The sky slowly changed from a beautiful orange to a dark sky.
"Nate"
"Hmm"
"I'm sorry."
'Sorry about what? Oh, it's this morning'
"..Fine. You don't have to blame yourself."
"..."
"I just reconsidered myself. What should I do?"
"What do you mean?"
"In many senses"
"So...why did you change?"
"I've always been like this."
"I didn't mean it like that..I just.."
Umi seemed hesitant about whether to speak or not.
"Say it."
"Just my feelings. I feel like you're distancing yourself from me."
'Huh, why would you think that or would I really be like that?'
"I'm not."
"sure?"
I shrugged in response.
"Wow, the cool breeze is so nice."
"Nate"
When I turned around, I saw Umi with a serious expression on her face.
"Huh? "
"Why don't we talk directly like before?"
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Where will you study in high school?"
"The Hexagon. If I apply through or maybe to a federal engineering school, how about you?"
"I have received my quota to study at The Hexagon."
"Oh, congratulations!"
"Thank you, but..I haven't agreed yet."
"Why?"
"Going to study on another continent..I'm worried."
"It's strange to see you, an outstanding student, worry about something like this."
"..I'm just a normal girl."
"If an opportunity comes along, why don't you take it?"
"That's why I came to consult with you."
"I suggest saying yes."
"Why do you answer so quickly? I'm serious."
"What is your reason for hesitating?"
"Don't you worry about going to another continent to study? New place, new people, new district."
"Is that all?"
"..That's all I can think of right now."
"I still stand by my previous words. You deserve to go."
"..."
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I want to study at the same place as you. We studied together all the time."
"I'm sorry my grades aren't that high haha."
"Don't be like that."
"Why?"
"You don't understand me at all."
"There's still almost a month left until the entrance exam. Maybe I'll study enough to pass the exam."
"Promise me that you'll study hard for the exam."
"Um, it's difficult."
"If you pass the exam, I will do as you wish."
"Heh any wish?"
"S-sure, I'll help tutor you."
"I promise"
We intertwined our little fingers and made a promise.
***
The entrance exam day slowly counted down one day at a time.
My daily routine is actually quite simple. I woke up this morning and exercised normally for about an hour. At the beginning of the school break, I woke up earlier than everyone else in the house. After a while, Umi woke up with me and started a similar routine after doing some simple exercises.
We took turns cooking and teaching Iris how to cook at the same time. Iris gradually became more and more skilled at cooking from someone who had never held a knife before.
After the meal we went our separate ways to rest or take a shower.
After a short break, we gathered together to read in the living room. I might have to study for an exam, but Iris needs to study as well. Most of the time, I'll let Umi teach Iris until the afternoon. To be honest, I didn't even need to study for the exam because I had studied so far in advance.
We'll rest depending on the day, like Saturday or Sunday, I won't be home for various reasons. Iris and Umi mostly watch things together, but they don't like to go out much.
Umi seemed worried that I didn't seem to study hard for exams and didn't ask for much help from her. But when I asked some questions, she didn't say anything else. In the evening I usually exercised in the gym, then I practiced my magic and mana control along with Umi and Iris in the dome.
Umi slowly got used to living in my house until it felt like she had been here for a long time. It had been a long time since she had even returned to her home.
This routine makes time pass quickly.
*
Ding!
[Unread message]
-International driver's license approved..
From the Federal Department of Transportation
-Nate~ How are you? Have you eaten dinner yet? The weather here is very cold. Please take care of your health. Sometimes signals can't be sent across continents. If you have any problems, you can consult me at any time. As for fundraising, there's no problem.
from mother
-I'm fine and ate dinner. It must be early in the morning right now. Mom, take care of yourself too.
-Boss, we have a big problem! Most projects are successful but funds will soon run out!
-Please consider delaying the expansion of the organization as well.
From Agent06
'Same problem again'
-Don't worry, I can handle it.
-see you tomorrow
From Leo
-See you later.
[ 9:20 p.m. ]
We are currently sitting together in the living room.
"Nate," Umi called me softly.
"Yes?"
"How confident are you about tomorrow?"
"How many points do you want me to get?"
"Full score..I'm joking. As long as you pass the exam, I'll be satisfied." Umi replied with a faint smile.
'Full score? Interesting.'
"I'll try," I replied playfully.
"Iris-chan, you should try your best."
"I know~"
"We should go to bed now. Tomorrow you will wake up refreshed."
"Good night"
"Nighty Night"
'It's tomorrow that will change many things'
***
The next morning
This morning I woke up to Umi's voice. She prepared breakfast and bento boxes for us. We woke up quite early because today there will be a big exam for many grade levels. The Hexagon entrance exam is organized by the Federal Ministry of Education, which is held simultaneously in every district. Therefore, everyone in that district will come to take the exam at the same place. It is not unusual to cause traffic congestion.
"You guys haven't forgotten anything?"
I check and check both my own and everyone else's so I shouldn't forget anything.
"Then let's go."
'Even though we left this early in the morning, there were still so many people.'
Inside the train station, there were so many people standing in line that you could barely see the end of the line.
It didn't take long for the train to arrive.
Inside the train, people were packed tightly together.
beep! beep!
The door slowly closed. I was able to find an open space close to a corner so I wasn't crowded as much.
"Umi"
"yes?"
"You should take a nap. I'll wake you up when it's almost there."
"Yes, Umi-chan, you should get enough sleep."Iris added.
"Okay," Umi replied easily.
.
30 minutes later
.
Beep! Beep!
"Umi, wake up."
"I'm awake," Umi replied softly.
The examination location is not located in the center of the city area but rather in the eastern part of the district.
As I got off the train, I saw many people wearing school uniforms heading towards the same goal. The three of us slowly followed them. Soon we arrived at the exam venue. Iris had to split up and join another line. After checking that my little sister hadn't forgotten anything, I bid farewell gently.
Now it's just me and Umi. There is quite a lot of outside noise around.
'Even though Umi has definitely received a quota and a place to study, she still has to take part in this entrance exam.'
"Aren't you worried?" Umi whispered to me softly.
"Why should I worry?"
"...I'm really speechless. You should pay more attention."
"Heh"
"You should keep our promise."
"I know~ And what if in some subjects I get higher scores than you?"
"hehe, I prepared very well..if you--"
Queue number 116!
"Bye, see you later."
"Bye"
Queue number 117!
'It's my turn now'
Before entering the exam room, we will undergo various tests such as metal detectors. Check if you have secretly brought items that may lead to cheating on the exam and must pass through the curtain of a special magic detection spell. Then we get a special bracelet that can seal or detect mana consumption.
Soon I arrived at a rather normal exam room and happened to be taking the exam in the same room as Umi. There were about 40 people in the room and there was a clock hanging in the middle of the room. Each room had two examiners.
The exam was placed face down.
Ding! Ding! Ding Doong!
[8.30 a.m.]
When the sound signal sounds, it means that the exam has started and allows viewing of the exam.
'Before taking the exam or writing anything down, we should check first whether we have received the question paper completely or not. If there is no problem, then hurry up and do it'
[Morning subjects] : 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
-Mathematics
-Science
Lunch break : 12.30 p.m. - 1.30 p.m.
After eating lunch with Umi, I went to see Leo to say hello.
[Afternoon subjects] : 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
-English
-Social studies
-Health education
'Who the duck is giving the exam?'
If other people face the math and science morning exams at the same time In the afternoon, many people will definitely be tired.
Time passes quickly
Ding! Ding! Ding Doong!
[4:30 p.m.]
"Put everything down," a stern voice called out.
The examiner quickly collected the exam papers, not caring whether the person had finished them or not.
After making sure that everything is in order, the examiner will allow you to leave the exam room.
"Umi, how are you?" I asked because she looked really exhausted.
"Well, I'm doing pretty well, and you?"
"Half sure," I replied quietly.
"Oh, don't be stressed even if you.."Umi tried to encourage me.
"I'm fine. Let's go find Iris"
"Okay~"
.