Under the guidance of Mr. Tsubota, Kudo Sayaka set her goal on Keio University Faculty of Letters.
Before this, she had no intention of studying at all. She didn't want to betray her friends, and after being suspended by the school, Kudo Sayaka, with a hint of stubbornness, dyed her hair blonde again.
Her Mother at home paid for her cram school fees. After facing bullying in elementary school, this was the second important decision she made with her Mother's encouragement, planting a good seed, although even she herself felt that getting into Keio was not very likely.
And after coming into contact with Harumi Junko, Kudo Sayaka was more in a playful mood.
"Teacher is still single at this age! You're kidding, right? No, I think I understand a little. Harumi Sensei is even more useless than I thought!"
After indirectly learning about Harumi Junko's seemingly failed romantic history, or rather, the complete absence of one, Kudo Sayaka could no longer treat her as an ordinary Teacher.
"Can Harumi Sensei really get me into Keio?"
At the end of the cram session, Kudo Sayaka couldn't help but ask with a smile. Although she still had a playful mindset, it didn't prevent her from having a slight doubt about Harumi Junko.
Harumi Junko, asked such a question, felt a bit uncertain, but realizing she had already been ostracized by most students and had nowhere left to go, she mustered a little more confidence.
"Teacher was someone who worked hard to prepare for the Tokyo University Liberal Arts I exam back then! So, Keio Faculty of Literature is a piece of cake, leave it to me!"
Although the current Harumi Junko was a failed adult, during her student days, she was the top student in terms of academics.
Her Father graduated from Tokyo University, and her Mother was a young lady from a prestigious private University. From childhood, her educational goal was to pass the Tokyo University entrance exam.
Everything was arranged with the goal of getting into Tokyo University, and in that environment, Harumi Junko's academic ability before failing the exam was top-notch.
"So Teacher is a Tokyo University graduate?!"
Hearing this, Kudo Sayaka felt some anticipation towards Harumi Junko, but her eyes held more doubt.
The air of dejection around Harumi Junko didn't seem to fit the image of an elite from a place like Tokyo University.
"...No, I failed. Why did I insist on applying for Liberal Arts I, that hell? I could have chosen a Faculty that was easier to get into."
Harumi Junko instantly wilted. She began to regret mentioning this, saying such a thing was like tearing open her own wound.
Following the failure on the results day, she had been utterly dejected ever since.
"Aki-kun, why did you choose Science III? Tokyo University Science I has the most admissions historically, Science II has a lower cutoff score, and there's even a chance to switch Faculties after two years of enrollment..."
Harumi Junko suddenly turned to Aki Tomoya, who was packing his things, and asked.
Just like her choice of Liberal Arts I, Science III was the most difficult exam in the science category. Back then, having been educated with this as the goal since childhood, she also failed the exam during her most spirited time.
Starting from the second year of high school, with less than two years remaining, wanting to get into Tokyo University Science III sounded too fantastical.
At the same time, Kudo Sayaka subconsciously shifted her gaze to Aki Tomoya.
In her impression, the people from Tokyo University were probably a bunch of boring people who just buried themselves in studying.
But this didn't mean Kudo Sayaka didn't understand what kind of status Tokyo University held in Japan.
Next to her was a boy her age who planned to get into that place. He didn't seem as boring as she imagined. What Kudo Sayaka was curious about was whether aiming for Tokyo University was the boy's own will, or if he had also been hit by Mr. Tsubota's kind of "magic."
"Setting Science III as the goal, and then seeing the results in next year's mock exam, it's that simple."
Aki Tomoya replied casually.
It was just such an understated answer, but it already showed the two people beside him the mindset with which he was approaching this goal.
Science III was the goal, entering Tokyo University was the prerequisite. He would set the most difficult Science III as the goal and work hard based on that standard. As for whether he would make changes later, that was something Aki Tomoya would only consider after next year's mock exam.
"Harumi Sensei, this is the first time I've heard you failed the Tokyo University exam. If you have time in the future, how about sharing your experience of failing the exam with me?"
Putting his reference books into his bag, Aki Tomoya chuckled lightly at Harumi Junko.
So the other person's failure stemmed from failing the Tokyo University exam. Aki Tomoya seemed to understand Harumi Junko a little better now.
Simply put, before the exam, Harumi Junko's life could be described as brilliant, but after failing the exam, it turned into a tragedy.
The contrast before and after, various high expectations, and equating life with Tokyo University – this is what happens when one cannot adjust their mindset after failure.
After failing the exam, the failure of her romantic history, the failure of her career, all contributed to the current Harumi Junko.
"Is Aki-kun making fun of me?"
Harumi Junko replied weakly.
Compared to Aki Tomoya, her adult mindset was even worse than a student's.
Wasn't his diligent appearance, his way of reasonably planning his life, and his good mindset exactly what she lacked?
"Truly enviable!"
Harumi Junko sighed in her heart, not for others, but simply for herself moving towards her goal.
Regarding Aki Tomoya's goal, Harumi Junko gradually began to believe that his goal was not so far off.
"Please don't misunderstand, I don't mean to make fun at all. I am seriously asking Harumi Sensei for her experience of failing the Tokyo University exam, for example, your mindset at the time. Would you be willing to share it with everyone in the Academy?"
Aki Tomoya explained unhurriedly, but at this moment, the students in the entire Academy who were preparing to leave stopped in unison, looking over with some curiosity.
Noticing the reactions of the other students, Aki Tomoya frowned slightly, suddenly realizing that he had inadvertently pushed Harumi Junko into the spotlight.
Being suddenly pushed into everyone's view by Aki Tomoya, Harumi Junko felt a little constrained.
Harumi Junko smiled awkwardly at this moment, and as Aki Tomoya observed carefully, he noticed the timidity in her eyes.
Having no face to look back on her past life, and unable to plan her future life, should one lament her misfortune, or be angry at her lack of ambition?
"How about facing your past life just a little? Tokyo University is not your entire life. You clearly have the confidence to tell students that Keio is within reach."
At the same time, realizing that he had caused trouble for the other person, Aki Tomoya felt a little unbearable, so at this moment, he spoke to Harumi Junko in a voice that only those nearby could hear.
Suddenly being pitied by a student, a wry smile couldn't help but appear on Harumi Junko's face, while Kudo Sayaka, who was beside them, also put away her earlier playfulness and watched the two of them in the middle.
"It seems the positions of Teacher and student have been swapped!"
Kudo Sayaka couldn't help but mutter in her heart.