I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 11: When my grades improve, I get to teach the girl of my dreams how to study.

(Oh, there it is. The ranking is 10th place. I guess I did pretty well considering I only had a month to study after I went back in time.)

Every time we had a test, the names and rankings of the top students were posted in the hallway, and I felt a little satisfied with the results that were posted there.

What? Hey! Whats going on, Nihama? Youre in the top 10 of the midterm test!

Oh, Ive been studying a lot.

Its been a really long time since Ive studied with a reference book open, but the good thing about studying at the high school level is that the more you do, the more results you get.

No, what are you saying so plainly? Where did that guy who was hanging around in the middle with me go? You traitor!

Ginji shouted in the noisy hallway, with a mixture of joy and sorrow over the test results. Apparently, this guys score was pretty bad.

I dont remember forming a below-average alliance with you. I just happen to have a lot of days when I felt like studying this time.

Shit! Youre saying that its not a big deal like youre the strongest hero in the world! And Im sure my mother is going to be very angry with my scores.

Wow, ! Amazing! Thats amazing! Nihama-kun, you sure studied a lot!

Before I knew it, Shijoin-san, who was next to me, praised me with a sparkle in her eyes.

Im glad to hear that but she didnt notice that the buzz around her stopped immediately with that comment.

No, no, no, its not that great. The last exam was pretty bad, I just barely passed.

No, its amazing! I mean, Im pretty far below on the list.

The only weakness of Shijoin-san, who slumps her shoulders in disappointment, is her studies, and while she has always scored just below average, this time she seems to have done even worse.

Oh, wait, ! Why is Shijoin-san so close to you?

Were in the library committee together.

Ginji, who looked somewhat confused, asked me, but since I was aware of the people around me, I just answered him without hesitation.

Um, , and Id like to ask you a favor, .

Favor?

Shijoin-san stops mid sentence, looking as if she is having a hard time saying it.

Although Shijoin-san tends to be fawned over by those around her, she tries to do everything on her own, so asking for a favor is a rare case.

I need you to save me from that er, light novel ban!

Huh, ?

Actually, Ive been reading a lot of light novels lately, and my grades have dropped so badly because of it.

It was after school.

In the empty classroom, I was getting a follow-up explanation from Shijoin-san about her request that was not explained very well during the afternoon.

Then my father told me, If you dont get an overall average score on your next test, youre not allowed to read that manga-like novel!

Eh, , you read that much? About how many books a month?

Uh, its about 40 books.

That s too much! Its no wonder theres a ban!

If you read that many books, its only natural that your studies would be neglected.

She didnt even realize how addicted she was to it.

Yes I got so absorbed in it. Its totally my fault. ! Im sure youll be able to understand what I mean. Im so embarrassed, if there was a hole, I would want to go in it. Ugh

The always-smiling Shijoin-san was unusually depressed, and her shoulders slumped down in disappointment.

I feel bad for her, but its also refreshingly cute to see her like this, as if she was a small dog pouting.

But , its surprising for the serious Shijoin-san to forget the time and get addicted to something.

Shijoin-san seems to be a very serious person, and its not like she s too absorbed in her hobby to get into trouble.

Im not like that. Im not good at studying because of my concentration problem. I cant resolve myself to go on my desk, so I just flip through a magazine and time passes by. What a stupid mistake Ive made! And I often hate myself for doing such a thing.

Is that so ?

Thats right. Some people say I can do anything, but Im far from that ideal person. I have to study as hard as I can in order to understand the lessons, and on my days off, I accidentally sleep until noon.

It was very cute to see Shijoin-san puffing out her cheeks, as if she was unhappy with the special treatment she usually gets.

She also has a hidden clumsy side. That makes her even more attractive.

Hmm? Did you say something, Nihama-kun?

Oh, no, its nothing. So does that mean you want me to teach you how to study?

Yes, thats right! I am really embarrassed about this, but Im really ashamed to ask you to help me!

Well, no you dont have to bow your head! I can teach you as much as you want!

Really? Thank you so much!

When I agreed, Shijoin-sans face lit up as if she had found salvation.

Oh God, , dont be so purely pleased like a child, youre so cute.

But why me? There are smarter people out there, and Im sure anyone would be happy to teach you how to study if Shijoin-san asked.

Eh? No, its true that there are other people who have great grades, but Im not very close to them, and if I suddenly asked them to teach me how to study, they would just be in trouble.

As long as the other party is a man, if Shijoin asks you to do something, everyone will take it with MAX tension. It seems that she still doesnt recognize her own charm properly.

Its hard to relax when youre studying side by side with someone you dont know well. In that regard, Nihama-kun is the boy Im closest to, and hes smarter than me, so I feel very relieved.

I barely managed to keep a straight face, but my heart was pierced by the words closest boy and it took a huge amount of rationality to suppress the joy that exploded inside of me from the bottom of my heart.

Good good ! My favorability is increasing steadily!

I shouldnt get carried away, because she probably said it unconsciously, but I just cant stop my heart from dancing with joy.

Hmmm, Im glad to hear that. Shall we get right to it?

I forcibly pushed down the turmoil that lingered in my heart, and acted as if nothing was wrong.

Yes, then please, Sensei!

Buh-ho!

The sound of Sensei which was said with a pure and innocent smile made my heart shake violently again.