[CH.74] Entrance Exam Main Event After the New Year's Shrine Visit
**TL Notes: So as not to confuse you all, I made a list of the characters that get mentioned in this chapter that you may have forgotten before. Sumire Matsuda: MC Azusa Oshima: Sumire's mentor. Touka Kimura: Sumire's close friend and classmate in Tokyo. Haruka Sasaki: Sumire's kouhai |
With the arrival of the new year, this month finally brings the exams. I have confidence that I can pass, at least to the extent that I think I can unless something significant happens with the questions I'll be given.
After diligently studying even following Haruka's enthusiastic confession, I have worked hard to fill in the gaps that were lacking. So, I believe I have reached the level where I can probably pass.
The only thing left is for us to prepare without letting our guard down. To give us a final push, we invited Toka to go for the first shrine visit of the year at a nearby shrine. Haruka and I were in casual clothes, but I expected Touka to come in a formal kimono or something. However, Touka was also in casual clothes.
"Well, neither I nor Mom can do the dressing up. Besides, we're going to have tea later, so it's more comfortable this way," Touka said.
When we told Touka that we were hoping to see her in a formal kimono, she responded with an exasperated expression. Indeed, that's true. I've heard that kimonos are more comfortable than imagined, but still, Western clothes are more familiar and comfortable. It's selfish to impose such expectations on Touka when we don't wear them ourselves. With that in mind, I nodded silently in agreement with Touka's words.
The shrine was small, with no ablution pavilion, but there was a decent line leading to the main hall. We joined the queue at the end. While chatting about trivial things, we gradually moved forward, and before long, it was our turn. I've heard that in the previous life, the formal etiquette for worship was two bows, two claps, and one bow. However, from the looks of it, many people around us seem to shake the rope, ring the bell, put in money, and then bow. Occasionally, there are elderly people who do two claps, but they are really in the minority.
Regardless of anything, I think the intention to pray is important, so I also join others in making a bow and a bow to worship. There are many things I want to ask for, but first and foremost, Haruka and I wish for success. I was surprised to hear during the waiting time until just now, but it seems that Touka is also taking an entrance exam for a different private middle school from us. I also prayed for her success in addition to ours.
After that, I wished for my work to increase smoothly and stabilize, and for everyone to pass without illness or injury. I prayed for trivial things and the happiness of those around me. Haruka and Toka seemed to have finished making their wishes at almost the same time, and we all looked up almost simultaneously. To avoid disturbing the people behind us, we quickly passed through the space at the edge of the line that had been cleared.
While discussing our plans for after this, when we were about to leave the precincts, we were approached by three boys who looked like middle school students. They repeatedly invited us to go somewhere or have tea, so it seemed like they were trying to pick us up. Well, considering that Touka and Haruka are both top-class beauties in the class, it's understandable that they would want to strike up a conversation.
I also think I'm reasonably cute, but I'm short, and I probably won't be treated much like a girl. So, their target is likely Haruka and Touka. Alright, as someone who was a man in a past life, I have to protect these two. Despite stepping forward enthusiastically, I was quickly hidden behind the backs of the two as if being sheltered. Wait, that's strange... I was supposed to show off a cool and impressive presence as a protective barrier here.
After Touka and the others drove away the boys trying to pick us up, we decided to go to a fast-food restaurant near the station for tea. There, we received a stern lecture. I was told that since I am small and cute, I shouldn't try to stand out. Also, since the main target was me, not us, it's like a decoy carrying leeks and stepping forward in front of the hunter. It was quite a scolding.
Furthermore, when I saw Touka strongly telling Haruka that if she goes to a different school, she won't always be by her side, and that Haruka needs to watch out for herself, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Am I really that lacking in awareness as a girl? Well, I do acknowledge that my awareness as a girl is somewhat lacking, but considering my life experiences from my past life, I believe I'm more reliable than anyone of the same age.
But it's true that I am physically weak and look a bit frail because I'm a bit short. So, their advice not to recklessly step forward in front of boys makes sense, and I sincerely appreciate their careful warnings. I'll be more careful from now on.
Then, the last trimester of elementary school began, and amidst the hustle and bustle of work and studying, the day of the entrance exam arrived. Private middle school entrance exams are usually in February, but the school we're applying to has its exams at the end of January. Touka, who envied us for finishing the exams early on the day before the entrance exam, gave us encouragement, and it somehow gave us strength. We also plan to support Touka a lot when it's her turn to take the exam.
For middle school entrance exams, it's customary for both parents to accompany the student. However, since both Haruka and I are away from our hometown in Tokyo, Ms. Azusa, our guardian here, came with us. It seems that the chairman knows someone acquainted with Ms. Azusa, so all the details have been communicated.
Today, Ms. Azusa's dedicated chauffeur-driven car took us to the venue. What surprised me was that there were several people arriving in other luxury cars and entering the venue. I guess families aiming for private middle schools tend to be wealthy. While pondering such mundane thoughts, Ms. Azusa called us, and we went inside.
Guided by teachers and seniors who were probably recruited to assist, we entered our respective designated classrooms. Haruka and I submitted our applications together and ended up with consecutive seat numbers in the same classroom. From the seat behind me, Haruka whispered, "I'm nervous, but seeing Sumire's back makes me feel relieved." I felt the same way, somehow, feeling Haruka's presence behind me helped me maintain a sense of calm. Although I have experience with more nerve-wracking situations like scenes or shootings, the atmosphere of an exam is completely different, so being able to maintain my usual composure was very reassuring.
The exam consisted of four subjects: Japanese, mathematics, science, and social studies. Each subject was allocated 50 minutes for the test and 10 minutes of break time after it ended. In terms of performance, I think I've probably answered all the questions correctly if I haven't made any mistakes. Except for math, there were one to two descriptive questions in each subject, and there might be a chance of making mistakes in these. However, considering that in this era, education that doesn't conform to the norm is still prevalent, emphasizing children's opinions, autonomy, and individuality in such questions felt progressive. Since I had a lot of time left after solving other questions, I ended up writing lengthy answers to the questions for time-passing. Although the exam paper did say, "If the space in the answer section is insufficient, you may use the back of the page," I might have written a bit too much.
In the afternoon, there is an interview, so we brought our own packed lunches. Thinking that it wouldn't be good to move our seats and make noise, I turned my chair towards the back and had lunch facing Haruka. By the way, I made the lunches for both of us, and since I added more of the side dishes that Haruka likes, seeing her happily munching away made me think that I did quite well.
To conclude the interviews for this many examinees in half a day seems downright impossible with just one set of interviewers. Anticipating this, it seemed they conducted interviews simultaneously in multiple venues. We were divided into several groups based on our examination numbers and guided to our respective venues. I was able to reunite with Ms. Azusa in a spacious classroom that seemed like a waiting room, and somehow, I felt the unnecessary tension throughout my body dissipate, allowing me to relax. I couldn't help but feel somewhat anxious about the unpredictable situation of where we would be taken and how we would be interviewed. If I, as an adult, could feel this way, Haruka, a genuine elementary school student, must have felt even more fragile. Despite being a former adult, I felt sorry that I couldn't provide her with solid support.
Apparently, after parting ways with us, Ms. Azusa participated in an orientation for parents, where she inquired about the schedule after passing and the necessary expenses. It seemed the cafeteria was open for lunch, and parents could also have a meal. Ms. Azusa mentioned that she tried the food and found it surprisingly delicious for a student cafeteria, and the prices were reasonable.
"If making lunch every day is a hassle, it might be a good idea to split your meals between the cafeteria and bringing your own lunch."
If Ms. Azusa, accustomed to delicious food, says so, then the taste is probably quite promising. The only thing left to consider is the budget, but for the first time, it might be worth coming to eat without worrying too much about the cost.
As we continued with such trivial talk for a while, I was called for the interview sooner, being among the early numbers. Since Haruka would be left alone in the waiting room, I gave Ms. Azusa a word of reassurance, asking her to wait patiently here, and then I entered the interview room.
The situation had been explained to the chairman by Ms. Azusa beforehand, and this information had been communicated to the assigned interviewers. As a result, the interview proceeded very smoothly. I introduced myself and stated my aspirations, answered questions about my work and life from the interviewers, and the interview progressed in this manner. Perhaps because the information in the documents matched my words for the most part, the interview concluded in about 10 minutes. As I exited, Haruka entered the venue with Ms. Azusa.
As I sat down in the waiting room, I breathed a sigh of deep relief, feeling that it was finally over. I hadn't made any significant mistakes during the interview, and I didn't commit any typical blunders like shifting the answer sheet during the test. So, I think I should pass. I hadn't written anything particularly concerning in the descriptive questions, so there shouldn't be any issues.
Despite appearing relaxed, there was still a sense of nervousness or pressure. After all, I'm taking the exam with the introduction from Ms. Azusa, whom I respect. If I were to fail, it would be like tarnishing her reputation. As a disciple, it's only natural to want to meet the expectations of my mentor. Until I actually saw the exam questions at the venue today, I had a lingering sense of heavy anxiety, like small thorns pricking at my heart. However, once the interview was over, that feeling quickly vanished, leaving only a refreshing sense of relief.
As I sat in the chair, surrendering to the feeling of liberation, time seemed to have passed unnoticed, and Haruka returned with Ms. Azusa. Judging by her smiling face, it seemed like she had a successful interview too. Those who finished their interviews were allowed to go home, so Haruka and I, just like in the morning, got into Ms. Azusa's car to head back to the dormitory.
Results came out in mid-February, and both I and Haruka successfully passed. Although Touka had finished the exam, the results hadn't been announced yet. As we joyfully celebrated, I couldn't help but notice Touka watching us with a somewhat gloomy expression.
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