After finishing my martial arts training with Sharl, I returned home.
The next day, as promised, we held a study session at the family restaurant, and for the rest of the week after classes ended, I spent every day preparing with Sharl for the following week’s test.
Meanwhile, I noticed Noel looking increasingly worn out day by day and Yuka with dead-looking eyes but continued studying regardless.
That’s how the week went by, and when Monday came, the tests began.
First, I took the basic studies exam on Monday, and after that, I continued taking various subject exams every day.
Then, on Friday, once all the tests were over, I collapsed onto the classroom desk.
“Good work. Are you alright?”
Lifting my head, I saw Cedric standing there with a smile.
“I’m so exhausted. I feel like smoke is coming out of my head.”
“That’s tough. Well, there are similar people over there too, but… ”
Cedric looked forward, so I followed his gaze and saw Yuka looking downcast while Noel patted her back.
Moreover, Ilmera stood watching the two of them with an exasperated look.
“You guys must be like this in August too, huh?”
Frank walked over laughing.
“Anyway, I’ll ask, but how do you feel about your performance?”
I asked the two of them.
“Fine.”
“Well, I don’t think I’ll fail.”
Is that so…
The top students are incredible.
“I wonder about me though… Hmm, I don’t know.”
Seriously, it’s questionable.
“You were looking pretty confident on Monday, weren’t you?”
“Yeah, I was.”
“When it came to foundational studies. I particularly concentrated on that, so I don’t think I’ll fail.”
I have confidence in foundational studies.
I mean, if I had failed, I wouldn’t know how to face Sharl.
“Well, it’s probably fine at least with Tsukasa and Yuka. If you have confidence there, I think that’s good.”
Yuka also looked confident on Monday.
However, much like myself, her confidence waned with each passing day.
“Well, let’s leave it at that. Let’s go home. I’m not taking the history exam this afternoon anyway. We can have a celebratory meal, maybe?”
Frank invited.
“A celebratory meal… Hmm, nah, I’m too tired today. I’ll go home. Let’s do something in town when the corrected tests are returned.”
“Sounds good.”
“I haven’t even been treated to a juice yet anyway.”
That’s right… You did say you’d treat us.
“I’ll treat everyone. Anyway, let’s head back home.”
We glanced at the still-depressed Yuka as we left the classroom and returned to the dormitory.
Returning to the dorm, I ate lunch at the cafeteria, then went home and flopped onto the bed.
I thought about calling Sharl to thank her but remembered she also had exams in the afternoon, so I sent her a message of thanks.
Then, as I lay around, dinner time came, and we ate together as a family of four, watching TV while zoning out.
“Tsukasa, Toko, how were the tests?”
Father inquired during our family time.
“Don’t know.”
“I had it covered. History will definitely be a perfect score.”
To say with such confidence that one will score full marks is impressive.
“I see. It seems like you both worked hard this time.”
“Hmm, yeah.”
“I always work hard. Just added extra precaution since it was my first time.”
Really, are those two twins?
“Tsukasa, may I ask you something?”
Mom emerged from the kitchen, presumably after finishing the dishes.
“What is it?”
“What’s this black bottle in the fridge? How long will it be there?”
Ah, Sharl’s potion.
“It’s a potion Sharl gave me.”
“A potion from Charlene? Did we have a black potion?”
“It’s something Sharl made. Alchemy is her hobby, apparently.”
“Ho… That’s an unusual hobby. From a martial family though…”
Well, let’s leave it at that.
Hobbies can vary from person to person.
I got up, went to the kitchen, took out two black potions, and returned to the living room.
“I was wondering about that black potion every time I opened the fridge. What is it?”
Toko also chimed in with her question.
“It’s just a normal healing potion. It apparently tastes like cola.”
“Huh? Cola? What are you talking about?”
“Potions usually taste like medicine and are unpleasant. Sharl was trying to modify it with apple or strawberry flavors. I mentioned I wanted a cola-flavored potion once, and she really ended up making it.”
“Wow… The president’s also different, like you brother…”
Well…
It’s hard to comment.
“I got these the other day. Remember when I said on the phone something amazing would come? That was it.”
“Ah, that… So it wasn’t anything… umm… naughty?”
Of course not!
“Naughty…”
Mom doesn’t need to react.
Don’t get red-faced cheeks!
“I’m tired, so I’ll try it.”
I opened the lid and tasted it.
The distinct carbonated sensation spread through my mouth.
“Holy… It really does taste like cola…”
It’s just like the stuff from the vending machine.
“I want to try it! Let me try it too!”
Toko grabbed and shook my clothes.
“One of them is yours. Sharl said she’d beat me up, so she gave me two.”
“Such a sisterly concern…”
Toko frowned but still opened the seal and tasted the potion.
“It’s cola! The president’s amazing!”
She really is.
“Tsukasa, may I try?”
Mom asked, so I passed it over.
“Should dad try some too? It’s seriously a cola potion.”
“Hmm… I find it hard to believe, but go ahead.”
Mom and dad each took a sip from their potions.
“…Mom, come to think of it, I’ve never had cola. But this is definitely a flavored recovery potion.”
Seriously?
This person has never tried cola?
“Wow, it really is cola… Incredible. And not shabby stuff either; it’s high-quality.”
Dad is impressed.
“I feel the same. Even though I’ve only had half, I can already feel the test fatigue fading.”
It’s truly remarkable.
“Tsukasa, did you say Charlene really made these?”
“Indeed. She gave me a smug explanation like last time. I’ve also had the apple and strawberry flavors before.”
“Wow, that’s amazing! I want to try it too!”
We should ask for more next time.
“One would think, with how accomplished she is, Charlene would have trouble maintaining her status…”
Mom, stop it!
What are you muttering!
Having read this, thank you very much.
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