
Shiro replied coolly. "I'm just stating the harsh reality."
Furuhashi fell silent, her confidence wilting under the blunt remark. Her shoulders drooped.
"I've felt something similar too, actually,"
Ogata Rizu, walking with her backpack snug against her shoulders, spoke up after a moment's thought. "I feel like I've been making some progress in the liberal arts. I've never had that feeling before."
"…Huh? Really?"
Shiro's eyes widened slightly as he frowned. "So you actually are improving?"
"See, see! I told you I wasn't imagining things!"
Furuhashi's eyes sparkled as she jumped in.
"…Oh. Looks like it's true."
Shiro allowed himself a hint of satisfaction, the corner of his mouth tugging upward—but he kept his tone restrained. "Even so, don't get overconfident. You still need to work hard."
"Of course not! Even if I'm improving, I'm still at beginner level. I understand that,"
Furuhashi beamed, unable to hide her joy. She lifted her chin, her face glowing with hopeful pride. "But if I keep progressing like this, maybe next exam Rizu-chan and I can actually score a passing grade!"
"Are you seriously saying you're not overconfident? Doesn't look that way to me!"
Shiro nearly lost it, his voice rising. "Last exam you were still in the single digits! And now you're fantasizing about passing? At this rate, next time you'll be dreaming about a perfect score!"
"Uu…"
Furuhashi shrank back, her voice dropping to a small murmur. "Can't I just… fantasize a little?"
Her lips pouted ever so slightly, her beautiful face tinged with hurt.
This clueless blockhead… he's just a virgin, and yet he dares yell at a pretty girl? He's doomed to stay single forever…
"Speaking of which,"
Completely oblivious to Furuhashi's "cursed" thoughts, Shiro suddenly turned to Ogata. "Ogata, why did you give up science for the liberal arts?"
"Me?"
Ogata blinked, then answered plainly. "I like playing board games and other kinds of games. I want to study psychology to understand people's minds better—so I can improve my gaming skills. That's why I chose the liberal arts."
Shiro: "..."
As expected, another hopelessly idiotic reason. Just like Furuhashi.
To think she'd change her entire academic path just for the sake of games… Was there anything more absurd? Games should be forbidden for students! A proper high schooler ought to treat them like poison.
Seriously…
Keeping his expression flat, Shiro nonetheless gave the expected affirmation, speaking like a broken AI recorder: "Ahh, psychology, huh? Sounds great. I like it too."
"R-really? Hehe…"
Ogata's cheeks flushed pink as she lowered her gaze. Her slender fingers twined together, and a tiny, happy giggle escaped her lips.
Furuhashi: "???"
That sounded oddly familiar. Almost like what had just happened with her.
So his approval really is that easy to earn, huh.
Hands in his pockets, Shiro strolled along with his head tilted back, gazing at the starlit sky. His expression was calm.
Passing, huh…
No way it would happen by the next monthly exam. Their gaps were far too wide. It wasn't something that could be bridged in such a short time.
Shiro had already calculated it. At their current pace, it would take until the midterms—two months from now—for them to reach passing level. By finals, they should be able to hit the average scores for their respective subjects.
At that point, his job as their tutor would be complete. With grades like that, they'd be able to keep up with regular classes on their own. And after all, the school's teachers were professionals. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't compare to them.
And by then…
It would finally be his chance to take first place. After all the effort he'd put in, it was about time.
Shiro's lips curved into a small, expectant smile.
If all went well, they'd be passing by midterms.
That would be perfect…
…
If all went well.
"What did you just say?"
Shiro's eyes went wide, his pupils contracting to pinpricks as he stared in disbelief at the person before him.
"Isn't it obvious?"
Tall, elegant, and breathtakingly beautiful, the pink-haired teacher sat before him, her voice cool and merciless as she delivered the final verdict.
"If they don't both reach passing scores on the next exam, your position as their tutor will be revoked."
Shiro: "..."
A bead of sweat slid down his temple, tracing the curve of his cheek before shattering on his shoulder.
Just like that bead, Shiro's heart cracked apart.
This time… he was cornered.