"Alright, here are your physical examination reports. Class Monitor, please help distribute them," said Teacher Minagawa as she entered the classroom carrying a neat stack of white papers. She handed them to the bespectacled girl sitting in the front row.
"Akira, you were spot on! They're really handing out the physical reports today!"
Shouko, sitting nearby, turned to him with excitement and shook the soft, squishy slime toy resting on her desk.
Akira turned his head lazily and gave a nonchalant nod.
"Mm."
Every year, the entire grade had their physical exams on the second Monday of the new term. The results always came the very next day. After three years of this same schedule, he didn't need to "guess"—he already knew.
Shouko ignored his half-hearted response and was just about to say more when the Class Monitor approached.
"Shouko and Miyamura, these are yours," she said, handing the top two sheets of paper to Shouko.
Shouko received them with both hands and smiled politely. "Thank you."
She placed Akira's paper on his desk. "Here, Akira, this one's yours."
He didn't even glance at it. In his mind, if he were tossed into a field right now, he could probably plow several mu of land for a herd of cows. There was nothing wrong with his health.
Instead of reading his report, he lay his head down and admired the profile of the girl who'd been by his side for nine—almost ten—years.
At nine, she no longer blushed from a few teasing words from him or his mom. She wasn't as easily tricked, and occasionally even scolded him like an adult.
Is this what Mom meant by growing up?
Aside from her growing maturity, there was her height—something she proudly brought up yesterday after the exam.
"I'm 125 centimeters now!" she'd boasted with a grin.
Akira still had a ten-centimeter lead, but deep down, he knew it wouldn't last. Girls hit growth spurts earlier. By middle school, she might actually be taller than him—and then what? He'd still have to be the protective one while looking up at her?
He sighed at the thought.
Her features had also changed subtly. Gone was the round, chubby-cheeked face from their kindergarten days. Now, beauty was overtaking cuteness in the balance.
Her skin remained impossibly fair, and Akira had a feeling even a gentle poke would leave a red mark. Most importantly, thanks to him being by her side to support her, Shouko had never developed the quiet, withdrawn demeanor he'd seen in other hearing-impaired kids. She radiated warmth. Sunshine. Though sometimes he still caught a glimpse of that old self-consciousness in her eyes, it was rare now.
She was blooming—and she didn't even realize it.
Whoever ends up with her later… sigh, some lucky blonde guy, Akira thought with a mischievous grin.
"Akira, what are you laughing at? Is there something on my face?"
Shouko touched her cheek, confused by his sudden smirk.
"Nothing, just thought of something funny," he replied casually, pulled out of his train of thought.
That made her even more curious. She glanced at Teacher Minagawa, who was busy writing something on the board, then leaned closer and whispered,
"What's funny? Tell me."
"You," Akira replied without hesitation.
Shouko didn't blush or flinch. She simply gave him a light pat on the arm and said, "Don't joke around," before picking up his report and reading it seriously.
Akira smiled again and rested his chin on his arms.
Having lived through kindergarten and elementary school twice, Akira understood one thing: the mental development of elementary schoolers could be split into two stages.
The first, from kindergarten to third grade, was all innocence and naivety.
The second, starting in fourth grade, was when kids started figuring things out—developing crushes, getting curious about the outside world, and becoming painfully aware of their image.
Girls, in particular, began diving into pop idols, makeup, fashion, and accessories.
Boys? They got deep into anime, games, sports, and… well, the dark corners of the internet if they could find them.
Of course, at this point in time, smartphones weren't common yet. Games were limited to old-school stuff like Snake, Sokoban, and Space Invaders.
Still, Akira couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous things boys his age did.
Jumping up to hit the doorframe when exiting a classroom. Shouting out anime attacks mid-walk. Pretending to shoot imaginary basketballs when passing a pretty girl in the hall—some even added dramatic flair:
"Oh… missed it."
Then there was the classic: racing to see who could jump high enough to reach a tree branch.
Shouko handed his physical report back to him.
"Here, Akira. It says you're in perfect health."
"Mhm. Now pay attention to Teacher Minagawa," he replied with a small smile.
Suddenly—
Clap clap clap!
Teacher Minagawa slapped her hands on the podium.
"Everyone, put your reports away and take them home for your parents to see. Time for math class."
A unified groan echoed through the room.
Clap clap!
"Quiet down!" she barked again, clearly not amused.
Akira looked up at her stern expression and couldn't help but think back to when everyone used to be scared of her in first grade. These days, they all knew better—behind the cold exterior was a teacher who genuinely cared.
Ding-dong, ding-dong…
The bell rang loudly.
"Alright, it's lunchtime. Don't forget—this afternoon's P.E. class will be in the gymnasium. Head straight there after the break," said Teacher Minagawa as she packed her textbook and briskly left the classroom.
"Yay! Lunch time!!"
Matsuoka Miu shot up from her seat, grabbed her bento box, and dashed toward Shouko and the others.
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POWER STONE!!!!
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