Time passed, and the sunlight that shone through the window of the room gradually changed its color, and by nearly 6 pm, at the end of the second set of two hours, the sun had turned into a setting sun.

When Yuriko's timer rang, I let out a big breath. Even though we had a short break, as expected, my head was tired after four hours of work.

"Ah, I'm tired."

Yuriko crossed her arms and stretched them out in front of her as if to stretch. In front of her, Izumi gently closed her notebook and Nagai rubbed her temple with his hand.

Everyone was tired in their own way, after all, and they spent some time drinking tea and munching on Izumi's cookies, of which there were only a few left.

Before long, Yuriko straightened her back and then asked, "How did it go, guys? Have you made progress?"

"Greatly," Nagai replied.

"Izumi-san taught me a lot. Thank you."

"Not at all."

When Nagai thanked her, Izumi shook her head in a small way with her usual nice demeanor.

Yuriko finished the rest of the tea in her glass and asked, "What are we going to do after this? We've already done everything we were supposed to do, should we break up?" She asked the others.

"Since we're here, I think I'd like to continue the session a little longer. If it's all right with Sakamoto and the others."

Nagai looked at me and said, "What do you think?"

"I'm fine. Our dinner time is around 8 p.m. or so. What about Izumi?"

"I'm totally fine with it."

I received a frank answer that made me wonder where she had learned it. She looked a little tired, but she was still smiling, and I could sense that she had plenty of time to spare.

"Then, let's take a break and have a little extra time."

As Yuriko summed up the conversation, I heard the shaking of the cell phone on my desk. I got up and looked at the screen and saw my brother's name on it.

"Yes. What's up?"

When I picked up the phone, I heard my brother's flashy voice saying,? 『Hey, are you free right now?" 』

"I'm studying for the test."

『You're doing something boring.』

"Thanks to you."

I said, and my brother laughed briefly.

『Well, whatever. If you have time after this, why don't we go out for dinner? With Rina-chan too.』

I looked at everyone. Yuriko was looking at me, perhaps curious about the call I had received, and Nagai was talking to Izumi about something.

『......Yuriko and one other friend from my club are here too.』

『What, you're having a study group? I don't mind if it's just about four or so people. Invite everyone. I'm making a lot of extra money right now.』

"Did you get a new job?"

『No, I was on a radio program the other day.』

I was about to respond with something like, "Hmmm," when he said it so casually, but then I thought about it and realized that was pretty amazing. I was surprised after a beat and said,

"Really? You never said anything about that."

『I was embarrassed, so I kept quiet. Besides, mom might be worried.』

"......Well, I guess so. But what kind of program was it?"

Although not as major as television, radio is still mass media. For a moment, I thought of what happened to my father, and my heart pulsed strongly with a bad feeling.

『Don't worry, it's not the same story as with dad. I mean, a master's degree student like me doesn't have that kind of influence. I was invited to be a guest commentator for a one-shot segment on an information program about youth culture. We just talked a little bit about literature and arts that are popular among young people, from pure literature to subculture content. The broadcasting area is also part of the Kanto region.』

I see, I replied, relieved to hear my brother's casual tone.

『Well, we'll talk about it another time. If you want to go to dinner, call me back in 30 minutes. I want to be there around 7.』

"Got it. I'll ask the other."

I tap the End of Talk icon and place the phone on the desk.

"Ryouichi-kun?" Yuriko quickly asked.

"You know very well, don't you?" I replied.

"I could tell by your tone of voice. What are you talking about?"

"He asked me if I wanted to go out for dinner. I told him I had a friend coming, and he said I could bring you, and he'd treat all of us."

"Really? Is it okay?"

"I heard he got some extra money. Do you want to go?"

I asked Yuriko, and then I asked Izumi and Nagai, who seemed to have been listening to the conversation from the middle of it, that same question.

Yuriko and Izumi replied that they wanted to go although they were slightly reserved, Nagai clearly declined, saying, "No, it's bad for Sakamoto's brother, so no thanks."

"No need to be reserved. My brother is a very communicative person, and eating with strangers is nothing to him."

"That's right, Nagai. Kenichi's brother is a good man," added Yuriko, who was acquainted with my brother. But, "No, not this time. My family is probably preparing the meal at home," he replied. Since I didn't want to force him, I said, "Okay," and we cut the conversation short.

"Then I'll tell him that Yuriko and Izumi will be coming."

I grabbed my phone again and called my brother.

After that, we each studied for about 30 minutes, and that was the end of the study session for the day.

"Then, I'm going home. Thank you for today, Sakamoto and Izumi-san. And Mori, too. I made a lot of progress. I'm glad we were able to study together."

Novel ini diterjemahkan oleh Musubi Novel

This novel was translated by Musubi Novel

Yeah, I replied, and Izumi said, "Same here,". Izumi, after all, had a certain amount of social skills, and after spending half a day together, she seemed to open her heart to Nagai to a certain extent.

He started to pack up his stuff, and in the middle of doing so, he said, "Oh, right," and shoved his hands in his pockets. Then, as if peeking out,

"Izumi-san, if you don't mind, can I have your contact information?" He asked Izumi

Perhaps sensing something, Yuriko looked at Nagai with a "ho".

"Eh, ah, yeah. Sure"

Izumi pulled out her own cell phone, though she seemed slightly bewildered.

After exchanging contact information, Nagai thanked Izumi with a smile and said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Izumi replied pleasantly.

Watching the two of them exchange contact information, I again felt something like the discomfort feeling I've felt a few times before. It was itchy, some kind of indefinable feeling.

Then I went to the entrance to see Nagai off as he left the room with his luggage.

The clouds that had covered the sky until noon had already drifted away, and the evening sky, which had just turned July, was stained red by the setting sun.

"See you later, Sakamoto."

"Yeah, See you later. I hope your grades get better."

I replied and waved my hand.

Nagai walked out the gate of my house and walked toward the bus stop.

He was the closest friend I had in high school. He's a good soccer player and a good student, but he doesn't boast about it. He's a good guy.

But as I watched his back move away from me, the strange feelings that had just sprouted inside me seemed to subside, and I felt like a total idiot to myself.

I haven't exchanged direct contact information with Izumi. We only know each other's phone numbers. We have never texted each other, nor do we know each other's SNS accounts. Since we live together, it was enough if we could just call each other.

I felt somewhat uncomfortable that he knew a part of Izumi that I didn't.

I can see it clearly now.

Yuriko's remark the other day about not wanting other boys to know about Izumi was right.

A sigh leaked out spontaneously at the unreasonable thought that even I could not understand.

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