Chapter 64 Post-Test Victory Gathering

Post-Test Victory Gathering

The grueling test period had finally come to an end.

The classroom buzzed with excitement, a palpable sense of liberation filling the air.

At the center of all the commotion, as expected, was Akari.

“Akari-chan! We’re thinking of going to karaoke now, wanna come?”

“Ahh—sorry! I have plans after this…”

“I see! Then I’ll invite you next time!”

“Yeah! Please do!”

After saying that to the other girl, Akari glanced over at me.

I stood up, slung my bag over my shoulder, and left the classroom.

As soon as I stepped out, Akari effortlessly matched my pace beside me.

“Why meet up in the hallway? You could’ve just called out to me in the classroom.”

“…N-No reason! The hallway’s just as good as the classroom… I-I like hallways…”

“Are you seriously defending the hallway!? W-Well, if Arata-kun says so…”

Akari gave a puzzled laugh.

Today, with the tests finally over, we had planned a small celebration in advance.

Though, there was no guarantee our results were particularly great.

Honestly, calling it a simple “good job” gathering would’ve been more fitting… but Akari insisted it was a “victory” celebration.

“See you later, Akari-chan!”

“Bye, Irara-san!”

“Bye-bye~!”

Akari cheerfully responded to the voices calling out to her.

Walking beside her, I was once again reminded of just how popular she was at school.

She seemed more adored than some idols.

“Wait, isn’t that Kyogoku?”

“They’ve been hanging out a lot lately, huh?”

“They even won that paired dance contest.”

“Are they dating?”

“No way! I mean, come on, it’s Kyogoku.”

“That scary face? No chance! LOL.”

“Not happening. LOL.”

I could faintly hear the gossip.

Akari puffed up her cheeks and shot a glare in their direction.

“…Mmph. Sorry, Arata-kun, I need to go—”

“It’s fine, don’t.”

“B-But…!”

“Dealing with that kind of thing is pointless. Just let it go. Ignoring it is the smartest move.”

“…I see.”

Akari looked sad.

…She really was such a kind girl.

“Besides, it doesn’t bother me. I’m used to it. Insults and gossip don’t affect me at all.”

“That’s not something to be proud of at all!”

I puffed out my chest, and Akari playfully scolded me.

Then she suddenly burst out laughing.

“Ahaha, seriously, Arata-kun, you’re…”

Seeing her smile, I felt satisfied.

Just then, at the bottom of the stairs, I made eye contact with someone familiar.

And that person was—

“Ugh, Nakano…”

“K-Kyogoku…”

Nakano hunched his shoulders and gave me a sour look.

Then, as his eyes landed on Akari, he visibly flinched.

“!!!”

Nakano quickly turned forward and walked away without a word.

…Huh? That’s weird.

Normally, he’d spout some bizarre misunderstanding at me.

I glanced at Akari.

She was staring intently at the spot where Nakano had just been.

Then, as if nothing had happened, she cheerfully said, “Let’s go!” and started walking.

…Did something happen between them that I didn’t know about?

Thinking back, there was that time I nearly arrived late and ran into Akari outside the classroom…

Back then, she had clearly seemed down.

If something had happened, it must’ve been then.

But…

—Thanks! I’m totally fine now!

Akari had said that with the brightest smile.

And right now, she wasn’t looking sad or troubled—just her usual self.

If so, I had no right to pry.

With that in mind, we reached the shoe lockers.

There, Kiraha was hurriedly changing her shoes.

“…Ah.”

Kiraha noticed me and met my gaze.

But without saying anything, she quickly jogged out the entrance.

“…What’s with her?”

“You mean Kiraha-san?”

“Yeah. She seemed in a hurry.”

“She probably had something urgent! Like a cake sale! Or a limited-edition cheesecake!”

“That’s such a you answer…”

I chuckled and stepped outside with Akari.

After about ten minutes of walking…

We arrived at a newly opened café by the station.

Naturally, Akari had chosen the place—she’d been dying to come here after the tests ended.

“Excuse us!!!”

“That’s way too much energy for entering a café…”

Following Akari inside, we heard hurried footsteps approaching.

“Welcome. How many—wait, Irara?”

A staff member in an apron tilted her head in confusion.

Her sharp gaze carried the presence of a natural beauty…

“Kiraha-san!?”

“And Kyogoku’s here too… Just the two of you?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Hmm…”

Kiraha eyed us meaningfully.

“W-What?”

“…Nothing. Right this way.”

She guided us to a seat.

The interior had the cozy warmth of a classic café, with a charming wooden aesthetic.

“So, Kiraha, you’re working here now?”

“Huh?”

“I wasn’t saying anything bad! No need to glare.”

“Felt like you were implying I wouldn’t have a job.”

“I wasn’t! That’s some crazy bias you’ve got.”

Kiraha sighed dramatically.

“I just started. The place was opening, and lately… I’ve been going to school normally.”

Now that she mentioned it, she used to skip a lot.

But these days, she was showing up regularly—working a job seemed like a natural step.

“So, what’ll you order?”

“Uh… wait, there’s no menu?”

“…Ah.”

How do you even mess that up?

“Kiraha-chan, you forgot the menu~”

Another staff member brought the menu over.

“Apologies. Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

“Thank you! Wow, everything looks delicious… But I can only have three cakes…”

“Wait, wasn’t it two before?”

“Good question! Actually, I’m having a personal cake festival today…!”

“That’s just cheating…”

I muttered in disbelief—then, suddenly.

“…Huh?”

The other staff member standing next to Kiraha had frozen, staring at me.

Then, with an expression of utter disgust, she muttered.

“…Kyogoku?”

Our eyes met, and it finally clicked.

That distinct ponytail, that tanned skin…

I knew this girl.

“Ishizaki…”

—Ishizaki Satomi. My former classmate from elementary and middle school, who absolutely despised me.