NTR Kousuke

Chapter 91: Final Exam Results

Final exams are over!

Finally done!

There are still some classes left and the tests to be returned, but this year's big events are finished with this!

Nagase-san next to me is surrounded by classmates, and once things settle down,

Nagase "...Good job on the tests! They were pretty tough, huh? ...By the way? How about a competition based on the test results?"

She brings up such a topic.

It's already over, right? There's nothing we can do about it now, is there?

When I make that kind of face,

Nagase "Just for fun! It's just for fun! So, how about the one who wins overall gets to make one request of the other?"

"I'll take you up on it since we're neighbors. What do you say?"

Nagase "Yay! Then, um, no weird? No weird or naughty requests, okay? ...What do you say?"

"What do I say... You're the one who brought it up, right?"

Why is Nagase-san fidgeting...?

In the end, the condition became that the loser has to fulfill one reasonable request from the winner.

Nagase "Heh heh! If I win, during winter break? What should I make you do—!!"

Nagase-san is all excited.

And understandably so, since last time Nagase-san ranked higher, she must be confident.

Last time I was 10th, Nagase-san was 8th. By the way, Tanaka-kun was 5th, and Osada-san was 11th, apparently.

Announcement day.

Nagase "A man doesn't go back on his word, right? Heh heh!"

Nagase-san is grinning and in high spirits!

She's thrilled to win the finals! Thrilled to make me do something! She's in a great mood!

Well, that's fine.

I go to check the bulletin board with Osada-san there.

Osada-san, with a strained expression on her face,

Osada "...Saito-kun, you did pretty well this time too, huh? ...I won't lose next time...!"

She said with frustration and then walked away.

Nagase-san gives a wry smile and says,

Nagase "Osada-san may look gal-like, but she's hardworking and hates losing, so since she ranked higher last time, she might see you as a rival? I'd know since we went to the same middle school lol"

Huh, so Osada-san and Nagase-san were in the same middle school.

I ponder about Nagase-san and Osada-san's middle school days, but Nagase-san hurries me along!

Nagase "No hard feelings, okay—!"

Rankings

8th Saito Kousuke

10th Nagase Aya

11th Osada Ai

Alright!!!

I can't help but do a fist pump!

Working hard and getting results! Is there anything better for stress relief, affirmation, and confidence? No, there isn't (rhetorical).

I felt good about this one! My score is better than last time, and my rank went up by 2 spots—!!

I did my best! Woo-hoo!!!

※A rare high-energy Kousuke.

...I lost my composure.

By the way, Tanaka-kun got 3rd. Amazing.

Nagase-san next to me is...

Tilting her head? Her expression... frozen?

With a face that looks like she's grinding her teeth so hard you can almost hear a creaking sound,

Nagase "...C-C-Congratulations? Congrats, Kousuke-kun... I'm so frustrated I could die...!"

It kinda bothers me...

"Huh? Did you think you'd definitely beat me?"

Nagase-san looks startled, waving her hands frantically,

Nagase "No! That's not it! ...I was sure I'd win... and during winter break... mumble mumble..."

Her words trail off...

Dejected → realization → that's it!

Her expressions change rapidly, and now she starts fidgeting again.

Nagase "I lost—? What do I do? Kousuke-kun, what are you? Going to ask of me—? ...Naughty stuff is... obviously... a bit? Yeah, that's a no!"

Hugging herself in delight, the most popular girl in our year.

With that popularity and healthy sexiness, the girl rumored to be the cutest in our year draws attention even in front of the bulletin board.

I get it,

"So then? My request is?"

Nagase-san blushes a little and holds her breath.

"How about we compete again in the final exams of the third term? If we both strive not to lose, our grades will go up, right? Let's compete again next time!"

Competing really gets you fired up and excited, doesn't it?

If we decide to compete from the start next time, we'll be even more motivated!

Nagase-san looks somewhat disappointed and says,

Nagase "Huh? Something? Like? Changing the relationship between me and Kousuke-kun? Like a date? Or Christmas?"

"My relationship with Nagase-san? If it changes... it'd be as rivals, right?"

Nagase "Haha! That's so like Kousuke-kun... isn't it? I'll take my time, okay?"

This time, I win!

Both club activities and studies wrapped up well for the second term!

The special advancement class is within sight!!

☆ ☆ ☆

Osada Ai, who parted ways with Kousuke at the bulletin board.

She vents to her boyfriend, Ryo.

Ai "Ugh! I lost again! So frustrating!"

Ryo "Ren, you're doing great. 11th in the year at Hokusho is amazing, isn't it? I really respect you."

Saying that, Ryo pats Ai's head.

Ai, being patted on the head by Ryo, stays silent, stops walking, and surrenders completely to the strong, gentle touch of his hand.

After being patted for a full 2 minutes, Ai, with an expression as if all her negativity has been detoxed and lost, asks just to be sure.

Ai "...Ryo, what about you? What rank did you get? Are you okay?"

Ryo, with a refreshing expression,

Ryo "In the sports department, scores don't matter, you know? You just have to submit your name and something like a reflection essay."

Ai generally doesn't question what Ryo says, but this part really worries her.

Can you really advance in high school like that?

Ai listens to Ryo's stories every day, but she can't help but wonder if they're really talking about the same school.

That's how much of a difference she feels between the regular course and the sports department!

The sports department... has a deep dark side.