Episode 38: The Hard Part Is Starting to Study

 

It was early July, just as the rainy season was about to end.

While it wasn't raining, the gloomy cloud-covered sky mirrored the somber event about to take place.

"Test week starts the week after next. Please note that club activities will be suspended starting next week until the end of the test period," announced our homeroom teacher, Mr. Hayami, during the closing homeroom.

"Ugh..."

I hadn't taken anything that could be called a test in years.

Normally, someone who reaches the rank of Major General would attend rigorous military academies, graduate, and then move up the ranks by taking courses and passing the corresponding exams. However, I was promoted in the field, so I never had to go through that.

"I wish I had spent a year at the staff college away from the battlefield, but now I'm seeing the disadvantages of not doing so."

"Trouble..."

My concern was the general education subjects.

For soul equipment practicals and specialty subjects, being only in the first year meant the test material was basic, which posed no problem for me.

However, for subjects like Japanese and mathematics, which regular high school students take, I was frankly in trouble.

During my time traversing battlefields, the military upper echelons must have realized this issue was serious, as textbooks appropriate for my age were sent to me. But they often got lost or destroyed in bombings before I could read them satisfactorily.

"I miss those open-air classes Toshi used to hold on the battlefield... He seems too busy now, though."

I'd like to chat with Toshi via web call again, but if I ask him to teach me, he's likely to just hang up on me without a word.

As I pondered alone,

"Lord Yuu."

"At the academy, it's 'Mr. Kamiya,' Mr. Hayami."

Mr. Hayami approached me. I straightened up from resting my cheek on my hand and turned to face him as a student.

"My apologies. Mr. Kamiya, is there something troubling you?"

After school, Mr. Hayami, noticing I was sitting at my desk looking gloomy, which was unusual, spoke to me as if reaching out to a seemingly isolated student.

"I'm wondering what to do about the test."

"Then, shall we have a remedial session? Just the two of us after school."

"Eh? That's too kind of you to offer individual lessons."

"No, it's only natural for an educator to dedicate themselves to diligent students. Slurp."

"You're drooling, Mr. Hayami."

His teacher facade didn't last until the end.

"But seriously, what should I do about the test?"

"Well, realistically speaking, I might have to retake some general subjects..."

I sighed dejectedly.

"That won't do! A Major General like you taking a make-up test? If it comes to that, I'll just have to steal the answer sheets from the general subject teachers' desks."

"Whoa! Don't talk about serious cheating so loudly, Mr. Hayami! And stop calling me a major general!"

If you're going to cheat, at least be discreet about it! I don’t know anything about this. It was all my secretary’s doing!

"Why are you shouting in the classroom?"

"Crap! There are still people in the classroom... oh, it's just Mina."

"I told you to call me 'First of the Second Years Toraho' at the academy."

"Ah, sorry, sorry."

Even after scolding me, Mr. Hayami does the same.

However, usually, we meet at the entrance when going home, but today she came all the way to the first-year classroom.

"Oh? Ms. Toraho, you're carrying quite a large bag."

Mina had, in addition to her school bag, a large tote bag on her shoulder.

"I won't be able to enter the clubroom for a while, so I came to pick up my things."

Responding to Mr. Hayami's inquiry, Mina answered formally.

"What’s with the cat teaser sticking out of your tote bag?"

"Mr. Hayami, you should also clear away those toddler toys like rattles from the clubroom. I have no idea what you use those for."

It seems Mr. Hayami and Mina only know the surface level about each other's fetishes.

"Ah, right. We can't go into the clubroom during the test period."

"That's right. So let's go to a family restaurant."

"Ugh... just hearing 'family restaurant' makes me feel full already..."

I remembered Mina's way of clenching her jaw last time. No matter how much a high school student might eat, that amount was abnormal.

"This time, I'll make sure it's a proper amount. You can't study well on a full stomach."

"Ah, so we're studying at a family restaurant?"

"That's right. I'll look after your studies. I have last year's past papers too."

"Love you, Ms. Mina!"

"Mufufu... shall we go then, Yuu?"

Mina smiled slyly as she hugged my arm.

"Are you two going alone?"

Mr. Hayami glared at Mina with a piercing gaze.

"Once school is out, even officers don't have to answer, so~"

"Is that provocative attitude your answer...?"

"What, Mr. Hayami~? Surely you aren't planning to leave work early to go to a family restaurant during this crucial pre-test period, right?"

"Ugh..."

"As a new teacher, Mr. Hayami might not know, but during this pre-test period, there's always a line of students waiting to ask questions in front of the staff room after school."

"Is that so?"

"Ugh..."

Mr. Hayami, officially a teacher at the academy, naturally has many students he's responsible for.

Especially since the soul equipment subject he teaches can greatly affect their futures, the students are particularly eager.

"So that's how it is~ Leave Yuu to me, please~"

"I'll leave my studies to Mina so as not to monopolize her time. Good luck with the question sessions, Mr. Hayami."

"Ngiriiii!"

As Mr. Hayami's teeth gritted, Mina and I left the classroom.

"Naive girl... You'll regret provoking me..."

I thought I heard Mr. Hayami's resentful voice as we left, but I pretended not to hear it.

"Sweeet, why are you guys here?!" Mina's voice echoed through the family restaurant.

When Mina and I entered the restaurant, we found a familiar group already seated in a booth, waving at us.

"Mr. Hayami told us to look after Kamiya's studies," said Senior Suo, tilting his cup of blended coffee.

"And I received a direct message from Mr. Hayami saying, 'Don’t let them be alone together, go interrupt them,'" Kotomi showed her phone screen to Mina.

"That old woman aaaaargh!" Mina slammed her fist down on the table, trembling with rage.

Watching Mr. Hayami and Mina's rivalry, I couldn't help but think that as long as such conflicts exist, there will never be an end to wars and disputes in the world.

"Yuu, shouldn't you be asking me for help with your studies? I'm the top student in our grade," pouted Kotomi.

However, there was something more concerning about Kotomi right now.

"Wait a minute, Kotomi. That plush toy you're holding so preciously in your arms... could it be..."

Yes.

Kotomi was holding the stuffed toy I had given her when she came to my house. It wasn’t exactly the kind of toy you'd carry around...

"Ah, this is a present from Yuu. Isn't it cute?"

"That plush toy, return it to Yuu right now."

"No! It's my child now."

Kotomi clutched the spherical character plush toy tightly. Her petite and youthful appearance, even in her high school uniform, matched the scene well.

"Mina, I really did give that toy to Kotomi."

"Not 'that,' say 'this child.' This child is now an important part of my family!"

"Uh... right..."

I didn’t fully understand, but apparently, there are rules in plush toy fandom that I had crossed, resulting in Kotomi scolding me. Well, if Kotomi loves it that much, the plush... I mean, this child must be happy.

"But, that's..."

Mina seemed intimidated by Kotomi’s intensity but still tried to protest, though hesitantly.

"If you have any more complaints about this child, I have my own thoughts on the matter. Are you sure about this, Senior Toraho? I know what you did to this child when Yuu wasn't around."

Mina visibly flinched and began to sweat profusely. The restaurant was air-conditioned, a bit too cool, in fact.

"What are you talking about~?"

"I’m sensitive to scents because of my soul equipment abilities. So, I know about the body odor Senior Toraho left on this child..."

"Uwaaaah! Okaaay! That child is Kotomi's! I have no objections!"

Mina waved her hands frantically, trying to drown out Kotomi's words.

"Mina, there are other customers here, don’t be so loud. And, you're sweating a lot."

"Hah hah... sorry, I got a bit carried away."

As Mina wiped her sweat and took deep breaths, Kotomi, for some reason looking triumphant, continued to pat the plush toy's head.

"Let’s get to studying, everyone."

With those words from Senior Suo, we finally remembered our original purpose for coming here.