There’s a gap,right?

TL/ED/Proofreader: NaCl

　The chime for the end of the third period rang.

　I piled my answers onto the test paper sent from the seat behind me and handed it to the guy in front of me.

　The last subject on the final exam was Japanese history.

　Well, I guess I did okay. I must have scored reasonably well on the test as a whole, as usual.

　The teacher, who was the examiner, gave a bow, and the class was dismissed.

　The people around us were either happy, sad, or making their own noises.

　Finishing the test gave me a great feeling, a feeling of freedom, and then the depression of having to start club activities again, I guess.

“It’s over!

　Kyoya shouted in a loud voice.

　I was embarrassed, so I pretended to be someone else. No, a stranger.

　Kyoya joined the club members and quickly left the classroom.

　I’d like to say, “Let’s go home too. ……”

“Kusuba-kun!　Good work!”

“…… ah.”

　The school trip committee members are now going to be leaving for the school trip meeting.

　Unfortunately, since the tests were over, the school trip meeting was going to continue.

　I thought I had the afternoon off thanks to the test, but the damn student council.

“You’re so low!”

“This is normal.”

“Well, I guess that’s normal.”

　Sayano said simply and clapped her hands.

　I’m glad to see that she’s gotten used to me.

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

　Following Sayano’s light steps, I head out into the hallway.

　It wasn’t much of a distance, so I soon arrived at the desired audio-visual room.

　Sitting in position alongside Sayano, I pulled out my pencil case and waited for the meeting to start.

　Susami, standing at the front, waved at me and I returned a nod.

“Sorry, but it’s going to be a bit longer today.”

　Oki said as soon as he stood at the teaching table.

　Without waiting for the committee members to respond, a thin booklet was handed out to everyone.

　Could this be that one?

“Yes!　At last, the bookmark for the school trip is ready!”

　It was not Oki or Susami who said this, but Nachi.

　Nachi Himari.

　I finally learned her full name recently.

　She seems to work in public relations for the student council, and despite her small stature, her voice was very clear.

　At the word “bookmark,” the committee members cheered.

　Sayano was also clapping happily. The only ones who did not react were me and Oki.

　However, I was also somewhat elated, though I didn’t show it.

　The reason why I was happy at such clear progress was probably because everyone, including me, was working diligently in their own way.

　After that, Oki again gave a detailed explanation of the contents of the bookmark.

　He added to the contents, corrected typographical errors, and gave us some notes on how to distribute the bookmarks in class.

“Make sure to tell the class to turn off mobile data on their phones at least three times: when you hand out the bookmarks, before they board the plane, and when they pick up their luggage over there. It’s not our fault if they don’t do so, but we don’t want any problems involving money.” (TN: Using mobile data with a foreign sim card overseas usually costs money) 

　Hmmm, that sounds tricky indeed.

　And it seems like there would be a delay in noticing the problem.

　Kyoya, for example, usually seems to do that inadvertently.

“Also, please be persistent in alerting people about theft. I heard that every year when the destination is Guam, there are still victims.”

　The committee members nodded anxiously at Oki’s words.

　Somehow, hearing this kind of talk makes me feel like I’m going overseas.

　By the way, I have never left Japan in my entire life.

　I have never even been on an airplane.

　So naturally I would be nervous.

　The explanation about the bookmark went for a while.

　Well, I was just listening to him, so I guess it was only him who had a hard time.

“Well then, we are dismissed. Tomorrow’s long homeroom, please take care of yourselves.”

　After saying that much, Oki let out a small sigh.

　Good work. Let’s go home.

“Let’s go home!”

“……”

　Today, as usual, Sayano quickly lined up beside me as I was leaving the classroom.

　This was the third time this has happened.

　It’s not like we have a lot to talk about, but I don’t know how she doesn’t get tired of it.

“By the way, how was your test, Kusuba-kun?

“Well, reasonably well.”

“Oh! You mean it was perfect?”

“As usual.”

“Then it was perfect after all!”

　Sayano said, and held her head in her hands.

　She’s so energetic, this girl.

“By the way, what do you mean by “then again”?”

“Kusuba-kun, you’re always in the top ten, aren’t you?　That’s where you scored again this time?”

“……, how do you know such a thing?”

“Of course I’d know! I saw you posted at the top of the list last year, too, and I’ve always thought you were amazing!”

　I see.

　I didn’t notice it last time, but apparently if you were in the top ten, your name would be listed on the noticeboard.

　I didn’t realize there was such a thing.

“Besides, being smart when you’re usually like that is a bit …… gapped, isn’t it, gapped!” (TN: she’s most likely talking about the gap between his motivation in social events and extracurricular activities when compared to studying)

“Hmm?”

　Sayano laughed in a funny tone.

　It’s a subtle line, like it’s a compliment, or not so subtle.

　Well, I don’t really care either way.

“My grades are bad………. I had to take a follow-up exam for the midterm, too.”

　That level of badness?

　I didn’t realize there were others besides Kyoya and Hinata.

　I wonder if there are a lot of people with red marks.

“I really feel like someone should teach me how to study.”

“I see.”

“……”

　I’m sure that’s the same thought process as Kyoya’s.

　I’ve heard that people with bad grades like to have study groups.

“……”

“……”

“…..is there anyone who would do such a thing?”

“……”

“……Muuu!　Are you listening to me?”

“Yeah, …….”

　I was listening properly and silently. ……

　When I looked, Sayano’s mouth was agape as if she was sulking, and she was staring at me with a glare.

“Ahhh. Even though a cute girl is asking you to help her.”

“You were asking for it?”

“I was!”

　Was that so?

　That’s an unusual way of asking.

“Hey. You’re so smart, teach me how to study during the summer vacation. We can do assignments together or something!”

“Yeah, I don’t want to.”

“Why not!”

　Sayano tapped me on the shoulder while screaming like a spoiled child.

　Even though there’s no one in particular around, it’s still embarrassing, so don’t …… do that. And it hurts.

　Besides, I already have a prior commitment for the assignment.

　I’m not going to let you schedule any more.

“Oh, God. ……. Oh, well, if you don’t want to do the assignment, why don’t we go somewhere and have fun instead?”

“……, why would I do that?”

“You know, like a ‘thank you’ party for the school trip committee members?”

“No, there’s a student council-sponsored one for that.”

　I think Susami said they were going to have a launch party during the summer break.

　Well, I’m not going.

“Muuuu! That’s okay, Kusuba-kun’s mean!”

　Sayano said, and deliberately turned her face away.

　Apparently, she had backed down.

　But still, I don’t understand the rear-view communication style.