The next day after school. In the library.
「Ah, sorry Yamada. How do I solve this calculation?」
「Hmm? Ahh, for this, you use this theorem…」
As we promised yesterday, today we were having a study session together in the library. And as usual, the library was empty, so it was almost just the two of us.
So there was no nervousness or excitement about having a study session alone with a girl… and we were able to have our study session in a casual atmosphere as usual.
(It must be because it’s Sasaki-san that the atmosphere is so casual.)
Because if it were any other girl, I would definitely be nervous. But that doesn’t mean I don’t see Sasaki-san as a girl.
I guess it’s because I think of Sasaki-san as a close friend that I’m not nervous even when it’s just the two of us.
And it would be rude to get nervous when alone with someone you consider a close friend.
「Ahh, I see! Yeah, thanks, that really helped, Yamada!」
「Haha, glad to hear that.」
As I taught Sasaki-san how to solve the problem, she thanked me with a smile. So I replied with a smile, saying I was glad to help.
「Iyaa─, but Yamada, you’re really good at teaching. Could it be that you’re actually pretty smart?」
「No, no, that’s not the case at all. I’m just a bit above average. I’m just a little better at math and science than others, maybe.」
「Hee, I see. But your way of teaching is really easy to understand. Somehow, I think you’d make a good school teacher or cram school instructor.」
「Is that so? Haha, being told that by Sasaki-san makes me want to aim for that career path a little.」
「I think it would be totally fine for you to aim for that kind of career. Ah, by the way, what did you write on your career survey form?」
「Eh? Career survey form?」
Suddenly, Sasaki-san asked me that. Actually, we had to submit our career survey forms a little while ago.
Well, we’re in our second year of high school, so it’s about time we start making clear goals for the future.
「Hmm, well, I wrote down that I plan to go to university, but I haven’t decided on a specific university or faculty because I haven’t thought of what I want to do in the future. What about you, Sasaki-san? What did you write on your career survey form?」
「Ahh, I submitted pretty much the same thing as Yamada. I just wrote down that I plan to go to university.」
「I see. So Sasaki-san hasn’t decided on what you want to do in the future either?」
「That’s right. But if I’m going to aim for something, it would definitely be better to go for a stable job. So I guess that means becoming a civil servant or something?」
Sasaki-san said that while touching her cheek with her finger.
「Haha, I see. Yeah, aiming for stability seems like Sasaki-san, that’s good.」
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「…What? Are you saying I’m a boring person?」
When I said that with a laugh, Sasaki-san glared at me with a sharp look.
But since I knew she wasn’t really angry, I apologized with a laugh.
「Haha, sorry. I didn’t mean that at all. If anything, aiming for stability shows that you’re looking at reality properly, and that’s a good thing, right? I haven’t even thought about that… wait, thinking about it now, I’m suddenly feeling a sense of crisis…」
「Fuun? Well, it’s true that entrance exams start right after the second year of high school ends, so it might be a good idea to think about your future path, even if it’s vague. Ah, so Yamada, didn’t you have any childhood dreams? Maybe you could think about what you want to do in the future based on your childhood dreams?」
「Childhood dreams? I see, that does seem like a good way to think about it. Hmm… but what did I want to be when I was a child…?」
I crossed my arms and tried to remember my childhood dreams.
「Hmm… Ah, I guess it was that. I think I wanted to be a professional baseball player when I was a child. I used to play baseball a lot in elementary school, so I admired sports players.」
「Hee, is that so. That’s a big dream and a good thing. But have you given up on that sports-related dream now?」
「Ahh, yeah. After I entered middle school, I started enjoying playing games with friends more, and I ended up not playing baseball at all.」
「Ahaha, that’s a common pattern. When you find a new hobby or something you like, it’s common to get obsessed with that instead.」
「Yeah, that’s really true. Ah, so what about you, Sasaki-san? What were your childhood dreams?」
「Eh? My childhood dreams? Umm, what were my childhood dreams… Ahh!」
「Hmm?」
Sasaki-san seemed about to say something but then suddenly stopped with a flustered expression.
「W-What’s wrong?」
「Eh… Eh?! Ah, n-no! I-It’s nothing! I tried to remember, but I couldn’t recall any childhood dreams, a-ahaha!」
「I-I see.」
Sasaki-san’s face turned bright red, making it clear that she was lying. It seems she might have a dream she wants to keep secret that much.
(Unn, I’m a bit curious though…)
Well, if she wants to keep it a secret that much, it must be something special, and it might be better not to ask for her sake. So I decided not to press Sasaki-san about her dreams.
「Yeah, got it. Then, well… if you ever remember, I’d be happy if you could tell me, but let’s end this conversation here.」
「Nnn… g-got it. A-And… sorry for losing my composure.」
「Ahaha, it’s totally fine. Alright, let’s get back to our study session.」
「Y-Yeah, got it.」
And so, we returned to diligently working on our test studies.