"Hooray!!"
When she received her test results, Yuigahama almost shouted with joy. But she remained excited, wiggling in her seat like an overly enthusiastic puppy wagging its tail nonstop.
Yumiko casually glanced at her own results, then turned and looked at her friend's energetic expression with mild confusion. After observing her for a moment, she immediately grabbed Yuigahama's test paper.
"So excited, Yui—how good did you do? Ugh!? Rank 50 in the year? Impossible?"
Yumiko's eyes widened. She stared at Yuigahama and the test paper in disbelief. It was as if she'd just seen the Ninomiya statue in the schoolyard suddenly come to life and start dancing Gokuraku Jodo. She doubted reality itself.
There were ten classes in the second year, including Class J, totaling around three hundred students. It was extremely difficult to achieve a high rank in a school with such high average scores, especially since most of the top ranks were occupied by elite students from the international class. It was nearly impossible for a student from an ordinary class like theirs to break into the top 50 of the entire year.
Yet on the test paper, beside Yuigahama's name—which had always hovered around rank 150—was clearly printed the small text: Rank 50 in the Year. The scores for each subject next to it were also crystal clear, leaving no room for doubt.
Because of this, Yumiko felt like she was seeing her best friend for the first time. She dumbfoundedly reached over and pinched Yuigahama's cheek.
"Yui, since when did you become this smart?"
"Y-Yumiko, that's so rude!" Yuigahama quickly swatted her hand away. Seeing her curious classmates, her cheeks turned red. Her hand unconsciously played with her dango-style hair as she grew flustered.
"I-Isn't it normal to suddenly become smart? Besides, it's only rank 50 in the year, not rank one. No need to be so shocked."
"Of course I'm shocked—it's unnatural." Yumiko said matter-of-factly, then turned to her classmates for confirmation. "Right?"
"Right, right."
"Yui-chan doesn't seem like the smart type."
"Rank 150 would've been surprising enough. I always thought sweet, naive Yui was a bit dumb."
"You guys are so mean!" Amid her friends' teasing, Yuigahama angrily slapped the desk, grumbling and scolding them before grabbing back her test paper from Yumiko.
As if she still couldn't believe it, she checked each subject's score and her overall rank for the first time. A smile slowly spread across her slightly stunned face.
Even when she'd studied desperately to enter Sobu High in middle school, Yuigahama's grades had never been particularly good. The highest score she'd ever achieved on a major school exam was around rank 100.
So in the end, when her name appeared on Sobu High's acceptance list, all her friends and teachers who knew her daily grades were shocked. They assumed she was the type of student who performed better under pressure.
But Yuigahama knew better than anyone that while she wasn't stupid, she was just a little slow sometimes—and definitely not a natural at studying.
She wasn't like Yukino, who read high-level literature every day. She always studied at the last minute and only smiled bitterly when she got bad grades. This was what gave her friends the impression that she was dumb.
Even Yuigahama herself believed she was someone who couldn't study—when it came to academics, she might as well be called stupid.
And the only person who could make her change, from middle school onward, was just one person.
She closed her eyes and smiled briefly, then opened them, looking at the seat in front of her. Her gaze landed perfectly on his side profile.
"Yuu, I did it!"
She resisted the urge to ignore the teacher in front and run straight to him to show off. Yuigahama placed a hand on her chest, feeling the turbulent emotions inside, and took a deep breath.
"If I try, I can get closer to you step by step... If I try, one day you'll definitely fall in love with me!"
This test result was the best proof.
Effort wouldn't betray her. Hard work would surely bear fruit. If so, her feelings had a chance of being returned too.
Two years had passed. Three years. Four years... Even if she became a college student, even if she started working.
As long as Yuu still allowed her to stay by his side.
Even if the path was thorny, Yuigahama would never back down!
"Right, I must become a better version of myself!"
At this moment, Yuigahama holding her test results was like holding a light called hope.
Yumiko beside her slightly frowned, watching her enthusiastically with a strange look. Then she followed her gaze and looked toward Yuu.
After a moment of thought, as if understanding something, the crease on Yumiko's forehead deepened. She couldn't help but click her tongue, tapping her fingers on the desk as if wanting to say something.
But in the end, she said nothing. Annoyed, she twisted her hair, pulled out her phone, and quietly played with it under the desk.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Honestly, it was a little embarrassing... After getting his test results...
Yuu became excited. He couldn't even suppress the wicked smile tugging at the corner of his lips, or the sly chuckle rising from his throat.
"Hmph hmph... Yukinoshita Yukino, mission accomplished."
Though he'd expected it and felt confident, imagining the cold girl's expression distorting made Yuu feel incredibly excited and joyful—like a child about to go on a trip.
He couldn't contain the urge within him. He wished time would speed up to after-school hours, when the Service Club activities began, so he could mock that always-arrogant Yukino.
Right now, Yuu could faintly understand what Haruno felt.
This wasn't childishness. This was joy—Yukinoshita Yukino was their source of joy.
The top 100 rankings would be posted on the bulletin board tomorrow. So if Yuu didn't say anything, only the teacher and he would know his score.
But there was loud commotion from Yuigahama's side. He faintly heard "rank 50," "wasn't she dumb?" and other heated discussions. It seemed her results had been forcibly spread far and wide.
In a situation like this, low scores were called public execution, while high scores were called forced showing off—and Yuigahama was clearly the latter. After disbelief came admiration and envy, with everyone enthusiastically discussing around her.
Even if a dissenting voice doubted the authenticity of her score, they'd be scolded mercilessly by Yumiko, the golden drill-twin-tailed girl beside Yuigahama, and forced to apologize sheepishly.
Yuu paid slight attention to the situation over there and gave a small nod.
"Though she seems like an easily angered woman, she's a good friend..."
Yuigahama achieving rank 50 in the year was also beyond his expectations. In his initial estimate, Yuigahama would have done exceptionally well if she reached rank 70 or 80, and rank 100 would've been good. But rank 50? That was practically superhuman strength.
Yuu was very satisfied. Two years had passed. Both he and Yuigahama had grown. They were no longer helpless creatures desperately studying in the library.
They were now brilliant stars who would shine brightly when given the chance—impossible for others to ignore.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Good job, Yui."
During break, Yuu used this phrase to respond to Yuigahama, who came over excitedly to show off. He maintained a calm, composed attitude.
Yuigahama seemed dissatisfied with his flat, simple response, but then she seemed to realize something. Her face suddenly turned serious, her small white fist clenched, and she stared at him earnestly.
"I understand, Yuu. I won't disappoint your expectations!"
Yuu's eyebrow twitched slightly.
"...Though I don't understand what you think you understand, that mindset is good. Keep it up."
After saying that, as if bored with her, Yuu immediately turned and smiled at Totsuka, who was approaching. He shared the news of his rank-one achievement in a gentle, relaxed tone.
His attitude was far warmer than toward Yuigahama—even carrying a closeness that no woman could penetrate.
Seeing this scene, Yuigahama felt strange.
Did she have to compete with a man to win a man?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The small incident of score announcements in Class F ended just like that, and the day's lessons passed by. In the afternoon, cotton-like white clouds floated in the sky.
Yuu sent a message to Masuzu, telling her to wait—he'd walk home with her later. Then he grabbed his bag, ready to go to the club and chat with Yukino.
At that moment, Yuigahama came over. "Yuu, are you going to the club too? Let's go together."
"Sure..." Yuu glanced at Yumiko behind her and slightly frowned.
Though he didn't say anything, he felt Yumiko was staring at him with a hostile gaze, as if she saw him as a scoundrel cheating on women.
"Ah, that..." Yuigahama quickly sensed something was off in the air, but didn't know where it came from. After looking left and right, she could only speak to Yumiko first. "Yumiko, I have club activities today. You go home first."
Yumiko crossed her arms, clicked her tongue, and stiffly turned her head to reply.
"...Huh, whatever."
Yuigahama clasped her hands, her wet, pitiful eyes like a puppy's looking at her apologetically. "Sorry! Next time, let's go karaoke again!"
"Whatever."
Yumiko shrugged indifferently. Then she gave Yuu a cold glance and strode away.
From start to finish, she didn't utter a single word to Yuu, but her gaze and attitude were full of thorns. She didn't hide her hostility.
"...Since when did I offend her?"
During the group lottery, Yumiko hadn't been this angry. Yuu looked like someone who owed her millions.
"I don't know either..." Looking at Yumiko's retreating back, Yuigahama also looked confused. "Maybe Yuu accidentally called her 'drill twin-tails' and she overheard?"
"Though Yumiko has a bit of a temper, she's not a villain who randomly hates people. She hates bullying too, so she wouldn't ostracize someone without reason. That should be how it is."
After saying that, she looked at Yuu with slight worry, her mouth slightly opening as if wanting to say something.
"Really? Maybe I accidentally offended her." Yuu shrugged, walking toward the classroom door. "As long as she doesn't go too far, I won't respond with words. Don't worry. You just need to endure the awkward atmosphere."
Yuigahama finally breathed easier. She was truly afraid that if Yuu got annoyed, he'd use his argument techniques against Yukino on Yumiko.
Even Yukino had lost and repeatedly wanted to throw books at him. If it were Yumiko... Ugh, she couldn't even imagine that terrifying scene!
"It's fine. I'll try to improve your relationship!" Yuigahama followed behind him, clenching her fist with determination. "Let's get along well during the school picnic! If we're close, it'll definitely be more fun!"
Yuu smiled. "I don't mind. Being kind to others is a sign of high emotional intelligence. But I hope you can calm down that time-bomb drill-twin-tail, so she doesn't bother me."
"I'm afraid you'll use that tone with her..." Yuigahama smiled bitterly and drooped her shoulders, then slightly frowned, her soft cheeks puffing. "No, if I'm too nice, it might be a problem too... Yuu is so popular with girls, and Yumiko is so innocent. Maybe..."
"There's no 'maybe' about it. Don't think weird things, okay?" Yuu turned and flicked her dango hair in annoyance.
Yuigahama laughed sheepishly and didn't mention it again. She just wondered—why had Yumiko suddenly turned hostile toward Yuu?
They entered through the special building's door and walked up to the second floor, to the classroom with the empty door sign.
Yuu knocked, and after hearing a clear, melodious voice from inside, opened the door and stepped in.
"Good afternoon."
"Good afternoon, Tenkuji-kun, Yuigahama-san."
The girl near the window, as usual, gently tucked her hair behind her ear. Her bright eyes looked at the book in her hand, so calm she seemed like a palace painting.
They both entered, their steps unconsciously slowing, as if not wanting to disturb the current peace.
But as soon as the door closed, Yuu hadn't even pulled out his chair to sit when he said to Yukino:
"Yukinoshita, I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"..."
The motion of turning her page paused slightly. Yukino lifted her gaze, frowning at the meaningful smile on his face.
After a moment of thought, she suddenly closed her book, letting out a soft sigh that fell to the floor—as if worried about someone's intelligence. Her voice sounded resigned and gentle, yet still carried her arrogance.
"Judging by that monkey-like expression of pride on your face, the good news is that you've surpassed me and become the top-ranked student in the year, right?"
Yuu: "..."