Convenient Semi-friend ch39

The fun times were over in a flash,
and before we knew it, final exams had drawn closer.
I-I'm done for...

My brain has started blocking off all information...
It's been doing that from the start.

We're having this study session because you said you were worried about the exams, y'know.
Uuh... I'm sorry...

sniff sniff sniff

Suuna-chan!

Just a little more! Let's do it together!
Ruka couldn't deal with teaching Suuna by herself and called Kohaku over too.

Suuna's mortal enemy, "Final Exams", has arrived! Suuna is really bad at studying.

One hour later
You did great, Suuna-chan!
Make sure you remember it all~

It's getting dark.
Thanks for the help, Kohaku.
An actual show of thanks from Ruka...?
How unexpected.

Well yeah. You know how it feels too now, don't you?
Well...

I won't deny it was rough.
What's different about this? Are we playing spot-the-difference?
Am I using the wrong formula? Is it back to back?
Calm down.

I'm gonna head back. What about you two?
We'll head back once Suuna's settled down.

Let's head back~
Suuna~...

Let's head back.

Welcome back. Let's go.

It's a good thing Kohaku-sensei made it so easy to understand.
Yes.
Thank you for calling her over.

...Um... I like the way... you teach me too...
Ruka.

...Flatter me all you want. I'm not teaching you again.
Ask Kohaku next time.
Hyesh...

...Wanna go somewhere on the last day of exams?
Eh?

We finish by third period
and you've been studying hard,

so I'll reward you with a date.

So,

why textbooks?
I-I was worried about whether I was studying hard enough to deserve a reward...

And you think buying textbooks will earn you a reward?
I have this image of all the smart people carrying them around...

So you're the type that starts with appearances, huh?
Is that no good...?
Nah, it's fine.

I'm gonna hit the bathroom real quick.
Wait on the sofa over there.
Ah, sure.

Gyah!
Wah! I'm sorry.

I was watching where I was going too... Huh? That's strange. How did I bump into you?
I'm really sorry, okay?

Zero Presence

Ah, it's fine... D-Don't worry about me...

Sorry for making you drop your books too.
It's fine...
Let me help you pick them up.

Are these all your books?
Y-Yes. Th-Thank you very much.

..?

It's nothing.

E-Erm, well then, excuse me...
Yes. I'm really sorry.

Huh? It's gone~? Huh~?
...? U-Um...?
I've lost one of my earphones... It might've fallen out when we bumped into each other.

Ah, no, don't worry about it.
I'm the one who bumped into you.
Erm...

Sh-Shall I help you...?
Are you sure?
Thank you.

Ah.

Found it...!
Wah~ Thank you so much.

Even though I'm the one who bumped into you,
you're so kind. Thank you very much.
N-No, I didn't really...

I mean it.

I've never met anyone as kind as you before.
Uheh...?
I-I've gotten myself involved with a weird person...

I'd like to be friends with you.
Uweh!?

You don't want
to be friends?

S-.........Sure.
Instant friends with someone I just met... I feel like an extrovert.
Yay, I'm happy. Let's exchange contacts then, okay?

Suuna.
Sorry for taking so long.
Ruka...

There weren't any toilets on the 2nd floor, so I went to the third floor, but they were packed...
Wait.

What's up?
Did something good happen?
Ehehe?

I-I made a new friend.
Are friends something you can make that instantly?

She wasn't hitting on you while I was away, was she?
Hit...!? N-No, not at all...
Hmm~

What was she like?
Erm, a p-pretty lady...?
She was a little weird, though.
What's her name?

Her name was... huh? What was it again?
Weren't you friends?
Uweh... Ah, w-we exchanged contacts, so I can just check that...
Seriously?

...H-How do you even read this?
It's all emojis...
Suspicious~

Ah~
This is making me feel all hazy~
I-Indeed... Maybe... it has something to do with bells?
Not her name.
Eh?

I'm jealous.

What's with that look?
Do I need to explain the meaning of jealousy to you?
Ah, i-it's not that.

I was... surprised, maybe...?
Th-That someone would be jealous over someone like me...
We really need to do something about that low self-esteem of yours.
I-I'm sorry...

...Nah, it's fine.
Come here, Suuna.
Fweh?

U-Um, Ruka...

p10

"I love you."

p11

...??

Wh-What was that all about...?
It's be a problem for me

if you thoughtlessly shared your contact details with some total stranger the moment I take my eyes off of you again like just now.
No... um... erm...

That's why I'm gonna start raising your self-esteem from now on.

p12

Make sure to remember
how friggin' much I love you, Suuna.

Ruka-chan.
You seem to be doing well.

What's that woman from Ruka's past doing here?

Warning