[Monday morning, first day of exams]
Riccardo arrives at school, heading to the main building, spotting Sato and Inoue by the entrance.
"Good morning!" he greets them.
"Morning."
"Ready for the exams?" Sato asks.
"I feel confident. How about you?"
Sato's expression falters, a flicker of worry crossing her face. "I… I'm confident too."
Riccardo frowns slightly. Doesn't look it…
"And you, Inoue?"
"I'm more than confident. It'll go fine."
Riccardo notices his calm assurance. Even more confident than me…
Kagayama, the class rep, walks by and stops when she sees Riccardo.
"Good morning, Aliberti. Not in a rush to get to class? Scared of the exams?"
"Class rep, I was just talking with my friends. About the exams… Are you ready?" he replies, teasing.
"Of course. Don't worry about me." She walks off, exuding superiority. "See you in class."
The three watch her go.
"Why are you two always so confrontational?" Sato whispers.
Riccardo shrugs, calm. "We just see things differently. Nothing to worry about."
"If you say so…"
He checks his phone. "Alright, I'm off. Good luck!"
"Good luck!" Sato replies, and Inoue waves.
[In the classroom]
Riccardo enters and immediately notices Nishimura, still praying.
Guess he didn't take my advice…
Passing by, Riccardo realizes Nishimura is completely absorbed, isolated in his prayers.
He drops his backpack on his desk and notices Kagayama staring at him. When their eyes meet, she quickly looks away.
Yasuda was right… always surrounded by strange people.
Riccardo sits as the teacher walks in.
"Good morning! Please take your seats. I'm passing out the first exam—Japanese. Then math, then Japanese history. Each test is fifty minutes."
The students finish distributing papers. The teacher checks the clock: 8:29.
The bell rings at 8:30. "You may begin!"
Everyone starts writing, focused.
[50 minutes later]
The bell rings, silence fills the room.
Riccardo stops writing just before the bell.
Perfect timing… he mutters with a smirk.
Kagayama notices and realizes he did it on purpose. Idiot…
"Put everything down. Ten-minute break. The next test starts when the bell rings."
The teacher collects the papers. Students grab books and start reviewing.
Riccardo remains calm in his seat. Nishimura approaches, looking gloomy, almost intimidating.
"E che te succiess'?" Riccardo asks in Neapolitan. "What happened?"
"I… I messed up badly…" Nishimura sighs, despair in his voice.
Riccardo puts a hand on his shoulder. "Relax. Two more tests today, three more days ahead. You'll have time to catch up."
"I thought I couldn't feel any worse… but your words… I take it back."
"Don't worry. Let's take a walk, clear your head."
"Okay…"
They leave the classroom together.
[Tuesday morning, after the second day of exams]
Riccardo and Nishimura rise calmly, ready to leave.
Kagayama glares, rising in irritation as she approaches.
"Aliberti!"
Riccardo halts. "Class rep, what is it?"
"How can you be so calm and confident when you never do anything in class?" Her voice turns heads.
Riccardo and Nishimura exchange a glance. Overreacting, as usual.
"Something's up…" whispers a girl nearby.
"Maybe the principal gave him the answers," another mutters.
Rumors buzz around. Riccardo sighs, annoyed.
"So… what do you need to hear to calm down?" he asks.
"Tell me there's something shady going on!"
Voices grow louder; Nishimura is about to lose it.
"Are you accusing me of cheating? Got proof?" Riccardo asks, composed.
"No, but…"
"Really…" Riccardo cuts her off, frustrated. "Again with this?"
He sighs and places a hand on his face, hiding his irritation.
"Listen carefully," he says, stepping closer, imposing. She takes a step back. "Last time I let it slide. I didn't like your attitude, but you meant well. Now, you're overstepping, trying to sabotage me in front of everyone, failing as a class rep while bragging about it. Understand?"
All eyes on her now. "Y-Yes…"
"Good." Riccardo slings his backpack over his right shoulder and heads to the door, Nishimura following.
He stops briefly. "Oh, and this isn't just a warning for you. It's for everyone here. No one's better than her. She at least told me to my face, taking responsibility. If you have something to say, say it to me directly. You're lucky—in Italy, where I come from, this wouldn't end so easily."
With that, Riccardo exits with Nishimura, slamming the door. Silence falls.
Kagayama wipes a tear, grabs her bag, and leaves quickly.