The entrance exam season for Grade 7 was the hardest Nont had ever studied in his life. He didn't love studying—but he loved having Mint within his sight.
In front of the provincial secondary school on exam morning, the atmosphere was lively yet thick with pressure. Nont stood among his Grade 6 friends who had gathered before entering the exam rooms. In his hand was a special science summary notebook he had carefully prepared—written in neat handwriting and highlighted with the few colored pencils he had left.
"Nont, over here!" Mint's bright voice called out. She walked toward him with a group of girls and a few boys from their class. She looked visibly nervous, her hands cold as she fanned her face.
"How are you feeling, Mint? Ready?" Nont asked, handing her the summary notebook.
"I made this for you—just in case you want to review before going in."
"Whoa, Nont, thanks. You look so calm. Aren't you nervous?" one of the boys interrupted, patting Nont on the shoulder. "We're the ones whose stomachs are doing somersaults."
"I'm nervous," Nont replied honestly. "But I'm more afraid Mint won't pass."
Their friends immediately teased him.
"Wow… the hero himself. Bet you stayed up all night tutoring her, huh?"
Mint laughed shyly, and the worry in her eyes seemed to lighten instantly.
"You have to pass too, Nont. If I pass and you don't, who's going to pull me back to reality during math class?" she said, looking straight into his eyes.
Before the announcement to enter the exam rooms echoed through the courtyard, Nont took a deep breath. He stepped a little closer to her and whispered, unheard by anyone else amid the chatter.
"You can do it, Mint… Just remember, I'm sitting beside you. If you get stuck on a question, imagine I'm whispering the answer in your ear."
Mint smiled brightly—the kind of smile Nont would trade anything for.
"Okay! Let's do our best together, Nont."
He watched her small figure disappear into the examination building. The exhaustion from sleepless nights vanished. For him, this exam wasn't just about advancing to the next level—it was about protecting his place beside her for the next three years… or maybe forever.
The final bell signaling the end of the last exam rang out long and sharp. Nont walked out of the building slightly dazed. The afternoon sun was so bright he had to squint.
As soon as he reached the courtyard, he saw a group of former elementary classmates huddled together like soldiers returning from a lost battle.
"We're doomed, Nont! That last science question about ecosystems—what was that?! It wasn't even in the lesson!" Nick shouted from afar, his face full of despair.
"Seriously. I stared at it until I almost fell asleep. We've never seen questions that hard before," another friend sighed.
"Nont, did you get it? Everyone coming out of the room is complaining."
Before Nont could answer, his eyes found Mint. She was walking out with slumped shoulders, her once-bright face now dim. Her beautiful eyes were red, as if she was about to cry.
"Mint…" Nont hurried toward her, ignoring the others.
"It was so hard, Nont…" she said, her voice trembling. "The math exam—I couldn't finish three questions. And the science we studied didn't match at all. I'm definitely not going to pass."
A tear fell onto her sleeve. Nont felt his heart tighten painfully. He wanted to wipe her tears away but could only silently offer her the cleanest handkerchief in his pocket.
"It was hard for everyone, Mint. Nick was just saying he wanted to drop out right in the middle of the test," Nont said gently. "If it was hard for you, it was hard for everyone else too. The average score will probably be low. Don't give up yet."
"But what if I don't get in? If we don't study here together… what will you do?" she asked, looking up at him with genuine anxiety in her eyes.
Nont fell silent for a moment. The world around them seemed to pause. He wanted so badly to tell her that wherever she went, he would find a way to be there too. But all he could offer was the most confident smile a young boy could manage.
"Even if you went to Mars, I'd probably have to figure out how to get into NASA just to sit next to you."
Mint burst into laughter through her tears and lightly hit his shoulder.
"You're crazy… You always say the silliest things."
"See? You're smiling now," Nont grinned. "Let's go get something to eat. I'll buy you ice cream. Consider it comfort for a badly behaved exam."
Amid the loud chorus of students complaining about the test, Nont walked slowly beside Mint. His back once again served as her shield from wind and sun, just as it always had.
In his heart, he had only one prayer—not to be the smartest, not to be the best—but for his score to be just enough to sit in the same classroom as her once more.