Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818792436686816199
It was the week after the tests.
Although I had successfully completed all the tests, the tension remained, and in fact, a new series of challenges was about to begin.
After the tests, the results were returned during each subject’s class, so I couldn’t relax.
Moreover, there were 10 tests to be returned.
It was impossible to stay calm.
Until the overall results, including rankings, were returned, it was no exaggeration to call it an exam period.
And, to be honest, the period of waiting for the results was more stressful than the exams themselves.
If a bad score came back, I’d feel despair, and if it was a mediocre score, it’d feel like my lifespan was shortened.
Even if it was a good score, I’d still be anxious, so there was no way to calm down.
This time, I was so anxious that I felt like I was actually getting more gray hairs.
“Hm…..Haa. …Eh?”
In the math class that followed,
I looked at the returned answer sheet with a creepy voice, and there were the familiar beautiful numbers dancing on it.
In other words, it was a perfect score.
“Really?”
I was surprised by the unexpected score, but it wasn’t unreasonable.
After all, the test that had just been returned was the math A test from the first day, which I had been most worried about, and honestly, I never dreamed I would get a perfect score.
Looking at the teacher’s desk, the teacher gave me a thumbs-up sign with a smile.
Since the teacher in charge of this class was my homeroom teacher and knew the situation, he gave me a smile as if to say, “Relax.”
I returned the smile and looked down at the answer sheet once more.
It was a bit of a letdown.
Amidst the commotion around me, I compared my answers with the model answers without waiting for the explanation.
I didn’t think it was possible, but just in case.
The homeroom teacher might have unfairly inflated my score out of kindness.
I checked to confirm there was no such unfairness, but it seemed I had solved the problems almost exactly as in the model answers.
I accepted that it was a perfect score earned by my own ability and finally calmed down.
As expected, daily accumulation does not betray you.
Even though I couldn’t prepare for the math exam at all this time, I was able to get a perfect score thanks to the effects of my daily accumulation of previewing and reviewing.
There is nothing more joyful than this.
I feel like my daily efforts have been fully affirmed.
◇
After class, I was called by my homeroom teacher.
We walked to a quiet emergency staircase and started talking.
“…Just between us, but at least in Math A, you’re ahead of Takagi.”
“Haha, thanks for sharing that info. I feel a little better now.”
“But you don’t look too happy. How about the other subjects?”
“…Well.”
When the teacher asked me that, I scratched my cheek and smiled wryly.
So far, the results for three subjects have come back, including Math A.
Moreover, two of those subjects were Classical Studies and Social Studies, which were like natural enemies for me, a science student.
So, here’s the thing.
“Um, actually, I got 87 in Classical Studies and 89 in Social Studies, and neither of them even reached 90%…ugh, ugh.”
“Are you okay, Edano !?”
As I said that, I was almost crying.
Seeing me about to vomit, the teacher hurriedly rubbed my back.
Oh, how pathetic.
Actually, I know it myself.
It’s just that the grades were returned in order of my weakest subjects, so it’s too early to despair.
In fact, if I include the math score from earlier and calculate the average, it comes out to 92 points.
That’s almost the same as when I got first place last time.
It’s not a situation to be pessimistic about.
…But.
No, if I could be that positive, I wouldn’t be struggling !
“This time, I took the test thinking that to beat Takagi, I’d need an overall average of 93…no, 94 to 95 points. So when I saw two consecutive scores below 90, my heart was shattered…”
“Oh, well. …But Edano, I think you’ll be fine even without such a high score. This time, the teachers set the difficulty level pretty high when creating the questions.”
“I felt that too while taking the test. But to be absolutely sure of winning…”
I thought to myself.
Takagi is a formidable opponent.
To beat him without a doubt, I’d need to score perfect marks in all subjects to feel secure.
The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became.
Especially in classical studies, I was confident I’d easily scored over 90%.
Considering that overconfidence, I can’t stop being angry at myself.
“This time, during the mid-term slump, many students seemed unmotivated. The school’s intention was to give them low scores, scold them, and push them harder again by winter.”
Hearing the behind-the-scenes story I hadn’t known about, I couldn’t help but smile wryly again.
Well, teachers have their own circumstances, I guess.
Then, I asked about something that had been on my mind.
“But even if Takagi beat me, is it really okay to recommend someone with such bad behavior?”
“Hm? Ah…that’s a bit complicated. Of course, I’ve heard various rumors about his interactions with you.”
“Then why?”
“…Takagi’s family is in the medical field. Not just his parents, but his grandfather as well.”
“…Huh.”
It was the first time I’d heard this, but I immediately understood.
No wonder he kept harping on my desire to become a doctor.
The word “doctor” was apparently his trigger.
“His family also wants him to pursue a career in medicine, and there are other connections involved. We teachers can’t really say much about it, you know.”
“So what? Why does that mean I have to be sacrificed?”
I know it’s pointless to say this to my homeroom teacher.
But it’s so unfair that I just want to vent.
I don’t care about his family situation.
He doesn’t even consider my family situation.
He knows from Kako what kind of environment I’ve lived in and why I’m living this way now, yet he still acts like that.
I don’t have to be the only one who shows consideration.
Besides, if his parents are doctors and have money, he should just go to some random private medical school.
He probably doesn’t have to worry about his grades, but even if it’s a bit tough, he could probably get into a school through connections if he has the money and connections.
The fact that he’s trying to take up a valuable scholarship spot just shows that he’s only thinking about how to annoy me.
There’s no room for sympathy.
However, I didn’t know he was the son of a doctor.
Why didn’t he ever mention it?
If our relationship hadn’t deteriorated this much, there were things I wanted to ask him.
“That said, Takagi is apparently spreading rumors about the recommendation in class, and it’s causing quite a stir. If you win this time, I’ll take appropriate action.”
“I think it’s fine to just give a normal warning, regardless of academic performance.”
“…..I said the same thing, but the higher-ups….I’m sorry for my lack of power, Edano.”
“…..Well, it’s fine. All I need to do is win, so it’s just a matter of time.”
Lately, I’ve been saying pretentious things for some reason.
Even though I have no confidence, I make arrogant remarks as if I have no doubt that I will win.
Without realizing it, I’ve become a positive person.
Maybe it’s because Reisa and Nagisa have been praising me constantly.
“Edano…you’ve been looking pretty cool lately.”
I got goosebumps from the teacher’s girlish expression and left the room.
Either way, the results will be out soon.
Whether I cry or laugh, it won’t change anything.
In that case, I should review the returned test.
My opponent is another student aiming for the same school.
“But the problem is English.”
Despite all the preparation I did for this crucial English exam, the results haven’t been returned yet.
Muttering to myself, I returned to the classroom.
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