The atmosphere of the school can be categorized into three states.
First, the usual state.
Second, before the exams.
Third, before and after the holidays (or exams).
In terms of psychological state, the usual state is the best. However, young people full of youthful vitality may easily fall into a strange state of wanting to find something different to do once the usual state lasts too long.
(Annotation: "finding something different to do" refers to extreme behavior in the late stages of a human's life, where they abandon treatment and seek death.)
The state before exams is undoubtedly painful. However, on the other hand, because the only worry in one's mind is the exams, the pressure to constantly study makes life fulfilling and boosts one's mental and physical condition.
The most conflicting state is the one before the holidays. After all, it also has the attribute of the exams. During this period, people often long for the holidays while worrying about the unknown exam results.
Now, Dongxian Middle School is in this complicated exam period.
Everyone has changed, being bound to the ground by the enormous web of exams. Every gesture and movement carries a heavy atmosphere.
Even Eiji Hayamizu, who believes in "living one's life to the fullest, as life is short and fleeting," has put away his frivolous smile, searching for a glimmer of hope to survive the upcoming exams.
"What's wrong, Ziongzong? Just sitting there daydreaming? Don't you need to study before the exams?"
While observing everyone, Uesugi Yui appeared silently behind me.
Her most terrifying ability is her high degree of stealth, like a cat, walking without making a sound. Could it be that Uesugi Yui's feet have little fleshy balls like those on a cat's paws?
If I have the opportunity, I really want to take off her shoes, slowly peel down her socks along her smooth thighs, and see how her small feet are structured.
Just imagining it feels exciting!
Oh no, why do I have such perverted and obscene thoughts!
"There shouldn't be any problems, so I don't think there's a need to study anymore."
Abandoning my adolescent desires, I returned to normal thinking and answered Uesugi Yui's question seriously.
"What about you, Yui-nee? Don't you need to study a little bit more?"
Uesugi Yui half leaned against my desk and smiled helplessly.
"There's no point in studying anymore. Since I'm already bad at certain subjects, I just have to go with the flow. Fortunately, even if I do poorly in the exams, there won't be any problems with further studies."
"By the way, Ziongzong, where do you plan to go for further studies? The teacher conducted a survey on our choices before, and I wanted to ask you about the results, but various things got in the way, and I forgot."
"Further studies, huh..."
To be honest, this should be the most concerning matter for me as a student in the current stage. However, I haven't thought about it at all.
At a time like this, if I were to say, "As long as I can be with Yui-nee, it doesn't matter where I go," it should trigger a special plot... Hehehe, fantasizing aside, if I could really say such a thing without thinking, then my future would only be as a useless protagonist in a harem novel.
"It doesn't matter where I go. As long as I don't cause any trouble for my uncle and aunt."
"If your parents heard you say that, they'd probably cry and hug you while kissing you."
My answer seemed to touch Uesugi Yui's heart, causing her, as the disciplinary committee member, to show a gentle expression rarely seen at school, even if it was just for a moment while speaking.
"Good luck with your exams. The air in the classroom is too stuffy. I'm going outside to get some fresh air."
Saying so, Uesugi Yui left the classroom.
As for me...
Eiji Hayamizu held a stack of reference books and stared at me eagerly.
Normally, I would definitely run away for shelter, but now it's a special period of entrance exams. As a "friend," I can only offer myself up for sacrifice with a spirit of selflessness.
The entrance exams lasted for two days. Even elementary school students know their importance. Because of that, Koga Mizuo, who usually likes to hide in my blanket, behaved much more obediently during those two days.Although I actually don't mind (laughs).
For guys, no one would refuse a sweet and obedient yet slightly mischievous younger sister.
After the exams, everyone relaxed and hung out together, enjoying food, drinks, and entertainment.
However, I know that many people, during this time, feel an emptiness inside.
Having fun with friends, singing loudly in KTV, and then, when everything quiets down and they are left alone, a strong and indescribable sense of emptiness arises.
As they say, revelry is the loneliness of a group, while solitude is the revelry of an individual.
For example, the person I know named Ziongzong is like this.
Nostalgia is one thing, even if I create a personality like Ziongzong as a template, the deceased cannot be brought back to life. Creating a persona like Ziongzong is more for practicality than for vague and elusive "commemoration."
After calmly getting through this exam period, I finally have time to fulfill Souren Manranyama's request.
For such a request, I usually divide it into three parts:
First, collecting information without exposing myself;
Second, on-site investigation and comparison of information;
Third, taking necessary action at the bare minimum.
Of course, in practice, these can be flexible.
As the personality I created, "Ziongzong" has his own values and ways of thinking, but in action, he is more or less influenced by my main personality, although I mostly see it as impulsive and reckless behavior.
The past is the past, and now I am in a different place without reliable sources of information. I can only take some risks, collecting information while acting... no, wait, maybe there is someone who can help.
As soon as I thought of this, I immediately sent her an email and arranged to meet her in the evening.
Perhaps, this meeting will be unexpectedly interesting.
After all, I have never been alone with her before.
