December 3rd. Today marks the end of my final exams. Even though these were the last tests of my high school career, I can't say I'm confident about them. No matter how seriously I study, I always barely scrape by with passing grades. The only thing I've learned in my 18 years of life is that I'm just not cut out for academics. With grades like mine, I couldn't even qualify for internal advancement, and people whisper behind my back that my academic record is "too embarrassing to put on a resume."
I'll be taking the entrance exam for Eifuran University. Well, even if I try my hardest, I just can't do it, so what's the point? I'll just hope for better brains in my next life. Though I'll probably come back as a water flea...
"Hey Jim, wanna hit the arcade after lunch?"
Osadera Sora suddenly struck up a conversation. It's rare for him to invite me out. He's popular at school and never lacks for people to hang out with, yet he occasionally remembers to invite me. He's probably just being considerate of his lonely childhood friend.
Since exams are over, we could play all afternoon today. Normally I'd say yes without hesitation, but unfortunately I'm busy.
"...Thanks for the invite, but I've got plans today."
"What, work? Or a date?...Wait, no way, right? Haha."
Sora laughed heartily, but his guess about a date wasn't completely off the mark.
"Hey Kido-kun! Listen up! You bastard!!"
Suddenly, Matsuki barged into our conversation. She stood like a guardian deity with her arms crossed, veins bulging at her temples, looking absolutely furious.
"M-Matsuki..."
"What's up, Itchi? Coming to bully Jim with that scary face?"
"Shut up, Chōji! I've got business with Kido-kun here!"
Even Sora, Matsuki's cheerful best friend, seemed intimidated. What could she be so angry about?
"I-it's okay, Sora. I'll just talk with Matsuki for a bit..."
"You sure you'll be alright? Call me if there's any trouble."
Sora saw me off with a worried expression. He knows full well how strained my relationship with Matsuki is. That's why he's concerned.
But if he knew I was Matsuki's first man, he'd probably faint from shock...
"What the hell is this, Chii-chan?!"
Once we reached the secluded area behind the gymnasium, Matsuki backed me against the wall and slammed her hand beside my head.
"W-what do you mean?"
"Don't play dumb! I heard you're going on a date with Mickey today! Why didn't you tell me?!"
"Oh, that...I wouldn't call it a date. We're just going to visit Tomeki-sensei's house together."
"Huh? Tomeki? Who?"
"Tomeki Gururu-sensei. The manga artist who draws Magical Phantom Thief Alouette..."
"Wait, seriously? Why?"
"What do you mean why...? Tomeki-sensei is also a recipient, and Hamabe said she wanted to visit..."
"No way! For real?!...Then why didn't you invite me?!"
"Well...I didn't think you'd be interested, Ichi-kun..."
"Excuse me?! I seriously considered marrying Chouette at one point!!"
"Seriously?!"
After lunch, we took a taxi to the home of Tomeki Gururu-sensei, otherwise known as Tsurugi Aoi-san. I sat in the front passenger seat while, for some reason, three people crammed into the back.
"...Um, why is the student council president coming too?"
"Huh? Can I not come?"
"No, it's not that, but is it okay? What about your exam prep..."
"I've been studying properly. There's nothing to worry about at this stage."
As the president said this from the middle seat, Hamabe, sitting to her left, smirked.
"She's right, Chifumi. You worrying about Sumi-chan's exams is a hundred years too early, haha."
"Well, yeah, but..."
Then Matsuki, on the far right, chimed in.
"Sumimin needs a break too. You should understand, Chii-chan—oh wait, you don't need to study for exams, do you? Haha."
"That's rude! I do study! Like dividing fractions..."
This made all three burst into laughter. Seriously rude.
We arrived at Aoi-san's house. The grand, imposing mansion never fails to impress.
"Chifumi-kun, welcome~♡ Oh my, you brought three friends with you today~"
Perhaps because it's been over a month since the last seed distribution, Aoi-san looked slightly plumper than I remembered.
"Well, when I mentioned coming to see you, they all wanted to tag along..."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Hamabe Mitsuki. I absolutely love Alouette!♡"
Hamabe was the first to greet her, eyes sparkling.
"I'm Matsuki Ichika. My favorite is Chouette!♡"
Matsuki sounded a bit shy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Tsurugi-san. I'm Kurasue Sumire. Thank you for making time for us today. I'm also a fan of Alouette and often watch it with my sisters."
The president's formal greeting was perfectly in character.
"Hello. I'm Tomeki Gururu, also known as Tsurugi Aoi. I'm a manga artist...but no need to be so stiff. We're practically family here~. Come on, everyone, have a seat."
Sensing their tension, Aoi-san spoke casually and gestured toward the sofa before preparing tea. The table was piled high with various snacks.
"Hey, where's Koronajima-san today?"
Koronajima-san, who's usually by Aoi-san's side, was nowhere to be seen. Normally, her assistant would handle serving tea.
"Oh, Koronajima-san is entertaining another guest right now... She'll join us soon."
Wait, there are other visitors besides us? And they're coming here soon? Could it be...Airin?!
As I stood there confused but hopeful, a knock sounded at the door before it opened.
"Heya, Chifumi-kun, long time no see!"
"M-Mana-san?!"
Entering with Koronajima-san was Asakura Mana-san.
"No way! Mana-chan?!"
Matsuki was the first to react, covering her mouth in shock.
"Whoa, seriously?!"
Hamabe followed suit. These two really can't handle celebrities. The surprise guest had them completely flustered.
"I-It's an honor to meet you, Asakura-sensei."
The president appeared calm, but the teacup in her hand trembled slightly.
"Nice to meet you all. We exchanged greetings at Sisters, but it's wonderful to meet you properly. You're all Chifumi-kun's classmates, right?"
"Y-yes..."
Only the president managed a quiet reply. Matsuki and Hamabe just nodded vigorously. Despite being fellow recipients, all three were completely awestruck in Mana-san's presence. Not that I blame them—they're just high school girls, after all. It's not every day you meet a celebrity.
"Nice to meet you... Oh, don't look so scared~. Am I that intimidating?"
"They're just nervous. They don't often get to meet someone as famous as you."
"Really? Compared to Kawakami Yua-san or Kawana Ayaka-san, I'm nothing special. And next to Tomeki-sensei here, I'm practically a nobody~."
As Mana-san tilted her head, Aoi-san behind her waved her hands dismissively, looking embarrassed. The three high school girls sat stiffly, hands on their knees, listening intently.
"By the way, I didn't know you and Aoi-san were friends. That's surprising."
"Friends might be stretching it—we only met last week. But when I heard Chifumi-kun was visiting Tomeki-sensei today, I asked if I could join."
"I knew from Sisters that Asakura-sensei was a recipient, but we happened to run into each other at the hospital, so I invited her over."
"At the hospital? Is everything okay?"
Concerned, I asked if something had happened, but Mana-san and Aoi-san just exchanged glances and chuckled.
"Nothing serious. Tomeki-sensei and I are pregnant."
"That's right. We thought we'd share the news together."
"Whoa, really?!... Congratulations!!"
This was huge! Both of them pregnant at the same time!
"No way! That's amazing! Congrats, Chii-chan! And Mana-chan and Gururu-sensei too!!"
"Wow, wow!! Congratulations on the baby!!"
"Tomeki-sensei, Asakura-sensei, congratulations. Oh, and Kido-kun too."
The three statuesque girls suddenly erupted with excitement at the pregnancy announcement. The seven of us then spent a wonderful time chatting about all sorts of things.