[Vol 2] The Secret Life Of An Honor Student Chapter 1
"……It’s not that cold, I guess."
When I stepped out the front door in the morning to head to school, the almost-winter air brushed my cheeks with a chilly touch. Thanks to my coat, it didn’t feel unbearably cold. Aka-nee said, "It’s cold outside, you know?" but honestly, I think she’s just sensitive to cold.
Thinking about that while walking out of the apartment building, someone called out to me from the entrance hall.
"Aisaka-kun, you finally came."
A familiar voice stopped me. When I turned toward it, just as expected, Mamiya was there, wearing a black coat over her blazer. The hem of her skirt fluttered beneath it as she walked slowly toward me with a faint smile.
"Good morning, Aisaka-kun."
"……Morning, Mamiya."
Feeling an inexplicable sense of foreboding, I returned the greeting cautiously. Mamiya nodded with satisfaction.
"If you’d like, shall we walk to school together?"
She said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
……Me and Mamiya going to school together?
"I can already see it turning into a hassle."
"Come on, don’t say that. It’s more fun to walk while talking, right?"
"For me, it’s just painful for my stomach."
Even though I was clearly saying no between the lines, Mamiya showed no sign of backing off. Time for school was approaching little by little, and I couldn’t just stand around forever. I tried ignoring her and stepped out of the entrance, but she followed right beside me with an unwavering smile.
"……Hey."
"What? I’m just on my way to school, and by pure coincidence, accidentally, I happen to be walking next to you, Aisaka-kun."
"…………I see. Then go on ahead."
If she wanted to pretend it was all a coincidence, then letting her walk first would solve everything. But of course, she pouted unhappily, turned back, and glared at me with half-lidded eyes.
Realizing my attitude wasn’t changing, she let out a long sigh.
Her pale cheeks faintly flushed as she murmured:
"You know… I actually gathered up a lot of courage to invite you. ……Being with someone you like makes you happy, right?"
She said it in a timid whisper, then immediately looked away. It took me a moment to process her words—but basically she meant, 『I want to be with you because I like you.』 A ridiculously straightforward reason.
…… …………
"……Do whatever you want."
No matter how I answered, it felt like I’d lose, so for today, I gave up resisting and let her do as she pleased. A moment later, Mamiya—recovered from her embarrassment—caught up beside me, and we walked to school together in an awkward atmosphere.
As we headed down the road in silence, Mamiya finally spoke.
"Come to think of it, the second term is ending soon."
"Already…? Time flies."
"Which means it was a fulfilling school life for you."
She gave me a meaningful glance.
Whether it was fulfilling or not is debatable, but the past month since meeting Mamiya had undeniably been intense. The day we met in the classroom after school, when I learned her secret, got blackmailed, and our twisted relationship began—that was when my peaceful school life veered off in a strange direction.
But if someone asked whether I regretted it… not entirely. There were fun moments too, though I didn’t want to admit that aloud.
Still, the second term ending, huh…?
I pictured a calendar in my mind and roughly counted the remaining days.
"Isn’t the final exams in about two weeks?"
"Yes."
I had remembered something unpleasant.
As winter break approached, one trial awaited us students.
──The final exams.
The test that most students despise, which requires not only daily studying but also dedicated preparation.
"You don’t really have anything to worry about, right, Mamiya?"
"As long as I do the usual, I should get decent scores."
She said it calmly. Her confidence came not from talent, but from consistent effort—something I knew because I always sat beside her in class and knew her past.
With that concentration and natural seriousness, doing well on tests shouldn’t be hard. I couldn’t imagine Mamiya neglecting the things necessary to be an honor student.
"What about you, Aisaka-kun?"
"I don’t slack off normally, and I plan to study before the test too, so I want to at least get decent scores."
Last time, during the midterm of the second term, my grade rank was 47th out of 238 students. In the overall ranking, that’s top 25%, but score-wise, we were all pretty close. I’d like to aim a bit higher this time.
Test scores don’t directly determine university admissions, but doing well is never a disadvantage.
"I’m glad. If you told me you weren’t going to study, I’d be worried."
"No way. Our school… Kamino is a preparatory school anyway. Even if it weren’t, we’ll have to study for university exams eventually, so I want to get used to it now to make things easier later."
"That’s a good mindset. If you slack off now, your future self will suffer."
"True."
I could only agree with that.
"If you don’t understand something, please ask me. I’ll help however I can."
"Are you sure?"
"Teaching others helps me organize my own thoughts too."
Getting help with studying from Mamiya was an attractive offer. She was often asked questions by classmates, and every time she taught them kindly, they left understanding the material.
She was good at teaching. Borrowing her help would genuinely be useful. The only problem was… I had no idea what she’d demand as payment.
I shouldn’t be suspicious, but nothing is more suspicious than free kindness.
"……If something comes up, I’ll rely on you."
"──Aisaka-kun can rely on me anytime, you know."
Her reply came instantly.
Her sweet-sounding voice made my heart jump before I could stop it.
"Did I just make your heart skip?"
She asked with a soft smile, making me forget to hide my fluster. I coughed to cover it up and forced my expression back to normal.
"……Got a problem with that?"
"No. I’m happy."
"Akito, let’s eat lunch."
"Sure… but why is Tatara here too?"
During the break after fourth period, Natsu and Tatara came to my desk.
Natsu was fine, but Tatara showing up like this during lunch break was unusual. Ever since she saw me and Mamiya together after school, I wasn’t sure how to act around her.
Tatara suspected that Mamiya and I were dating. Right now, she only suspected it, but it was still a secret we had to protect.
──Akikun and Yu-chan, are you two dating?
After school in the classroom—Tatara had asked us that after seeing us alone together. We both denied it. We had no choice, and besides, we weren’t actually dating.
But apparently, Tatara had also seen us taking pictures together, so her doubts hadn’t vanished completely. Still, since we said it wasn’t true, she seemed willing to trust us… for now.
I remember how relieved we both felt afterward. Honestly, it scared me—being suspected, and being seen taking pictures together.
I hadn’t let my guard down, but it reminded me how dangerous it was to keep doing that at school. Not that we had other places to go… and since Mamiya had no intention of stopping, we’d just have to be more careful.
Because of that incident, facing Tatara now felt awkward. Before I could respond, she gave a small apologetic smile and pressed her hands together.
"Ah—well, actually, I have a small favor to ask. So… can Mamiya-chan eat lunch with us too?"
For some reason, Tatara directed the conversation toward Mamiya, who was still sitting in the seat next to me. Mamiya, who clearly hadn’t expected to be the real target, nodded without changing her expression and said, “Sure.”
Relieved, Tatara placed a hand on her chest, and the two of them grabbed a couple of empty chairs nearby, sitting across from Mamiya after pulling their desks together.
Just as they all opened their lunches—
“……So, what exactly is this favor?”
“Ah, about that…”
Natsu and Tatara suddenly grew solemn. They set down their chopsticks and looked at us with unusually serious eyes. The two exchanged a glance, nodded to each other almost imperceptibly, and—
“──We want you to help us study for the finals! Me and Hii-chan!”
“Hikari also asks for your help, please!”
Both of them bowed their heads at the same time.
Mamiya and I looked at each other. What should we do? No, what are YOU going to do?—that kind of conversation passed silently between us through our eyes alone. Then, the phone in my pocket buzzed.
I checked quickly. A short message from Mamiya: 『I think it’s fine.』 …Well, if it’s just studying for the finals, I don’t mind either. But judging from how they phrased it, they want us —me and Mamiya—to teach them, right?
“If the four of us could have a study session together, that’d be great, you know?”
Tatara leaned forward with hopeful eyes. Her gaze was dead serious. Desperate, even. Mamiya looked a little surprised.
“A study session, huh.”
“Yeah, yeah. We were hoping that brilliant Mamiya-san, and the slightly-less-but-still-smart Akito-san would teach us.”
“Hey, who’s ‘slightly less’ ? I’ll admit I can’t beat Mamiya, but I’m still better than you two.”
“That’s exactly why I said ‘Akito-san,’”
That is absolutely not the part he should be choosing his words carefully about.
For the record, Natsu and Tatara are both around average. But if I remember correctly, Tatara’s grades vary wildly depending on the subject. As for Natsu… if he actually tries, he can do pretty well. He’s the type who performs fine as long as you point out what he needs to focus on.
“I’m fine with it. What about you, Mamiya? If you don’t want to, feel free to say no.”
“No, I'm in. It’s a good opportunity, and you two came to ask me directly.”
“Eh, really!?”
“Teaching others helps organize your own thoughts too. Right, Aisaka-kun?”
“Well, yeah. Good for you guys—Mamiya agreed. I couldn’t handle teaching both of you by myself.”
“What’s that supposed to mean.”
Ignoring Natsu’s glare, I glanced toward Mamiya. Honestly, having her help teach them is a relief… but it also means I’ll be with Mamiya the whole time.
For me, that guarantees this study session will be anything but relaxing.
“Then, where should we do it?”
“Akito’s house is perfect.”
“…Why my house?”
“My big brother’s loud at home. And Hii-chan’s place is… impossible, right?”
Natsu asked carefully. He was probably concerned about the whole thing with my distrust of women. In that sense, he’s not wrong—Hikari’s house isn’t exactly somewhere I’d be eager to go.
The last time I went to Mamiya’s house was because I had no choice.
Really—no choice.
“Since you’re not comfortable with Mamiya’s place either, the only option left is your house.”
“Other options would be cafés or karaoke rooms, but if we go somewhere like that, someone might end up goofing off instead of studying.”
“Mainly you two.”
They averted their eyes at high speed. There’s no way these two could concentrate in a karaoke room overflowing with temptation. They’d definitely say something like "Let’s sing a little for a break!” and forget the whole purpose.
“If it’s not a problem, is your house okay, Aisaka-kun?”
“…My sister might be home, but if that’s fine, then sure.”
“Totally fine!”
“Thanks, Aki-kun!”
Their faces lit up. And so, the study session location was decided. The only issue… is that Mamiya will be coming to my place. I just have to pray nothing happens.
“When should we do it? Weekend?”
“Sounds good.”
“Hikari’s fine too.”
“I don’t think I have any plans either.”
“Then it’s settled. We meet at Akito’s house this weekend. I’ll go with Hii-chan, and Mamiya… you live near him, right?”
“Yes. So I’ll just head straight there.”
…Wait? I know exactly where Mamiya lives, but she only knows we live in the same building, not which floor. I’ll send her my room number later.
Anyway… if the four of us study together, I need to coordinate with Mamiya so we don’t slip up about anything.
“But seriously, tests are such a pain.”
After school, in the classroom. Mamiya struck a pose near the window as she suddenly remembered and muttered that.
I know she’s serious by nature, but even she finds tests annoying. Honestly, that’s comforting. If she had said something like 'Studying is fun, so I don’t struggle at all,' I would’ve stared at her like she was an alien.
As she lifted her skirt, revealing the dangerously high edge of her tights-covered thighs, she used my phone to take pictures.
“So you feel the same way, huh.”
“Pretty much. Aren’t people who like tests scary? The reason I don’t like them is that people keep asking about my scores and reacting too much to them.”
She sighed, letting go of her lifted skirt. The hem dropped back down to a few centimeters above her knees, and then she leaned in to check the photo we had taken together.
The distance between us was way too close. Maybe it was a sign of trust. Her chest was pressed lightly against my arm, but she didn’t seem to care at all. Whether she’s doing it on purpose or not… either way, she needs to stop.
“…Mamiya. Can you move a little away?”
“Why? If it’s because we’re touching, I don’t mind.”
“I mind.”
I kept a straight face as she smiled like a bow. No—knowing myself, I was probably making a weird, embarrassed expression. Even if my distrust of women isn’t fully cured, I’m still a guy. Anyone would get flustered by this.
Does she even realize?
…Judging by her tone, she definitely realizes and is doing it on purpose.
“But hey, if that’s the case, you can just move away from me instead.”
“…The aftermath would be scary.”
“Well, if that happens, I’ll just keep clinging to you anyway.”
She chuckled and pressed herself even closer.
Even through the fabric of her uniform, her chest wrapped gently around my arm. The physical closeness made my heartbeat jump. Her long black hair brushed against my cheek—smooth, evidence of careful grooming.
Then warm breath hit my ear. A sweet shiver traveled up my spine, making me hyper-aware of her proximity.
“I thought so before, you’re really sensitive around the ears, Aisaka-kun.”
“…Pretty sure anyone would react if you suddenly blew on their ear.”
“Personally, I think it’s really cute how innocent you are.”
She smiled softly.
It was a side of her she never showed at school. Real, unfiltered. The fact that she showed it only to me made my face burn.
That day after school— the 『I like you』 she said to me slipped back into my mind.
I still can’t fully process that feeling as my own. But someday, I’ll have to face it properly.
To respond to Mamiya’s trust. To make sure I never betray it.
“…Anyway, are you sure you’re okay joining the study session?”
“Yeah. The reason I never joined before was because the people who invited me didn’t look like they were planning to study. But this time, it’s your two friends, so I think it’ll be fine.”
“Ah… yeah, I can guarantee that. Natsu has Tatara, and they invited you because they liked you after meeting you back when we went shopping.”
To be precise, 'got interested' might be more accurate.
If all they knew was her honor-student persona, they’d wonder why Mamiya and I were hanging out. After all, at school we were nothing more than neighbors in seating arrangements, and I’d only recently learned that we lived in the same building.
There was almost nothing tying the two of us together.
But since Natsu and Tatara had seen us together outside, they’d naturally be curious.
“Mamiya, seriously—please don’t do anything weird.”
“What do you mean by ‘weird’ ?”
“…I mean, stuff like what we’ve been doing after school in the classroom.”
“We’re just taking pictures, though?”
“Don’t pretend you forgot you took your clothes off that time.”
No way I’m accepting that as normal, even for her ura-aka account.
“…But since they’ll be there, you’ll be in your honor-student mode, right?”
“Oh, that. I’m used to that already.”
“And helping them study?”
“It’ll help me review too, so that’s fine. The problem is… that I’m going to your house.”
She looked genuinely serious.
No, there’s nothing scary about coming to my place, right?
“Why?”
When I looked at her doubtfully, she awkwardly averted her eyes.
“Well… it’s your house. The house of… the person I like.”
“………………Oh.”
That was all I managed to say.
After tens of seconds of awkward silence—
“…Let’s just go home?”
“Y-yeah. It’s getting dark, and it’ll be cold if we’re late. Let’s go.”
I felt a slight amusement at Mamiya’s flustered behavior, but I made sure not to show a smile as we both started getting ready to go home, then headed out together.
When we reached the apartment entrance and were waiting for the elevator──
"…Oh? Aki, you’re just getting home too?"
I turned toward the voice coming from behind, and there was Aka-nee, apparently just back from work.
…This is bad. I messed up. Mamiya is still standing right beside me.
Aka-nee knows that I’m distrustful of women and that I almost never interact with the opposite sex unless something unusual happens. So if she sees me with Mamiya—a girl who could easily be called a beautiful girl just from appearance—there’s no way she won’t start imagining unnecessary things.
Suppressing my inner panic, I replied,
"What about you, Aka-nee? You also just got back?"
"Pretty much. So──who’s the girl next to you?"
Aka-nee narrowed her eyes slightly, as if evaluating something, while looking at Mamiya. Feeling her gaze, Mamiya politely bent her waist and bowed.
"I’m Mamiya Yu, Aisaka-kun’s classmate."
"Hmm…"
Aka-nee stared at Mamiya as if she were examining prey.
A tense atmosphere spread between them, and just when I thought this might get bad and tried to step in──
"I guess you pass. Yeah. Yu-chan, right? Sorry for the late introduction. I’m Aki’s older sister, Akaha. I thought maybe some weird girl finally clung to him, but… looks like that’s not the case."
Aka-nee suddenly broke into a wide grin.
Just then, the elevator arrived and the doors slid open.
Aka-nee stepped in before Mamiya and me, passing us, and then said,
"Yu-chan. If you’d like, why don’t you come over for a bit?"
She beckoned us inside as she made the suggestion.
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