Chapter 7 - Study Group

“Excuse my intrusion.”

“Ah! Kouki-nii! Hurry up!”

As I gave my greeting at the door, Manami called me from the floor above.

I had already gotten used to entering Manami’s room without any issues.

I was no stranger to the house, as it was the home of someone I had known already.

However, something unexpected was happening today.

“Yoo-hoo! I’ve already started!”

“Ah…”

There were two things that I didn’t expect.

The first is—

“What is it?”

“No, nothing at all… but…”

That Aisa was sitting in Manami’s room.

As usual, I was greeted with an expression that did not hide her irritation and a cold tone of voice.

Why are you here? You knew I was coming, didn’t you…?

And the other thing I didn’t expect—

“Wh~at~?  Kouki-nii, are you nervous because Onee-chan is here?”

I glanced at Manami as she grinned, which made me realize that her clothes were quite skimpy today.

Her tank top exposed a lot of skin, and I could even catch a glimpse of her short shorts. But depending on the angle, it could even look like she wasn’t wearing them.

I almost reacted at the unguarded appearance of Manami, who was undoubtedly a beauty, albeit young, and had to look away.

“…..”

Aisa’s gaze was scary. I’ll ignore the situation right now to escape reality.

As we approached the testing period, my aunt, who was worried about my studies, suggested that I take a break from tutoring Manami.

However, since I already factored Manami’s tutoring into my schedule, I had no problem with tutoring her. Rather, I was far more worried about Manami. So, while I was wondering about what I could do, Manami had suggested a study session, and I decided to visit the Takanishi house despite the upcoming exams.

I was glad for the opportunity, because I could actually learn a lot by teaching others.

“Manami, be careful. He’s looking at you like a hungry beast.”

“Eh? Aren’t you nervous because Onee-chan is here?”

It’s hard to stay in line here. All I can do is keep quiet and endure.

Fortunately, not long after, a helping hand came from the floor below.

“I’m so sorry, having you come here right before exams…”

My aunt, carrying cake and tea on a tray, truly looked like a savior.

“No, no, I’m glad that I could come here. It’s a good refresher for me. Sorry, you’re even offering me cake…

“Don’t worry about it, it’s nice to see you. I know you’re twice as busy as usual.”

“Don’t lump me in with her!”

Aisa, dissatisfied with being treated the same as Manami, spoke up.

Well, it’d certainly be annoying to be lumped in with us, wouldn’t it? After all, Aisa’s grades are much better than mine.

“Fufu… That’s right. Aisa’s studying with you guys to help out Kouki-kun, right?”

“That wasn’t necessary!”

“Yes, yes. Well, good luck to all three of you.”

Though Aisa is angry, my aunt just ignores it and leaves the room. Aisa’s anger somehow ends up directed at me, probably because there was no one left to point her finger at.

“It’s not like that at all. Don’t get me wrong.”

“It’s fine, I know.”

I told her that I understood that she would never participate for my sake, but that didn’t stop her directing a harsh look at me.

“Well, well. But what Mom said wasn’t a lie at all, was it?”

“Hm?”

I could see Aisa’s unhappy expression when Manami said that.

“What is it?”

“No.”

I didn’t even say anything yet.

“Haa… Kouki-nii, you know how there was a time when you were absent for an entire semester with a cold, right?”

“Hm? Ah, yeah, I remember that.”

“Did anyone show you the notes from that semester?”

“At that time… Oh, right. Maybe that’s what Aisa is doing…?”

I had borrowed notes from Akito after I came back, but he’s the kind of guy who falls asleep in class. I would hesitate to say I got even 30% of the content of the class into my head at that time.

“Yeah.”

I couldn’t help but stare at Aisa’s carefully written notes on the desk, which made me feel nostalgic.

“What… what’s wrong?”

“Ah, right, sorry. Thanks.”

I thanked her honestly. I was expecting to be treated coldly as usual, but a faint voice replied.

“Ah, I’m glad you found… useful.”

Aisa blushed and turned away from me, which made me nervous for some reason. I tell myself that I’m just upset because there’s too much of a gap between us, but the soft expression on my childhood friend’s face, which I haven’t seen in a long time, is unexpectedly attractive.

Aisa was just so cute…

TN: Hey, I got an editor now. Thanks to Unu for putting up with me. I’ll upload once a week, as finals are coming up, but during break I’ll probably upload more consistently.

See you guys in the next chapter!

EN: Hey guys, new editor Unu here. Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, I’ll do better for the future. Thanks for sticking with the series, and if you enjoy it, make sure to join our Discord to be pinged when new chapters release. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes!