“He really is a genius!”


It’s Kotoko’s first breakfast with the Irie family. So far, she’s feeling awkward and somewhat nervous sitting in front of her used-to-be-love Nao. Going to school was even more agonizing. First, Nao tells her not to tell anyone about their current station. Next the train they hopped on to school was packed like a can of sardines, almost choking her to death.

A few minutes later the doors slid open and Kotoko was dragged with the rest of the crowd. She ran back with arms flailing wildly, hoping that Nao can hold the door for her but he simply stood there watching her, his lips curved to a mocking smile. Later, he tells her that he hates absent-minded girls more than stupid ones.


“I don’t believe it!!”

This fired up Kotoko. She decided to prove Nao wrong by studying hard for midterms and getting her name up on the top fifty list. Her friends discouraged her of course, knowing full well that students from Class F do not have a chance in the charts. But Kotoko isn’t ready to give up yet.


“I’m going to get on the notice board!”

That night she began flipping books and notes, but dumb as she was, she could not understand anything. Nao’s mother came in for a chat and told her that Nao is already sleeping. This made Kotoko realize that Nao is indeed a genius, someone who doesn’t need to study to be on top.

After a while, Irie-mom showed Kotoko some baby pictures of Nao. Well, they aren’t just normal childhood pics, they’re Nao-wearing-little-girl-skirts pics! Kotoko’s chance of getting high marks catapulted real-time.


“That Irie-kun…*tehee*”

The following day, Nao approached Kotoko to tell her their lunches were switched. Our scheming little wretch took this opportunity to tell him about what she found out. Of course, she won’t tell anyone if he agrees to tutor her for the upcoming exams. Nao, after futile attempts of snatching the sample photo away, gave in.


“Mukyaa!” (no, not really)

And so their little private lessons began…

On the examination day, Irie-mom gave Kotoko an envelope which she said contained a “good luck charm”. Afterwards, she and Naoki rushed to the train station. Surprisingly, Nao held the door for her. Her heart just went doki-doki!

Kotoko was shocked to find the exams quite manageable for a Class-F student like her, thanks to Nao’s tutoring and bucketloads of patience. The results were in a few days later and she… made it to the list! She’s the fiftieth while Nao was first (as always). Somehow, it made her glad that her name’s on the same paper with Nao’s, even though she decided days ago that she no longer has feelings for him.


“Oops!”

Later that day, Kotoko found the envelope Nao’s mother had given that morning. She carelessly pulled the stuff out and saw rather cute pictures of her and Nao that Irie-mom had secretly taken when they were studying. Her friends were aghast. Kotoko was left no choice but to admit that she and Nao were currently living together. She pleaded them not to tell anyone and they promised her that they won’t tell a thing.

Well, so much trust for her so-called friends. The following morning the juicy news was all over school. With hatred and disdain, Nao screams “Don’t mess with my life anymore!”

Kotoko watched Nao walk away with tears streaming down her face. “What’s this?” she thought. “No matter how much he bullies me, I’d just hate him. I’m already fine with it. I should be fine with it. I was able to endure it when he refused my love letter. But then… why do I…? I guess…”


“I really do love Irie-kun!”

***Well, this is a fun but sad episode at the same time. At the very least, Nao starts to look human and vulnerable with all the funny scenes in the first half of the show.

Aaah, middle school life was this exciting, as I recalled. Only that, tutoring was the other way around. Middle school boys were the dumbest.

Anyway, Ganbare, Kotoko-chan!

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