After the exams were over

Time passed, and somehow the exam period came to an end.

The week after getting tangled up with the Takanishi sisters, whose names echo through the school, I braced myself and headed to class on Monday morning, only to find it surprisingly normal, almost anticlimactically so.

Maybe everyone realized the gap between a background character like me and those two is so obvious that standing side by side wouldn’t spark any weird rumors.

Or perhaps it’s just that everyone was too caught up with exams to care…

When I mentioned this to Akito, he gave me an exasperated look and said,

“Dude, seriously? Takanishi was running around doing damage control for you.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Man, you’re so clueless… Isn’t that exactly why she acts like that toward you?”

“Ugh…”

I couldn’t argue with that.

When it comes to stuff like this, Aisa-chan’s surprisingly considerate… No, not just surprisingly—she’s always like that with everyone else, which is probably why people flock to her.

Even on that walk home, the way she scolded Manami-chan was to cover for me…

“She’s been spreading the word about the tutoring thing, even politely adding that it’s just because our parents are close.”

“So that’s how it is…”

“Since it’s coming from the school idol, and it’s not like the idol or the Goddess of Victory has some shady guy clinging to her, everyone just went along with it, and here we are.”

I decided I’d bring Aisa-chan a small thank-you gift next time I go over for tutoring.

She’ll probably say something like, “I didn’t do it for you,” but honestly, I bet it’s more about avoiding weird rumors for her own sake too.

Still, I’m grateful either way, so I’ll make sure to thank her properly.

“By the way, how’s it really going?”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know, your thing with the Takanishi sisters. Which one are you gunning for?”

“Neither, so chill out.”

“So, it’s cool if I make a move then?”

That made me pause and think. Akito’s popular. He’s not quite in the same spotlight as Aisa-chan and her crew, but he’s got his own vibe going, and it doesn’t hurt his appeal.

Wouldn’t they actually make a pretty good match?

“You’re thinking something dumb, aren’t you?”

“No, I’m being dead serious here.”

“Yeah, you’re hopeless.”

With that, Akito flopped onto his desk as usual.

Jokes aside, I realized I probably need to spend a bit more time thinking about Aisa-chan.

“Yo, Akito.”

“What?”

“You should probably stay awake for this one.”

“Huh? Oh, the test results.”

To be precise, the return of our exams.

Our school doesn’t call names in order; the teachers pick their favorites first. Akito always gets called early, no matter the teacher.

And despite his attitude, this guy still pulls decent grades. He’s the type who can handle just about anything without breaking a sweat.

“Oh, yeah, speaking of which.”

“Hm?”

Akito turned to me like he just remembered something.

“How about we make a bet on this test?”

“Why now?”

“I’ve got a favor to ask. Come on, it’ll be fun. You’re feeling pretty confident after your showdown with Takanishi, right?”

“Well… I guess so. What’s the deal?”

“Total score across five subjects. Loser grants the winner one request.”

“As long as it’s not something ridiculous, I’m in.”

“Sweet, it’s on.”

Our grades have always been pretty close, so with my confidence this time, it’s not a bad deal.

Besides, we’re close enough that I’d probably go along with whatever he needs anyway. If I win, I’ll make him treat me to something. If I lose, it’s not like it’s a big deal.

But honestly, I was way more worried about Manami-chan’s results and my bet with Aisa-chan.

◇

Once all the tests were handed back, the moment of truth arrived.

It was my first time visiting the Takanishi household since our study session. With exams behind us, we were having a little “good job” party, complete with dinner.

“First things first, Manami-chan’s results.”

The top scorers’ rankings were supposed to be posted today. Her classroom’s on a different floor, so I didn’t check, but I figured I’d ask her directly.

“I’m here!”

“Hey! Oh, it’s Kouki-kun, right? Head straight to her room!”

I rang the intercom, and before I could even confirm, the door swung open, and I was ushered inside. The security here feels dangerously lax, but I’m used to it by now.

It’s practically my second home at this point. I called out a greeting and climbed the stairs as usual, only to be met with an unusual sight.

“Ah…”

“Huh…?”

The staircase leads right to Aisa-chan’s room. Normally, her door’s closed, so it’s just another wall, but today, of all days, it was wide open.

And as luck would have it, bad timing piled on—she was wearing her favorite earphones and hadn’t noticed I’d arrived.

“You… you were coming over today, weren’t you…”

“Yeah, that’s right…”

Tension crackled in the air.

The problem? Aisa-chan’s outfit.

Beyond the door, Aisa-chan was clearly in her underwear. A cute pair of frilly pink panties with a ribbon, paired with a loose-fitting tank top that barely covered anything, including her chest.

If you looked closely, you could tell she wasn’t even wearing a bra under that shirt—

“So, how long are you gonna stare?”

“Oh, uh, sorry!”

For some reason, I was the one scrambling to shut the door. Shouldn’t it be the other way around…?

She was pissed, right…?

This is gonna make dinner super awkward…

“This is not good…”

Still, I couldn’t just stand there, so I headed to Manami-chan’s room next door. Unlike Aisa-chan’s, her door was usually wide open, but today it was closed.

Not wanting to repeat the same mistake, I knocked, but there was no answer.

“Manami-chan?”

“Kouki-nii…?”

Something was off.

“I’m coming in, okay?”

“…’Kay.”

Hearing her lifeless voice, I didn’t hesitate and rushed into the room.

There was Manami-chan, clutching a cushion, her eyes red and puffy from crying.

“Ehehe… you caught me.”

“What’s going on…?”

“Sniff… Kouki-nii… I’m sorry, okay?”

“Sorry for what?”

“I… I tried so hard, but… I messed up… sniff…”

She barely managed to choke out those words before burying her face in the cushion, her shoulders trembling.

◇

“You calmed down?”

“Yeah… ehehe…”

To comfort Manami-chan, I followed her every request—“Come here,” “Pat my head a little”—and before I knew it, she was curled up in my lap, nestled between my crossed legs.

“Sorry, Kou-nii…”

“You don’t have to apologize. You were really upset, huh?”

“Yeah…”

When I rested my hand on her head, she buried her face in the cushion again.

“I know how hard you worked, so don’t worry.”

“But…”

“Honestly, I’m just glad I don’t have to deal with any crazy demands from you.”

“Haha…”

Her goal was set absurdly high. For someone who was teetering on the edge of failing to suddenly aim for the top scorers’ list was, frankly, reckless.

“So, what rank did you get?”

“Fifty-fourth…”

“That’s amazing! You did awesome!”

I praised her sincerely.

For Manami-chan, who’d been scraping by with barely passing grades, fifty-fourth was a massive leap. She’d surpassed over a hundred people—a legit achievement. She really did great…

“But… the promise…”

“I never said you had to break into the top thirty, did I?”

Even as progress toward her self-imposed goal, making it to fifty-fourth was more than enough.

“Either way, I was planning to give you a reward for all your hard work.”

“No way… you can’t…”

Manami-chan was unusually stubborn about it. She’s got the same competitive streak as Aisa-chan, so she’s probably not satisfied with herself.

“I know I can’t make good on the ‘anything you want’ promise, but I’m gonna do something for you anyway.”

“On your own?”

“Yup. I want to give you a reward, so I’m doing it.”

“Oh… well, if it’s on your own, I guess I can’t stop you…”

“Exactly. You worked hard enough.”

“Okay… okay…”

She buried her face in the cushion again for a bit, but when she bounced back, she was her usual bubbly, carefree self. There was a hint of forcing her smile, but seeing her fire up for the next test, I was certain she’d hit her goal next time.

Maybe I’m a little biased, but I believed it with all my heart.

◇

“Kouki. Your test results?”

“Oh, uh…”

After Manami-chan’s study session wrapped up, we headed to the living room for the “good job” party, where Aisa-chan, already seated at the table, called out to me.

She seemed intent on pretending the earlier incident never happened. I was more than happy to go along with that.

“My lowest score was eighty-eight. You?”

“As ridiculous as ever… I lost.”

“Heh. So, what’s your highest score?”

“Eighty-five.”

If I’d only focused on beating Aisa-chan, I might’ve done better in one subject by cramming. But I didn’t have the guts to tank my other grades just for our bet.

Okay, I did consider it for a second, but the idea of “do anything I say” was way too scary…

“So, what should I have you do?”

“Ugh…”

Aisa-chan’s playful smile was cute, but this time, it was downright terrifying.

“Well, I’ll think about it later.”

“Got it…”

“Heh.”

Aisa-chan kept grinning like she’d completely forgotten the earlier incident. That was a relief, but her not bringing it up at all was starting to feel ominous…

I didn’t want to dig my own grave, so I avoided bringing it up myself, and soon enough, dinner was ready.

◇

“So, Manami-chan, what are you gonna have him do?”

Partway through dinner, Aisa-chan dropped that question.

“Oh… well…”

“I didn’t make it!”

I tried to cut in, thinking it’d be hard for her to say, but Manami-chan interrupted me with a bright, cheerful tone.

“Huh…?”

“Ehehe… I came up a bit short…”

She laughed it off with a “teehee,” and you’d never guess she’d been so upset earlier.

But as expected from sisters, Aisa-chan picked up on it. Her face flashed with surprise before softening into a slightly sad expression as she looked down.

“I see…”

“But I’ll try harder next time!”

“Right. You definitely worked hard this time, so Kouki, take Manami-chan out somewhere.”

“Huh?”

I was caught off guard by the sudden suggestion.

“That’s my prize for winning.”

“No way, Onee-chan!”

“I didn’t have anything big to ask Kouki for anyway, so it works out.”

“Ugh! No, use it for yourself!”

I wasn’t sure what to do, but if taking Manami-chan out would cheer her up, I had no issue with it.

“I’d take you out anytime, no need to make it a prize.”

““Huh?””

Wait, why are they both so shocked?

“Kouki-nii, are you seriously the type to just go out on dates with anyone!?”

“Hold up, how did we get there?”

Where did the word “date” even come from!? Given our relationship, going out together isn’t like that.

“Right. So Kouki’s the type to go out with anyone, anytime…”

“Aisa-chan, why do you sound kinda pissed… Look, I’m just saying I’d hang out with you two anytime.”

“Oh… is that so?”

Phew, looks like I got that one right—her expression softened instantly.

“So, Kou-nii, if I ask you to go somewhere, you’ll go?”

“Of course.”

“Really?”

“Why would you doubt me?”

Seriously, how many times have we hung out already? It’s a little late for that.

“Then let’s decide where to go later!”

Manami-chan was practically bouncing with excitement. That’s a relief.

“Kouki… what about me?”

“What? You got somewhere you wanna go too, Aisa-chan?”

“Well… since it’s a good chance, I’ll use my prize to have you carry my bags or something.”

“Sure, no problem.”

If that’s all she wants, I’m getting off easy. Honestly, considering my gratitude for her help and my apology for earlier, I’d even chip in for something while we’re shopping.

“Fufu… our girls are a handful, but take care of them, okay, Kouki-kun?”

“This is nothing, really.”

“Ara ara.”

Their mom watched the two of them with a fond smile.