SCPK 80

Chapter 80 

Making Up

Time had passed since that sleepover incident. Despite a whirlwind of emotions, the final exams had begun.
The result? An all-time high of 18th place. Maybe it was the result of sheer, desperate effort in studying. By the way, Seiya had scored a perfect score again.
How does he manage that, even after working part-time up until the last minute?

“Hmm… there really is a wall above third place.”
“Mizusato-san was fifth, right?”

It was the school day following the announcement of the final exam rankings. Recently, the first-year and second-year students had been attending school separately.
The reason needed no explanation…
The second-year advanced class was just a bit too strong. Seiya and Kudou were basically perfect scorers, technically second place, but third-place Yumisaki almost had a perfect score and looked frustrated.
Mizusato-san also scored close to 90% in every subject, but even she couldn’t make it. As for me, I was around the average. It’s their grades that are strange, not mine.

“Enough about grades. Nothing’s changed there. More importantly… can’t we do something about that atmosphere?”
“But Taiyou-kun—”
“Ugh.”

It had been over a week since the sleepover incident, and I still hadn’t been able to talk with Tsukiyo.
By now, everyone in the group knew what had happened.
Every time we met, I got comments from the group members. Apparently, close same-gender friends had strong bonds and were stricter with the opposite sex.

“Taiyou-kun ran away from Tsukiyo-chan’s seduction and came in the bathroom.”
“That wording… and I bet it’s exaggerated.”

Mizusato-san cheerfully connected the words while flipping her light brown hair.

“Well… I do think spreading this story around was a bit much,” she added.

So it wasn’t Mizusato-san, nicknamed “the speaker,” who spread the story?

“Then who told everyone?”
“I felt bad, but my hands were just fiddling with my phone on their own.”
“What is she even saying?”

She stuck her tongue out cutely and apologized. Cute, yes, but not my type—so it annoyed me.
What a mess.

“But Tsukiyo-chan went a bit too far too, right?”
“Hey Seiya, can’t you do something?”
“I lightly scolded her, but she got annoyed. She wasn’t like that before.”
“How did you even scold her?”
“Well, I said, ‘If you’re going to tempt someone, you should explain the menstrual cycle and ovulation properly first.’”
“Seiya-kun, that’s… really bad…”

Mizusato-san wasn’t wrong—it was terrible. Not just because she’s my sister, it would be harassment either way.

“But what if she got pregnant? Whether she gave birth or had an abortion, it would deal a huge blow to the Kannagi family finances.”
“Let’s not say that here, Mizusato-san!”

Sure, it’s a serious matter, but this isn’t the place to bring it up.
I knew Seiya was a bit off, but… I couldn’t rely on him.

“You want to make up with Tsukiyo, right?”
“It’s not like we’re really fighting… but yeah, I want things to go back to normal… I don’t want more than that.”
“Then I, Mizusato, shall lend a hand. Hehe, you may praise me if you wish.”
“You caused a mess by spreading it to the group immediately, and now you act like nothing happened?”

Why is everyone around me like this?
Still, I appreciated their intention to worry about me.

After school… Tsukiyo didn’t show up for track practice. She must be feeling awkward.
What should I do to fix things?
I tend to avoid conflict, so I’ve hardly ever fought anyone—not that this was a fight.
I exhaled and stepped out of the school gate… and there she was, standing in front of me.

“Tsukiyo…”

Beautiful and eye-catching, she was the one I had longed to talk to.
Her eyes darted around, trying to find words, but she ultimately stayed silent.

“…”
“Shall we go home?”

She nodded slightly.
Instead of the usual route, we chose a slightly longer path through the natural park, giving us time.
Tsukiyo followed silently behind me.
What should I say? Apologize? For what exactly? Sorry for not succumbing to your temptation? That’d be rude.
I exhaled calmly.

“Thanks to you that night… I was able to break into the top 20 on my test for the first time. Thank you.”
“Ah…”

This wasn’t about apologizing or getting angry. The only thing I could say now was thank you.
We just needed a starting point to talk—both of us.

“I’m sorry… I’ve been rude to you all this time… but I didn’t know what to say.”

Rude…? That night was only good for me…
Better not say that, or it could complicate things.

“I couldn’t talk to you… and I’m sorry for troubling everyone.”

Tsukiyo bowed deeply, her chestnut hair falling softly with the motion.

“It’s fine. If we can talk like this from now on… then…”
“B-But…”

She probably still felt uneasy. I couldn’t exactly say, “Let’s continue where we left off that night,” but it hurt.
In this situation, I had no other choice. I spoke to her, seeing the worried expression on her face.

“Then, there’s the Christmas Eve party coming up.”
“Y-Yes.”

A luxurious Christmas party hosted at Kudohara’s residence by Kudou-san. Primarily, no one was allowed to go without inviting Seiya, but all the group members were invited.

“There’s a gift exchange, right? So… could we meet around noon, just the two of us… and pick out gifts together?”
“Eh?”
“That would really be making up. How about it?”
“…Yes!”

Finally, Tsukiyo’s smile seemed to return.
Yes. This was the face I wanted to see. No more sad or worried expressions. I wanted to see her smile.

Our distance returned to normal, and we walked home talking as usual. Track practice and morning commutes would return to normal too.
We arrived at the Kannagi house.

“I’ll text you the time later.”
“Y-Yes… um, Taiyou-san, can I say something?”

Tsukiyo hesitated, fidgeting with her hands in front of her. Her cheeks were flushed. She closed her eyes and spoke.

“That night… I may have gone too far… um… please don’t think I’m a naughty girl!”
“Bufuh!”
“Then!!”

She ran up the stairs and into the house.
Probably… those were the words Tsukiyo most wanted to say all along.
She was brave… and really quite an amusing girl.

Well then, just a little longer until the Christmas party…