Watanabe Tetsu, who had thought the turmoil had finally passed him by, was surprised just after the lunch break to hear a piece of news that could completely change the game.
More accurately, it revealed the reason he had been overlooked in the first place.
The first class of the afternoon was English. Koizumi Aona, acting as the supervisor, used the lesson to talk about the test results.
Walking into the classroom, she noticed everyone's downcast expressions and, smiling like a friend, said, "Still regretting not getting first place, everyone?"
"Y-yes—" Kunii Osamu answered in a drawn-out tone.
Watanabe Tetsu shot him a glance. Out of 160 freshmen, you're somewhere around the 100th mark—why are you so heartbroken?
"Although you didn't achieve your dream, I still want to commend everyone. Each of you has improved significantly compared to the monthly test, especially Watanabe."
Facing Koizumi Aona's approving gaze, Watanabe Tetsu didn't feel even a hint of joy from being praised.
"Supervisor, although I moved up one rank, by headcount, I'm still third. In essence, I haven't improved."
"How could that be?" Koizumi Aona laughed. "Watanabe, you took the humanities test and scored 886 points. Last year, the highest score for humanities in the unified test for students entering Tokyo High School was 883 points. The test was slightly easier, but you just enrolled—you've already done exceptionally well."
Watanabe Tetsu thought for a moment and asked, "Teacher, what about Seino and Miki? Did they take humanities or sciences?"
"That's exactly why I'm praising you. They took the science test. Last year, the highest science score among students entering Tokyo High School was 893 points. Seino and Yuuki only scored 888 points. In a sense, Watanabe, you're actually more outstanding than them!"
Watanabe Tetsu froze.
Seeing his expression, Koizumi Aona explained, "The reason we didn't separate the rankings and ranked humanities and sciences together is that it's still early in the school year, and students haven't finalized their choice of track. Plus, the Ministry of Education wouldn't allow separate rankings."
What? So I'm actually first? Hard work really does pay off!
Watanabe Tetsu felt like he was about to cry from joy.
He raised his hand. "Supervisor, I request a re-test. I'll take the science exam, or they can take humanities."
"You want first place? Planning to make Seino do something?" Koizumi Aona's almond-shaped eyes narrowed at him. "Watanabe, you're already with Yuuki—be faithful."
The classroom erupted in laughter. At this age, teasing about romantic relationships was always a favorite pastime.
"Supervisor," Watanabe Tetsu said helplessly, "a re-test isn't about making anyone first so they can boss the others around. I just want to prove my own abilities."
That said, with the two's egos, a little provocation would probably suffice. This could be arranged privately, no need for others to know—this was a game for the three of them.
"I see," Koizumi Aona considered. "If you can get the agreement of the other two, I'll find a way to persuade the principal to arrange the exam and venue for you."
"That's amazing! I love Supervisor Koizumi the most!"
"Oh—"
"Watanabe, you! You already have Yuuki, yet you're competing for Supervisor Koizumi!"
"Unforgivable!"
Koizumi Aona's face flushed pink, and she glared at Watanabe Tetsu in mock scolding. She clapped her hands, signaling everyone to be quiet.
"This time, besides Watanabe achieving an outstanding score, many others have also improved. For example—"
——————
After the original test ended and club activities resumed, Watanabe Tetsu normally only had to go to the Human Observation Club on Fridays. But today, he couldn't skip.
Walking down the corridor toward the club building, his steps felt lighter, and his confidence had grown.
The Human Observation Clubroom was tucked away at the back of the fifth floor.
Originally a storage room, the walls were stacked with miscellaneous items. In the remaining space, there was an old beechwood table.
Of course, that was before Yuuki Miki transformed it. When she entered, the room was arranged like a small, luxurious living room, leaving only the beechwood table and steel chair.
What Watanabe Tetsu loved most about this room was the evening light. At sunset, the classroom glowed a warm honey color.
A breeze drifted through the open window, flipping through Seino Rin's books or his Spanish dictionary on the table.
Now, this clubroom was about to become his private territory for studying Clothing and Design.
He had also decided that if he retook the exam and got first place, he would waste 10,000 points to exchange for Expert-level Photography.
Even Watanabe Tetsu, usually rational, couldn't fully explain why he wanted this.
But men are slaves to desire—whether for power, beauty, or money.
Watanabe Tetsu didn't care for power, only wanted enough money to get by, and had little desire for women. He was simply a photography enthusiast.
Let him indulge this one personal hobby.
"Photography is all about light. Good lighting makes everything beautiful. And the clubroom light is perfect! Yes!"
Sliding open the clubroom doors, the atmosphere seemed calm. Yuuki Miki and Seino Rin were as usual, reading and snacking.
But it was obvious they had argued and reached some sort of compromise.
"Ahem," Watanabe Tetsu cleared his throat. "Good afternoon. I have something to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Seino Rin responded, still focused on her hardcover book.
Watanabe Tetsu explained the humanities-science issue. "So, for fairness, I think we should hold a re-test."
"Watanabe," Seino Rin said, still looking at her book, "don't make excuses for yourself. Only by admitting defeat can you move forward."
Yuuki Miki added disdainfully, "When you're not strong enough, you need to learn to submit to those stronger than you."
Watanabe Tetsu's entire fantasy of battling fate and striving with all his might was snuffed out. His ambitions floated in the void.
Though he hadn't truly intended to harm either of them.
"I'll head back for now," he said dejectedly, preparing to leave the unpleasant clubroom.
He would let them go this time. Next time, he would proudly take first place.
"By the way," Seino Rin said, "please post this on the club building bulletin board."
Watanabe Tetsu took the flyer. It read:
"We help you achieve love. Those interested, please come to the fifth floor Human Observation Club."
"We will keep your secrets and ask that you trust our abilities."
"BY: Human Observation Club"
"You really plan to do this?"
"Unlike Watanabe, who refuses to admit defeat, I'm aware of my shortcomings in romance."
"Shortcomings? Seino, have you even dated before? You don't understand anything," Watanabe snapped back.
"Watanabe and Yuuki have only been dating a few days. You don't have enough experience to lecture me on this," she replied.
"Boring," Yuuki Miki stood. "I won't come here for a while. Watanabe, you're not allowed either."
Seino Rin also stood, leaning against the open window, arms crossed. "By our agreement, I'm first, and I have the right to make you do anything."
Yuuki Miki sneered. "I'm first too."
"You know how your first place was earned."
"Of course I know, but I'm still first."
"Well," Watanabe Tetsu said, "in a sense, I'm first, right?"
Both girls glanced at him and looked away.
Watanabe Tetsu frowned. "Let's re-test! Miki, fine, but Seino—do you really think you can beat me?"
Yuuki Miki smiled at Seino Rin.
Seino Rin tossed her hair. "Now I understand why you two are together—refusing to admit defeat even after losing."
"Just answer me—can you beat me or not?" Watanabe Tetsu stared into her eyes.
Seino Rin looked away slightly. "Why should I answer? The fact is clear—'Seino Rin' is first on the bulletin board."
"Didn't you say admitting your shortcomings is what makes you better than me?" Watanabe Tetsu reminded slyly.
"I scored 888, you scored 886. And that was after I taught you about the Northern Islands Dispute."
Hearing this, Watanabe Tetsu felt like he'd been caught cheating—his confidence vanished. "Wait for me at the finals. By the way, which track are you taking? I'll take the same one!"
Both girls went silent.
Watanabe Tetsu smiled. "Panicking, aren't you? Afraid I'll surpass you! You said:
'Knowledge at that level, if you don't get it before the teacher teaches, your brain is useless. If you don't get it after, you're even worse.'
'Knowledge like that, if you don't naturally learn it as you grow, you're expendable.'"
The two girls' faces turned stone cold.
Watanabe Tetsu had an excellent memory and recited everything they had said.
Seino Rin exhaled. "Looks like I need to get serious and make some people realize the gap between us."
Yuuki Miki glared at Watanabe Tetsu with a terrifying expression. "Tonight, I'm going to punish you properly."
"…I-I was joking," he stammered.
"Follow me!" Yuuki Miki commanded without looking back.
"Miki, I still have club activities!" Watanabe Tetsu looked at Seino Rin for help, hoping she would oppose Yuuki.
Seino Rin chuckled. "Watanabe, don't forget to post the flyer on the bulletin board when you leave."
"..."