The C93 academic ability test loomed.
It was a bright and sunny morning.
Despite the beautiful weather, Shion’s mood had been sour since she woke up.
“Silly sister, just relax. Oh, wait, I shouldn’t call you ‘silly sister’ today. Today, you’re ‘smart sister’.”
On their way to school, Ayane playfully ruffled Shion’s hair.
For once, it was the younger sister comforting the elder, a rare occurrence.
It didn’t help much, however, as Shion sported prominent dark circles under her eyes and a face twisted into a ‘bitter melon’ expression—a look of utter despair.
Had she possessed a third-person perspective, she might have noticed the aura of resentment emanating from her, perhaps even resembling a malevolent spirit.
The true reason for her distress, of course, was simple:
Today was the day Shion had to take her academic ability test.
‘My sister actually knows how to say auspicious things?’ Shion thought, a sarcastic jab hidden in her mind.
Ayane shook her small head, her long white hair gently swaying in the sunlight.
“Of course! I was even planning to get you a ‘study success’ charm.”
“You’d ask me to get you a ‘study success’ charm? We’re the only shrine in town, and I’m the only Miko (TL Note: A shrine maiden, a female attendant at a Shinto shrine).” Shion groaned, covering her face.
She had been dragged through extensive revisions for what felt like ages.
As Shion had grumbled yesterday, her head spinning from countless practice problems, the study method she’d endured these past few days should be called a ‘relentless assault’ of revision.
From body to mind, she felt utterly overwhelmed, as if thoroughly ‘gang-raped’ by all the knowledge points and practice questions (TL Note: The original Chinese term ‘轮X式复习’ (lúnxì shì fùxí) is a strong, hyperbolic expression used by the character to describe an extremely intense and overwhelming study method, akin to being ‘gang-raped’ by knowledge, conveying extreme exhaustion and mental distress).
…Perhaps it was just the frustrated outburst of someone whose mental state had shattered from too much studying.
Seeing Shion’s dejected face, Ayane stepped closer and pinched her cheek.
“Sister, put in some effort, and get a good score.
Don’t forget our agreement, okay?”
As she spoke, Ayane puffed out her chest, as if presenting her enticing reward.
Indeed, it looked like a very tempting reward, Shion mused, considering it was something she herself lacked.
Upon reaching the school gate, a figure clad in light blue seemed to merge into their group with remarkable naturalness.
Ayane, with equally natural movements, plucked a potato chip from the bag Nanami had just opened.
Normally, Shion would have absolutely stopped Ayane from eating snacks so early in the morning and would have certainly chastised Nanami for carrying a bag of chips at such an hour.
But today, she simply lacked the energy to complain.
The mere thought of the day’s exam drained all her spirit.
“Shion-chan, won’t you have some?” Nanami offered, extending the bag of chips to Shion.
“If you could take the test for me, then I’d eat…” Shion retorted, glaring at Nanami.
“Don’t take out your morning frustrations on me, now. Have a chip to calm down,” Nanami insisted, still offering the chips.
Shion nearly wanted to cover her head and scream, but instead, she buried her face into Ayane’s embrace, rubbing against her.
“Hehe, big sister can be clingy too,” Ayane said, gently stroking Shion’s head and smiling.
“Sister, do you remember all those things I specifically reminded you about yesterday morning?
Japanese, English, and Math all have their tricks… Do you still remember?”
Shion, her head still tucked into Ayane’s arms, shook it.
“Not at all.”
“Alright, then big sister is ready to go forth and conquer!” Ayane nodded.
“That’s a line I saw in a movie.”
“What kind of movie was that?!”
“I don’t have much to say either; my grades aren’t great,” Nanami said, biting directly into the chip bag and stretching.
“Anyway, Shion-chan, just relax.
If it doesn’t go well, come find me, and I’ll take you out for a spin on the sea.”
“I will not get on your vehicle for a third… or fourth time,” Shion declared firmly.
****
Just as they were about to head upstairs, a black-haired girl, her small leather shoes tapping, quickly ran up to them.
She politely greeted Nanami and Ayane, who were standing nearby, then looked at Ayane and immediately asked, “Shion-chan, did you read the score-boosting tips I sent you yesterday?”
Sakuya wore her hair in a beautiful braid today, the long plait resting on her school uniform, bouncing charmingly with her hurried steps.
Then, upon seeing the dark circles under Shion’s eyes, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Shion-chan, you look just like a giant panda right now!” Sakuya teased.
“Do you want to guess what I was looking at yesterday that gave me these dark circles…” Shion shot another glare at Sakuya.
Sakuya suddenly fell silent, scratching her head sheepishly.
The study tips she had compiled for Shion yesterday—they weren’t just ‘tips’; they filled ten whole pages, with some techniques even accompanied by example problems.
Though Shion was grateful for Sakuya’s thoughtfulness, she truly wished Sakuya wouldn’t send such crucial information so late, especially at ten o’clock at night.
“Well, I only finished compiling them yesterday myself,” Sakuya said, sticking out her tongue.
“But I’m sure, Shion-chan, you’ll definitely ace Japanese!”
“Um…”
A timid voice came from behind them, and a golden-haired figure squeezed through, making a beeline straight for Shion’s side, pressing close to her.
“Good morning, everyone.” Shigure’s greeting was like a cassette tape getting stuck, but she bravely pushed through, saluting the girls present.
“It is not a good morning, Iori-chan,” Shion replied, still emanating an air of resentment, though her tone softened slightly.
Shigure looked at Shion’s face, a hint of surprise in her voice as she asked, “Shion-chan, did you not sleep well last night?”
“I think the dark circles on my face should give you your answer,” Shion said, a touch of lingering indignation in her words, not directed at Shigure, but rather at… the sheer frustration of studying too late.
“I-I prepared some cakes for you, Shion-chan, the same ones I made when you came to my house the other day.” Shigure quickly pulled out several exquisitely crafted small cakes from her backpack, offering them to Shion.
Seeing this, Sakuya also swiftly retrieved a small pudding from her own school bag.
“I have something too! These are the sweets Shion-chan likes to eat when she studies at my place.”
“Ah…” Nanami looked at Sakuya and Shigure, then could only wave her unfinished bag of chips in front of Shion.
“I only have chips left, but I have different flavors in my bag. Just tell me if you want some, Shion-chan.”
Ayane pouted unhappily, looking at Shion.
“As expected of my silly sister, always so popular.”
“I already ate breakfast!
Let’s eat them together after the exam this afternoon!” Shion said, rubbing her head.
“We can call it a celebration feast!”
With Shion’s words, the three girls reluctantly put their snacks away.
Upon reaching the first-year floor, everyone wished each other good luck before quickly hurrying to their respective classrooms.
Before entering her own classroom, Shion specifically glanced around, thinking to herself, ‘Lately… I haven’t seen Igarashi-senpai much. Is she busy with something?’