Yuuji got into an accident and ended up hospitalized, and Himeji-san went home once school was dismissed.
This continued for another 3 days, and in the blink of an eye, it was Saturday, just like we agreed.
“Aki-kun, nee-san told you before. I’ll have to work in the mornings today and tomorrow, so you still have to watch the house even if you feel bored.”
Nee-san said this to me as she put the breakfast I prepared into her mouth.
“It’s tough working on Sunday, let alone today.”
Nee-san’s been coming home late, and I hardly have the chance to meet her other than at mornings. There's such a mountain load of work, is the company running really well?
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow I just need to work in the morning and can come back in the afternoon. And Monday and Tuesday are my days off.”
“I see. Tomorrow I’ll be back in the afternoon too, so we can then have dinner together. What do you want to eat, nee-san?”
Since it’s a rare chance, I’ll show off my culinary skills to nee-san and cook something good. As for the money to buy the ingredients..oh well, better use what I have and don’t be fussy.
I pondered as I waited for nee-san’s response, but unexpectedly, nee-san refused me with a sharp tone that didn’t allow for any arguments.
“No need. There’s no need for you to do such unnecessary things.”
“Unnecessary things…what does that mean?”
I really didn’t like that tone. What does she mean by asking me not to do anything excessive? It’s been a long time since us siblings met, so I proposed to have a meal together. There’s no need for nee-san’s tone to be that bad, right?
“What do you mean by meaning? I’m telling you exactly as what I said. There’s no need for you to cook dinner.”
“No need to cook dinner? Are you going out because you have an appointment with someone at dinner?”
Maybe it’s not work, but she got some friends to eat with her, right? It can’t be helped in that case. I’ll find a chance next time…but nee-san’s words just now were rather irritating.
“It’s not like this…let’s not talk about this for now. You’re going out too, Aki-kun?”
“Un, yeah? Didn’t I tell you before? I’m going over to stay at my friend’s house for the night and study for the end-of-term tests with everyone.”
“I see. It’s really great to see you so passionate towards your studies.”
I’m not studying because I want to…but because someone kept deducting points without any warning, I’m forced to do such things.
“Don’t cause too much trouble over at Yuuji’s house tonight.”
“Eh? No. I’m going over to Kirishima-san’s house…”
“Kirishima…‘san’?”
WHY DID I JUST MAKE SUCH A FATAL MISTAKE!? AM I AN IDIOT!?
“Aki-kun, nee-san’s so touched that I have to look at you in another light.”
“Eh?”
“You’re not hiding anything from nee-san and would even tell the truth honestly. Nee-san feels that this is a great thing.”
“Ah, un. I’m happy that you can praise me like that.”
“And your determination to overcome obstacles really impressed me.”
Nee-san took out her notebook and added a new demerit value on it.
“Wait, nee-san! Did you just write a 4 digit number? You’re mistake! Kirishima-san’s a girl, but she’s Yuuji’s bride—ah, no! I’m not having an affair with her! Hurry up and erase those 5 digit numbers!”
5 digits…that’s a score even Kirishima-san can’t get. That’s basically a death sentence.
“Then, tell me what’s going on?”
“We, well…anyway, we’re gathering everyone in class to stay overnight at Kirishima-san’s house to get ready for the tests. And we have a lot of people, so Kirishima-san’s house is the only one large enough…”
Kirishima-san was the one who invited us in the first place, but that wasn’t important, so I better skip it.
“In that case, you will be gathering together to study and nothing else, right?”
“Yeah.”
I really can’t have the luxury to think of anything else when I have to raise my points up by 340. No no, even if it’s not about the grades, I can’t just think about those random things.
“If it’s just studying, nee-san don’t have to deduct that much points from you…but nee-san can’t praise you like that.”
“Eh? Why? I’m going to study!”
“It’s a huge mistake when you have to go to someone else’s house to study right before the exams.”
“Tha, that’s because…I’m not good at studies—”
“Aki-kun.”
Nee-san sternly interrupted my words which I couldn’t even say out.
“Nee-san understands how Aki-kun can’t study, and nee-san feels that being able to understand what you don’t understand is an important part of growing up.”
“Uu, un…”
“But even if being able to see your own limitations is something important, you can’t have the thought of ‘I can’t do this because I’m not good at it’, you know. You should have the attitude of working harder than anyone else to make up for this. This attitude is the most important one you should have. Aki-kun , didn’t you use ‘I’m an idiot’ as an excuse and not try to work hard?”
“Uu…”
Nee-san’s direct words caused me to be unable to argue back.
It’s true that when it’s tough or troublesome, no matter what, when I can’t come up with a solution, I would think ‘I’m an idiot, so I can’t do it’.
I never showed such a thought before, but nee-san’s really my own sister. She really understands me. Nee-san’s right. This naïve thinking isn’t good—
“Oi, hold on a sec! in that case, aren’t you the same, nee-san? Using a high and mighty tone to lecture me. What about you?”
“Me? What are you talking about?”
“Cooking! Telling me to work hard, yet regarding the things you’re bad at, you never—”
—BIBEEP!
As if it was pre-timed, the clock in the living room indicated 8am.
“Sorry. It’s been a nice conversation, but the time’s almost up. Nee-san should be going to work now.”
“Argh! That’s dirty! Are you running away? Despicable!”
“Also, I have to deduct you 50 points for going over to stay overnight at a girls’ place.”
“DAMN IT! HURRY UP AND GET OUT, YOU BIG IDIOT!”
“Okay~ I’m going out then.”
I didn’t get points deducted by 4 digits or 5 digits, but my deducted points went up to 390 after a morning. Looks like I have to be more serious in the study group today…
