First, there was the third and final Sports Festival of my high school career. Fellow 3-A classmate Kiriyama Yui used her super-athlete powers to win a bunch of events (to the point that the other teams complained about her being in so many of them). Additionally, an athletic all-girl squad consisting of Kurihara Yukina, Oosawa Misaki, and yours truly, Nagase Iori (among others) went on to win enough points to ensure victory for White Team.
Then there was summer break — one that I didn’t fully enjoy due to everyone going on and on about how “summer is an essential time for college entrance exams.” That said, obviously I could understand why, and I was grateful to my teachers for instilling in me the value of studying. And we did sneak in one quick beach trip, so I guess it wasn’t all bad.
Then, on top of everything else that was going on that summer, it was time to start prepping for the Culture Festival. I was cast as the female lead in an original play, and I received some truly humbling compliments, praising my acting chops and encouraging me to pursue a career in television. Seriously, very flattering.
And after that, it was time for us third-years to plunge headfirst into true entrance exam hell... which meant formally retiring from the Cultural Research Club. That said, we were still allowed to visit every now and then, so for me, it didn’t really feel like I’d retired at all. I’m not overstaying my welcome, I swear!
Then, in November, we reached a turning point. Autumn turned to winter, and like the falling snow, our almost-adult lives became buried in an all-encompassing blanket of studying, studying, and more studying. We no longer had any time to hang out with friends. No more classes, no more structured learning — just independent study and exam prep. But was it healthy for us to be so desperately laser-focused on one specific thing?
For me, the hallowed halls of Yamaboshi held so many memories. High school was a magical time in my life, made all the more thrilling thanks to a few supernatural events that will go unnamed. It was so much fun, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. But for some reason, as I watched my world turn white, I couldn’t help but mourn.
I knew all things had to end eventually. Especially high school — when you thought about it, it only lasted for three measly years. I just... didn’t want it to end like this, you know? Not that I had any regrets, but—
“Hey there, Iori. What’s up?” asked Setouchi Kaoru, her cartilage piercings and chin-length hair affording her a mature, sexy vibe.
“Not much, Kaoru-chan! Just wandering through the halls, pretty much!”
“How are you wandering around at a time like this? Wait... Riiiight!” She clapped her hands together in understanding. “I forgot things are different for you. Must be nice to get into college on recommendation... And it’s your dream college, too...”
“I just got lucky, I guess!”
“It’s more than just luck. You put in a lot of effort, too, both in school and during the Couples’ Battle Royale. You’ve earned it.”
“What about you? Somewhere in S Prefecture, wasn’t it?”
“Yep! I’m looking to major in urban sociology. I read this incredible book by a university professor and decided I just had to attend her classes!”
“That’s awesome, girl! Rock on!”
“I don’t know about awesome, per se... Honestly, it’s a tiny bit out of my league...”
“Man, what if you went to all the effort of applying there only for that professor to go get a job somewhere else? That would suck.”
“Oh my god, Iori! Don’t jinx me!”
But of course, she knew I was just joking. We shared a laugh, then went our separate ways. As she headed off to the library to study, she sparkled like a diamond... What would it be like to see Yamaboshi through her eyes?
When I grew up, I wanted to be a teacher.
Elementary school? Middle school? High school? Kindergarten? Or maybe just a children’s counselor? I was hoping to figure out the small stuff after I got there, but at the very least, I had a general idea of what I wanted. And after factoring in my desired major, location, scholarship money, and everything else, I finally settled on one particular school that seemed the most ideal. They offered a special recommendation entrance exam, so I figured I’d give it a shot on the side while doing my regular studying, and wouldn’t you know it — I passed with flying colors.
And with that, the tale of Nagase Iori’s college prep came to an end (but I figured I should probably keep studying a little bit in the meantime while I waited for graduation to roll around). I had made it into my first choice college, and on a scholarship, too. This way I wouldn’t put too much of a burden on my mom. Objectively speaking, everything was coming up roses for me.
I glanced at the clock on the wall. Still plenty of time left, so I decided to keep wandering. Just then, as I passed Classroom 3-E, I spotted two familiar faces: Yaegashi Taichi and Inaba Himeko, sitting with their desks facing each other, studying. These days, they were Yamaboshi’s most infamous power couple.
Mischievously, I watched them through the crack in the door.
“Screw it, Taichi. I’m done trying to memorize historical dates.”
“What do you mean, you’re done? That’s the easiest part!”
“I mean, sure, it’d be great if I could memorize them. But as long as you have a grasp of the correlation between Japanese history and world history, you can answer pretty much any question the test throws at you. So I don’t need to memorize them.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t try.”
“Hey, dumbass, did you even see the sample questions? There were only three or four that asked for specific dates. Why invest all that effort for next to no benefit? I’m not saying I refuse to memorize any at all, but I’m not going to go out of my way to prep for it. Not like we’re going to have to do a second round of tests.”
“Are you seriously talking about investment versus return right now?”
“Look, we only have so many hours in a day, alright? We have to prioritize some things at the expense of others. If you start at the beginning of the workbook and just do the problems one by one like a total amateur, you’ll never have enough time!”
“Wh... How did you get that far ahead of me?!”
“I’m just skipping over the problems I don’t need to worry about.”
A cunning woman, dating a painfully honest man... God, I can totally picture him overthinking the first question and running out of time.
“Okay then, help me figure out what to prioritize.”
“Well, obviously it varies from person to person... But in your case, you definitely want to pay attention to the sections here and here...”
“Whoa... You know, Himeko, you never cease to amaze me.”
“Damn right. I know all your faults, flaws, and weaknesses.”
“Are... are you saying I have a lot, or...?”
But in the end, the power of love would help them make it through. Totes jelly.
“So. Why are you here?”
Out of nowhere, Inaban turned her sharp glare on me. Reflexively, I hid behind the door.
“I know you’re there, genius,” she shouted at me in annoyance.
“Wahaha...”
With an awkward grin, I slipped into the room. It was much warmer in here compared to the chilly hallway — unexpected, considering all that separated them was a single door.
“Oh, I just wanted to come check on you and see how you were doing...”
“We’re halfway through December now, coming up on the last stretch of exam prep, and a certain someone is starting to give me an ulcer.”
“I’m sorry...” Taichi slumped his shoulders.
“Well, worst case scenario, you can always take the year off and start college late.”
They were both applying to the same school — Taichi majoring in biological sciences and Inaban majoring in electronic engineering.
“Hell no. Why would I want to be Taichi’s senpai? ...On second thought, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad...”
“I don’t know what you’re imagining, but it’s not happening.”
“Maybe you should practice calling her ‘Inaba-senpai’ in advance. Oh, wait — it’d be ‘Himeko-senpai,’ wouldn’t it?”
“Et tu, Nagase?!”
Whenever I was talking to Taichi, I couldn’t help but try to get a rise out of him.
“Aw, I’m just joking! You guys are gonna ace it. With the power of love.”
“Hmph... We’ll see...”
“I don’t know...”
And just like that, they both started blushing and smiling. Pushovers, I tell ya.
“Welp, I’ll let you guys get back to it. Fare thee well!”
I didn’t want to interrupt their hard work. Thus, I turned and headed out of the room.
“Thanks a million, Himeko. I swear, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You say that, but... honestly, you help me a lot more than I help you.”
“Uh, guys? When I said ‘get back to it,’ I meant studying, not flirting!”
“JUST GO!” they both shouted in unison.