Chapter 72

As winter came, I started my exam preparation in earnest. Even though I was practically guaranteed to advance through the school’s internal promotion system, I decided to at least put in some effort.

When I enter the higher grades, a lot of new students will join, and my ranking will likely drop even further. I need to start preparing now.

So today, I’m studying with my private tutor.

My tutor is now Marin-sensei, the younger sister of Kari-sensei, who quit her job as a tutor to work full-time. Marin-sensei also graduated from a national university. The sisters are both so talented.

"At this rate, you’ll definitely pass the internal exam."

"Really?"

"As long as you keep up this pace until the end."

I see. But if I get too much praise, I might slack off. My tendency to procrastinate is a karmic carryover from my past life, etched into my soul.

"By the way, I hardly ever get the chance to see your brother, Rika-sama."

"That’s true."

My brother has been juggling his studies and family business since he turned 20, so he’s very busy. He rarely makes it home in time for dinner, and I can’t ask him to play with me like before.

But if my brother is so busy that he can’t come home until late at night, why is Father always home in time for dinner? Isn’t that strange? Father must be overworking my brother.

Wait! Could it be that he’s dealing with some shady business? He must be! Keep it up, Brother!

Next time, I’ll make him a bento. A homemade bento filled with my love. I’ll draw a heart on the rice with sakura denbu. He’ll be surprised, hehe. Maybe I should try making a character bento too.

"Your brother is really wonderful, Rika-sama. Even the older girls say he doesn’t seem younger than them!"

"Really?"

I didn’t know that. Is Kari-sensei a bit of a fangirl?

Of course, my brother is wonderful. He wears glasses when he studies or reads, and his intellectual profile is a hit with glasses-loving girls.

"Marin-sensei, do you like someone like my brother?"

"Well, to be honest, Kihiro-sama is more of an ornamental type. In reality, I prefer someone more ordinary as a partner."

"Is there someone like that?"

"No, not really. But there are classmates who try to hit on me. They’re the opposite of my type. My ideal type is a bit embarrassing, but someone like a visual kei band vocalist."

"Oh, someone who’s thin, pale, and looks good in leather pants?"

"Yeah, it’s a bit embarrassing."

Even though she says she prefers ordinary people, her ideal type is quite specific.

This is the unexpected side of a talented girl who attends a national university.

"By the way, what’s your ideal type, Rika-sama?"

"Um… I guess someone kind and straightforward?"

I haven’t had a crush since Tomari-senpai, so I’m not sure.

Sometimes I hear Juliet Kaclar-sama talk about her love life with Tomari-senpai. It sounds so fun.

"The people who try to hit on me are also straightforward, but a bit too intense…"

"Are you troubled by that? If so, why don’t you try going on a boat ride at Inokashira Park?"

"Doesn’t that only work for couples?"

Huh? Is that true? Sakura was furious, with a terrifying expression like a real oni.

It was just a bit of fun. "Just because you’re single, you don’t have to drag others into your loneliness!" she yelled, but Sakura isn’t in a mutual relationship either. If he’s your soulmate, a little interference is just an essential part of the journey. You need to have more confidence.

Recruitment for the Loveless Village is ongoing.

As a student preparing for exams, I decided to visit a shrine for a change of pace.

I knew about the lucky pencils for passing exams, but I didn’t know they also had victory headbands. I often see kids in the news wearing headbands and studying at cram schools during New Year’s, so maybe they’re quite common.

Considering the emperor’s unusual obsession with headbands, there might be something in them that motivates people.

They look interesting, so I bought a pencil and two headbands, one for Aoi too. I won’t buy one for the grumpy Sakura; she’s a nagging monster.

Aoi looks more and more worn out every day, which is really worrying. I wrote a prayer on a votive tablet for her to pass safely and prayed hard.

But the god of learning is actually demoted, so I wonder if he really has any power.

While I was thinking these impure thoughts, I was attacked by pigeon droppings. It missed my face, but it hit my tights! I’m sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me. …Ghosts are scary. Don’t strike me with lightning.

I didn’t tell the nagging monster, but around the time of the sports festival, Toriumi-san approached me about Akiyama-kun.

She seemed to have misunderstood something from seeing me and Sakura talking about Akiyama-kun occasionally.

"Are you dating Akiyama-senpai?" she asked. No way. She must have a strong love filter, just like Sakura.

I was surprised that Toriumi-san even talked to me. Love is powerful.

Out of respect for her courage, I corrected her and told her that Akiyama-kun has a girlfriend from childhood.

"Of course…" she said, looking disappointed. I advised her, "I think there’s someone more suitable for you."

I had actually gotten information from Ririna’s underling, Megane-chan, that there’s a boy who likes Toriumi-san.

I hinted that she should look at a classmate from the track and field club, and she was surprised.

Her eyes darted around, and she blushed. Maybe spring is coming for the boy who has a crush on Toriumi-san.

This time, I did a good job. I’m working hard for you, nagging monster. The village chief has a big heart.

However, Ririna’s underling, Megane-chan, is a quiet-looking girl but a great source of information. She might be a real spy, far better than my amateur espionage.

She tells me everything from interesting gossip to useful information. Since I don’t have many juniors who look up to me, I’m happy to have Megane-chan. I asked her to call me "Rika-senpai" instead of "Rika-sama."

From Megane-chan, I learned that the first-year student who was beaten up by the emperor in the tug-of-war has a rivalry with me. Why?

"Matsuki is rumored to be stupid, so be careful," she said. Everyone around me is so stupid. Tachibana and Matsuki. Stupid people even have similar names. What a hassle.

This stupid first-year student once said to me, "You’re not suitable for Enjo-san!" His crazy thinking is beyond my comprehension.

Later, I heard that he was ambushed by my group of friends, or maybe not.

Being surrounded by a group of girls and verbally abused to the point of trauma must be really tough.

If he gets gray hair from stress, I’ll be there to listen.