Stepping out of the bathroom, I grabbed a towel in the changing area and dried myself as best I could before pulling on the fresh underwear and pants I’d brought with me.
The real issue was my top... but I suppose I had no choice but to head out as I was.
It was only my upper body, and we were in my own home, so Senpai would surely be fine... probably.
I draped the bath towel over my shoulders just in case and stepped out of the changing area. Sara-senpai was already standing by, fully prepared with a spare top, bandages, and compresses.
Our eyes met for a split second, and we both turned beet red from lingering embarrassment.
Looking at her bashful face made the memories of the bath come rushing back...
"Ah... you’re imagining things again, aren’t you? You’re being so mean today, Kazunari-san..."
If I let her keep making such sheepish accusations, we’d just keep going in circles. I had to break the cycle.
"S-sorry, Sara-senpai. But this must be embarrassing for you, and it’s a lot of work. Maybe the bath was a step too far after all..."
"N-no, I only made a fool of myself today because I’m not used to it yet. I’ll be fine. I can do anything if it’s for your sake, Kazunari-san."
As she spoke, she clenched her small fists in a determined "Go for it!" pose.
Seeing her try so hard to be cute and supportive was almost too much.
Once again, the word "refusal" was nowhere to be found in my vocabulary.
I just had to do my best... me. Though I couldn't exactly say what I was doing my best to endure.
"N-now, Kazunari-san, let’s start by drying your hair properly."
She moved behind me, lifted the towel draped over my shoulders, and began rubbing my head.
"Mmph."
"Fufu... please bear with it for a moment."
Sara-senpai seemed to have regained her composure, returning to her usual aura of a capable, doting older sister.
It seemed like she had a switch; depending on the situation, she would alternate between being a bit childish and returning to her usual caretaking self.
After thoroughly drying my hair, she wiped down my shoulders, back, and the other spots I couldn't reach, then helped me into my top.
For the record, my house doesn't have a hair dryer.
"Now, Kazunari-san, please sit here."
Since the bandages and supplies were already laid out on the table, I took a seat in the chair and rested my right arm on the table toward her.
She applied the compress with practiced ease and skillfully wound the bandage around my arm.
"There, all finished."
"Thank you so much. I’m sorry for making you do everything for me..."
"Don't be. I'm doing all of this because I want to."
The fact that Sara-senpai truly meant those words was incredible... I honestly couldn't thank her enough.
Eventually, the time came for Sara-senpai to head home.
I wanted to walk her to the station, but...
"You’re injured, Kazunari-san, so please stay put and rest at home."
I knew she was going to say that.
The final hurdle before summer vacation had arrived: the tests.
I hadn't been skipping any classes, so I figured my grades were probably around average.
However, since I couldn't use my right hand properly, I was worried about the subjects that required a lot of writing or had a high volume of questions.
"As Student Council Officers, I want everyone to aim for at least an above-average score," the President announced. "We haven't done this in the past, but starting this year, we’ll be holding after-school study sessions in the days leading up to the tests."
I suppose as a Student Council Officer, academic performance was something I had to be mindful of.
"Prez~, if we're doing a study session, we’re gonna need someone to teach us."
"If you're okay with me, feel free to ask. I'm sure Satsukawa-san will help with the first and second-year curriculum too."
"Yes!"
"Alright, now I'm motivated."
"There's a ton of stuff I don't get."
"...I can see the punchline already."
"...Me too."
I knew that Sara-senpai was the undisputed number one in her year when it came to grades.
The President's scores were probably great too... I wondered about everyone else.
"How are your studies going, Takanashi-kun?"
"I try to pay attention in class, but at home, I don't really do much beyond my homework. Is that a bad sign...?"
When I answered the President's question, the other members joined in.
"I study, for the record~"
"I usually crack the books if something felt confusing during class."
"I at least do the normal amount right before the test."
"Me too~"
Wait, was I the only one who didn't really study?
This was bad. If I was the only one with poor grades, I’d be dragging the whole group down.
"You will be fine, Takanashi-san. I will teach you anything you don't understand."
At school, I had asked Sara-senpai to continue calling me "Takanashi-san" just as she always had.
My main reason was a personal sense of discipline; I’d decided we shouldn't use first names in public until we were officially dating.
There was also the fact that it would cause a massive scene if we changed, and Sara-senpai had been quite fond of the phrase "Our Little Secret." We had our reasons.
"I’ll be in your care, then. I’ll do my best!"
"I am happy to hear you are motivated, but please be careful not to overwork your right hand."
I was trying to write without putting too much pressure on it, but the resulting wobbly handwriting was a real pain.
"Sorry, Sara-senpai, could you look at this part...?"
"Yes. For this problem, you apply this formula like this..."
Since math was my absolute worst subject, I naturally had a lot of questions.
Sara-senpai was a wonderful teacher, explaining everything clearly and patiently.
"Thank you. Sorry for having to ask so soon..."
"It’s no trouble. That is why I am here. Please, ask me anything you don't understand."
For the sake of Sara-senpai, who gave me such a warm smile, I had to at least try to get my scores up.
"H-hey, Satsukawa-san, about this part..."
"Did you read your textbook thoroughly?" she asked, her voice turning crisp and professional. "Please only ask questions after you have researched the matter as much as possible on your own."
"...Understood."
"I knew it."
"That punchline was easier to understand than the math..."
Thanks to having a teacher like Sara-senpai, my studies were progressing faster than ever before.
Beyond the time we spent in the Student Council, she also taught me during our spare time at home.
However, the one thing I still hadn't gotten used to was...
"Kazunari-san, I’ll wash your back now."
"Y-yes! Thank you..."
Being alone with Sara-senpai in the bathroom... it was impossible not to be a nervous wreck.
"Fufu... how does that feel?"
While I was still struggling to stay calm, Sara-senpai seemed to have developed some real composure.
"Is five minutes enough again today?"
Feeling a bit petty, I went out of my way to tease her back, referencing her earlier flustered state.
"...You're asking that because you know exactly how I feel, aren't you? You're mean..."
Guh...
Hearing the sheer embarrassment in Sara-senpai's voice, I realized I’d only succeeded in making myself even more flustered.