[Ryuichi, Ayame-san. It was a short time, but I'm glad to have met both of you. I think this is my end.]
The moment he said that, I couldn't think straight.
End... I don't want to end our story like this. Why did you say that?
Is there something you didn't like? Is this a goodbye?
Then I regained my senses when Satou-san spoke.
"Tomoki... you know that your scholarship won't be revoked just because you have a low score, right?"
"Ryuichi, if it were a normal high school, that'd be one thing, but being a student with such scores in the most prestigious high school will drag down the image you all have."
"Did you read your scholarship announcement before applying to it?"
"What announcement?"
"Unbelievable. How did you even apply here?"
"The principal from my junior school recommended I do the interview and gave a brief explanation about the program."
"So that's how you did it... Anyway, you don't need to worry about your score. No... actually, you do, for your future career. But at least you won't lose your scholarship because of the test."
He's right. Besides, the main goal of the male scholarship is to find the man who would be able to interact with women. Tomoki-kun already proved enough to be able to interact with women. No... there's actually one more reason for it.
Anyway, with his recent achievements, I doubt the school will take his scholarship. Unless he got zero on the test, but that would be an incredible feat. Besides, I watched closely, and he paid attention in class.
"So... could you tell your score?"
"Here."
When Satou-san grabbed Tomoki-kun's test, the "ice prince" made an expression that even I couldn't imagine seeing... I wonder if he got zero now.
"How did you... Is that even... isn't there any question that you could easily solve!?"
"In my defense, if the teacher hadn't laughed, I would have been able to mark the right answer."
"Just to get ONE POINT!?"
He got zero.
"So... I don't need to worry about my scholarship, right?"
"... I will go eat lunch now. And I need some dessert after all this, so I'll go to the cafeteria."
"Sure... take care."
Then Satou-san left the classroom, leaving only me and Tomoki-kun behind. Now, how should I handle this?
"Ayame-san, aren't you hungry? You can have your lunch."
"You're right. Wanna eat together?"
"Yeah, thanks!"
Finally, I was able to invite him without stuttering. Wait, this is not the time to think about myself, I need to figure out how to help him.
While we were heading to the place where I always eat with Tomoki-kun, I was thinking about how to help him.
I know that I need to help with his studies, but since he got zero, that means I need to accompany him to see what the real problem is.
However, will he be comfortable with me by his side and that close? Actually, would I be able to remain calm if we studied together? Not to mention, that would only be viable on Saturdays or Sundays. That means we need to meet up somehow.
But then, how should I invite him? I'm afraid of being too meddlesome with him.
After arriving at the usual spot, we had a small talk and finished our meal.
"Ayame-san, do you have any tips on how to study?"
"I don't know if it'll be helpful, but I can tell you how I study."
"If it's okay with you, I want to know."
"But first, I need to ask you, do you study routinely?"
Then he started glancing in another direction, looking guilty or embarrassed to tell the truth. So... this could be complicated.
"To tell the truth, no, I don't. I just study whenever I feel like it. And on weekends I try to revise all the content from class, but I end up doing... other things."
"In that case, how about studying in a group? That way you'll be forced to study at least."
"You're right, I'll think about it."
Actually, this could be my chance to study with him!
"Tomoki-kun, if it's okay with you, how about—"
"Hey Tomoki, so you were here. About your test, I think I found a solution." — Satou-san suddenly appeared.
"Ryuichi? How did you find this place?"
"Oh, that was simple. I just needed to ask someone about your whereabouts. You're kind of well-known since the auditorium meeting."
"Fair enough. So, what is it?"
"I asked one of our senpais to help with your studies. Of course, I'll go with you. How about it?"
"Sure, thanks Ryuichi."
"No problem, and sorry to interrupt you, Edomae-san."
"That's okay." — I replied.
Kind of unfortunate that I won't be able to spend more time with Tomoki-kun... I mean, help him with his studies.
Well, at least I'm glad he has friends to help him.
Yeah... really glad...
Let's see if he improves for the next test.
♦♦♦
"So you couldn't muster the courage to invite him to study with you? This is not good, Ayame."
"I know, Mom. But I can't just bring myself to invite him to study with me and his friends."
"Then how about inviting him to come to our house? You should tell him before he schedules his weekend with his friend."
"You're right, Mom. I'll do it."
"Look, Ayame, I know it's frightening to be assertive with a guy, especially when you like him. I know that too. But do you know what's more frightening? When someone steals the one you love. Imagine if some girl wins his heart. Will you like that?"
"..."
"Sigh~ Come here."
Mom gently patted my head and gave me a hug.
"Mom, I'm not a kid."
"You always will be, Ayame. My last advice: whenever there's an opportunity, you need to take it."
"What if I fail?"
When I looked into my mother's eyes, I felt a chill run down my spine.
"You just need to try again. Persistence is the key to success."
"Understood, Mom. Thanks."
Then I left my mother's office room.
"Ayame-sama, well done."
"Thanks, Sasaki-san. There's something I need to ask you."
"Anything you need, my lady."
"I'm planning to invite Tomoki-kun this weekend to my house. But... I'm afraid of being too meddlesome with his affairs. Not to mention, it's not safe for a man to go alone to a woman's house."
"This is really a complicated situation. For now, try to offer your help to him and see how he reacts. If he's favorable to your proposition, you could try inviting him to come here on the weekend."
"Yeah... but I don't think it'll be that simple. Not to mention, right now he's studying with his friends."
"In my opinion, I think you have a high chance to invite him. This is just my intuition, but I think he has high favorability for you."
"Sasaki-san, life is not that easy."
♦♦♦ One week later ♦♦♦
In the end, I couldn't muster the courage to invite him.
"Good morning, Ayame-san."
"Good morning, Tomoki-kun. So, how was your study?"
"So about that... Ayame-san, if it's okay with you, could you help me with my studies?"
"Eh!?"
"Oh... sorry, it's okay to refuse."
"No, no, no... I'm totally okay to help you. But what happened to your friends?"
"If you mean the senpai mentioned by Ryuichi, he needed to go to... a therapist."
"Therapist!?"
"And about Ryuichi, well... look."
When I looked at Satou-san, the "ice prince" was more like a "thorn prince." He clearly looked tired, his hair was messy, and he was mumbling something like, 'Unbelievable, did he come from another planet?...'
"Tomoki-kun, do you want to come to my house to study together this weekend?"
"Are you sure? Well, I'll be in your care."
I know that I need to come up with a study schedule for him. But now... what kind of clothes should I wear?