After our detour to the candy store, I walked Miyama home, following her lead as she navigated the way.
"Is your place around here?"
"Yup! Just keep going straight down this road, take a right, and we’re there."
Huh... So she’d gone to school in the neighboring district.
The area Miyama lived in was a different district to the west of my own. While there wasn't a huge distance between our homes, the district lines meant we had attended different schools for both elementary and junior high.
"Don't you have any former classmates at our school?"
"Nope. I was the only one from my school who got in. Besides, I went to Nishi Junior High, which is full of delinquents. I don't think many people even bothered taking the entrance exam."
Oh, right... Nishi Junior High.
Nishi was notorious for being a rough school with a lot of problem students and a bad reputation. While Chuubu Junior High—where Tanaka, Kuroki, and I had gone—was perfectly average, Nishi was legendary for its punks.
Very few students from there made it into our high school each year... and to think Miyama was one of the few.
"Are you secretly a genius or something, Miyama?"
"Not even close! But my family couldn't afford a fancy private school, so public school was my only choice. I just studied like my life depended on it."
"Passing under those circumstances is impressive in itself."
"You think so? But I ended up in dead last on the last Regular Test..."
"Wait, dead last?"
Well, she was busy with her job... I supposed it was understandable. Was she the type who could actually pull it off if she set her mind to it?
"Oh, right! If I come in last on the next Term-end Test, my teacher is going to ban me from my job!"
"What? That's serious. Isn't that a life-or-death issue for you?"
"Exactly! So help me out, Ryouta!"
"H-Help you? How...?"
"You're really smart, Ryouta. So, help me! Let's have a study session together before the test. ♡"
Miyama spoke with practiced cuteness, looking up at me with pleading eyes.
I mean, even if she asked... It wasn't like I could take responsibility if she failed.
(But she's counting on me, right?)
"W-Well... if it's just helping you study."
"Yay! It's a promise! I'm going to be leaning on you big time for the Term-end Test after the festival!"
Miyama let out a playful "Nishishi" laugh and then suddenly sped up, walking a few paces ahead of me.
"Thanks for walking me home, Ryouta! My place is that apartment building right there."
"Oh, okay."
Miyama headed up the stairs and waved back at me as she reached her floor.
"See you tomorrow!"
"Y-Yeah. See ya."
After seeing Miyama safely to her building, I turned around and headed for home.