Chapter 50

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

---

I fell in love with Senpai Romeo, and I was completely carried away.

I was so carried away that I couldn't focus on anything. My heart was filled with thoughts of Senpai Romeo, whether I was asleep or awake.

I checked his class schedule to find a chance to bump into him somewhere, or I would peer out the window, straining my eyes to catch a glimpse of him during physical education.

Even when I got home, I would suddenly remember Senpai Romeo and end up doing things like flower divination.

The results of the flower divination using urara weren't good. If it was with my name, it said, "Show some backbone!"

Living like this every day, my ranking in the final exams plummeted as if I were rolling down a steep slope.

Of course, it was to be expected. I hardly managed to study at all, being so carried away.

And I didn't think I would fall this far.

When my name wasn't on the ranking list, the other kids said things like, "Oh, what a shame," but they seemed to think I had only dropped by a couple of places at most.

But no, I had dropped by at least 30 places.

I was on the edge of a cliff. The situation was as critical as if I were doing a Y-balance at the edge of a cliff.

The days of "As expected, Reika-sama" were long gone. I had only been on top for three days at best.

This grade was too terrible...

Just as I was feeling down, I was called by my homeroom teacher. And it was to the student guidance room.

I had a bad feeling.

While feeling gloomy about what I might be told, I went to the student guidance room, and my teacher slowly asked for my thoughts on the results of this final exam.

What could I say when asked for my thoughts? I could only say that I was shocked by how much my ranking had dropped, but what should I answer?

As I was thinking absentmindedly, the teacher looked at me with a serious face.

"To be honest, I didn't expect you, Kichijouji, to drop so much in your grades. I saw your elementary school report cards, and they were excellent. When I asked other teachers, they all said that you were a very serious and excellent student with good test scores. I thought so too. I didn't worry about you at all."

But then, the teacher frowned.

"What happened to your grades? Is there something you want to talk about?"

Even if you ask me what happened, I can't say that I was so carried away with love that I couldn't focus on studying.

"I think I didn't work hard enough compared to last time. I'm sorry."

"You know, this is a serious issue. It's not just about the test results; it's also about your recent attitude in class. Several teachers have said that you've been distracted and not focused. That's why you got these results. What's the cause?"

What, is it such a big deal? Just because my grades dropped a bit?!

And I'm being treated like a problem student?!

Not only am I not "As expected, Reika-sama," but I'm being treated like a problem student who gets called to the student guidance room!

"Hey, Kichijouji, are you being deceived by a bad boy?"

"Huh?"

What's this all of a sudden?

"Often, when a girl's behavior worsens, it's because of a boy. For a serious and excellent student like you to change so much, I wonder if you're dating a strange boy?"

The teacher leaned in to ask.

In other words, I'm being seen as someone who has fallen into delinquency because of a bad boy.

What a ridiculous idea.

While I was carried away with love, I was almost labeled as a delinquent!

"No, that's not the case at all."

Not to mention a bad boy, the person in question is the student council president, who is academically excellent and well-liked by the teachers.

We haven't even had a chance to talk closely since then.

I was just rolling around in my room saying, "Hehe, Senpai Romeo~."

It's just that my lazy habits came out, but the situation has become unexpectedly serious!

"There's even talk of contacting your parents."

What! Is it that serious?!

And I'm even a topic of discussion at the faculty meeting?!

There are plenty of students with worse grades than me! Why am I being treated like I'm on the path to delinquency?!

"Really, there's nothing wrong. I just let my guard down a bit this time. I'll reflect and work hard from next time."

"Kichijouji, the school has a lot of trust in you. We were also quite shocked by this. So, how about taking some summer classes?"

"Summer classes?"

In the middle school, summer classes are held for students with poor grades. A few motivated students also take them, but they are a minority.

Summer classes... "As expected, Reika-sama" taking summer classes...

But this is probably also a way to monitor my behavior during the summer.

Sometimes, students return from summer break with drastic changes, like making bad friends.

But teacher, I don't even have many normal friends. I hardly have any friends to play with in my free time...

How can I become a delinquent when I'm alone at home?

Well, there's no helping it. It's a consequence of my own actions.

Now, I have to restore my reputation.

"Alright, I'll take the summer classes."

My first summer break in middle school is going to be quite bitter.

---

On the first day of the summer classes, I was heading to school.

When I told my family about the summer classes, I shocked them.

My mother was confused, saying, "Do you really need to take summer classes for this level of grades?" But in my case, the bigger issue is the strange suspicion hanging over me.

If I had said, "I'm being suspected of being deceived by a bad boy," it would have caused a big problem, so I kept quiet.

My brother was deep in thought while looking at my report card.

I'm sorry for being such a disappointing sister.

However, I have reflected a lot on this incident.

I was surprised that a drop in grades could become such a big issue.

I admit that my lifestyle had become lazy.

I caused a lot of trouble and worry for many people.

I made my tutor, Mr. Hanali, quite depressed, thinking that his teaching methods were at fault.

The biggest problem was that I had gained weight due to my lazy lifestyle.

The dimples that used to be clearly visible when I smiled were becoming fainter.

I had been avoiding the reality, but my plump stomach was telling me, "This is your reality!"

No way. I like A-line dresses, but I absolutely don't want an A-line body.

I absolutely don't want a puffy raccoon belly!

I decided to change my heart and work hard this summer.

---

The summer classes were not held by class but by grade, with all the students taking the classes gathered in one classroom.

When I entered the classroom, the students who were already there looked shocked to see me.

Good afternoon, everyone.

I tried to give a friendly smile, but everyone averted their eyes. Why?

Most of the students in the classroom were those with poor grades, and they were mostly students who didn't stand out in the school. They were in the lower group of the school hierarchy.

Some of the students who were motivated to take the classes were typical overachievers.

There was not a single student from my level in this room.

Even among the students in the same group, those with worse grades than me probably went to private tutors or cram schools and didn't come for the summer classes.

And the rebellious students didn't come either.

Only the harmless, quiet students who lived quietly in the school were here.

When I sat at the back of the classroom, the students nearby quietly moved their seats.

There were several clusters of students who were close friends, but I was alone on an island.

Looking out the window, I thought, "Is it a mirage? The scenery is shaking."

...I'm definitely not crying.

---

The price of being carried away with love was quite high.

The heart-wrenching, lonely summer classes have just begun.