"How'd you do?"
"I thought I'd do a little better than this, honestly."
Today was Test Return Day, and as soon as the break began, the classroom was buzzing with nothing but talk of the results.
I sat at my desk, staring at the tests that had just been handed back to me, still in a state of shock over scores that far exceeded my wildest expectations.
Studying really does make a massive difference... though I know it’s entirely thanks to Sara-senpai.
"Takanashi, you’re actually pretty smart, aren't you!"
"Damn it, I should’ve had you teach me too."
Even if they said that, it wasn't like I was the one doing the actual teaching.
"This is the first time I've ever seen scores like these. It’s only because we had a Study Session with the Student Council."
"Does that mean the Goddess teaches there, too? I’m seriously jealous..."
"I want them to let the general public join in."
I shook my head inwardly. If they actually showed up, she’d probably just get annoyed with them and that would be the end of it.
"Kazunari, how were your tests?"
"To be honest, they were surprisingly good..."
Since it was break time, Hayato wandered over to join us. Judging by the smug grin on his face, his results must have been decent as well.
"Heh, I guess you really put in the work... Oh, that’s right. Kazunari has his own Exclusive Beautiful Female Teacher, after all."
"What? You had a teacher like that? Man, you’ve gotta introduce me."
Because Hayato couldn't keep his mouth shut, the conversation started heading in a troublesome direction.
"Nah, that person won't give anyone but Kazunari the time of day, so it’s absolutely impossible. Even I can barely manage to hold a conversation with her."
"If even Yokokawa is a no-go, then what kind of relationship do you have with her, Takanashi?"
He just kept saying unnecessary things, and now I had piqued their interest even more.
"Well, thanks to the Study Session, I believe everyone was able to achieve excellent grades. From now on, let’s make it a rule to hold a session before every test."
It seemed that all the Student Council members, myself included, had performed exceptionally well.
Incidentally, Sara-senpai had hardly taught anyone besides me, so the President had looked after everyone else by himself. To raise everyone's grades like that single-handedly was pretty impressive.
"Now then, since the Student Council is also on break during Summer Vacation, I hope everyone stays safe from injuries and illness and enjoys themselves. I'll see you all After Summer Vacation."
The President concluded with those words, and the Final Student Council Meeting of the First Semester came to an end.
"Here, say 'ah.'"
Chomp.
Munch, munch...
"Man, that’s delicious! Your bentos are great, but Freshly Made is on a whole other level."
Tonight’s Dinner was Hamburg Steak—a reward for my hard work on the tests.
"I agree. Besides, being able to cook right here allows me to try many different things."
Since there would be no more bentos starting tomorrow, we had to decide how to handle everything, including Lunch. I also wondered what Sara-senpai’s plans were for the break.
"Sara-senpai, do you have any plans for Summer Vacation?"
When I asked, she tilted her head slightly in thought before giving me an answer.
"My parents are basically always busy, so I don't have any major plans. If anything, I'll just be helping out a little at my Grandmother's place."
Her Grandmother lived at a Shrine, but it was just a Small Shrine; it wasn't the kind of place with a Shinto Priest or formal Prayers. That was why she’d mentioned they didn't host events like a Summer Festival.
A Summer Festival, huh...
"Sara-senpai, in that case, let's do all sorts of things together. Let's go on dates and go to festivals too!"
"Yes, I’m looking forward to it very much. Of course, even during Summer Vacation, I intend to continue Taking Care of you properly, Kazunari-san. That means we’ll be together the whole time... I’m so happy. It feels like it's going to be a wonderful Summer Vacation."
As she spoke, Sara-senpai beamed with genuine joy.
"Good work today~"
"Good work... Another sudden call? Did something happen?"
"Hmm? Nothing in particular."
The person who had called me out of the blue was Natsumi Yuzuki-san.
She was the best friend of Satsukawa-san, Kazunari's girlfriend. I’d met her when I went to keep an eye on those two during their date, and she happened to be there for the same reason. Since then, we’d stayed in contact to exchange information.
Though most of the time, she just called to vent.
"Sigh... then why are you calling?"
"What’s with that attitude? Are you saying I shouldn't call just to chat? You’re not being honest, even though you’re happy to hear from me."
"Yes, yes, I'm so happy I could cry."
Apparently, Yuzuki-san was quite sociable, and she always carried this approachable aura that made it easy to talk to her. In reality, we’d only met in person once, but her casual nature made it easy for me to talk to her just as casually.
"Whatever. More importantly, listen to this! Those two have been at it again..."
It seemed that, once again, she had contacted me to complain about those two flirting right in front of her. This was probably going to be a long one.
"Hey, are you listening?"
"I’m listening. But those two... especially Satsukawa-san... she doesn't seem to care about public eyes if it's for Kazunari’s sake. As their relationship deepens, it’s probably only going to get more intense."
It was already pretty incredible, but I couldn't even imagine what they'd be like once they officially became lovers.
"Those two... don't you think they're already inseparable for life?"
"Maybe. I only realized it after things turned out like that with Takanashi-kun, but it seems Sara is beyond single-minded when it comes to the person she loves. She’ll probably start thinking about the future eventually."
The future... meaning, beyond being lovers... I wondered if high schoolers really thought that far ahead.
"I mean, if the flirting bothers you so much, why don't you just get a Boyfriend yourself? I think you’d have your pick of the lot, Yuzuki-san."
She was different from a Yamato Nadeshiko-style beauty like Satsukawa-san, but I thought Yuzuki-san was a beauty in her own right, with a bit of a boyish, androgynous charm.
"Eh? R-Really?"
"Yeah. I think you're a beauty, just a different type than Satsukawa-san."
There was no reaction from the other end. That was rare.
"For a Tachibana-kun, you've got some nerve teasing me! Just you wait until the next time we meet!"
"I've got nerve...? That’s so unreasonable."
She was as lively as ever.