With the start of summer vacation, Aki Tomoya didn't have much time to think about other things.
Seeing the exam next year getting closer and closer, he felt he needed to seize the time.
In the days leading up to and after the start of summer vacation, there were some changes at the cram school.
Before the summer vacation, Furuhashi Fumino, who had a conflict with her Father at home due to the three-way meeting and then disappeared after the second meeting, reappeared at the cram school.
"Fumino, have your family matters been resolved?"
On the first day of August, Furuhashi Fumino reappeared at the cram school. After enduring for a morning, Kudo Sayaka couldn't help but go up and ask with concern during the lunch break.
During the days when she couldn't see Furuhashi Fumino at the cram school, Kudo Sayaka and Furuhashi Fumino were still keeping in touch.
However, Kudo Sayaka couldn't fully ascertain Furuhashi Fumino's specific situation from just a few words.
On August 1st, seeing Furuhashi Fumino reappear at the cram school, Kudo Sayaka breathed a sigh of relief.
She had thought she would never see her good friend again.
Her reappearance at the cram school also meant she hadn't changed her aspirations.
However, whether she had come to an agreement with Reiji Furuhashi was also not entirely certain.
"Sort of..."
Furuhashi Fumino's answer was a bit vague.
Even she wasn't sure?
"Please don't say that Furuhashi Fumino, you ran away on your own. That's very scary."
Aki Tomoya turned his head and said worriedly.
If Furuhashi Fumino were to say something now like she ran back to the cram school on her own this time, it would be a bit scary.
Whether she chose humanities or science, the best outcome would still be for her and her Father to discuss it thoroughly.
The previous incident of running away from home had everyone around worried.
"Fumino would never be that willful!"
Kudo Sayaka had a look that claimed she understood Furuhashi Fumino very well. Aki Tomoya just smiled and didn't speak, instead looking towards Furuhashi Fumino.
"Thank you, Sayaka." Furuhashi Fumino first looked at Kudo Sayaka with gratitude, and then immediately began to explain, "Actually, I've talked with my Father at home many times, but I always feel like he has trouble facing me. Sometimes, the conversation stops halfway. Last night, I said this couldn't go on and that I wanted to go back to the cram school to continue studying. He hesitated for a moment and said something like 'do as you please'..."
In short, Furuhashi Fumino also couldn't quite understand Reiji Furuhashi's current state.
At that meeting, after being pointed out that he was escaping his responsibility as a Father and hadn't properly cared for his daughter in the past, Reiji Furuhashi was affected far more than just losing face.
In the previous days, she hadn't returned to the cram school temporarily, but at school, she was still receiving guidance from a Teacher.
And at home, Furuhashi Fumino tried to discuss things properly with Reiji Furuhashi, but the result was often that he would leave first.
"Perhaps your Father is reflecting properly, you never know."
After Aki Tomoya saw the worry in her eyes, he couldn't help but offer a word of comfort, framing the situation in a positive light.
Although it sounded like her Father was still avoiding the issue, being able to discuss things calmly for now could be considered a good change.
However, as for the specific situation, since he wasn't directly involved, he couldn't be entirely sure.
Who knew if, in a few days, they might not be able to discuss things well again, resulting in other conflicts?
Anyway, it would be best if that didn't happen. Aki Tomoya, from the perspective of a normal friend, offered a prayer for Furuhashi Fumino.
"If he's really reflecting, shouldn't he discuss it more clearly then?"
Kudo Sayaka said irritably.
If things weren't made clear, it would remain uncertain. Who knew if something else might happen in a few days?
In Kudo Sayaka's opinion, whether Furuhashi Fumino chose humanities or science, it was less important than her and her Father discussing it clearly.
Whether he supported it, was waiting to see, or was still unsure in his heart was completely unclear now.
"Kudo, you're even more worried than Fumino."
Aki Tomoya sighed with emotion.
Kudo Sayaka now looked like a female knight-errant who would draw her sword to help when she saw injustice.
At the same time, it was also that saying: worry leads to confusion. Other people's family matters are the hardest to resolve.
"Some things can't be made clear in just a word or two. Both sides need to give it some time. Isn't Fumino able to come back now?"
Kudo Sayaka was a bit agitated.
Having studied together for a year, Aki Tomoya had also learned quite a bit about Kudo Sayaka's family situation over the past year.
Half the people supported her, while the other half poured cold water on her.
And precisely, the one who didn't support her and kept pouring cold water was her Father. Every time he heard her complaints about her Father at home, he would always hear a lot of unwillingness.
Conversely, every time Kudo Sayaka mentioned her Mother and younger sister, her tone would be completely different.
To be more extreme, Kudo Sayaka was probably starting to see all men in the world as scumbags.
And coincidentally, both Kudo Sayaka and Furuhashi Fumino had a "scumbag" Father.
It was not without reason that Kudo Sayaka was so concerned about Furuhashi Fumino's matters.
"To be honest, you're really annoying sometimes..."
Kudo Sayaka punched Aki Tomoya's shoulder. The force was soft, not even enough for a massage.
As for the current situation, the fact that Furuhashi Fumino could still continue moving towards her goal was already a good situation.
Studying in August continued until the tenth. At noon the day before the Tokyo University entrance exam simulation results, Aki Tomoya once again heard Kudo Sayaka and Furuhashi Fumino discussing the latter's family matters at the cram school.
"Late at night, I always see the light on in my Father's room, and he's looking at something with a pained and regretful expression..."
Furuhashi Fumino said this, confiding her worries to Kudo Sayaka.
In her eyes, her Father's recent somewhat abnormal behavior was truly worrying.
As of now, whether it was indulgence or understanding, Furuhashi Fumino still couldn't be sure.
"That's tough."
Aki Tomoya sighed inwardly. Furuhashi Fumino was indeed having a tough time, having to study and worry about family matters. She herself was significantly affected.
But there was also some good news. According to her, Reiji Furuhashi wanted to see her mock exam results next month, in September. Just saying this one sentence motivated Furuhashi Fumino greatly.
However, it wasn't clear what her Father was really thinking, but Furuhashi Fumino herself was quite optimistic.
"Aki-kun, have you remembered the location for tomorrow's entrance exam simulation?"
Harumi Junko walked over and asked, looking worried, yet with a hint of expectation in her eyes as she looked at him.
The entrance exam simulation results, in short, are mock exams for specific universities.
With Harumi Junko's help, he had registered, and tomorrow was the first day of the exam.
"I'm not an elementary school student, Harumi Sensei, so please rest assured."
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