Starting from december, doing past National Examination practice problems was probably Aki Tomoya's main plan for this month.
All the incorrect problems were also recorded in a dedicated notebook.
As the review progressed to december, the entire Academy became tense.
Some people were taking the entrance exams next year, and some were entering their third year tomorrow.
"This is the red book for Keio University, Kudo-san."
Mr. Tsubota pushed the red book for Keio University towards Kudo Sayaka.
At the current pace, it was time for her to start looking at past entrance exam problems for Keio University Faculty of Letters.
After more than half a year of review, Kudo Sayaka's nerves were completely taut by now.
She returned to her seat with the collection of past practice problems for Keio University.
As she flipped through the past practice problems for Keio University Faculty of Letters, Kudo Sayaka's eyes gradually changed, becoming covered with confusion.
The sound of paper flipping was the clearest sound she could hear now.
She turned to the next page, then involuntarily looked around.
Aki Tomoya next to her was continuously doing science practice problems and didn't notice her gaze.
And most of the people around her, like Aki Tomoya, were bent over and writing, doing problems under the supervision of the two cram school lecturers.
Occasionally, Furuhashi Fumino's confused voice and Harumi Junko's guidance from behind could still reach her ears.
She slowly placed the red book of Keio University in her hand on the desk, her eyes flickering with confusion. She silently looked at her surroundings and felt immense pressure.
"So difficult..."
Kudo Sayaka said, pressing her lips together.
Her mood at this moment was truly terrible.
A sense of unspeakable powerlessness filled her body. For the first time, Kudo Sayaka had such a direct understanding of the possibility of getting into Keio University.
"Can someone like me get into Keio University?"
She looked at the National Examination practice problems Aki Tomoya was doing next to her and asked herself.
Getting into a private University was not as difficult as it was for Aki Tomoya next to her, who had to first cross the threshold of the National Examination.
And now, Kudo Sayaka finally understood what kind of existence Keio University was.
A top SA private University, it was truly no joke.
Kudo Sayaka could already imagine who she would be competing against.
Just then, the pen in her line of sight stopped.
"It's quite interesting that you suddenly ask me such a question."
Aki Tomoya twirled the pen in his hand and muttered.
Because of his voice, Kudo Sayaka realized she was staring at the practice problems he was working on.
He had also heard the question she had just asked herself.
Kudo Sayaka, feeling a bit self-defeating at the moment, no longer cared about such things and was now wondering if she should leave.
"Kudo, I ask you, can I get into Tokyo University?" Aki Tomoya turned his head and asked.
Instead of answering Kudo Sayaka's previous question, he threw a question back at her at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Kudo Sayaka looked at the Keio University red book on the table, the bitterness on her face becoming more apparent. She replied, pretending indifference, "Yes, you can."
If it were this boy next to her, there would be hope.
But unlike him, Kudo Sayaka saw nothing in herself.
It seemed the tuition fees her Mother had paid for her Academy were about to go to waste.
Thinking this, Kudo Sayaka's eyes were filled with more shame at the moment. Rather than this, it might have been better to just be more well-behaved at school; perhaps then she could have gotten into University directly.
"Thank you. The same answer goes for you."
Aki Tomoya's voice was clearly very calm, yet to Kudo Sayaka, it sounded incredibly loud.
Hearing him tell her she could get into Keio at this moment, even if it was just simple encouragement, was enough for Kudo Sayaka.
However, merely this did not improve her mood much.
The reality was right before her eyes; the difficulties ahead would not decrease much.
"So getting into Keio is really this hard…"
Kudo Sayaka let out a heavy sigh.
"To be honest, Furuhashi's hope of getting into the Astronomy Department is probably even lower than yours," Aki Tomoya couldn't help but reply at this moment.
Neither of them had been affected by their school teachers, but now Kudo Sayaka, one of them, had run into problems first.
The Keio University red book in her hand felt like a blunt blow to the head.
At this moment, Kudo Sayaka heard Furuhashi Fumino mentioned next to her, and she lifted her head with extreme helplessness.
If she were to compare, Furuhashi Fumino, who had dived headfirst into it, was facing many more difficulties than her.
Neither side was easy.
"But it's impossible not to think about Fumino's humanities side, right? Even without that, whether it's Aki or Fumino, you are actually stronger than anyone else here."
Kudo Sayaka forced a smile onto her face, but the pressure in her heart could not be hidden from her eyes.
This appearance filled with lack of confidence was completely different from the girl who had sworn at the Academy after making a bet with the Teacher back then.
This was the first time Aki Tomoya had seen her looking so vulnerable.
After thinking for a moment, he said with a serious expression, "My answer won't change. Why don't you go ask others if they believe you can get into Keio?"
After saying this, Aki Tomoya refocused his attention on the practice problems in front of him.
At this moment, she seemed to have forgotten that there were still many people supporting her.
"Do they really believe I can get into Keio?"
Kudo Sayaka's face froze for a moment, then she looked at Harumi Junko behind her, and Mr. Tsubota who was correcting students' exercises.
Should she go ask others?
Just as Aki Tomoya had said earlier, Kudo Sayaka seemed to know the answer.
At this moment, having someone say "You can do it" allowed hope to remain in Kudo Sayaka's heart.
When she looked at the Keio University red book again, Kudo Sayaka couldn't help but ask Aki Tomoya next to her, "Aki, want to do the Keio humanities problems together?"
Hearing the question from beside him again, Aki Tomoya looked up and smiled, "Why don't you go ask Furuhashi?"
When it came to humanities problems, Furuhashi Fumino, who was behind Kudo Sayaka, could answer them easily.
"That would be too discouraging, and besides Fumino, you're probably the only one here who can do them!"
Kudo Sayaka shook her head decisively. Compared to being discouraged by Furuhashi Fumino, Aki Tomoya next to her could still encourage her a bit.
Whenever she occasionally complained to Furuhashi Fumino about humanities problems, she would always be unintentionally hurt by her.
"...The Keio University humanities problems should be of a higher standard than the National Examination problems, but let me finish these sets of practice problems first."
Aki Tomoya considered it for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
After finishing the National Examination practice problems he had in hand, he could also try doing the Keio University red book.
"Doing the Japanese language problems from Keio first, then doing the Japanese language problems that are a must-pass for Tokyo University, seems like a good transition."
"...Is that how you see the Keio University humanities practice problems? How annoying!"
=
Adding a final recommendation for my friend's book, "My Best Friend Transmigrated and Became a Soft Girl."
By the way, here's a status update: 7 chapters for monthly votes, 9 chapters for 'blades' (a type of reward), owing 2 chapters for promoting a friend's book, totaling 18 chapters. Current progress: 1.
Starting today, I'm officially bringing out my best moves, absolutely no cross-dressing as atonement (proud and confident face)! You guys also hurry up and support!
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