I Got Into a Secret Relationship With a Girl Who Was Out of My League
In the end, I hardly spoke to Nanamori at the study session.
Nanamori himself seemed to want to say something to me, but there was no opportunity for conversation, and it was time for everyone to go home, so the session ended.
I sent him a message that night, but all I got back was a single stamp.
It was a bird character staring at me with a glum expression. There was no further reply.
I wondered if I had done something to upset her, but I continued studying until the day of the test, despite my anxiety.
And then came the day of the test.
Compared to previous tests, I understood the content and felt that I had done better than before.
I was sure that I would get a better grade than before and avoid failing.
However, even during the test, I couldn’t get Nanamori’s expression out of my head, and I couldn’t concentrate very well.
“Haa…”
On the third day of the exam, the tests for each subject came to an end.
Even though I was finally done with the tedious exam studying, my uneasy feelings didn’t go away.
“Hey, Subaru. The exam’s over, so why are you so down? Is it because you’re not confident about this time?”
“Hmm. Probably because I was distracted during study time, reading doujinshi and ended up sleep-deprived.”
“That’s not it.”
Don’t lump me in with you.
“But given this situation, the punishment game is decided for Subaru. Now, what should we have you do?”
“Don’t decide that on your own.”
“Then why are you sighing so much? It’s been like this since before.”
“I have my own problems too.”
I’ve never shown them this side of me before.
“Hmm, a girl?”
“Yeah, a girl.”
These guys…
It’s not wrong, but it’s still annoying.
I always say I’m not interested, but why do they only notice when it matters? They have a keen sense for these things.
Anyway, now that the test is over, I’ll try contacting Nanamori again.
After casually brushing off Shinji and the others’ words, I decided to write a message to her at night.
However, when night came and I looked at my smartphone, I had no idea what to write.
The expression on the stamp she sent me, which was the last message in my history, was somehow melancholic.
What the hell is this bird…
“Damn it…what should I send?”
The test is over, so when should we meet next?
No good. It’s just the kind of thing a loser would write.
I deleted the text I had typed by repeatedly pressing the back button.
The sentiment was right, but I needed something more casual, like small talk.
No, that’s no good either. It ends up sounding like I’m just trying to get laid.
“……”
She’s just a casual partner, so I should be more straightforward in asking her out. That’s how it should be, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
I roll over in bed and stare at my phone. Then I start typing again.
[How did the test go?]
I send it boldly, put down my phone, and look up at the ceiling. As I stare blankly, my phone vibrates.
“—“
I panic and grab my phone. The lock screen shows Nanamori’s icon and name. It seems like there’s a reply.
I unlock it nervously and open the app.
[Same as usual.]
A short message. I should be happy that a reply came, but I’m confused because I can’t tell what the other person is thinking from their response.
And I wonder what to reply.
But as I’m thinking, another message from Nanamori arrives.
[How did you do, Yagami kun?]
[I think I did better than before.]
I quickly reply with a neutral message.
[Thanks to Nanamori helping me study. Thank you.]
I added a thank you just in case.
I wondered how she would respond to this. My heart had been beating loudly since earlier.
[You’re welcome.]
The reply that came back was curt.
That made me sigh even more and hold my head in my hands.
“I don’t get it. I don’t understand women’s hearts at all…”
I never thought I’d be so troubled by sending a message to Nanamori.
I don’t get this troubled when sending messages to my friends, Shinji and Akihiko.
I’ve had plenty of casual conversations with Nanamori before. I’ve always been careful not to use offensive language, but I’ve never had trouble coming up with something to say.
“Ugh…”
I let out a low groan.
Then, in response, my smartphone vibrated again.
“……!”
[Sorry. I said I’d do it after the test, but I don’t think I’ll be able to for a while.]
Even though it didn’t say what it was about, I knew what it meant.
I was devastated by the message from Nanamori and could only hang my head in defeat.
◆
“Haa…”
After sending a message to Yagami kun, I let out a sigh.
Something has been off since that day. We were supposed to study together at a family restaurant, and Yagami kun and the others came there.
And then…
“Haa…”
He was chatting happily with Kyoka and Akane.
That made me feel a little uneasy, and since that day, I haven’t known how to interact with Yagami kun.
Even when he sent me a message at night, I just replied with a stamp and acted coldly.
Since then, I haven’t spoken to Yagami kun until today, when the test ended.
At night, I received a chat message from Yagami kun and jumped at it. It was just a casual message.
It was just to check how the test went, but I was happy.
I wanted to reply immediately, but I hesitated a little about how to reply.
Because I felt uneasy about replying happily while still feeling uneasy.
Because of that, I ended up sending another cold message.
“Haa…”
And for a while, I couldn’t have sex with him either.
The reason was simple. It was that time of the month.
“Just when the test was over…”
The timing was bad.
I know it’s inevitable because my cycle is usually irregular, so it comes suddenly.
But…
“It didn’t have to come now…’
I’m sure this is why I feel so uneasy. It’s just because of this that my emotions are a little off. That must be it.
“I’d be happy just to meet and talk…”
I let out another sigh as I recalled the events of today.
The exam was over, but I wasn’t free…I had a dinner meeting today.
There was Nikaido san, the heir to the Nikaido family, whom I had met before.
The main topic of conversation was business between our fathers, but there were also hints about engagement.
We’re not officially engaged yet, but he’s the top candidate.
My father hinted at it while talking, which made me even more tired.
Every time something like this happens, it feels like my worth is being questioned, and my heart grows weary.
The talks might be finalized soon. Just thinking about it made me sigh deeply countless times.
I want to meet and talk.
I really want to talk about today’s events.
But our relationship is just a casual one. It’s purely contractual.
Talking might make me feel better, but it’s obvious it would be a burden on him. If there’s a chance it could be detrimental to both of us, we shouldn’t continue this relationship.
“Ugh…my stomach hurts…”
I gently rub my stomach and groan.
I get up and move to the bed, collapsing onto it.
I have no motivation to do anything right now. Lying down, sleepiness quickly overtakes me.
“Yagami kun…”
I murmur softly, closing my eyes as if dozing off.
And in just a few seconds, I plummeted into the depths of sleep.
Maitoshi