The winter break in Japan is only two weeks long, and school starts a week after New Year's Day.
Two weeks of vacation isn't long; whether for those who want to have fun during the break or for those who are about to take exams, it flies by in the blink of an eye.
After the winter break ends and school starts, the period leading up to the official exams for Aki Tomoya, who has been preparing for the past two years, is relatively relaxed.
Maintain a good state, and then perform normally in the first and second tests.
The closer it gets to the college entrance exam, the more nervous one becomes, especially in the last two weeks leading up to it.
At school or at the cram school, Aki Tomoya always had one or two people around him with pre-exam syndrome.
Burning incense and praying beforehand, seeking peace of mind, a psychological comfort.
"God of Exams, grant me strength!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko's prayer skills were also unique; clearly, no divine miracles were going to descend upon him.
But looking at him, honestly, Aki Tomoya was more or less a little nervous too.
"Anyway, don't worry too much about the results of the first test."
Aki Tomoya could only say this to Kamigō Yoshihiko.
The results of the first test don't have much significance for Kamigō Yoshihiko, but he still has to take it.
For the Center Test, those who choose to advance to University generally participate. After seeing the Center Test scores, they can also get a sense of where they stand.
"Also, there are ten days left until the first test. Instead of praying to gods now, it's better to schedule time to rest well, adjust your state, and perform normally."
"That's easier said than done, this is a battle that decides fate!"
Even with a friend's comfort and advice, he would still be nervous.
Since deciding to prepare for the exam, Kamigō Yoshihiko had done enough. The dark circles under his eyes weren't from staying up late playing games, but from studying late. He had truly surpassed himself!
Because of this, his allowance actually increased, which was something that made Kamigō Yoshihiko laugh and cry whenever he thought about it. In the past, when he begged for more allowance, his parents were dismissive and refused, not giving him any good face.
But now it was different; at least their expressions were much better.
This was indeed a good thing, but thinking about what would happen if he didn't pass the exam, Kamigō Yoshihiko didn't know what expression he should wear when he went back then.
"But there are only ten days left. I don't think praying to gods can make you do well on the exam. If you perform normally during the in-school exam next month, let alone your first choice, your second choice is very promising."
"…If I could adjust my state like you, I wouldn't need to pray to gods!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko also wanted to do as Aki Tomoya said, rest well during this time and then adjust his state to face the exam.
But his heart was flustered. They both started preparing for the exam in their second year of high school. Aki Tomoya's goal was Tokyo University, while his first choice could barely be considered a decent private University.
If he relaxed now, what if he didn't pass?
"Anyway, it's better to adjust your state early. The first test isn't important to you; what's important is the in-school exam next month."
There were only ten days left until the first test, which was very important for Aki Tomoya, who wanted to attend a National University, but for Kamigō Yoshihiko, it only served as a reference.
Using such words to comfort Kamigō Yoshihiko, he didn't know how much effect it would have.
But as the exam approached, as comrades who had come this far together, Aki Tomoya still hoped that everyone around him could achieve their goals.
It wasn't just them who had exams; a battle that decided fate. Kamigō Yoshihiko's tone was a bit chuunibyou, but he was indeed right.
One exam determines the outcome. There are winners, and naturally, countless stepping stones.
If Aki Tomoya had to say, the person with the best mindset around him was probably Kato Megumi.
"Kato-san is as steady as a mountain!"
"…"
Suddenly praised by Aki Tomoya, Kato Megumi didn't know what to say. She turned back and looked at Aki Tomoya helplessly.
Next Saturday, the nationwide first test, the first stage of academic selection, the first hurdle for countless examinees.
On the road to a National University, one must first obtain a stepping stone there.
There were only ten days left in the countdown, and it was precisely these last ten days that made them feel that they were finally graduating.
The final moments of the third year of high school were not easy, because considering the issue of further education, people couldn't help but think about whether Tsinghua or Peking University was better, and in the end, they could only go to Lanxiang...
In Japan, if you don't have a background, and you don't consider further education, you become a corporate slave or a NEET who is looked down upon.
Japan's relaxed education, where you can live without working so hard, further exacerbates the product of class solidification.
And to climb up, the cost that ordinary families have to bear for their children will be a large sum.
Want to get into University just by relying on school teaching? That's something only geniuses can do. In Japan, the high University entrance rate is generally due to private high schools. The tuition fees of private schools, plus the tutoring fees from outside Academies, will make you vomit blood when you calculate the total cost.
Toyosaki Academy's tuition is definitely not expensive among private high schools. His family background is decent, but the cost of Aki Tomoya's two years of preparation, with six days of tutoring per week for a year and a half, also required his parents to grit their teeth and pay.
This is just Aomine Cram School, which was operating poorly and almost went bankrupt. The fees for good Academies are even more outrageous. Families who want to have a better chance of their children getting into a good University will start investing earlier, and those with more resources will choose even higher-level options.
Therefore, Aki Tomoya is not considering retaking the exam, and it is best to get into a National University, because studying at a private medical University, or rather, the Faculty of Medicine, in Japan is extremely expensive!
After two years of preparation, Aki Tomoya felt very lucky. He had a certain foundation, met good Teachers, was reasonably intelligent, and his body had only had one problem before. He didn't dare to let his condition drop at all before the exam.
Ten days passed quickly. The night before the 23rd, Aki Tomoya was kicked out of the cram school.
"Tomorrow is the first test, absolutely no staying up late, absolutely no staying up late, go back and rest well!"
Harumi Junko said the same thing to everyone.
This week, she hadn't put too much pressure on the people in the cram school, just letting them adjust their state to face the exam.
Now that the first test was finally in sight, they absolutely couldn't mess up here.
Especially Aki Tomoya, who was aiming for Tokyo University, a National University. The first test hurdle was very important for him. The score would not only be used as a reference, but would also be compressed into another score and included in the second test's in-school exam score.
"For most people in the cram school, the first test isn't very important, but it's extremely important for you and Fumino. You must rest well and give me something to be proud of!"
Harumi Junko, who was nagging like a Mother, earnestly held Aki Tomoya's shoulders.
The first test was very important for Aki Tomoya, and it was equally important for Furuhashi Fumino.
Because if Furuhashi Fumino doesn't get into her desired University after the first test, with her first test score, especially an excellent score in the humanities, many good Universities would still be willing to open their doors, provided, of course, that she is willing to enter a humanities Faculty.
After preparing for so long, it's finally time for the real battle!
Alright, let's go!
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