As the days flew by, the dynamic between Kotoha and Isanari would change, now it was her that would visit him almost daily. The path to passing the test was an arduous one. As Kotoha had said, she was very rusty on basically every subject. However, Isanari was also there, and similarly, he needed plenty of help in his own studies. Whenever asked why he suddenly had a change of heart by Kotoha, he simply avoided the question. But he would soon realize that Rena knew the answer to that question long ago, so he tried avoiding her when it came to the topic. Normally, Isanari was blunt, but due to these new feelings, these times were a rare case where he would become truly silent for long periods of time.

Rena:"I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but what was the reason you created a gang? You seem like such a nice girl."

Kotoha:"Why, huh?"

Kotoha began to think. After a while, she sighed and began to talk while looking down.

Kotoha:"I used to think that the only way I could be seen. My parents work a lot and didn't give me attention. So, in a fit of jealousy and desperation, I created a gang for that very attention. I was going to stay that way, maybe in fear of changing who I was again, but then the reality of my body hit…In a weird, twisted way, this helped me in the long run."

Rena grabbed Kotoha and hugged her.

Rena:"I'm proud that you can be open about it."

Kotoha:"It's not like I can hide it anyway."

Isanari simply looked on with a smile. As he thought about it, he realized he had forgotten the reason he was such a rebel. Maybe he was looking for his parent's attention, or maybe he was jealous of Maruo's academic success. Whatever it ended up being, he didn't really care. It was time to look at the future.

Isanari:[In my own, twisted way, my poor actions are what brought me here.]

Kotoha was humming her song once again. This sparked Isanari's curiosity after hearing it multiple times.

Isanari:"You have a damn nice voice. Have you ever thought about exploring a career there?"

Kotoha:"Nah...I usually just sing that to help me feel less stressed. Unfortunately, I've never sang it all in one go, my body can't really handle it. But, I read that it could be good exercise for my condition, so there's that."

Isanari:"I see, I was just wondering."

Staying quiet, Rena was trying her best not to squeal. Meanwhile, outside of the classroom, Shimoda was looking with fiery eyes.

Shimoda:"Those bastards are taking her away from me! Why is the perfect, ferocious Nakano-sensei hanging out with them!? Back when I was with her, she would be so strict!? What changed? I refuse to accept it!"

Shimoda noticed another person entering the classroom.

Shimoda:"It's that damn boy again."

The three in the classroom turn to see Maruo.

Maruo:"Are you taking time away from Ms. Nakano again?"

Isanari:"Oh, is the stoic perfectionist feeling...feelings!?"

Instinctively, Isanari turned away from the fear of looking at Maruo's death glare again. Maruo then looked at Rena, who was simply waving.

Maruo:"I simply came to help out. It's clear you're taking this too slow, and I'd rather not have Ms. Nakano's time disappear like this. So move over, Uesugi. I'll make you into a machine."

Isanari:"E-Ehhh…"

...

It was finally the day of the test. The two of them were talking on the phone.

Kotoha:"I'm scared."

Isanari:"There's no reason you should be. You've tried extremely hard for this."

Kotoha:"I know, but what if-"

While Kotoha was talking, a couple of teachers ran past her.

"What are they doing?"

"We can't have them disrupt the test."

Kotoha:"Huh?"

Isanari:"Oh, looks like they showed up."

Kotoha looked out the window of her school to see the gang that she created and left lined up showing their support.

Kotoha:"What...is this?"

Isanari:"Haha, I asked them to cheer for you in case you were feeling down. They were pretty willing to support you, looks like you were a great leader, huh?"

Kotoha:"Isanari-kun…"

Isanari:"Now give them your support, Kotoha-san!"

Kotoha opened the window. The gang stopped screaming to let her talk. She simply took a deep breath and yelled.

Kotoha:"I'm going to ace it!"

At that moment, the gang roared, ecstatic to see their former leader try her best.

Isanari:"Ha, that's one rowdy bunch. Are you alright? That was pretty loud."

Kotoha:"Yeah...I really shouldn't do that often, haha."

Maruo:"Put away your phone."

Isanari:"Ah!"

Isanari jumped, not having noticed Maruo behind him. He and Kotoha quickly hung up as they wished each other luck. Once Maruo and Isanari were getting ready to start, Maruo turned to Isanari.

Maruo:"Don't waste everyone's efforts."

Isanari:"Of course not. Not anymore!"

The test began.

Isanari:"We passed!"

Kotoha:"I'm so glad."

The two newly passing students hugged each other, a job well done.

Rena:"I'm so proud of both of you!"

Isanari:"We barely passed, but it's a start."

Kotoha:"I'll do my best to make you guys proud."

Isanari:"Let's pass the next one with flying colors!"

Maruo was sitting there wondering when the noise was gonna stop.

For the remainder of the year, Kotoha and Isanari would continue to develop their friendship. Through summer, the second semester, their own Sunrise Festival, winter break, New Years and the final semester. Eventually…

Isanari:"I can't believe I actually graduated."

Kotoha:"We'll need to say our goodbyes to Ms. Nakano."

Isanari:"Yep, I need to get the camera so Maruo gets jealous."

Kotoha:"Alright, let's go. Ms. Nakano is waiting."

Isanari:"Ah, before that. There's something we need to do, something we left without a true conclusion."

Kotoha:"Oh? Could this be our long awaited rematch?"

Isanari:"Huh? Oh! Yeah! I'm here to take you down!"

Kotoha:"Very well. Let's fight one more time. I wonder if your attacks have gotten any stronger."

Isanari:"I've got a special attack just for this one."

Kotoha:"Then come!"

Isanari charged at Kotoha, who had taken her stance. He jumped into the air while he was still far away from her. This confused her as he was clearly ready to swing. Without hesitation, Isanari swung brutally through the air as he unleashed his special attack.

Isanari:"I love you, please go out with me!"

As Isanari landed, he got worried as he didn't hear a response.

Isanari:[Oh, crap. Was that too weird!?]

He slowly looked up in fear as he was met with Kotoha's tearful face.

Isanari:"W-Was that so bad you started crying out of pity!?"

Kotoha:"...N-No, it's not that...It's just...Isn't that attack a little too strong?"

Isanari:"Ah…"

She began to cover her mouth.

Kotoha:"I was so scared on making the first move...I thought it would change our relationship…"

Isanari:"Wait...Does that mean…?"

She stopped covering her mouth and locked her hands behind her back.

Kotoha:"Yeah...I love you too, Isanari-kun!"

Isanari:"..."

The only thing Isanari could think to do at this moment was jump up and scream.

Isanari:"Hell yeah!"

End of Chapter 44