Chapter 29: Test Results

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Translator: Soafp

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Friday, the day of the monthly test.

This month's designated subject was math. It was a subject where strengths and weaknesses showed clearly—and Ginji leaned toward the weaker side. He even studied with Sora during lunch break, and the test came in sixth period.

After the test, Ginji sat with his head in his hands while Sora gave a sly, humid smile. When the end-of-day announcements finished, Sora walked over to Ginji, who looked ready to collapse onto his desk, tilted her head, and peered at his expression.

“U-Um. Ginji, judging from that look… the test didn't go well?”

“…I totally nailed it.”

“Huh?”

Sora blinked in confusion, and Ginji glared back at her.

“I'm telling you, I did well. I felt it. Even that usual ‘they-don't-expect-you-to-solve-this' question—I managed to work through part of it.”

“Then… why do you look so devastated?”

“If someone like me—who sucks at math—could do that well, what does that say about you, who taught me?”

Sora finally caught on as Ginji looked up at her with a sideways glance, resting his cheek on his hand. Her hazel eyes gleamed as she leaned in with a mischievous grin.

“Perfect. I'm really looking forward to the results on Monday!”

“Damn it! I'm so worked up, we're celebrating with something spicy today!”

Standing up from his desk and grabbing his bag, Ginji stomped off with big strides. Sora laughed and hurried after him.

“Haha, go easy on me, okay? If you want something where we can control the heat… how about chili sauce stir-fry?”

“Never had it. You know how to make the sauce?”

“Sure. We've got tomato sauce and doubanjiang at home, so I think I can whip something up.”

As they talked about dinner on the way to the shoe lockers, they suddenly overheard voices from a group of girls.

“Shiki-san was—”

Hearing Aika's name, the two of them instinctively ducked behind the lockers.

“What, she was mad after the test?”

“Yeah. One of her friends asked her the usual, ‘Did you ace it again this time?' and she stood up with a grim look and just walked out without saying a word.”

“That's unusual. She's always so calm and composed. Maybe because she's hard on herself, even a small slip gets to her.”

“She is a perfectionist.”

The girls put on their shoes and exited through the school entrance.

“…Sora, did you hear that?”

“Yeah. I didn't give her the test prediction worksheets this time. She didn't ask, so…”

“Maybe that's why she didn't do as well. Now I'm kinda looking forward to Monday myself.”

Ginji grinned, while Sora wore a more conflicted expression. Her gaze wavered anxiously as she looked up at Ginji.

“…You think it's your fault?”

“I don't know. I think Aika-chan figured she'd be fine without me. That's probably why she didn't ask for any practice problems. And she does usually study on her own.”

“Being an idol's no cakewalk, huh. Well, nothing we can do now. Let's go.”

Looking at Sora's expression, Ginji wondered again—Would a direct revenge really lead to Sora's happiness? First things first, he needed to help her build some confidence. The rest could come later.

“Okay. I'll pedal the bike today!”

“Forget it. We'll just crash together again.”

And so, the two of them headed to Sora's house and went all in on ultra-spicy food. Since Sora had art cram school on the weekend and Ginji had plans with his guy friends, they didn't see each other again until Monday.

At lunchtime, after the morning classes, the top 20 results of the monthly test were posted.

“…You've gotta be kidding me.”

Ginji gave a wry smile as he stared at the noticeboard for their grade.

‘1st Place: Sora Takagi– 100 points'

The second place score was 92 points—Sora's win was overwhelming. Looking slightly downward and to the side, Ginji saw Sora remove her fake glasses and flash him a smug grin.

“‘Anything,' right?”

“…A man keeps his word.”

“Knew I could count on you, Ginji. Oh, and congrats to you too.”

“Huh? Wait, for real!?”

Following Sora's finger, Ginji found his own name.

‘16th Place: Ginji Momoi – 76 points'

There were about six other people tied at the same rank, but even so, this was his first time making it onto the board. Despite the sense of accomplishment he felt from the test, Ginji was genuinely shocked that just one week of study had landed him in the top 20 at a competitive school.

“Hmm, if you'd gotten just two more questions right, you would've made the top 10. Next time, let's shoot for single digits.”

“You don't sound like you're joking.”

“I'm not joking.”

Tilting her head, Sora looked at him, and Ginji had to admit he'd severely underestimated her.

The fact that Sora had spent almost all her study time tutoring him and still managed to get a perfect score proved just how high-spec she really was. And there was one more thing that caught Ginji's attention:

‘13th Place: Aika Shiki'

Aika, who had consistently ranked within the top 10, had fallen to double digits. That fact quietly spread across the school.