Since Miyama had been the one to ask if she could come over, I’d mistakenly wondered if I was actually being invited for a chance at something more. I’d spent the walk home yesterday buying two boxes of the items necessary for that very purpose, and I’d been counting down the hours ever since.
Then, the next day arrived.
As soon as Miyama stepped into my room, she hauled the low table from the corner to the center, spread her things out from her bag, and plopped down on a floor cushion.
"Alright, let's get started... with our study session!"
"Yeah. I’m all set on my end, too... wait, a study session?"
"Yup! I mean, the tests are only two weeks away, right? I promised we’d have a study session because if I fail another subject, I won't be allowed to work my shifts anymore!"
And here I was, wondering what we were going to do... and it turned out to be a literal study session.
I’d been bracing myself for a practical exam in Health and Physical Education, but all I got was a standard tutoring session.
"The AC in Ryouta’s room is a lifesaver. The one at Airi’s house is ancient, so the electricity bill is a nightmare, and the thing is always on the fritz."
Miyama rested her massive breasts heavily on top of the table, using her hand like a makeshift fan to cool herself down.
Just watching her was pure torture—she was far too erotic. I’d thought I would finally get to demonstrate the full extent of my sexual knowledge—considering I’d tied for first in the grade with Kuroki on the Health and PE exam—but I guess it was just textbooks today.
There were only two weeks left until the term-end tests.
In a school like mine—the top public prep school in the prefecture—it was tradition for everyone to flip a switch and dive straight into "study mode" the moment the Cultural Festival ended.
"I don't mind the study session, but Miyama, how many subjects did you fail last time?"
"Pretty much all of them!"
"Right. You're screwed."
"Geez, don't give up on me! Airi hasn't given up yet!"
Airi let out a determined huff, her chest jiggling with the effort. Since I’d been expecting something sexual, I found my eyes drifting toward her cleavage even more than usual.
"I’m definitely going to pass! I have to balance my studies and my job!"
If she had already thrown in the towel, the situation would be tragic, so I suppose her motivation meant there was still hope.
"Please, Ryouta! I have to start picking up shifts again little by little starting next week! I want to get as much done as possible today!"
"Alright, alright. We made a promise, so I’m not going to back out on you now."
"Really!? Thank you, Ryouta!"
Miyama flashed a beaming smile, showing her white teeth, and happily dove into her work.
If she’s this motivated, I kind of wish she’d study like this normally. Then again, between her job and everything else, Miyama is always swamped.
She’d mentioned she lives alone with her mother, so she probably handles the housework on top of her part-time job. It would be cold of me to be too hard on her; I should try to be a gentle teacher.
"Ryouta, I don't get this part."
"Hmm? Where?"
"This entire page..."
"..."
On second thought, maybe I’ll be a strict teacher.
☆☆
I walked her through the test material for Math, Contemporary Japanese, and Classical Japanese all at once, mixing in mini-tests to gauge her progress.
"...Alright, you got this one right too. You can actually do this when you try, Miyama."
"Hehe! Airi is a pro at the one-week crunch, so my memory is actually pretty great!"
Is being a "pro at crunching" really something to be proud of?
"Wait, were your high school entrance exams the result of a one-week crunch, too?"
"I passed with a week of all-nighters!"
What does "a week of all-nighters" even mean? That’s just called "studying."
"Hold on. You mean you passed the exams for this school just by studying hard for a single week?"
"Yup! Like I said before, Airi’s family doesn't have the money for a private school, and I wanted to stay somewhat close to home. So, my choices were either the bottom-tier public school where all the Nishi Junior High School delinquents go, or this school, which is the smartest in the prefecture. Airi hates delinquents and stuff, so I chose this school to find a new version of myself!"
"I chose this school," she says... She spoke as if she’d been the one doing the choosing, even though she was the one being screened. I only barely got in after a solid year of prep school and studying like my life depended on it.
Is it possible that Miyama is actually some kind of latent genius who would be a powerhouse if she actually tried?
"Getting into high school was the easy part, but I’ve been struggling ever since. My test scores have been a total disaster."
"But you picked up everything I taught you today instantly. You're amazing!"
"Really? Then, then! As a reward... can I have some head-pats?"
"Huh? Pats?"
Miyama took my hand and guided it to the top of her head.
She actually wanted me to stroke her hair?
I’d seen the "head-patting trope" in light novels a thousand times, but I’d also heard that real girls find it incredibly annoying.
"Hurry up and pat me~"
"O-Oh, sure."
Miyama was an expert at acting spoiled. I guess she really did like this kind of thing.
I proceeded to stroke her head. Her hair was silky smooth, and the more I brushed my fingers through it, the more a sweet fragrance wafted up to me. This was dangerous. The scent alone was so intoxicating I could’ve lived off it.
"Mmm... I guess when it comes to head-pats, it really matters who's doing the patting."
"What's that supposed to mean? Am I not doing it right?"
"Hmm, I wonder~"
Miyama gave me an uncharacteristically playful, evasive answer. Was she actually unhappy with it?
"Guys have such big hands. Airi doesn't have any other guy friends besides Ryouta, so I don't really know how other guys are, but your hand is so big. It’s really comforting."
Miyama closed her eyes, leaning into the touch as she spoke.
"Speaking of guys... what about that 'fake boyfriend' lie you told Ichinose and Kuroki? Has that been exposed yet?"
"Huh? No, they haven't found out. I think."
"But you let it slip at the campfire when you said you 'wanted a boyfriend.' I think it's only a matter of time before they catch on. Wouldn't it be better to just tell them you 'broke up' before the lie falls apart?"
"Ehh! But if I do that, I'll lose my excuse for when I'm busy with my part-time job..."
Her desire to keep the job a secret was as strong as ever.
Given how close those three are, I was sure they’d understand her working to help her family, but...
Then again, I think Miyama knows that, too. Maybe it’s precisely because they’d be understanding that she hates the idea. She probably doesn't want them to worry or start treating her like a charity case. It was a secret that a straightforward girl like Miyama was willing to lie to protect.
"...But you know," she murmured.
"Yeah?"
"If Airi... actually got a boyfriend... I wonder if I’d feel guilty...?"
"A real boyfriend?"
"...N-Never mind! Come on, let's get back to the books, Ryouta!"
Miyama grabbed her mechanical pencil with enough force to snap it and lunged back toward her notebook.
Well, sure, even Miyama would have a guy she likes. Man, I’m jealous of whoever that guy is.
"Miyama, I’m rooting for you. I hope you find a great boyfriend."
".........Muu."
"W-What? Why are you glaring at me?"
"...Dummy."
"Eh?"
"That conversation is over! This part, and this part, and this part, and this part! Hurry up and explain them, Ryouta!"
"Wait, hold on..."
For some reason, Miyama was suddenly furious.