12
I'm in the third grade now. Zuiran Elementary School changes classes in third and fifth grades. Thanks to my daily prayers over spring break, I safely avoided being in the same class as the Emperor. I beat the 1 in 4 chance that it would happen.
Onii-sama graduated from junior high and entered high school. He's gotten busier since getting in high school, and he's not at home as much. Boooring.
Yurie-sama and Aira-sama graduated from elementary school, and became junior high students. The two look so mature in their new uniforms. I can feel a big difference between us and them. It's only been a month over spring break, so why? Is it the uniform? Hmm… well, the junior high uniforms are cute.
The Emperor is apart from Yurie-sama in the Salon and the school building, so he's in a really bad mood. Let sleeping dogs lie, everyone bides their time around him. Enjou's about the only one who can approach the Emperor's dark aura. I could never do that.
Yurie-sama is growing more beautiful, so I understand how he feels threatened by their difference in age. Four years when you're an adult isn't much, but four years to a child is enormous. A first year in junior high wouldn't even consider a romantic interest in the third grade. He understands that most likely, and he silently threatens boys who approach Yurie-sama with his killing intent. From Yurie-sama, it must only feel like the jealousy of a cute little brother, and that's heartrending. He occasionally goes to the junior high after school to wait for her. That's lovable, Emperor.
Several Zuiran students began attending my cram school. Zuiran almost automatically advances everyone unless there's a huge problem, so few feel the need to study much. And most use tutors instead of cram school. Even so, some among the male students begin attending cram school. It's what I feared.
"So Kisshouin-san's coming to this cram school, too," said a boy from Zuiran who was in the same lecture for third graders.
"Well, yes."
"Um, can I sit here?"
"…Please…" I understand, coming to a place for the first time with nobody you know, feeling anxious, you want to approach somebody you've seen before. It's a relief. But to me, it's a bad turn of events.
"There are other guys who started here, but they come on a different day. I thought that I'd be alone. I didn't think that Kisshouin-san would be here. Oh, are you starting this year, too?"
"No, I've been attending since the first grade."
"Ooh, really!? Didn't expect that. I didn't think you'd be the type to study…uh, ummm…"
Yeah, don't worry about it. I don't mind. I'd doubt that the leader of the girls who that are the most ojou-sama-like would bother studying since the first grade, too.
"I wanted to attend due to my Onii-sama's influence." That's a safe answer. I've picked up the reputation of being a bro-con, already.
"Oh, all right. So how is this cram school? Is it harder than at school?"
"Well, let's see. There are many students from prep school, so I believe that it is difficult."
"I see."
He went on talking to me about different things, but I was having a harder time asking a boy who obviously knew me. What's his name? Oh, no… He's so friendly, and he'd be hurt if I didn't know his name… Can I get a hint…? Oh, I know.
"We should get our textbook and problem sets out for class. Have you checked what we're studying, yet?"
"Oh, you're right." He rummaged through his bag and took out the Japanese textbook and put it on his desk. Okay, he has his name on the problem set. Akisawa Takumi-kun. Got it. Can't tell if it's sawa or zawa, though.
"Which class are you in after the class change, Akisawa-kun?" I asked casually to let him know that I knew his name.
"Oh, Kisshouin-san knew my name? I didn't think your group of girls would know me. Um, I'm in class 4. And my name's Akizawa, not Akisawa." …If you thought that I didn't know your name, then introduce yourself… I was afraid of hurting your feelings. Is he just careless?
Class started, so we quit chatting. The lecture was advanced for third graders, but I've got this, easy, still. Akisawa, aka Akizawa-kun was nervous, but he attentively listened and solved the problem sets.
And now, for a break.
"Oh, I was nervous! It's more advanced than our school's lecture," exclaimed Akizawa-kun to me as he stretched.
…Thought so. This is what I feared. If a Zuiran student came, they'd obviously notice me, along with what I do. There are even kids like Akizawa-kun who come and speak to me. I didn't think anyone would be this friendly on our first meeting, though. But then, my true goal of going to the convenience store would be impossible! Ugh… I knew this would happen…
"Yes, you're right. But the classes at school will become easier."
"Oh, I see. So Kisshouin-san had good grades. Totally didn't think that." He is careless. He lets his tongue slip.
"Do I seem that irresponsible?" I'm gonna prick you.
"Not what I meant! You just looked different from the guys who study hard, along with the girls around you. And you're in the Pivoine."
Well, you've got a point. I'm from a comparatively powerful family, and at Zuiran that values tradition, being descended from nobles matter, and similar girls gathered around me to form the most intimidating group of girls in my grade. I'm a little sad that they're more like followers than friends, though. I wish that they would call me Reika-chan instead of Reika-sama… Do I have any friends at that school…?
"It was just unexpected! Kisshouin-san's not approachable, and I didn't think that you'd have anything to do with me, but you're so friendly," he smiled happily. Okay. So I am hard to approach. "Can I sit next to you next week?"
Well, I won't be able to head to the convenience store for a while, anyway. And there aren't many kids who talk to me like this. "Yes, of course."
Will Akizawa-kun be my friend?
