Chapter-28~Study~

"Take your seats quickly we'll start HR. –Committee Chairman."

　As the teacher entered the classroom, the tension in the students increased.

　The teacher, who usually doesn't waste time talking, is very scary when she gets angry.

　The teacher, who usually doesn't talk too much, is very scary when she gets angry, but she takes care of the students without complaining, and the students love her.

"Yes, yes, yes!　Yes!　Stand-bow!"

　The teacher explained about the event without hesitation.

　Midterm exams are coming up soon. It seems that the school's first field trip had the purpose of deepening the friendship between the students.

　There is also a final exam at the end of the semester.

　I'm sure my ... stepsister will be fine..

　It's a miracle, or perhaps a weird horsepower, that she got a godlike score on the entrance exam. ...

　–I'm not sure if it matters to me anymore. I have to give my stepmother a souvenir from ... Destiny. ...

　I'm more nervous about going to the editorial office to say hello than I am about the test.

　I'm just a student, but it's more itchy to be called a sensei by Saeko-san.

"So, it's okay to play, but make sure you study. Now, let's split up."

　School is a strange place.

　A lot of people gather together to sit and study.

　When people get together, groups form, and for some reason, hierarchies are formed.

　That's true. We're all strangers, and no matter what we do, we'll always fit in.

　There are groups of boys who are sober and don't go near groups of real people.

　A group of athletic girls who stick together.

　The students were very serious in their evaluation of others.

　They would not get involved with friends who were not good for them.

　It's called reading the atmosphere.

　When I first entered the school, I had heard some bad rumors about me, but few students got involved.

"Hey, Shinjo, have you stopped updating Puggy? Damn, I'm looking forward to it."

　Anri called me Shinjo in the classroom, and reverted to her original Yankee language.

"Oh, I'm updating every other day. I'm sure ... you're busy."

"So, ..., was it okay to invite me?　I hope I didn't bother you."

"The exam is still a long way off. ..., don't worry. Did you get my reply?"

"She's really looking forward to it. ..."

"It's okay."

　Anri is so kind that she worries about the pug kid.

　I wondered if she was being treated like us at school.

　I can't stop thinking about it.

　No matter what I do, it's hard to help her when she's in a different grade and at a different school.

　Fortunately, Puguko went to a school in Tokyo.

　If I wanted to meet her, I could do so immediately.

　... I don't want to see Anri's sad face. Thus I have to cheer her up.

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"It's delicious!　Hey, Makoto, you made this, didn't you?　Isn't it amazing?　Wow!"

　Today, I made my lunch with a lot of energy.

　Lately, I've been taking my lunch break in empty classrooms, where no one is around. The stares of others were troublesome.

　The amount of food was too much for one person to finish.

　Of course, Anri had her mom's homemade lunch box, but she was sure her stomach could handle a few bites.

"Eat what you want. It's Anri's favorite mini hamburgers."

"Hehe, you remembered me. I like curry, but hamburgers are delicious – I'll take it!"

"But then again, ... your tone of voice didn't really change that much."

Anri squirmed and said to me after she had finished eating.

"Well, you know, a classroom is kind of a special environment.　I think it's better for me to be in a classroom, because I get conscious in a weird way.　It's like you're protecting yourself or something."

　I can understand that.

　I haven't completely gotten rid of my fake smile.

　There are times when it's necessary.

　–You never know what will happen to you if you're not careful. You just have to keep your initial intentions of steel.

"... It's okay. Anri is adorable in either tone of voice."

"Well, Makoto, ..., come on. You can't be cute when you talk like a yankee. ...Oh, you also call me Shinozuka in class, right?"

"... Oh, um..yeah, it's a little embarrassing. Besides, ... Anri wouldn't want you to get some weird misunderstanding, would she?"

Anri said in a squeaky voice.

"What? Why?　It doesn't bother me at all. ...… N-no.　You see, I would never like it if it were anyone else, but you are my dear friend. ...

"... Oh, yeah. You don't mind, do you? I'm sorry, that was a little weird."

　I'm not sure how to keep my distance, as I've never had a friend before.

　We're both a bit reserved. When I think about it, there are times when we are extremely close.

　It doesn't matter because ... when we're together and ... our hearts are dancing.

　At that moment, I heard a ring from my phone.

　Its rare.

"Huh?　How rare is ths?"

"Oh, ...,speaking of the devil ..., the pug kid."

　I picked up my phone and pressed the call button.

　I hear Pugsy's voice.

I took my phone and pressed the call button. "Oh, ..., am I bothering you during your lunch break?　Hello, Shinjo onii-san."

"No problem at all. You can call me anytime you want. You can call me anytime.　Anri is here too."

　I put the phone on speaker mode.

"Puggy, hello!"

"I'm sorry to interrupt your flirting.　Hello, Shinozuka onee-san!　I've been looking forward to the next karaoke session, but it's ... been difficult because I have a midterm exam at school. .... I'm not very smart, so I have to study hard. ..."

"Well, ..., schoolwork comes first. You can go to karaoke anytime you want. You can always go to karaoke after the test, right?"

"Uh, yeah!　I'm really sorry ..., I said I would go .... –Hehe, I thought you were going to tell me not to come anymore. I'm going to study hard and go to the same school as my Shinjo onii-san and Shinozuka onee-san. ... I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to go to the same school as Shinjo onii-san and Shinozuka onee-san. ... I'm a little short on grades, but my teacher said I can still make it. ..."

　It was an itchy feeling.

　She wants to join this high school because of us. It was a nice thing to say.

　Then let's do what we can do.

　I'm sure you're updating your novel because you're working hard on your studies.

"If you want, let's have a study session.　Both Anri and I are not bad at studying."

"Oh, really?... Yeah, I'd be happy to tell you. Let's see, ..., — oh, hey, what are you doing?　That's my meat and potatoes!"

　A voice came from behind the phone.

"I'll give this fried chicken to Hizaki-san instead. Oh, you're on the phone, aren't you? I'm sorry, you were on the phone. ... But if it's okay with you, you can study with me. ... Mm, I'll take this too."

"What, you can study?　And you're eating my food!　N-no!, no!　–I'm sorry, onii-san!　I have a friend who needs a lot of work. .... I'll be in touch!　I'll be in touch with you soon!　Oh, I'll see you call onee-san , Anri! bye!

　There was some kind of slamming sound, and then the phone went dead.

　Anri told me happily.

"I'm so happy for you, Hizaki-san. I'm glad you found someone you can call a friend. It's a pity you can't go to karaoke."

"It's a shame you can't go to karaoke. I'm really happy for ...."

　Invisible malice is everywhere.

　But if you're with someone you can trust, ... you'll be fine.

"You can always go to karaoke, right?　You can always go to karaoke. After that, you can give her advice on her exams."

"Yeah, right!　Yeah!　Studying is important!　　But I'm happy, aren't I?　I'm glad you want to go to this school, Puggy."

"Yeah, .... I mean, she's working on a book, right?　I believe she approached you earlier than I did.

"Yeah, well, ..., is that okay?

"... I don't know what your academic level is, but I can teach you how to study effectively. ...

"Haha ..., I'll advise you on the book process."

　Doing something for someone else makes you feel at peace.

　Puggy is also a dear friend.

　I was truly relieved from the bottom of my heart.

　I'm glad that Puggy has a friend like .... I'm not sure if it was a man ..., but I'd have to meet him and talk to him. You don't know what kind of horse bones he has. . I have to find out. ...

　Anri said, laughing in my face.

"Hahaha, Makoto, you look like your father!"

"Come on, let's eat lunch, we'll be late."

　I hid my embarrassment as I poked at Shinozuka's lunch with my chopsticks.

"Oi, that's my food!"

"I'm sorry, you see. I don't care about that."

"I'm fine with you too, but I'm a little embarrassed. ..."

　We both blushed, but spent a peaceful lunch break.

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~To be continued~