37 - They say 50 steps is hardly different from 100 steps, but I think 50 steps is big enough (Patreon)

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“BueEee”
“...”
“BueEee”
“...”
“...BueEee!”
“Shut up!”

In front of me, the one who was making the strange noise was Tadashi. He's slumped over his desk while letting out something that sounds like a B-movie zombie.

“Didn’t I say ‘bueeee’! Ask me what happened!”
“You're just feeling languid after the events are over anyway.”
“That’s true, but... it's so boring, Kazuki.”

Tadashi is basically the type of person who takes an active role in any event and enjoys it to the fullest. Therefore, when there is no more event, he loses motivation all at once.
After all, the only event left in the second term is everyone's favorite test.

“Tests are a kind of event, you know. You should give your all to the tests as well.”
“Tests are boring! Cultural festivals are fun! That's all!”

Tadashi is a mood maker, but he's not an excellent person.
His grades are poor, and his excitement can actually make the atmosphere worse instead. He's like a person with communication level 99, but he's not an absolute being.

Once the events are over, Tadashi's presence becomes noticeably weaker. Even more so  if it is before the test.

“In the first place, Kazuki wasn’t that positive about the test last year, right?”
“Because I have a goal now.”

Even though I have Hiuri look over my studies every time, I haven't been able to get good grades. They are going up, but only slightly.
This time, I want to get a grade that will make Hiuri say, “You did well.”

“Besides, it's not like I did nothing like Tadashi did last year. I studied every day.”
“Damn.”

I just didn't actively study for the test, but I did a review every day at home. If you’re doing your assignment, it's not hard to spend time reviewing.
Tadashi would sometimes forget his assignments, so I guess he doesn't have a habit of studying every day.

“Tadashi, how about doing it with me? I can't teach you anything, but wouldn't it be easier to concentrate if you had someone with you?”
“I have a tendency to explode if I study for more than 30 minutes.”
“This school would be in pieces by now.”

Well but, in the sense that his concentration lasted only 30 minutes, I guess it wasn't necessarily wrong.
I think he could still manage if he took a break every 30 minutes... but then again, Tadashi doesn't have the desire to study in the first place...

“...I prefer the princess, not you.”
“Don't be absurd.”
“She’d come if you’re the one who asks! Please!”

Hmm, I don't like it because it seems like we’re taking advantage of Hiuri... but I can't let Tadashi's grades keep getting lower like this.

She might complain about this in the dream, but... I'll try inviting her as much as I can.

“Then Tadashi, you should come with me. Or rather, you ask.”
“Eh, you want me to talk to Black Thorn Princess?”
“Rather, what else is there to do? It's Tadashi's request, so fulfill it yourself. I'll give you some advice as well.”
“Then... I got it.”

I let Tadashi walk in front and we go to the classroom next door.
There with Hiuri, was Hayashi-san and Kannazuki-san. When she isn’t visiting me, it seems that the three of them basically talk together.

“Wai, wait a minute! Are you telling me to talk to that thing?”
“Didn’t Tadashi already say that?”
“I can still manage if the princess was alone, but... or rather, you don't seem to care or know, but those two girls have their own fans, you know!?”

Is that so? I do think they’re cute, but... Hiuri is there after all...

“If I talk there and people find out, I'll die!”
“It'll be fine. Even I talk to those people sometimes.”
“That's because it's you! There's nothing the boys can do about it because of the princess!”

Apparently Tadashi can't even talk to them.
To be honest, even last year, I never felt in awe of Hiuri and the others, so I could have talked to them if I had a business...

“In other words, Tadashi is a wuss just like the other boys.”
“Isn’t just the thought of inviting her a progress?”
“That doesn’t change anything.”

I'm sure there are many boys out there who have thought about inviting her. Like Tadashi, they just gave up before even talking to her.

“Then how about the two of us study together?”
“No! I'd rather play!”

...Well, you don't like two guys studying, do you? I don't really want to either.
That said, if Tadashi continues to be an idiot, it won't be good for Tadashi... it can’t be helped. Let me use a taboo card against Tadashi.

“They won’t take you along to archaeological research.”
“Guh.”

Tadashi's parents are archaeologists. Perhaps because of this, Tadashi also likes archaeology quite a bit, and they often take them along to their research. However, it seems like they won't take him along as long as his grades are bad.
Therefore, the word archeology is a kind of trump card. This is a card that will definitely deal damage to Tadashi.

“...All right, let's do this!”
“Yeah, that’s good.”

Furthermore, since we are having this conversation at the entrance of the classroom, we are already attracting attention. Before we know it, Hiuri and the others are also looking towards us.
Even while being frightened by their gaze, Tadashi continues to advance inside the classroom.

I more or less go with him. But this time, since Tadashi is walking ahead of me, it seems like all eyes are on him.

“Um, Sakura-san.”
“What is it?”

Hiuri's cold gaze pierces Tadashi. Well, if he did something that conspicuous, of course she'd be wary...

“Umm, that’s.”
“...”
“Ummm...”

Tadashi was completely intimidated by Hiuri's gaze and was unable to formulate his next words.

In the meantime, Kannazuki-san and Hayashi-san move away from Hiuri and approach me.

“Hey, boyfriend-kun, what's with this situation?”
“Tadashi... my friend is summoning his courage.”
“Could it be a confession? Is it a confession!? Boyfriend-kun, are you okay with that!?”
“It's not a confession. He’s just saying he wants to study together...”
“Eeh~ that’s boring.”

It seems that Hayashi-san has lost all interest.

“Nakano-kun, are you sure you don't need to save him?”
“I can’t give Tadashi any advice or anything unless he invites her first.”
“...That’s true too.”

The three of us look at Tadashi.
He takes a single deep breath and...

“Sakura-san, could you please watch over my study?”

Yeah, straight. But, it seems that saying it straight would be better with Hiuri, so this is also the optimal solution.

“Why me?”
“That’s because… it motivates me!”
“Haa...”

Hiuri sighs.
Tadashi is honest to a fault that I can't help but be exasperated. But, since he doesn't decorate things in any strange way, from Hiuri's perspective, Tadashi's invitation should be the correct one...

“Ah, that's right. Kazuki is coming too! Right?”
“Hey, could you please stop treating me like a detergent that comes with a newspaper solicitation?”
“Or rather, don’t you like that kind of role?''

Well, that's true. I feel most comfortable to be the sub rather than the main.

“...Let’s see.”
“Please!”

Hiuri doesn't seem too keen on the idea. There’s no merit to Hiuri studying with Tadashi after all.
And, Hayashi-san, who is watching this, approaches Hiuri. Then, she whispers something in Hiuri's ear. I don't know what she's saying though...

“......”
“...!”
“...!!”
“...?”
“...!”
“...All right. Fine.”

After a series of exchanges, what Hiuri said is an agreement.

“Yosshaa!”

Tadashi shouts, and boos fly from the boys in the classroom and even from the boys in the hallway who were there before we know it.

“Um, Hayashi-san, what did you say to her?”

I asked Hayashi-san, who is next to a delighted Tadashi.
The answer is...

“It’s-a-Se-cret”
“I know right...”

What on earth did she say?

――――

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