The next day at school, a nervous buzz filled the classroom. The rumor about a surprise test had been circulating for days, and now, their homeroom teacher was at the front, flipping through some papers with a serious expression. Kazuki glanced over at Shizuka, giving her a reassuring smile. She returned it, though her face betrayed a hint of anxiety.
Finally, their teacher cleared his throat. "Alright, everyone. I know there have been… whispers. Well, it's true. Today, you'll have a test covering all of this term's material so far."
A collective groan erupted from the class, followed by frantic murmurs. Kazuki heard someone behind him mutter, "I didn't even look at my notes this week!"
Shizuka turned to Kazuki, wide-eyed. "Kazuki, I'm doomed!"
He leaned over, giving her hand a comforting squeeze. "Hey, you'll be fine. Remember our study sessions? You know more than you think."
The teacher handed out the papers, and Kazuki immediately felt himself go into focus mode. He scanned through the questions, relieved to see that most were straightforward, but he knew some would be tricky for Shizuka.
As the test began, Kazuki occasionally glanced at her, noticing how she was biting her lip in concentration, scribbling furiously on the paper. He felt a pang of pride watching her work so hard—this was the same girl who used to give up halfway through a problem without trying, and here she was, tackling each question with determination.
---
**After the Test: A Close Call**
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the exam, Shizuka dropped her pencil and let out a deep breath. "That… was intense."
Kazuki grinned, watching as she slumped over her desk. "You did great, Shizuka. I'm sure of it."
Ryota walked over, joining in on their conversation. "Man, I feel like that test was set up to ruin us. How did you guys do?"
Kazuki shrugged. "It was alright. Shizuka worked hard, so I think she did well, too."
Shizuka gave a shy smile, rubbing her neck. "Thanks, Kazuki. I'm just hoping I didn't bomb it."
Ryota grinned at her. "Well, if Kazuki has faith in you, then it must be true. And hey, if you pass, you owe him a treat for all those late-night study sessions."
Kazuki shot him a playful glare. "Hey, let's not make her feel more pressured!"
But Shizuka only laughed. "You know what? I'll do it! If I pass, I'll make you dinner, Kazuki. Consider it a thank-you."
Ryota raised an eyebrow, nudging Kazuki. "Ooh, a home-cooked meal? Better watch out, Kazuki. She's serious about this."
Kazuki felt his face warm as he gave Shizuka an appreciative nod. "I'd love that. But honestly, just seeing you give it your all today is more than enough."
Shizuka's cheeks turned pink, and she glanced away, mumbling, "You're too nice…"
---
**The Results are In**
Two days later, the results were posted. Kazuki and Shizuka walked together to the notice board where everyone was crowded around, excitedly pointing out their scores. Kazuki found his name easily at the top of the list, which didn't surprise him, but he immediately scanned further down to find Shizuka's name.
"Shizuka!" he exclaimed, spotting her name right around the middle of the board. "You did it! You passed with solid marks!"
Her face lit up as she saw her score. "Oh my gosh… I actually passed!" She spun around, grabbing Kazuki's hands in excitement. "Kazuki, it's all thanks to you! I didn't think I could do it."
He chuckled, squeezing her hands back. "I just helped. You're the one who put in all the effort."
Shizuka's eyes sparkled with excitement and admiration, and before he could react, she tugged him closer, looking up at him. "So… do I get my reward?"
Kazuki blinked, caught off-guard. "Reward?"
She grinned, mischievously. "You promised me a kiss if I passed, didn't you?"
His face flushed red as he stammered, "W-wait, I didn't—"
But before he could finish, Shizuka giggled, clearly just teasing. "Just kidding! I know you're too shy for that right here." She gave him a playful wink. "But I'll hold you to that dinner promise."
Relieved but still flustered, Kazuki reached out and patted her head. "Here's your reward for now."
To his surprise, Shizuka blushed deeply, her teasing demeanor disappearing. "K-Kazuki…"
He smiled softly, knowing that even a simple gesture could mean so much to her. They shared a quiet moment, forgetting the crowd around them. Even Ryota, who'd been watching nearby, rolled his eyes but smiled as he saw how genuinely happy they were.
---
**Later: The Dinner Plan**
That evening, as they walked home together, Shizuka excitedly started planning their dinner. "I'll make something special! Maybe pasta? Or a stir-fry? Oh! I could try that recipe we looked at together last week!"
Kazuki chuckled, watching her enthusiasm. "Anything you make will be amazing, I'm sure."
Shizuka's face softened. "Thanks, Kazuki. It really means a lot, you know… having you believe in me."
He nodded, feeling a quiet satisfaction. "I always will, Shizuka."
As they parted ways, Kazuki couldn't help but feel that this was the start of a new chapter in their relationship. It wasn't just about the romance or the teasing anymore; they were genuinely supporting each other, facing challenges together. And for Kazuki, that felt better than any romantic gesture.