Chapter 10

This is the fourth chapter of the second volume and the tenth chapter overall of the More Than a Married Couple, But Not Lovers manga series written by Yūki Kanamaru.

## Summary

Jirō and Akari's teacher informs the class that the overall academic performance of the students has gone down due to the Marriage Practical. In order to counter this, the school has decided to conduct a series of surprise tests. Those who fail will have to take mandatory extra lessons after school to catch up. He adds that the scores of the marriage practical pair will be combined and form part of their grade.

Jirō starts to worry. He knows that Shiori and Minami will probably get good grades, but he and Akari might not. If this happens, Shiori would be more out of his reach. Jirō wonders if Akari even studies since she's always out having fun.

After school Akari tells Jirō that she was invited to karaoke, but that she'll still probably go home early. Jirō asks her what she plans on doing for the tests, but she brushes it off claiming that it would be fine. Jirō starts asking her about which subjects she was weakest at, but she is unable to give a straight answer. Seeing this, Jirō tells Akari that they should just go home and study. Akari answers that she can't exactly back out because a guy invited her. Jirō points out that he's a guy too, so she shouldn't ignore his request as well. Akari blushes and gives in, so they walk home together.

Later, they start studying together. Akari is unable to concentrate and starts to get tired of studying. She tries to seduce her way out of studying, but Jirō is undeterred. He takes a peek at Akari's work and comments that she was actually doing well on the practice problems. This motivates Akari who gets back to work. Jirō silently observes and notices how cute she is.

A while later, Akari finishes solving her math problems and continues to praise her, knowing that she gets motivated from direct compliments. Akari starts to tease Jirō and tries to make his heart skip a beat. When Jirō doesn't show any reaction, she tries harder, this time straddling him while giving him a hug. Jirō tries to ignore how her chest is directly pressed against him, but he later gives in to his desire. He spins Akari to her back and crawls on top of her. He blushes profusely and his heart beats so loud that Akari can hear it. She starts to make fun of how nervous he is, but he ignores her. He starts looking at her with desire and caressing her face. Akari starts getting flustered and nervously asks him to stop. In his mind, Jirō is unsure if he *can* stop. However, everything comes to a halt when Jirō gets a nosebleed.

Akari starts laughing hysterically at how Jirō's heart was beating so fast that his nose started to bleed. Jirō thinks to himself about how thankful he is that his body stopped him from crossing the line with Akari. He asks Akari why she's been more energetic in her teasing than usual. She tells him that she just didn't want to be outdone by Shiori. She didn't mean for things to escalate the way it did and that she just wanted to make him take a break from homework.

Jirō explains why he's pushing for them to study hard. He says he knows that when it comes to earning points, Akari is carrying the both of them as she is the one who initiates in that area. He just thought that maybe if it was a matter of studying, he could take charge and be of use to her instead.

As the two are folding their laundry together, Akari wonders what changes she'll have to get used to if they do well enough to exchange partners. She thinks of how she'll never be able to greet Jirō when he comes home. She breathes in the smell of their freshly laundered clothes and wonders if their clothes would stop smelling the same.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

Akari Watanabe
Jirō Yakuin
Shiori Sakurazaka
Mei Hamano
Minami Tenjin
## Chapter Notes

* Jirō and Akari's teacher announces that in order to increase their class's academic performance, a series of surprise tests will be implemented. The scores of the Marriage Practical pairs will be added and will form part of their grade.
* Jirō convinces Akari to study together so that they don't fail the tests.
* While studying, Jirō almost gets carried away and gets turned on when Akari starts teasing him physically.
* They don't cross the line because Jirō gets a nosebleed.