Chapter 47

After returning home that day, Yuki decided to start studying seriously for the test.

Usually, he tends to be rather casual about his classes, but when it comes to tests, he always manages to score decently.

This is largely because he wants to show his father that he studies hard and avoid causing unnecessary worry.

There are about ten days left until the test. Since he has been slacking off a bit recently, this time it looks like studying will be quite challenging.

While thinking this, Yuki spread out his textbooks and notes on the dining table and was about to start reviewing the test material when—

"Hey, Yuki-kun~"

Suzuna, who had sneaked up behind him, blew into his neck in a coquettish voice.

Despite feeling the warm breath, Yuki didn't move a muscle and kept his eyes on the table.

"Don't bother me."

"I'm not bothering you; I'm cheering you on."

"Stop cheering me on."

It seems she doesn't like being ignored.

Suzuna pulled out a balance ball that had been sitting there, made it roll and fall, complained to it, drew eyes and a mouth on it with a marker, and then punched it, laughing to herself, but Yuki ignored her completely.

"Do you want to try a Corkscrew Punch too? It makes a funny face."

"Isn't it about time for your test too, Suzuna? Stop fooling around and study."

"Ahem, cough, cough."

"Why did you suddenly start coughing?"

To be honest, Suzuna's academic performance is not... well, it's quite poor.

She fell far behind in class at one point, and even though she needs to work hard, she doesn't seem to have any sense of urgency.

"By the way, what's for dinner today?"

"I can buy something from the nearby convenience store."

"Ah, then I want beef bowl!"

"It's a hassle to go all the way to the station."

"Beef bowl, beef bowl!"

She has become quite fond of it and boasts that she will try all the variations, including those with green onions and cheese.

It's impossible to ignore her when she whispers "beef bowl" every ten seconds, so I can't concentrate at all.

"Here, I'll give you money to buy it yourself."

"No way."

She has no intention of doing it.

However, if I don't, it will be too noisy, so in the end, we end up going together.

We walk to the beef bowl shop near the station, and by the time we get there, it's almost seven, a good time for dinner.

"Let's just eat here."

"I want to eat at home."

She loves being at home.

She says she can't eat calmly with people around.

We buy two to-go meals and hurry back. At a corner, Suzuna stops in front of a convenience store.

"I want to buy dessert."

"Are we going to the convenience store again?"

"It's fine; I have money."

Apparently, when she told her father that she didn't have to come home, he gave her extra pocket money. This is Suzuna's alchemy.

Pushed by her, we enter the convenience store and head to the dessert section, where Suzuna, with a smug look, says,

"Yuki-kun, pick one you like."

Her condescending tone makes me grab a cream puff without hesitation.

"Ah, you don't have to be so polite~"

"Just hurry up."

"Can I buy some snacks too?"

"Just a little."

She says "Yay" and starts putting various items into the basket, and in the end, the bill for desserts and snacks exceeds a thousand yen.

There seems to be a significant gap in our understanding of "a little."

After returning home, we sit down for a slightly late dinner.

Suzuna finishes her beef bowl with green onions, saying "delicious, delicious," and then takes out a dessert with cream and fruit from the fridge.

"Do you want a bite? Hey, hey."

She goes through the usual routine and takes her time eating it slowly.

Yuki, on the other hand, wants to finish dinner quickly and start studying, but—

"I'm going to take a bath."

Suzuna comes back with a thud and asks,

"Yuki-kun, where are my panties?"

"They're hanging in your room."

"Ah, no way, they're not there~?"

She keeps bothering me.

Then, after coming out of the bath with steam, she comes over with a dryer in her underwear and says,

"Yuki-kun, dry my hair~"

This way, time is being wasted.

It feels like she's doing it on purpose.

After Yuki finishes his bath and is about to start studying, Suzuna lies down on the sofa and starts watching TV at full volume.

"Can you turn the volume down a bit?"

"Come on, it's fine to stop studying. Let's both get F's together, okay? Hey?"

"Is that what you're up to?"

"Don't get mad."

As expected.

It's tough not being able to retreat to his room during such times.

Yuki's room, which is more of a bedroom, is mostly taken up by a large bed, with no desk or space for studying.

On the other hand, Suzuna's room has a proper study desk, but it's hardly ever used.

"If you're not going to use your room, can I use it? And please don't come in?"

"No way, what are you going to do in there, Yuki-kun...?"

"I'm going to study."

Suzuna pouts but then suddenly leans in, remembering something.

"By the way, Yuki-kun, what about Yui-chan?"

"Huh?"

Suzuna points at Yuki's open mouth.

"So, why do you always come home alone every day?"

"Well, it's because... I'm with you."

"Together~? But you have a girlfriend, why?"

Suzuna pokes Yuki's cheek with her index finger.

Officially, Yuki and Yui are supposed to be dating.

It seems Suzuna believes that couples should always be together.

"You'll lose her if you keep this up. Especially since you're so popular."

She must have meant "Charm" but said "Venus" by mistake.

Still, something feels off.

"Ah, maybe Yuki-kun got dumped... It's true, weird people are no good... If you take it slow... It was just a fleeting dream..."

"It's not that. We're both busy with the test."

"So, you two are drifting apart...?"

"That's why you need to study."

"Then we should study together."

"Where?"

"Here."

Suzuna points down.

In other words, she wants Yuki to bring Yui home again.

"You'll just be a distraction, Suzuna."

"No way. I won't do anything like that."

"Just study, okay?"

"Ah, I'll study when Yui-chan comes."

"Really?"

Suzuna nods vigorously.

Maybe, like last time, she might listen more to a third party.

(But I'd rather handle things myself... I don't want to trouble Yui too much.)

While Suzuna laughs and watches TV next to him, Yuki thinks to himself.