Episode 382: Test Results

The day after we overcame the fateful final exams.

With test returns starting as early as today, the classroom this morning was enveloped in more tension than usual. However, that wasn’t for the same reason across the board. There were those like me who were purely waiting for the results, and those who were afraid of them. Then there were others who, depending on the results, were looking at failing grades, retests, or even winter break supplementary classes.

Well, there were also a few who didn’t seem to care at all.

「Takanashi, you’re the type who wants to know the results quickly.」

The one who spoke to me while I was observing the classroom was Kawamura, the friend I’m closest with in this class (or so I think). By the way, the reason Yamakawa isn’t that person isn’t out of any ill intent, it’s just that I get along better with Kawamura so he’s easier to talk to. But that is very important.

「Well, you do have the best private tutor attached to you.」

「I can’t really say much to you when you’re in the top class of the grade, Kawamura.」

It feels a bit cliché to say it’s just as I imagined, but Kawamura’s test scores are overwhelmingly faster to count from the top of the grade. Moreover, he isn’t a typical brainiac type but also has an active side, so as a person, he’s quite the type I like.

「Oh boy, the high achievers are so relaxed. Here I am, desperate just to avoid failing.」

「Takanashi has it good. Satsukawa-senpai is sticking to him and watching over his studies. Then when he goes home, it’s just the two of them, flirting and flirting every single day… dammit!!!!」

「Shut up.」

Arriving where I was talking with Kawamura were, of course, the remaining two… Yamakawa and Tanaka. These guys are the same as ever, or rather, does Tanaka feel unsatisfied if he doesn’t shout about Sara-san at least once?

「Kazunari’s grades are the result of effort. Those who haven’t done the same have no right to envy Kazunari.」

「Gugh!?」

Hanako-san, who had been watching the two with an irritated look, suddenly cut them down with cold logic. Yamakawa collapsed to his knees like a character in a comedy skit.

I had secretly thought the same thing, but hearing it in Hanako-san’s flat tone probably dealt more damage… especially to Yamakawa.

「Haha… even so, Takanashi, you really started working hard on your studies once the second term began. Your scores on the short quizzes in class shot up all at once, did you find a goal or something?」

「Ah… well, that’s.」

「No, this guy’s actions are basically always related to Satsukawa-senpai, right?」

「Right, right. Like wanting to be praised more by Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Don’t group me with you.」

It’s true that my hard work is related to Sara-san, but I don’t want to hear it from Yamakawa, who once「pretended」to work hard in class and on his studies just to appeal to Hanako-san.

My hard work is strictly for the sake of our future, and at the same time, for my own personal human goals. It’s a very noble reason.

「But really, there’s no doubt you had something on your mind, right?」

「Well… in the sense that it involves Sara-san, you’re not exactly wrong, but it’s not quite that simple.」

「I see… well, I don’t think you’d work hard just to look cool, so I guess you needed to raise your grades for some future goal?」

「…Correct.」

When I nodded straightforwardly at his sharp observation, Kawamura sent an even more intrigued look my way. He was probably expecting a more in-depth explanation, but unfortunately, I didn’t intend to say any more here.

Because…

「Hey, hey, Takanashi-kun! That talk just now…」

「Future goal, so it’s a talk about marriage with Satsukawa-senpai after all, isn’t it!!??」

「Whoa, whoa, things are already decided that far ahead!?」

The romance junk… I mean, the maidens in love who were eavesdropping nearby came swarming over!!

As always, you girls are incredibly quick to bite on this kind of talk, aren’t you!?

「Eh, what, what, what are you talking about!?」

「Takanashi-kun is talking about the details of his wedding with Satsukawa-senpai…」

「Wait, don’t just change the story on your own!!」

「Kyaaaa!!」

「What was that!? Tell us too, that’s so interest… I mean, intriguing!!」

「No, listen!!」

Once it gets to this point, it doesn’t matter what I say. The story will be modified and spread in an instant like a game of telephone. This is exactly why I try not to talk about Sara-san in the classroom as much as possible… yet it ends up like this anyway.

「…Takanashi, sorry.」

「N-no, it’s not Kawamura’s fault.」

Leaving aside the trigger for the conversation, the ones who brought up Sara-san’s name were those two idiots… it wasn’t Kawamura’s fault.

「So Takanashi-kun!! When are you holding the wedding with Satsukawa-senpai!?」

「Satsukawa-senpai in a wedding dress would be amazing!!」

「No, no, for Satsukawa-senpai, a traditional Japanese style would suit her too!!」

「I get it!! Just imagining her in a white wedding kimono is crazy!!」

「Hey Takanashi-kun, which one do you prefer!?」

「Eeeeeh… no, even if you ask me that all of a sudden… wait, nobody was talking about that!!」

I mean, I don’t even need to be asked. For Sara-san, either would obviously suit her best in the world… wait, that’s not it!!

Kawamura and I were just talking about grades, so why do the girls have to link everything to that…

「Kazunari was only talking about grades. He wasn’t talking about his wife.」

Seeing that the situation was getting out of hand, Hanako-san cut into the conversation to back me up. As expected of my big sister, I’m honestly grateful.

「Eh? Grades?」

「Oh, what a disappointment…」

「But I still want to hear the answer, so…」

Ding-dong…

「Alright, get to your seats.」

Along with the chime ringing at a perfect timing, the classroom door rattled open. The savior in this situation, our homeroom teacher, entered. Seeing him, the maidens in love made disappointed faces and returned to their seats.

Phew… I’m saved.

But Sara-san in a wedding dress, huh.

I’ve heard on some program before that wearing a wedding dress is a woman’s dream. I wonder if Sara-san feels the same way?

Maybe I’ll ask her someday… if I get the chance.

Fourth period…

This class, the fourth subject to be returned today, was Math. In a way, it was my biggest hurdle and the core of everything. It’s the subject I’m worst at, and that’s exactly why it’s the one I put the most effort into during my daily studies. I wondered what the results would be this time.

But my own feeling was that it wasn’t bad at all… I think.

「Takanashi.」

「Yes.」

Called by the math teacher, I headed to the teacher’s desk with a lot of tension and a tiny bit of hope. The teacher’s expression was normal… or maybe it looked like he was smiling a little more than usual. I wondered what that smile meant.

Ugh, please…

「Here, you worked hard.」

「Thank you very much.」

I took the test paper and returned to my seat without checking it on the spot, suppressing my racing heart. But judging from the teacher’s words「you worked hard,」I thought it might not be a bad result.

「Kazunari.」

「I know.」

Hanako-san, who looks over my studies during breaks, was also curious. She poked my arm with her finger as if to hurry me… alright, I’m ready.

Here goes!!

「…u!」

I steeled my resolve and spread the answer sheet on the edge of the desk so it was easy for Hanako-san to see too. And the numbers written there… the score was…

Se, seventy-four!?

「O, ohhhhh…」

This was honestly a happy surprise. A 74 in math, my weakest subject, meant that if things continued like this, there was a possibility my average score for this term could reach nearly 80. I can’t believe the day has come where I see such happy test results… I want to report this to Sara-san right away!

And I have to thank Hanako-san again for looking over my studies during breaks…

「Hanako-san, I…」

「You did your best.」

「Th-thank you…」

「Kazunari, there, there, good boy.」

「Hanako-san…」

With a look that anyone could clearly see was happy… Hanako-san wore a gentle smile and stroked my head over and over with her hand. That small hand slid over my head repeatedly. It was ticklish and embarrassing… but above all, the feeling of happiness was the strongest.

「…Huff, huff, this is… this is progress.」

「…Hanako-chan’s smile is precious.」

「…Sm-smartphone, smartphone!! Camera, cameraaaaa!!」

「…Takanashiiiiii…」

「…Dammitttttt…」

「Alright, next is Hanasaki… wait, what are you guys doing?」

Apparently it had become Hanako-san’s turn while we were doing that. The teacher looked our way and tilted his head curiously. Only our homeroom teacher is used to us acting like this… did I mess up a bit?

「…Come on, Hanasaki, hurry up and get it.」

「Yes.」

I thought it might be trouble, but apparently it was okay?

The teacher didn’t get angry or give a warning. He just looked normal.

「Keep up the good work.」

「Thanks.」

Receiving the answer sheet from the teacher, who showed a larger smile than when he gave me mine, Hanako-san finished a blunt greeting and quickly returned to her seat. I wondered what her score was… though Hanako-san has never had a bad test result.

All her results so far have been close to 90.

「Hanako-san?」

「So close, just a bit more…」

「Eh?」

With an expression that didn’t look very frustrated, she muttered that and quickly spread the answer sheet so I could see it. The score that jumped into my sight was…

Ei, eighty-nine!?

「As expected, you’re amazing, Hanako-san…」

「Regrettable… I thought for sure I’d beat the wife this time.」

「Eh? Ah, oh… Sara-san, well…」

I never expected Hanako-san to be conscious of Sara-san’s grades, but as far as I know, Sara-san has never scored below a 95 in any subject. So, no matter how much it’s Hanako-san, it probably won’t be that easy… obviously.

「…I still need to work harder.」

「No, I think just keeping it like this is more than enough…」

「No. Thinking about the future, I want to raise it at least to a level comparable to the wife.」

「S-so that far, huh…」

I don’t know what Hanako-san is thinking about for the future, but if it requires academic ability on Sara-san’s level, it isn’t hard to imagine that it’s a very high goal… a high-class profession.

If that’s the case, I shouldn’t just say something half-hearted here…

「Good luck, Onee-chan.」

「Yeah, I’ll work hard. For Kazunari’s sake.」

「Eh? O, okay?」

Well, everyone has their own reasons and motivations for working hard. If that’s what keeps Hanako-san going… I’ll stop myself from making any boorish comments.

I’ll work hard for myself.

And for the sake of Sara-san, who supports me more than anyone.

And… also for the sake of Hanako-san, who is cheering me on.

Lunch break.

Starting today, we gave up on lunch at the flowerbed and decided to use the student council room, which is usually empty.

Actually, we’ve secretly used it when it rained before, but originally, using it for private purposes isn’t something to be praised… it’s just that more than half of us are student council members, and with the president and vice president here, I hope people will look the other way.

For the record, I won’t forget to maintain the flowerbed after eating.

『Alright, let’s get going today too!!!!』

Coming from the speaker in the student council room was that familiar, high-tension anime-style voice. As you all know, the pride of Rinka High School, our mascot character… I mean, the (self-proclaimed) idol of the broadcasting club, Minamin.

Since we’d been eating behind the school building outdoors until now, it was actually rare to hear the lunch broadcast except when it rained.

「Phew… thank goodness. Eating bento outside in this season, I was wondering how long we were going to keep up the endurance contest.」

「Hehe… it’s finally started getting tough, and it would be a problem if Kazunari-san caught a cold.」

「Sigh… it’s amazing how you can base everything on Takanashi-kun’s standards.」

「Of course. My criteria for judgment are basically centered around Kazunari-san.」

「The fact that you truly mean that, without any lies or joking, is just impressive… really.」

「Hehe… it’s nothing that great.」

「I wasn’t praising you.」

Faced with Sara-san’s usual behavior that didn’t waver no matter what was said, Natsumi-senpai and the others’ focus shifted slightly toward me.

But that’s a bit late, or rather, I’m the same way (centered on Sara-san)…

「…This couple is so alike.」

「That is a compliment for us. Right, Kazunari-san?」

「Y-yeah, I guess so.」

「Hehe…」

When I agreed straightforwardly, Sara-san wore a happy, soft smile… in contrast, Natsumi-senpai gifted me that dead-eyed look I’ve been seeing a lot lately.

No, no, you should already know by now.

『Muu, what is this presence!? I’m feeling some powerful stupid couple waves today!?』

『What are you talking about, Minamin?』

No, really, what is that person talking about?

There’s no way she’s talking about us… haha, no way.

「So, how were everyone’s tests?」

While we were enjoying a relaxing time after eating, Natsumi-senpai suddenly brought up that topic.

It might be the most intriguing topic today, but why would the person who was screaming about having no confidence be the one to… wait, she’s probably just being defiant.

「How about you, Natsumi-senpai…」

「Don’t ask about me.」

「Roger…」

With that one word that carried a mysterious force and allowed no rebuttal, almost everyone understood Natsumi-senpai’s current situation… as I thought, she was being defiant. Makes sense.

「Mine were the same as always.」

Hanako-san was the first to speak, brushing it off as if it were nothing. It’s true she always has「high grades,」and since everyone knows that, it was a very easy-to-understand answer.

「Mine were… the same as always too, I guess. Ahaha.」

「Um… mine were the same as always too, uugh.」

The Hayato and Todo-san duo reported next. Since everyone knows their previous results as well, I assumed they were at a level just below the grade average this time too. But I don’t think there’s any need to be that pessimistic… especially for Todo-san.

「Mine were the same as always too.」

「Right~. As of today, she’s already in a runaway lead, so it really is just as usual.」

Leaving aside Natsumi-senpai’s somewhat bored reaction, the fact that Sara-san is doing well is the best news for me. It’s already an important time for university entrance, and on top of her usual housework, I’ve been taking up her time with my studies…

But for her to keep those grades with that much study time. She’s as amazing as ever…

「And so…」

「Hehe… it’s Kazunari-san’s turn, right?」

「Um.」

I’m the only one left who hasn’t reported, so naturally, everyone’s attention gathered on me. I’m not trying to be coy, but since it’s a happy result, I hope you’ll forgive me for being the finale.

Well… Hanako-san already knows, and Sara-san seems to have guessed from my expression.

「My average is up by about 10 points compared to last time.」

「Ten points… so you’re near 80?」

「Yeah, roughly around there.」

「That’s amazing, Kazunari…」

「Takanashi-kun, that’s incredible!!」

Hayato and Todo-san showed direct joy as if to praise my efforts. It’s still a mid-term report so I can’t let my guard down, but being praised like this is honestly happy, or rather, it makes me feel a bit proud.

Even if this result isn’t due to my power alone…

「Whoa, that’s quite a jump. I think in the first term…」

「Yeah, to be blunt, there’s no comparison.」

Compared to my first term scores which were below average, my current grades are fifty percent higher. The final results aren’t all in yet, but if the remaining subjects are at this pace… this is going to be a result that even I can’t believe.

「Hehe… congratulations, Kazunari-san.」

「Thank you, Sara-san. But we’re still only halfway…」

「Even so, I think it’s certain that the results of your studies are showing. Especially today, Math was returned, wasn’t it?」

「Yes. Math too…」

「Judging by your daily studies, I have the impression that Kazunari-san can handle every subject evenly… so if you can manage Math, I think your average will go up quite a bit. It’s okay, Kazunari-san’s efforts will definitely bear fruit.」

「Sara-san…」

I know I’m simple, but just having Sara-san say that makes me feel enveloped in a massive sense of relief… including the tests that haven’t been returned yet, I can’t help but feel that everything will be absolutely fine.

「It’s all thanks to you, Sara-san. Thank you so much.」

「Hehe… supporting my husband is an important duty for a wife, after all♪」

「Ahaha…」

At Sara-san’s somewhat playful smile, I couldn’t help but smile too.

Sara-san really is…

「Hey Sara, how is it really?」

「How is what?」

「Takanashi-kun’s goal. He’s aiming for a designated school recommendation, right?」

「Yes… his grades seem to be rising steadily, so if things continue this way, I’m sure he’ll be in the safe zone. Moreover, he has the plus factor of serving as vice president and then student council president in his school life evaluation…」

「Um… plus factor, does that kind of thing really exist?」

Todo-san asked that, apparently interested in Sara-san’s explanation. But for me, the fact that「becoming student council president」is already included as a fixed matter in Sara-san’s mind… well, I intend to run anyway, so it’s fine.

「It might not be something that should be said out loud, but recommendation evaluations include things other than academic ability… parts related to daily school life are also taken into account. If an evaluation for working hard in student council activities and serving in roles like vice president or president is added, naturally those become subjects of consideration.」

「I-I see. But come to think of it, the student council president and vice president have an image of being models for the students…」

「I also accepted the position with a bit of ulterior motive, but titles can indeed be useful externally. However, if there are no results to match, there is a disadvantage where negative evaluations will stand out more than for a normal student…」

This is just as Sara-san says. Since there is a title, it’s no exaggeration to say you get more「evaluations」than a normal student. That’s why Sara-san was able to raise her evaluation by creating visible results, and if she had done nothing, she might have received negative evaluations like「incompetent,」「nominal only,」or「disappointing,」which normal students don’t get.

「Well, I don’t think it’ll be that extreme in a high school student council, but anyway, it looks like Takanashi-kun will be okay, right?」

「Yes. We still can’t let our guard down, but Kazunari-san will be fine. He makes a solid effort every day, and there’s no way results won’t follow that.」

「I see. Well, Takanashi-kun has Sara and Hanako-san with him…」

「That is incorrect. No matter how much those around him cheer him on, if the person himself doesn’t have the will and the effort, it won’t lead to anything.」

「The fact that he made a good start on this test is because Kazunari worked hard. We are only assistants.」

「That’s right. This is solely due to Kazunari-san’s own efforts.」

So please, stand tall with pride… I felt like Sara-san’s eyes were saying that…

She’s right. Even if I can’t say it’s 100% my own power, I studied hard every day and faced the tests… I should at least feel that.

「Even so… why does Natsumi-senpai care so much about Kazunari’s grades?」

「Hmm? Well… I can’t put it well, but I feel like if Takanashi-kun’s grades aren’t doing well, various other things won’t go well either… I guess?」

「…I see. I think I understand what you mean.」

「Um…?」

At Natsumi-senpai’s vague explanation, Hanako-san for some reason showed a look of understanding… and Hayato and the others also seemed to agree?

Wait, am I the only one who doesn’t understand?

「Hehe… it means that you are the central figure in our group, Kazunari-san.」

「If the leader isn’t doing well, we can’t get into the rhythm either.」

「I-is that how it is?」

I sort of understood but not really… so it means I’m the mood maker for this group?

No, that feels different too… hmm?

「Now then, let’s clean up and head to the flowerbed.」

「Agreed. If we take any longer, we’ll be tight on time.」

「Let’s all split the work and finish it at once.」

「Yeah! It hasn’t rained much lately, so we have to water them properly…」

「Now, Kazunari-san. Shall we get ready too?」

「Y-yeah. To wake myself up as well…」

「Hehe… honestly, Kazunari-san.」

Well, even if the meaning isn’t clear, if my hard work has a good influence on everyone… that’s good enough for me.

「Alright, let’s head out.」

For now, I’ll switch my focus… and get to today’s routine!