After the festival, Yotsuba gave Raiha the fireworks she had won, and the eight of us, including Ichika, set them off together.

* * *

—The Next Morning—

For the first time in a while, I head to school alone.

I’m enjoying the solitude when it’s quickly interrupted by a girl.

Ichika: "Yo. Morning~"

Kiyotaka: "Yeah. Morning."

She jogs up beside me and starts walking together.

Ichika: "Huh? No comment on the winter uniform?"

Kiyotaka: "It suits you."

Ichika: "Do you really mean that? Oh well. School’s close anyway, let’s walk together."

Kiyotaka: "You stand out. We’ll see each other during tutoring. There’s no need to walk together now."

Ichika: "I want to. And I told everyone about my job yesterday. They were shocked, but I feel refreshed."

Kiyotaka: "At your current grades, it’ll still be tough."

Ichika: "I’ll work hard. We’re having study sessions after school, right? I’ll message you."

She wants to join on her own.

Kiyotaka: "That’s good. Do your best."

Ichika: "Why do you sound like it’s someone else’s problem? Teach me properly, okay? I’m counting on you, sensei. Oh right."

She holds out her phone.

Ichika: "Let’s exchange numbers."

Kiyotaka: "Sure."

My first time getting a girl’s contact information.

It’s useful for tutoring, but Futaro is the main tutor, not me.

Kiyotaka: "Exchange with Futaro too."

Ichika: "Oh, right. He probably needs it more. I’ll tell the others to exchange too."

Kiyotaka: "That helps. Though will he ask?"

Ichika: "Don’t worry."

She seems confident.

It’s nice when someone understands without me saying much.

* * *

Classroom

"Midterms start next week. Just to remind you, failing is below 30 points."

So it begins.

Ichika, Miku, and Yotsuba have been improving through study sessions.

I notice Futaro heading toward Itsuki.

Inviting her to the study session will likely fail.

I look outside for a bit, then message Ichika that we’ll meet in the library after school.

After the session, as Futaro and I walk home—

Itsuki: "Father told me to hand you the phone."

Futaro takes it.

Futaro: "Hello."

Call—same as the original.

Futaro: "Damn it."

He nearly vents on Itsuki’s phone.

Itsuki: "That’s my phone!"

Kiyotaka: "What did he say?"

Futaro: "If even one of the five fails the midterm, I’m fired."

That’s extreme.

Now is not the time to fight Itsuki or Nino.

It feels impossible.

* * *

—Nakano Residence—

Why are we playing Life?

Futaro: "Even in a game I’m poor... Hahaha... This isn’t the time to enjoy this!"

Ichika: "We studied a lot today."

Yotsuba: "My head’s about to burst."

They’ve worked hard.

Miku: "You seem more anxious than usual. Are we really in that much danger?"

Ichika: "Kiyotaka-kun looks tense too."

Kiyotaka: "I look the same as always."

Ichika: "I have a proposal."

Nino: "What? Slacking off again? I’ll join."

Kiyotaka: "Then switch with me."

Itsuki joins too.

Nino: "You joining?"

Futaro: "Itsuki, about yesterday—"

Itsuki: "I have self-study to do. Excuse me."

Nino: "Tutoring’s over. Go home."

Futaro: "Yeah."

Ichika: "Wait, Nino. Didn’t you say they’re staying over to teach tonight?"

Kiyotaka: "That’s right."

Nino and Futaro: "Huh?"

* * *

After the bath, I talk with Ichika.

Kiyotaka: "Thanks earlier."

Ichika: "That’s good. I don’t know what you’re hiding, but try your best."

Kiyotaka: "I will."

Futaro comes out of the bath looking flustered.

Futaro: "Let’s start test prep. Nino, join us?"

Nino: "No thanks."

Ichika pushes Miku toward Futaro.

Ichika: "Miku has questions."

Miku: "Ichika..."

Futaro: "Ask me anything."

Yotsuba: "How do you say debate in English?"

Futaro: "Good question. Debate. It’ll be on the test. Remember it as de-bate."

Miku: "What’s your type?"

Futaro: "What? Is that relevant?"

Yotsuba: "I’m curious."

Futaro: "For every page you fill, I’ll reveal my top three favorite traits."

They get motivated.

Ichika: "Kiyotaka-kun, aren’t you joining?"

Kiyotaka: "No demand for it."

Ichika: "I want to know."

Kiyotaka: "Fine. We’ll alternate."

They fill pages quickly.

Futaro: "Third place, always energetic."

Kiyotaka: "Third place, same hobbies."

Futaro: "Good at cooking."

Kiyotaka: "Funny."

Futaro: "Cares about her brother."

Nino: "That’s your sister!"

Futaro: "You listening? Want to study?"

Nino: "Hard not to hear."

Futaro: "I told you before. Romance is—"

Ichika: "Wow, Miku finished her work. Praise her."

She grabs Futaro’s arm and uses it to pat Miku’s head.

Ichika: "I finished another page. So tell me."

She whispers near my ear.

Kiyotaka: "Fine. First place is..."

* * *

While that happens, they’re noisy.

Itsuki: "I thought study sessions were quieter."

Ichika: "Sorry."

Itsuki: "Miku, can I borrow your headphones? I want to concentrate alone."

Futaro: "Can I trust you?"

Itsuki: "I don’t want to be a burden."

Futaro: "Then why—"

Kiyotaka: "Calm down. You’ll make it worse."

Futaro drinks water to settle down.

Ichika: "Want to talk on the balcony? The stars are beautiful."

Kiyotaka: "You can see them this clearly?"

Ichika: "Perks of the top floor. I passed the audition."

Kiyotaka: "That’s good."

Ichika: "Those two fight a lot."

Kiyotaka: "They’re similar. Maybe sibling rivalry."

Ichika: "We thought the same. But today was different. I want them to fight while staying close."

Kiyotaka: "Contradictory, but I understand."

Ichika: "I knew you would. I’ll do what I can. Take care of them."

She feels mature.

Kiyotaka: "Even if born at the same time, you’re still the eldest."

I gently pat her head.

Ichika: "What’s with that hand?"

Kiyotaka: "You said praise those who work hard."

Ichika: "Did I? It’s warm tonight."

Kiyotaka: "No, it’s cold. Let’s go back."

Ichika: "Is it?"

She stays under the night breeze, her cheeks slightly red.