50
I was elated being in love with Romeo-senpai. So happy that I couldn't do a thing. Awake or asleep, I only thought of Romeo-senpai. I studied senpai's class schedule and looked for my chance to pass by him somewhere, or try to get a glance at him in physical education by opening my eyes wide.
Even when I return home, I remember Romeo-senpai and start performing flower fortune telling. The results weren't pretty with the ulala roses. You have my name, so show some guts!
As I spent my days like this, my grades plummeted for the end of term exams. Of course. I barely studied. I was too intoxicated with love. And I didn't think that I'd fall so far. When I didn't see my name on the rankings list, the girls around me said, "That's too bad," but I only though I'd drop a few places…. Except I had dropped over 30. I'm at the edge. I'm barely hanging on to the edge of a cliff.
As expected of Reika-sama is a thing of the past. That was my 15 minutes. These grades were too horrible… I was depressed when my homeroom teacher called me… to the student counseling room. I only have bad feelings about this.
I wonder what she's going to say. Feeling melancholy, I went to the counseling room where the teacher asked me my feelings about the last test. Feelings? I can only say shocked at how far I fell, but how should I answer. I was thinking with a blank look when the teacher gazed at me with a serious expression.
"Honestly, it was beyond my imagination that Kisshouin-san's grades would drop so far. I looked at your grades from elementary school, but they were wonderful. All the teachers that I spoke with said that you were a diligent student with a good attitude in class who got good grades, a very fine reputation. I believed so, too. I wasn't worried about you at all." But, her eyes narrowed. "What happened for your grades to drop so much? I'd like you to tell me if something's wrong." What's wrong? I can't say that I was love-struck and couldn't study.
"I don't think that I put in enough effort this time. I'm sorry."
"Um, this has become a problem. Not just the test results, but your recent attitude in class. Some of the teachers have said that you're in a daze and not paying attention. And then these results. What caused this?"
Huh? It's that bad? All because my grades dropped!? More like, am I being treated like a delinquent!? It's not 'as expected of Reika-sama' anymore. I'm now a delinquent who was called out to the student counseling room!
"So, Kisshouin-san. Are you being tricked by some bad boys?"
"Huh?" Where did that come from?
"When girls suddenly show bad behavior, it often involves a boy. For a diligent and capable student like Kisshouin-san to change so much, have you started seeing a strange boy?" The teacher leaned in. Another words, I'm going out with a bad boy, and became a delinquent. How could this be? While I was merrily in love, I was about to be labeled a bad girl!
"No, there's nothing like that at all." He's not a bad boy, but a capable student with good grades and the student council president. I don't go out with him, I've not even had a chance to speak with him since then. I only rolled around in my room muttering 'Gufufu, Romeo-senpai.'
However, because of my laziness, things have turned serious!
"There's been talk about contacting your parents to about this matter." Huh!? It's that serious!? Enough for teacher's to discuss in a meeting?! There are plenty of kids with worse grades! Why am I treated like a delinquent!?
"Um, there really is nothing. I was just lax this time. I'll reflect on this and work harder for next time."
"…Kisshouin-san had the faith of the school, so we were shocked by what happened. How about you coming to the supplemental classes over the summer holidays?"
"Supplemental classes?" The junior high has supplemental classes aimed at students with bad grades over summer vacation. Others who are motivated also attend, but these are few. Supplemental classes… From 'as expected of Reika-sama' to supplemental classes… But they probably intent do use this to monitor me over summer vacation. There are students who completely change after returning after the summer. With bad friends. But I don't have bad friends. I barely have any friends at all. Almost nobody will see me privately… How would I turn into a delinquent when I'm at home by myself?
Oh, well. You reap what you sow. I have to work to redeem myself. "Very well. I'll attend the supplemental classes." My first summer vacation in junior high might become dull.
I headed to school on the first day of supplemental classes. When I told my family about attending, they were shocked. Mother was baffled, asking, "They're making you attend school over these grades?" but in my case, they were more worried about something other than grades. I can't reveal that "they think I'm hanging out with some bad boys," since that would cause even more trouble, so I remain silent. Onii-sama looked at my grades, deep in thought. Sorry that I'm a disappointing little sister…
But I feel deep regret over this incident. I was stunned that my grades dropping would cause such a mess. I do admit that I had grown slothful. I caused a lot of people to worry, after all. My tutor, Karin-sensei was depressed wondering if she used the wrong teaching method.
And greatest problem from my laziness is that I've grown fat. When I laugh, my dimples aren't as clear because of the extra meat. I thought it was just my imagination, but my plump stomach declares, "This is reality!" Oh, no. I like the A-line one piece, but I don't want the body for it. I really don't want the plump tanuki-child stomach!
This summer, I'm going to work hard and change.
Because of the number of students, the supplemental class students for each grade was gathered in one classroom. When I entered, the students who were already inside looked at me in surprise. Gokigen yoh, everyone. I thought I made a friendly smile, but everyone looked away. Why?
Most of the students in the class had bad grades and none of them really stood out, either. Probably at the bottom rung of the school caste. Nobody at my level is here. I probably have a few girls in my group with grades worse than mine, but they'd go to cram school or get a tutor, and wouldn't attend supplemental classes. And rebellious kids wouldn't be here, either.
The ones attending are harmless and quiet, who spend their time at school out of the way. I sat in the back of the room, and the students nearby moved away quietly. There were several groups of friends who sat together, but I'm on an island by myself. I look out the window and is that a mirage? The scenery wavers… I am not crying.
The cost of being love-struck was high. The painful and lonely classes have only just begun.
