Episode 58 – The real work begins now

The regular examinations at Sakura Sei High School are divided into five days.

The examinations are held from Monday to Friday, and for students who are not diligent about their studies, it is a period like school where every day ends in the morning.

Incidentally, last year I was playing games with Keiichi, Kaoru, Yuu and others at home from the evening. I usually studied in my free time and didn’t feel the need to study for the exam.

So, I had never been so tired from exams until now. ……

“…… finally finished.”

On Friday, when the answer sheets for the final exam on the fifth day were collected, I plopped down on my desk and uttered these words. I had a hallucination of my soul rising into the sky from my mouth.

It was not that I was tired of studying for the exam, nor was it that I had a hard time teaching Kohinata how to study. It’s that I don’t have to see Kohinata’s early morning hugs almost every day, or the sight of my classmate with their clothes peeling off to reveal a glimpse of their underwear.
Incidentally, this morning, Kohinata was koala’d squarely on my head.

Deep down inside, there’s a part of me that’s like, “Hi-yah!” I am feeling like I am being tortured by a person with whom I have no lustful feelings.

However, as a result of my mental exertion, I have completed Kohinata’s study measures, and the results of the exam should not be bad. I think she must have been satisfied with the results, because she came to my seat every time she finished the exam, huffing and puffing.

I thought my endurance race was over now that the exam was over, but in fact, there was one last test left for me to complete.

“Isn’t it rather the beginning of the end?”

Keiichi, who heard me say, “It’s finally over,” smirks and starts whispering to me. Shut up, I know what I’m talking about.

Anyway, Kohinata is coming to stay at my apartment today.

Shizuka san is going to stay with her boyfriend, and Yuka san is going to stay at her office to work. Last night, they started to look at me and say things like, “I’m worried about Asuka being alone,” so I had to make a suggestion.

“Nothing has happened this past week, and nothing has changed except for a change in where we are staying. Tomorrow I have a part-time job starting at noon anyway, so I’ll just take care of Kohinata until then.”

Thinking to myself, I replied to Keiichi.

“Well, just thinking about it normally, it’s extraordinary that she’s just going to stay over. It’s not like you’re in a relationship.”
“I know that already.”

I understand that the relationship between me and Kohinata is a bit awkward, as I am the one involved in the relationship.
However, since both Kohinata and I have slightly different circumstances from others, I think it’s rather natural for us to have our differences.

☆ ☆　☆　☆　☆

With midterm exams over, Keiichi and Saejima seem to need to get down to the serious business of being a member of the gymnastics committee, and unfortunately, they are not coming to my house. I am alone with Kohinata for a long time.

However, thanks to the training I have been doing for the past few days, I have acquired some tolerance for it, so it’s not that hard for me. I’ve spent so many days looking closely at the lovely Kohinata when she wakes up from sleep, it’s easy enough to endure being with her when she’s awake.

“…… can’t stand it any longer.”

After school, I said goodbye to my classmates, Keiichi and Saejima, and Kohinata and I were on our way home. We were headed to Kohinata’s house, where we were picking up our sleepover goods.

Before long, the relationship between me and Kohinata had spread to the point where it seemed that everyone in the school knew about it, and the number of stares we were receiving had calmed down.

However, you know, I don’t think it’s right to niggle at my little finger while going home in your school uniform, Kohinata-san!

Just the other day, I ran into a girl from my class as I was leaving the school gate, and when she saw me holding my pinky, she said to me, “You’re still so lovey-dovey, aren’t ya?” I denied it, but she understood on her own, saying “I know, I know”. It helps that you don’t talk much, but please, listen to me.

And Kohinata is Kohinata too.

Don’t know if she’s looking forward to staying at my place, but ever since she left school, she’s been huffing and puffing next to me like she’s in rhythm. She glances up at me and nicks her little finger.
Even I was thinking, “What?, we’re not dating?” I don’t know the standard couple, so it’s hard for me to judge.

So, this nippy-nippy Kohinata.

Even when a girl in my class said to me, “You guys are so in love,” she blushed but did not let go of my hand. Perhaps she is getting used to being embarrassed. This is not a good trend.

You know, we’re going to end up as a couple, don’t you? We are not a couple to begin with.

Well, my relationship with her should be called “father-daughter” rather than “man-woman” ….., but recently I’m starting to think that maybe I’m the only one who thinks so.
I’m starting to fantasize that Kohinata might actually want to have a male-female relationship with me, something close to that kind of wishful thinking. It’s really not good.

We eventually arrive at Kohinata’s house, and I wait in the guest room for her to finish getting ready.

I heard her toddling down the hallway at a faster pace than usual, and somehow I got the feeling that Kohinata wanted to get to my house as soon as possible.
Perhaps it’s simply that she’s sorry to keep me waiting – but judging from her exuberant mood on the road, I’m thinking it’s more likely the former.

“Well, nothing strange is going to happen. Everything has been fine up to now.”

I muttered to myself as I listened to Kohinata’s footsteps in the empty tatami room.

But I had forgotten something important because I had interrupted the event of the sleepover at Kohinata’s house – I had assumed that the only reason she was excited was because she was “looking forward to the night out”.

[If you study properly, you can head-butt me or do whatever you want until you’re satisfied]

I had forgotten …… that I had said those words to Kohinata.