One Footstep (2)
Monday.
The day of the finals had dawned.
Tae-il brimmed with confidence. He'd spent all of Sunday at Sakuya's house, studying together until dinner.
Even with the sudden bet hanging over him, Sakuya had taught him with complete sincerity.
It almost felt like she was deliberately guiding him toward a high score.
No way, right...?
No matter how close he'd gotten to Sakuya lately, Tae-il couldn't see any reason for her to show him that kind of favoritism.
They were friends, sure, but not for that long—and the Sakuya in his memory from the original story had a bit of a mischievous streak.
Still, Tae-il welcomed her kindness.
It made him feel like they were getting closer, and who knew? This budding friendship might one day smooth the way for recruiting her into the band.
It's almost time.
Tae-il counted on his fingers.
Three days total until Wednesday, when exams ended.
On Thursday, they'd only have morning classes before heading home.
Friday's closing ceremony would wrap up the first semester's official schedule.
For Tae-il, that marked the start of the most crucial phase.
"Alright. Goal's an average of over 80 points!"
Tae-il pumped himself up in his room.
It wasn't a tall order.
A bet based on absolute grading averages, not relative? Even Sakuya had a soft side.
In the free elective classes, it was like lying down and eating rice cakes.
Besides, with serious prep and thorough review, Tae-il didn't think he'd lose.
To avoid any stomach issues, he skipped breakfast, downed some water, and headed to school. He'd always been unfazed by exams before, but with the bet on the line, even he felt a twinge of nerves.
Ayane had seemed a bit down, which nagged at him, but he chalked it up to exam stress and could only offer her some clichéd encouragement.
The tension lingered even after reaching the classroom.
Tae-il warmed his cold, nervous hands while rereading the notes Sakuya had organized, etching them into his brain.
"Morning, Taichi."
"Hit the gym again this morning, Sakuraba?"
Sakuya shook out her damp ponytail and took her seat.
"Of course. Can't skip my morning routine just for exams."
"You're incredible."
"You look pretty set yourself, Taichi."
"Who taught me?"
Sakuya fought back a smile at his flattery, tugging her lips downward.
"What if you crash and burn?"
"Never crossed my mind."
She chuckled at his cockiness.
"I'm actually looking forward to this. When do we grade?"
"All at once on Wednesday."
Sakuya nodded.
That was when Tae-il planned to establish the band club.
With Asakura and Yuuya's promises of support, he just needed to bring one more person besides himself.
Iris or Sakuya. Gotta convince one by Wednesday.
Pudding Head soon entered, rattling off light reminders for the exams.
"If you're caught cheating, zero for everyone involved, so watch it. Not that it'll happen—this finals should be a breeze anyway."
Getting caught would be utter humiliation.
Pudding Head added a few more nagging words out of habit, then stepped aside as an unfamiliar teacher entered as proctor—probably from second or third year.
First period: math.
Tae-il spun his mechanical pencil as the test papers passed back.
Done.
Time flew by.
He scanned the finished paper while twirling his pencil.
Grading later all at once...
He set it aside and prepped for the next one.
Feeling good.
This was a whole different sensation from his usual exams. Tae-il tapped the desk with his index finger.
No more blindly guessing unknowns and forcing through—night and day from the past.
At this rate, 90s average wasn't a pipe dream.
Am I getting ahead of myself?
He glanced cautiously at the seat next to him.
Sakuya, looking his way, met his eyes and grinned, mouthing words.
Tae-il squinted to read her lips.
How'd the test go?
He nodded.
Propping her chin on her left hand, she clenched her right fist and pumped the air lightly.
Her unique cheer. Tae-il bumped his fist against the air in response.
But seriously, what wish should I ask for...?
Memories of her unguarded moments from yesterday surfaced.
Tae-il shook his head vigorously.
Get it together, Shin Tae-il!
He crossed his legs hastily, buried his head in the next paper, and focused.
Second period was about to start.
* * *
Was the free class really that free?
Honestly, the exams were a joke—his pre-exam jitters seemed pointless.
After finishing the first day, Tae-il sought out Yuuya right away.
She was in the Animal Husbandry Club room, as usual.
"How'd exams go for you, senpai?"
"Good. Free class tests aren't tough..."
Tae-il kept his distance from her feeding lizards crickets and sprinkled food for the tropical fish.
"And Asakura-sensei?"
"Probably grading by now?"
Next up: turtles.
He pulled fruit from the fridge and diced it finely.
"If you win that wish bet against me, what would you ask for, senpai?"
"A wish...?"
Yuuya eyed the back of his head as he busily chopped snacks after tidying the enclosure.
"We made a bet. Loser grants a wish."
"With a girl?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Taichi. Nothing naughty."
"Obviously..."
"Obviously?"
Sakuya's figure kept flashing in his mind; he squeezed his eyes shut.
"I won't..."
"Muu."
Yuuya shot him a distrustful glare.
She trusted Tae-il, but not your average hormone-raging teenage boy.
"Th-there aren't girls out there who'd grant naughty wishes anyway!"
"Maybe there are...?"
"..."
Sakuya, Yuuya... why did everyone assume it so easily?
Tae-il sensed his worldview shifting.
"Anyway, what would you ask for, senpai?"
"Dunnooo?"
"Club membership, maybe?"
"Nah."
She said it casually but firmly.
"Can't do that."
Tae-il, handing a snack to a turtle, asked:
"Why not?"
"Forcing someone into something they hate is basically torture."
His hand paused mid-feed, the fruit perfectly bite-sized.
"It just makes everyone miserable. Especially husbandry."
Raising a life form came with burdens you couldn't force.
That's why childbirth and parenting were profound.
Irrevocable human duties.
Yuuya's sudden gloom drew Tama, who rubbed against her feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Tama. Hungry?"
Nyaa.
Watching her scratch Tama's chin, Tae-il balked.
"You're one to talk—the one who forced me to handle cockroaches and crickets."
"Ah. Busted. Ehehe..."
Yuuya giggled playfully; Tae-il smiled wryly.
"Fine, I kinda brought it on myself, so I'll let it slide this once. Just this once, got it?"
"Yeah. Thanks."
No.
Tae-il was the grateful one.
But...
"Ow!"
"Taichi!?"
"It huuuurts!"
Distracted by Yuuya, Tae-il's hesitation on feeding size irked the turtle.
* * *
Exams went smoothly.
Days two and three were no different.
Pudding Head gave light warnings, swapped with the proctor, and tests began.
As he'd said, the difficulty was low; Tae-il finished everything in a flash.
But no slacking.
He double-checked every easy problem and reviewed his answer sheet for stray marks.
"Time's up. Pens down, pass your sheets forward."
The final exam ended just like that.
"Aigoo!"
"Exams are over!"
"Guys, I bombed this time—what do I do?!"
"No way you failed?"
"Whoa! Failing the easiest finals ever? For real?!"
Groans erupted, turning the classroom rowdy in seconds.
The proctor slammed the podium after collecting sheets.
"Quiet down! Stay silent till homeroom returns. Now!"
"Now!"
The class rep shushed everyone; the proctor sealed the sheets in envelopes and left.
Clack, clack.
As the footsteps faded, the class rep asked the back-door boy:
"Gone?"
"Hold on, lemme check the hall..."
Impatient, a girl flung open the window.
"He's gone!"
"Yesss! Exams done!"
The room exploded again.
In the chaos, Sakuya dragged her chair over to Tae-il.
"How'd it go?"
Instead of answering, he pulled his test papers from his bag.
Grinning smugly, he shot back:
"See for yourself?"
"Hmph. Cocky, huh?"
Pudding Head returned soon for closing homeroom; Sakuya went back to her seat.
"Okay, good work, everyone. Report cards go home later—no hiding 'em from your parents."
"C'mon, we're high schoolers now—who hides grades?!"
"That's why they email 'em too."
Pudding Head teased a loud boy about grade tampering not working.
"Says you. Yours were shaky last time. Might be summer rendezvous with me—steel yourself."
"Sensei!"
The boy wailed innocently; everyone burst out laughing.
"Anyway, you all did great. Go home or party hard—no duties today!"
"Yay!"
"Best teacher ever!"
"You're who I respect most!"
"Outta here, you lot!"
No duties? Students bolted faster than light.
Pudding Head smiled warmly at the exodus, then tilted his head at the lingering pair.
"Sakuraba, Taichi—you two?"
"Grading scans."
"Just you two?"
"I was his tutor."
"Rough gig with this problem child. Good luck, Sakuraba."
"Haha, no biggie. Nothing compared to teachers' hard work."
"I'm right here..."
"I know!"
Pudding Head chuckled menacingly, shaking a fist.
"Early dismissal for once—don't stay too late. Crush Interhigh, Sakuraba."
"Thanks, sensei."
He left, leaving them alone.
The hallway buzzed, but the classroom fell quiet.
Sakuya shoved her desk against his.
"Shall we?"
"Uh, just so you know—scans aren't official..."
"I know. We'll wait for real grades for the wish. Happy?"
Tae-il rubbed his neck and nodded faintly at her scolding.
They graded in reverse test order, like a study session, re-solving and comparing answers.
By lunchtime, they finished.
Tae-il calculated the average.
"87 points..."
"Not bad."
"Still, not set in stone."
No smudges or extras, easily over 80—but he stayed cautious.
"Yours?"
"93."
High.
She might snag top of the free class again.
Tae-il clapped in congratulations.
"Congrats. First place incoming."
"Whatever."
She shrugged nonchalantly—it'd annoy from anyone else, but suited her perfectly.
After soaking up his praise, she leaned over the desk.
"Your turn. Decided on that wish?"
"The wish..."
Tae-il trailed off.
Truth was, he hadn't settled on one.
Just decided what not to wish for, like self-restraint.
He swallowed dryly.
"No pressure, right?"
Sakuya rested her chin lightly on interlaced hands, gazing expectantly. Her purple eyes sparkled, blinking innocently.
Clouds drifted lazily across the sky, veiling the sun.
A brief dimming of classroom light.
Her eyes gleamed vividly in the shadows, the moment stretching eternally.
Tae-il pried open his heavy lips.
"You know..."