Chapter 25-Part 1

That Friday, I write down some banter on cards for Cringe-kun in my bedroom.

He had already agreed to go and Prez-kun said he would be busy with something tomorrow.

Since Cringe-kun has a bitter rivalry with Deadpan-kun, I figured sharing some material I picked up from watching a particular game show might help him out. I don't want a repeat of last time. Instead, since we'll have more people, I want every one of us to enjoy it.

At the Nohara household, Keisuke is arguing with his mother.

"You got a bad grade in Math AGAIN!?"

"Mom, it's only a 47. It's not that bad."

"Were you out running instead of hitting the books?"

"So what if I was?"

"Let me tell you something. I was the track and field champion and STILL got better grades than this!"

While the two were arguing, Mr. Nohara, who was home for once in a while, stepped in.

"Now BanBan(His nickname for his wife)~"

"Not in front of Keichan, honey. I'm trying to instill discipline in him."

"Gomen. Now, Banri. You know he tries hard. Plus, if I remember correctly, you also struggled at Math when you were his age. Didn't they threaten to kick you out of the Track club that time you scored a 20?"

"Momma got a 20!?", Tomboy-kun screeched, his eyes wide at her hypocrisy.

As his mother was about to slap her husband in the face for revealing that age old secret, the house phone rang. It was my father, who agreed to chaperone us.

Ms. Nohara picked up the phone, talked to him, and said "He probably won't be able to come."

My father said on the other end, "Oh, is that so? Naruhodou. Well, if you change your mind, we'll be happy to bring him with us. His cute friend from the restaurant will be there, too. Arigatou. Have a nice day."

After Ms. Nohara thanked him and hung up, Tomboy-kun said "Why won't I make it?"

His mother winked at him, and gave a smug cat like smile, as if she plotted this all along.

She walked up to him, and said "Isn't it obvious? It's because you're grounded, ya little shit!", pulling roughly on his ear before walking off, turning around once while doing so to stick her tongue out at him while holding up the paper with the bad grade on it.

As Tomboy-kun holds his ear in pain, he wonders how he will get out of this predicament.

Mr. Nohara, who was watching this unfold, has a plan, unbeknownst to his wife...