June 15th, results were released in reverse order of how they were taken. My results were as follows:
Music: A+ (100)
P.E: A (94)
Art: B (86)
English: C+ (77)
Geography: C- (71)
Science: C (75)
Maths: C- (73)
History: A+ (97)
Total: 673 (84.1)
I had gotten some good marks in there, and overall it seemed I had finished 12th place in the class, and 18th in the Year. This was a
satisfactory result for me, the only person's results I even wanted to see were Egawa's. She approached me before I could even look for her.
"Do you always know where I am, I've literally never been able to even look for you"
"Perhaps, but you kind of stand out, silver hair is pretty rare in this school"
"I suppose, so show me your results"
Music: A+ (98)
P.E: C- (72)
Art: B+ (88)
English: A+ (97)
Geography: A (96)
Science: A+ (99)
Maths: A+ (98)
History: A+ (100)
Total: 748 (93.5)
"Seems as if I didn't even need to go all out to beat you this time around"
"I suppose I'm more out of practice than I thought I was.."
I had actually lost, this girl had actually beaten me, how did this happen? I don't think anyone has been able to outperform me when I was trying, so how did she do it? She was top of the year sure, but this was insane, she had well and truly defeated me..
"What do you want from me then?"
"Hmm, that's an interesting question"
At that moment, Randan came running up to me with Holly in tow, they obviously wanted to see my results.
"Hey man! What were your results looking like?"
Randan looked over at Egawa, and back at me. "Hope I wasn't interrupting anything here"
I closed the distance between us, and gave him the strongest forehead flick I could muster, he instantly moved his hands to his head to cover the wound.
"Owowowowow.." He whimpered, and crouched down to the floor.
"Anyway.. what did you get Daniel?"
I decided that I'd answer Holly at least, giving her my report card, she exchanged hers to me, and goddamn.
Music: F (33)
P.E: C+ (78)
Art: D- (62)
English: E- (50)
Geography: F+ (45)
Science: F- (21)
Maths: F (38)
History: D (65)
Total: 392 (49)
"Are you special?" I asked after reading the final mark.
"Dude what??"
"You know that this is literally abhorrent"
Egawa peeked from behind me, unable to go over my shoulder.
"Oh wow"
"Is everybody gonna shit on me today?"
"Zenzon, how did you get into this class exactly?"
"I'd say she got in on luck and bribery"
"Stop bullying me I'll tell" She was clearly joking, she was fine enough with some banter.
"..Show me your results Daniel"
Randan came a-calling from down below where had been holding his head.
"Fine, here you go little guy"
"..Here's mine.."
Music: B- (80)
P.E: A+ (97)
Art: C (75)
English: A (95)
Geography: C+ (77)
Science: D (64)
Maths: F (31)
History: B+ (89)
Total: 608 (76)
"Bro you flunked maths like woefully"
"Not my fault"
"Except is LITERALLY IS"
"Nuh uh"
I glared at him for a moment, he smiled back like an idiot, so I hit him. I hit him in the groin, sack tapped him as one would say. He crumpled to the floor and Holly reluctantly stayed with him to get him up. I looked over at Egawa and we began to walk off together so as to continue our previous conversation.
"So, what did you want from me?"
"Oh yes, I have the request"
"Go ahead then"
"Right. I want you to do something. I want you to accompany me somewhere, preferably near the end of the term"
"Uhh..Sure where are you gonna take me exactly?"
"You'll see when the time comes, but just keep in mind that you're doing this, okay?"
"Yeah sure.." I certainly wasn't expecting that of the request but she
can do what she likes, she won after all.
"Before I go I have one question for you. You didn't go all out on that exam did you?"
"I could've tried harder that's for sure"
"Thought as much"
Egawa left my side after that, so I ended up wandering around for a bit until Randan tracked me down with some guy. I think he's the bloke who sits next to him?
"Hey Daniel, thanks for the hit earlier"
"No problem"
"Huh?" The dude was confused, I still had no clue what his name was.
"Oh yeah, this is Mieke Arquette, this is Daniel Barrington" He introduced us, and I remembered that I was astonishingly correct in my assumption of his name.
He stuck out his hand, so I shook it firmly, he showed strain on his face immediately, perhaps too firm?
"Anyway, yeah Mieke is pretty cool so perhaps we'll sometimes bring him around with our group?"
"Whatever I don't really mind"
"I look forward to getting along with you two gentlemen" Mieke said this in a pompous tone, something about him sat wrong with me personally, he seemed to be rather full of himself, or even just slightly arrogant, whilst also being a complete coward, it was
perplexing.
Sure I decided that I didn't like him instantaneously, but it's not like I needed to make that public or object to him occasionally joining our group, so I just decided to let it fester for now.