CHAPTER 8 - Brotherly in Competition

Out from the abyss, two sets of thick sheets of virtual papers appeared. Tables and chairs, like those from earth, followed shortly. We were given an hour to answer all of it without leaving one or two unanswered items. The test was divided into three parts: (1) general earthly knowledge; (2) profile; and lastly, (3) future plans and desires in the second life — a detailed questionnaire.

"Like the hell I'd copy Hirata's wrong answer…"

"Huh? Give me a break… The feeling is mutual."

I was aware that deep inside, all of these were laughable. An exam in this unknown place? I didn't know what was going on. But, as we had been restrained by uncertainty, we could not do anything outside what this suspicious voice was telling us. We accepted the scary-looking sheets. It kind of reminded me of those all-nighter days before math tests that I had quite a difficult time mastering back in high school. I threw a glance at Hirata, and, surprisingly, he immediately pitched into his answer sheets. He was so silent all the time. Anyway, since Hirata was now trying his best, I thought I should do my best too. I started flipping the pages of my papers, as well…

In fairness to the "Cosmic System," or so what Mr. Spokesman told us, the questions were not like those typical school assessments and homework. They were more like a set of experience-based learning evaluations… Oh, damn, without thinking, I was distracted and peeved again by my diverging thoughts… I shook my head and continued. So, aside from the aforementioned, questions about age, gender, height, weight, and many others were exacted as well. I could tell that the exam was neither hard nor easy, just within the bound of what our abilities could afford.

After an hour of bending over our heads to the summoned table, it ended. That was slightly toilsome in spite the fact that we were just sitting here all the time. Our answers glowed and disappeared like some lump of meat being offered to a wild beast in the dark.

"Brother," Hirata, now relaxed, calmly patted my back. "I know you're worried, but we just have to pray that we don't end up becoming flies in the next life…"

"Yeah. That depends on the score, isn't it? If the score is low maybe that might happen. But I doubt it…"

"Kwa-ha-ha, yeah. I know this is a bit misplaced, but wanna compete with me???"

"Huh? Don't be cocky, idiot! When was the time you won against me in a competition, huh? I bet the force of that explosion in the plane rocked your head somehow…"

"Huh??? Didn't you know? I actually reviewed and tallied our duels heretofore. You see, we are in a tie… Kwa-ha-ha, you still feel bad about admitting it? How uncool of you, brother. Don't worry, as I'll be defeating you from now on, I think you'd soon accept it…"

"That's stupid! Tsk, fine, I accept the competition this time. Based on your contrived computation, this is a tie-breaker, right?"

"Kwa-ha-ha, yeah, I'm telling the truth… It was on my laptop?"

What a cheerful blockhead. This was how most of our conversation went… Sometimes it was giving me something to laugh at, while for other instances, it was irritating to the bones. About this topic, though, I kind of thought he was telling the truth. I could not call this bragging. Though my skills in martial arts were top-notch, he had started gaining some wins against me later. That was commendable.

Furthermore, we had a different competition back in high school. Since our age was only a year apart, we became classmates. He suggested to count who had better appeal on the opposite sex. Not to blow my own horns, but my days in school were indeed brimming with so many letters inside my lockers. And despite how Hirata looked, he experienced the same… Regrettably, though, I didn't give too much attention to them. So all those who steeled their courage to confess to me were flatly denied, Hase included. Now that I remember it, I really kind of felt bad for her. She was the only one I truly liked. And when Hirata knew that I was dumping out those women, he followed suit. He even said once — 'Ah, if my rival of a brother prefers to be single amidst the harem of those cute girls, I guess I should follow the same! — this annoying statement.'

Since then, we enjoyed our lives as companions without hunting for the opposite sex. Until now, we still could not allot time for those things. How unfortunate and regrettable. In the end, Shiba had an inkling of sadness on his face for not being able to have a normal family he once dreamt of.

Phooo, anyway, in midst of our now-relaxed mood, a voice ringed in our ears again. The bastard spokesperson.

"Ahem, so how about the result? Hurry! Hurry!" said the excited but tense Hirata, "so that we'll know who wins this time…"

"Settle down, Hirata, let's listen carefully…"

""…""

""Because it's a tie again!""

We yelled at "Mr. Spokesman" in unison. For some reason, my brother had the skill comparable to mine.

"Seriously, Hirata!" I scowled at him, "even in death, you're still an annoyance to me…!"

"Huh?? Do you think I want this? Of course not! Just like before, when we both perfected the national exams — it was frustrating, you know? I want to surpass you, but you're good."

"Tch! Same here!"