Chapter 89 – The End of the Exam

 

The snow that covered the schoolyard glittered when the gentle winter sunlight touched it. I was admiring the sight when I heard the school bell echoed throughout the building. Lunch break was over. The students started to move back to their chairs.

 

The white snow reminded me of Sui. His skin had turned white because he hadn’t been walking under the sun anymore. Would his lips also turn as white too, someday? The hospital staff always made sure that he was exposed to the sunlight, but the pale tone of his skin planted doubts within me.

 

At this point of our school days, we practically had no classes anymore as every class had been replaced with self study.

 

I spent most of my time studying. The winter break, the new year’s, time passed with me reviewing everything that I had learned. This was normal for the students who were preparing for the entrance exam. After all, the center exam will start this Saturday. After all the study I had done up to this point, I stopped worrying about the result of the exam. Rather, I was worried about my physical condition on the day of the exam.

 

My last year of high school went by in a flash. My life wearing this school uniform was now only a few months away from ending. Compared to back when I was in grade school, each year in high school passed much faster.

 

They said that a human’s lifespan was long, but it didn’t feel that way to me.

 

*   *   *

 

The day of the center exam.

 

It was a cold day. January in Sendai was always cold. My breath was white and I could barely feel my toes.

 

Under such cold weather, teachers and other people who came to encourage the students taking the exam were crowding around the exam site. Among those people was Tsuru.

 

“Why are you here?”

“To cheer on you, of course! How are you feeling? You didn’t forget anything, right? I brought a watch with me if you need a timer.”

“I’m all good here. Seriously, take care of yourself too. What if you got sick because of this cold weather? Still, I’m thankful that you came…”

 

I stroked her cheeks, which had turned pink because of the cold, and thanked her.

 

“Remember that the center exam is just an entrance ticket! It’s important, but the secondary exam is more important, okay? Don’t rush and give it everything you got!”

“Mm. I have to go now, I don’t want to forget everything I’ve learned because of this cold…”

“Kya! Alright, go quickly then! Monopolize all the warm places, okay?”
“Yes, yes. See you later, Tsuru.”

 

She pushed me away.

 

Up until the moment I entered the venue, she was waving at me.

 

*   *   *

 

Once the exam started, all the tension I had accumulated quickly disappeared.

 

I solved one problem after another as I flipped through the papers. When I got to the end, I went back to the beginning to check on every possible mistake that I might have made. It was the same thing as I always did in mock exams.

 

When I was finished with the two days exam, it was still snowing. The road around the venue was wet because of the snow and it felt horrible walking on it. The only thing that kept me from going crazy was the sense of relief I felt because the exam was over.

 

After the preliminary result came out, it was pretty much decided that I was qualified to take the secondary exam to Tohoku University.

 

Then, I spent the rest of the month studying for the secondary exam. I was way more relaxed this time because the subjects were narrowed down, so I could concentrate more on it. However, I still couldn’t let my guard down.

 

I was still studying hard even for the following month.

 

I didn’t even spare any of my time to visit Sui. I knew better, after all. If he was awake, he would scold me if I ever visited him. He would kick me out and tell me to focus on studying. 

 

My voluntary attendance at school became nothing more than a routine and I couldn’t help but feel lonely about it. Mostly because some of my friends had stopped coming to school. After graduation, we wouldn’t be able to see each other as often anymore. Thinking of that inevitability, I felt even more lonely.

 

Tsuru and I were still keeping in contact with each other. She even let me know what our friends were up to.

 

Makoto was accepted to a culinary school, Shirona was accepted to a cosmetology school, Tanaka Masao got a recommendation to a university that was focused on judo.

 

The places where I studied were varied. I mostly did it at home, but sometimes, I went to a library in Nagamachi, a nearby coffee shop or a food corner in a shopping mall. Sometimes, I also walked around as an exercise. This routine lasted for the whole month.

 

Time passed and the day of the secondary exam had arrived.

 

I had nothing special to say. I had been there before for a visit and I left the place immediately after the exam was over. At that point, I just wanted to go home as soon as possible. I had been studying for a year and from tomorrow onwards, I didn’t need to do it anymore. Goodbye textbooks, I wouldn’t miss you, for now.

 

When I got home, I immediately went to my room and collapsed onto my bed. I stared at the ceiling, not thinking about anything in particular. I stretched my limbs like it was the most natural thing to do. It felt refreshing. I could probably die without any regrets, it was the kind of feelings that I felt. Whatever the result of the exam would be, I was just glad that everything was finally over.

 

“Sui…”

 

I, once again, confirmed that I love Sui. I felt like an idiot for falling this hard for someone.

 

The next day, I went to the hospital to visit Sui. But, this time, I wasn’t alone. Tsuru, Shirona, Makoto and Ugin-san were with me. When I told Tsuru that I finished my secondary exam and I planned to visit Sui, she proposed to go together with everyone.

 

“So it was true… He hasn’t woken up since then?”

 

Muttered Makoto as he took a step back. He seemed to be so flustered to even speak.

 

I sat down beside Sui and held his hand. Holding his big hand always made me feel safe.

 

Tsuru fearfully bent down and came up closer to me.

 

“This is… He’s still breathing properly, but…”

“He’s alive at least.”

 

Shirona was covering her mouth with a handkerchief as she held back her tears. Ugin-san came up to her and held her in her arms.

 

“Sui, hurry and wake up, okay? I-I’m graduating soon, but don’t worry, I’m staying in the prefecture! If you want to have a party, call me anytime, I’ll be your chef, okay?”

 

Makoto said to the sleeping Sui.

 

You have a good friend, don’t you, Sui? I’m glad for you.

 

“Me too! I-I’m staying in Sendai, so I can cut your hair when you wake up! Of course, it will be for free! You’ll have to pay me if I become a pro by then, though!”

 

Shirona also followed suit. Ugin-san, who was standing beside her made another expression that was similar to her brother’s.

 

“Good for you, Brother. Being surrounded by three cute girls and a loyal friend like Makoto-san. You have no right to complain about anything anymore!”

 

She smiled as she glanced at us.

 

In any case, seeing him for the first time in a while made me happy. He was still sleeping like usual, but seeing his face warmed my heart.

 

It didn’t need to be mentioned that I also felt sad about this. He had been sleeping since summer and winter was about to end. I had been waiting for his reply for what felt like forever now.

 

But still, you don’t need to rush, Sui. I will still be waiting for you, no matter how long it will take.