Exams are an indispensable part of a school. Toyosaki Academy's midterm exams were scheduled for late May.
To be more specific, it was during these few days from May 22nd to 24th.
"Exams again..."
After school, a sigh echoed through Class 2-B.
Upon hearing the news about upcoming exams, it was natural that some students who found exams troublesome complained.
"It's not the final exam anyway. Even if you fail, you don't have to stay for remedial classes during the summer break. That should be good news for you, right?"
Aki Tomoya turned back and teased Kamigō Yoshihiko a couple of times.
There were quite a few students who looked as distressed as Kamigō Yoshihiko.
Taking Aki Tomoya as an example from before, when he wasn't aiming for University advancement, even though he was engrossed in otaku hobbies, he still had to cram before exams and try his best to pass.
Not to mention the midterm exam, if he failed any subject in the final exam, remedial classes at school during the break were unavoidable.
The school wouldn't require you to get a high score, but you had to at least pass.
Coming to school for remedial classes during the break meant that the time you could freely arrange during the break would be reduced.
Especially during the summer and winter breaks, the summer and winter Comikets were probably the motivation for Aki Tomoya's last-minute cramming before exams in the past.
"Tsk, your look of not having to worry about exams right now disgusts me!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko expressed his dissatisfaction with an exaggerated expression.
We said we'd be each other's angels, but you're engrossed in studying alone, leaving me alone as a slacker!
Kamigō Yoshihiko wasn't sure about others, but anyone with a discerning eye should be able to tell from Aki Tomoya's behavior from the start of school in early April to mid-May that this person was seriously preparing for exams.
If, in the past, because Aki Tomoya was an overt and blatant otaku, his ratio of enemies to friends was roughly six to four, then now that concept should no longer exist.
People aiming for University advancement and people taking other paths are probably in two different worlds.
So, after Kamigō Yoshihiko came to terms with it, he was very conscious. They were friends, and when Aki Tomoya was preparing for exams, he wouldn't disturb him, but as friends, they still chatted a bit.
Now, even if someone commented on Aki Tomoya at school, they would probably just describe him using a term like "the guy who's preparing for exams."
The initial curiosity has now faded. As Aki Tomoya entered the exam preparation phase, he appeared increasingly low-key at school.
After all, no matter how you looked at it, that person was just preparing for exams. Other than seeking out Kasumigaoka Utaha once, there was nothing else.
What rumors? Because both parties involved were doing their own things, the rumors gradually became baseless. Now the most reliable explanation is—
"That guy probably went to take notes with a Senior from the upper grades!"
Although it was a very reliable explanation, it wasn't gossip at all and couldn't satisfy the morbid curiosity of teenagers.
But no matter how much they suspected, the fact was that since then, Aki Tomoya focused on preparing for exams, that Senior from the upper grades' aura became stronger than before, and she continued with her usual style.
Is there a connection between someone preparing for exams and someone who is about to advance to University?
People who didn't know the truth, no matter how much they racked their brains, could probably only come to the conclusion that both of them were focusing on their own things.
"How can there be such a thing as exams in this world? It's utterly unreasonable!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko voiced the feelings of the vast majority of people who disliked studying.
After all, not everyone genuinely likes studying, and this world doesn't only have this one path.
However, from the perspective of being a student, the path of studying, learning, and taking exams is the most obvious path presented to them.
The most obvious path, or opportunity, how to choose still depends on one's own ideas.
Anyway, Aki Tomoya wasn't the kind of person who would nauseatingly say "I'm doing this for your own good" and then lecture his friends on their decision not to pursue University advancement.
The path Kamigō Yoshihiko chose wasn't a cliff. Thinking about advising others to rein in before the cliff or something, he should take care of himself first.
No one knows the future. Maybe at a future class reunion, Kamigō Yoshihiko might transform into a Kamen Rider!
"But the hope of this guy Yoshihiko turning into a Kamen Rider is a bit slim..."
Aki Tomoya twitched his eyebrows, a hint of a smirk flashing in his eyes. The way Kamigō Yoshihiko was complaining about next week's midterm exams at this moment was honestly a bit too exaggerated and comical.
"Next week is the midterm exam. If you want tutoring, you can come find me at the library on the days I don't have to go to the Academy."
Aki Tomoya said this while packing his things.
Being so resistant to exams, to put it bluntly, Kamigō Yoshihiko wasn't just getting a headache from hearing the word "exam"; he was also a bit afraid of failing.
"Really, Boss!!!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko looked surprised, seemingly not expecting Aki Tomoya to be able to spare time to help him out of his busy schedule.
Thinking about Aki Tomoya's changes over the past month, and the gradually changing evaluations from the Teacher, it seemed like having a friend who was good at studying was a great thing!
Compared to fellow sufferers, having a friend who can pull you back from the brink of failing is also a blessing.
It's just...
"Is your time okay?"
Kamigō Yoshihiko asked the question he was most worried about.
If he went over and asked Aki Tomoya to tutor him, wouldn't it take up the other party's time?
"Teaching others is also a way of learning. You don't need to worry about that."
Aki Tomoya smiled.
Having the confidence to teach others naturally requires your knowledge to be firmly grasped. Taking some time to help Kamigō Yoshihiko with tutoring wouldn't do Aki Tomoya any harm anyway.
"I can't guarantee that your studies will improve, but I'm confident I can help you fail one less subject."
Aki Tomoya patted Kamigō Yoshihiko's shoulder.
Hearing Aki Tomoya's answer, Kamigō Yoshihiko stood up excitedly: "Is this the confidence of someone good at studying? Aki Tomoya-kun, I see! So you were enlightened by a study god during the spring break!"
"Your chuunibyou look is a bit disgusting!"
Aki Tomoya looked at Kamigō Yoshihiko expressionlessly. The sudden chuunibyou caught him off guard.
His friend's current chuunibyou appearance really made him want to laugh a little.
Kamigō Yoshihiko chuckled awkwardly twice. The sudden attack of chuunibyou even surprised himself, but this was also because Aki Tomoya's words had touched him deeply.
"I'm going to the Academy. You can continue performing your chuunibyou, haha!"
Aki Tomoya's expressionless face seemed to break, instantly filling with teasing towards Kamigō Yoshihiko.
Kamigō Yoshihiko was stunned. By the time he reacted, Aki Tomoya's figure had already disappeared.
As a member of the going-home club, Kamigō Yoshihiko was the only one left in the classroom besides the students on duty. He slowly packed his things into his school bag.
"I really envy that guy's effort..."
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