Ch.261Final Exams

Finally, the final exams were approaching.

Surprisingly, all my girlfriends studied hard. The risk of banning lovey-dovey time during the holiday after finals was quite significant. Everyone studied diligently within their capabilities.

“I-I can solve more than half the problems in the textbook!!”

Umi shouted with tremendous excitement.

“I-I see… Umi. That’s impressive.”

I said while patting her head. Half was quite something. If she aimed solidly for fifty percent, she wouldn’t fail.

“Well… let’s go.”

Tina said that and then put on brass knuckles.

“Wait. Tina. What are those knuckles for?”

I immediately questioned Tina.

“If I eliminate students who study better than me… I might avoid failing, right?”

Tina said with a smile.

“Stop!! Don’t resort to such methods from the start!! Please!”

I quickly stopped Tina.

Besides, they grade on a curve anyway! Even if fewer students take the exam, it’s meaningless if you can’t study well!!

“Tch.”

Tina eventually put away her knuckles and started memorizing vocabulary. No… she should have taken out the vocabulary book first. Why did she take out the knuckles first?

“Hmph. This is why stupid girls are…”

Kana was leisurely maintaining her sword. Well, she’s good at studying anyway.

“Good luck on your exams, everyone.”

Mika, who attended a different school, spoke with a languid expression before grabbing her bag and heading off to school. Mika surprisingly maintained a stable middle-rank in academics. There seemed to be nothing to worry about.

“Yeah. Take care.”

Kirtan was lying on the sofa watching a TV show. She’s completely adapted to life on Earth now. Truly remarkable adaptability.

——–

On my way to school, I immediately ran into Sasith and Prill. He’s really sticking close to Prill. Because of this guy, I had to fill in for him in the community. From what I checked, Sasith had completed more than half. He just needed to quickly finish the remaining half.

“Ahh… I hate exams!”

“I didn’t study at all!!”

Students were chattering about exams as they walked to school.

“People who truly didn’t study don’t say such things. Sasith. Just quietly drop out.”

I said bluntly to Sasith.

“Indeed… coming from a former hikikomori, those words carry weight.”

Sasith nodded.

Anyway, we headed into the classroom.

——–

“Alright! Everyone, do your best on the exams!!”

Our homeroom teacher said with a bright smile.

The self-deprecating teacher from before was nowhere to be seen!! He had transformed into an incredibly positive person…! Moreover, his face showed the distinctive composure of a happy person.

‘Is this… the power of love…!!’

While I was glad the teacher was happy… his character had died.

Anyway, the exams began like that.

The exams lasted for three days.

‘Ahh… too easy…!!’

I held back from screaming during the exam. My pen… my pen won’t stop! Someone… please stop me…!!

It was just a first-year high school curriculum, and as long as I was careful with the memorization subjects, the rest was easy to solve.

And so, the three days passed.

“Ahh… is that it?”

I said with a relaxed expression.

“Yeah. It’s over.”

Umi smiled sweetly and immediately took my hand.

*Slide-!*

After that, Umi opened the window. Oh, wanting some fresh air? Sure, that’s nice.

“Shota. Let’s commit suicide together.”

Umi said with a refreshing expression.

“What are you saying!! Umi!!”

Umi… what on earth are you talking about!!!

“What?! Are you saying you won’t commit suicide with me?!”

Umi immediately got angry.

“That’s so backwards…!!”

“Commit suicide with me!! If you love me, do it!”

Umi tried to push me toward the window.

“You crazy woman!! Stop it!”

I struggled with Umi.

The other students in the class just calmly watched the scene.

Somehow… Umi and I had become firmly established as the class’s foolish couple. I already had a weirdo image, but Umi’s image had changed quite a bit. Previously, she had a haughty gyaru vibe. But now… she had become silly. Yes, I had to admit she was influenced by me. I’m sorry, Umi… when you love someone, you become like them. But still.

“Last time at the amusement park!!! You didn’t jump off the Ferris wheel with me!! I was really upset about that!”

Umi shouted.

“No!! Of course I wouldn’t jump off!!”

“That’s right! You don’t love me!! Eeeeek!!!”

Umi had just become a complete weirdo…!!

Persuasion doesn’t work on weirdos.

“Oh you!! This girl!!”

I immediately grabbed Umi’s body and lifted her high. Umi struggled tremendously above me.

“Up, up goes the airplane!!”

Right after that, I gently threw Umi onto the classroom floor.

*Thud-!*

The power bomb landed cleanly.

“Guhuk!!”

Umi finally calmed down.

“Phew… have you come to your senses?”

I helped Umi up.

“Mmm.”

Umi immediately became docile and clung to me. The power bomb effect is amazing.

“Well then, let’s have an after-exam party.”

Eri said while packing her bag.

“Oh! An after-party sounds good!”

Taiga said with a smile.

“After-party… where should we go?”

Kana asked with a slightly expectant expression.

“Sasith’s house.”

I said decisively.

“Huh!! No way!!”

Sasith urgently shouted, throwing away his cool-distant concept. Aing.

“I’m fine with anywhere as long as I’m with Shota.”

Tina immediately seized the opportunity to interject.

“Then let’s go to a karaoke place.”

I said decisively. The cooldown on anime songs had finally reset. I wanted to sing a medley.

“This guy only sings otaku songs when we go to karaoke!!”

Umi made a displeased face.

“This is Japan!! I can legally sing anime songs!!”

I’ve escaped from Korea where you only hear Korean ballads year-round at karaoke! How can I resist anime songs!!

“And you call yourselves Japanese!!”

I’ll scold them!!!

“Being Japanese doesn’t mean your identity is tied to animation…..”

Kana said with an incredulous expression.

“Yes. If Shota likes it, karaoke is fine.”

At that moment, Eri wore a benevolent expression.

“Ohhh….. Eri…!!”

As expected, Eri is the true wife…!!

“Hmph. Eri’s wearing her socks again. I wonder when that mask will come off?”

Umi grinned.

“I’m more open-minded than Umi.”

Eri responded to Umi’s words with a sweet smile.

“Hehehe. We’ll see.”

Umi smiled slyly.

Ahh… Umi. Your intention was clearly conveyed. I was curious about how much Eri would accept my existence.

“Let’s go. To the karaoke.”

I declared resolutely.

“I have something to do with Prill….”

Sasith immediately tried to escape.

*Grab-!*

I grabbed Sasith’s shoulder.

“You’re coming. There are no exceptions to this event.”

I said firmly.

“…….”

Sasith looked at me with a genuinely displeased expression. The fact that he still followed despite that made me like him.

I immediately texted Mika to come to the karaoke. It wouldn’t be right to exclude her just because she’s from a different school.

———

And after going to the karaoke, I immediately started my inconsiderate behavior.

I reserved five songs at once like a brick. And they were all anime songs.

“……Shota. You really like singing, huh?”

Eri maintained her relaxed expression with a sweet smile.

“Wow… your expression doesn’t sour at this? That’s tough!”

Taiga cackled beside us.

At that moment, the song intro played. The distinctive melodious tune of anime songs filled the room.

“Ugh… I really hate this.”

Kana immediately showed her disgust. Tch. This is why normies are…

“Hmm hmm hmm….”

Mika unconsciously hummed along to the melody before bowing her head and falling silent. Are you embarrassed about being an otaku?! Sing proudly!!

And then, my solo performance began.

“Hey!! Hey!!! Kotaete!! Dareka masenka!!!! Zutto sagashitemo kotae nai ya!!”

“Dango!! Dango!! Dango!! Dango!! Dango!! Daikazoku!!!”

“Kimi to natsu no owari shorai no yume okina kibou wasurenai!!”

“Shitai nara!! Shitai toki!!! Shitai desho!!! Issho ni!!!”

Ahh… it feels fresh no matter how many times I sing it!!!

“………..”

Eri’s expression gradually hardened. Ahh… is it too much even for Eri’s motherly power? Somehow… I felt a sense of victory.

“This won’t do!!! Five more songs!!”

I tried to make another brick reservation.

“Stop it!!! You madman!!!”

Finally, Eri threw off her mask and struck the back of my head.

And so, the crazy anime song villain of the karaoke was apprehended on the spot and detained against Eri’s bosom.

“Eri… it hurts….”

I mumbled while nestled against Eri’s chest.

“My heart hurt more when I hit you, Shota.”

Eri smiled and stroked my head.

“Eri mamaaaa!!!”

I immediately acted spoiled toward Eri.

“He’s being ridiculous. Ridiculous.”

Taiga made a comment.

Anyway, after that, everyone sang songs amicably. I discovered that Sasith was surprisingly good at singing. As expected of a protagonist. He was an all-rounder.

——-

The holiday during the exam period was 3 days.

Although it was a holiday, due to adult circumstances about meeting the required number of school days, we had shortened classes until third period in the morning.

“Well. Good job on the exams… and now only the school trip remains! It’s your first school trip since entering high school, right?”

Our homeroom teacher said with a bright smile.

“Like citizens living in a modern democratic society, we decided to determine the school trip destination by vote.”

The homeroom teacher said with a smile.

“There are three candidates!! Now, choose among these. We’ll collect opinions from each class and go to the place that gets the most votes.”

The homeroom teacher said.

Three candidates.

1. Kyoto

“Ah!! Kyoto has entered the race!! The traditional powerhouse of school trip destinations!! It’s a value pick since it’s close, relatively budget-friendly, and has plenty to see!! Right, Commentator Sasith?”

I immediately turned to Sasith.

“What’s with that commentator-like tone…”

Sasith said with a bitter smile. Aing. He could play along a little.

Kyoto… it’s a safe choice. I knew roughly where to go since it appears so often in otaku romance manga.

2. Hawaii

“What!! Hawaii?!! That honeymoon destination?!”

I really didn’t expect this one. I didn’t think a rural school would go to Hawaii.

“Is Hawaii that unusual?”

Kana didn’t seem to understand my shock.

“It’s cheaper than Europe. It’s optimal for a school trip.”

Kana said indifferently.

“You rich kid!!!”

I immediately punished Kana by vigorously ruffling her hair.

“Stop it! Shotaaa!!”

Kana hit me with kitty punches, seemingly embarrassed.

“Ahem.”

At the teacher’s word, I finally came to my senses.

And the final candidate was… Bali!!!! Yes, another famous honeymoon destination. It was truly an amazing lineup.

“Now then, let’s have an open discussion.”

The homeroom teacher smiled and clapped once.

After that, everyone engaged in tremendous debate. It was a fervor rivaling that of the National Assembly.

And everyone decided to go to Hawaii.

“Okay!! Got it!! I’ll mention it at the faculty meeting!!”

The homeroom teacher nodded with a smile.

———

As a result of the school-wide vote, Hawaii was selected as expected. If we were going abroad, there was something about the Asian dream of wanting to go to America. Anyway, that’s how it was.

And… in the end, we decided to go to Kyoto. Whether we voted or not, it was ultimately up to the teachers.

“That’s how democracy works in schools.”

I nodded. I was actually half-skeptical, so I didn’t have much expectation.

This was… school democracy!!! In the end, it’s all up to the faculty!!!

And so, we were headed to Kyoto.