A heavy hush settled over Hamikawa High the next morning. Even the usually energetic hallways felt muted, weighed down by the looming final exams. Students whispered formulas under their breath; others clutched notes like lifelines. The collective tension was almost physical, pressing against the walls like humidity before a storm.
Eadlyn arrived early, taking a quiet breath before entering Class 1A. Ken was slumped over his desk like a defeated warrior, his forehead nearly touching the wood.
"Bro..." Ken whispered dramatically, his voice muffled. "If I fail math, bury me behind the school. Plant a sakura tree on top."
Rin sighed from her seat, her posture perfect as always. "If you had listened in math class, your soul would still be here."
Manami stifled a laugh, her fingers tapping lightly against her notebook. "Rin-chan, be nice."
Eadlyn glanced at the exam schedule pinned to the board. Japanese. Math. History. Science. His stomach twisted. He wasn't bad at studies, but Japanese and History lingered like thunderstorms at the edge of his mind, dark and unpredictable.
"The nightmare begins," he muttered.
Everyone had their weaknesses. Ken struggled with math and science. Rin was flawless in every subject except math (ironically). Manami dreaded English. And Eadlyn—though sharp—still lagged in Japanese and History.
Naomi entered the classroom, her presence instantly restoring order. "Phones away. Bags at the back. Answer sheets will be distributed. Do your best."
Her calm voice steadied everyone—especially Eadlyn. Even though he was confident in most subjects, the pressure of exams in a new country, with a language he was still mastering, made his fingers tap restlessly against his thigh.
The Exam Gauntlet Begins
The first paper: Japanese.
Eadlyn stared at the kanji-heavy reading passage, feeling his soul separate from his body. The characters swam before his eyes, complex and unyielding. He took a deep breath, remembered Rin's intense teaching sessions, and began writing.
Next came Math, which Ken approached like a gladiator entering the arena.
"Fight me," Ken muttered at his paper, gripping his pencil like a sword.
Rin shot him a glare. "Quiet."
Then History, where Rin excelled, Manami survived, and Eadlyn... suffered.
But he didn't give up.
By the time the last exam ended, Naomi collected the papers with an approving nod. Students slumped back in relief, stretching like prisoners released from duty.
"It's over..." Ken whispered dramatically, his voice trembling with exhaustion.
"It's over," Rin corrected, though even she allowed herself a rare sigh of relief.
"It's over!" Manami cheered, her usual composure dissolving into genuine joy.
Eadlyn chuckled. "It's over."
Post-Exam Liberation
Freedom tasted like ice cream.
The group headed straight to the nearby ice cream shop, the atmosphere finally lightening. They ordered different flavors—Ken with chocolate mint, Rin with vanilla, Manami with strawberry, and Eadlyn with mango.
Sayaka joined them unexpectedly, stepping inside with a soft smile. She looked calm, composed, but there was an unmistakable warmth in her eyes when she saw Eadlyn.
"You finished?" she asked, sliding into the seat beside him.
"Barely," he replied, rubbing his temples. "History was brutal."
Sayaka's lips curved. "I'll help you more next time."
Something in her tone made Rin and Manami glance at each other. A silent understanding passed between them—competition had quietly arrived.
As they ate, Eadlyn overheard a group of boys whispering at another table.
"That's Sayaka from the swim team." "She's the events organizer in the student council too." "She's basically the school's idol."
Eadlyn blinked. "Wait... you were the event coordinator?"
Sayaka tilted her head, her dark eyes glinting with amusement. "Did I not tell you?"
"No. You didn't."
"Ah... I must've assumed you knew." Her faint smile hinted at pride but not arrogance. She simply carried responsibility like it was second nature.
Naomi's earlier remarks about Sayaka's discipline made sense now. The girl wasn't just admired—she held the rhythm of the school in her hands.
A Small Twist
Later, Sayaka announced she had to stop by the school to help clean the swimming pool. She turned to Eadlyn.
"Do you want to come? It's easier with two."
Manami and Rin stiffened. Ken raised an eyebrow. Eadlyn nodded without thinking.
At the pool, they scrubbed tiles, drained the water, and refilled it. Sayaka dipped a toe in before stepping in fully, the cool water rippling around her.
Eadlyn stayed back. "I can't swim," he admitted.
Sayaka blinked softly, surprised. "Then I'll teach you someday."
Something in her gaze made the promise feel heavier than it sounded.
But the moment was cut short.
The Student Council President appeared—Sayaka's best friend—her teasing eyes sliding toward Eadlyn.
"Oh? This is the boy Sayaka's been hanging out with?"
Sayaka's face turned red—just for a second.
Even Ken, waiting outside, froze when he saw the President. His expression tightened, eyes darting away before he muttered a quick goodbye and left.
Eadlyn raised an eyebrow. Another mystery for another time.
Exams ended, but in their place, something else began— Tension. Admiration. Rivalry. Connection.
Summer vacation waited ahead. And the real story was only just warming up.