27. Angel and the Final Exam

　The only sound that echoed in Amane's room was the scratching of a pen.
　Studying has always been a daily routine, but recently I've been sitting at my desk whenever I have free time.
　
"Phew, let's take a little break."
"Thank you for your hard work. Have a coffee please."
"Thank you."
　
　Just when I was about to take a break, coffee appears. It feels a bit ticklish that the staff knows my behavior patterns.
　
"Even so, you've really put in a lot of effort this time. Do you have any particular goals?"
"Ah, that's right."
　
　I'm too embarrassed to say to her face in the middle of the day, "I'm trying hard to confess again."
　
"I have something on my mind this time. I'm aiming to be in the top ten in my grade."
"Are you within the top ten of your grade? Usually you're in the twenties or thirties, right? I think it would be pretty difficult though..."
　
　The difficulty of improving your ranking at the bottom is completely different from the difficulty of improving your ranking at the top.
　The top ten ranks were a group of people constantly competing with each other, and just because Amane had studied a little more later on, it didn't mean he would be able to easily overtake them.
　
"That's true. But that's what makes it meaningful."
　
　Being ranked tenth in my grade at this school would give me some confidence.
　Although she's nowhere near as good as Mahiru, who is always at the top of her grade, it will surely give her a subtle appeal to those around her.
　Of course, that alone won't solve everything...
　
"It's good to study hard. Do your best."
"ah"
　
　After having a nice long break with my afternoon coffee, I return to my desk.
　
"...Hey, Amane-kun. Haven't the letters in your textbook smudged a little?"
"Oh, yeah. I spilled my drink."
"May I see your textbook?"
"No, I got Itsuki to take a picture so it's fine."
"is that so?"
　
　Mahiru didn't seem particularly suspicious and didn't pursue the matter any further.
　But then I had a moment of trepidation. The reason my textbook had gotten wet and stained was because someone had been harassing me.
　Even after that day, the insidious harassment continued. I made sure to take my indoor shoes home with me every day, and tried to be careful by keeping my belongings to a minimum, but I still ended up being a victim during class changes and gym class when no one was in the classroom.
　However, if it were to be discovered in the middle of the day, he would probably consider it his own fault.
　In order to avoid making Mahiru sad, they must solve the problem without her finding out.
　Leaving aside the textbooks, my past notes are completely ruined. Honestly, this is the most painful thing.
　Since I can't rely on Mahiru, I thought about asking Itsuki or Chitose to show me their notes, but I gave up on the idea as their notes didn't seem like they would be of much help.
　
"...I guess I'll just have to try my best."
　
　It's tough not having a notebook that summarizes the test topics and key points, but you can just reread the textbook instead.
　If you improve your fundamental skills, your ranking should improve.
　All I can do now is study as hard as I can.
"Hey, Amane. Can I talk to you for a second?"
　
　As I arrived at school in the morning, Itsuki spoke to me. He wasn't his usual light-hearted self, but instead had a serious look on his face.
　
"what up?"
"...This isn't the place, come here for a bit."
　
　I move to a place with fewer trees and people. No one will pass by here.
　
"So, what happened?"
"Amane, have you ever seen this school's group messages?"
"Group message?"
"Well, I didn't think you'd know about it, Amane, but it's a message room that the students at the school made on their own, where you can write whatever you want on social media. You can't enter unless someone invites you, so not all the students are in it though."
　
　So there was such a thing... As Itsuki had said, Amane, who had no contact with other people, had no way of knowing, and even if Itsuki had invited him, he probably wouldn't have joined.
　
"That message room is usually filled with rumors about the school or badmouthing teachers, and since you can post anonymously it's not a very safe place, but yesterday there was a post like this."
　
　When I looked at Itsuki's smartphone, I saw an image of a familiar apartment building.
　And there were also two people, a man and a woman, entering the room.
　
"This is Amane and Shiina-san, right?"
"That's right..."
　
　After that image, people started posting at a rapid pace.
　
"An angel entering a man's apartment"
"Seriously... my angel"
"I can't forgive this man"
"What was his name again?"
"I think his name was Fujimiya or something. He's a recluse, but he's changed his image recently and is acting all cocky."　
"That sounds like a terrible thing to say."
"It's been going on for a while now, but it feels like they're intentionally directing ill will towards Amane."
"So, this is also part of someone's harassment?"
"I think that possibility is high. Shiina-san has been deceived by Amane, and was forced into his room and threatened."
"So I'm the only one you're targeting. I'd rather be grateful."
　
　Because they're on guard, it's become difficult to target them directly, so they're trying to undermine them in this roundabout way.
　
"Does Shiina-san know about this?"
"No, there was no sign of that. Maybe he was invited to a group message but didn't join. That kind of thing seems like it would be annoying."
　
　Mahiru had also previously avoided getting too involved with others.
　I definitely wouldn't join this group.
　
"I mean, if Mahiru saw this, he'd probably spend the better part of an hour explaining the details to everyone and preaching against badmouthing them."
　
　Just imagining the words makes me think of an icy smile.
　
"What should I do? Should I just anonymously defend her from my account?"
"No, that would just make things even more dangerous. Let's not do that."
　
　For now, it appears that she was brought to Amane's house, so it doesn't seem he knows that Mahiru lives in the same apartment building.
　In that case, it would be better not to do anything that might cause trouble.
　
"Even so, there really is a lot going on."
"Well, I think it's only a few people who are saying whatever they want. If you saw Shiina-san on Valentine's Day, you wouldn't be able to say something like that."
　
　At that time, Mahiru was clearly looking at Amane with affection.
　The classmates who were there probably noticed, but the people posting here were either not there or are fanatical followers of Mahiru.
　
"There's been no direct damage, so it's probably best to leave it alone. Even if it's just a little at a time, if those who understand can come to understand, that's enough."
"Ahh...that line doesn't suit you."
"Amanet up."
"I'm so grateful to Shiina-san for helping Amane grow so much."
"Are you my parent or something?"
　
　In the end, since it didn't seem like it would provide any clues to the culprit, it was decided that nothing would be done about the matter.
　Apart from the damage to my personal belongings, there is no real harm anymore. If I don't worry about it and go about my daily life as usual, the harassment will probably stop eventually.
　
"Are you still studying, Amane-kun?"
"Yeah, recently a lot of things have been taking up my time so I've had less time to study. I need to make some time to get a higher ranking."
"Well, we shouldn't push ourselves too hard, so why don't we take a break for a bit? To refresh ourselves or something."
"A change of pace, you say..."
　
　I turned towards Mahiru and realized what he wanted to tell me.
　Mahiru is wearing light clothing that is not appropriate for the season and is clearly inviting Amane.
　Come to think of it, I've been busy studying lately and haven't had much time to interact with Mahiru.
　
"... Sorry, I want to concentrate on my studies right now. If I get lax with Mayu now, I might let my guard down."
"Is that so... I understand. Well then, I'll be heading home now. Amane-kun, please be careful not to push yourself too hard."
　
　Mahiru went back to her room feeling a little lonely.
　Amane also wanted to get more intimate with Mahiru, but this time he had to get results.
　Until the tests were over, he had to be ruthless and avoid any contact with Mahiru, otherwise it was obvious that once he started to get spoiled, he wouldn't be able to stop himself.
　
"...Let's try one more time."
　
　As if trying to shake off the temptation, I faced my textbook again.

　Days like this continued, and finally the day came when the test was over and the results were posted.
　Test results are considered quite important at this school, so there is quite a crowd around.
　
"He's an incredible person..."
"Well, everyone is concerned about their grades. Haven't you seen them until now, Mahiru?"
"Well... I was always number one, and I only checked when I was no longer popular."
　
　Mahiru said with a slightly apologetic look on her face. She must feel bad for being a regular first place winner.
　
"There's no need to feel inferior, Mahiru. I know you always put in that much effort."
"Amane-kun..."
"That's right, Mahiru, next time..."
　
　I wanted to continue by saying there was something I wanted to talk about, but suddenly stopped.
　I'm thinking of confessing properly on White Day, so I still have a few days left.
　There's no point in saying it now.
　
"What is it?"
"Oh, no, never mind. I'll tell you another time."
"?"
"Look, the crowd has cleared out a bit, so let's go take a look."
　
　As if to distract Mahiru, who was tilting her head quizzically, I started walking towards the bulletin board.
　
"I can see the top very well. First place goes to Mahiru after all. As expected."
"no"
"We'll have to celebrate again when we get back."
"Oh, thank you. So, have you seen Amane's ranking?"
"I think I can see it soon. Umm."
　
　As I got closer to the front, I could see second place, then third place. There are probably no names around here. It's a little further down.
　The names of those ranked seventh and eighth are listed, except for Amane.
　I begin to get anxious, wondering when it will arrive.
　I felt like I had made some progress, but I still couldn't see my name.
　
"----!"
"Ah, Amane-kun? Did you see it?"
　
　I placed my hand on Mahiru's shoulder as she hopped around behind me, trying to look at the message board.
　
"...Sorry, I'll go home first today."
"Eh, Amane-kun?!"
　
　I left Mahiru behind and quickly walked to the school gate.
　I heard Mahiru say something, but I couldn't stay here any longer.
　
　When Mahiru finally arrived at the bulletin board, she saw the name "16th Place Fujimiya Amane" written there.