June 14th.
One of the most important days in the Yanhuang Region.
This is the day of the national college entrance examination—a day that determines the fate of countless students across the region. For many, this is the day that decides their future, their dreams, and their path forward in life.
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"Hello, the patient in Room 301 was discharged not long ago," the nurse at the front desk of Shuangyang City Hospital said politely, though with a hint of helplessness.
This morning, Zhong Ling had planned to visit Renjiro before heading to work. She knew that Renjiro had no family in this world—no one who would check in on him, no one who would stand by his side. If she didn't come, no one else would.
But when she reached the hospital, the ward was empty.
She rushed to the front desk to inquire, only to hear the words that made her heart sink.
"What?! Discharged?!" Zhong Ling's voice rose with concern. "Don't you know he's seriously injured? How could you let him leave the hospital in that condition?!"
"Miss, please calm down," the receptionist replied, her tone apologetic. "We tried to persuade him to stay, but the patient insisted on being discharged. We couldn't stop him."
Zhong Ling clenched her fists, frustration filling her chest. She could guess where Renjiro had gone—the exam room. He must have decided to take the college entrance examination despite his injuries.
Without hesitation, Zhong Ling turned and ran outside. She strapped on her helmet, jumped onto her motorcycle, and sped off towards the examination center, hoping to catch up with him.
Sure enough, after some distance, she spotted him—Renjiro, running alone, his tattered clothes fluttering in the wind, every step surely tearing at his wounds.
"Renjiro!" Zhong Ling called out as she accelerated, the engine roaring beneath her. She drew closer, worry etched on her face.
Renjiro stopped and looked back, surprised. "Officer Zhong? What are you doing here?"
He hadn't expected her to come after him. After all, he had thought he could handle this alone.
After a night of rest and applying the Potion spray, his injuries had improved, at least enough for him to walk. He had completed the discharge procedures early in the morning, intending to take a taxi to the examination center. But wearing torn and bloodstained clothes, no driver dared to stop for him. Beedrill was also too injured to carry him.
He had no choice but to walk.
"Get on!" Zhong Ling didn't answer his question. She simply gestured for him to get on the back of her bike.
Without arguing, Renjiro climbed onto the seat. He knew that at his pace, he would never make it on time.
The first subject was English. If the exam bell rang, latecomers wouldn't be allowed in.
"Hold on tight!" Zhong Ling warned.
Before Renjiro could brace himself, she accelerated. The sudden burst of speed threw him forward. His arms instinctively wrapped around her slim waist for balance, his body pressing against her back.
"Slow down, I'm still injured!" Renjiro gasped, feeling his wounds ache as they tore anew with each jolt.
Zhong Ling slowed down slightly, casting him a sideways glance. "Oh, now you remember you're injured? I thought you were made of iron!"
Renjiro chuckled weakly. He knew she was scolding him out of concern. "I can't help it… I have to take the exam."
Zhong Ling snorted, but her eyes softened. She focused on the road, determined to get him there in time.
---
Meanwhile, at the entrance of the examination center, a girl stood anxiously scanning the crowd. Shu Wan's heart pounded in her chest as she looked for a familiar figure.
"Where is he? Why isn't he here yet?" she muttered to herself, her grip tightening on her ID and admission ticket.
From the moment she saw the seating arrangements, she knew they would be taking the exam at the same school. But now, with just minutes before the doors closed, Renjiro was nowhere to be seen. She had tried calling him several times, but he hadn't answered.
"Shu Wan, let's go. It's time to enter the hall," one of her friends urged gently.
"You go ahead. I'll wait a bit longer," Shu Wan said, forcing a smile. Her friend hesitated, then nodded and went inside.
Soon, Shu Wan was the only student left outside, still hoping for Renjiro to appear.
"Miss, you should go in. You'll be too late if you wait any longer," a security guard advised kindly.
She glanced at her watch. 8:20. Only ten minutes left.
Reluctantly, she turned to go, but just then the sharp sound of brakes filled the air. She spun around.
There they were—Zhong Ling on her police motorcycle, and behind her, clinging to the seat, was Renjiro.
"Renjiro!" Shu Wan cried, relief flooding her.
Renjiro looked up at the voice, seeing the girl he hadn't noticed in his rush—a girl with short mushroom-like hair and a gentle, chubby face. Memories stirred. She had always quietly helped him, always been kind.
"Go ahead, your classmate's waiting for you. I'll wait for you here at noon," Zhong Ling said softly as she parked.
Renjiro shook his head. "I've already troubled you enough, Officer Zhong…"
But she didn't wait for him to finish. With a wave, she sped off, leaving him standing there.
Shu Wan rushed up to him. As she got closer, she gasped. His clothes were in tatters, stained with dark patches of dried blood. Through the rips, she could see the raw wounds underneath.
"Renjiro… what happened to you?" Her voice trembled as she spoke, unable to hide the shock and worry in her eyes.
Renjiro forced a smile. "It's a long story. I'll tell you later. We have to go in—otherwise we'll be late."
Without waiting for her reply, he took her wrist gently and began running towards the exam hall. Shu Wan's heart raced, but not from the sprint. Her cheeks flushed as she felt his hand around hers.
"Has this blockhead finally figured it out?" she thought, unable to suppress a shy smile.
---
The examination room was silent except for the rustle of papers and the scratch of pens on answer sheets. Renjiro sat at his desk, his injuries throbbing with every breath. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he ignored it. All that mattered was the paper in front of him.
He focused, pushing aside the pain. The English exam was tough, but he couldn't afford to falter now. Not after everything he'd been through.
When the exam ended, Renjiro leaned back, exhausted but determined. He had made it through the first hurdle.
At noon, as promised, Zhong Ling was waiting outside. She handed him a bottle of water and some bread.
"Eat. You'll need your strength for the Pokémon combat test," she said firmly.
Renjiro took the food, gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you… for everything."
Shu Wan approached, smiling. "You really are stubborn, you know that? But… I'm glad you made it."
Together, they prepared for the next stage—the battle that would decide their future.
---
All across the Yanhuang Region, scenes like this played out. Families waited outside exam halls, hoping, praying. Parents whispered encouragement, siblings offered quiet support.
And in the midst of it all, students like Renjiro fought not just for a score, but for their dreams, their pride, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
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