The study session begins.

"Um, doesn't this seating feel kind of weird?"

For some reason Takatsuka-san and Iwabuchi-san are sitting on either side of me.

If Takatsuka-san and I are the ones teaching then Iwabuchi-san should be in the middle.

Because of the distance and height between the sofa and the glass low table in front of it we decided not to use the sofa and instead sit in front of it but the distance between me and the two on either side is way too close and we end up pressed right against each other.

"Isn’t it hard to teach Iwabuchi-san like this?"

Also even if Takatsuka-san is fine being pressed up against Iwabuchi-san the whole time will make it hard for me to concentrate.

Iwabuchi-san took off her blazer so she’s just in her shirt and even the slightest touch feels soft...

"You’re mistaken but I have no intention of teaching Iwabuchi."

"Huh really?"

I assumed that since she provided the place Takatsuka-san would also help her avoid failing...

"Hmm I’d rather not be taught by Takatsuka-san either. Feels like she’d be super strict."

"Yeah. I show no mercy to idiots."

"I’m not an idiot!"

Iwabuchi-san puffs her cheeks.

But just because she’s bad at studying doesn’t mean she’s stupid.

Even in a fast-paced sport like basketball she moves quickly and accurately and coordinates with teammates and reads the defense.

If anything she’s quick-witted.

"I just want to study next to Hayama-kun. Isn’t that adorable? So don’t worry about unnecessary things and just teach Iwabuchi properly."

"Hayama-kun for now I feel like I can actually focus so please while I can!"

If Iwabuchi-san is this motivated it’s better to teach her while she has momentum.

"Sorry. Then let’s start with this page—"

While she solves problems I study my own work and once she finishes I explain the questions she got wrong.

That’s how we proceed.

Next to me Takatsuka-san is solving problems and the light sound of her pen echoes from my left.

It seems like she won’t be messing with me this time.

"Okay then try this next one."

"I-I’ll do my best..."

Even though she looks like she’s struggling and poking her head with her fingers she hasn’t reached the point of letting out strange noises like last time and is steadily working through the problems.

Maybe changing the environment worked.

I’m grateful to Takatsuka-san for letting us use her place.

"Man, now it’s memorization. I’m bad at this, it's inefficient."

"Eh memorization is easier isn’t it? You just have to remember it."

Iwabuchi-san, who had been focused on the workbook, turns toward Takatsuka-san.

"That’s because you’re a muscle-brained type like Iwabuchi."

"Too bad. I don’t train my brain muscles."

"...Iwabuchi, are you serious?"

"Eh what’s with that reaction... why are you looking at me like I’m some rare creature..."

Ignoring the stunned Iwabuchi-san Takatsuka-san pulls out a set of flashcards.

"Hiu!"

"What happened? Hayama-kun do you also make weird noises when you hate studying?"

"N-no that’s not it... just don’t worry about me and keep solving."

Iwabuchi-san looks confused but goes back to solving problems.

But Takatsuka-san doesn’t stop.

Since she’s holding flashcards and no longer using her pen her free right hand reaches over and starts rubbing my thigh.

That’s why I made a sound.

There’s no way I can focus like this...

As if that’s not enough she wraps her arm around my left arm and presses her chest against me.

This kind of harassment is normal but today feels different.

It’s softer than usual.

Like I’m directly touching it...

No way.

My cheeks and back heat up instantly.

"No bra."

Takatsuka-san whispers so only I can hear.

I knew it! Under that thin hoodie is something outrageous!

"Huh? Takatsuka-san didn’t you just say no bra?"

Iwabuchi-san turns toward her again.

"I said noble. Noble means dignified refined fair. Basically me. You’re the one mishearing things in a perverted way."

Takatsuka-san holds up her flashcards.

"Oh I see..."

Iwabuchi-san looks slightly disappointed and goes back to studying.

"Hayama-kun how about you? Are you remembering your memorization subjects properly?"

"O-of course. I don’t set aside dedicated time like you but I memorize during spare moments."

Though with what’s happening right in front of me I feel like I’m about to forget a few words.

"I see. You don’t have homemade flashcards like me?"

"I mostly use store-bought ones."

"I see. Then I’ll show you mine as a special treat. You can use it as reference. It’ll definitely help you progress. Here take a look."

It’s not a bad idea to learn from the top student’s methods.

Thinking that I try to look at what she’s holding but my gaze stops before reaching her hand.

The zipper of her hoodie which had been fully closed is now lowered to her chest and what I can see is clearly bare skin with nothing underneath.

More precisely the cleavage that’s fuller than I expected.

If she lowers it any more I might see everything...

"Hehe what’s wrong? Don’t hold back. Take a good look and learn."

What exactly is she trying to make me improve at!?

I want to resist but the impulses from my lower body are washing away my composure.

"I usually use you as reference to help myself so it’s only fair I return the favor."

What exactly is she using me as reference for?

I’m too scared to ask!

"What kind of amazing flashcards are those? Let me see too."

Iwabuchi-san shows interest.

Even with Iwabuchi-san right next to me the one I like I’m getting flustered by Takatsuka-san... that’s basically cheating.

We’re not even dating though.

"No way. There’s nothing for Iwabuchi to see."

"Eh you’ve got some instant memorization cheat sheet right?"

"That doesn’t exist. Don’t assume there are shortcuts for everything."

"Geez you’re so stingy. Huh? Hayama-kun are you okay? Your face is red."

"I-I’m fine! I just got a bit lightheaded from sitting too long!"

"You don’t get lightheaded just from sitting."

Iwabuchi-san laughs innocently.

"No there’s no such thing as impossible. Try standing up Hayama-kun. We’ve been packed together this whole time so maybe we’ve been sharing too much oxygen."

"I-I don’t think I need to stand..."

"Oh? Is there a reason you don’t want to stand?"

"Geez Takatsuka-san really!"

As a form of protest I shove her shoulder like a sumo push and in that moment secretly zip her hoodie all the way up to hide her chest.

"Hayama-kun is it okay?"

"What is it Iwabuchi-san?"

"I finished the part you pointed out so I want you to check it."

"Ah yeah."

I feel bad that she’s been seriously studying even in this situation.

"Well I’m satisfied. I’m going to the bathroom for a bit."

Takatsuka-san stands up and heads toward the entrance.

Finally I can relax. She really keeps me on edge.

Now then how did Iwabuchi-san do—

"Hayama-kun are you dating Takatsuka-san?"

"What!?"

My hand slips while marking her answers and the circle I draw becomes crooked.

"Eh why are you so surprised? You two are always alone behind the school building during lunch."

Iwabuchi-san tilts her head while thinking.

That gesture itself is really cute but...

"And now she invited you to her room too. You’re a guy so you’d have to be really close for that right?"

"Th-that’s not it."

The last person I want misunderstanding this is misunderstanding it and I start panicking.

"Sure we might be friends but Takatsuka-san is just playing around with me. It’s totally different from being lovers."

"I see."

Iwabuchi-san idly holds her mechanical pencil between her nose and lips looking bored so I wonder if she’s not interested but—

"That’s good then. Oh you’re done grading. How was it?"

"Um your accuracy improved compared to before."

"Nice! Just like I thought studying in a different environment really helps!"

"Yeah. Maybe being in an unfamiliar place creates a good sense of tension. I didn’t expect you to do this well so your effort exceeded my expectations."

As expected since she’s dedicated to basketball once she focuses she can show amazing ability.

"Hehe really? At this rate I might even get a perfect score."

Seeing her get carried away so easily makes her adorably silly.

"I’m back. You two were alone for a bit, did anything interesting happen?"

Takatsuka-san returns holding a tray with glasses for all of us.

"Hayama-kun praised me saying I’m good at studying."

"Hm? Which kind of studying?"

"What do you mean which kind there’s only the studying we’re doing here..."

She really never lets her guard down.

"Here. I brought maté tea for you so drink it."

Even though it’s a kind gesture I can’t help but be suspicious but I accept it anyway.

* * *

After that we resume studying.

It seems Takatsuka-san wants to maintain her first-place rank so she studies seriously from then on.

Not only that, she also supplements my explanations when Iwabuchi-san doesn’t fully understand something helping her study.

At her core she really is someone who takes care of others.

Come to think of it.

I feel like Iwabuchi-san muttered something earlier but what was it?