"This is for you."
At noon on the twenty-third, Aki Tomoya handed two printed copies of past exams to Kato Megumi and Kamigō Yoshihiko.
The first stage of the National Examination had ended on the twenty-first, and all the test questions were released.
The Academy quickly printed out this year's test questions.
As prospective candidates, they would all refer to questions from previous years. Just as the first stage had ended, everyone at Aki Tomoya's Academy had a copy.
"What is it?"
"This year's first stage humanities past exam questions."
"Wow, it's really here!"
After hearing it was this year's National Examination past exam questions, Kamigō Yoshihiko subconsciously shouted.
His friend's first gift after the New Year was the past exam questions for the first stage of the National Examination. Kamigō Yoshihiko felt complicated.
He had previously seen past exam questions that Aki Tomoya had done. Seeing these humanities past exam questions, Kamigō Yoshihiko felt like crying but had no tears.
"Thank you, Aki-kun."
Compared to Kamigō Yoshihiko's "sorrowful" expression, Kato Megumi's expression was much calmer.
Taking the past exam questions, a rare hint of surprise flashed in Kato Megumi's eyes.
The first gift received from someone of the opposite sex was actually past exam questions. It felt a bit subtle.
But ultimately, it was a study group, and such mutual help was too normal.
"Aki Tomoya isn't doing it?"
Kamigō Yoshihiko opened the paper and looked at the questions inside.
Today he brought them two photocopied copies of the past exam questions, but Aki Tomoya had the Tokyo University red book in his hand and didn't seem to plan on doing this one.
"Yesterday at the Academy, I did it with everyone there."
When this year's questions were released, Aki Tomoya did them together with the people at the Academy.
Then he thought that there were also two comrades at school, so he asked Mr. Tsubota to prepare two more copies.
"If you don't know how to do it, you can ask me. I still need to go to the office and will be back later."
Aki Tomoya placed the red book on the desk, then turned and left the library, walking towards the staff office.
Not long after he left, Kamigō Yoshihiko couldn't help but sigh, "Aki Tomoya is really popular now..."
At school now, Aki Tomoya gradually became a busy person. The teachers at school also paid special attention to him, after all, Kasumigaoka Utaha was about to graduate.
If Aki Tomoya could get into a prestigious school next year, it would be another advertisement.
"Indeed, Aki-kun is popular with girls now."
Kato Megumi said lightly.
At least within the small female groups in the class, she often heard them mention Aki Tomoya.
If one disregarded his previous otaku attributes, just looking at his face and his new label as an excellent student, Aki Tomoya's evaluation among the girls at school had been changing throughout his second year of high school.
"However, at the after-party last year, Aki-kun rejected a girl from the next class, what a shame."
Kato Megumi subtly struck a blow at Kamigō Yoshihiko.
Kamigō Yoshihiko had only just heard about these things.
"He's that popular now?!"
"It seems so."
Not only did he have a close relationship with Eriri, but his reputation among other girls at school also improved, and he started becoming popular. Besides envy, Kamigō Yoshihiko felt nothing but envy.
In the end, this world still looks at faces!
Kamigō Yoshihiko thought resentfully in his heart.
Aki Tomoya, who had already left, didn't know his friend was discussing him. The teacher was still waiting for him in the office.
He would be entering the third year in April, but what was closer at hand was the upcoming graduation of the current third-year students.
Although he didn't know why the teacher was looking for him, if he was called over, Aki Tomoya couldn't very well refuse.
"Excuse me."
In front of the office door, Aki Tomoya was just about to pull the door open and go in.
And just then, as he reached out his hand, the office door was pulled open directly.
A familiar face appeared before him. Their eyes met for a moment, and they both froze simultaneously.
"Good afternoon, Kasumigaoka-senpai."
Aki Tomoya was the first to react and step aside for her.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him expressionlessly, a flicker of thought in her eyes. He wondered what she was thinking about.
"Good afternoon."
After responding, Kasumigaoka Utaha walked out. She headed straight towards the stairs, not intending to linger here.
Aki Tomoya didn't pay much attention and went straight into the office after she left.
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly stopped halfway and looked back, but Aki Tomoya's figure had already disappeared.
She sighed. In her heart, she really wanted to ask Aki Tomoya why he gave the account to Eriri, but now, neither of them seemed likely to actively communicate with each other.
After turning and leaving, Kasumigaoka Utaha went to the multimedia room.
"So slow... The first stage results aren't out yet, are they? Is the teacher in such a hurry to talk?"
Eriri said boredly, lying on the desk.
She was suddenly called out, and after meeting, was told there would be a talk. Eriri had been waiting here alone for some time.
"Sawamura, I heard that your relationship with Aki has spread throughout the school, right?"
However, Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't answer Eriri's question. Instead, she asked the question she was most concerned about.
"Wha- What?!"
Under Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze, Eriri suddenly felt a little guilty.
She had no reason to feel guilty, but recalling what her childhood friend Aki Tomoya had said last Sunday, the other party suddenly mentioning this made Eriri feel as if she had become a traitor.
But, she couldn't be blamed for not being able to become a loser in life...
After thinking this, Eriri remembered what Aki Tomoya had reminded her of. In fact, given her conditions, she didn't need to be afraid of Kasumigaoka Utaha at all.
She should show a little more spirit and tell her that she wasn't someone to be bullied easily!
"Kasumigaoka, do you care about Aki Tomoya that much?"
"What nonsense are you talking about?!"
As if her sore spot had been poked, Kasumigaoka Utaha walked over quickly, her aura instantly overwhelming Eriri.
Eriri, who had just mustered a little confidence, fell into a disadvantage again at this moment.
"I just want to know your current state of mind!"
"State of mind... What state of mind could I have? It's clearly you who cares too much about Aki Tomoya and wants to take it out on me, right?!"
Eriri took two steps back, dodged Kasumigaoka Utaha, and pointed at her nose, accusing her.
"How unsightly. It turns out I won this matter, Kasumigaoka!"
At this moment, Eriri remembered how Aki Tomoya used to compare her to Kasumigaoka Utaha, and even she herself thought Kasumigaoka Utaha was amazing. But it turned out she was even more troubled than her.
Eriri didn't want to know what happened between them. Taking this opportunity, she wanted to reclaim the right to speak that she deserved.
"Kasumigaoka, don't be too arrogant. In the end, we're just in a cooperative relationship! I'm not your hired help."
"...Eriri, you're really making people jealous."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly sighed. Thinking that she was the only one who would belong to the "past women", she felt particularly unbalanced.
"Now I have to admit that the childhood friend setting has a big advantage, but in my works, the childhood friend must lose!"
"Are you completely insane?!"
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