I, Aki Tomoya, will not be a simp.

Fumino Furuhashi said pitifully that her mock exam results were only for ordinary universities, yet she had set such low expectations.

This prompted Sayaka Kudo to comfort her, saying, "It's just an ordinary university; there's still a good chance of getting a C grade!"

"Try your best..."

After Fumino Furuhashi finished speaking, she sighed inwardly.

However, she couldn't give up yet. After the New Year, perhaps thanks to the good fortune of the new year, she finally passed the school exam!

Just like Junko Harumi said, maintain this level and pass the science exam in the first mock exam!

But whether that passing grade was just a fluke due to good luck or because she truly had the ability, Fumino Furuhashi herself couldn't say.

"Whether you're taking the official entrance exams or participating in the national mock exams this year, keep up the good work! Don't expect a breakout performance, just maintain your usual level and you'll have a great chance!"

Mr. Tsubota stood in the middle and spoke with a strong and resounding voice.

What he fears most is that students work hard in regular classes but perform inconsistently in formal exams.

That would be the biggest nightmare for students. It's okay not to have a breakout performance, but you must maintain a stable level of play!

Therefore, mindset is very important. As the exam approached, Mr. Tsubota began to focus on the other three students in the school who were about to face the entrance exam.

Let them do their final daily review, adjust their mindset, and most importantly—

Get some rest before the exam!

In the first week of the new year, hundreds of thousands of students are facing the most crucial test.

Similarly, students like Aki Tomoya, who are about to enter their third year, should maintain a calm attitude towards this year's mock exams.

Before the official entrance exams, many students lose confidence due to mock exams.

A tense atmosphere permeated the school. The beginning of the year was important for both third-year and second-year students.

"The national unified examination will be held on January 20th."

Aki Tomoya looked up at the countdown to the college entrance exam posted on the school wall.

That was his battlefield, but it has nothing to do with him now.

After a slightly stressful first week at the academy during the New Year, Toyonosaki Academy officially started its new semester on the 9th.

Classes resumed as usual the day after the opening ceremony.

Thinking about entering the third grade in a few months, Aki Tomoya's classmates who intend to take the college entrance exam also felt a little nervous.

It's rare for him to see so many people arrive at school as early as he does.

Aki Tomoya thought that this year was the year he would be able to feel this sense of tension in such a relaxed and free school.

"Just thinking about the mock exams that come so soon after the college entrance exam makes my head explode!"

As soon as he arrived at school in the morning, Yoshihiko Uehara started complaining. He had already spoken with his family and received their approval.

But the thought of not getting into university puts him under immense pressure.

"If you're this nervous just because it's a mock exam, then everyone is the same."

Aki Tomoya lamented that there were also quite a few people in his cram school, Aomine Academy, who were terrified of mock exams.

In class, his friend Yoshihiko Kamigo also showed a similar level of nervousness.

On the other side, Kato Megumi, who was also looking at a reference book, was as calm as ever!

"Number 20..."

Aki Tomoya looked out the window and saw a familiar figure.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, carrying her schoolbag, strolled slowly toward the school building.

"There's nothing to worry about with geniuses."

Chapter 123 When did you two get together?

During lunch break, Eriri said goodbye to her classmates and walked upstairs alone.

If you want to find Kasumigaoka Utaha at noon, the rooftop is definitely the best place to go.

It was as if Kasumigaoka Utaha regarded that place as her kingdom.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who considers that area her territory, usually spends her middays there quietly.

Pushing open the rooftop door, Eriri saw Kasumigaoka Utaha sitting there looking at the book in her hands. Eriri thought to herself, "Just as I expected." She walked up to her and said, "You're about to take an exam, but you're not nervous at all."

Even though the college entrance exam is just around the corner, there's a tense atmosphere in both second and third graders.

Second grade is because there's only one year left, while third grade is because the entrance exams are really coming up soon.

The only one who has been number one for three years, Kasumigaoka Utaha, is not nervous at all.

"It's just the central exam. I will attend it, but the entrance exam and interview are the most important."

Kasumigaoka Utaha replied casually, making it impossible to tell that she cared about such things.

Although the admission methods for public and private schools are different, most people who intend to pursue higher education will take the center's exam.

That was the most formal exam after a year of mock exams. Based on the final unified exam results, most people knew which universities they could apply to.

Initially, students choose their preferred universities; later, adjustments are made based on the final results of the unified entrance examination.

Kasumigaoka Utaha will be taking the unified exam.

"You're really not worried at all, whether it's about the exams or Ms. Machida."

Eriri looked helplessly at Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Eriri still vividly remembers the New Year's Day party.

"Did you even talk to Ms. Machida properly?!"

Eriri asked.

Even she could see how embarrassing Machida Sonoko's situation was at the time, so it's impossible that Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't understand, right?

Besides, they clearly didn't have any private agreement with Akane Akasaka. If they just explained it clearly, the misunderstanding would be gone.

In Eriri's eyes, Kasumigaoka Utaha went a bit too far.

"You care a lot about Ms. Machida? Aren't you more interested in the girl next to Aki? They're calling each other by name very intimately."

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her head in confusion, looking at Eriri with a hint of disdain.

Rather than being concerned about Machida Sonoko's situation, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt that Eriri was more concerned about Hyodo Michiru's identity.

"Rin's cousin, born on the same day in the same hospital, childhood friends! I asked him about it myself after New Year's Day. What happened?"

Eriri looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha with a normal expression.

Under her focused gaze, Kasumigaoka Utaha caught the fleeting surprise in her eyes.

"I am indeed quite envious, but so what? Kasumigaoka, have you ever seriously considered our work? You ignored the fatal flaws that Akane Kousaka pointed out, and the fatal flaws that Ms. Machida pointed out, right? Especially Ms. Machida, how could you be so heartless, acting so undignified! I hate this! She is clearly a good editor, why does she have to compromise with you so undignifiedly time and time again?"

Eriri felt disgusted by such privileges, even though they were more pronounced in her case.

Because she was born with privileges, Eriri saw the same thing in Akane Kousaka after realizing this; she was also someone who possessed privileges.

What are you saying to me?

"I hate the current you. There's nothing wrong with being a creator and refusing to let your thoughts be swayed, but you're being too extreme right now!"

Just like Akane Akasaka, the work is wrapped in layers, and when you put the two of them together, Eriri feels like she is seeing the same person who can be superimposed.

Is such an extreme approach really a good thing?

"Rinya even said you were much better than me, but now it seems he was overthinking things. How laughable! Farewell!"

Eriri left those words with some excitement, then turned and left the rooftop.

Kasumigaoka Utaha stared expressionlessly at the closed rooftop door, her unwavering eyes as if they were shackled.

Eriri became increasingly angry after leaving the rooftop, muttering something to herself as she walked straight to the library.

In the quiet library, the library committee members have become new students. Masumi Sakaguchi, a third-year student, resigned from her position as a library committee member after the start of the school year.

In the library, there were many more students after the start of the third semester.

Eriri searched in the library and finally spotted Aki Tomoya's location, walking quickly towards him.

"Do you have time, Renye?"

Eriri approached Aki Tomoya with a troubled expression. She needed someone to help her, to give her some advice, or to help her think of a solution.

Eriri was not happy after the New Year.

"Eh?"

Aki Tomoya was completely bewildered, surprised that Eriri had taken the initiative to talk to him in front of everyone, while at this moment he was being subjected to the suspicious gaze of his friend, Uesugi Yoshihiko.

Kato Megumi was much calmer; she had already noticed the relationship between the three famous people at the school last year.

However, it's quite surprising that Eriri would take the initiative to talk to Aki Tomoya at a time like this, and even call him by his first name.

"No time?"