Saijo no Osewa ~ Takane no Hana [LN] - V3 Chp 1 part 5

After school the following day.

The three of us were discussing something near the B classroom.

[Just to be safe, let’s go over the plan]

Narika and Hinako nodded.

It was around the time where the sunlight was turning the town orange. Another 30 minutes had passed since school ended, so the school building was less crowded. Now that there were fewer people around, Narika’s anxiety would be lighter.

[Strategy #1. Hold or attend a study group]

I explain one of the strategies I decided on yesterday.

[Study groups are a good way to get to know more people because they bring together a lot of different people. And since we had recently just done one ourselves, it should be relatively easy for Narika to imagine]

Narika nodded in agreement.

We held a study session together before. If she remembered how she felt at that time, she would be able to get along a little better.

I think I was able to deepen my friendship with Tennoji-san, Asahi-san and Taisho during that study session.

It had already been proven to be effective.

[However, it’s difficult to organize a study group by yourself, so this time you’ll join someone else’s. Fortunately, there’s someone in Narika’s class who already has one, right?]

[Yes. There should be at least three people who stay after school and study together]

The students in class B also seem to be serious in their studies.

[Narika, for what it’s worth, you’re really observative to your surroundings, aren’t you?]

[…Because I was envious that they were together even after school]

[…I see]

The more I poked and prodded, the more sad stories came out.

I’ll invite her to a tea party or something some other time.

[Then, all you have to do is mingle with those people]

[I-I’m already getting nervous…]

[Stop, don’t be. Your face gets scary when you get nervous]

[G-G-Give me a minute… I-I’ll calm down now…!!]

Narika took a deep breath. 

The trembling in Narika’s body gradually subsided.

[I-I’m going…!!]

Narika entered the classroom with determination.

Hinako and I snuck a peek inside from the outside.

Narika didn’t have the ability to make small talk. However, all the students at the academy were serious. So I expected that they would be able to understand each other if she showed them her serious attitude toward studying without trying to liven things up by making small talk.

In a corner of the classroom, two boys and a girl were studying at their desks  placed side by side.

Narika approaches them and―

[E-Exchuse me!!]

She bit her tongue.

In addition, Her voice was also very loud. This made the students jump in surprise.

Narika’s face couldn’t be seen clearly from here. But from her profile… I can guess she was very tense.

(She became even more nervous because she bit her tongue…)

Her ears were bright red, and her face was frozen

She stumbled on the very first step.

[Mi-Miyakojima-san… What is wrong?]

[T-That…]

Narika tried to answer the female student who asked.

However, she was unable to get to the point.

[Ah!? D-Don’t tell me, this is Miyakojima-san’s seat…!?]

[Ehhhh!? W-W-We’re sorry! We’ll get out right away!]

The students stood up from their seats in fright.

[N-No! That’s not it!!]

Narika rushed to stop the three of them.

Nice, she was able to speak up.

[You’re, um, studying, right?]

[Eh? …Y-Yes. We’re studying…]

[C-Could I join you?]

All right!

I unconsciously clench my fist.

I felt like I was cheering for my child at a sports festival.

Hearing Narika’s words, the three students discussed the matter between themselves.

[What should we do…? Is it okay for that Miyakojima-san to study with us?]

[But if Miyakojima-san is with us, she might be able to teach us a lot of things…]

[That’s true…]

The three students seemed to have accepted Narika.

However…

[Ah, no, that… I’m not really good enough to teach…]

[Eh?]

The students looked at Narika with puzzled expressions.

[W-Well, um, in case you’re wondering, we’re studying to get a higher rank on the upcoming exam…]

It must’ve been a harmless statement.

As long as they were willing to study, it would be fine. On the contrary, he was saying that they didn’t intend to use the study group as an excuse to chat.

So here, Narika should have shown a serious attitude but,

[I… I’m sorry I interrupted]

Dripping with cold sweat sweat. Narika left the classroom.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, I locked eyes with Narika.

[Itsukiiiiiiii!!!]

Narika cried out.

[Why… Why am I mistakenly thought to be so smart…]

[I guess it’s better than being seen as dumb but… that’s a little unexpected]

Even if she pretended to be smart and attended the study group, she would have been immediately caught.

For Narika, she had her hands full just attending. There’s no more room left to clear up the misunderstanding that was suddenly brought up.

(….If I remember well, I didn’t know Narika’s grade at first either)

When I learned at our first study session that Narika’s grades were surprisingly low, many people beside me, like Asahi-san and Taisho, were surprised.

Narika’s image is all that precedes her, and few people actually know what she’s really like.

[Don’t worry about it. We’ll try something else tomorrow]

I consoled the teary-eyed Narika.

The first strategy… failed.

More to come after.

Donations are very much appreciated. (EDN: Help fuel me and Ezu’s Honkai addiction plz) (TN: I need the VCT champions skin pls)

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TL: Ezu
ED: Animu
PR: Mateo