The Entrance Exams (116)

The crisp morning air carried a sense of nervous excitement as students poured into the exam center. The weight of years of studying, late-night revisions, and whispered dreams hung heavy in the atmosphere. Haruto and Aiko stood together just outside the gates, their hands brushing briefly before Aiko gave him an encouraging smile.

"This is it, Haruto," she said, trying to keep her voice light despite the anxiety bubbling in her chest. "After today, everything changes."

Haruto took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he nodded. "Yeah, no pressure or anything, right?" He chuckled, but Aiko could see the tension in his jaw. He had been preparing for this moment for months, pushing himself harder than ever. The long nights of studying, the exhaustion from balancing his part-time job, and the endless pages of practice exams had all led to this day.

"You'll do great," Aiko reassured him, squeezing his hand before stepping back. "We both will."

Haruto looked at her, taking in the way the morning sun reflected in her eyes. He wanted to believe her, but his stomach was in knots. He had always been confident in himself, but this exam was different. It was his ticket to Tokyo, to the university where he could study astronomy, his lifelong dream. But dreams, he knew, were fragile things.

The announcement for students to enter the exam hall broke the moment. They exchanged one last look, a silent promise to do their best, before heading inside.

The exam hall was vast, filled with rows upon rows of desks. The sound of papers shuffling and pens clicking echoed through the room as students settled in. Haruto found his seat and placed his hands on the desk, steadying himself. His mind raced through all the formulas, essays, and historical dates he had crammed into his brain.

When the instructor gave the signal to begin, he flipped over the paper, his heart pounding. The questions stared back at him, challenging, but familiar. He swallowed hard and forced himself to focus. One question at a time. He could do this.

Minutes turned into hours as he worked through the problems, his pen moving swiftly across the paper. The weight of expectation sat heavy on his shoulders, but he didn't allow himself to dwell on it. He had prepared for this. He had given it his all.

Aiko, seated in another section of the hall, faced her own battle. The art school entrance exam wasn't just about knowledge; it was about emotion, creativity, and skill. She had practiced endlessly, refining her technique, studying the great artists, and pouring her soul onto the canvas. Today, she had to prove she was worthy of a place at the prestigious Tokyo art school.

She glanced at the prompt in front of her. "Depict a moment that changed your life."

Her fingers hesitated for only a second before she picked up her pencil. She knew exactly what to draw.

With steady strokes, she began sketching a familiar scene—the cherry blossom tree where it had all begun. The day she had met Haruto, the way the petals had fallen around them like a dream, the laughter, the quiet moments of understanding. She poured her emotions into the artwork, shading the delicate details, capturing the warmth of that day. Her heart beat in sync with every stroke, every line carrying a piece of her soul.

She had no idea how much time had passed when the proctor's voice rang out, signaling the end of the exam. Aiko took a deep breath, looking at her finished piece. It was more than a drawing—it was a memory, a promise, a hope for the future.

Outside, students trickled out of the hall, their faces a mix of relief and exhaustion. Haruto stepped out into the open air, inhaling deeply. His mind was still buzzing with equations and essay responses, but it was over. All he could do now was wait.

Aiko appeared a few minutes later, her hands still smudged with pencil and charcoal. The moment their eyes met, she smiled, though there was a nervous edge to it.

"How was it?" she asked.

Haruto exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Tough, but I think I managed. You?"

Aiko hesitated, then nodded. "I gave it everything I had."

They stood there for a moment, letting the weight of the day sink in. The exams that had dictated their schedules, their stress, and their sleepless nights were finally over. The waiting game had begun.

Haruto looked at Aiko, noticing the faint smudge of charcoal on her cheek. Without thinking, he reached out and wiped it away with his thumb. She blinked up at him, surprised, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Sorry," he murmured, pulling his hand back. "Habit, I guess."

Aiko's cheeks warmed, but she laughed softly. "It's okay."

They started walking, their steps slower than usual. "What now?" Aiko asked, kicking a small pebble on the path.

Haruto thought for a moment. "Now we wait for the results. And try not to lose our minds in the process."

Aiko sighed. "Easier said than done."

"We'll get through it together," he said with certainty. "No matter what happens."

She glanced up at him, his confidence settling something in her heart. "Yeah. Together."

That night, Aiko sat by her window, her sketchbook open on her lap. She flipped through the pages, stopping at the one she had drawn just before the exams—a sketch of her and Haruto under the cherry blossom tree.

She traced the lines with her fingers, feeling a sense of calm wash over her. No matter what the results said, they had come this far together. They had supported each other, encouraged each other, and grown together.

Meanwhile, Haruto lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The anxiety was still there, but alongside it was hope. He had done his best, and that was all he could ask of himself.

As he closed his eyes, one thought remained clear in his mind: no matter what the future held, he and Aiko would face it together.

The entrance exams were over, but the journey was just beginning.