"Okay everyone, I hope you all do well. Good luck!" — The homeroom teacher said.
For most of you, failing just means you'll have to spend time in remedial classes.
But for me, my scholarship is on the line. Losing it would mean losing my future chance at a decent job… not to mention losing the first friends I've ever made here. And most of all… I'd never be able to keep meeting the girl I like.
That's why, this past week, I did everything I could to study. I even asked my older sister, Erina nee-san, to help me despite how busy she is.
Still, she helped me. I think I've become spoiled by her kindness.
By the way, recently she cut back on her part-time job, and according to my sisters, she's finally able to rest more than before.
Anyway, I need to focus now. Wish me luck!
♦♦♦ Meanwhile ♦♦♦
Lately, I feel like my relationship with Tomoki-kun has been getting better and better. Now we spend more time together in the student council, and not to mention… everyone sees us as a potential couple. For that, I should thank Shirakawa-sempai.
That way, random girls won't dare approach him. Fufu~
I was worried when he got invited to meet with those girls to help Shouta-senpai, but it seems no one tried to flirt with him… good!
Mother also told me that even if Tomoki-kun fails these midterms, his scholarship won't be revoked. It seems she managed to "convince" the principal.
Not to mention, just being a student council member already makes up for his achievements as a male scholarship student. And honestly, I'm really impressed at how easily he can handle human relationships.
I wonder what kind of life he's lived until now, because I can't imagine a man being this decisive and mature. It's really a mystery… but that just makes me want to know him more and more.
Fufu~ Tomoki-kun, after you told me you wished for me to receive twice the kindness you wish for yourself… something inside me changed. Since you told me that, it's okay if I'm a little more selfish, right?
And I realized—just imagining you living happily with another woman, raising a daughter that isn't mine… it's unbearable.
Really, really... unbearable.
Tomoki-kun, there's no woman who sees you like I do. No woman who loves you like I do. And no woman who would do everything for you the way I can.
You're the light that brightens my world. Everything you do shines for me. When you stand up for someone, when you study seriously, when you fail… or even when you spin your pencil in the middle of a midterm test…
...
Eh?
No, wait… I need to focus now, but— Pfft—
"Edomae? Everything okay?" — The homeroom teacher asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry for making you worry."
Seriously? This is the first time I've seen someone rely on his pencil to guess the answers.
Tomoki-kun, after meeting you I feel like I've been laughing more than usual. In the future… will we still be together, because we want to be?
You know what? Let me try it too.
...
♦♦♦
"See, Ryuichi? Even the best student in our class uses the magic pencil!" — Tomoki-kun announced happily.
"I bet she was just testing if it really works or not." — Satou-san retorted.
"Then Ayame-san, what do you say? Does it work?"
I looked at him and smiled.
"From the bottom of my heart, I hope it doesn't work."
"Ayame-san!?"
"..." — Satou-san fell silent.
"Seriously, I tried ten times and none of them gave me the answer I wanted! Tomoki-kun, you should just stop using it."
"The answer you wanted? You mean, it only gave you the wrong answers?"
"Exactly! I won't take a no for an answer."
"Was there even a yes-or-no question? But I see…"
For some reason, Tomoki-kun's expression grew more serious, as if he was actually thinking deeply.
Maybe I went too far.
"Tomoki-kun, don't worry, I was just joking. Don't be—"
"If Ayame-san said the magic pencil doesn't work, that means I nailed it!"
...what?
"Tomoki, what kind of stupid plan you made this time?" — Ryuichi asked.
"Easy, my friend. I just answered the opposite of what my pencil landed on."
Sometimes Tomoki-kun is extremely childish. Honestly, it worries me a little.
But I guess this is just how men are. Fufu~
"So what's the point of using the pencil then? Isn't it just a waste of time?" — Satou-san asked.
"Well, it's just to stop me from overthinking a question. But like you said, in the end, no matter what the pencil points to, I decide what answer I'll go with."
"In the end, it's just stupid." — Satou-san stated flatly
"Hey! Not everyone is smart like you."
So that means… no matter what anyone else says, or what fate throws at me… in the end, I'll choose my own path.
I see, Tomoki-kun, I see... I'm really learning from you. Fufu~
So, after talking about the effectiveness of the magic pencil, we went home.
Satou-san left with his butler.
Usually, Tomoki-kun goes with his mother, but this time I saw him walking with his mother and another grown man. I guess that's his father.
It looked like Tomoki-kun was surprised. I'm glad he could make amends with his father.
But, I can't help feeling a little envious of him.
"Ayame-sama, this way."
"Thank you, Sasaki-san."
As always, Sasaki-san came to pick me up.
While I admired the building bathed in the soft colors of the sunset, my mind drifted back to him again.
"Pfft—"
"Ayame-sama? What happened all of a sudden?" — She asked with a grin.
"It's just… pfft— Hahaha!"
"Is it Morikawa-sama again?"
"I was really holding back my laughter during the test. Can you believe it? Using a pencil to guess the answers?"
"The magic pencil? Oh, that brings back memories."
"You used it too?"
"In my case, I adapted it into eraser magic."
"Pfft— I can't believe you."
And like that, Sasaki-san shared her own story about using her eraser magic. I think this was the first time she's ever really talked about herself.
After talking about this incredible "tool," we finally arrived at my house.
As always, the maids bowed to greet me.
"Welcome home, Ayame-sama."
"Thank you! I'm home."
As I was heading to my room, my eyes met his.
"I'm home, Father."
"I heard today was your midterm exam."
"Yes, Father."
"I see..."
That's how it always is. I can't think of a way to get closer to my father. No… rather, I don't feel like trying at all. What's the point of reaching out to someone who doesn't even acknowledge you, right?
"Then Father, if you'll excuse me."
"... "
Well, I'll just head to my room. I'm kind of tired—
"Welcome home, Ayame."
I froze, and looked back to see if I heard wrong.
"You must be tired. Don't stay up too late tonight." — He said, without turning back to me.
And then he just walked away. But more than that…
What just happened?
I mean… this is the first time my father actually spoke to me… even showed concern for me…
No, I'd better not raise my expectations. But still… hearing that made my day so much better.
I guess I can't really talk about others being childish, can I?