The sky was a clear blue, with the early summer breeze pushing white clouds gently across it. Through the bright classroom windows, one could even see crows gliding past the metal fences of the distant schoolyard.
Beside their drifting calls came Ms. Kobayashi's patient voice as she explained the lesson, occasionally accompanied by the whistle of a passing train.
The seat next to Tetsu Watanabe was empty today.
Ayumi hadn't come to school—Mrs. Yoshida must have called in to excuse her.
"Hey, Mitsuhiko, Tetsu—after school, let's go visit Ayumi together," Genta's voice came from behind.
He was slouched over his desk, holding his textbook upright to hide his face.
"Okay," Mitsuhiko whispered back.
"Maybe we can eat more of her mom's cake, heheh. Tetsu, what do you—"
Genta poked Tetsu's back.
"Ko–Genta-kun, please answer this question."
On the podium, Ms. Sumiko Kobayashi paused her writing on the board—catching Genta in the act.
I'm dead.
Genta shot to his feet as if struck by lightning, face completely pale.
…
Five minutes before lunchtime, Ms. Kobayashi closed her textbook and pushed up her glasses.
"Next week we will have our monthly test. Please prepare well."
"Ehhhh—"
The class groaned in unison.
Ms. Kobayashi clapped her hands twice.
"Quiet, everyone."
With a gentle smile, she continued,
"There are still three days to review. I believe all of you can do well. And also—whoever gets first place on this test… will receive a special reward from me."
The young, beautiful teacher's announcement instantly reignited the classroom.
Even Tetsu felt a spark of interest.
This reward…
It has to be meant for me, right?
"Tetsu Watanabe," Ms. Kobayashi said suddenly, looking directly at him.
"Because you just transferred, you may skip this monthly exam."
Skip the test?
Was she joking?
Then wouldn't he lose the reward!?
Tetsu rejected the offer without hesitation.
"It's alright, Ms. Kobayashi. It's only a monthly test—I'd like to know my own level too. Please let me participate."
"I see."
She studied him carefully—saw no reluctance—and nodded.
"Very well. Then do your best with everyone else."
During lunch, the class was still buzzing about the test.
Genta shoveled rice into his mouth as he complained through stuffed cheeks,
"We're doomed. If I don't get a good score, I'll get yelled at again."
"It's fine. We still have three days to review," Mitsuhiko said gently.
"As long as you study, you'll definitely do better."
As one of the class's honor students—always within the top five—monthly tests never bothered him.
"I just hope I can at least pass…"
Genta sighed, suddenly finding his favorite grilled eel much less appetizing.
He glanced at Tetsu, who was casually eating his lunch without a care.
"Tetsu, Ms. Kobayashi said you didn't have to take the test. Why'd you give up that chance?"
Of course Tetsu wouldn't tell these two kids what he was really planning.
So he used a simple excuse:
"I'm confident. Whether I take the test or not makes no difference."
…So I'm the only academic disaster, huh.
Genta quietly returned to his rice bowl, too depressed to speak.
After dragging themselves through the afternoon lessons, the final bell rang.
With no choice, Tetsu followed Genta and Mitsuhiko to visit Ayumi at her home.
"You're here!"
Ayumi opened the door with a bright smile.
Seeing her best friends, her eyes curved like crescent moons.
"Come in! I was getting bored."
The boys changed into house slippers.
"Mom, Tetsu and the others are here!" Ayumi called toward the kitchen.
Mrs. Yoshida stepped out.
She wore a pale blue skirt suit, her lightly made-up face glowing with gentle warmth.
"You're here to visit Ayumi, right?" she said kindly.
"Please sit down. I'll prepare some fruit."
"Thank you, Auntie!"
"You're welcome. Ayumi, make sure you take good care of your friends."
"I will, Mom!"
The four sat on the sofa.
Since she had missed school, Ayumi asked about what had happened today.
Hearing how Genta got caught talking during class, she burst into giggles.
"Genta, seriously. Don't talk during lessons next time."
Genta scratched his head, embarrassed.
"I won't anymore! Oh—next week is the monthly test, and Ms. Kobayashi said whoever gets first place gets a special reward!"
"Really?" Ayumi's eyes sparkled. "Then I need to try my best!"
"Tetsu could've skipped the test," Genta added, looking at him with both awe and confusion.
"But he gave that chance up."
"Really?"
Mrs. Yoshida had just come out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of neatly cut cantaloupe and apples.
She placed the fruit on the table, sat beside her daughter, rested her hands elegantly under her chin, and looked at Tetsu with interest.
"Tetsu, you must be very confident in yourself."