Random Book

(Yuuto's POV)

The time for our exam was up. My hand ached incredibly badly. The exam was 2 hours long, and we had to write for the entire time.

We were dismissed in rows. Since I was in row F, I got dismissed fifth. We had to leave the exam hall in absolute silence, or else we'd be disqualified.

Already, there were three more victims. C Class students, Kamuro Hokyou and Esumi Chirie, and a B Class student, Daita Hachirou. It seems all the classes had suffered a disqualification.

1 in A Class, B Class and D Class. 2 in C Class and E Class. That's 7 disqualifications already... this school was definitely ruthless. I mean, the school revelation should've indicated it enough, but the midterms cemented just how hard we'd have to work in order to climb to the top.

I gulped as I made my way out past the hall and into the long corridor, entering the general area.

Students flocked around in groups and some slumped to the floor. People were lively chatting, so this was a safe zone... I breathed an audible sigh of relief and leaned against the wall.

I had no one to wait for.

I just stood there, watching my surroundings. Everyone seemed to find the test extremely hard, for good reason too.

That wasn't a normal midterm... I've never had to take a midterm so difficult before. It felt more like a finals-level paper. GEN Academy really did pull out all the stops when it comes to making us the best students in Japan. I wondered if any A Class students found it difficult.

"Takanori-san, how was it?" Coming up to me was the bright-eyed Kawaguchi Masaru.

"It was... uh, fine."

"You didn't have difficulty?" Kawaguchi said with sincere perplex in his tone. "That Japanese midterm was so bad. I didn't know how to answer half the questions. I gave it my best though, so let's hope it pays off!"

He was as optimistic as ever.

"Well, of course I found it relatively tricky. I just... Well, I did the same as you. Tried my best."

"What do you think happened to Mitsuba-san then?"

He probably was sitting in E Class with Kouji as Chabashira-sensei lectured them. That's the image I got in my head.

"No clue." I shrugged.

"Want to head back? If I stay in this exam hall for any longer, I might suffocate!"

"If you want. I'm gonna stay here."

"Seriously? You're actually waiting for someone?"

Kawaguchi looked surprised. Was I really seen as one of the big 3 loners...?

"I wouldn't say waiting... but, yeah. I need to talk to someone."

"Well, alright then. See ya around, Takanori-san!" Kawaguchi waved ran off.

I watched him walk away into the distance and join Akihiro and Tanaka.

"Takanori-san!" A cheerful voice came up to me next. It was Ikeda Arata. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you."

Right... I put my stuff in his locker.

"Want to go grab your stuff?"

"I'm..." As I thought of an excuse, I remembered what occurred earlier. "Uh... waiting for someone."

You're a life saver, Kawaguchi.

"Oh, really? Is it alright if I wait with you, then?"

I wanted to seize my chance to talk to Yukina, though... ah, whatever. I'll make up something on the spot again.