Those who had participated in the two National Examination simulations in the first half of the year wouldn't have their mindset too affected.
But after all, it was a simulation of the second exam, and the difficulty would increase significantly compared to the National Examination-based simulations.
On August 11th, Aki Tomoya arrived at the entrance exam simulation venue on time, and outside, he surprisingly saw Harumi Junko.
"Good luck!"
At first glance, it was like an elementary school sports day, with parents on the sidelines waving fists and cheering their children on.
Aki Tomoya couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the Teacher who clenched her fists, as if treating the entrance exam simulation as the actual exam.
"How much do you want me to get in?"
Aki Tomoya couldn't help but ask her with a smile.
A former Tokyo University applicant who failed, now a cram school instructor, Harumi Junko had a certain obsession with Aki Tomoya at the cram school who was aiming for Tokyo University.
Helping him get into Tokyo University and clearing away regrets, that was probably what she wanted to do.
"It's not just me who wants Aki-kun to get in."
Harumi Junko pushed Aki Tomoya's back, sending him into the exam hall.
The entrance exam simulation was on the eleventh and twelfth. In the science exam hall he was assigned to, Aki Tomoya saw people who shared the same goal as him.
There were those with confident expressions, those who were anxious, but more were those with calm expressions, yet their eyes radiated a light no weaker than others.
In this environment, as one of the competitors, Aki Tomoya felt that this was right, so the atmosphere was very important.
Wrapped in this atmosphere, if you don't give it your all, you'll become someone else's stepping stone.
However, in the end, it's just a mock exam...
"I must get in this year!"
A girl next to him prayed very hard; it seemed she was a repeat student.
There are too many such repeat students. To get into a good University, if the family is willing to support it, repeating for two or three years is possible.
Not only current year applicants, but also repeat students from previous years.
But there aren't too many people aiming for Tokyo University, proportionally speaking, especially Todai Faculty of Science III, which is the Faculty of Medicine.
However, anyone planning to take the Tokyo University exam cannot be underestimated, especially those aiming for Todai Faculty of Science III.
Unbeknownst to him, the surroundings had become quiet, the entire examination room was silent, all waiting for the invigilator's command.
"Begin answering!"
Rustle, rustle—
Exam papers were neatly turned over, and everyone concentrated fully on the paper before them.
...
The entire Entrance Judgement Mock Exam was held over two days, the eleventh and twelfth.
After finishing the exam on the twelfth, Aki Tomoya breathed a sigh of relief. He hadn't used his full strength, but he was a little tired.
He just had to wait for the results.
One week, next Saturday the eighteenth.
After finishing the exam in the morning, he left in the afternoon. Since it was Sunday, there were no classes at the cram school. Because of this, on the day after the exam, Aki Tomoya was showered with concern by Harumi Junko.
Although he felt a little touched, he couldn't help but say to her, "Harumi Sensei, you're so noisy..."
Asking repetitive questions non-stop, Aki Tomoya couldn't quite handle it anymore.
When asked how he felt, he could only reply that it wasn't good.
"Excessive! I'm clearly just very concerned about you..."
"I know, but let me catch my breath first. I haven't had time to rest the entire summer vacation."
"You worked hard!"
And the next day, during tutoring at the cram school, he wasn't just asked about his situation and expectations by Harumi Junko; the people around him were also quite concerned about his Entrance Judgement Mock Exam.
Aki Tomoya replied with the same answer.
"You're being humble again! This kind of humility is really annoying!"
Kudo Sayaka said, somewhat displeased.
He always said it wasn't good, but the results were always pleasing.
"But the people I'm comparing myself to are different this time, Kudo."
Aki Tomoya shook his head and replied.
They are all people who want to get into Tokyo University. If you don't compare yourself to those behind you, but to those ahead, the gap becomes apparent.
"A group of people who have been aiming for Tokyo University since junior high, no, some even since childhood like Harumi Sensei, plus quite a few repeat students. Don't think too highly of me."
Should he be confident at this moment?
Of course, he should be confident. How can you succeed if you look down on yourself?
But objective facts must be considered.
It's not a national mock exam, but a Tokyo University Entrance Judgement Mock Test. Among the people participating in this exam, it's difficult to stand out.
"Blindly believing in me and thinking I'm amazing isn't good. There are plenty of people more capable than me."
Aki Tomoya turned his head to look at Kudo Sayaka. His expression was incredibly serious.
Kudo Sayaka next to him could see that he was very optimistic, and at the same time, more focused on reality.
In this entrance mock exam, or rather, regarding previous mock exams, Aki Tomoya had always been telling the truth: it wasn't good.
Because the fact is, Tokyo University only accepts a certain number of people each year. The first stage eliminates a large number, and the number of people admitted in the second stage is compared to the recruitment number.
His current level might seem good to others, but if you can't get in, you just can't get in.
Since that's the fact, there's nothing more to say.
In short, it's not good; it depends on which group you compare yourself to.
During the national mock exam, Aki Tomoya would just smile when he saw a B judgement. There was a high probability for the first stage, but what about the second stage?
The second stage is the real deal, competing with those at the upper end of all candidates.
"So you've always been aiming for the target..."
Kudo Sayaka's mood was a bit complicated.
Compared to the overall population, Aki Tomoya is definitely in the ranks of top students.
But to get into Tokyo University, you have to compete with the top students among top students and secure a place among that group.
"So, don't underestimate the heroes of the world, Kudo!"
"Hearing you say that makes me a little nervous..."
As soon as she heard about comparing herself to the group aiming for Tokyo University, Kudo Sayaka immediately thought of herself.
Then, comparing herself to the people aiming for Keio, Kudo Sayaka felt that she might very well become a stepping stone.
It's not that easy to get into Keio either.
After all, it's a top private institution.
"Don't worry, the Faculty of Literature exam shouldn't be that difficult, right?"
"How so?"
"Japan's University entrance exams only have two types: one is the Faculty of Medicine, and the other is everything else."
Because it was the plain truth, Kudo Sayaka didn't know what to say for a moment.
In Japan's University entrance exams, generally speaking, the Faculty of Medicine is at the top of the hierarchy.
"As expected, I shouldn't have looked for comfort from you!"
Ah, what did she just hear?
Even if it's not the Faculty of Medicine exam, the Keio Faculty of Literature isn't that easy to get into, okay?!
"Do you think the Keio Faculty of Literature is really that easy to get into?"
Kudo Sayaka said, feeling a bit unconvinced again.
"I know. There are two people who can get in just like that."
Aki Tomoya spread his hands helplessly.
One of the people he mentioned, Kudo Sayaka knew. That person was in the cram school, her good friend Furuhashi Fumino.
But as for the other person Aki Tomoya was referring to, she didn't know.
Just as she was wondering who the other person was, she suddenly remembered something, and then asked curiously, "Your relationship with the other person isn't ordinary, is it?"
"Thinking too much."
"Hmph!"
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