I kept wondering what kind of life I'd have if I failed.
How would I face my parents now? I'd just lost my once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Would I still be able to meet with Ryuichi? Probably not, since hanging out wouldn't be so easy anymore.
And Tachibana-san… I worried about her, about her relationship with senpai and his girlfriends.
And lastly, Ayame-san… I'd promised myself I'd repay her for everything she did to help me. But it seems I won't be able to. At least I should return the manga and light novels I borrowed.
Well… I'm prepared.
Let's end this already.
"Before I give you your results, there's something I want to ask you. Are you aware of why you have the male scholarship?"
The class broke into whispers at the strange question. I glanced at Ayame-san, who looked unusually serious.
Was this about the Edomae family connection? At this point, it didn't matter anymore.
"Yes, I am."
"And what are your thoughts?"
"I'm grateful for the opportunity. If not for the scholarship, I wouldn't have experienced all this. More than that… I wouldn't have met everyone here, especially my friends."
"Wait, what I meant to ask is…" — The teacher hesitated, as though struggling to get the words out.
Ah, so it really was about the Edomae's. Or rather, about what Elias-san, Ayame-san's father, had said.
Kind of funny thinking about it now. I couldn't even live up to the expectations given to me—the first male student who nearly failed to keep up with the class. I wondered what Akane-san, Ayame-san's mother, thought when she saw my first test results. Probably that her daughter shouldn't waste her time with someone like me.
Sigh~ I'll really gonna miss her.
"Yeah, I'm still grateful. After all, I was able to meet someone truly wonderful here."
That sent another ripple of whispers through the classroom. Everyone seemed curious who I meant.
The teacher sighed. — "If you say so… Anyway, sorry to keep you waiting…" — She paused.
...
...
…?
Is she doing this on purpose?
"Morikawa Tomoki, as our scholarship student we expected a lot from you. This academy holds the highest standards. That's why I'm proud to announce—congratulations! You passed! Even with the help of your magical tool."
No… way… I DID IT!
The classroom erupted in applause. Even though I nearly failed, everyone seemed genuinely happy for me.
Tachibana-san waved with a bright smile, so I struck a guts pose to show my pride.
"No way your pencil helped. But… congratulations, Tomoki! You deserve it." — Ryuichi grinned.
"I did it, Ryuichi! Man, I need to thank senpai later."
"Better not."
"You're right."
Then, Ayame-san stepped forward.
"Congratulations, Tomoki-kun! I'm so happy for you!"
"Thank you, Ayame-san! If not for you, I never would've made it."
"I only helped a little. The rest was your own effort."
"A little!? You're joking—you were my lifesaver! I almost sank with my scholarSHIP… right?" — I winked.
Ryuichi Interfered. — "That was painful, Tomoki. Was that supposed to be a joke?"
"You really know how to ruin the mood." — I replied.
Now I just felt embarrassed—
"Pfft—"
Huh?
"Fufu—Ahahaha! What was that? Hahahaha! Please, stop!" — Ayame burst out laughing.
If I could make her laugh, then it was worth it. I almost lost this moment with her.
"Okay everyone! Class will start now!" — the teacher announced.
♦♦♦
Ding dong, ding dong.
"Hey Ryuichi, wanna grab something at the cafeteria before going home?" — I asked.
"Sure, let's go."
"Ayame-san, want to come too?"
"Yeah!"
"Tachibana-san! We're going to the cafeteria. Want to join us?"
"Okay! Give me a minute."
So the four of us went together. We grabbed strawberry ice cream and sat on a nearby bench, watching the sunset.
"So, how's everyone will spend summer vacation?" — Tachibana-san asked.
"I'll travel with my parents to England." — said Ryuichi.
"I'll visit my grandparents." — said Ayame-san.
"I'll just stay home. Not sure if we'll go anywhere." — I said.
"Same here. I'll help my mom with work. Looks like we won't see each other for a while." — Tachibana-san sighed.
Now that she mentioned it, she's right. Maybe we should at least meet once during vacation.
"Hey, how about we all watch the fireworks at the summer festival together?" — I suggested.
"I need to ask my parents first, but yeah, count me in." — Ryuichi said.
"Sounds great. I'm in!" — Tachibana-san said.
"Me too! I'd love to!" — Ayame-san said happily.
And so, we made a plan for the summer festival.
Afterward, everyone went home.
Mom came to pick me up like usual.
But on the day of the midterm exam, Dad came with Mom. It really took me by surprise. Not only that, he drove too, and it kind of felt nostalgic.
Anyways, Mom didn't ask about the test on the way. We just went straight home.
And when we arrived.
"I'm home!" — I called.
To my surprise, everyone was waiting at the entrance—my aunts, my father, and my sisters. Clearly, they wanted to hear the results.
"I PASSED!"
Cheers erupted.
"That's my son! I'm proud of you!" — Dad clapped me on the back.
"Tomoki, you need to rest a bit, okay? I'm proud of you!" — Mom said, eyes watery.
"Well done Tomoki! Congratulations!" — Aunt Mizuno said.
"You really did it! Congrats!" — Aunt Sayori said.
"Be proud of yourself. Congratulations!" — Aunt Serina said.
"I'm so happy for you, Tomo-kun! Congratulations!" — Aunt Yuna said.
I felt embarrassed at all the praise. Honestly, I thought I was doomed. But… YEAH! I DID IT"
If I were back in my old home, I'd definitely be screaming and doing a victory dance. But that'd be way too embarrassing here.
"Tomoki, be prepared." — Natsumi-chan suddenly said.
"…What?" — I replied.
"Y-yeah! You should listen to her." — Hiyori-chan added.
"What are you talking about?"
"She really overdid it this time, but you'll understand right?" — Miyuna-chan pressed me on.
"You're all talking about Erina nee-san right? Don't tell me she bought something expensive."
"Not that expensive… but still over the top." — Natsumi-chan said.
"Yeah…" — Hiyori-chan nodded.
"Be grateful we warned you." — Miyuna-chan added.
And then, she appeared.
"Tomoki-kun! Congratulations! You worked so hard—I'm so happy for you!" — Erina nee-san said, nearly in tears.
"Thanks, Erina nee-san. Even though you were busy, you still helped me study. I'm really grateful."
"That's so sweet, Tomoki-kun. Come here, I want to give you something."
We went to the living room.
"Tada~! This is the surprise. Do you like it?"
"Erina nee-san, you overdid it."
"Eh? You don't like it?"
"Even if you make that sad face, this time you really overdid it."
"Of course not! As your elder sister, something like this is normal!"
But everyone—my parents, my aunts, my sisters—agreed with me.
"Erina nee-san, I really am grateful. But making a giant portrait of me and hanging it right next to the TV… makes me wonder if you like me or secretly despise me."
"That bad?"
"Yes."
"Okay… sorry. I'll remove it… ah—"
Don't tell me.
"I used glue so strong, if you try to pull it off, the wall will be damaged." — she admitted.
My giant portrait, glaring down from beside the television, was now a permanent menace.
Mom and my aunts went to the kitchen, except Aunt Serina who opened her laptop.
Meanwhile, dad, Natsumi-chan and Hiyori-chan stayed in the living room to watch TV... that portrait is really an manence.
About Erina nee-san… well, she started using her smartphone and grinned for some reason. It kind of made me feel relieved seeing her like that, after all, she does so much that I wonder if she ever gets tired.
Still, this is a good chance to talk now.
"Miyuna-chan, can I ask you something?"
"…What?" — she said sternly.
"How about you? Is everything going well at school?"
...