YM778.TV Chapter 56
Overall, his scores were even better than in previous tests. It was nice to see that his studies with Shizuna had paid off, and he was happy to see the results of his labor in concrete numbers.
Supplementary lessons Ive got supplementary lessons
Hang in there, man.
Ugh I shouldve studied harder
His classmate in the seat next to him was devastated with despair, and Ryuichi too muttered, Hang in there, in his heart.
As he was looking at his results like this, his eyes met Shizunas, who was talking with her friends at a faraway seat.
?
The instant their eyes met, she beckoned him with her hand, seemingly telling him to come over. Thinking back, this was her first time calling out to him like this, since she had always been the one to come to Ryuichi.
Heyo, Shishido-kun~.
How did you do?
Having been asked this question by Shizunas friends who hed come to be acquainted with through her, Ryuichi readily spread his results on the desk, having nothing in particular to be embarrassed about.
Wow.
Youre so smart even though youre a delinquent.
You didnt have to add the delinquent part, did you?
All of her friends were spouting rude things, but Ryuichi was already used to hearing that. Plus, Shizuna was laughing happily with her hand over her mouth, and once he saw her smile, he felt no need to retort at them.
Hnng.
As he was staring at Shizuna, each of the girls suddenly blushed and cast their gazes downward. He wondered what was wrong with them, and they looked at Ryuichi and said this:
What can I say Shishido really is one hell of a hottie, huh.
Yeah, yeah. The look on his face when he was staring at Shizuna just now It was so badass and crazy cool.
Fufu, Ryuichi-kuns always cool.
Since it was a well-known fact that Ryuichi and Shizuna were dating, her friends laughed happily when she fondly spoke of him like this.
Well, the matter of the fact was, although Sohei had been the one who was closest to Shizuna, they never ended up going out, so it was as if Shizuna had never had a man in her life.
Shizunas a total beauty herself. Ill never get tired of staring at her.
Hyuu~
! Oh you, Ryuichi-kun.
It wasnt like hed said that to get back at her for calling him cool, but Shizunas face reddened at his words as she happily hit his chest. Finding even that gesture of hers cute, the girls couldnt resist hugging her.
Youre too cute, Shizuna!
I cant anymore Hey, Shishido, gimme Shizuna please.
Dont be ridiculous. Shizunas my girl.
Kya!
Ryuichi pulled Shizunas arm toward him a little forcefully. He felt bad for applying a bit too much force, but the joy in Shizunas voice seemed to indicate that he did not need to worry about that.
There were still many students in the classroom, and as such, some of the girls blushed when Ryuichi embraced Shizuna, who was arguably the most beautiful girl in the class.
Well, I guess I shouldve expected this would happen now that Ive changed.
It feels like youre a knight protecting a princess.
If Im a knight, how upstanding and righteous would arealknight have to be?
If Im a knight, how upstanding and righteous would a
real
knight have to be?
Pufu?!
Shizuna laughed at Ryuichis words. No one would have any qualms about Shizuna being called a princess, but as for him being a knight, even he did not want to imagine himself as that.
Fufu, if I have you protecting me, Id feel safe against any opponent.
Im telling you, you gotta put that joke to rest, his tired expression seemed to say. However, Shizuna and her friends seemed to think they should expand on the topic further.
But you know, if Shishido was a knight, what do you think his weapon would be? A regular sword?
He wouldnt be wielding a sword. Hed be wielding an axe or a hammer, for sure.
Ah, thats true. Hed let his strength do all the talking!
Yup!
Yall are saying whatever you want now, huh.
Incidentally, there was a time when Ryuichi too had had a penchant for all things fantasy. Although it hadnt been as bad as the infamouschuunibyouphase, hed been inspired by a certain manga and looked up to swords as weapons. But, thats neither here nor there.
Incidentally, there was a time when Ryuichi too had had a penchant for all things fantasy. Although it hadnt been as bad as the infamous
chuunibyou
phase, hed been inspired by a certain manga and looked up to swords as weapons. But, thats neither here nor there.
Alright, lets head home.
Yes.
He went out into the hallway with Shizuna. In doing so, he ran into Sohei, but he was, as expected, different now.
See you later, Shishido, Shizuna.
See ya.
Yup. See you later, Sohei-kun.
Sohei had restored his relationship with not just Ryuichi, but also Shizuna to some extent. It was almost as if hed become a different person, and perhaps hed thought about how his relationship with Shizuna should be as hed now gone back to being proper childhood friends with her.
It was no longer a matter of whether or not he was going out with Shizuna, it was about respecting what they had with each other now because theyd been together for a long time and were very close to each other.
You look happy, huh?
Eh? Really?
Ryuichi said this to Shizuna, whose cheeks were happily slackened. She thought for a moment, glanced at Sohei as he left, and continued her words.
Ive been together with him since I was a little girl. Maybe thats why Im so happy now that things have turned out like this. He even sent me a message telling me to be happy with you, you know?
Really, now?
He was honestly surprised because he hadnt known that. It was true that Sohei had said something similar to him when they went to the club together the other day, but he didnt think hed tell that to Shizuna.
Hes a good guy.
Yup. Falling in love with him is an entirely different matter, though.
Well, that cant be helped, can it? Ryuichi gave a wry smile.
Now then, school had ended for the day, but Ryuichi still had his part-time job to do.
Time to work my ass off at work again today!
Good luck, Ryuichi-kun.
Yeah.
Because me and my mom will be visiting today.
Huh?
He thought hed misheard her, but apparently that wasnt the case. He had been looking forward to having a peaceful day of regular, hard work since Chisa and Satsuki had no plans to visit today, but apparently that wouldnt be possible.
Youre really coming?
Yup.
With this, it seemed that it was set in stone that the two would come together. Ryuichi dropped her off at her home and from there he immediately headed for the club.
Yo.
Hey, Ryuichi. Youre here.
The manager, who was sitting on the sofa watching TV, noticed his arrival. After setting down his bag and making some preparations, Ryuichi sat down next to him, as he still had some time to spare.
Here.
Thanks.
He handed Ryuichi some chocolate, and Ryuichi thanked him as he threw it in his mouth.
Youve become more honest too, huh. In the past, when I tried to give you sweets like this, you wouldnt accept them.
Did I?
Indeed, when he thought back on it, he felt that that had been the case.
It may have been because Ryuichi wasnt the type of person who liked sweets much in the first place, but the fact that he was starting to eat sweets like this was probably due in large part to the fact that he was spending time with Shizuna.
Whenever I go to her house or she comes to mine, she always offers me sweets. Maybe that has something to do with it, too.
I see. Heh, Ive heard shes a good cook too, so she must really know you well.
Yeah. I dont think Ill ever be a match for her for the rest of my life.
If he told this to Shizuna, she would probably tell him that that wasnt true, but Ryuichi really felt that way about her. The manager patted Ryuichis head strongly, saying that that part of him had changed too, but Ryuichi strangely did not brush it off.
You have a large build and a stern face, but a lot of people really cherish you. Im sure you already know youre popular with older people, dont you?
Well, sorta.
Sure, youre a bad kid. But to be honest, theres a kind of parental love in me that really wants you to overcome a lot of things.
Im half-grateful and half-jealous that it wasnt me, but women you met later in life who showed you that.
Ryuichi stood up and told the manager, whod created a gloomy atmosphere, that he was grossed out.
Yknow, I really appreciate everything youve done for me, boss.
I see.
Im gonna head to the toilet.
He was still embarrassed when it came to expressing his gratitude, especially when it was to someone who had been taking care of him for so long. Flustered by the warmth of the managers gaze, he headed for the restroom as if to run away.