Angels and Rewards

　Zhou looked at the paper with many student names spelled out on the wall of the hallway and muttered, ``Well, I guess it's something like this.''

　The rankings for the test held last week had been announced, so Zhou came to watch along with his classmates.

　As a result, well, as usual, I was in the 21st place, which was relatively good but not very noticeable. I thought that the response would be the same as before, so I was a little relieved to be in the position I expected.

　By the way, Mahiru is still in first place as usual.

　She is truly a talented woman, but I also know that she never lacks effort, so I can only say that she is amazing.

　I often see him studying after dinner.

　Part of this may be due to his intellect, but it is probably his own unrelenting efforts that have placed Mahiru in the top spot.

"Shiina-san is number one again..."

"As expected of an angel, your head is different."

　Hearing such a voice from the din, Zhou pressed his lips together.

"…What's wrong with you, Shuu, you look like that? Were you in a bad position?"

　Itsuki, who came along with him, becomes suspicious when he sees Shuu's state.

　By the way, only up to the fiftieth rank is posted, so Itsuki is not his own, but only Shu's attendant.

"Nothing. I was 21st."

"Oh, this time was better than before."

"Somewhat. It's within the margin of error."

"Wow, smart people have different things to say."

　When Itsuki laughs at his sarcasm and says something artificial, I just say, ``Yes, yes,'' and look at the standings again.

　I think he's doing a really good job.

　She doesn't like to show it much, but she puts in effort behind the scenes, and although she makes it seem obvious, she must be working really hard.

　The people around me praised her for being amazing, but I didn't know her efforts, so I didn't pay her any respects.

　It must be very suffocating in the middle of the day.

"...At least not for me."

"Hmm? Did you say something?"

"Nothing. Come on, let's go back to the classroom."

"Uissu"

"Um, Shu-kun, what is this?"

　Mahiru, who seems to have come directly from the supermarket to Zhou's house, was about to put the ingredients in the refrigerator, and apparently noticed an unfamiliar white box.

"Hmm? Ah, cake."

　Inside the white box is a cake. I think he probably had a faint guess from the shape of the box at midday, but he probably asked.

　By the way, I bought this at Chitose's favorite patisserie, which she often posts on SNS.

"...Do you like cake?"

"No, not really. I bought it for you."

"Why again?"

"Since you were first in your class, it would be nice to have a small celebration. Congratulations on getting first."

　Midday blinking my eyes at myself.

　It was really unexpected.

"I-I've won first place every time, even if it's something that auspicious."

"Still, you're always working hard, so I think it's nice to have a reward once in a while. You don't like shortcake, do you?"

"Huh? I don't hate it, but..."

"N, that's fine. Eat after dinner."

　Although I could sense that he was stunned, Shu ended the conversation.

　Mahiru will show signs of being bothered if you pay too much attention to him, so it's best to keep a simple attitude.

　She's the type of person who gives her all to others, but when it comes to her own affairs, she's very stoic, and I think she's the type who rarely spoils herself.

　If someone doesn't praise or work hard for him, Mahiru will only study hard and can't relax. I think they probably don't know what it means to be spoiled.

　Although I haven't been with her for a long time, I've come to understand her nature, so I wish I could return the amount of care she always gives me.

　Zhou gave a wry smile to Mahiru, who was still frozen in the kitchen, and decided to take a deep breath and watch her until she restarted.

　After the meal, Mahiru brought the cake on a plate with a slightly nervous look on his face, and Zhou couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"W-why are you laughing?"

"No, it's nothing."

"I feel like it's nothing."

"Don `t worry"

　The only thing that was interesting was that Mahiru was strangely stiff.

　However, if you laugh too much, you may get in a bad mood and you may not be able to achieve the purpose of caring, so stop at a moderate point.

　Mahiru, who had brought coffee with me and placed it on the table with the cake, sat down next to me.

　I almost laughed at the slightly awkward movements there, but since he was next to me, I refrained from doing so.

　Mahiru shyly looks up at Shu.

"Hmm, congratulations."

"...Thank you. But..."

"Okay, just accept it honestly. It's true that you did your best."

"Yes, but."

"Here, go ahead and eat. You should pamper yourself once in a while."

　I added that I already bought it and gave it to you, so I nodded slightly apologetically even in the middle of the day and picked up the plate and fork with the cake on it.

"Thank you very much."

"Go ahead."

　I waved my hand lightly, and in the middle of the day, I somehow cautiously cut the cake into bite-sized pieces with a fork and brought it to my mouth.

　There is an impression that girls are picky about sweets, but if it's a restaurant where Chitose eats often, there shouldn't be a problem.

　As evidence of that, the midday that I spoke made my eyes slightly round, and then my mouth loosened slightly.

　His expression doesn't change much in the middle of the day, but lately he's been gradually expressing his emotions in an easy-to-understand way.

　The soft expression that floated while eating slowly was like a picture just by eating.

"...? What's happen"

"No, nothing."

　Mahiru, who seemed to realize that she had been staring at him, tilted her head in confusion.

　Zhou, who had been staring at her until a while ago, wandered her gaze because of her expression that looked a little younger than usual.

　Mahiru, who was staring at Zhou instead of passing, suddenly thought of using a fork to take a bite of the cake and turned it towards Zhou.

　I'm in a so-called "ahhh" position.

"Eh, no, no, I didn't want to eat it."

"Was it wrong?"

"... No, well, um... if you can get it, I'll take it."

　As expected, I hadn't imagined this, and after seeing it, I was confused, and inadvertently agreed.

　Even at this age, it might be lucky in a way that it was eaten by the opposite sex, and on top of that, it was eaten by a ridiculously beautiful girl--but Zhou hadn't thrown away his shame enough to be honest.

"Since it was originally bought by Zhou-kun, Zhou-kun also has the right to eat it."

　He doesn't seem to be conscious of the proposed midday, and he presents the cake to Zhou's mouth with his usual expression.

　Mahiru was just looking at her strangely, so Shu decided to take a bite and bit into the cake.

　It was a very sweet taste that spread in my mouth.

"...Amee"

"That's right, it's cake."

　It's certainly not the only one, but you wouldn't notice it in the middle of the day.

　Even if you chew it, it's still sweet. The influence of mental state is quite large.

"... You don't seem to think anything of it."

　Even though I was eating so much sweetness, embarrassment, and itching all at once, midday was perfectly normal.

　Feeling rather frustrated, Shu snatches the fork from Mahiru's hand and offers her the cake in the same way.

　If you do it, you should return it.

"yeah"

"...that"

"Eat"

　Perhaps because I said it in a rather strong tone, Mahiru timidly took a bite, like a small bird being fed.

　As I watched him intently, Mahiru's cheeks began to blush slightly.

"So, what do you think?"

"Oh, it's delicious..."

"No. I feel like I was forced to eat it."

"…It became very difficult to stay here."

"I guess. If you do this to other people, people will misunderstand you. If you're going to do it, do it with girls."

　Shuu looked away, wondering if he understood my feelings, and Mahiru replied, "Yes..." in a quiet voice.

　He must have acted like that because he knew he was a safe person.

　I was in trouble in the middle of the day because I didn't think about it, but I didn't feel bad, so I wasn't blamed too much.

　However, the taste that remains in the mouth is just sweet.

(I'm sorry I let my guard down.)

　I'm happy that you trust me, but it's not worth it if you're unconsciously left defenseless like that.

　Having concluded that, Zhou let out a small sigh at midday, who was crouched by the slightly shy wind next to him.