After a quick lunch combined with a short lesson with Hinata, only for him to realize that Callisto already learned the topic they were tackling through her self-learning at her apartment days before the EPT, the two headed back to the principal's office.
"So you've been tackling topics that difficult on your spare time," Hinata commented, his eyes shone with respect as he looked down at the girl's smaller frame walking beside him. "You really are amazing, Calli."
Callisto waved her hand at the young man, trying to play it cool despite the pleased grin on her face. "It's not that big of a deal, really. The only reason I feel motivated to do self-study is because you're so good at teaching that it makes me want to learn more."
"I'm glad to hear that," Hinata smiled, his heart swelling with a warm feeling he could not quite explain. "If you'd like, we can continue doing study sessions together."
"Of course! I'm looking forward to studying with you and Elesis again."
For a second, there was a flicker of something in Hinata's face.
Was it disappointment? Was he hoping for a different answer? Not even he was sure what he wanted from Callisto at that moment.
All he could do was wear a smile and keep those thoughts in his mind.
"Yeah, me too."
Before long, they arrived outside the principal's office.
"I'll be going now," Hinata announced, his eyes fixed on the young lady's features. "Let me know the result of the test, okay?"
"Sure thing!"
With that, the young man started creating distance between him and Callisto as he make his way out of there. However, his footsteps were heavy. Heavier than usual.
As if something was compelling him to stop.
"What's going on with me," Hinata asked himself in thought. "When I overheard the guys outside our room describe Callisto's appearance, I immediately seeked her out. When Mina and her friends blocked us, I knew I needed to step up for Calli and get her out of that situation."
Although Hinata could form connections with girls like Mina Minana, he never really felt like those connections were genuine because he knew it was made with differing reasons.
To Hinata, it was simply because he wanted to make friends with people. However, the girls wanted more than that, like he was some trophy to be won.
A claim on him. A lover.
When Hinata, Elesis, and Callisto first started their study session, he initially thought that Calli might be the same as those "girls."
But no.
She was spending time with Hinata not because Callisto wanted him. But rather, because she needed him to study for the EPT, pure and simple.
Hinata wondered why he seeked her out. Why he did what he did when Mina and the others got in their way. It was simple.
"She's unique," Hinata declared to himself, a soft smile tugging the corners of his lips. "I can feel our connection is genuine. And I want to keep it for as long as I can."
So rather than Callisto being the one seeking Hinata out like most girls, it was Hinata himself that was seeking Callisto out.
Hinata stopped in his tracks as he turned around, his eyes immediately drawn to the way Callisto was about to reach the doorknob.
"Calli!"
Hearing Hinata's call, Callisto's movements stopped to look at his direction, her eyes widened with wonder.
"What?"
"Actually, I was thinking of going out to a restaurant with you and Elesis to celebrate you completing the EPT. If you like, we can go right after your assessment."
Callisto's expression brightened. "I'd love to. But El is hanging out with her friends right now, so it'll probably be just the two of us. Is that all right?"
"Yeah, no problems here. Let me know when you're done."
"Got it."
Having settled their plan after Callisto's assessment, Hinata made his exit.
This time, his footsteps felt lighter than ever.
Callisto's gaze returned to the door to the principal's office. As soon as she entered the room, Edmond Saranyo was there, waiting for her arrival.
"I apologize for sounding a bit harsh earlier," He started, his voice low and regretful. "That wasn't my intention at all. I was simply shocked."
"Oh, please do not worry about it," Callisto said in reply, shooting a reassuring smile at the principal. "I totally understand."
Edmond nodded, grateful for the young lady's understanding. "Then, I won't waste anymore of your time and give you your final test."
Edmond pulled out a stapled sheets of test papers from his desk. "The contents of these papers are equivalent to college level tests."
A gasp escaped Callisto's mouth, her muscles tensing at the thought that she was about to take a high level test than that of grade 12's.
If she passed this one, it would mean that she could enroll to a university instead of Silangan High.
However, despite the fact that Edmond Saranyo acknowledged her capability to be equivalent to a college student, which was something that Callisto should have been proud of for her age, it didn't seem to please her much.
If anything, Callisto seemed to be taking it rather casually.
Edmond could not help but wonder if it was overconfidence or arrogance. Or perhaps, it was something else.
Before he could hand the test papers over to Callisto, the young lady's mouth opened, raising an open hand at Edmond.
"Sorry, Principal, but is it okay if we end it here?"
"What?"
"I don't want to take the final test."
Edmond was at a loss. This was definitely not about confidence nor about being arrogant. Anyone taking the EPT would not let an opportunity to finish their education as quickly as possible slip by their hands.
"Why?" He questioned the young lady, hoping to understand her reasoning.
"I'm grateful that you think I can handle a higher level education than I'm supposed to at my age," Callisto began, her voice calm as she looked at the principal straight into his own eyes. "However, I spent most of my life behind closed doors because of my previous illness. I didn't get to experience going to school, listening to class, doing group projects, going to canteen with friends, walking home with them, doing my homework. Until recently, it felt like I was about to miss all of it. Then a miracle happened. And here I am. I want to experience whatever's left to the fullest."