Episode 28 – Study session


How I, a Hated Person, Ended Up Staying With Three Beautiful Sisters


At our school, as soon as the midterm exams are over, we have a mock exam. It’s just a school mock exam, but if you don’t take it seriously, you’ll end up having to take remedial classes.

Akane senpai is a third-year student, so she understands this well. One day during lunch break, she rushed into the second-year classroom.

โ€œKojiro kun! Help me study!โ€

The eldest of the three beautiful sisters had come to visit Arata Kojiro, the most hated person in school.
Moreover, to someone who didn’t know anything about us, the relationship between me and Akane senpai seemed as messy as a daytime drama.

Naturally, the classroom was filled with commotion. It wasn’t just commotion. It was so chaotic that it felt like an earthquake was about to happen.

โ€œโ€ฆโ€ฆAkane senpai, could you please control yourself? Do you understand the difference in our social status? We’re the top of the caste system and the lowest of the low, you know?โ€

โ€œHmm, I’ve thought about it a lot, but pretending we’re unrelated is just too hard. Besides, I just want Kojiro kun to teach me, and if anyone says anything bad about him, I’ll take care of it! I was protected so coolly before, so just leave it to your older sister!โ€

Saying that, Akane senpai stood tall, but I didn’t want her to talk to me at school, and I thought having this conversation was out of the question.

That’s why I was confused. I didn’t even know what to say anymore.
It seemed like my classmate Maho was in the same situation, as she looked visibly flustered. The gaze of those around us was divided equally between me, Akane senpai, and Maho.

โ€œโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€

As I remained silent, unable to find the words to respond, the sound of the bell echoed through the quiet classroom.
Perfect timing. I’ll be free now.
Just as I was about to relax,

โ€œKojiro kun, I’ll be waiting for you at home! We’re having a study session in the living room!โ€

Akane senpai dropped a bombshell and left.
In that instant, bloodthirsty men and screaming women gathered around Maho and began bombarding her with questions.

โ€œMaho chan! What did Senpai mean by that!?โ€
โ€œShe was calling him Kojiro kun, what’s her relationship with him?โ€
โ€œActually, who is Kojiro kun?โ€
โ€œWhy was she talking to the executioner? I heard that he backed off from Segawa senpai after fighting with that trashy seniorโ€ฆโ€
โ€œWaiting at homeโ€ฆcould it be that the Segawa sisters and the executioner are living together!?โ€

โ€œAh, ahahahaโ€ฆโ€

Maho isn’t Prince Shotoku, so all she can do is laugh nervously, but that was the correct reaction. There’s no need to give a strange answer or beat around the bush.
The correct answer is to say nothing.

If I casually brush it off, the onlookers will lose interest.
In the first place, from Maho’s perspective, being rumored to be involved with me is probably worse than seppuku.

“โ€ฆโ€ฆ”

As for me, I tried to escape the commotion by staring blankly out the window.
Occasionally, Maho would shoot me a pleading glance that seemed to say, โ€œHelp me!โ€ but I ignored her completely and continued staring out the window.

The commotion continued for a while, and Maho greeted the end of the school day with a weary expression.

It’s tough being the popular kid in class. I muttered to myself as I left the classroom.
Of course, no one talked to me. It was a moment when I was glad to be alone.

<<<<โ™กโ™กโ™ก>>>>

When I got home, Akane senpai was lying on the living room sofa.

โ€œHey! I’ve been waiting for you!โ€

โ€œโ€ฆYou’re quite carefree for a troublemaker.โ€

โ€œCome on, that was just a warning to others. Since the incident with Katsuyama kun, the wind has been blowing strongly against Kojiro kun, right? So, I decided to support you from the shadows like that.โ€

After causing such a commotion so boldly, I wanted her to explain where the support from the shadows came in.

โ€œSo, how has Katsuyama senpai been since then?โ€

“He’s become very quiet. Actually, the original rumor was a lie. The one about him switching girls around.”

โ€œWhat, that was a lie?โ€

โ€œYeah. It seems he was just bragging to everyone that he was an experienced man. Well, it seems like he was always trying to pick up girls from his class or younger, so I think he really is a womanizer. But apparently, he never succeeded even once?โ€

โ€œโ€ฆHe’s definitely a shallow guy, but it’s embarrassing that he spread those rumors himself and ended up having everyone find out they were lies.โ€

โ€œWell, yeahโ€ฆbut anyway, help me what we agreed on!โ€

Akane senpai tapped the seat to her right and urged me to sit there. She didn’t seem interested in continuing the conversation about Kasuga-senpai.

โ€œThat’s fine, but are you alone?โ€

โ€œNo. Miyu chan is supposed to come later. I already contacted herโ€ฆoh, she must have just come back.โ€

As we were talking, we heard the sound of the front door opening. Quiet footsteps approached. These were Miyu’s footsteps.

โ€œI’m home.โ€

โ€œWelcome back. It looks like we’re about to start studying.โ€

โ€œGot it.โ€

Miyu went to the changing room, washed her hands and gargled, then sat down next to me.
Now I had Akane senpai on my left and Miyu on my right, the two of the Segawa sisters serving me. That sounds bad. We’re just sitting side by side to study.
But if anyone saw us at school, it would definitely cause a stir. It wouldn’t be surprising if someone stabbed me from behind.

โ€œโ€ฆShall we begin?โ€

I took my study materials out of my bag and gave the two of them a nod.
They also nodded slightly and began to prepare.

At that moment, the sound of the front door opening was heard again, and this time, Maho came home with hurried footsteps.

โ€œAh!โ€
ใ€€
Maho said with a slightly pouty face, then sat down across from me without saying anything and quickly started preparing to study.

โ€œโ€ฆWhat’s wrong?โ€

โ€œWhat do you mean?โ€

โ€œI was just wondering what you were doing.โ€

โ€œStudying. What else?โ€

โ€œโ€ฆI see.โ€

โ€œWhat? Do you have a problem with that?โ€

โ€œNo, butโ€ฆdidn’t you say you didn’t want me to teach you?โ€

โ€œWell, that’sโ€ฆit doesn’t matter now! You’re going to do it anyway, right? Hurry up and teach me!โ€

It didn’t sound like something someone being taught would say, but she seemed motivated, so I didn’t say anything.

However, my teasing older sister was different.

โ€œYou’re so stubborn. But I guess that’s part of what makes you cute.โ€

Akane senpai approached Maho and hugged her from behind.

โ€œUgh, shut up! I don’t want to be friends with him!โ€

โ€œHmm?โ€

โ€œStop looking at me like that!โ€

After that exchange, the study session finally began in earnest.
I used a notebook instead of a blackboard to explain the mock exam.

โ€œFirst, the mock exam will begin on May 31st for all grades and classes at the same time. Today is May 20th, so there are only about ten days left. We need to cram as much as we can until then and aim to avoid remedial classes.โ€

โ€œOkay! I’ll do my best!โ€
โ€œWell, I guess I’ll help you out.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆ โ€

The eldest daughter replied cheerfully, the second daughter nodded while averting her gaze, and the third daughter stared blankly without saying a word. Their reactions varied, but that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about.

โ€œBy the way, once the mock exams are over, I’ll be gone from here. So, until then, I’ll teach you. From June onwards, you’ll have to study on your own.โ€

The real issue is this. I was already planning to leave this temporary residence by the end of May, so once June comes, I wonโ€™t be able to hold these study sessions anymore.

โ€œEh, itโ€™s too sad that youโ€™re leaving. I wanted to spend more time with you.โ€

Akane senpai puckered her lips and started complaining. I donโ€™t know if sheโ€™s serious or not.
Maho also looked like she wanted to say something, but she lowered her eyes and said nothing.

What’s with you two? I didn’t expect that kind of reaction.
I thought you’d say something like, โ€œIt’s a bit awkward having a boy around all the timeโ€ฆโ€ or โ€œGet out of here already!โ€

โ€œAnyway, I only have ten days left in this house, so I need you to study hard. Let’s aim to avoid remedial classes. I want you to give it your all until we achieve our goal.โ€

I looked around at the three of them and said firmly.

In the midst of this, Miyu, who had been observing quietly until now, suddenly muttered.

โ€œDo you hate this house, Onii chan?โ€

โ€œโ€ฆI don’t hate it. But if I’m here, it’ll be a hassle for all three of you. I think leaving is the only option.โ€

โ€œRight.โ€

Miyu said only that, then looked away and opened her notebook with a sigh.
Akane senpai and Maho looked at Miyu with puzzled expressions, but didn’t say anything in particular.

In any case, the study session began.
On the first day, we started with a test to assess the three of them, and we gradually began to see their strengths and weaknesses.

Akane senpai struggled with math. When I explained, โ€œUse the formula we just covered here,โ€ she brightly replied, โ€œOh, I see! I don’t really get itโ˜†โ€ She was a troublesome person.
However, she was proactive in her studies and asked questions enthusiastically. Perhaps due to her naturally cheerful personality, I think her ability to admit when she doesn’t understand something is a strength.

Maho performed adequately overall. โ€œAdequatelyโ€ is based on the three sisters’ standards, though.
When I tried praising her by saying, โ€œYou’re doing pretty well,โ€ she replied, โ€œHmph, I told you so! I’m a pro at avoiding remedial classes by barely passing!โ€ She stood with her hands on her hips, looking satisfied. But that was just the bare minimum.

And finally, there was Miyu.
She was different from the other two.
At first, I thought she was just quiet. She didn’t talk much while studying and worked silently on her problem sets. Wearing large round glasses, she moved her pen smoothly, creating a picturesque scene.

However, as she continued studying, I became certain.

Something was off about Miyu.

It wasn’t evident in her expressions or gestures, but when I looked at her notebook and problem set, there were mistakes here and there. The subject she was studying was Japanese.

โ€œHey, Miyu.โ€

โ€œHm? What is it, Onii chan?โ€

โ€œThat’s wrong.โ€

I felt it wouldn’t be good to point out everything, so I started with the easiest problem, but I noticed something off.

โ€œโ€ฆYou’re right.โ€

However, Miyu didn’t rewrite it; she just erased it and left it at that.

โ€œThe last problem seems to be about writing difficult kanji characters, but you understand that part, right?โ€

โ€œYeah, it was just a coincidence.โ€

โ€œJust by chance? You got the long passages of classical Chinese and classical Japanese perfect too. But you’re getting the easy parts wrong.โ€

โ€œโ€ฆThat happens sometimes.โ€

She gets the difficult problems perfect but gets the easy ones wrong. That’s unnatural.
There must be a reason why she’s not acting like herself today, so I’ll talk to her about it later.

โ€œHow about you, Akane senpai?โ€

โ€œHmmโ€ฆit’s hot and I’m tired, so how about some ice cream?โ€

โ€œNo way.โ€

โ€œThen teach me this. It’s third-year material, but you should know it all, right, Kojiro kun?โ€

โ€œWell, I’m confident in my studies. Just my studies.โ€

Amidst such lighthearted banter, Maho, without realizing it, had moved closer to him. She was sitting across from me just a moment agoโ€ฆ

She pushed Miyu to the side and squeezed in between us.

โ€œHey, I don’t understand this partโ€ฆteach me.โ€

The distance between us is unusually close.

โ€œMaho chan, you’re being really straight forward. Did something happen while Miyu chan and I weren’t around?โ€

โ€œNothing happened!โ€

โ€œNo, I’m talking about how close you are.โ€

โ€œHuh? It’s not close. It’s normal to talk at this distance with female friends, isn’t it?โ€

โ€œI’m not a girl, and I’m not your friend.โ€

โ€œThat doesn’t matter! โ€ฆSo, how do I do this?โ€

Maho pokes me in the side with her finger, so it’s honestly hard to concentrate. Sometimes she brushes her long hair aside and touches my cheek, which is also ticklish.
It’s a relief that we can still manage to have a conversation, even if it’s a bit awkward.

Despite all that, the first day’s study session ended somehow, even though it was noisy.
As moonlight streamed in through the window, my stomach growled.

โ€œLet’s call it a day.โ€

I closed my textbook with a sigh, and Akane senpai, sitting to my left, reached out her hand.

โ€œKojiro kun, good job!โ€

โ€œUm, it tickles when you pat my head.โ€

โ€œIt’s okay. Your older sister is just trying to comfort you, so just accept it!โ€

I was embarrassed by her smiling face, so I stood up and put some distance between us. I turned toward the dining room and looked back.

โ€œBy the way, what about tonight?โ€

โ€œHmmโ€ฆMaho chan, how are the groceries?โ€

โ€œI was supposed to go shopping on my way home today, but I had a study session, so I didn’t get anything. We have instant ramen and frozen food, though.โ€

โ€œI see. Then, shall we all go shopping together? We might as well eat out while we’re at it.โ€

โ€œThat sounds good! I heard from a friend that a delicious steak restaurant opened nearby. Let’s go there!โ€

Akane senpai and Maho were getting excited, but I couldn’t agree with them.

โ€œI’m sorry, but I’ll have to pass.โ€

โ€œWhat? Are you still worried about it? Do you think you’ll be a bother if you come with us?โ€

โ€œAkane senpai, that’s part of it, but this time it’s different. It seems like Miyu is still full of energy, so I thought I’d stick with her until the end. Right, Miyu?โ€

โ€œEhโ€ฆโ€

Miyu was taken aback by the sudden question. Her round glasses tilted, and she looked dazed.
I continued without caring.

โ€œSo, Akane senpai, you and Maho can go eat whatever you like. Well, it’s kind of weird for me, a lodger, to decide that, butโ€ฆโ€

“Hmmโ€ฆI see. Then I’ll go on a date with Maho.”

Akane senpai looked back and forth between me and Miyu, as if she had figured something out, and then forcefully wrapped her arm around Maho’s waist.

โ€œEh, eh! Wait, Akane! Why are you being so forcefulโ€ฆand Miyu doesn’t seem like she wants to studyโ€ฆโ€

Maho was quickly taken away, leaving only me and Miyu in the house.

Miyu exhaled softly in the empty living room and said,

โ€œOnii chanโ€ฆI don’t really need to studyโ€ฆโ€

โ€œAbout that, Miyuโ€ฆโ€

โ€œโ€ฆโ€

โ€œโ€”You’re actually good at studying, aren’t you?โ€

โ€œ!โ€


Maigetsu


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