Before the second mock exam, Aki Tomoya's body had completely recovered.
Hasumi Kanoko Teacher at the school reminded the students taking the mock exam not to be nervous and to perform at their normal level. The two tutoring instructors at Aomine Cram School did the same.
Aki Tomoya didn't feel much tension about this mock exam; he just planned to do his best.
Among the people he knew, his classmate Kato Megumi's mindset was eternally unchanged, seeming more stable than anyone else. His friend Kamigō Yoshihiko was shouting about getting a B grade evaluation, but many people, including Aki Tomoya, were worried for him.
At the same cram school, Kudo Sayaka, his best friend, wanted to wash away the shame. She shouldn't have gotten such a bad evaluation last time, but she underperformed because she was too nervous.
And the most motivated person was probably Furuhashi Fumino.
Because of the conflict with her Father and living separately from her family, the latter didn't even take the initiative to talk to her again. This also made Furuhashi Fumino hold her breath, planning to use the results of the second mock exam to speak, proving that even if she didn't have extraordinary talent, she could still achieve her lifelong wish through her own efforts.
On June 9th, the second national mock exam began. Aki Tomoya participated in the mock exams on both the 9th and 10th.
After finishing the last subject on the 10th, everyone was waiting for the results to come out.
Kudo Sayaka was praying to get at least a C grade this time, while Furuhashi Fumino maintained the idea of proving herself to her Father and stuck together with Harumi Junko.
And after Aki Tomoya finished the exam that day, he went to meet his good friend Hashima Iori, whom he had known since junior high.
"It's really my apologies for making you come see me after your exam, Aki Tomoya."
"Don't say that, what's there to take care of?"
"Don't make that expression like you're going to fleece me again, I'm scared!"
Two days before the mock exam, Hashima Iori had arranged to meet Aki Tomoya. He had thought Aki Tomoya would be busy and wouldn't have time to come out for a long while.
But unexpectedly, Aki Tomoya said directly at that time that he would have time after finishing the exam on the 10th.
"You're really pushing yourself, just after the exams!"
Hashima Iori understood that Aki Tomoya probably hadn't left himself much time to rest.
The most crucial summer was approaching, and he only had the remaining half a year.
"I'm alright. It'll be much easier after next year's exams."
Probably...
"I wish you luck with your exams."
"Thanks. By the way, what do you need me for? You're not just here to catch up, are you?"
Aki Tomoya said, then picked up the drink on the table and took a sip.
If it were just to catch up, there would be no problem at all. After just finishing the exams, Aki Tomoya had nothing else to do.
"I want to complain to you."
"It's really strange that you'd come to me for comfort..."
Noticing the change in Hashima Iori's expression, Aki Tomoya became curious about what Hashima Iori had encountered recently that required him to find an old friend to change his mood.
Perhaps his journey wasn't always so smooth sailing.
"If you're in a bad mood, it's best to find a girlfriend to comfort you."
"Stop teasing me. When it comes to popularity with women, I'm not as good as you!"
Facing his friend's teasing, Hashima Iori chuckled softly.
From losing contact in middle school to reuniting last year and then becoming friends again, Hashima Iori truly considered Aki Tomoya one of his few real friends.
Regarding the recent difficulties, Hashima Iori wanted to vent, but then hesitated.
After thinking carefully, he still decided not to say anything. It was enough for Aki Tomoya to accompany him for a good time tonight.
"What does Aki Tomoya do when he's troubled?"
Hashima Iori rested his chin and looked at the gradually darkening sky outside the window, asking slowly.
"Probably like you, finding friends to go wild with for a while."
Aki Tomoya pushed his glasses up, answering almost without thinking.
The other person didn't say what exactly happened, but looking at his unusual expression and his eyes that couldn't hide his troubles, he probably encountered something bothersome.
"...It's not easy to climb to the top of the industry. Aki Tomoya, are you planning to stay at the University Hospital in the future?"
Feeling somewhat seen through, Hashima Iori asked with a smile.
"Probably. But if I can't make it, I'll become a practicing Doctor. I won't starve to death, and maybe I'll even come to you to cling onto your leg."
If he could successfully pass the exam next year, it would be six years of study, two years as a Resident Doctor, and then staying at the University Hospital, or further training.
There were many options, but the prerequisite was being able to successfully enter the Faculty of Medicine.
Actually, things too far in the future were uncertain. Aki Tomoya was currently thinking more about how to pass the exam.
Because all his thoughts, the major premise, still had to be based on whether he could pass the exam.
"Then I'd be truly flattered!"
Hashima Iori replied in an exaggerated tone.
"Speaking of which, you've always been so confident in everything you do, and now you're showing such an interesting side. Were you abandoned by that Hongzaka Akane?"
"Can I take that as you gloating? If so, I'm sorry, but at least for now, my future in that club is bright, even if I won't be there for long."
"Your words sound a bit contradictory? A bright future, but not staying long? It sounds like Hongzaka Akane entrusted you with a great responsibility, but now you're so troubled..."
Aki Tomoya chuckled wryly.
Meanwhile, Hashima Iori shrugged and didn't say anything.
He was precisely troubled recently because he was entrusted with a great responsibility.
At the same time, he felt that his time in Hongzaka Akane's club was almost over.
"I just feel it's time to get out. It's not a good feeling to be controlled by others. Now I'm thinking if I can gather a team based on what I've accumulated these past few years."
"High aspirations."
"Heh, it sounds like it."
For some reason, Hashima Iori's words carried a hint of self-mockery, making one curious about what he had encountered recently.
"You look so melancholic right now, it's giving me goosebumps!"
"That's too exaggerated!" Hashima Iori's forehead creased with black lines, then he sighed with a wry smile, "It's just that I feel my ability is insufficient recently. The big talk I had with you before, it's so hard to realize."
"What's so hard? You're already in a top club in the industry. Overthrow the strong, pull Hongzaka Akane down from her horse!"
"Hahaha, I told you you're exaggerating!"
Overthrowing the strong and all that, forget it when facing that Hongzaka Akane.
While he wasn't completely controlled yet, Hashima Iori decided to seriously consider his future plans.
"I'm really curious about what happened to you now. Can you tell me?"
Aki Tomoya looked at Hashima Iori seriously, the concern in his eyes undisguised.
"...Our club secured the game adaptation rights for Xia Shizi Teacher and Kashiwagi Eri-sensei's works, but I'm being manipulated like a puppet by that Hongzaka Akane. It's annoying..."
"I see... Pfft!"
"Don't laugh!"
Hashima Iori rolled his eyes at Aki Tomoya, who couldn't hold back his laughter.
The latter waved his hand apologetically.
In short, he was taught a good lesson!
After Aki Tomoya knew it was like this, he really couldn't help himself.
Considering the other person's personality, Aki Tomoya immediately understood why the other person came to him for comfort.
It seemed that his friend Hashima Iori's last bit of pride was truly destroyed by that Hongzaka Akane.
But this was also a good thing. Being taught a good lesson now was better than suffering losses later.
Understanding why Hashima Iori was unhappy, Aki Tomoya still had to laugh.
"Actually, you're a bad person, aren't you?"
Hashima Iori had a helpless look on his face.
This matter was difficult to speak of, but after being impressed by Hongzaka Akane's operations, Hashima Iori realized that he wasn't seasoned enough yet.
While admiring that Hongzaka Akane, he was also both surprised and scared.
"No, no, no, but are you really planning to start anew? In Hongzaka Akane's club, you can achieve your wish quickly!"
Aki Tomoya stopped laughing and asked seriously.
Starting anew was not something to be said lightly!
"Starting anew? Forget it. It's just changing places to show my value. Under Hongzaka Akane's halo, people only focus more on Hongzaka Akane!"
"A traitor?!"
"It's showing my value by breaking away from Hongzaka Akane's halo! Don't misunderstand!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 10 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[pat*eon*com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you so much for your support!!!