This is not the date I wanted.

"I almost fell asleep."

After answering with a blank expression, Origami pointed at Tohka's exercise book and said coldly.

"There's also this geometry problem. You made a mistake in a key step. You used the formula for the circumference of a circle instead of the volume of a sphere. The answer is totally wrong. Try calculating it again."

"Uh, is there any difference between these two? They look similar to me..."

"It's a world of difference. Let me give you a simple example. It's like you spent money that could have bought 100 loaves of soy flour bread, but the bakery only sold you one loaf of soy flour bread. How would you feel?"

Since kinako bread is Tohka's favorite food, she immediately understood what Origami meant and said indignantly.

"What!? That's too much! Isn't this the shady company Kotori-chan was talking about?"

"Damn, this is all the fault of the deceived party. Do you understand now how different the outcome will be if you make a wrong calculation?"

After hearing Origami's explanation, Tohka was speechless.

"...I know. I'll recalculate. Now... Tobiichi Origami, do you think I can pass?"

"……I have no idea."

Origami shook her head silently.

"The factors that affect test scores are not only study, but also the management of physical condition, the reasonable allocation of test time, and the self-adjustment of stress and emotions. When the test comes, you can only rely on yourself. No one, me, Shidao, or Mengyue, can help you. Can you overcome these? You will know only when the results come out. But you are indeed different from you a few days ago."

Origami replied in a calm but firm voice.

"Yatogami Tohka has changed, I can guarantee that."

“Is that so… Hmm! Then keep going!”

Exhaling slowly, Tohka patted her cheeks and answered with full energy.

……

If the original purpose of arranging Origami and Tohka to study together was actually achieved now, but Meng Yue would not persuade Tohka to stop and rest, nor did she intend to persuade her.

"Tohka, I'm trying to change, Shidou. I don't want to be a Tohka who can only rely on you, but I want to be a Tohka that you can be proud of."

With a relieved smile on her lips, Meng Yue said to Shidao.

【…】

"Maybe for you and me, this is just an ordinary final exam. If you fail, at most you just have to go to school to retake it for a few days. But for Tohka, trying your best to challenge something, regardless of the result, success or failure, is definitely a precious memory that is unforgettable."

After a while, Shidou's helpless sigh was heard from the other end of the line.

[Your statement is really cunning, Mengyue. If I worry about Tohka, wouldn't I look like a bad person? ]

"Haha, really? Sorry, sorry."

[Well, forget it... I understand what you want to say. Since Tohka is working so hard, I want to cheer her on. That's right, after the exam is over, let's cook a delicious meal to reward Tohka.]

"Yeah, that's a good idea, I'll help."

[That's really great. Ha~ No. I'm almost going to bed, good night Mengyue.]

"OK, good night."

After hanging up the phone, Mengyue looked at Tohka's room, hesitated for a moment, and continued to operate her mobile phone.

[Lingyin, are you awake? ]

[…Awake…What’s up? ]

[It's about what I mentioned before, asking you to cheat by helping Tohka change her grades, so let's forget about it. ]

[…I don’t mind…but…what if Tohka fails…]

[It's nothing. At most, I will accompany Tohka to tutoring during the winter vacation. If you say that spiritual power is reversed, then it is true——]

When the text message reached this point, Meng Yue showed a sly smile and continued typing.

[——When that time comes, Shidou will find a way to solve it. ]

(Shidou: "Yawn——!!!")

Mengyue Exam (final)

==============================

December 12th, the first Monday after the exam.

Although the school had finished grading the final exams during the weekend, the test papers and individual transcripts would not be issued until the afternoon. Even Shidao himself was still unclear about his grades.

However, there is another way to know the results. That is in the lobby on the first floor, the school will post a ranking notice of the top 100 students in the total score of the exam.

Unable to suppress his eagerness, Shidao took advantage of the lunch break to come to the lobby on the first floor of the teaching building.

Of course, what he cared about was not his own score, but Tohka's score.

"Yumezuki, Xixian and Yekushi."

Among the students gathered in the hall, Shidou met the sisters Mengyue and Yaomai from Class 3.

"Hey, Shidou, you're here too."

After seeing Shidao, Mengyue waved to him.

"Well, I came here because I couldn't wait any longer. Are you all here to check your results?"

Walking up to the three people, Shidou asked curiously.

"Kuku - that's natural. After all, I have resisted all kinds of temptations from the demon world and fought hard for this battle. Naturally, I want to know my achievements as soon as possible."

After answering Shidao's question, Yakuya put his hands on his hips and raised his head proudly. It was obvious that he was very satisfied with the result this time.

"Kuku - but I will not stop here. One day, I will be at the top and look down on everyone!"

Looking at Yejushi who was laughing with his head raised and attracting everyone's attention, Mengyue seemed to feel a little embarrassed, turned her head away and said helplessly.

"Well, I don't care about grades as long as I pass. It's just that Yakuya forced me to do it."

"Question. Is Shidou coming alone? What about Origami Master and Tohka?"

Looking at Gokawa Shido who was alone, Yui tilted her head in confusion. After all, in her memory, Origami and Tohka were basically always together in school.

"Ah, they are both resting in the classroom now."

Shidou explained with a wry smile.

It was also because of the strong rebound caused by staying up late. As soon as the exam was over on Friday, Tohka went home without even eating dinner, and went straight back to her room and fell asleep, and this sleep lasted for a whole day and a half.

To be honest, Shidou was so worried this weekend that he almost wanted to ask Kotori to send someone to check on the situation. It wasn't until yesterday afternoon when Tohka came to his house in a drowsy state, mumbling "I'm hungry" while eating five times her usual amount of food that Shidou felt a little relieved.

The situation on Origami's side was similar. Although not as serious as Tohka's, she was obviously very tired after tutoring Tohka all night. When she said goodbye, she rarely flirted with Shidou. When they met in the morning, she also looked out of shape.

"Well, that's normal. After all, those two were the ones who worked the hardest before the exam."

Meng Yue nodded in understanding.

"Meng Yue, do you know Tohka's current score?"

"I don't know. We just got here, and only Yakushi checked his score."

"That's it..."

After hearing Meng Yue's answer, Shidou turned his gaze to the results bulletin on the wall, trying to find Tohka's name on it.

(Night Sword God... Night Sword God...)

After taking a quick look at the last names on the notice, Shidou discovered, to his regret, that Tohka's name was not among the top 100.

"How is it? Is there a Tohka name?"

Meng Yue asked. First of all, I know what Shidao cares about.

"No……"

Shidou couldn't help but droop his shoulders in disappointment.

"Well, it's just that you didn't make it into the top 100. It's not like you've failed. There's no need to be so disappointed."

"That's true, but if you're in the top 100, you'll basically pass... I don't know the result yet, and I'm so nervous."

"If you stay here uneasy, Tohka's grades won't change." Patting Shidao on the shoulder, Meng Yue smiled and comforted him, "Trust Tohka, everyone has done their best, and the rest is up to fate."

"Well...I see."

After letting out a light breath, Shidou adjusted his mood and nodded.

At this moment, Shidao suddenly felt the phone in his pocket vibrate. Shidao took it out and saw that it was a message from Lingyin.

[Shh… Tohka’s grades are out… I’ve attached the transcripts for each subject…]

(Tohka's results?!)

Shidou widened his eyes in surprise, and quickly scrolled the screen to find the attached picture that Reine mentioned at the bottom of the text message.

(I feel more nervous than looking at my own scores.)

Shidou swallowed, prepared himself mentally, and opened the attachment. Inside was a transcript showing Tohka's scores in five subjects and her overall ranking. As if she understood Shidou's urgency at the moment, Reine was considerate enough to mark the passing score for the subject next to the score.

Class 4, Year 2, Yatogami Tohka:

Mathematics: 39 points, passing score 35.3 points.

English: 42 points, passing score 36.4 points.

Mandarin: 48 points, passing score: 37.7 points.

Social Studies: 40 points, passing score: 35.6 points.

Science: 34 points, passing score 34.4 points.

Total score: 203. Ranking: 126th —> 142nd.

(No...all passed.)

Shidao's heart suddenly sank.

If you only look at the surface, others might think that Tohka has regressed, but Shidou knows how much effort Tohka has put in to achieve this result. For her who originally had no high school knowledge, this is already a remarkable improvement.

(But... just a little bit.)

Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Shidou looked at it again, but the difference of only 0.4 points in science still made Shidou purse his lips unwillingly.

"Hmm? What happened to my belongings? You look so disappointed?"

"Confused. Are your grades not satisfactory?"

Seeing Shidou's depressed look, Yui and Yakuya asked in confusion.

"Could it be that... you are looking at Tohka's grades?"

As if she understood something, Meng Yue frowned.

"Well...I failed the science subject."

"No way...let me take a look."

Taking Shidou's phone, Mengyue looked at the contents in confusion, then suddenly relaxed her shoulders and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Huh...what? Isn't this already passed? You almost scared me to death, Shidou."

"Eh?"

Hearing Meng Yue's words, Shidao widened his eyes in surprise.

"But, but, isn't Tohka's science score 0.4 points below the passing line?"

"Come on Shidou, don't you even know how to calculate the passing score for your own school grades?"

Returning the phone to Shidao, Mengyue explained helplessly.

"The passing score for Laichan High School is set at half of the average score for that grade, but if there is a decimal, it will be rounded up. Although it says that the passing score for science is 34.4, 34 points is considered a passing score."

"Uh..." A trace of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and Shidou asked awkwardly, "So, Tohka passed?"

Meng Yue nodded silently.

"If you don't believe me, you can go and confirm with your class teacher, Ms. Xiaozhu. By the way, I've already asked her about this."

"Hahaha……"

Shidao couldn't help but let out a few dry laughs, and after a while, he leaned against the wall exhausted.