As final exams drew closer and closer, the usually relaxed atmosphere turned tense.
Even students who didn't normally study much buried their heads in their textbooks, trying to make their grades look a little better through last-minute cramming.
That said, Sobu High was one of Chiba City's most academically selective schools, so this kind of scene was still relatively rare.
Of course, there were also a few people who didn't seem to take finals seriously at all.
Like a certain white-haired beauty.
Watching Yumiko Miura, who was hunched over her studies, Mio Shirai's lips curved into a faint smile.
Sure, the system she was saddled with was a real pain, but it had also brought her plenty of perks, like a memory far beyond what a normal person could manage.
Having already committed the contents of every textbook and all her notes to memory, she couldn't have been more relaxed right now.
Naturally, her relaxed attitude drew Shizuka Hiratsuka's attention.
She walked over to Mio's side and said, her eyes kind, "Shirai, this is study hall, so I want you actually studying. No looking around."
The two of them had gotten plenty close in private, but at school, Shizuka gave Mio no special treatment whatsoever because of their relationship. When it was time for a lecture, she lectured, without a moment's hesitation.
"Oh."
Mio blinked, then promptly bowed her head and put on a show of studying hard.
Shizuka knew Mio all too well. No matter how convincing the act was, she saw right through it, though she didn't call her out on it, because she knew Mio had already memorized everything in the textbooks.
At first she hadn't believed it either, not until a few days ago when she'd dropped by Mio's place to mooch a meal and Mio had shown off a bit of that incredible memory of hers.
The thought of Mio effortlessly reciting the contents of the textbooks made Shizuka sigh. If she'd had a memory like that back in her own school days, she wouldn't have had to slog through her vocabulary book day after day.
Reining in her wandering thoughts, Shizuka shot Mio one more pointed look before turning away, reminding her not to disturb the others.
Just as Mio was wondering whether she should keep up the pretense, she suddenly noticed Yumiko beside her watching her with a grin, those pretty eyes brimming with smug amusement.
Mio pursed her lips, then made a face at Yumiko and reminded her to focus on studying.
Of course Yumiko knew she should be focusing. It was just that the moment she'd heard Hiratsuka-sensei calling Mio's name, she'd instinctively let her gaze drift to her.
This happened plenty of other times too. Whenever she heard someone mention Mio, she'd find herself paying attention without meaning to.
And when she heard someone praise Mio, she'd even feel a little flicker of happiness in her chest.
Whatever it was she was thinking about, a faint blush spread across Yumiko's cheeks.
The class period passed quickly, and as the bell rang, study hall came to an end.
Before leaving the room, Shizuka walked up to the podium and said, "You've got just three days left until finals. This is your last chance to review, so make it count. Don't end up with grades so bad you're scared to tell your families."
After Shizuka left the classroom, Yumiko stretched lazily, then turned to Mio and said, "Are you really okay not reviewing right now?"
"Totally fine." Mio confidently patted her own chest. What problem could she possibly have, basically playing with cheats enabled?
What surprised Mio, though, was that Yumiko, who looked every bit the troublemaker type, actually studied far more diligently than most. You could tell from her usual grades too; she put no small amount of effort into her studies.
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Three days flew by, and finals arrived right on schedule.
As always, Mio walked into the classroom five minutes before class started.
Even though there were only five minutes left before the exam began, plenty of students were still buried in their books.
Maybe it was because there were only five minutes left that they were trying so hard to cram in a little more.
Even Yui Yuigahama just gave her a quick greeting before turning her attention right back to her books.
Then there was Yumiko, whose makeup couldn't hide the exhaustion on her face. It looked like she'd pulled more than a few all-nighters trying to do well on finals.
Noticing Mio's arrival, Yumiko said listlessly, "The exam's about to start. Don't tell me you're not even a little nervous?"
"If you had all the material memorized, you could be just like me~"
Hearing that, Yumiko rolled her eyes and said, "Oh please. Your last exam scores were only a little above average, and I haven't seen you study this whole time. Careful you don't blow it."
"How about we make a bet, then? If your finals score beats mine, I'll grant you one request, anything you want. And if I beat you, then you have to agree to one request of mine. How's that?"
"You sure?" Yumiko narrowed her eyes at Mio. She'd been studying hard this whole time and was pretty confident in the results of her review.
"I'm sure."
"Then it's a bet!" Yumiko, who'd been so listless a second ago, suddenly perked up as if someone had flipped a switch.
She was already thinking about what kind of request she'd set if she won.
Maybe... she'd have Mio go on another date with her.
The thought of a date got Yumiko even more excited, her mind already conjuring up possible date spots, though she forced herself to rein it in. She hadn't won yet; there'd be plenty of time to think about that after she won.
But if she asked for something like that, wouldn't Mio think she liked going on dates with her?
That was exactly the truth, of course, but she was worried that if Mio caught on, she might start keeping her distance.
Liking someone was hard enough as it was. Liking another girl was even harder, especially when you didn't even know the other person's orientation.
"It's settled then. No backing out, okay~"
"That's my line." Yumiko refused to give an inch.
Just as the two were locked in their standoff, the bell rang, and the proctor walked slowly into the classroom carrying the exam papers.
Finals had officially begun.
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