Chapter 254. [Easy Win]

 

“Iroha, how was the test earlier? I got a perfect score, of course!”

 

“I got a perfect score too.”

 

“Tch, tied again. It seems like there’s no difference between us at this rate.”

 

High school life had begun, and it’s already been a week.

 

While moving to the next classroom, Shitenno walked beside him and started talking.

 

I still haven’t memorized his real name, which I apologize for. Please cut me some slack.

 

I’m bad at remembering names in the first place, and everyone around just calls him by a nickname anyway.

 

“But seriously, I never expected high school tests to be this easy.”

 

“To be honest, I thought the same thing.”

 

Our middle school was an advanced school.

 

However, even considering that, high school tests were easy.

 

Well, there are various difficult things outside of tests, like subjects that weren’t in Japan.

 

But basic subjects like math and chemistry were quite easy.

 

“But it can’t be helped, right? High school is compulsory education here. Or is it a moratorium?”

 

“I get it. It’s a mix of good and bad. My friends made here are all locals, after all.”

 

The school system is closer to Japanese universities, but in terms of position, it’s closer to middle school.

 

It’s normal to go to a high school near your home, and there’s no entrance exam.

 

“Also, unlike Japan, there doesn’t seem to be a strategy of choosing schools in reverse to get into a good university to get into a good company, right?”

 

“Yeah. But some parents want their kids to go to safe schools for security.”

 

Maybe, even the choice of studying or not is ‘free’. Of course, with corresponding self-responsibility.

 

“But, if classes are easy, it’s okay, right? It’s easy.”

 

“That’s just an excuse! Your brain will get rusty in no time like this!”

 

“You’re serious, huh?”

 

“On the contrary, why aren’t you motivated? Didn’t you come here hoping to study abroad?”

 

“Even if you say that, my study abroad is just a side gig for being a VTuber.”

 

“Your priorities are still messed up!”

 

“Huh? Isn’t there anything more important than being a VTuber?”

 

“…Sigh.”

 

Why sigh there?

 

I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?

 

“Well, that’s why there’s acceleration and repeating grades, I guess.”

 

Those who are not satisfied quickly move up. And those who are lacking stay there forever.

 

That’s the idea of classes tailored to each level.

 

I can’t judge which is better, a Japanese school education or an American.

 

“Hmph, well, I don’t hate that evaluation system. Thanks to that, even foreigners don’t get looked down on.”

 

“It sounds better to call it meritocracy.”

 

“If you say so, isn’t it more like ‘winner takes all’? You seem quite popular.”

 

“Ugh, spare me…”

 

He’s been poking at me since earlier, but I pretended not to notice.

 

It’s been a week, so I wish they’d get bored soon.

 

“Alright, we’ve arrived. Anyway, I think you should study on your own too.《Hey》”

 

《Been waiting for you, Shitenno. About this problem…》

 

Arriving at the classroom, Shitenno reunited with his friends.

 

I tried to sneak into the back seat, but the girls spotted me.

 

《Iroha-chan, you’re here~! Come sit in the middle of us~》

 

《Umm, okay》

 

《Here, have some snacks~! Aaahn》

 

《No, um… Aaahn》

 

They offered me snacks, and I couldn’t refuse.

 

It felt like being fed. Well, that’s exactly what it was.

 

In high school, many students eat snacks indoors.

 

It’s not prohibited; in fact, they sell various snacks inside.

 

《Kyaa, so cute! Want some too?》

 

《Mmm, ~~~~!? So sweeeeet?!?!?!?》

 

《Haha, it’s normal~!》

 

American snacks are like this!

 

I hurriedly took out my water bottle.

 

Glancing around the classroom, I saw many students chewing on something.

 

Especially popular are gums and chewable tobacco.

 

Come to think of it, isn’t the age for tobacco in America 18?

 

N-no, it must be my imagination! Surely, everyone is chewing gum.

 

But why do they all stick their chewed gum under the desks?

 

The only thing not sold inside the school is gum… that must be the reason.

 

《Phew. Th-that scared me》

 

《Iroha-chan, so dramatic~! Here, try this as an apology!》

 

《I-is this sweet too?》

 

《Hmm, just average?》

 

It’s still sweet, isn’t it!?

 

And while that was going on…

 

Ring, ring, ring!

 

The bell rang, and class began.

 

Our breaks are only five minutes.

 

They end as soon as we move.

 

《Okay, let’s start with this problem…》

 

It was a math class.

 

To be precise, it was algebra.

 

As I was solving problems, a girl looked at me with a shocked expression.

 

Huh? Did something strange happen?

 

《I-Iroha-chan, aren’t you using a calculator?》

 

《Huh?》

 

And I tilted my head—.