January 23rd, the weather did not warm up because of the exam.
The morning chill quickly woke up Aki Tomoya, who had just woken up from bed.
"Cold…"
Rubbing his eyes, he pulled open the fogged-up window and stood by the bed, looking out.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. He inhaled a gust of cold air into his throat inadvertently, and squinted his eyes while leaning by the window, contemplating the day's schedule.
Today's schedule was nothing but exams, exams, and more exams.
He patted his face, went downstairs to wash up, and when he came back, he picked up the pen on the desk and circled January 23rd on the schedule posted on the wall.
The 23rd, the first day of the national first test. At this time, examinees who were taking the Center Test should also be getting up one after another, just like Aki Tomoya.
Having changed into his uniform and prepared his things, Aki Tomoya picked up his examination ticket and went downstairs, intending to leave.
"So early?"
Mother, who was still half-asleep, seemed to have been woken up by Aki Tomoya's movements. She came out and saw Aki Tomoya changing his shoes in the entrance hall.
"The examination venue is a bit far, I need to catch the train."
When he got his examination ticket, he had already scouted the location. The examination venue was a bit far from home, so he had to leave early and take the train for an hour to get there.
"I'm leaving."
As if he was about to embark on a long journey, Aki Tomoya looked back at his Mother, who was still rubbing her eyes.
His Mother behind him seemed to have said something, but he didn't hear clearly. It was probably words of encouragement.
The morning temperature made Aki Tomoya wrap his scarf tightly. Not being assigned to a nearby examination venue was also a bit unlucky. If he didn't leave early to take the train, he would be a bit late getting there.
He caught the train at the station. There were many examinees who had left early like Aki Tomoya.
Most of the people in the entire carriage were students heading to various examination venues in Tokyo.
Some were still reading, some were still praying, and some, like Aki Tomoya, were quietly waiting for the train to arrive at the station.
Anyway, today was very important for many people.
Because it was the national first test, unlike the University's independent entrance exams which are held at different times, taking the exam on the same day at the same time could be described as crowded.
Students would get off at each stop, and a new batch would come on at the same time. Before long, the carriage was occupied by the army of examinees.
It was hard to imagine that even thinking about avoiding the morning rush hour, it wasn't just a few people who were thinking of leaving early. Being assigned to different examination venues, the arrangements for time and travel would be scouted a few days in advance.
After changing trains twice and squeezing for an hour, Aki Tomoya successfully arrived outside the venue.
"There are already so many people…"
Standing outside the venue, Aki Tomoya saw the students who had come to take the first test, wearing different uniforms, or casual clothes, and some were in groups of three or five.
It was impressive that people who knew each other could be assigned to the same examination venue.
Aki Tomoya couldn't help but mutter to himself, "No way, the mock exam was one thing, but I'm not in the same place as anyone I know for the first test either. Should I say I'm unlucky?"
Whether it was last year's mock exam or this year's first stage exam, none of the people Aki Tomoya knew were assigned to the same examination location as him.
Seeing many people arriving in groups, Aki Tomoya felt a bit envious.
"Fighting alone, huh!"
"Aki-kun fighting alone, huh!"
"Whoa, you scared me!"
Aki Tomoya was just lamenting that he was fighting alone again when a voice behind him startled him.
He took two small steps forward, then turned around to look behind him, and saw a girl's school uniform from his school. Moving his gaze upward, he saw a familiar face.
"Kato-san...?"
In a startled tone, Aki Tomoya called out her surname.
Seeing the girl from his class, or rather, the girl he had studied with for two years, Aki Tomoya momentarily thought he was hallucinating.
"I am that Kato."
Kato Megumi replied calmly, looking at Aki Tomoya.
However, his startled appearance did make her feel a little helpless.
It was rare to see someone he knew at the same venue, but Aki Tomoya didn't seem that happy. Rather, he seemed startled by her appearance.
"You're here too?"
"Didn't I say so at school?"
"Did you? Or did I forget?"
"Then you probably didn't."
Aki Tomoya wasn't sure if they had discussed the first stage exam location when they were in class.
But if Aki Tomoya didn't remember, then Kato Megumi would just assume she hadn't mentioned it.
However, speaking of which, they were both assigned to a venue far from the school. What could you say about their luck?
If she could, Kato Megumi would have preferred to be assigned to a venue closer to home, so she wouldn't have to wake up so early to catch the train.
"We're not in the same classroom, are we?"
Aki Tomoya asked with some anticipation at this moment. He took out his examination permit and checked his examination number and the location of the examination room on it.
"Unfortunately, we're not."
Kato Megumi also took out her examination permit. They were not in the same classroom.
"It seems our fate has run out..."
"Aki-kun, saying such things to a girl is going too far."
"My apologies..."
However, being able to meet Kato Megumi meant he wasn't fighting alone anymore. Although not in the same classroom, they were fighting in the same venue.
"I'm still a bit nervous before the official exam..."
Kato Megumi suddenly said.
Although, from her appearance, you couldn't tell she was nervous at all.
"Kato-san, don't worry. I'll teach you a secret trick, ahem ahem..."
Aki Tomoya cleared his throat twice and then pondered for a moment—
Three long, one short, choose the shortest. Three short, one long, choose the longest. Two long, two short, choose B. Same long, same short, choose A. Uneven lengths, choose D. Ragged, choose C. Invincible!
Focus on copying, supplement with guessing. Copying and guessing combined, you're sure to pass!
"..."
Kato Megumi looked at Aki Tomoya dumbfounded. Was he serious?
That might be the theory, but if you actually did that, unless you had incredible luck and were the chosen one, your life would pretty much be over!
However, she also understood that Aki Tomoya was joking, and her heart relaxed a bit.
"Is Aki-kun the type of person with a subtle sense of humor?"
Kato Megumi commented on his humor in this way.
Aki Tomoya just shrugged and didn't say anything.
Meeting someone from his class, and also from the study group they reviewed with, here meant he wasn't fighting alone. But the other person in the study group, Kamigō Yoshihiko, was probably fighting alone.
That guy had severe pre-exam syndrome. Hopefully, there won't be too many problems for him.
"But then again, Aki-kun's last assessment was all A's, so I'm sure you won't have too much trouble either. I'll wish you good results in the second stage exam in advance."
In Kato Megumi's opinion, Aki Tomoya shouldn't have much trouble with the first stage exam.
The key was the second stage exam.
"You too, good luck."
After chatting for a while, half an hour before the exam, the two entered their respective examination rooms.
Finding their seats according to their examination numbers, the strict examination hall gradually filled up.
This final waiting period was truly a bit agonizing.
After entering the examination room, the passage of time seemed to slow down significantly. Some people were feeling restless.
It wasn't until the distribution of test papers and answer sheets began that the atmosphere changed again. Aside from the sound of the proctors walking around, it was difficult to hear any other noise.
Aki Tomoya placed his hands on the desk, his right index finger lightly tapping the test paper, waiting with everyone for the signal.
Finally, it was here, the first day of the National first stage exam, this first hurdle.
"Begin answering!"
At the signal, a uniform movement appeared in the examination hall.
Carefully reading each question, thoroughly reviewing it, and writing furiously, Aki Tomoya's eyes and brain didn't stop.
In life, just do it!
On the first day of the first stage exam, at the same time, in different locations, this year's candidates were wielding their pens, fighting for their future.
When you focus on one thing, time passes quickly, and you don't notice the passage of time.
When he was halfway done, Aki Tomoya wasn't sure how much time was left, but he certainly didn't have time to think about it.
The first day of the National first stage exam was for liberal arts, and the second day was for science.
Two days, yet they decided the fate of most people, especially those who had been preparing for this day since very early on. Taking National University as an example, to get a spot in the second stage exam, they had to desperately step on others' heads in the first hurdle to get the ticket to participate in the second stage exam.
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