NOVEL NEXT chapter 34
34. Night Sky
After that, we continued to concentrate on our studies.
I taught Mashiro, and Reo taught Nishikawa, each focusing on their weak points.
During the study session, the three of them were surprised by how easily I could explain any topic when asked.
Especially Mashiro, who exclaimed, “Ryusuke’s teaching style is amazing! It’s all going in so easily!” Reo, impressed by this, diligently taught Nishikawa.
Thus, today’s study session, which continued until the final dismissal time, came to an end.
The final dismissal time at Takizakura High School is 8 PM, so it was already pitch dark outside. There were other students remaining in the school for test preparation, but still, there were hardly any left in the building by the final dismissal time. The fact that no one else encountered us as we left the empty classroom and made our way to the entrance was proof of that.
Mashiro, who had gone outside first, was looking up at the sky.
I stood next to her and gazed up at the night sky.
“Wow, I can see the stars. They’re so beautiful…”
“Yeah, the weather is nice today, so the moon is also clearly visible. It’s rare to see such a beautiful sight, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s really beautiful. It’s a strange feeling since I don’t often get to look up at the night sky from school like this. It’s fun!”
“That’s true. For me and Mashiro, it’s a view we usually don’t get to see.”
Both Mashiro and I were captivated by the stars, like jewels scattered across the canvas of the night sky. As Mashiro said, the night sky looked different from usual, giving it a mysterious feeling, and it appeared much more beautiful than usual.
As we stood side by side, gazing at the night sky, Reo and Nishikawa, who had come out late from the entrance, called out to us.
“We often stay until this time for club activities, so it’s a shame we can’t enjoy it with the fresh feelings like you two, Ryusuke and Mashiro.”
“The night sky is always the same, right? Whether it’s clear or cloudy, is there really any difference?”
“I think Kyouya should be a little more romantic…”
“Romantic? That might be a word I’ll never have anything to do with.”
At Nishikawa’s words, Reo shrugged and shook his head.
Mashiro and I chuckled while listening to their conversation. After exchanging glances, we turned to Reo and Nishikawa.
“Reo, Nishikawa. Thanks for today; I had a lot of fun studying together.”
“Me too! Thanks to you two, I made the most progress I’ve ever had in my studies!”
“Ryosuke and Mashiro said that, and I’m really glad. Kyouya’s memory has improved so much compared to before.”
“Hey, Reo. That makes it sound like my memory is bad on a regular basis.”
“Well, I won’t deny that.”
“Ugh… you little!”
I envied the way Reo and Nishikawa could talk freely with each other. Deep down, I truly wished to be able to interact with them like that someday.
“By the way, Ryosuke. Do you have plans for study sessions tomorrow and the day after?”
“Yeah. Until the day of the test, I plan to study with Mashiro there every day.”
“Then, could I join that study session again? I’m still not well-prepared for the test, and watching how you teach Mashiro makes me want your help too.”
“If you don’t mind me, I’ll teach you as much as you want. I don’t know if there’s anything I can teach the second-best student, Reo, though.”
“You’re not just anyone, Ryosuke. I think you’re much more knowledgeable than I am, so there’s no need to be modest. I look forward to working with you from now on.”
“I’m glad to hear that from you, Reo. I still have some anxiety about memorization subjects, so studying together would help me too.”
“Thank you, then it’s settled. Mashiro, I look forward to working with you again starting tomorrow. It would be great if you could get along with Kyouya too.”
“Yes, Reo-kun! I’m happy because I want to get closer to both of you! Nishikawa-kun, I hope we can get along again starting tomorrow, okay?”
“Hyah!? Y-yes…!!”
“Ahaha. Do you think that nervousness will go away if we study together?”
Seeing Nishikawa’s extremely tense demeanor, Mashiro laughed with amusement.
After enjoying our conversation, we left the school.
It seemed that Reo and Nishikawa shared the same route to school for a while, so the four of us started walking together happily. Since it was already late, I planned to walk Mashiro back to her apartment.
Mashiro seemed to enjoy teasing the nervous Nishikawa, and he, in turn, appeared delighted to be interacting with her, blushing as he spoke.
As I watched the two of them from behind, I walked alongside Reo.
“Hehe, Kyouya is amusing. He gets like that when he’s with Mashiro.”
“He’s been like that since we hung out at the shopping mall on Saturday. Mashiro seems to be having fun making new friends.”
“Ryosuke is childhood friends with Mashiro, right? I admire the relationship you two have.”
“Admire, huh? But I’ve caused Mashiro a lot of trouble. As you know, Reo, I’ve been quite a delinquent and have worried her many times.”
“Ryosuke is quite famous for being a delinquent. I was really surprised when I found out we were in the same class in high school. I heard from Kyouya that you were pretty bad in middle school too.”
“I started acting delinquent in my second year of middle school. Until then, I was serious… but I went off track.”
“But it seems like you’re desperately trying to get back on the right path. You keep showing that through your actions. Well, I was really surprised today; honestly, you looked like a different person.”
“Haha… I just cut my hair, dyed it black, and fixed my clothes.”
“Even that can change your impression a lot. At least for me, I felt such a significant change that I couldn’t believe you were a delinquent.”
“I see. Then it must be a great success after all.”
“But hey, can you tell me just one thing? You suddenly started coming to school, became serious about your classes, and even changed your appearance significantly. I really want to know the reason behind it.”
“Now that you mention it, I didn’t really answer during the study session when I said I’d talk about it another time. Well… I might be able to share it with you, Reo.”
I gaze at Mashiro, who is walking ahead of me.
Then I turn to Reo, scratching my cheek as I begin to speak.
“At first, it was for myself. But now, it’s completely for Mashiro. I want to make her smile, and I want to protect her, so I thought I needed to change.”
“For Mashiro, huh? That’s quite a cool thing to say, Ryusuke.”
“Reo, don’t tease me at a time like this.”
I manage a wry smile at Reo’s words. He looks at me intently and then smiles back.
“I’m not teasing you. I really think it’s cool.”
“Eh…?”
“If it were just empty words, then sure, I might have teased you. But you’ve already shown it through your actions. You’re working hard to change yourself. Anyone who sees that and hears your reason can’t help but think it’s cool.”
“…I see. I’m really glad to hear you say that, Reo.”
Hearing Reo’s sincere words fills me with genuine happiness.
“Ryusuke, keep doing your best from now on. I’m cheering for you… Oh, it looks like this is where our paths part. Kyouya and I will take our leave here.”
“Yeah. See you tomorrow at school.”
“Yeah, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s study session too. Alright, Kyouya, let’s go together.”
“Y-yes! O-okay…!”
“Haha, thank you too, Mashiro. I’ll see you again.”
“Reo-kun, Nishikawa-kun, see you later!”
Waving goodbye to Reo and Nishikawa as they walk away, Mashiro and I begin to walk the same path again.
“Alright, Mashiro. I’ll walk you to your apartment today too.”
“Mm, thanks, Ryusuke.”
Even on the dimly lit night road illuminated only by streetlights, Mashiro’s smile directed at me is dazzling and adorable. Just looking at her profile makes me feel like I can do my best at school tomorrow.
As we walk, our hands brush against each other.
Before I know it, we naturally find ourselves holding hands.
Our fingers intertwine, feeling each other’s warmth.
To confirm Mashiro’s presence beside me, I tightly grip her small hand. She responds by holding my hand back just as firmly.
Then she looks up at me and says,
“Ryusuke, we’ll always be together from now on!”
“Yeah, together. Mashiro, let’s keep looking out for each other.”
“Thank you very much, I’m looking forward to it!”
Mashiro’s innocent smile.
A face filled with happiness that makes you want to keep looking at it forever.
I will continue to protect this happiness. From now on, always.
With that resolve once again, we walk in step under the starry sky.