Chapter 63: First semester midterm exam results announced

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Translator: Soafp

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――Ding dong ding dong

The bell signaled the end of all the tests.

I had finished reviewing my answers ten minutes earlier and was just waiting for it to ring.

“Okay, everyone, please hand in your test papers.”

“…Haa…”

The collective sigh of my classmates echoed in the room.

Naturally, I was one of them.

“…I'm exhausted.”

Now that I think about it, the time flew by.

Locking myself in my room to study and taking the tests at this desk, it all felt like it passed in an instant.

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A week later.

I spent Saturday sleeping in, something I hadn't done in a while.

On Sunday, I went to the horseback riding lesson I had booked.

I'm still sore from it.

I was distracted and had trouble focusing, but I had fun.

Then came school.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

The atmosphere in the classroom after exams is always a bit quieter.

Being a school that values academic achievement, students are pretty sensitive about their grades. There's a restless tension even during class.

Of course, I'm no exception. Though I'm usually quiet anyway.

And then, today.

――Buzz buzz

The courtyard.

Normally not many students hang out there, but today it was packed.

The reason? The top 20 scorers from the tests would have their names posted on the bulletin board.

Usually, test results are returned in class, but for those in the top rankings, it's different.

First thing in the morning, those who made the cut can bask in the glory of knowing their results early, enjoying both a sense of pride and relief.

It's like a sneak preview of the official results, an event that stirs excitement.

“Ahh, I didn't make it into the top 20 again!”

“Haa…”

“And I worked so hard this time…”

“Yes! I made 19th! I'm 19th!”

“Seriously? That's amazing!”

“Hey, check that out—”

The students were chattering excitedly.

Just watching the crowd stirred unease in my chest.

[――”I won't let my ranking drop.”――]

[――”You're underestimating me too much, Hatsune-san.”――]

[――”My only strong point is academics.”――]

The words I had once declared echoed in my mind.

With trembling legs, I pushed through the throng of people.

And then — I saw it.

The rankings.

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[Ayano PoV]

“…Momo, are you okay?”

“…Yeah.”

It had been a week since the tests.

Thanks to Toumachi-kun's help, I felt like I did pretty well.

Not only because he taught me things, but even more so because of something else.

[――”Let's do our best, Ayanon.”――]

Since that study session, Momo had changed.

[――”Let's study together!”――]

The day after the study session, when I thought she had gone home, the doorbell rang.

With a determined expression, she came inside and asked me to study with her.

I left the babysitting to Kanon's mom, and we studied late into the night.

She ended up staying over, and the next day, she came back to study again.

We have sleepovers often, but this time was different.

She was clearly very serious about studying.

That had never happened before.

[――”Icchi is working hard too…”――]

[――”He taught me all this, so I have to give it my all.”――》]

[――”Ayanon, let's do our best together, okay?”――]

Hearing her voice and seeing her determination, I couldn't help but nod in agreement.

I had thought it'd be fine just to avoid failing, but…

Seeing my best friend work so hard made me want to do my best too.

Now it was time for the announcement of the top scorers.

The courtyard was packed with people.

But we were still in the classroom that morning.

“…Ugh. I'm not ready…”

“For the results?”

“Yeah…”

It's always like this.

If you're curious, you should just go see.

“Go check it out… Ayanon…”

“Mou, fine then!”

I sensed that she wasn't going to move, so I stepped out of the classroom and headed down the stairs.

The atmosphere at school felt different today.

Both Momo and I were acting out of the ordinary. After all, we had put in more effort studying this time.

But most importantly…

I was worried about “his” results.

――Buzz buzz

The crowd of students gathered around the bulletin board.

And among them, I spotted the rainbow-colored hair of Toumachi-kun.

His expression was hidden behind the throng.

――Buzz buzz

I moved closer — before I could speak to him.

Just like him, I gazed at the bulletin board amid the sea of bodies.

---

Second Place: Makoto Sumeragi

Third Place: Yuya Nikaido

Fourth Place: Suzume Izuki

Fifth Place: Rio Hiiragi

As I scanned upward, unfamiliar names appeared.

[——”Icchi is fifth in our grade. I'm so jealous because he is smart!”——]

That's what Momo had said.

But his name wasn't there.

…However, in its place —

First Place: Hajime Toumachi

It shone like a star in the sky.

At the top — there it was, his name.

“…Amazing.”

I couldn't help but exclaim.

And then, I dashed over to him.

“—Ah.”

“Amazing! You got first place!”

I called out to him as he continued to stare at the bulletin board.

…Hmm? Did his bangs get longer all of a sudden? Is that just my imagination?

Heh, I could tell he was genuinely surprised.

“—Uh.”

He quickly returned his gaze to the board again.

I wondered if he was still in disbelief.

“Well, I guess I got lucky.”

“What do you think the other students would say if you told them that?”

“True. Saying it's my skill sounds a bit off, doesn't it?”

“That's the only thing you can say.”

“Thanks. So… it was a piece of cake.”

“Heh. You're changing your attitude way too quickly.”

“That's actually true.”

“You should've said that from the start. You're so weird… Fufu.”

[——”Icchi might end up lowering his score, though…”——]

[——”He prepared a lot for us.”——]

[——”I invited him for a study session, even though it was his precious weekend.”——]

Momo’s worries would probably vanish in an instant.

It seems those concerns were completely unnecessary.

“How much did you study to get first place?”

“Haha, I told you it was easy. I put in just a little more effort than during my first year.”

“…I see.”

He laughed it off.

I somehow sensed that he was lying.

During the test period, I could tell just how dedicated he was to these exams by the look on his face.

“It's just self-satisfaction. Getting good grades on the midterms doesn't mean I'll get into college.”

…I'm sure this too.

“Since I've moved up to second year, I thought I should try a bit harder than I did in first year. It's a casual mindset.”

…I'm sure this is true too.

“So I'd like you to invite me for another study session, you know.”

…And when he said that line, his voice held a certain strength. It surely wasn't a lie.

“I want to learn from you again. Oh, and by the way, Toumachi-kun, Momo was worried about you.”

“…Really? I wonder why.”

Her face suddenly crossed my mind.

The image of Momo, looking downcast after the study session.

Before the test — glancing worriedly at Toumachi-kun from time to time.

“Hey, did you… take this test for Momo's sake?”

Having witnessed all of this, I couldn’t help but ask.

“No.”

The expected response came.

“Right.”

“There's no reason to work hard on a test for someone else. If I do well, others will drop.”

“…That's true.”

“Yeah.”

With just that, he disappeared into the crowd—

“—But,”

Before he left completely—

“I owe it to both of you, too. This result.”

“Huh?”

“So—thank you.”

At that moment.

He said it quietly.

Like he was savoring the joy.

I couldn't see his face as he had turned away — but his voice made it clear.

“Because of that study session, I was able to get first place.”

It wasn't out of concern. It wasn't a lie.

I could tell it was genuine, from the bottom of his heart.

I was so surprised I couldn't respond immediately.

“Y-you're welcome.”

“Yeah, see you.”

As he walked away, his words lingered in my mind.

Strongly. Deeply.

“Toumachi-kun…”

I looked back at the top name on the board once more.

“Really… such a mysterious person.”

My soft murmur was soon swallowed up by the noisy crowd.

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TL: Mah man.