Time: Monday -- Mathematics Exam
The first day hit like a hammer.
I forced myself through the problems, scribbling down formulas until my hand cramped. Some answers were clean, others smudged and shaky.
When the bell rang, I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
I didn't know if I passed. I didn't know if I failed. All I knew was that the reflection in the window kept smiling at me the entire time.
Tuesday:Japanese Language Exam
The subject I was supposed to be best at.
The essay questions were straightforward, but my mind drifted. Every line I wrote bled into thoughts of Souta's voice, Miyuki's silence, Yui's warnings.
I pushed harder. Words poured onto the page, maybe too many. When time ended, my paper was full.
The teacher walked past, giving me a faint smile.
"Good work, Haruto."
But the whispers in the hallway later stung sharper than praise.
"He's so weak. Studying's all he has."
"Right? He collapsed in PE. What kind of guy only survives with books?"
Laughter. And Miyuki sitting with her friends stayed quiet.
For some reason, that silence hurt the most.
Wednesday -- Science Exam
I forced myself to focus. Every formula, every theory I had memorized spilled onto the page.
Midway through, I overheard two girls behind me giggling.
"If he fails, he'll probably jump off the roof."
"He doesn't even look alive already."
The teacher's voice snapped like a whip.
"Enough. Haruto is one of the most diligent students I've ever taught. If you can't show respect, then don't speak at all."
The room fell silent. My pen shook, but I kept writing.
For once, I wanted to believe someone.
Lunchtime -- Behind the Gym
While I sat under the old tree, trying to force food down, Souta was behind the gym, laughing with Miyuki's two closest friends.
One of them leaned close, whispering.
"Souta, seriously, you're way better than Haruto. You should be the one dating Miyuki."
The other giggled. "Yeah, Haruto looks half-dead these days. Miyuki deserves someone cooler. Stronger."
Souta's smirk widened. "You think so? I won't lie I like Miyuki. Always have."
The girls gasped. "Really?"
"Yeah," Souta said, voice low, almost venomous. "I'm Haruto's best friend. At least… that's what people think. Truth is, I never liked him much. He's boring. Weak. Just… pathetic."
The girls laughed, nodding in agreement.
"You're so much better for her. We'll back you up."
Souta leaned back, folding his arms with satisfaction.
"Good. Then it's only a matter of time before she realizes it herself."
Thursday -- English Exam
I stared at the questions until the words blurred into nonsense. My reflection whispered from the window again.
"Fail. Fail. Fail."
I pressed my nails into my palm until the sting brought me back. Slowly, painfully, I wrote. Sentence by sentence. Paragraph by paragraph.
When the bell rang, I slumped back, drenched in sweat.
Walking out, I heard another voice:
"Why do teachers like him so much? He's boring."
"Even the principal praises him. I don't get it."
The principal, walking nearby, turned to them sharply.
"Because unlike you, he works hard. Effort is worth more than empty words."
Their faces burned red as they looked away. My chest ached, not from shame this time, but from something unfamiliar. Gratitude.
Friday -- Final Exam: History
The last stretch.
My mind was fractured, but my hands moved anyway. Dates, events, causes, consequences I poured everything out like I was bleeding onto the page.
The bell rang. It was over. The exam week ended.
I didn't feel relief. Just emptiness.
Evening -- Haruto's House
I stumbled through the front door. Mom looked up from the kitchen, worry etched across her face.
"Haruto… you look pale."
"I'm fine," I whispered, dropping my bag with a dull thud.
Upstairs, I collapsed into my chair, staring at the blank wall.
The reflection wasn't there this time.
But the silence was worse.