Not everyone has to take the exam.
If life were compared to a race, then different people would have different starting points.
Various factors accumulate, and the way of moving forward on the track is also different. Some crawl, some can barely move, some run, and some take a shortcut directly by car with a driver.
Family background, talent, various factors...
But should you complain?
Or accept the status quo?
Aki Tomoya couldn't demand anything from others; he only had a set of standards for himself.
Accept the status quo, but don't compromise. Work hard to change, and seize opportunities when you see them.
There are definitely many people like him, but whether they can succeed is still a question mark, because even if someone adjusts their mindset and gives it their all, they might just become stepping stones for others.
Family background, talent, effort, luck!
Without capital, besides talent and effort, you really need a bit of luck.
Effort is indeed a prerequisite for success, but does effort always pay off?
Countless people in the world work their hardest, yet how many succeed, how many have their edges worn down and eventually blend into the crowd?
After two years of preparation, Aki Tomoya didn't know the result until the very end, but the past two years were definitely luckier than most people's.
Achieving the ideal result is Aki Tomoya's only wish at this stage. Although, when the first goal, Tokyo University, was set, it was destined not to be a simple goal.
But it was precisely because he set such a high goal and demanded so much of himself for two years that Aki Tomoya had the confidence to reach this point.
Thinking carefully, finally putting pen to paper, and filling in the answers on the answer sheet.
He definitely had to do his best on the first stage exam. The focus was on the second stage exam, that was true, but there was no harm in doing well on the first stage exam score.
On the same day, all the candidates were writing furiously in different examination rooms. Aki Tomoya was just one of them.
And there were also many people who didn't need to take the exam.
"What are you absentmindedly thinking about? Are you worried about how your childhood friend is doing on the exam?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri across from her, who was staring out the window, looking absentminded and with worry flickering in her eyes.
After asking, she bit the straw and took a long sip of her drink, the neither cold nor hot liquid moistening her throat.
It was simply too easy to guess the reason for Eriri's absentmindedness at this moment. Even without asking, Kasumigaoka Utaha could probably guess.
Today was January 23rd, the first day of the National first stage exam.
And on this day, a boy they both knew was taking an exam in an examination room. This exam was very important to that person.
Although she wasn't interested in Tokyo University, Kasumigaoka Utaha knew the process for getting into Tokyo University.
You needed to pass the first stage exam's cutoff score to qualify for the second stage exam, and then compete with what kind of people.
Frankly, Kasumigaoka Utaha was quite interested.
It wasn't that she suddenly became interested in Tokyo University again, but rather she was interested in how far Aki Tomoya could go in these two years.
"There shouldn't be much of a problem with the first stage exam, after all, his last mock exam assessment was all A's..."
"Then what is there to worry about? If it's all A's, at the very least, without any unexpected events, if he performs normally, there's an eighty percent chance he'll pass the first stage exam."
"I'm not worried about him. I'm thinking about... things after graduation."
Eriri rolled her eyes at Kasumigaoka Utaha.
Her obvious insincerity couldn't hide from Kasumigaoka Utaha, who pursed her lips and didn't expose Eriri's little thoughts.
Kasumigaoka Utaha placed her hands on the table and said in a teasing tone, "Tokyo University, Tokyo University of the Arts, quite a good match."
"...Sometimes, I really don't know what kind of mood you're in to tease like this. Is this the growth of a girl after a breakup?"
"You should know that being looked down upon by you is also a great humiliation. I don't want to dwell on the past alone."
Kasumigaoka Utaha replied casually, and at the same time, subtly rolled her eyes back.
Unlike Aki Tomoya, Eriri had secured a recommendation spot at Tokyo University of the Arts. After graduating in March, she could go to Tokyo University of the Arts with peace of mind.
Both of them sitting here were students from prestigious schools.
"Speaking of which, do you think that guy can get into Tokyo University, and Todai Faculty of Science III at that..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha made no secret of her curiosity.
By now, even she had become interested in this matter.
"Whether he gets in or not, he won't be going to Keio, that's for sure. Keio Faculty of Medicine is just his third choice."
"...Are you doing this on purpose?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha's smile gradually froze.
Eriri's smiling reply just now made Kasumigaoka Utaha extremely awkward.
She had never expressed a wish to see Aki Tomoya enter Keio's Faculty of Medicine, had she?
Suddenly bringing up Keio, this blonde girl in front of her was definitely doing it on purpose!
However, Eriri smiled slightly, "The exam isn't me, how would I know? I can only say I really hope he achieves his first choice."
So, asking was pointless?
Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't pay too much attention to this question. Whether Aki Tomoya could get into Tokyo University, or which University he would ultimately attend, honestly didn't have much to do with her.
It was just that whenever she thought about how Aki Tomoya had been preparing for the exam from the very beginning, and it hadn't even been two full years yet, she was very interested in what the result would be.
The first stage exam on January 23rd ended on the first day after the final English test.
Coming out of the examination hall in the afternoon, Aki Tomoya still felt a bit unsatisfied.
"The humanities exams are done, tomorrow is science. I need to get a good night's sleep tonight too!"
Aki Tomoya checked the time. It wasn't early, but he wasn't in a hurry to leave immediately either.
Kato Megumi, from the same class, was also taking the first stage exam at the same venue. When they met at noon, they agreed to go back together along the way.
Discussing the situation with classmates after the exam is also perfectly normal.
"Aki-kun, this year's English was slightly more difficult than last year, but looking at you, my chest is filled with an indescribable impulse."
"Please don't say such frightening things with such a calm face, okay?"
The moment Kato Megumi appeared, Aki Tomoya thought he was about to be backstabbed.
Hearing her words, it seemed the afternoon exam didn't go very smoothly for Kato Megumi.
"Did you mess up?"
Aki Tomoya asked somewhat nervously.
If she said she messed up, then he could only offer sympathy.
Kato Megumi shook her head upon hearing this and replied calmly, "Just average."
If she said average, then it was probably just average.
As an ordinary high school girl, an ordinary candidate taking the first stage exam, an ordinary classmate, Kato Megumi's words were impossible to doubt.
"Tomorrow's science..."
"Tomorrow's science doesn't seem to concern me much. I'll take it easy and see what happens."
"So decisive!"
As expected of her!
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