The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 4Volume 2 .1 - Shimizu-san and the Midterm Exam

Shimizu-san and the Midterm Exam 1

About a week before the midterm exams in the afternoon, we of the Astronomy Club were all gathered in our club room, studying.

This study session came together at the suggestion of Ai-san.

The room was arranged with two long tables placed together in the center, surrounded by five chairs.

Sitting across from me was Shimizu-san, to my right was Seto-san, across Seto-san was Ai-san, and to the right of Ai-san from my point of view was Yousuke-san.

“I can’t do this anymore~”

About ten minutes after we started studying, Ai-san was already showing signs of giving up.

“We’ve only just begun. Hang in there.”

“I am trying for the sake of astronomy. It’s just that I can’t seem to get my engine running.”

“Sigh… What can we do to get your ‘engine’ running?”

Yousuke-san asked gently, sighing yet speaking as if talking to a child.

“…You won’t get mad, right?”

Ai-san was cautiously reading Yousuke-san’s expression, like a child asking for a favor from their parent.

“I’d like to say don’t say anything that would make me mad… but if we go that route, we won’t get anywhere with either the conversation or our studying. Anyway, I’ll try my best to stay calm.”

“Thank you, Yousuke! So, I’ll just say it! If I do well on this midterm exam… I want some kind of reward!”

“Ai, you..”

Yousuke-san stared at Ai-san with an incredulous look on his face.

“Hey, Yousuke, what’s wrong with your face?”

“Who do you think made me look like this?”

“Yousuke’s mom and dad.”

“We definitely weren’t talking about genetics just now.”

Shimizu-san chimed in, apparently unable to hold back.

“First of all, why do I have to give you a reward?”

“Huh? For the sake of astronomy?”

“You’re the one who wants to stargaze, aren’t you?”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“…sigh.”

Yousuke-san let out another small sigh.

“Can’t be helped. Seeing you unmotivated that might bring down the morale of the other club members. So, for this time, I’ll give in to your request.”

“Yousuke!”

Ai-san’s face brightened instantly.

“But don’t ask for anything too expensive.”

“Of course!”

“So, what’s the target score? At least aim higher than the usual goal set for the student council members.”

The student council members had set exam target scores?

I didn’t know that.

“U-uh, how about ten points more than the goal I usually aim for?”

“Don’t try to score the minimum now. How about thirty points more than your usual goal?”

“Yousuke-san, do you realize I always just barely meet the student council’s target score?”

“I’m the one who always tutors you before exams, so I know that better than anyone else. That’s why I’m saying, if you want a reward from someone, you should strive that much.”

“Muuuu…”

Ai-san stared at Yousuke-san, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.

“Alright. Let’s make it thirty points more than the student council’s usual target score! But when I achieve it, you must give me my reward!”

“Of course. I’ll do whatever I can within my means.”

“Everyone heard that, right? Yousuke said he’d do anything, didn’t he?”

“We heard.”

Seto-san affirmed without changing her expression.

“I said ‘within my means’. Don’t conveniently leave out those words.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t ask for anything unreasonable.”

“Really? Well, if I can’t, I’ll just say no.”

Somehow, I feel like Yousuke-san has a soft spot for Ai-san.

“Alright, now that there’s a reward, I’m three times more motivated! Everyone, let’s study hard for our astronomical observations! Ohhh!”

Ai-san energetically raised her right arm.

“Oooh~”

“Oh!”

“Oh!”

Seto-san, Yousuke-san, and I followed by raising our right hands a bit after Ai-san.

“Come on, we should all be following the ‘Oh’ cheer!”

“Who will do that!”

It seemed like Shimizu-san was a bit embarrassed to do that.

“Kei, you’re such a shy person. Well, never mind. Let’s resume our study session!”

At that cue, everyone’s eyes returned to their textbooks and notes.

“Hondō-kun, can I speak with you?”

“What’s wrong, Seto-san?”

About thirty minutes after we resumed studying, Seto-san approached me.

“I have a section I don’t understand and I’d like your help.”

The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.

“I’m fine with that, but maybe asking Yousuke-san or Ai-san would be better…”

Looking over at Yousuke-san and Ai-san, it seemed Yousuke-san was in the middle of explaining something to Ai-san.

Aside from me, Seto-san could ask Shimizu-san, but maybe she’s still not comfortable with Shimizu-san.

“It’s a bit hard to approach Ai-senpai and Sakata-senpai right now.”

“I see. I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Thank you. The part I don’t understand is…”

(TN: His name is Yousuke Sakata.)

Luckily, Seto-san’s question was one that I could somehow explain.

“You see, it was like this…”

As I was explaining using the textbook and notes to Seto-san, I felt someone’s gaze on me from somewhere.

I looked around, but no one was looking in my direction.

“Hondō-kun, is something wrong?”

“No, it seemed like my imagination. Let me continue explaining.”

As I resumed my explanation, again, I felt like someone was watching me.

I quickly scanned the surroundings and our eyes met——it was Shimizu-san.

“Shimizu-san, what’s wrong?”

“It-It’s nothing!”

“Is that so?”

“Hondō-kun, please continue explaining.”

“Alright. So, this part is…”

Shimizu-san herself said it was nothing, so maybe her looking my way was just a coincidence.

I began explaining to Seto-san once more.

“I understand now. Thank you, Hondō-kun.”

“I’m glad I could help.”

Seto-san grasped the concept quickly, so the explanation finished sooner than I anticipated.

“Can I ask again if I come across another section I don’t understand?”

“As long as I can explain it, it’s fine.”

“Got it. Thanks again.”

“Sure.”

With that, Seto-san and I returned to our respective study preparations.

“Kei-san, you look scary?” (TN: Text in image.)

“…I’m not.”

“You were. You looked like a demon, I even checked if you had grown horns.”

“It’s a shame they weren’t there. If they were, I would’ve headbutted you.”

“Planning to put a hole in my face, huh?”

Seems Yousuke’s guidance had finished, as now a comedic banter between Ai-san and Shimizu-san began.

“Kei is getting jealous, how cute.”

“…I’m not jealous.”

“You are. Right, Yousuke?”

“If you have time to say that, you should be studying.”

Despite what Yousuke said, he didn’t deny it.

Glancing over at Shimizu-san, she was glaring at Yousuke, and he was avoiding her gaze.

I felt it was best to return my focus to my notes.

“You should just be honest.”

“S-shut up.”

“Well, if it was easy, you wouldn’t be struggling, huh?”

“I’ll hit you.”

“Oh, so scary~ Then Onee-chan will return to studying.”

The sisters’ conversation seemed to end, and silence once again enveloped the room.