My Sun and Your Star (GL) - Episode 10

Today was the last study session before the exams.

Endo-san was as focused as ever.

I have this habit where, when it gets to the day before a test, I end up slacking off while studying, thinking there’s not much point in cramming anyway.

“Endo-san, why did you want me to teach you?”

She doesn’t seem like the type to give a straight answer, but I decided to ask something I’d been wondering about.

“I told you before, didn’t I? That I want to grow up fast.”

As expected, I didn’t get the answer I was looking for, so I changed the question and asked her.

“Then, what’s the reason for wanting to grow up fast?”

“Hmm… Probably because I want to be able to support myself on my own once I start working. I thought that when I graduate, having better grades might mean I won’t have trouble finding a job.”

I’d heard from Mai before that Endo-san lives alone. From my perspective, she already seems perfectly capable of living on her own. She’s completely different from me, who has no choice but to leech off my parents.

Endo-san peered into my face with a fake smile.

Endo-san’s features are well-proportioned, but I don’t like her doll-like, manufactured face. It’s scary not knowing what feelings are hidden behind it.

“Takizawa, if I get within the top thirty on this test, I want a reward.”

Endo-san, who I’ve already been teaching, had the audacity to ask for a reward on top of that. I thought she was just being incredibly shameless.

“No way. Why should I have to give you a reward?”

I could tell I was making a displeased face. Ignoring me, Endo-san rattled on.

“Well, doesn’t having a reward give you motivation? You’re taking time out of your own schedule to teach me, Takizawa, so you want me to get a good score, right?”

She did have a point. If I teach someone and they put it to good use, I’d be happy to feel I was somewhat helpful. She’s working hard, so I thought maybe it would be okay to indulge her request a little.

“Just for reference, what kind of request?”
“……I want you to kiss me.”
“Absolutely not. Pervert. No rewards, period.”

The words of refusal came out faster than I could think. I wanted to hit myself for having such a naive thought, even for a moment, about humoring her selfishness.

“I was joking!”
“Some things shouldn’t be said even as a joke.”

When I got angry, Endo-san unusually flustered and started talking. I hadn’t seen many expressions from her other than her fake smile, so it felt somewhat fresh.

And, from her changed expression, I sensed a bit more humanity in her.

“…Even after the tests are over, I want you to teach me on days we don’t have club…”

This unexpected request made me freeze up a little. I don’t really mind teaching her, but it felt like I wasn’t getting much out of it, so I decided to steer the conversation towards refusing.

“Isn’t that too long for a reward?”

When I answered coldly, Endo-san made a difficult face. The fact that she could make that kind of expression too made my chest feel unsettled.

“In that case, on the days you teach me, I’ll do one thing you ask.”

Endo-san smiled brightly, reverting to her usual fake smile. It’s not like I have any particular requests for Endo-san to fulfill, and it still feels like I’m not getting anything out of it. I thought I’d just say something unpleasant to make her give up.

“I might tell you to take all your clothes off or something.”
“Okay.”

She immediately answered my unbelievable demand. I wanted her to deny it there, but Endo-san looked at me with eyes like an abandoned puppy, pleading. Using that face to make such a request is cheating, I think.

“If your ranking is good, I’ll think about it.”

In the end, I couldn’t refuse and gave a vague answer, and so we approached the midterm exams.

Because Endo-san said all that unnecessary stuff, I couldn’t concentrate on the tests at all. I took the tests, bitterly thinking that if I didn’t get first place, it would be entirely Endo-san’s fault.

A few days later, I was studying in the library as usual.
Why was Endo-san in front of me?

She was looking at me with a grin, disrupting my studying.

“I got 24th place! It’s the first time I’ve gotten such a good score. Thank you, Takizawa.”
“That’s good.”

I replied curtly, hoping to prevent her from getting any more involved, but my efforts seemed futile; it appeared I couldn’t change this situation.

“You remember the promise, right?”

There’s no way I could forget. Because of that promise, I’d been dreading the time after the tests and couldn’t concentrate during them.

“I don’t remember.”
“Eh, Takizawa, are you the type to break promises?”
“I said I’d think about it. After thinking about it, I’ve decided that conversation is null and void.”

I wanted this situation to be over quickly. I don’t want to be involved with this person any more than necessary. I was desperate with that thought.

“I was so happy today, I rushed here right after club.”

She was complaining in a quiet library. I wish she’d refrain from that kind of behavior because it bothers people around us.

“Let’s go outside for a minute.”

Unable to bear the current situation, I decided to leave the library.

Honestly, Endo-san had been seriously trying hard, so I was glad her score went up and her efforts were rewarded. However, that wasn’t a reason to keep teaching her.

First of all, Endo-san and I aren’t friends, and I don’t intend to become friends with her. I’m not good with these ‘I live out in the sunshine’ types. I also feel like I might get dragged into the similar people around her, so I want to avoid involvement as much as possible.

“Why are you so fixated on me? Wouldn’t it be fine to study with a cram school or other friends?”

When I said that, the smile vanished from Endo-san’s face, who had been grinning no matter what I said until then.

“I’ve been to cram schools before, and studied with other friends, but my scores never changed. Your explanations are really easy to understand, Takizawa, and studying was fun. That’s why I want you to teach me again. I’ll even pay you, like a private tutor.”

I don’t understand why Endo-san wants to grow up so fast that she can work that hard at studying, but having been begged this much, I no longer had a reason to refuse. I heaved a sigh and answered.

“I don’t need money or anything. If you have a free day, just come to this library? I don’t have anything else to do besides study.”

My way of saying it might have been cold, but I was only stating the facts and what I could do. When I glanced at Endo-san, her eyes were sparkling intensely.

“I’ll make sure to come even on days I have club! And I’ll do anything you say!”
“No, you don’t have to come. And I don’t have any particular requests for you, Endo-san.”

And so, like that, our study arrangement was settled.

“I want to thank you for this test. Could we maybe eat dinner together somewhere today? Unless you have dinner at home or something, then it’s totally fine!”

Endo-san’s words, spoken without malice, made my heart twinge with pain. There’s no meal waiting for me when I go home, and I was planning to just buy something at the convenience store today. I haven’t really done anything worthy of thanks, so I should refuse here.

“I’ll just grab something at the convenience store, so it’s fine. And I don’t need any thanks.”

When I said that, Endo-san looked very disappointed.

“Then, how about tomorrow? Or the day after is fine too!”
“Eating out is expensive, and I don’t really have anything I want to eat.”

It would feel wrong to have her treat me to an expensive meal, and I’m not particularly interested in food; I think anything is the same as long as it goes into my stomach. So, I tend to go for the simpler option.

“In that case… come to my house. I’ll cook. Then it won’t cost money, and…”

Yeah… that’s not really the issue.

But, worn down by her persistence, I now find myself standing in front of Endo-san’s house.

I just found out, but my house and Endo-san’s house are very close. I thought they might be near since we met at the park, but it’s within a 15-minute walk. Maybe we’ve even passed each other at the local supermarket or something.

It’s my first time going to a schoolmate’s house, so I stepped into her house nervously.