Chapter 123: Final Exams Concluded
Final Exams Concluded side Mishima Satsuki
Day five, the last day of exams.
...! I feel like maybe I can pull this off?
I did my best, and Osada and her group helped me with the subjects I'm not good at.
...Even so, without a doubt, the real MVP is Yukari.
Yukari was by my side, and she suggested we help each other out with the subjects we struggle with.
On top of that, when that wasn't enough, she asked Osada for help, bowed her head, and made the study group happen. Even then, every day after exams, we studied at Yukari's place!
It was tough; I haven't studied this hard since prepping for high school entrance exams...
It's obvious—this is a prep school, so if you let your guard down or slack off, you'll fall behind.
...I tried to reinvent myself in high school, joined the top clique of girls, and got dazzled by it all, so I neglected my studies.
...I'll never let myself show such a pathetic side again...!
The results won't come out until next week at the earliest, but for now, today, just for today, I want to celebrate with Yukari!
I'm going to Yukari's Class 5!
I never used to go to Class 5, but now I'm totally familiar with Osada's group, so it's fine.
...Honestly, Class 6 feels more like enemy territory now.
"Yukari!"
"...Good job."
Even Yukari looks completely exhausted.
We both congratulate each other on our hard work.
"Now it all depends on the results... We did everything we could. Both of us."
"Yeah, it's all thanks to you, Yukari. Thank you, Yukari."
I get a little misty-eyed.
The results aren't out yet. We can't let our guard down.
"Yukari... today, after school..."
"Satsuki, I'm just so tired... I'm heading straight home today, okay?"
"...I'll treat you to Orekare...?"
Yukari groans, "Gunununun..."
"I'll go!"
And that's how it happened.
At Orekare, I treated Yukari, and she devoured the Shin-kun Set for the first time in half a month.
We talked about everything—how hard we worked, and what's coming after the exams.
...No matter how the results turn out, I've had failing grades in the past, and even though I passed the makeup tests, my grades are still bad.
I've failed both the first and second semesters.
Yukari failed the second semester and even got suspended.
So, considering the test results, the teachers' meeting will decide if we can move up a grade.
...If we do well enough in the third semester, we'll probably be allowed to advance.
...There might still be remedial classes or makeup tests, though.
They'll probably also consider things like assignments, attendance, and class participation.
In the end, it all comes down to the teachers' meeting.
All I can do now is keep living honestly.
That's why I absolutely have to avoid any more trouble with Masaki like the other day.
Absolutely.
"Satsuki, you're ruining the taste of our food."
I apologized to Yukari, who looked annoyed, and for now, the two of us had a brief afterparty.
☆ ☆ ☆
After a long time... side Yukari Tomonaga
I was totally wiped out after the exams.
I'm done.
Every day was just strict studying.
Keeping an eye on Satsuki, being considerate of Osada-san, and even accommodating Osada-san's followers!
I miss the days when I didn't have to think about anything...!
I was avoiding facing things with Kuzu-kun, and even avoiding the fact that I was gaining weight...
But I finally realized it. ...That Kuzu-kun isn't interested in me anymore, that I've gained weight, and that if things stay like this, there's no way I'll move up a grade.
Once I realized it, I couldn't look away anymore, so for half a month I was desperately pushing myself...
But I really am at my limit! I'm just going home to sleep! I'll sleep without thinking about anything!
I turn down Satsuki's invitation.
I want to be alone for a bit,
"Satsuki, I'm just so tired... I'm heading straight home today, okay?"
"...I'll treat you to Orekare...?"
"Gunununun... I'll go!"
Orekare after so long... it was heaven.
It's been half a month since I last went!
So delicious...!
While I was lost in ecstasy, savoring the flavor of the meat,
Satsuki, looking a little hesitant, spoke up.
"Yukari, can I ask you something? ...The other day too, why do you keep stopping things with Kousuke? ...Why are you still involved with Kousuke?"
...For the first time, Satsuki and I talked about our own sides of things.
Satsuki told me how she and Kousuke-kun first got together, and how they broke up after the high school entrance exams.
I told her how, over summer break, I confessed to Kuzu-kun on a whim and got harshly rejected, then lost weight with the help of the film club and Kousuke-kun, reunited with Kuzu-kun, and how I ended up falling for Kuzu-kun.
For the first time, the food at Orekare didn't taste good.
We talked, trying to match up our stories for the first time.
...Satsuki is still obsessed with Kousuke-kun... and so am I.
But I feel like I can't face him.
But for some reason, Satsuki looks down on Kousuke-kun; she believes if she asks, Kousuke-kun will accept her. Is it because they were together for so long? Because they were each other's first boyfriend and girlfriend?
This isn't good. It's not healthy for either of us.
Even so, Satsuki believes that if it's her, Kousuke-kun won't say no.
To me, that looked like a sad, almost laughable kind of bravado.