“The result for this examination, the class average dropped.”

No! It can’t be! I did very well this time, didn’t I?!

“However, there were a few students that did surprisingly well. I will now return the exam papers to everyone. Please look through them and tell me if there are any errors.”

The file appeared in front of me. I hesitated. My stomach churned and I felt shudders crawling in my heart.

Please be an A, please, please–

I tapped on it, my eyes closed.

[Congratulations Pu’er! All A’s!]

I opened my eyes and saw.

It happened.

It really happened. I did it.

I did it!

I gripped my fist and shook it.

I can finally make my wish.

I did a quick scan of my paper and found nothing odd about the markings. Miss Wyn had judged my paper fairly, I had no complaints.

A hand was raised, I glanced over.

Avner?

“Yes?”

Miss Wyn came over to his desk, he began explaining something.

“What did he get?”

[He also received an A. The score is above yours.]

I couldn’t help but tremble.

He studied. He actually tried to improve himself. It’s that elation when the person you like, achieves something extraordinary.

Congratulations Avner.

3 B’s and 5 A’s.

But why though? He had never gotten results like this. Nobody knew he had such a talent within him. The teachers were shocked, and even the other classmates. Why this time?

I may be quick to make an assumption but what if.. just what if, it’s because he wants to join the science classes with me?

I feel so fluttery.

Avner, just you wait. I’ll tell you straight tonight. Definitely.

Since you’ve changed for me, I’ll do my best too.

Miss Wyn finished revising Avner’s paper and told the class.

“The class rankings have also been posted, show it to your parents and have them sign it when you return home, alright?”

I quickly pulled up mine.

2nd place.

Allen still in 1st place.

Avner was in 5th place.

That’s amazing. He jumped from the 35th, all the way to 5th.

The day’s class was over. The butterflies in my stomach now were worse than when I had to open my test paper results.

I stood up from my seat.

I walked over to his table before he had any chance to leave.

“Avner,” I called out to him.

He turned to me.

“Congratulations,” I said.

“You too. Congratulations on beating Julien, you finally clinched second place.”

He took notice of my results too.

“Um.. tonight. You know.. right? Can you come..”

I was conscious of myself. Out of embarrassment, I began twirling my hair. My legs were shaking. Haha.. what an unusual reaction.

“I’ll be there tonight. I got the permission.”

“Y-Yes?”

“I’ll be there.”

I-I didn’t dare to look at him.

“S-See you then. W-Wait for me alright..”

I ran to my seat and dashed off.

Avner, just you wait! We’ll settle this once and for all!

===

I saw aei’s car pull up. In a happy mood, I jumped into the car.

“Can’t you be more gentle?”

“S-Sorry, hehe.”

I shifted my bag away and pulled the seat belt over me.

“What did I say? Did you even hear me?”

“H-Huh? S-Sorry.”

“Do you not have ears?”

Aei’s superficial miasma gauges was.. incredibly high. Xe’s in a bad mood.

Our car took off. It was complete silence.

I didn’t like this. Why today?

No. It didn’t matter, it’ll change from today onwards. I got all A’s.

“Do I have to open my mouth everytime and ask?”

Open your mouth to ask? What do you.. oh.

“U-Uh.. also an A.”

“...”

“All A’s.”

“Congratulations. Keep it up.”

O-Oh.

“T-Thanks.”

I leaned against the backrest and looked out the window.

It was absolute silence.

The sights of the building and holograms were ablur.

Why?

The car took a turn and stopped at the junction. The flow of traffic, fleeting.

Why?

I was shaking so hard, my heart beating out of rhythm. I had to make an effort to control my breathing.

Why?

The car began moving again. I saw a glimpse of a happy child in the backseat of a car.

Why?

A burning sensation encroached my mind. I felt the back of my neck go numb, my chest queasy.

Why?

Even though..

I got good results.

Why aren’t you happy?