Chapter 200: A Bright Future Ahead, Sunny Skies
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 200: A Bright Future Ahead, Sunny Skies
“You have to be in the top 10.”
“I don’t think that’s possible because of math.”
“You can do it. Don’t give up already.”
Was getting 14th place on the midterms a mistake?
Miyuki’s expectations had grown way too high.
During break time, Miyuki, who had corralled Tetsuya and me to study, spoke to Tetsuya as he diligently took notes.
“Tetsuya-kun, you should aim for the top 10, too.”
“Me...? Okay. I’ll do my best.”
Tetsuya answered, his face lacking confidence, and his gaze subtly shifted toward me.
He’s conscious of me. He’s stopped trying to get on my nerves since the tournament, but that rival-like glare of his has gotten a little more intense.
“Okay. That’s enough chatter... Everyone, open your math books.”
No matter how much he struggled, he was no threat to me. I snorted inwardly and obediently opened my book as Miyuki instructed.
After that, we couldn’t go anywhere and were stuck studying in the classroom.
I remained in the classroom like an earth-bound spirit, finally getting a breather during lunch when I went to the school store after eating in the cafeteria.
I had tried to focus, but studying a subject I disliked felt like it was making all my hair fall out.
My fingers were a little sore from gripping my mechanical pencil so hard. As I walked down the hall, flexing them, I spotted Renka up ahead, her long, navy-blue ponytail swishing as she headed somewhere.
I stealthily quickened my pace, came up behind her, and lowered my voice.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
Renka turned around, speaking formally.
The moment she saw it was me, her face flushed with a mix of colors.
“You wanna die?”
“Ah, it’s the Captain. My apologies.”
“You didn’t look surprised at all. You even changed your voice... Are you messing with me?”
“Sorry. Where were you headed?”
“...The store.”
“I was on my way there, too. Shall we go together?”
“No.”
Renka refused curtly and started walking again.
I matched her pace, walking beside her. She winced and moved away.
“Don’t stick so close. Walk farther away.”
A second ago she said she didn’t want to go together, but I guess it’s fine as long as I keep my distance.
“Like this?”
“Farther.”
“Any farther and we’d be strangers. That’s a little cold, don’t you think?”
“It’s fine to be cold.”
“No, it’s better not to be. How’s the studying for finals going?”
Did she find my casual change of topic annoying?
Renka furrowed her brow and answered reluctantly.
“I’m managing somehow. Chinami is helping, too.”
“You’ve taken her on as your master?”
“Well... I guess you could put it that way?”
“Then we’re from the same school of learning, aren’t we? You should call me Senior from now on.”
“I’ll die before I call you that, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“A shame. Anyway, want to make a bet with me?”
“What kind of bet?”
“A bet on our ranks. Whoever gets a higher rank on the final exams...”
“No.”
She shook her head sharply before I could even finish explaining.
She must have guessed what I was about to say.
“Alright. I’ll take that as a yes, then.”
“I said no. Get it through your head.”
“You must be scared you’ll lose to me.”
“What kind of ridiculous nonsense are you spouting now...? Why would I be scared of you? I just don’t want to waste mental energy on pointless things...!”
“So you’re confident?”
“...Of course I am.”
“There was a slight pause in your answer... Are you sure you’re not actually unconfident?”
“What are you talking about... I just hesitated for a second because you were saying such absurd things.”
“Then let’s do it. If you’re so confident, there’s no downside for you, Captain.”
“Stop trying to rope me into this. I’m not doing it.”
I could feel her absolute refusal.
Did she not study much? I can imagine.
“What are you doing during the break?”
“Getting a part-time job.”
“That one from before? Did you find one?”
“Not yet.”
“It’s the vacation season. If you don’t find one soon, all the good ones will be taken.”
“It won’t be too late to look after finals. And you haven’t forgotten, have you? About helping at my uncles’ store.”
“The wish? I remember.”
“Good.”
“Did you tell them about it?”
“I did.”
“And what did they say?”
“What do you mean, what did they say? They just said it was great.”
I could just picture it. Her uncles must have been thrilled.
Two huge men with intimidating faces, clapping like seals and laughing heartily... The image didn’t quite fit.
When we arrived at the store, I got in the line behind Renka.
I glanced between the sold-out items and the menu of available ones and asked.
“What are you getting?”
“Peach jelly and melon milk.”
“Is the peach jelly for your master?”
“Yes.”
“Can’t you get something other than melon milk?”
“Why?”
“Just because.”
“Stop talking nonsense and get going already.”
“I haven’t bought anything yet.”
“Go stand in another line.”
“Don’t be so childish. Are you a kid, Captain?”
“You stop being childish first.”
Hmm... bickering like this, building up a strange sort of affection... It’s not bad.
I wonder if Renka thinks so, too?
Considering how often she’s been talking with me lately, it seems possible.
* * *
“Anyone caught cheating will be immediately removed from the room.”
The students tensed up at the proctor’s stern voice.
The proctor looked around the solemn classroom with satisfaction before continuing.
“Distribute the exam papers.”
The students in the front row took the papers and began passing them back.
I was in the very last seat, and once I received my paper, the proctor tapped the podium as a signal for silence.
A ring was on the ring finger of his needlessly authoritarian left hand.
Why was I suddenly curious about what his wife looked like?
“Good luck, Matsuda-kun.”
Miyuki’s small voice of encouragement came from two desks away.
I gave her a grin. When the announcement to begin the exam sounded, I unfolded the thin sheet of the Korean language exam paper.
The very first question was a problem that required the reading comprehension method Miyuki had taught me.
The next question was also from the material we had covered.
Feeling good right from the start, I focused as hard as I could on the exam.
There weren’t any parts where I got stuck.
Math, which was after English, was a bit of a concern, but it was nothing I couldn’t figure out with a little more thought. I solved the problems smoothly, transferring my answers to the answer sheet.
After burning out my brain and finishing the morning exams with what I considered success, I pressed my throbbing temples and glanced between Miyuki and Tetsuya, who were coming over to check our answers.
“Can’t we do this later? My head hurts.”
“Let’s just do a quick check. Only math.”
“What’s the point of checking now when we can’t even change our answers? We can just wait for the results.”
“It’s for psychological stability.”
“But if we did poorly, won’t that just make us more anxious?”
“Not at all. If that happens, it’ll just fire up your competitive spirit to do better on the next exam.”
That was a very Miyuki-like answer, passionate as she was about studying.
Then again, she was passionate about other things, too.
“Hah... alright.”
“Our goal for math was 80 for both of us, right?”
“Right.”
“Then let’s start, shall we? First...”
Miyuki started rattling off like a machine gun.
She recited everything from the questions to the answers without a single pause. Had she memorized the entire exam?
I couldn’t help but be impressed.
Before we knew it, other students interested in their scores had gathered around us in small groups.
They were there to hear the correct answers from Miyuki. After all, an answer from her lips was never wrong.
Well, since it’s come to this, if I get a high score, I’ll ask Miyuki to go to the rooftop with me during lunch.
With that resolve, I checked my answers in the now-bustling classroom, listening to Miyuki’s clear voice.
I deliberately kept the notebook where I’d scribbled the questions and answers hidden.
I had gotten the first five questions right, and I had a feeling I was going to get a good score. I wanted to surprise Miyuki.
“...The last answer is 13. That’s all of them.”
As soon as Miyuki finished, a mix of relieved and disappointed sighs erupted from all around.
Miyuki, who couldn’t focus solely on Tetsuya and me because of the crowd, gently shooed the other students away before sitting down closer to me.
“So, how did you two do? Tetsuya-kun, you first.”
At that, the corners of Tetsuya’s mouth, who had placed his messy notebook on my desk, crept upwards.
“I think I got an 80...?”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Really. There were one or two answers I was unsure about, but even without those, it’s an 80.”
“You did amazing! I knew you could do it...!”
Miyuki was as happy as if it were her own achievement.
Grinning from ear to ear at her praise, Tetsuya scratched the back of his head shyly.
He really did work hard. As much as I hate the guy, I’ll admit he did well this time.
I gave Tetsuya a small thumbs-up. When Miyuki, who had praised him several times and even clapped for him, turned her eyes to me, I schooled my expression.
“What about you, Matsuda-kun?”
“I don’t know.”
Did she see my ashen face and subdued voice and assume I’d scored lower than expected?
Miyuki gently placed a hand on my leg and patted it, as if to say, ‘You can do it.’
“See for yourself. I’m going to the bathroom.”
With an indifferent expression, I handed Miyuki the notebook with my answers, then got up and left the classroom.
Then, I sent Miyuki a message: if she was satisfied with my score, she should come up to the rooftop.
I had gotten a few of the easy questions wrong.
But I had gotten all the high-point-value questions right, except for the single most difficult one.
The result of my self-scoring was an 86.
Honestly, even though Miyuki had set 80 as the goal, she probably hadn’t truly expected that score from me, since I’d seemed even weaker in math than Tetsuya.
But I had passed 80 with flying colors.
Miyuki was probably looking at my notebook, unable to hide her surprise at how many questions I’d gotten right.
And Tetsuya was probably feeling his inferiority complex flare up, having lost to me again.
I felt fantastic.
How could I not? Ever since the kendo tournament, it’s been all green lights for me.
The road ahead is paved, the skies are clear.
Riding high on my main character buff, I grinned foolishly to myself as I sauntered toward the rooftop.