Go-Toubun no Hanayome √AE

Chapter 44:Colors of a White Stone ⑤

As the days flew by, the dynamic between Kotoha and Isanari would change, now it was her that would visit him almost daily. The path to passing the test was an arduous one. As Kotoha had said, she was very rusty on basically every subject. However, Isanari was also there, and similarly, he needed plenty of help in his own studies. Whenever asked why he suddenly had a change of heart by Kotoha, he simply avoided the question. But he would soon realize that Rena knew the answer to that question long ago, so he tried avoiding her when it came to the topic. Normally, Isanari was blunt, but due to these new feelings, these times were a rare case where he would become truly silent for long periods of time.

...

Rena:"I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but what was the reason you created a gang? You seem like such a nice girl."

Kotoha:"Why, huh?"

Kotoha began to think. After a while, she sighed and began to talk while looking down.

Kotoha:"I used to think that the only way I could be seen. My parents work a lot and didn't give me attention. So, in a fit of jealousy and desperation, I created a gang for that very attention. I was going to stay that way, maybe in fear of changing who I was again, but then the reality of my body hit...In a weird, twisted way, this helped me in the long run."

Rena grabbed Kotoha and hugged her.

Rena:"I'm proud that you can be open about it."

Kotoha:"It's not like I can hide it anyway."

Isanari simply looked on with a smile. As he thought about it, he realized he had forgotten the reason he was such a rebel. Maybe he was looking for his parent's attention, or maybe he was jealous of Maruo's academic success. Whatever it ended up being, he didn't really care. It was time to look at the future.

Isanari:[In my own, twisted way, my poor actions are what brought me here.]

...

Kotoha was humming her song once again. This sparked Isanari's curiosity after hearing it multiple times.

Isanari:"You have a damn nice voice. Have you ever thought about exploring a career there?"

Kotoha:"Nah...I usually just sing that to help me feel less stressed. Unfortunately, I've never sang it all in one go, my body can't really handle it. But, I read that it could be good exercise for my condition, so there's that."

Isanari:"I see, I was just wondering."

Staying quiet, Rena was trying her best not to squeal. Meanwhile, outside of the classroom, Shimoda was looking with fiery eyes.

Shimoda:"Those bastards are taking her away from me! Why is the perfect, ferocious Nakano-sensei hanging out with them!? Back when I was with her, she would be so strict!? What changed? I refuse to accept it!"

Shimoda noticed another person entering the classroom.

Shimoda:"It's that damn boy again."

The three in the classroom turn to see Maruo.

Maruo:"Are you taking time away from Ms. Nakano again?"

Isanari:"Oh, is the stoic perfectionist feeling...feelings!?"

Instinctively, Isanari turned away from the fear of looking at Maruo's death glare again. Maruo then looked at Rena, who was simply waving.

Maruo:"I simply came to help out. It's clear you're taking this too slow, and I'd rather not have Ms. Nakano's time disappear like this. So move over, Uesugi. I'll make you into a machine."