"That song was originally for Ijichi-san"—hard not to dwell on that.
After hearing it, Nijika didn't know what to say—or think.
She stayed dazed until Aoki turned and left.
Only when her sister nudged her—"Hey, stop spacing out"—did she jerk back.
Still blushing, she grabbed Ryō's bag and her own, and—voice still trembling—said, "Let's go home for dinner," then hustled out.
But her thoughts began to wander.
She sensed something odd about herself—
Wanting to shoulder Aoki-senpai's burden and move forward together; wanting to talk to him more; changing her ringtone to his song; getting so rattled by his offhand line…
She didn't know what to do with these not-just-friends feelings.
Thinking too hard made her chest feel… weird.
She didn't know how to handle these feelings. And then she remembered Kita's message about Ryō and Aoki, and her mood dipped…
She shook her head, banishing it.
As for how to treat Aoki—and what to think about Ryō and him—maybe keeping things as they are is fine…
…
Aoki didn't know her mood. He was busy prepping for the end-of-month exam.
To beat Yukinoshita on the rankings, he pushed hard—cut back rehearsals, cut sleep, and poured time into review.
Until Monday of the next week.
The weather turned fickle—less downpours, more damp gray.
With that, the two-day exam began.
He'd talked a big game about beating Yukinoshita, but when it started he set all that aside.
Beat her or not—just give it everything.
Math and sciences day one; the remaining subjects day two.
Until the last—Japanese.
Leaving the classroom, Aoki was stuck on one thing:
Was the next line after "shaving one's head and donning black robes" actually "on a journey, hastening to Black Hair Mountain"…? (A haiku reference.)
He was pretty sure, but he hadn't recalled it cleanly. He regretted not reviewing it twice. Later, checking the text—he'd remembered right.
In any case, the tests were done.
Grading wasn't lightning-fast; for the full ranking sheet, they'd have to wait till Friday.
Wednesday and Thursday for grading; Friday for the posting.
He went about his days; the band returned to normal practice.
Until Friday.
Classes as usual in the morning; convenience-store bread at lunch; a bit of guitar teaching for Kita.
In the afternoon—the rankings.
Despite keeping cool during the exam, his stomach fluttered now.
Between periods, when he heard the rankings were up, he went straight to the bulletin board.
It was crowded. He elbowed in.
He lifted his gaze and checked from the bottom up.
Tenth—didn't know the name.
Ninth—didn't know.
Up to third—still didn't know.
Then second—
His heart sped up; he looked higher.
Second: Yukinoshita Yukino.
First: Aoki Keisuke.
His heart settled. He exhaled, slipped out of the crowd.
He bought two cold juices from a vending machine, face calm.
He walked back to class that way—until he heard the chatter.
Several voices weren't hushed—surprised the new transfer had ousted the perennial number one Yukinoshita.
Aoki ignored it, took a deep breath, and plunked the juice onto Hikigaya's desk.
First. Above Yukinoshita!
There was no scholarship for top of the monthlies, and it might put Yukinoshita on guard for finals—but he couldn't suppress the thrill.
Not because of progress or the scholarship chase—but because he had the petty desire to see Yukinoshita eat crow.
His mood rose. Even Hachiman's dead-fish eyes looked pleasing.
"Hey, Aoki—what's with that look? Gross…"
…
Bell rang; he shelved the banter.
When class ended, the dismissal chime sounded.
Friday—by routine, Aoki had to go to the Service Club for thirty minutes.
Usually, he resented it—wasting time that could be spent rehearsing.
Today was different—
He and Hachiman walked to the third floor. At the door, as Hachiman reached to slide it open, Aoki stopped him.
He cleared his throat and pitched his voice just so.
He knocked—politely—and asked,
"President Yukinoshita, may we come in?"
-------
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