A Reward Without Any Taste

"Wah, I knew it. Minato's amazing."

"He's fourth in his grade."

The results of the top ten students in the midterm exams are posted on the school wall, so they can be seen immediately.

Kazuma and Momose looked at Minato with admiration.

"It's just a coincidence."

Minato replied curtly as he was not obsessed with the rankings. But, he did think, 'It's a little bit better.'

In reality, it was the result of being able to concentrate studying with Airi, but he couldn't tell these two.

"It's not something you can obtain by accident."

"Minato, you need to realize you're not normal."

"What are your rankings again?"

The two of them gave Minato a look of deep dismay. It made him uncomfortable so he turned the conversation away.

"We're a little below average."

"I guess I can't study much without Minato."

Kazuma smiled bitterly, but it wasn't because they were not smart. The reason was something else.

"That's because I am always the one who forces you two to study after you lose your concentration."

These two students would study hard for the first hour, but halfway through, they would lose their concentration and start playing games.

It's not that Minato thinks it's wrong to play games while studying, in fact he thinks it's a good idea to take a break.

However, in the case of these two, the game definitely takes priority, and Minato always struggles to pull them back.

Probably because Minato wasn't there this time, they played games together the whole time.

Minato's words made the two of them smile as if he had hit them where it hurt.

"Well, that's true. That means you have to join us next time."

"Yeah, I can do that I think."

Minato couldn't tell them about Airi's situation this time, but the next exam will be after the gym festival.

He had already gotten permission from Airi to tell them, and maybe, Airi would join their next study session.

However, it would ultimately be her decision to make, and Minato has no intention to force her.

"Thank God for that, because, I have a feeling that if we're going to be on our own from now on, our grades are going to get lower and lower."

"That's where you'll have to work a little harder."

Minato didn't feel bad about being asked for help, but he knew he would be made fun of if he showed it on his face.

Minato let out a heavy sigh at the fact that he was supposed to help them, and he made a reluctant face without revealing his inner thoughts.

The kitchen smelled delicious as the meat was cooking.

Minato asked her to make steak for dinner this evening.

"I was somewhat surprised. Do you reward yourself like this, Kujo-senpai?"

"Huh? No, it is meant to be a reward for Airi."

"Yes…?"

Airi, who was in the kitchen, sounded as if she was truly surprised.

She seemed to have misunderstood something, so Minato corrected her. At his answer, she looked at him and tilted her head with a straight face.

"Um, what is it for…?"

"It's a reward for being first in your grade."

Naturally, the rankings of the first-year students were also posted, so the top performers could be easily identified.

Since Airi was in first place, she was to be rewarded with a sumptuous piece of meat.

That was what Minato said, but she giggled in a funny way.

"Meat dishes as a reward for a girl is not very tasteful, is it?"

"…You're right. I'm sorry."

If you think about it, this kind of thing seems to be a celebration between men. Apparently, Minato got the wrong kind of reward.

When Minato apologized in a somber voice, she laughed again. But he didn't feel any malicious intent coming from her, so Minato didn't feel too bad about it.

"No, don't worry about it. I'm quite happy with it."

"You don't have to push yourself. A gift of some sort would have been better."

"I'm not pushing it, and I don't want a gift or anything. There's nothing I want."

"But don't girls like stuffed animals and cute things?"

Girls generally have the image that they like cute things.

Even though she didn't have a materialistic desire, Minato thought Airi would still like that kind of thing, but then he heard a voice that sounded distressed.

"Honestly, I'm not so sure. I don't know how to deal with them and I figure it'd be hard to manage, so I'd rather not receive them at all."

"Manage… you're pretty serious, aren't you…"

Mimato almost asked her if she had ever received a present before, but it seemed like an obvious minefield, so he stopped himself.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have any feelings for things given to me by strangers. Moreover, senpai knows that I don't have any hobbies."

"That's true."

"Besides, there's no space for it in this room."

"I'm sorry."

"Fufu, I'm not blaming you or anything."

The words that Airi said to Minato with a wry smile were right on the money, so he quickly apologized and she laughed again.

"It was delicious. Thanks for the food."

"Thank you very much."

She smiled softly at him as his stomach was full of delicious food, chewing on happiness.

"Thank you, senpai."

"What's the matter?"

"It's the reward. I've never gotten anything like this before."

"…I'm sorry that your first reward is a meat dish, and that I made you cook it…"

Airi seemed pleased about it, but Minato smiled, feeling bad about his lack of delicacy.

"No, I'm really happy."

"I'll give you something nice next time."

"Heh, you're going to give me something when I don't even want anything?"

When she said that, Airi had a slightly wicked smile on her face.

It's true that it'd be hard to give a gift to Airi who doesn't want anything, but Minato wanted to give her something as a thank you for all she's done for him.

However, Minato has no idea what Airi wants.

"…I know this sounds pathetic, but let me ask you this. Is there anything you want?"

"Nothing. You already know the answer to that, don't you? As I said before, I have nothing I want."

Airi shook her head with a slightly sad and resigned blank expression.

There was no way Minato could say, 'Okay, no then' when she had that kind of expression on her face.

"No, I'll do my best to think about a good present."

"…Is that so, then I'll be expecting it."

Airi, who earlier, had said that she had trouble dealing with gifts, gave a small, happy smile.