Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818792437019582724
The story goes back a little.
After school, when the results were announced, as usual, I received my individual results from my homeroom teacher, and then the top 10 students were posted on the bulletin board in the hallway.
As with the previous proficiency test, it was a given that I would be in the top 10, so I planned to check my ranking and results on the bulletin board in the hallway with Reisa.
Of course, I could have checked my individual results on my own, but that wouldn’t have been as much fun.
It’s more about wanting to enjoy the live atmosphere, so to speak.
Since our school’s regular exams are posted on the bulletin board, they also have an entertaining event-like quality to them, which makes it even more fun.
Also, it’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I’m a little scared to look at them alone.
I know how many points I got on each test that was returned during class, but I don’t know my ranking.
I was feeling anxious about it, but just before the results were posted, my homeroom teacher called me over.
“Edano, can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Um, sure…”
I could tell something was up as my teacher looked at me straight in the eye, sweating slightly.
I stood up, scratching the back of my head, as the other students whispered about us.
The two of us went to a small classroom, and he immediately placed the envelope he was holding on the desk.
I sat down and looked at the envelope.
Well, now that it’s come to this, I don’t even need to see the results to know what they are.
What a disappointing ending with no sense of surprise.
“Edano, congratulations.”
“…I was first place.”
“Huh? I already gave you the results earlier, didn’t I?”
“No…I was planning to check it with my friends on the bulletin board outside. I hadn’t looked at it yet.”
“That feels like I did something wrong.”
Well, but it’s true that I felt relieved.
What the teacher took out of the envelope was a copy of the posted ranking list.
He had carefully cut out only the scores for first and second place and arranged them for easy comparison.
I was able to accurately grasp my own scores once again.
———
1st place: Edano Tsukushi: Modern Japanese 84, Classical Japanese 87, Math I 100, Math A 100, Communication 93, Presentation 100, Biology 100, Physics 100, History 91, Civics 89, Total 944/1000 points
2nd place: Takagi Rio: Modern Japanese 81, Classical Japanese 90, Math I 96, Math A 98, Communication 92, Presentation 97, Biology 97, Physics 94, History 96, Civics 89, Total 927/1000 points
———
I won by a margin of 17 points.
As expected, it was a close battle.
If I had devoted all my resources to math as usual, I probably would have lost.
I shuddered at the thought of what might have happened.
“What’s remarkable is how many perfect scores there were. The teachers were scratching their heads in the staff room.”
“No, to be honest, it was also a matter of luck.”
“Don’t be modest. Your efforts are evident from your answers.”
“……Thank you.”
I feel embarrassed by the praise.
This time, it was truly a result of my hungry spirit.
I feel a bit self-conscious, and my face tenses up.
However, while the perfect scores are impressive, the real standout is the English scores.
As declared, I defeated Takagi in both English subjects.
Using the quiz as motivation, the three of us did a ton of preparation, and it paid off.
However, the fact that I had spoken out loud about the condition of winning by getting a perfect score was a problem.
This time, I only got a perfect score on the English expression test, so it ended up being a somewhat ambiguous result, like “saying one thing and doing another.”
Since learning from Reisa’s maid, my understanding of communication English had progressed to the point where a perfect score was no longer a dream, so I do feel a little regret.
But hey, a win is a win.
I thoroughly crushed him in his strongest subject.
I did get a perfect score in one area, so it’s within acceptable limits.
“We also plan to provide guidance on behavior. We’ve already discussed this based on the current grades, so please rest assured.”
“……..But he’s still barking. Is that okay?”
“……..”
While we were talking, I could hear what sounded like Takagi’s voice coming from the hallway.
I couldn’t make out the details, but it sounded like things were getting pretty heated.
I don’t know if a single guidance session will improve his behavior, but it’s a good opportunity nonetheless.
I hope he takes this chance to reflect on himself and grow.
The teachers seem to be having a hard time with him.
The homeroom teacher looks grim, and when the parents are influential, the teachers must find it a real hassle.
I feel sorry for him.
Maybe it’s because my victory is certain and I’m in a dreamlike state that I feel this way.
“So, then…”
“Yes.”
“The main topic of this meeting is the recommendation quota.”
Of course, I was prepared for this, so I straightened my posture and waited for the next words.
While placing new documents on the desk, the homeroom teacher began to speak slowly.
And finally, the question was asked.
The final confirmation process began.
“Are we proceeding with the recommendation for the medical school at Seirin University?”
I took a deep breath and opened my mouth to answer the homeroom teacher’s question.
◇
“Man, what a string of bad luck.”
“Haha, well, maybe that person has learned their lesson now?”
“I hope so.”
After the meeting, I was approached by onlookers in the hallway.
Moving to a quieter spot, I let out a sigh.
Reisa laughed at me, and Nagisa smiled with a furrowed brow.
In any case, it was over.
After being tense for a while, I could finally relax.
Of course, I couldn’t let my guard down, but I could take a little break.
After all, I had given my all to this test.
Now, we were gathered at the usual family restaurant after the test.
We couldn’t relax surrounded by people at school, so we changed locations early.
It felt good to be praised by everyone after the test, but I wasn’t in the mood for that today.
“So, how did it go?”
Reisa immediately asked that question.
Even without asking, I knew she was referring to the recommendation slot.
She didn’t say it out loud, but Nagisa also looked at me with a childlike expression, as if she was curious.
Somehow, being asked that question by the two of them, who had worked so hard together, made me feel embarrassed.
“Thank you both for studying with me this time.”
“Why are you being so formal? We always do this, don’t we?”
“That’s true, but it’s just so meaningful.”
“Haha.”
It felt like a polite opening remark, but I genuinely wanted to express my gratitude to the two of them.
With that, I brought up the topic in question.
“It’s about the medical school recommendation slot, right?”
“Yeah.”
“About that…..”
I swallowed hard and said with a wry smile.
“About that, I’ve decided not to apply.”
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