Chapter 16: Actually, I Really Like Being with You

Olesia spent 10 minutes creating three problems, which she then handed over to Yuriko and Nomily.

“Whoever finishes first with the highest accuracy will be the winner of this contest. Now, let the match begin,” Olesia announced.

Upon receiving the problems, Yuriko quickly scanned through the three tasks.

Olesia had arranged them from easiest to hardest. The first problem was incredibly basic; even Yuriko could solve it within 1 minute.

The second was a standard application problem that Yuriko knew how to handle.

As for the final problem, the difficulty level skyrocketed. it was several times more difficult than the problems their math teacher usually covered in class.

The required volume of calculation and logical transitions was immense, and Yuriko’s head began to ache just by looking at it.

After spending a few minutes finishing the first two problems, Yuriko found herself stuck on the third.

She stole a glance at Nomily out of the corner of her eye and discovered that she was also staring blankly at the third problem. It seemed this task was beyond her level as well.

Olesia was likely a true genius. Having attended the same class, she had only needed a few minutes to create a math problem difficult enough to serve as a competition piece.

In this regard, Yuriko felt she had no chance of winning on her own.

Fortunately, she had Phantom.

‘Phantom, I don’t know how to do the third problem.’

‘Does it really have to come down to me? Let me see… how can you not even know this, meow?’

‘I only thought up to this step, but then I didn’t know how to calculate the rest…’

Phantom glanced at the problem and already had the answer in her mind, but she didn’t tell Yuriko directly.

‘This problem has three major difficulties. You’ve encountered a logic trap right now; you need to change your perspective and think about it differently…’

Phantom began to guide Yuriko.

Because they were communicating telepathically, their exchange was extremely efficient. Under Phantom’s guidance, Yuriko quickly understood the solution.

Thus, while Nomily was still racking her brain, Yuriko had already put pen to paper. Her thoughts were crystal clear.

Aside from a few pauses during the heavy calculations, her pen didn’t stop moving for a second.

“I’m finished.”

“Huh?”

Under Nomily’s astonished gaze, Yuriko handed her answer sheet to Olesia for judging.

Olesia took the paper and asked, “Don’t you want to check it again?”

“No need. I’ve already double-checked the calculations in my head.”

Yuriko was brimming with confidence. She had the “cheat code” known as Phantom, after all.

A few measly problems were child’s play.

As Olesia began grading Yuriko’s paper, she found that her train of thought was remarkably clear.

The method she used was even simpler than the one Olesia, the creator of the problem, had envisioned.

Except for the fact that the handwriting wasn’t very pretty, Yuriko’s work was perfect.

“Truly amazing. Even I didn’t think of this solution. Classmate Ruri, you are a mathematical genius!”

Olesia praised her sincerely, and Yuriko shamelessly accepted the compliment.

Winning the praise of a true genius by cheating did make Yuriko feel a bit guilty, however.

“Wow, Classmate Yuriko! Even Olesia is praising you like that. Are you actually a genius? It looks like Classmate Olesia finally has a rival.”

Yuri’s additional comment almost made Yuriko blush. She nearly suspected Yuri was secretly mocking her.

Olesia didn’t mind Yuri’s somewhat provocative remark.

She turned toward Nomily, who was still racking her brain beside her, and interrupted her.

“Nomily, there’s no need to continue. Classmate Ruri’s answers are all correct. You’ve lost.”

Upon learning of her defeat, Nomily set down her pen and looked at Yuriko with a hint of suspicion.

‘Is this girl really a genius?’

Though she was frustrated, the facts were right in front of her.

She hadn’t even figured out the logic for the solution yet, while the other girl had finished the answers ahead of her. It was a total defeat.

“I lost.”

Nomily gathered her paper and pen, standing up to make a hasty retreat.

But as she moved to leave, Yuriko called out to her.

“Classmate Kipling, do you remember what we agreed upon before the contest began?”

Nomily stopped in her tracks. Of course she remembered the promise. Since she had lost, she had to accept the consequences.

She turned around, but her gaze didn’t meet Yuriko’s. Instead, she looked off to the side and spoke with a hint of embarrassment.

“Of course I remember. Ru—Ru—Ru—Ruri!”

Nomily hadn’t fully accepted Yuriko yet, so saying her name felt extremely awkward.

“Hmph! This is just because I promised. I haven’t acknowledged you yet!”

With that, Nomily lowered her head and walked away quickly.

She hurriedly stuffed her stationery into her handbag and fled.

Despite her hurried pace, Yuriko still caught the flush on Nomily’s face. It seemed that calling her by her name was quite embarrassing for her.

‘But it’s just a name. Is it really that big of a deal? She’s acting like she was just harassed or something.’

“Heh, since the contest is over, I won’t stay any longer.”

Olesia also stood up to take her leave, intending to catch up with Nomily.

After packing her things and preparing to leave the classroom, Olesia paused briefly at the door to leave Yuriko with a final sentence.

“I’m looking forward to your performance.”

Having said that, Olesia walked out of the classroom.

Just as the situation with Nomily was resolved, Yuriko turned around and met Carmilla’s gaze once again.

Carmilla watched Yuriko with a complicated expression.

After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Ruri, you actually understand the material from the math lesson much better than I do, don’t you?”

‘Um, why the sudden question?’

Yuriko froze for two seconds before suddenly realizing what was wrong.

She had told Carmilla after class that she hadn’t learned some parts, yet she had just won a decisive victory in her match against Nomily.

Didn’t that mean she had been lying to Carmilla?

Even though that was the reality, it contradicted the persona Yuriko was trying to maintain.

“Well, that… actually, I just had a sudden flash of inspiration. If you hadn’t explained those concepts to me, Carmilla, I definitely wouldn’t have been able to solve them!”

Even Yuriko didn’t believe that explanation, so there was no way Carmilla would.

Carmilla lowered her head, her slender fingers subconsciously tightening their grip as her mood grew somber.

“Ruri, you’re so kind. You must have done that just to be considerate of my feelings, right? I was so full of myself, thinking you needed me, when actually, I’m just redundant, aren’t I? I’m sorry. I must have been a nuisance…”

Seeing Carmilla so sad, Yuriko panicked. She didn’t want this kind and gentle girl to be hurt because of her.

She should have realized it sooner. A girl as attentive as Carmilla would naturally have a delicate heart that could easily be wounded by small things.

‘I have to fix this. I have to fix this right now. What can I say to make it better?’

‘I’ve got it!’

Yuriko took a deep breath and grabbed Carmilla’s hand.

“Huh?”

Startled by her hand being held, Carmilla didn’t resist. She looked up and met Yuriko’s beautiful pink eyes.

“I’m sorry. Actually, I just really like spending time with you, which is why I lied. I’m so sorry!”